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Scott Airmen dine with civic leaders

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Kelly-Woodward
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Fifty-nine years ago servicemembers were not treated well in Belleville, causing Belleville to be named, "the worst Soldier town in the U.S.A." To help mend the relationship between the city and Scott, the Belleville Plan, which is now the Belle-Scott committee, was created.

Last Thursday, 130 Scott Airmen and Sailors were treated to a dinner among more than 130 of St. Clair County's civic and business leaders.

Since 1917, people from Scott have lived in Belleville and now live in all four corners of the world.

The Airmen began their evening with a police escort to Fischer's Restaurant in Belleville, making their ride smooth as they stopped for nothing.

Then, each Airman was personally greeted by several Belle-Scott committee members, the 375th Airlift Wing commander and command chief through a handshake line.

Belleville Mayor, Mark Eckert, welcomed the Airmen by saying, "You have very, very sincere friends in Belleville. Anything you folks need, just ask, because this community has a history of responding."

Airmen were seated with Belle-Scott members and were able to interact, as well as network with them.

Airman 1st Class Michael Clevenger, 15th Operational Weather Squadron weather forecaster, was just one Airman who enjoyed having dinner with the people of St. Clair County.

"It was excellent," he said. "I came here last year and wanted to come again because I enjoyed it. It was pretty cool to interact with the people, I even met people from my hometown. Also, the food was excellent."

Entertainment was provided by Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble, based at Scott.

Senior Airman Kristin Nowatzki, Air Mobility Command headquarters Air Intelligence Squadron intelligence analyst, was chosen to give the enlisted response. Airman Nowatzki has been in the Air Force for three years, at Scott for two years and has deployed three times. In six months, she will be deploying again. During her career, she has earned her Community College of the Air Force degree and her bachelor's degree. She is currently working on her master's degree.

"This community's teamwork, support and friendship helps us serve with recreation programs, scholarships and care packages," she said. "They also take care of our families and spouses when we deploy, making it easier to focus on the mission."

As the night ended, Airmen left feeling more supported in the community and with the sense that they had a friend in St. Clair County.

General Hughes concluded: "Your relationship with people is what gets things done in the world. This place gets things done."