Thank You: Senator Made Fly-In a Success
WASHINGTON — Many big thank yous to U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and his staff for their work to make the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce’s annual D.C. Fly-in a huge success.
Sen. Inhofe spent many hours with members of the delegation and arranged sessions that allowed the group to become more knowledgeable and aware of the challenges that face our country and the U.S. Army.
Inhofe, as many of the speakers told the group, is the No. 1 “go to” man for the Army and military in the Senate. “You are so fortunate to have Jim Inhofe,” several speakers said. Inhofe’s relationship undoubtedly keeps Fort Sill as one of the top posts in the Army and supports Oklahoma and our local economy.
The new Freedom School being built for on-post, military children at Fort Sill is a perfect example of the Tulsa Republican getting things done. His working with the Democrats in the Senate and former Under Secretary of the Army Joe Westphal enabled the project to be built despite his criticism of the Obama administration.
Sen. Inhofe also reached across the aisle and nominated former 2nd District Congressman Brad R. Carson, a Democrat and an opponent in a recent election, to be the 20th General Counsel of the Department of the Army. Why? He wanted an Oklahoman in that position, and the former Naval officer was eminently qualified. Carson has since been named to replace Westphal as Under Secretary of the Army.
“Jim Inhofe gets things done because he works hard,” retiring Sen. Tom Coburn, M.D., told the Lawton group. How true.
A passionate advocate for national defense, Inhofe has made many trips to Lawton and all the military facilities in Oklahoma. Inhofe also has made many trips to visit Iraq and Afghanistan and other hot spots, checking the execution of the military strategy and visiting with soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from Oklahoma and other states about their duty and the need for equipment to complete their missions.
His staff members assisted chamber officials to work out kinks in scheduling and meeting room arrangements and securing guests for functions at the Capitol that made the sessions. Make no mistake, it was Jim Inhofe’s relations with the Army and a long-time personal relationship that brought Secretary of the Army John McHugh and other top brass to the evening reception and/or the early morning breakfast.
Many thanks are in order to the senator’s staff for arranging meetings in the Pentagon with top Army leaders and to the media staff for assisting a dozen members of the group to get to the hearing about the future of the Army.
Now, Lawton leaders will be examining the data and looking for ways to assist the Army meet mission requirements while looking for new opportunities to assist them. Lawton stands ready to help.
Many thanks are also in order for Lawton taxpayers who went to the polls last week and approved two crucial bond issues. The proceeds will be spent for maintenance, equipment and buses. That vote tally sure set a positive atmosphere with Army and congressional officials in the nation’s capital. Thank you Lawton voters.
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