Our Military Community

00:00:40:17 - 00:00:58:12
Unknown
Hello, everyone. Jerry tablet with you again on another edition of our military community. Got a great show for you today. A lot of things going on in our community that the military affairs community is up on and they've got a lot of good things to talk about. And I've got to guess from the military affairs community and I promise both of them will behave today.

00:00:58:12 - 00:01:19:54
Unknown
If not, we'll call security on them. And the one I'm really worried about is Amy Wright. She's the vice president of governmental and military affairs at the Bay County Chamber of Commerce. And Garrett Anderson, who is the the MAC chairman for the chamber. And Garrett, you promise to help keep her in line for Davis or Hawk? Well, it's great to have both of you on with us today.

00:01:19:54 - 00:01:48:27
Unknown
Before we get into this, tell me a little bit, Amy, why did you get into the chamber to start with? Well, Jerry, first of all, thanks for having me. And I do promise I'll do that. And thanks for having Garrett as well. Yeah, I'm a military spouse. My husband is retired Air Force. And so when the position at the chamber opened up for our government in military affairs, it just really felt like it caught my heart and went for it.

00:01:48:31 - 00:02:10:04
Unknown
Sounds like a good idea to hear it. And why did you join up with the chamber? Well, military first. Thank you, Jerry. Appreciate being here today. So I grew up in Bay County, so I'm just I love my community and I want to be a part of it and be something part of something bigger than me and what I do every day.

00:02:10:04 - 00:02:30:27
Unknown
And so I enjoy being part of the chamber and it's been a privilege to serve as the chairman this year. And that's the good thing about it, is this military affairs Committee. And I'm proud to be a member of that also in the chamber. Thank you very much for letting me do that. But we're here to help this community out.

00:02:30:27 - 00:02:48:54
Unknown
And it seems like we come together all the time and we talk. And the Military Affairs Committee is one of the ways that we can bring out different things, explain different things, welcome people to our area, and just generally let people know what's going on. Amy, I'm going to start with you. What's what's the mission of the Military Affairs Committee?

00:02:48:58 - 00:03:18:25
Unknown
Well, the military Affairs Committee is is really set up to serve as liaison between our men and women in uniform and their families and our and our business and civilian community in in Bay County. And how we do that is finding ways that we can support support, then how we can advocate for the missions all around, not just Tindal, but, of course, the Navy base, Coast Guard as well.

00:03:18:30 - 00:03:40:47
Unknown
And and then just taking that message of what's important to our military members and their families out in the community and spread that with our network so we can, you know, continue to hold the unofficial title of most military friendly community that people have ever lived in. And that's what's so good about is you get out into the community and talk to the people.

00:03:40:47 - 00:03:57:22
Unknown
I mean, you can't sit in your office all day long and say, okay, we're going to do this, this and this, or maybe maybe I should talk to somebody about. But that's what we're here to talk to people about. And some of the social events that you do. Just briefly talk about those. We'll get into those a little bit later also.

00:03:57:22 - 00:04:30:45
Unknown
But what are some of the social things that you do out there? Well, we like to welcome dignitaries when they move to town and we like to say farewell as well after they do their duty here in town. It's important that we recognize those that are leading our bases with the proper social support structure. So when they come in, we like to give them a nice reception, introduce them to the community, and and then when they leave, we want to say, hey, thank you for all you've done for our community and and best wishes to you.

00:04:30:45 - 00:04:46:25
Unknown
And you're always welcome back to Bay County. And that's what's good. You make us feel like family and that's the way I feel. This is part of a big family. And, you know, like like I tell people, you don't have to have the same blood, but if you get together and talk to one another, you become friends and you become family.

00:04:46:25 - 00:05:18:01
Unknown
You can understand what's going on. Now, Again, this has been going on for since 1946. So that was even before well, not quite like I was before I was born. All good. I found one thing that was done before I was born, but this relationship that continues to build with Tindal, now that they're in the the process of rebuilding and there's going to be so many things that the Chamber is going to be involved in, along with the Military Affairs Committee itself.

