Noank nonprofit presents van to retired Air Force staff sergeant
Mystic — Work Vessels for Vets Inc., presented a van to retired Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Betz, of Newport, R.I., on Nov. 22 at Valenti VW Auto Dealership.
The vehicle, a Dodge Caravan, was donated by the Niekrash family in honor of their parents Michael and Rita Niekrash who passed away earlier this year. John Niekrash is chairman and a co-founder of Work Vessels for Vets. Valenti Auto installed new tires, brakes and made other minor repairs so the family will have a reliable vehicle.
"I can't believe this is happening to me. I served in Iraq and Afghanistan loading munitions onto fighter jets. And my family and I have lived in Japan, Guam, Utah and Arizona during my twelve years in the U.S. Air Force. We have been welcomed back home to Newport with our young daughter," Betz said at the ceremony."We are so very grateful."
Betz is completing his career studies in computer sciences at Rhode Island College and hopes to work in the field of occupational safety for the military in the future.
Since 2008, Work Vessels for Vets, run by five volunteers from Noank, has donated equipment valued at more $1.5 million to 1500 returning combat veterans across the nation.
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