RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texs –
An advisory committee has selected a name for Randolph's newest air park, which is being built in the old Wherry housing area and is expected to be completed by the end of July, weather permitting.
Airmen's Heritage Park was the final choice, a name which reflects the base's history while honoring the service of Airmen past and present.
Lt. Col. Vincent Feck, 12th Mission Support Group deputy commander and park advisory committee member, said the committee came up with the name after going through many suggestions brought by base members.
In January, the committee started a contest in which people submitted names and the reason they chose a particular name.
Colonel Feck said the committee received 30 entries and picked a name based on all of the ideas.
"The name was chosen because it is representative of who we are - our past, present and future," Colonel Feck said. "The park is about our Airmen. We will have a display of people who have been the role models and leaders we aspire to be. We are proud of them. That realization is how the committee came up with the recommendation."
The committee forwarded its recommendation to Col. Richard Clark, 12th Flying Training Wing commander, who approved the name.
The park's advisory committee was chaired by Col. David Allvin, 12th FTW vice commander, and made up of senior leadership representing each part of the wing.
When the park is complete, it will display aircraft that have flown at Randolph during its 77-year existence, a display of Air Force Medal of Honor winners, statues of distinguished Airmen who are a part of the base's history and the new Airmen's Creed.
"It will be a place for our current Airmen to reflect and learn from the past," Colonel Feck said. "It will help them grow and will give them a greater tie to this base and to the Air Force."
The park will be a place for Air Force family members and retirees to come to as well, Colonel Feck said.
Base civil engineer Richard Trevino said work crews have completed most of the park's walking trails, the restrooms, parking lot and lighting. He said the pavilion, playground, front entrance and landscaping still need to be finished. Base engineers hope to attach the roof to the pavilion as the next big project.
"Pretty much all the major construction will be taken care of within the next week or two," Mr. Trevino said. "It will start looking like a park in the next few weeks."
Colonel Feck said Airmen's Heritage Park will be formally dedicated during the air show in November.