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Radio show connects community to military base

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Diana M. Cossaboom
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Good Morning Sumter is a radio show that reaches out to the people in the Sumter community and can be heard on WDXY 1240 AM and 105.9 FM.

The show doesn't just give news to the community though; it also connects Sumter with the on-goings of Shaw Air Force Base.

Derek Burress, the host for the Good Morning Sumter radio show, said that the show started coming onto Shaw to interview personnel and Airmen in August of 2009.

Eric McKnight, Good Morning Sumter executive producer and co-host, and Derek make up the team that comes to base and interviews military members during the radio show. The show typically broadcasts on the first and third Friday of the month from 7-9 a.m.

"I see Good Morning Sumter as a genuine bridge to the surrounding community outside of the gates and fences that surround Shaw," said Burress. "Some people may not have opportunities to visit the base, and our show brings the base to them, in a matter of speaking. It also lets the general public remember that our friends in uniform are part of the Sumter community."

According to Burress, the show introduces the Sumter community with a wide variety of people in uniform that they otherwise might not hear about on a regular basis.

"It's neat to be able to give Shaw the opportunity to speak to the community," said Harold Miller, Miller Communications president. "The experience with Shaw has been most gratifying and interesting."

Frequent guests on the radio show include members of the Health and Wellness Center, the Airman and Family Readiness Center and the 20th Fighter Wing chaplains.

Chaplain (Maj.) Richard Holmes, 20th FW chaplain, said he thinks the spots shed light in the Sumter community and help the listeners know that Shaw cares and that Team Shaw is here to try and help the community in good times and bad times.

Holmes added that the show helps make the surrounding communities aware of the great things Team Shaw is doing on and off base.

"The radio show helps us get the word out regarding chapel worship opportunities, Airmen and family programs and other special events we may have on the horizon," said Holmes.

Whether it is general information about schedules, or events and activities, the Shaw community just has to listen to the show in order to find out the latest information about what is happening with our friends in uniform, said Burress.

In addition to coming on base for interviews, Eric and Derek interact with Shaw through call-ins every Wednesday from U.S. Army Central, and on the second and fourth Fridays, when they aren't on base, from the 20th FW.

"I have had listeners repeatedly tell me that our shows we do from Shaw and with our military friends are the most interesting and most fun part of our broadcasts," said Burress. "Good Morning Sumter serves as a catalyst that reminds listeners that our military friends are a tremendous and vibrant part of what makes Sumter such a great place to live."