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McChord leadership, company recognize base landmark

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle and Staff Sgt. Rachael Garneau
  • 446th Airlfit Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  Air Force leadership at McChord Field took a moment to recognize the value of a key landmark on base, and the everlasting significance it represents.

Commanders, non-commissioned officers, retirees and dependents from McChord Field celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Memorial Grove during a rededication ceremony, June 21.

Col. Bruce Bowers, 446th Airlift Wing commander and Col. Wyn Elder, 62nd Airlift Wing commander displayed Team McChord camaraderie, by sharing the duty of placing the 40th Anniversary brick in the Grove sidewalk and unveiling a new granite stone marking the site of a time capsule buried there in 1976.

"It's a great honor," Bowers said. "Things like this make us think about where we started and where we came from, and the fact that we're a part of that means we're a part of a bigger thing. It's always a good thing to take a look at where you were, in order to figure out where you're going."

The Grove was built with the purpose of recognizing the veterans who've served at McChord. Some of the bricks recognize veterans from other branches as well. The bricks are markers to remember significant groups and events from, fallen loadmasters to remembering C-141 flight engineers.

Senior Master Sgt. Ron Cargill, 86th Aerial Port Squadron training superintendent and Memorial Grove Committee president, ensured the Grove was in top shape for its milestone birthday.

"We had our spring cleaning on May 19," Cargill said. "We clean the Memorial twice a year in May and November. Just before Memorial Day, POW (prisoner of war) Day and Veterans' Day, we line the Grove with American flags."

The 25-year veteran has been committee president for the past four years, but has his sight set on the future of the Grove.

"Getting the Medal of Honor and Air Defense plazas are my current focus as Grove president," Cargill said. "This is a way to make sure everybody on the base is recognized. It's a good place for young Airmen to recognize the history of McChord."

Cargill has been involved with the Memorial Grove Committee for five years, but the committee itself is made up of retirees, Reservists and Air Guardsmen.

The Air Force Sergeants Association's Chapter 1461 donated money for the granite marker identifying the time capsule, which had previously been marked by a bronze plaque that is now unreadable. The capsule, scheduled to be opened in 2076, marked the 200th birthday of the United States and was buried, Sept. 18, 1976.

Bowers wrapped up the celebration with a shout out to Cargill and the McChord Field NCOs who helped make the rededication happen smoothly.

"I'm proud of the large role our NCOs have in making sure we remember this," Bowers said. "It reinforced the team message that the active duty, Reserve, and 627th (Air Base Group) were represented there. Any time you can be part of something and part of several generations, it's an honor," Bowers said. "There were retirees, spouses and children representing several generations. I'll remember it forever."