McConnell AFB Airmen aid local senior citizen Published Jan. 21, 2005 MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- While delivering meals for the Meals on Wheel program here, two McConnell Airmen were at the right place at the right time to help an elderly woman who had fallen.Staff Sgt. Travis Yunker and Senior Airman Thomas Burris, both from the 22nd Maintenance Squadron Fabrication Flight, were at their fifth house delivering a meal to an elderly woman Dec. 10, 2004, when the volunteer service turned into a rescue mission.When the Airmen arrived at the house, they knocked at the door but no one answered.We heard the TV, a dog barking and someone saying help me, help me, said Airman Burris.The two curious Airmen entered the residence. Their first encounter was with an oversized, unfriendly Dalmatian.He was trying to stop us from getting too close to her, said Airman Burris.When the Airmen looked in, they saw the woman lying on the floor between her wheelchair and the walker.I pushed the Dalmatian back with my foot to get him away from us, said Sergeant Yunker.The Airmen proceeded to help the elderly woman up into her wheelchair. The woman, who seemed to be in her mid-70s, said she had been on the floor for almost three hours. She had been calling for help but no one could hear her.She was shaking a lot and was pretty disoriented, said Sergeant Yunker. She didnt know what was going on.The lady told them she had Parkinsons disease, which contributed to her weakness and lack of mobility.Every two minutes shed ask our names, ages and where we worked, said Sergeant Yunker. She just couldnt remember.Sergeant Yunker and Airman Burris helped the woman contact her care provider and stayed with her for about 45 minutes.She asked if we could stay with her because she didnt want to be alone, said Sergeant Yunker.They listened to her stories, fed her Dalmatian, and helped her to eat.The woman told them she was very happy they showed up when they did.Sometimes the only people home-bound senior citizens see are the ones who deliver their meals in the day, said Sergeant Yunker. Sometimes their family members visit, but most of these people never leave the house. Theyre always pretty eager to see someone come by; they want to talk. And we generally spend a little time with them.After leaving the house, the two Airmen continued their meal deliveries and reported the incident to the Meals on Wheels program which agreed to follow up with her.Shes a nice lady, said Airman Burris. A few people from the 22nd MXS Fabrication Flight who volunteer in the Meals on Wheels program went to her house a few weeks ago and said she asked about us. They also said she was doing all right.Approximately 50 members of the 22nd MXS Fabrication Flight are a part of the Meals on Wheels program here. They volunteer each Friday, delivering meals to local senior citizens who have a hard time leaving their home because of injury, illness or frailty. Air Mobility Command News Service is a service of the Internal Division Office of Public Affairs 503 Ward Drive, Room 214 Scott Air Force Base, Illinois 62225-5335 618-229-7821