Retired veteran finds new mission volunteering at senior center

PHOENIX (InvestigateTV) — A Valley Army veteran is spending his post-military and post-retirement years volunteering at a Phoenix senior center, offering companionship and practical help to seniors who have few other resources.Robert Lane can be found at the Desert West Senior Center in the Maryvale neighborhood Monday through Friday, from morning until late afternoon. Lane enlisted in the Army in the late 1970s, shortly after the Vietnam War ended, as part of an effort known as Operation Babylift.“They flew me and a couple guys out to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and we fed all the Vietnamese women and babies there,” Lane said.He has continued feeding people since — now serving hotdogs and nachos at the senior center. Lane also takes seniors grocery shopping, drives them to doctor appointments, and spends time with them at the center. It is all part of the Senior Companion Program, which is an AmeriCorps Seniors service through Northern Arizona University.“Making them laugh and just the joy