00:05:18:06 - 00:05:43:31
Unknown
Now, as the Chair, what are some of the things that you officially are responsible for? Yeah, well, I'll be the direct contact for the military leaders, the servicemen and women. If they have a something that comes about or rises to the surface that the community can offer or help out with, we want to be the first people there to help them with that.

00:05:43:31 - 00:06:02:22
Unknown
The first line of defense per se. And, you know, like for instance, when Chief of Staff Brownell came to town, I had the privilege of sitting at a roundtable with him and I asked him, you know, what what are the top two or three things as a community we can do to help support the new squadrons of the F-35s.

00:06:02:22 - 00:06:28:16
Unknown
And and of course, affordable housing came came up, right? Health care and child care And child care is very, very important. And hopefully we'll have enough time to get into that in just a couple of minutes. But, you know, Amy, being part of this makes you sit back and realize that it doesn't make any difference what part of the country you come from if you were born here or if you're a transplant into the area or whatever.

00:06:28:21 - 00:06:48:10
Unknown
We all have the basic same needs. And with your military spouse background, how's that? How does that help you when you get a new family? And and they come to you and say, I need help? I mean, how does that make you feel that they actually need your help? Well, it always feels great to help families get situated in Bay County.

00:06:48:15 - 00:07:09:48
Unknown
I'm not from Bay County, but but I do love Bay County. We my husband was stationed at Tindal three times. I'm retired from the Air Force and we chose to stay here because we love Bay County. We raised our children here. And and so it it feels great to be able to give back, you know, the knowledge and pay it back in some way.

00:07:09:48 - 00:07:34:28
Unknown
Or people that have helped me when I've, you know, in my family, when we've moved and needed resources and ideas and just information or, you know, and sometimes it's inside information, some of the dynamics of, you know, what school might not be best or might be best. You know, what the traffic is like on, you know, on 390 when you're, you know, dropping your kids off to school and that kind of thing.

00:07:34:41 - 00:08:04:37
Unknown
And that's some of the things you're that in the military affairs and we all can help new is when a new family comes in it's usually the the the man that's in the service and they've got three things that they're concerned about. They're concerned about getting a place to live their concern about getting their kids to school, and they're concerned about having driving distances to where they don't have to, you know, like live in Chifley and go to work at Tindal.

00:08:04:37 - 00:08:30:17
Unknown
They've got to understand this. So what are some things that you can help with? Because I know you get calls from families coming in and say, I need help. How do you help them? Sure. So there's a support structure on base and there's folks that would reach out to the chamber if they so wanted to. We may have relocation guides that we print out packets, whole packets.

00:08:30:20 - 00:08:55:49
Unknown
If you want to talk more about that. Yeah, I'll. So we provide relocation packets to every active duty member that is checking in at Tindal Air Force Base. They get a great letter from Garrett welcoming them to the community. And and Garrett shares some of his favorite things to do in town and and you know and why he loves Bay County and so you know that is one way to just sort of welcome them.

00:08:55:54 - 00:09:20:14
Unknown
The chamber produces a relocation guide so it explains all the municipalities has a great list of schools, talks about where the shopping is and just all the different things recreational activities that you can do in in the county. And the other thing that we provide in the packet is a street map of the whole county. And and so.

00:09:20:19 - 00:09:42:07
Unknown
Right, well, it is, but I mean, so much, you know, technology has changed so much. Right. And so oftentimes we use our phones, you know, and just use the app to get where we're going. But you'd actually be surprised, I think, to know how many of our younger airmen in particular really appreciate the paper map because they want to open it up and look at the county.

00:09:42:07 - 00:10:01:58
Unknown
You know, I mean, the shape is you know, the shape of the county is different where the water is, where the bridges are, you know, where Panama City Beach is in relation to Tindal, where they could see, you know, how far Shipley might be from Tindal. So that helps them judge where they might want to live and and how, you know, just how the county is laid out.

