Commander's Corner

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DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Commander's Corner is a forum for the Dyess community to make suggestions or voice concerns about Dyess directly to Col. Michael Bob Starr, 7th Bomb Wing commander. Each week the Dyess Public Affairs office solicits questions via the official Dyess Facebook page, offering people an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers directly from the wing commander.

QUESTION

James Mike Williams - If you have ever parked in any of the parking lots on base then you have seen the signs. Handicap, DV, expectant mother etc.  I was wondering if the base would be willing to put in a new parking spot around base for wounded warriors? The reason I ask stems from an experience I had a few weeks ago while at the BX. I watched a vet get out of his vehicle and I noticed he had a prosthetic leg. In passing, we had a great conversation on who he was and how he lost his leg. The big thing he wanted me to understand is that he didn't feel handicapped and parking in one of those spots made him feel uncomfortable.  I'm not sure what it would take to make this happen, but I feel it's the least we can do for him and others like him.The question I have is why we are using dependents as part of our base protection plan. My wife was held after her id was checked until they checked the car behind her. She asked and the guard told her it was to prevent someone from being able to run the gate (using her minivan, my wife and four kids as a barricade) and was part of the RAM for the day. I'm clearly not a fan of this technique and hope its removed as an approved method to stop unauthorized entry.
 
Col. Michael Bob Starr
Col. Michael Bob Starr		   RESPONSE
James, thanks for being a good wingman to our wounded warriors and disabled veterans.  I've given your suggestion some serious thought, but I've ultimately decided not to create additional parking spots for wounded warriors.  If anything, I'm heading in the opposite direction on reserved parking.  It seems to me that most of the reserved parking around the base is underutilized, and it would be better to release these spots to the general public.  I'm going to start by eliminating some of the parking that has been reserved for the Wing Commander.  I've asked the Support Group to let me know how many parking spots are reserved for me around the base, and my intent will be to get rid of most of them.  Hopefully, this will give everyone -- including our wounded warriors -- a chance to park a little closer to their destination.  Again, thank you for your support of these heroes who have given so much for our country.  I admire your care and appreciate your willingness to reach out to me.