A warm welcome
By Joey Pitchford
Published in News on July 15, 2016 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
4th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Christopher Sage, left, and his wife, Jessica, are introduced by Scott LaFevers Thursday night during a welcome reception hosted by the Military Affairs Committee at the Goldsboro Event Center.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
4th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Christopher Sage and his wife, Jessica, left, greet community leaders during a welcome reception for them Thursday night.
Members of the Goldsboro Military Affairs Committee and community leaders gathered at the Goldsboro Event Center Thursday evening for a welcome reception in honor of newly installed 4th Fighter Wing commander Col. Christopher Sage.
The reception acted as a relaxed, informal way for members of the Goldsboro community to meet Sage, who took command of Seymour Johnson June 30. Representatives from local businesses, the county commission, and local governments came out to meet the new commander and welcome him to the area.
"Colonel, this is Goldsboro right here," said MAC chairman Scott LeFevers, gesturing to the assembled guests. "We're really excited to have you in the community, we think you'll be a great fit."
As much as the reception was meant for community members to meet Sage, so was it meant for Sage to get to know his new neighbors. Sage has been stationed at Seymour Johnson twice before, and most recently returned from a stint in Brussels, Belgium, to take command of the base. This is the first time that all of Sage's five children have been in Goldsboro.
"The kids are very excited to be back in the United States of America, just to experience the freedoms that we have as American citizens," he said.
Even though Sage has yet to even move into his permanent home on base, Chief Master Sgt. Shane Wagner, 4th Fighter Wing Command chief, said that the two weeks since he arrived have been exemplary.
"They've been phenomenal," Wagner said. "He's been drinking from the fire hose, making sure every issue is under control. And he puts the airmen first."
The relationship between the base and the Goldsboro community has become a major part of what sets Seymour Johnson apart as a military base. Wagner said that events like the reception are important for maintaining that connection.
"The biggest part of our base is that it's a small city within the larger community," he said. "The relationship between our base and Goldsboro is like nothing I've ever seen, so it's vital that we maintain that."
One of the guests in attendance was retired Marine Gen. Cornell Wilson Jr., secretary of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs. He said that coming out to meet the community was important for the broader goal of protecting the nation.
"It welcomes the community, lets them know that we appreciate their contribution to our national security," he said. "Also, it's just being a good neighbor."
After meeting with the vast majority of the approximately 120 guests in attendance, Sage said that the short time since he assumed command has been very special.
"We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support," he said. "And that is a reflection of the support this base has received from the community."