00:10:02:02 - 00:10:22:20
Unknown
And it's such a great service. And the good thing about it is you don't have to make an appointment to come on. The front door is open Monday through Friday. You come in and the other good thing it doesn't cost anything. Nothing. That's true. Yeah, I think so. Yeah. Free. Yeah. And that's one of the good things that you know, is always good for, for our military community like that.

00:10:22:25 - 00:10:49:50
Unknown
Now, we talked briefly about some of the events we have and I was was able to to go to a couple of the Hale the world leaders in and everything like that. And it's amazing to talk to these people as they come in and see what their attitude is. They they've been around like General Brown has. And, the gentleman I can't recall his name right now.

00:10:49:52 - 00:11:13:21
Unknown
Attorney General Norton House. Yeah. And the Navy base. Commander Mosey Yeah, I know. And you talk with them and it's not like I'm in charge here. Now you tell me what I'm going to do. They come to you and say, Hey, you guys here at Military Affairs Committee, we're so happy to be here because you get your pulse on the community.

00:11:13:26 - 00:11:35:22
Unknown
How can we help you? And then it then amazing. You get. yeah, it's it's a great system. We have set up, like with Commander Mosey, when we knew he was relocating to Panama City, we had a relationship with the previous commander at NSA, and he he went out of his way and said, Hey, guys, I want to introduce you to Commander Mosey.

00:11:35:22 - 00:12:08:02
Unknown
He'll be in town. Let's go have lunch. So it was a group of us from the Military Affairs Committee, met Commander Mosey and the outgoing commander and had a great lunch and Commander Mosey after goes, Gentlemen, this is fantastic. This this is what you're doing is wonderful. And we've been nothing but but there for him when he when he and he's about something and that's the attitude when I first got into the chamber in the military affairs committee is everybody wants to help.

00:12:08:02 - 00:12:30:42
Unknown
They don't care about getting awards and accolades and having their picture on TV or name in the paper. They want to help their fellow person. Yeah, and I'll say to you that the chamber overall does a great job in helping share the message to we have our first Friday event for and those are usually our most popular events are the ones where we are military focused.

00:12:30:47 - 00:13:04:14
Unknown
So I'm you know when we get our Tyndall updates or we learned about Space Force and and the mission at first Air force it at Tyndall that was recent we've had the Coast Guard talk about all the great things happening and the service they provide to our community. One month the chamber just focused on military spouses, employment and changing the narrative so that the business community understands that military spouses have challenges in their careers.

00:13:04:28 - 00:13:26:10
Unknown
And and, you know, they're not a lot of communities that would take that on and present that in your face. Exactly. So I think it's a great and that's what's good about in addition to you talked first Friday is you we've got a lot of people that are in the chamber. They come there. And by the way, this military affairs committee is the biggest one we've ever had.

00:13:26:11 - 00:13:59:30
Unknown
You. It keeps growing. So it keeps growing. Thank you. Yes, sir. Thank you. 335. Wow. We need a bigger room. But the thing is, people, we all come together and we hear from different sections of our community. So that helps us to provide things that we need. Also, as far as getting the word out to different people now, as we go through and talk about things you mentioned about the first variety in that one of the things that was talked briefly about here and I want to get into that right now because it was such a dear topic for us to talk about.

00:13:59:30 - 00:14:29:43
Unknown
We really feel about this and that's child care. Sure. Yeah. So the demand is huge for child care facilities. There's not enough of in the Bay County. This was brought to our attention by NASA and some folks at Temple. I know Tindall's working on their child care facility now, but it's to a point where, you know, folks are having to make a decision whether to continue to work or stay at home to take care of children.

00:14:29:47 - 00:15:01:32
Unknown
So that's one of the one of the legislative issues are on the legislative agenda for next year, is to see if the chamber can help with facilitating or getting the ball rolling to explore additional child care opportunities. And expanding on that a little bit. As a mom, I mean, I mean, it is so important that our kids have the environment that is conducive to good learning and trusting and loving that.

00:15:01:37 - 00:15:21:48
Unknown
And when a family comes in, the mom really has no idea what's going on. And that's what's so important to us that we can help them with getting child care if they need it. Yeah, it, it yeah, it's a struggle. And it it's not just happening here. It's happening in every base, right? And it's going to nationwide. It's going to continue to happen.

