Giving Back, Moving Forward: Arnold Air Society pays tribute to struggling veterans.

For the cadets in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Cincinnati, community service is a priority and a passion.

On Sunday, March 1, 2009, the young cadets honored local veterans of the Joseph House by serving up a free spaghetti dinner.

This is one of many events that Arnold Air Society has put together this year.

"It's a national organization," said Ken Washington, AAS cadet and third-year criminal justice student. "This is what we're based on - primarily service events and stuff for the community."

The cadets spent Super Bowl Sunday downtown at the veteran's hospital watching the game. They have lent their assistance to Relay for Life and Habitat for Humanity, among many others.

The veterans' dinner drew more than 60 people, all grateful for their salads and spaghetti dinners; however, it was not the food alone that attracted them, but the invitation to be honored, remembered and appreciated.

"It was an opportunity for the ROTC to pay tribute to the veterans and sit and talk with them," said Calvin Wooten, administrator of the Joseph House. "They can get some insight on experience and share that common bond you have when you're in the military."

Handwritten cardboard signs covered the walls, displaying inspirational messages from the cadets.

"People always seem to respond more to imagery and scenery," said Brett Garrison, AAS cadet and third-year international affairs student.

Conversations and stories about prime years in the military were shared between the cadets and veterans. The tired faces lit up that evening.

"There are a few guys here that have some pretty interesting stories," said Rob Pukay-Martin, AAS cadet and second-year engineering student.

The Joseph House began in 1994 by offering counsel to veterans struggling with substance abuse and living on the streets. Their motto is: "We don't leave our wounded behind."

The campus of the Joseph House offers 84 beds, three full-time and four part-time licensed counselors, and a 30-bed halfway house program and an outpatient program.

"As a recovering person myself, I made it a point to do something meaningful," Wooten said. "I can offer my personal experience and professional teachings and knowledge of addiction. I can help them come to know the basis of their decisions."

People seeking assistance from the Joseph House must comply with their rules and regulations to stay clean and seek employment. The average time spent there is nearly 10 months, and a few have stayed for more than two years.

Nearly 70 percent of the $980,000 budget is supported by grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Urban Housing and Development. The rest is covered by donations from other veterans and generous citizens.

The time and effort spent in organizing this event did not go unappreciated, as the veterans are always grateful for the help and appreciation.

"They were still talking about it on Monday," Wooten said. "Some of the newer guys here had uplifted spirits and were much more motivated to keep going and stay clean for another day."

As the AAS cadets seek opportunities like this to help the community, they could always use more help. Other branches of this department have a community service group called Silver Wings, but the University of Cincinnati does not yet have one.

"It's the civilian side of it," Washington said. "We don't actually have a Silver Wings at our school. You can't be a ROTC cadet to be in Silver Wings; you have to get the college students on campus to join. We'd love to have more hands to help us."

Silver Wings is unique in that it is run only by students - from the chapter levels to the national level. Existing through AAS alone, it also focuses closely on leadership, professional development and military awareness.

"Hosting something like the veteran's dinner means a lot to me since I grew up in a military family," Washington said. "To be able to honor and show that we really do care about these guys is a great opportunity."

The cadets currently in AAS have made a commitment to service not only in the military but in the community.

"I like the camaraderie," Garrett said. "There are some really top-notch people here, and I think cadets and citizens see a difference from AAS people and ROTC people."

Cadet Amanda Baker, a third-year classics student, is one of the 42 members of AAS and would like to see more people join with them to better the community. Prior to her time spent with AAS, she devoted much of her time to service projects.

"I was part of the honors program, which required about 13 hours of community service a quarter," Baker said. "I would go around campus and help pick up trash, volunteer at Christmas parties, serve breakfast and volunteer at the animal shelter."

Many high school students had some requirement of service hours prior to graduation, and now those who are college-bound still hold the same desire to serve, but do not have the right resources.

"We have a pretty big squadron now, but [I would] like to see more people involved. [The service projects] really are a lot of fun, and you get to see a part of Cincinnati that most people don't," Baker said.

As the founding squadron of AAS, it seems ironic that the newer chapters have a Silver Wings program and UC does not.

The process requires only 10 students that are not part of the armed forces or ROTC who are willing to commit time and energy to service. Once that minimum number is reached, the program will be approved by headquarters to begin.

"It's something we've been trying to do for a while," Washington said. "It would be great to get it started."

Baker stressed that it is difficult to begin because it is one thing to have students sign on, but quite another to have them sign on and stay on board. Once people stop following through with the promise of commitment, all of the hard work that went in to getting the program started would be wasted.

"It's a great group of people to hang out with, and we are all pretty good friends," Baker said.

The service projects can be completed with good friends and be a fun experience while at the same time count toward the Cincinnatus Scholarship requirements. Participants may be eligible for other scholarships as well.

"My hat goes off to Cadet Garrett and all of the ROTC people that help put this together," Wooten said.

The food was donated by ARAMARK Food Services, Center Court Dining Center and the Division of Student Affairs and Services. Greg Payton, administrator from the Freestore Foodbank and a formerly homeless veteran, was the guest speaker.

"I can't wait to see this continue and grow into more of a fellowship," Wooten said. "Both sides of the table could really use that."

If you are interested in becoming part of the Silver Wings program or would like more information on requirements and eligibility, e-mail Cadet Baker and her fellow AAS members at aasw665@gmail.com.