Military retirees tour CRTC base in Gulfport

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - A number of residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport have a better understanding of the mission of the Combat Readiness Training Center and the work done by the Air National Guard. Thirteen residents took a tour of the base Friday, a fitting start to the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The retirees and active duty military men and women had a chance to learn from each other. As the retirees arrived, the greeting they received was both warm and genuine. Lt. Col. Andy Ratcliffe spoke first.

“It’s truly a heartwarming event to interact with you all on your level, hear the stories that you have to tell of your time in the service," said Lt. Col. Andy Ratcliffe.

All eyes were glued to the screen as a video of base training was shown. Then time for some one-on-one contact with the younger generation of military members.

“There’s that connection that will never change. It will always be there no matter what may happen. We support and recognize each other," said veteran Jack Horsley.

It was then back on the bus for a tour of the base and a look at just how large the base really is. The high-tech helicopter repair facility was the next stop for resident Doris Denton and the rest of the group.

“I didn’t even know this stuff was here. I didn’t even know there was an Air National Guard. I thought all National Guard was Army. So today I learned a lot of good stuff," Denton said.

Even though the veterans were there to learn, they were also there to teach. That’s the word from base commander Col. Joe Reid.

“Well, these veterans have a lot of wisdom about what they did and how they coped with things because war can be an awful thing. Service sometimes can be an awful thing when you have to go to war for your country," he said.

These veterans also helped preserve base history.

“I was at this base when we were trying to save the old World War II hanger back a few years ago when they were going to tear it down," said Diana Dopp. "A bunch of us from the Armed Forces Retirement Home came out and spearheaded the campaign to save it.”

Even though the past is important, the future is just as important for Horsley and the others.

“With the updates that they have now, I feel like a pioneer back to the days when they had covered wagons, now they have cars. They modernized and it’s very efficient," he said.

They were all very thankful for the service of these retired warriors.

Here’s another example of the close ties between the base and the retirement home. Several times a year, volunteers from the Air National Guard visit the home to help residents with various projects.

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