00:15:21:53 - 00:15:55:50
Unknown
But we know that we can do it, you know, try to do our part here for our community. And like Garrett said, we'll be advocating for better child care assistance and in the state and hopefully more resources available to business owners to expand their operations or open new operations, as in and if the community is listening to us right now or watching this, if they want to give you any suggestions on, send them into the chamber to the Military Affairs Committee, even more than happy to look at that.

00:15:55:50 - 00:16:22:07
Unknown
You always look at other different events that's going on. So that's one big thing. And even though, you know, leadership changes and everything, we are going to pursue that child care. And thank goodness we've got some great leaders in the government that are right there and listening. And I think that's one thing that really sets us apart in Bay County compared to other communities, is that we're listening to the issues.

00:16:22:07 - 00:16:44:00
Unknown
Exactly. And one of the other things that helps, too, is now that we have a ex-military person that's actually in the superintendent of schools position. So he understands what this influx is going to mean to the community. He understands how important it is because not only, as you know, locally, he's been worldwide. So, again, we're going to we're going to push and continue on that and we'll keep everybody updated.

00:16:44:05 - 00:17:14:45
Unknown
We talked about a lot of the things we do welcome dignitaries and all of that. But there's a lot of things that the community has going that the military affairs Committee is actually involved in. I know he's got a whole list of I don't know if you talk about one. Right. But before we take our panel. Yeah. Well, in regards to events, you know, we've had 35 celebrations, you know, multiple celebrations of the F-35 squadrons come to town.

00:17:14:50 - 00:17:51:42
Unknown
And they they've been great inviting civic leaders out and folks from the community to be part of that. The naming. What's next? Well, I don't want to leave out some of the opportunities that Garrett has had as our chairman of the board of directors and also as our Mack chair. He's had some pretty awesome trips. Yeah. So I would like to make sure that we cover this, you know, if they're a big deal, Garrett will be very humble about it, but it's a big deal to be there is it's a lot of a lot of neat, neat trips and and opportunities.

00:17:51:42 - 00:18:16:44
Unknown
So we last year we had an opportunity to go on a carrier embark trip out to the Gerald Ford. Right. Which was an incredible opportunity. Myself and Joe Holt, our incoming chairman, had the opportunity to spend the night flying to the aircraft carrier and spend the night and disembark the next day via the accord plane. So that was exciting.

00:18:16:49 - 00:18:42:10
Unknown
The Mack, a group of the Mack folks, probably 30 of us, I would say, were able to fly out. We were invited by Colonel Watkins out to the F-35 plant in Texas and we all flew out to see the assembly line of F-35 planes. And that was exciting. We got to see the first airplane, the first F-35 aircraft being built specifically for Tindal.

00:18:42:10 - 00:19:07:10
Unknown
And I get to sign the fuselage on that. Right, which was really cool. And, you know, Ben had various tours of Tindal and NASA areas that are really will blow your mind. Honestly, what's happening out on these? The one A-10 telling me that, you know, I was fortunate enough to be able to go on that and I was stationed here at Tyndall.

00:19:07:10 - 00:19:23:46
Unknown
I got here in 1979 and it was a beautiful little base and everything, you know, all the nice buildings. And now you go back out there and look at it and it really it really hits home to what Mother Nature can do. So that was a good tour for us, but it looks like there's some good things happening.

00:19:23:46 - 00:19:53:05
Unknown
Yeah, we saw a lot of dirt on that tour, that's for sure. But. But yeah, I'm glad you enjoyed that tour. And and for everyone else. We did a rebuild tour at Tindal for Mach numbers and we got to get out. Look at the dorms. I learned there is a P.F. Chang's coming on base and but also got to get out, see the F-35 and and talk to some of the leadership there to learn about the mission and how it's different from other jets that are in the Air Force.

