Military-friendly: Community should preserve its reputation among airmen

You hear it all the time.

Those who are coming to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base say it, and those who retire from the service confirm it: This is a good place to come if you are a member of the military.

The reason is not all the amenities the community has to offer. There are others with more.

It is also not because there are all kinds of special benefits offered to those who serve. There are plenty of places to find those.

What makes this town “military-friendly” is that many Wayne County residents seem to understand that service is a sacrifice, and they appreciate those who have dedicated their lives to keeping their country free.

So, if you are an airman, you just might get a “thank you” from a complete stranger for being a member of the U.S. Air Force — and someone might even pick up your lunch check.

And if you are a commander, you might be surprised at how hard the community works to take care of the families and airmen under your command.

And that makes you want to stick around a while — and maybe to come back someday.

That is a reputation that Wayne County should continue to cultivate, both through programs for military families and taking the time to acknowledge the work they do.

Although the attitude seems like it should be a given, it isn’t everywhere, and that’s what makes this community special.

And that is a distinction we want to keep — not just because it is good for business, but because it is the right thing to do.

Published in Editorials on April 11, 2008 11:12 AM