Airman Values Support Found at Holiday Meals Event
Jack Kabwilo enlisted in the Air Force in 2024 because he wanted to learn a new trade and find a career path to support his family.
He and his family—wife Ehema and son Raymond, 6—moved from Michigan and are now stationed at Hill Air Force Base in northern Utah.
An airman first class, Jack works in vehicle maintenance and enjoys his new job and the development that comes with it.
As the family settled into their home, Jack looked for ways to connect with other military families and explore the area. He found the Operation Homefront Facebook page which included a post about a Holiday Meals for Military® event held 30 minutes away in Plain City.
“It was phenomenal. It felt so good being a service member and seeing the support.” – Airman 1st Class Jack Kabwilo, Air Force
The event was hosted at Kent’s Market, a regional grocery chain. Jack’s family was one of nearly 400 who signed up for the drive-thru event that included a $50 gift card, household cleaning and laundry supplies, and groceries.
“It was phenomenal,” he said. “I was blown away. It felt so good being a service member and seeing the support. … There is a lot of stress as a service member, but when I got there, I thought there’s hope out there with people supporting us.”
Jack was even a winner of a raffle and took home camping chairs that he had planned to buy for his backyard. Overall, his first outing with Operation Homefront was inspiring and one he hopes will be the first of many.
He wants donors to know he appreciates their support.
“It’s a huge relief for military members,” he said. “We are moving and far away from family and these events tell us you are not alone, we are with you, every step of the way.”
Since 2010, Operation Homefront’s HMFM has provided more than 210,000 holiday meals to military and veteran families.
