Gen. Rosborg honored
By Barbara Arntsen
Published in News on August 13, 2004 1:57 PM
Gen. Eric J. Rosborg, commander of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, may be leaving for a new assignment, but Wayne County leaders let him know Thursday that they want him back.
Rosborg was given a surprise party at the Goldsboro Country Club, where he received "keys" to Goldsboro and the county.
"The two years he's spent here and all that he's done will carry on for years to come," said City Councilman Chuck Allen. "You are a part of us always. You've got to come back."
Rosborg leaves Seymour Johnson for an assignment at the Pentagon where he will serve as special assistant for warfighting headquarters implementation in the Office of the Vice Chief of Staff, Air Force Headquarters. On Monday, he will turn over the wing's command to Col. Mike Holmes, who is coming from Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi.
Mayor Al King presented Rosborg with a key to the city, saying that the city didn't give out keys to just anyone.
"You've got to be special to get a key," King said. "And you are special."
J.D. Evans, chairman of the county commissioners, followed King's presentation by giving the general a key to the county.
"You can't get into Goldsboro until you get into the county first," Evans said. "So here's the key to Wayne County."
Evans, King and Allen all emphasized the contributions to the area Rosborg has made.
"I think he's won about every award there is to win since he's been here," Allen said. "I think they even started creating new awards to see if the general could do it."
King said that when Rosborg was approached to lead the committee for the first Sept. 11 commemoration, he immediately said yes.
Rosborg's wife, Elizabeth, and son Matthew were also recognized and given gifts.
Neither the mayor nor Allen could remember the last time someone had been given a key to the city.
The City Council wanted to give it to Rosborg, not only for all his contributions, but because of the close personal relationship that has developed between the general and the city.
"This base has always been the best one on the planet Earth," King said. "But he moved it up three or four notches."
Rosborg said he was surprised and honored by the presentations.
He said that he had no idea he would walk into such a special place when he came to Goldsboro.
"We had no idea what kind of wonderful people we would meet," he said. "Within days you put your arms around us. ... It became obvious we were home in many ways."