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Honorary Commanders host 75+ Pope Airmen for golf event

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mindy Bloem
  • 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  More than 75 Airmen participated in a free day of golf hosted by several of Pope's honorary commanders at the Chicora Country Club in Erwin Oct. 3. 

Members representing more than 15 squadrons began arriving at the golf course around 9 a.m. to play in a Captain's Choice Super Ball golf tournament. 

Honorary commanders Joe Tart, 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Glenn Johnson, 43rd Communications Squadron, Connie Mack Johnson, 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and Tony Wilder, 43rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, hosted Team Pope members to a day of golf and a barbecue dinner free of charge as a way to show their support. 

When the Pope members arrived, they were given name tags, assigned to a team, provided a golf cart, some were even loaned golf clubs, and as a personal touch, all were handed a bag lunch which was handmade by Mr. Tart's wife, Hannah. 

The Airmen seemed to be in high spirits as the sunny weather created an ideal setting for the event. Many practiced on the putting green before the actual shotgun start. 

The tournament included a combination of both skilled players and novices, but many were just happy to be given the opportunity to be away from work. 

"It has been a wonderful day," Senior Airman Randall Thompson, 43rd Force Support Squadron, said. "It was my first time playing golf, and I really enjoyed learning something new. I was able to be myself and just have fun. It felt a little like a team building exercise, but it took the stress away from work and we were just able to have a great time with a lot of people we knew. I forgot about everything out here." 

The sponsors of the event also enjoyed playing host to Pope members. 

"To participate in this program has been a great privilege for me and has taught me a lot about the Air Force," Mr. Glenn Johnson said. "It also highlights the sacrifice our Airmen make. The idea of having a day for people to come and play golf and just enjoy themselves seemed to be a very fitting way to say thank you." 

When the sponsors of the event first came up with the idea, they didn't know it would grow into the event it did, but they were more than happy to accommodate. 

"I just enjoyed being with the all of the Pope people," Mr. Tart said. "It has been fun to see the energy and the youth that they have. It's fun to be a part of it, and quite frankly, I was surprised to see the response. I am amazed by it. I originally thought we'd get only eight to 12 golfers. It's a nice compliment to us that so many attended. It worked out very well."
"The response is very gratifying, and it feels great to be able to cater to so many people from Pope who work hard to defend our country," Mr. Glenn Johnson said. 

"It's like great friends getting together," Mr. Tart added. 

After the golf tournament, the players were treated to a barbecue. Various representatives from the community were present, and a few shared kind words to the Pope attendees. Col. John McDonald, 43rd Airlift Wing Commander, also took a turn speaking to the attendees where he presented Mr. Tart with a framed Harley Pope picture as a token of support and friendship from the Pope community. 

Mr. Tart and other honorary commanders expressed delight at the success of the event and are planning on sponsoring another one next year. 

"You have to remember that Pope and Fort Bragg are a part of our lives and our community," Mr. Tart said. "We are accustomed to seeing the flights coming in and going out. The growth of Pope has helped this community and this state grow, and we are blessed by the military presence in our lives."