In Cheyenne, where military and community ties run deep, one couple has spent the past decade helping Airmen find something many don’t expect when they arrive: a sense of home.
Shane and Andrea Allen have opened their doors through the Adopt an Airman program at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, welcoming service members with home-cooked meals, holiday traditions, and a place to feel connected while far from home.
What began as a simple invitation to dinner has grown into years of friendships, shared experiences, and a steady reminder of how meaningful small acts of connection can be.
“You never know what someone might need,” the Allens said. “Sometimes it’s just having a place where they can relax and feel cared about.”
The Adopt an Airman program connects local families with Airmen stationed in the Cheyenne area. It provides a sense of belonging during a time of transition, as Airmen adjust to new surroundings, demanding schedules, and distance from loved ones. For some, it means having somewhere to go during the holidays. For others, it offers a break from the routines and pressures of military life.
The Allens joined the program during its first year in 2015. It did not take long for them to realize the impact the experience would have, not just on the Airmen, but on their own family as well.
Their home became a gathering place filled with laughter, conversation, and tradition. There were holiday dinners and Christmas cookie decorating, fishing trips and hunting outings, and evenings spent around the kitchen table swapping stories. Shane often introduced Airmen to ranch life, putting them to work and even teaching them the basics of roping.
“The holidays would be a lot harder without them,” Andrea said. “They’ve become extended family.”
That sense of family has only grown stronger over the years. Even after Airmen leave Cheyenne, the relationships continue. The Allens stay connected, celebrating milestones and remaining part of each other’s lives long after military assignments change.
One of the first Airmen they welcomed, Cade, quickly became part of the family. Over time, the circle grew. Cade introduced his friend Joe, who also became part of the Allens’ extended Airman family. Through those connections, Joe met his wife, and the couple now has a baby whose middle name honors the Allens’ late son, Cole.
The Allens’ daughter, Molly, has also built close bonds with the Airmen who have come through their home, further reinforcing how deeply the program has become woven into their family.
Their story highlights something simple but powerful: connection matters. This is especially true within military communities, where frequent moves, long hours, and time away from support systems can lead to feelings of isolation and make emotional well-being even more important.
Shane and Andrea believe support often begins in ordinary moments like sharing a meal, checking in after a long week, or making sure someone has somewhere to go when they need it most.
“Sometimes the most important conversations don’t feel like big moments." said the Allens. "They just happen naturally.”
Over time, these small moments have created lasting bonds, reinforcing that meaningful support is often simple and deeply impactful.
That belief has taken on deeper meaning in recent years. After losing their son, Cole, to suicide in 2021, and Andrea’s mother more recently, the Allens said the relationships they had built through the Airman community became a source of comfort and healing.
Rather than stepping away, they leaned further into the connections that had meant so much to them.
Today, they continue honoring Cole’s memory through the Cowboy Cole Memorial Foundation, which focuses on raising awareness around suicide prevention and supporting mental health for young people. Its yellow feather symbol serves as a reminder to check in on others, show compassion, and make sure people know they are not alone.
That mission carries into their home and into every relationship they build with the Airmen they welcome.
““If someone knows they have a person they can call or somewhere they can go, that can make a difference,” explains the couple.
As the Adopt an Airman program continues to grow, now with a waiting list of Airmen hoping to participate, the Allens encourage others to get involved.
“It takes a little courage to sign up. But it’s not hard, and it’s so rewarding for everyone.”
More than anything, they hope people recognize that support does not have to be complicated or overwhelming.
Sometimes, it starts with something small.
A shared meal.
A simple check-in.
An open door.
And sometimes, that simple invitation can mean everything.
To learn more about Adopt An Airman, find them on Facebook or visit their 211 page.