We are proud to highlight the generous friends of the Air Force Enlisted Village on this page.  We are truly grateful for their support of our mission of providing a home for surviving spouses.  

The Boeing Company Generously Donates A Shuttle Cart

The Air Force Enlisted Village was a recent recipient of a Boeing grant valued at $6,345 to purchase a shuttle cart to aid residents when their physical condition is temporarily impaired.  The shuttle cart will be used to transport residents to scheduled activities within the villages.  This service provides an equal opportunity to residents with physical limitations to continue to enjoy a good quality of life.  The use of the cart affords residents the ability to get around by way of a driver so they remain an active participate in the community.  The shuttle cart also aids in delivering hot meals to residents who are unable to leave their apartments or prepare a meal themselves due to a physical limitation.   

The cart will also be utilized as a means of transporting prospective residents with mobility impairments to tour the Air Force Enlisted Village campus.  This method limits the amount of walking for the individuals yet allows full accessibility of a regular walking tour.  Easy access in and out of the cart is another benefit.

Since the new cart's delivery, it's been in use on a daily basis.  Its value to the Air Force Enlisted Village is immeasurable.   

Shuttle Cart

China cabinet from French castle finds home at AFEV

Standing more than 7 feet tall and nearly 8 feet wide, the heavily carved black china cabinet at the Air Force Enlisted Village is an impressive piece of furniture. But the story behind the cabinet is at least as impressive as the special item itself, which is valued at more than $18,000. The china cabinet was recently donated to the AFEV, a charity that provides a home for the surviving spouses of enlisted military members.

The story began when AFEV staff were contacted by Mrs. Gilberte Claire Clifton, an Army widow who lives near the AFEV. Mrs. Clifton was born in Germany, and her grandparents operated a fine hotel called the Deutscher Kaiser. Mrs. Clifton’s father traveled in France as a veterinarian during World War I. “He had the opportunity to visit various estates and castles in the Northern French countryside,” Mrs. Clifton said.

During one of his visits, Mrs. Clifton’s father noticed a beautiful ebonized dining room suite in a small French castle. The suite dated from the French second Renaissance period, and featured ebonized walnut with highly carved panels, scrolled pillars and columns.

Following the war, Mrs. Clifton’s father made arrangements to purchase the suite for his parents’ hotel in Rosenheim, Germany. The pieces were moved to Germany, but World War II interrupted the hotel’s operations. The hotel was temporarily occupied by American forces, Mrs. Clifton’s grandparents died, and the hotel closed.

The rooms stayed empty for many years, and most of the furniture was lost or taken away. “I had moved away and started to work for the U.S. Army in Munich,” Mrs. Clifton said. “Then I got married and immigrated to the United States. There was no way for me to take the china cabinet with me at that time.”

Several years later, Mrs. Clifton learned that the building housing her grandparents’ hotel was to be sold. Mrs. Clifton contacted the owners, and found out that one piece of the dining room suite remained – the large china cabinet. She had the piece shipped to her home in Shalimar, Fla.

Although Mrs. Clifton kept the cabinet in her home for many years, she recently decided it needed a new home. “I’m getting to the age where I need to get rid of some of my things,” she said. “It should be somewhere else, somewhere it would be appreciated.” Mrs. Clifton decided that place would be the AFEV. “A lot of the people who live there are from other countries. I know there’s a lot of German ladies,” she said.

The china cabinet now occupies a place of honor in the Sophia Silliman room at the Bob Hope Village community center. AFEV staff have had the piece appraised, and it is valued at $18,000.

Enlisted spouse donates through life insurance policy

An Arkansas native who spent time as an Air Force enlisted spouse recently decided to donate to the Air Force Enlisted Village through her life insurance policy. The surviving spouse of retired MSgt. Carl D. Parrish said she loved the military and loved her husband being in the military.

Mrs. Parrish said she was pleased to find from her financial advisor there was a way to donate in this manner while she was still living. “I think we owe so much to our military and our surviving spouses,” she said.

Sergeant Parrish originally went into the Merchant Marines when World War II broke out. When he got out, he worked for the highway department for a few years and decided he missed the military. He then joined the Air Force and spent the first part of his career in Civil Engineering working on grounds and runways. He ended his career in the language school at Lackland AFB, Texas, teaching basic English to flight school students from 37 different countries.

The couple, who went to school together in Arkansas, were married when Sergeant Parrish was being transferred from Carswell AFB, Texas to March AFB, Calif. They spent time in Lake Charles, La. and Mineral Wells and San Antonio, Texas.

When he retired, they returned to Arkansas, where they owned property. They built a house there and ran a farm with Herford cattle. Sergeant Parrish passed away in June, 1981. Mrs. Parrish continued to run the farm and keep their house for about 12 years, then sold it and built a smaller house across the street.

“We owe a lot to those who had the foresight for a place like the Air Force Enlisted Village,” she said. “I’ve been more fortunate than some and if I can help somebody have a better quality of life, that’s all the thanks I need.”

Retired Chief bequests more than $170,000

The Air Force Enlisted Village recently received notification of a large bequest from a former Air Force supply officer.

Mr. Elwood (Keith) Sowles, a retired Chief Master Sergeant, passed away on Jan. 2, 2002. Following the death of his wife, Margareta, in 2006, Mr. Sowles’ estate bequeathed more than $170,000 to the AFEV.  Ms. Marie Brandon, trustee of the Sowles’ estate, said that Mr. Sowles wanted to do something for the Air Force when he passed away. “Keith joined the Army Air Corps at a very early age, and he always said the Air Force was his family,” Ms. Brandon said. “It was very important to him to leave something to his family.”

Mr. Sowles met his wife Margareta, a German citizen, when he was stationed in Germany following World War II. Ms. Brandon said the Sowles’ traveled the world during their time in the Air Force, and continued to travel after he retired in 1975.

In addition to his bequest to the AFEV, Mr. Sowles also left a generous gift to the Air Force Aid Society. For information on how to make a charitable bequest to the AFEV, contact the marketing department at 1-850-651-3766, or see our “Ways of Giving” brochure on this website.