Greater Sumter Chamber hosts commander’s breakfast

Published June 9, 2016
By Senior Airman Jonathan Bass
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce held the annual Commander’s Breakfast at Alice Drive Baptist Church, Sumter South Carolina, June 8.

The breakfast is designed to increase Sumter residents’ knowledge about the happenings of the Air Force, 20th Fighter Wing, and Team Shaw tenant units.

The event was co-sponsored by ERA Wilder Reality and Great Southern Homes, ERA’s affiliate.

“Shaw Air Force Base is prepped for a busy summer and fall,” said Col. Stephen Jost, 20th FW commander, who gave his last speech to chamber members as commander. “Two flag-level exercises will be held this summer in addition to upcoming celebrations like U.S. Air Forces Central’s change of command ceremony and the deployment of one-in-four Airmen from the wing to support operations downrange.”

City of Sumter Mayor Joe McElveen said, “We in Sumter have an appreciation for what our military does, of what servicemen do, and the sacrifices their families make. The Shaw-Sumter relationship is strengthened through social, professional, and personal interrelationship between base personnel and Sumter citizens. The annual commander’s breakfast is an essential part of this, because Sumterites are eager to know what is happening at Shaw and what we can do to make our relationship even stronger.”

“I thank you all for embracing us at the base,” said Jost. “It is obvious that your interest and care is genuine and it is very much appreciated.”

“Sumter has sent many of its sons and daughters to serve our country,” said McElveen. “In the military, in war and in peace. We have many veterans who have returned home understanding what our military does and are proud of their service. Having Shaw in our midst for three quarters of a century has led many of our young people to enlist and has led even more to appreciate what Sumter has to offer and remain here once their service ended. You will find few communities anywhere that respect our military as do Sumterites, because we understand that a strong military is necessary to protect all that we hold dear as a nation.”

“Our economic impact this year was outstanding,” said Jost. “We brought $910 million to the community, roughly one-in-three dollars generated was from Shaw.”

Jost also discussed the success of the 2016 Shaw Air Expo and open house, offering his thanks and compliments to the city.

“We had an estimated 100,000 guests attend the air show,” said Jost. “Thank you to all the sponsors who put time and money into the event. The air show went smoothly and it was a great opportunity for the 20th Fighter Wing to showcase our talented Airmen and the military’s impressive airpower.”

Before he finished his remarks, Jost presented two lithographs from the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, to members of the Sumter City Council as a thank you for their support with the air show.