Col. Bryan Radliff, 477th Fighter Group commander, spoke with a resident of Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer, Alaska Nov. 11. F-22 pilots from the 302nd and 525th FS spent the day with residents before a formal ceremony, which included the presentation of nine Alaska Veterans Service medals. The 477th FG is Alaska's only Air Force Reserve unit of which the 302nd FS falls under. (US Air Force photo/ Capt. Ashley Conner) Capt. Rich Stocker, 525th Fighter Squadron, spoke with a resident of Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer, Alaska Nov. 11. F-22 pilots from the 302nd and 525th FS spent the day with residents before a formal ceremony which included the presentation of nine Alaska Veterans Service medals. (US Air Force photo/ Capt. Ashley Conner) Capt. Rich Stocker presented an F-22 lithograph signed by the Reserve and active duty pilots to the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer, Alaska Nov. 11. F-22 pilots from the 302nd and 525th FS spent the day with residents before a formal ceremony which included the presentation of nine Alaska Veterans Service medals. (US Air Force photo/ Capt. Ashley Conner) Lt. Col. Rob Jackson and 1st Lt. Mark Harper, both from the 525th Fighter Squadron, spoke with a resident of Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer, Alaska Nov. 11. F-22 pilots from the 302nd and 525th FS spent the day with residents before a formal ceremony which included the presentation of nine Alaska Veterans Service medals. (US Air Force photo/ Capt. Ashley Conner) Capt. Eric Otto, 525th Fighter Squadron, and his son Joshua spoke with a resident of Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer, Alaska Nov. 11. F-22 pilots from the 302nd and 525th FS spent the day with residents before a formal ceremony which included the presentation of nine Alaska Veterans Service medals. (US Air Force photo/ Capt. Ashley Conner) Reserve, active duty Raptor pilots visit with Veterans by Capt. Ashley Conner 477th Fighter Group 11/14/2011 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska  -- Reserve and active duty F-22 Raptor pilots from the 302nd and 525th Fighter Squadron took some time on Veterans Day to give thanks to the men and women of the Armed Services that came before them. Capt. Rich Stocker, 525th FS F-22 pilot, orchestrated the visit to the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer, Alaska Nov. 11. "When I discovered the Pioneer home is state run and inhabited by 75% Veterans, I realized it was the best choice for us to show our support," said Stocker. "I knew all of the Veterans would appreciate our visit and I knew everyone attending would enjoy hearing stories from the past." After spending some time talking with residents a small ceremony was held, which opened with Stocker reading a letter of thanks from Senator Murkowski, followed by the presentation of the Alaska Veterans Service medal to nine Pioneer residents. "One gentleman I spoke with had some great stories about how he helped build the runways and support facilities on Elmendorf AFB," said Lt. Col. Rob Jackson, 525th FS director of operations. "America would not be the country it is today without the service and sacrifice of our veterans." The Reserve and active duty F-22 pilots who integrate on all aspects of the F-22 mission on JBER used this as an opportunity to bond with each other and Veterans who had a substantial impact on JBER and the military. "We come together with our active duty brethren to pay tribute to the men and women of Pioneer nursing home who served our Nation with pride and distinction," said Col. Bryan Radliff, 477th FG commander. "Their sacrifices are appreciated every day we live as free people and we are honored to recognize them along with their families."