Page 22 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2018

COASTNOTE
HEART BALL HONORS...
BILOXI COMMUNITY
WINS AIR FORCE AWARD
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of Keith Wilson
Aprestigious Air Force award was presented
to the Biloxi community for its support and dedication to Keesler Air Force Base. The Biloxi Bay Area Chamber of Commerce accepted the 2017 Altus Trophy along with Mayor Andrew
‘FoFo’ Gilich and other community representatives in a recent ceremony.
Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast, commander of Air Education and Training Command, made the presentation.
“It’s so great to be here,” said Kwast. “This might be the first time the Gulf Coast brought this trophy home, but after looking at what you’ve done as a community, it’s going to be tough for other bases to take it away from you. As you all invest in the growth of Keesler
Air Force Base and the community, this trophy will keep its place here.”
The Altus Military Affairs Committee, in partnership
with the Altus (Oklahoma) Chamber of Commerce, awards the Altus Trophy to an Air Education and Training Center (AETC) community that provides the best support to its local military installation. After competitors are considered, a panel of former AETC commanders determines who is the best of the best. The trophy itself is a cup that sits on a base of granite from the mountains just north of Altus Air Force Base. That granite symbolizes the rock-solid support the communities give to military bases.
“The commitment and dedication across the Gulf Coast are apparent every single beautiful Mississippi day,” said Col. Debra A. Lovette, 81st Training Wing commander at
Keesler. “We teach our Airmen what it means to give back, but what they see on the Gulf Coast really teaches them what community means, and I thank every one of you for that.”
With two years of hard work to compile several pages of accomplishments, the Gulf Coast was able to win the Altus Trophy for the first time since the award’s inception nine years ago.
“It’s truly an honor to be here today to accept the trophy on behalf of the Biloxi Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Keesler, the city of Biloxi and the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said Cree Cantrell, former chamber president. “Without the whole team involved in this project, we wouldn’t have been able to bring this award home.”
22 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • July 2018
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John Boothby, Col. Debra A. Lovette, Mayor FoFo Gilich, Dr. Joe Leverett, Cree Cantrell and Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast.
Kwast said Biloxi’s investment into the Keesler community ultimately won them the award. An example of those investments include the City of Biloxi partnering with the state and local partners to reach an agreement with Keesler AFB to secure $37 million in funding for the relocation of the main gate and additional infrastructure development.