AF honors Airmen years after retirement

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alexandria Mosness
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  For something that was supposed to be a small get-together to honor one former Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Airman, it turned out to be bigger than anyone expected, and it all started with a phone call.

Well, one call turned into many more and a small gathering turned into something bigger--a reunion of more than 20 friends and family to honor one retired military member for his years of service.

Retired Lt. Col. Clyde Ream, was shocked when he arrived on base for what he thought was just a normal outing, but instead it was a surprise for him.

The surprise was not only his friends waiting for him, but also his name painted on the RB-66C Destroyer static airplane.

Colonel Ream flew more than 2,000 miles in the RB-66C, and a total of about 9,000 miles throughout his 27-year career.

Colonel Ream first entered the service when he was 18, in which he called his career a "mistake of fate."

One of my fellow workers asked me what I was going to do with my life, and I told him I always wanted to fly planes, said Colonel Ream. Shortly after, he showed me an ad in the paper about how pilots no longer needed two years of college.

I got out after my first enlistment, but was called back to duty when I was on the inactive reserves. I ended up staying in, said Colonel Ream.

Although Colonel Ream insisted there were many other people who should have their name on it, one colleague was certain the colonel deserved it.

"We first met in the early '60s," said retired Maj. Bill Skroch. "So, we've been friends for about 50 to 60 years. I noticed last year that they were painting the planes. At this point, I thought of Clyde's name to put on the plane. I went through the process to get it approved, and just recently I saw his name up there."

Major Skroch was the one person behind getting everyone together to celebrate Colonel Ream.

"I just thought now was the time," he added. "There are a lot of people who are not alive to see their accomplishments be recognized. We are giving credit for all the World War II veterans."

Colonel Ream was caught off guard with the amount of people who showed up to honor him.

"Of course he is pleased," Major Skroch exclaimed. "But, he is also embarrassed because he is very modest. It was just supposed to be a small get together, but I started calling a few people, and they called, and now we have everyone here."

This special occasion was not only for Colonel Ream but also for the navigator and crew chief.

"This is so wonderful," said Victoria Sands, daughter of the navigator, retired Lt. Col. Joe Summerour. "My father would have been so tickled and honored to see this today."

One other person who showed the same sentiment was the crew chief of the RB-66C, retired Senior Master Sgt. Bud Page.

"I'm excited about being honored," said Sergeant Page, who also added, "We are still friends, this is a great occasion to get together because there are not a lot of us left."