By Brian Livingston / staff writer
When you see Roy Gibbens and Sam Forbert together, you quickly realize the close relationship the two Air Force veterans have.
Although both served in the US Air Force in Korea in 1951, their paths didn't cross. But the two became virtually inseparable when Gibbens, urged by the state president of the Air Force Association in 2003, elicited, or in his words, backmailed, Forbert into helping start a chapter here in Meridian.
Recently Gibbens, now the president of the Mississippi Air Force Association, presented Forbert with the Medal of Merit which recognized Forbert for his distinguished service to the AFA both on the local level and the state level.
"I conned Sam into helping me start the chapter here," said Gibbens laughing. "The Meridian Area Navy League, of which we've both served as president in the past, was getting all the attention and rightfully so. But the Air Guard, and the 186th Air Refueling Wing deserved just as much recognition. So we began to build up interest and support."
The AFA is an independent, nonprofit, civilian education organization promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. It sponsors professional development seminars and recognizes excellence in the education and aerospace fields through national awards programs. AFA presents scholarships and grants to Air Force active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members and their dependents; and awards educator grants to promote science and math education at the elementary and secondary school level. But maybe the most important component of the AFA is the civilian volunteers who work so hard to keep the public informed about Air Force assets and their contribution to local economies and national security.
"It took us awhile to sell the idea of a chapter here," said Forbert. "There were chapters in Gulfport, Jackson and Columbia. But with the G. V. 'Sonny' Montgomery National Guard Complex here and all the Air Guard assets at Key Field, we thought it necessary to act as the public liaison."
The Meridian chapter was chartered in 2004 and has grown to more than 200 members.