00:19:53:12 - 00:20:11:05
Unknown
And that's the big change I can see, like when I got the ten that we had, the TI 38 and the Model six and, you know, and now we've got these big F 30, 30. It's amazing the technology and everything, but it's a good thing The progress is is a good thing. Now we're coming up we just past Thanksgiving.

00:20:11:05 - 00:20:43:36
Unknown
The one thing I want to talk about is there's all kinds of holiday events coming around and there's a couple of those that we're involved in big time. And let's talk about, first of all, Sims Nursing home. Yes. So the military affairs Committee members are very generous. Every Christmas we fulfill the veteran's wish list needs. And and what's really important is the staff at Sims knows that they can count on us to fulfill some of those very specific needs.

00:20:43:36 - 00:21:09:00
Unknown
And like this year, we're looking for a stuffed Papa Smurf because one of the residents there, they always refer to him as Papa Smurf. So they want to put that in his Christmas bag. But, you know, they need flannel shirt or there were a lot of requests this year for sports teams paraphernalia. And and so we're working on those, of course, gift cards and and all of that.

00:21:09:00 - 00:21:30:05
Unknown
And, you know, and last year at Christmas, we were also able to help active duty families at all the bases at Christmas time, too. So MACC members are so generous at the holidays to take care of some of our veterans and and our active duty families. And and I shouldn't say it's not just Christmas. They're they're very generous all year long.

00:21:30:07 - 00:21:54:31
Unknown
Exactly. Exactly. And it's enough. You know, I did a program with a couple of veterans and it's just amazing. You talk to them and you know, their experiences they had compared it to the experiences I've had. You know, I had a pretty good in the service compared to what they were going through in the forties. And now what are some of the other events that the holiday is going on at the chamber and Mac gets involved in to make it a better place in this community?

00:21:54:31 - 00:22:21:29
Unknown
Well, we've had, we, we try to attend the Tindall's lighting tree lighting ceremony. They'll have some social and civic leader Christmas social events out on base which which were invited to and and then we get ready for the next year. Yeah. And that comes around so quickly and all that. But you know what's really good about it?

00:22:21:29 - 00:22:38:27
Unknown
When we get out to these events and you see the kids in this holiday spirit, it just puts a big smile on your face. And to me, that that smile on that child's face is worth the picture is worth a thousand words. Sure. Yeah. That's what makes it all worth it. Yeah. It's like a smile on your face.

00:22:38:27 - 00:22:59:20
Unknown
I guarantee you going to get you up for Christmas. But I think that's fine. She deserves one this year. Yeah. Now, we've talked about a lot of different things that go on in this community. How in the world tune for our members? What's going on in this community? Because if we don't get a chance to talk to you every day, we're going to miss.

00:22:59:21 - 00:23:41:32
Unknown
Sure, sure. Yeah. No, we like we like to send out a quarterly memo newsletter on what's happening with Mac and and kind of recap what's happened in the last three, four, four months. And then we we project ahead what's any events that are upcoming. And then, you know we know the fire board that our monthly meetings with what Mac is doing and Amy works extremely hard and staff try and being relevant with our efforts and that's the biggest thing is you know we're we want to, we're front and center and we just keep asking the question how are we doing?

00:23:41:32 - 00:24:09:23
Unknown
What else can we do for you? And they they appreciate the service. Men and women really appreciate that. Yeah. yeah. yeah. This is the first year. Yeah, I know, I know. But you know, this community needs a lot of support and the Chamber and Mac is really involved in giving support to this community. Amy, I'll let you start with this.

00:24:09:23 - 00:24:31:56
Unknown
What are some of the if you can name the top two things that you like to do as far as supporting our community? our military community, Yeah. too. well, I think something. Well, I'm really proud of our relocation package that we take on base. That's something that we've just started doing over the last couple of years.

00:24:32:01 - 00:24:54:15
Unknown
And, and I know that they're making a difference because they keep asking for them when they're running out. We get a call or an email and it says, I'm ready for another batch. Right? And and so I am really around really proud of that. And I know and I hear from spouses and other family members that those are extremely helpful to them.

