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Community shows support for Joint Total Force Scott Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brian Butkus
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Joint Total Force Scott dormitory members gathered at Bel-Air Bowl when the city of Belleville hosted an afternoon of food, fun and bowling Saturday.

The Belle-Scott Committee, going on its 57th year relationship with Scott Air Force Base sponsored the event. The event gave Airmen a little insight into the city of Belleville. Local restaurants donated food, Airmen bowled for free and off-duty police officers gave dorm residents the opportunity to ride in a police cruiser while touring the city.

"By hosting these events, our goal is to make the servicemembers from Scott feel like they are part of the community," said Jack Schmidt, Belle-Scott Committee co-chairman. "I have been an active member of the committee for 35 years, and holding events like this is truly what we are all about."

Also in attendance and showing their support for the dorm residents were" Col. Al Hunt, 375th Airlift Wing commander and various other military leaders, Mayor Mark Eckert, Belleville mayor' various members of the Belleville Chamber of Commerce and representatives from the Belleville Police Department.

"It is very important that we show our thanks to those serving our country," said Kathy Kaiser, Belleville Chamber of Commerce representative. "These young Airmen today are the future of our armed forces. These men and women could one day be our future leaders."

A big contributor to the relationships between the local community and Scott is the recently implemented "Campus Concept," where each dormitory building is named after a local community.

"The contributions that Mascoutah, O'Fallon and Belleville and soon to be Shiloh have made to the dormitories, and Scott in general, is paramount," said Colonel Hunt. "The partnership we have with our local communities gives us the opportunity to go out and tell first hand the Air Force's story."

Rounding out the day's event was a presentation of the Belleville flag from Mayor Eckert to the Belleville Hall residents.

"I had the pleasure of being there as we unveiled the dorms and since their naming we have wanted to give you this," he said. "As both of our communities grow, we hope to continue to show our support of our Scott Airmen and keep our relationship strong."