Published: July 23, 2008 12:27 pm            

Maj. Gen. Loren Reno talks to Spencer council

The best relationships go both ways, and that is the type of arrangement the city of Spencer and Tinker Air Force Base share. Spencer values Tinker and Tinker feels just as fondly about the city.

Maj. Gen. Loren Reno of the United States Air Force was the guest speaker at last Thursday’s Spencer Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Reno, who is in charge of the Air Logistics Center for Tinker, spoke about the goodwill bond shared between the base and Spencer, as well as other neighboring communities.

“I have to tell you, we enjoy a wonderful and supportive community [at Tinker],” Reno said about Spencer. “The reason [I came here] is because you’re part of the team. I needed to look you in the eye. To thank you. I have never been to a place that is so friendly to their base.”

The meeting was held at the Roscoe Dungee Senior Living Center, which Maj. Gen. Reno said was fitting because of his contributions to civil rights in the military during World War II. Reno spoke of how Dungee brought issues to light during the war and commented on how Dungee said that African Americans could do a better job fighting Hitler with more than a mop or a broom.

During the presentation, the general referred to Tinker as “their base,” the community’s. This makes sense because the bulk of the logistics center workers are from the surrounding area.

Reno is the commander of the logistics center at Tinker. It his duty to make sure other facets of the military are adequately supplied and taken care of, which wouldn’t be possible without the help of local citizens, Reno said.

Logistics is crucial to military operations, Reno said.

According to the commander, Tinker is making great strides and headway in many departments by increasing efficiency.

The Spencer City Council had Reno as its speaker as a way to show support of base operations. The luncheon was also held as a way for Spencer to showcase what it has to offer to the base.

        

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