President Reagan Visits Kelly AFB

I was sent to the Air Force Academy by Col Richard Paul, BMTS/CC to teach the cadets how to use the 12 step drill teaching format that we used in BMTS. While I was there, I received a phone call to return to Lackland ASAP and SSgt David Gonzalez, who was also on the Stan Team would come up to the Academy to replace me.

TSgt Milton Martin

I flew back to San Antonio that same day, reported to Col Sanchez, BMTS/CV, who briefed me that I was going to be the OPR/POC for President Reagan's Formal Arrival Ceremony at Kelly which was going to take place on June 24, 1981. I could not reveal what Col Sanchez had briefed me on (President Reagan's upcoming visit) to anyone, not even my immediate supervisor, CMSgt Charlie Barnes.

I can recall that when I returned to the Stan Team office, Chief Barnes called me into his office and wanted me to tell him what Col Sanchez had spoke to me about. When I told him that I could not tell him, he got very upset with me and immediately reminded me who I worked for (smile). I knew he was my immediate supervisor, but I also knew that I worked for the BMTS/CC, the AFMTC/CC and the ATC/CC. If any of them told me that they wanted me to set up a ceremony for someone and they did not want me to tell anyone about it, you better believe that I was not going to tell anyone about it, no matter how much I was threaten (smile). As it turned out, I got with Audiovisual to make diagrams for my briefing at Kelly AFB and I got with the Drum & Bugle Corps and the Band of the West about the music, Hail to the Chief, although, I did have to swear them to secrecy. Eventually Chief Barnes found out what I was doing and he let me know how resourceful he was in finding out. I told him I still could not talk about it, so he decide to leave me alone and let me do my job. It all turned out well because everyone was happy and I was awarded the AF Achievement Medal for my efforts.

It was ironic that after President Reagan was shot by Hinckley, when he recuperated he returned to San Antonio and again we set up a Formal Arrival Ceremony at Kelly AFB. I can still remember Col Sanchez asking me if I still had all my paperwork and diagrams for the Formal Arrival Ceremony. When I told him yes, he smiled and told me that I needed to dust it off because we were responsible to do it again for his second visit. Good memories and what makes it even better is I have photos of setting it up.

Above & Below - 5 May 1983, General Thomas D. Ryan Jr. ATC/CC (left) greets the President

24 June 1981, General Davis escorts the Commander in Chief

MSgt Milton Martin (Cordon Commander) marches Kelly’s Honor Cordon to honor President Reagan, 1983

L to R: Secret Service; Gen Bennie L. Davis, ATC/CC; Naval Officer is the President's Aide (He carries the "Football"); Maj Frank Stagg, HQ BMTS; President Ronald Reagan and Lackland's Band of the West.

President Reagan reviewing the troops at Kelly AFB in 1983. Lt. Col. Claus Graef walking with the President