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Commander in Chief visits Vance AFB

  • Published
  • By Capt. Tony Wickman and Tech. Sgt. Mary Davis
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AETCNS) --  The U.S. commander in chief stopped at Vance Air Force Base May 6 while en route to Oklahoma State University to give a commencement address.

President George W. Bush was greeted by more than 300 Vance AFB servicemembers, Department of Defense civilians, contractors and family members after his speech at OSU.

This was a special event for Vance, but for Betsy Kriner, daughter of Col. Kevin Kriner, 71st Operations Group commander, it made for a unique 17th birthday.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Ms. Kriner, an Enid (Okla.) High School junior, who received a hug and had her photo taken with the president. "This is a gift I will remember forever. What a great way to celebrate my 17th birthday."

Several state leaders greeted the president, including Sen. James Inhofe, Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin, Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Todd Hiett and Enid Mayor Ernie Currier.

"This is a great day for Vance, and this is a great day for Enid," the mayor said. "I am a fan of President George W. Bush. I believe he is a great leader and leads our nation wisely. I couldn't be happier that he visited our community."

This was a wonderful opportunity for Vance to showcase its support of the president of the United States, said Col. Bryan Benson, 71st Flying Training Wing commander.

"Many people worked feverishly preparing for and coordinating this event," he said. "Their work ethic was phenomenal, but the knowledge that the president would personally inspect their work gave them added motivation to make this event absolutely seamless."

This is the third presidential visit for Vance. President Richard Nixon stopped at Vance May 10, 1974, and President George H.W. Bush also stopped at Vance while enroute to give an OSU commencement speech in 1990.

"The members of Team Vance and the citizens of Northwest Oklahoma were only too excited to host the president," Colonel Benson said. "We hope next time he'll bring the first lady and stay a little longer."