Metro East Sun

The Belleville City Council met on May 15 and heard a presentation from Colonel Glenn Collins of the 932 Wing at Scott Air Force Base about its honorary commander program.

Collins is the Wing Commander of the 932 Wing, and he said he has worked with Mayor Patty Gregory over the past two years. He led the Pledge of Allegiance at the recent city council meeting and spoke about the relationship they have had over the past two years. He told the council that Mayor Gregory was his honorary commander. Gregory goes on base with him to listen to meetings and talk to leaders.

“Without your support, the reserve component cannot exist and we as a nation would not be as safe as we are today,” Collins told the council. “So thank you for that.”

Collins thanked those who were in attendance for being involved and also working to make the community a better place to live. He also thanked the elected officials for representing their neighbors, as well as the local police and firefighters for their service. These people, he said, have helped those on the base to be safe.

According to the Scott Air Force Base website, the bases give an opportunity for commanders and senior leaders in the community to build strong, positive relationships. This allows local communities to understand the role of the base and also gives insight for military personnel to see the communities and residents to be able to help.

Collins explained that his wing is an Air Force Reserves wing, meaning “The majority of our 1300 members are part-time members of the military who have other vocations and other jobs.”

“They live in your community,” Collins told the council. “They were in your schools and they live and work alongside you. And they can't do what they do for 932 without all the support from people like the mayor, the people like everybody in this room, and especially those business owners that allowed you to work for them.”