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Honorary Commander's inducted into the Alamo Wing

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino
  • 433 AW
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, TEXAS --  Five San Antonio civic and business leaders were inducted into the 433rd Airlift Wing's Honorary Commanders Program, May 2, 2015, during a ceremony May at the 68th Airlift Squadron's auditorium.

The additional ceremony was held due some honorary commanders, unavailability to make the original ceremony that took place March 7, 2015 in downtown San Antonio, Texas.  
The ceremony, hosted by the 433rd Airlift Wing's commander, Col. William W. Whittenberger, Jr. is a time-honored tradition, signifying the relationship between the military and civilian communities.

"We can't do this without the community, we can't do this without you, you are extremely, important to us. One of the highest honors you can have in the military is to become the commander of the unit. It has its workload. The benefits that come out of it, the rewards are unreal," he said prior to the ceremony's beginning.

The Honorary Commanders Program is an executive-level program intended as a forum in which the Alamo Wing commanders can solicit advice and support from civic leaders on matters affecting military and civilian communities, while reinforcing the already strong ties between the 433rd Airlift Wing and the San Antonio community.

"I am retired Air Force myself and I am looking forward to how I can help as an honorary commander," said Milton Harris, president and chairman of the board of 100 Black Men of San Antonio. "I look forward to meeting more professionals in the unit and seeing how I can help," he said.

Each of the Alamo Wing's Honorary Commanders is matched with a leader from within the 433rd. During the year, the civilian and military counterparts become acquainted at social and professional events hosted by the 433rd. This allows the community leaders to understand the importance of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, and its many resources, and mission.  In turn, giving military leaders a better understanding and appreciation of the community in which they live.

During the ceremony, each honorary commander participated in a reenactment of an official military change of command ceremony. Group and squadron  commanders presented the honorary commanders with an Air Force Commander's Insignia pin. The Commander's Insignia is awarded to any Air Force officer who holds a major command billet in the United States Air Force.

"I am very thankful that I am allowed to give back to the military community," said Ted Murphree, Assistant City of Attorney, City of San Antonio, who will be a first time honorary commander. "I have heard this program is a great symbiotic relationship and it works well and allows a lot of communication, and that what it is really all about, communication," Murphree said.

While only five of this year's Alamo Wing Honorary Commanders participated in this ceremony, there are 24 in all.

The Honorary Commander's inducted this month were:
Mr. Floyd L. Carpenter, franchised restaurant owner, Chick-fil-A, S.W. Military Drive; Dr. Milton Harris, President and Chairman of the Board, 100 Black Men of San Antonio Inc.; Ted Murphree, Assistant City of Attorney, City of San Antonio; Steven Richmond, President and Director of Maintenance, Pizza Hut of San Antonio and Alan Warrick, II, City Councilman for District 2.