00:24:54:15 - 00:25:17:42
Unknown
They really they really appreciate that you're I'm gonna give you the opportunity to talk about this. I don't know, maybe some people haven't heard about it. Maybe a lot of people haven't heard about it. But May 24th, I think this is the 24 hour we're going to have the air back in town again out at the beach. So I may for May for away for this.

00:25:17:43 - 00:25:38:04
Unknown
That's going to be special because we're going to be involved in some of that also. Absolutely. Yeah. So the Max and Max part of that event, will be supporting, supporting Tindal on our weekend with that event. But that's going to be exciting. You know, all the aircraft flying over the Gulf out on the beach is going to be really cool.

00:25:38:09 - 00:26:04:37
Unknown
Colonel Watkins and his leadership and service men and women at the base wanted to see that happen this year, even though the base isn't ready for it. But they're going to figure out a way to to bring that show to Bay County and and be proud of of what we're doing. And I think it's a great demonstration of how, you know, different organizations want to support and work together.

00:26:04:37 - 00:26:27:27
Unknown
So, you know, we're working with the city of Panama City Beach. We're working with the TDC to make it happen for our community. There's a lot of people involved with that, and that's one thing that we're very proud of, is how important the military is to this community. If it wouldn't be for the Coast Guard, the Navy and the Air Force and all of our retired people, Bay County would be a totally different looking area.

00:26:27:27 - 00:26:51:50
Unknown
And I know you're in the construction business geared. So these booms actually make it they're good for business, but it makes it difficult. Also. Well, it makes it difficult, but it's good. I mean, the change is good. You know, the bases are growing, they're thriving. They're putting money into the bases and the technology. And that's only going to enhance our community with return on investment.

00:26:51:55 - 00:27:14:45
Unknown
You know, you get folks moving to town, they want quality homes. They want quality schools. So it's going to raise the bar for us. And I'm glad to see that from from the school superintendent to our local politicians and state politicians. They're they're in it for the long haul. They want to see it happen. So and it's happening.

00:27:14:50 - 00:27:38:03
Unknown
And that's what's so good about, you know, what? We're starting to be close to running out of time here. So I'm going to give a chance for each one of you to give some closing remarks. And Amy, go for it. gosh. Well, again, Jerry, thanks so much for having us. It's always a pleasure. And, you know, I am really proud of the work that our community does to support our military families.

00:27:38:07 - 00:27:54:51
Unknown
And, you know, it is true, we say it a lot, but it really is true. You know, we always hear that Bay County is the most military friendly community that people have ever been a part of. And and that's a you know, that's something that we can all be proud of because it's not just one person doing the work.

00:27:54:51 - 00:28:18:46
Unknown
It's all of us doing the work. And so I'm really happy about that. That yeah, I think on the same lines, you know, what I've seen this year as Mark chairman, is the military leaders, they love these social events. They look forward to them and they always are very sincere in saying Bay County really, really extends their hands out to be helpful and is so friendly.

00:28:18:51 - 00:28:44:25
Unknown
And that makes me feel great. You know, 335, 340 members, you know, they're giving donations. We're we're we're in tune to what's happening on the bases. And and we want to support and continue to support and show that goodwill towards the servicemen and women that live in Bay County. You you know, we could go on here for another half an hour, but I'm going to have to close it down.

00:28:44:25 - 00:29:01:53
Unknown
But I'd just like to say thank you for both of you to both of you for coming in today. It's been a pleasure to have you on this panel this morning. Your leadership over the past year. I'll tell you what's been great. So keep it up. And Amy, I can always count on a smile on your face if you have any questions, you guys will be there to answer it.

00:29:01:53 - 00:29:21:44
Unknown
So, again, we thank you so much for tuning in today, listening to what's going on in our community. If we like this program, let the local know about it and then let the military affairs community know about it. We'll keep you informed on it and we'll keep you informed on all the issues that continue to affect this wonderful place that we live.

00:29:21:49 - 00:30:14:15
Unknown
Until next time, everyone. I hope you have a great day and enjoy the wonderful area that we live and be part of the family until next time in our military community. Have a great day, everyone.