Stephen M. Creech, Sumter Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs chairman, shakes hands with Col. Clay Hall, 20th Fighter Wing commander, during a surprise dedication ceremony, where the golf course complex was renamed after him in his honor, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 24, 2012. Creech is a former City of Sumter Mayor and long time military supporter. Creech’s family and several local civic leaders attended the dedication ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Ann Blodzinski/Released)
New letters label the Stephen M. Creech Golf Complex recently dedicated to Creech during a ceremony at Carolina Lakes, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 24, 2012. Creech is a former City of Sumter Mayor and long time military supporter. Currently he is the Sumter Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs chairman and serves on the Air Combat Command Commander’s Group. Creech’s family and several local civic leaders attended the dedication ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Ann Blodzinski/Released)
A dedication plaque is unveiled at the Stephen M. Creech Golf Complex after a surprise ceremony took place dedicating the complex to Creech, Sept. 24, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base S.C. Creech is a former City of Sumter Mayor and long time military supporter. Currently he is the Sumter Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs chairman and serves on the Air Combat Command Commander’s Group. Creech’s family and several local civic leaders attended the dedication ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Ann Blodzinski/Released)
Stephen M. Creech, Sumter Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs chairman and wife Kathy Creech, pose for a photo in front of a dedication plaque that was unveiled for Creech at Carolina Lakes, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 24, 2012. Creech is a former City of Sumter Mayor and long time military supporter. Creech’s family and several local civic leaders attended the dedication ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Ann Blodzinski/Released)
by 1st Lt. Ann Blodzinski
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
9/25/2012 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- A former City of Sumter mayor and long time military supporter was surprised Sept. 24 by the dedication of the Shaw AFB Golf Course Complex in his name here.
Mr. Stephen M. Creech stood amongst the crowd at the Fall Bent Putter Golf Tournament when a large tarp was dropped from the roof of the complex revealing it had been renamed the Stephen M. Creech Golf Complex at Carolina Lakes.
Secretly the process to dedicate the complex began in July 2011 with a request through 9th Air Force and Air Combat Command. Over a year later Col. Clay Hall, 20th Fighter Wing commander, Creech's family and more than 100 local civic leaders watched as the honor finally became reality.
Creech served as the mayor from 1988 to 2000 for the City of Sumter. Currently he is the Sumter Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs chairman and serves on the Air Combat Command Commander's Group.
The dedication request stated "He has been instrumental in promoting and solidifying the growth and bond between Shaw AFB and over 28,000 active duty, military retiree and family members in the Sumter community. He has been Shaw's strongest advocate for the military population in the local community."
Creech has been a life-long resident of Sumter. "He has been a friend, mentor, guide and counselor to leaders and Airmen alike," said Brig. Gen. Charlie Moore, former 20th Fighter Wing commander. "Through Mayor Creech's many years of faithfully supporting the men and women of Shaw AFB, he has seen members come and go-some to new basing orders; others to deployments. Whatever the case, he has always been on the sidelines with the ever ready, 'What can I do for you now?' And he means it every time."
After the presentation the crowd departed the dedication area. Still outside, Creech was surrounded by family and four little grandchildren chasing around him. When asked how great it is to be honored like this and have such an amazing family surrounding him, he answered "It doesn't get better than this."
