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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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Visit to local veteran hospital reunites senior NCO and recruiter

  • Published
  • By Airman Andrew Caya
  • 914 AW
Niagara Falls ARS, N.Y. - --  On a recent trip to the Buffalo, New York Veterans' Hospital in February, members of the 914th Airlift Wing provided valentines and shared stories and smiles with the veterans at the hospital.

While giving out cards to the former service members, Master Sgt. Linda Chapman, 914th Commander's Support Staff, saw a familiar face.

"At first I didn't know it was him," said Sergeant Chapman.

"I went over to the table and I give this gentleman a card and I'm looking at him, and I heard him say that he used to work at the 914th.  As soon as he said that, I knew the voice and I said, 'excuse me, aren't you Sergeant Bizzell?' And he said, 'The one and only' said Sergeant Chapman.

Sergeant Irv Bizzell was Sergeant Chapman's recruiter 28 years ago.

Sergeant Chapman said she couldn't become an Airman at first because she was under the weight requirement.  Bizzell suggested she drink banana shakes to get her weight up.  Although it didn't work Sergeant Bizzell told her to put rocks in her pocket., "The lady at the clinic found the rocks in my pockets so that also didn't help," Sergeant Chapman said laughing.

"Sergeant Bizzell was determined to get me into the Air Force Reserve so he went up to the commander at the time and got a waiver for my weight," said Sergeant Chapman.

A little later in her military career she helped Sergeant Bizzell recruit young women for the Air Force Reserve.

"He would ask me to talk to the new recruits and tell them about basic training and I would tell them about all the things they needed to look out for in basic, especially the young ladies fresh out of high school," said Sergeant Chapman.

"I never thought in February I would be reunited with the person who helped me start my Air Force Reserve career," said Sergeant Chapman.  It was a fond occasion of memories and excitement seeing Sergeant Bizzell again at the veterans hospital," said Sergeant Chapman.  "This time I was giving back what he gave me 28 years ago when I enlisted."

"It was very full circle for me to see my recruiter 28 years after he recruited me," concluded Master Sgt. Linda Chapman.