Members of Congress arrive at Dobbins for funeral of Rep. John Lewis

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shelby Thurman
  • 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. – Members of Congress, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, arrived here July 30, 2020 on two 932nd Airlift Wing C-40C Clippers to attend the funeral of Rep. John Lewis of Georgia at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in downtown Atlanta.

 

Dobbins leadership welcomed the congress members as they stepped off the two planes. They were greeted by Brig. Gen. Thomas Grabowski, Georgia Air National Guard commander; Col. Craig McPike, 94th Airlift Wing commander; Col Sharon Johnson, 22nd Air Force director of staff; and Chief Master Sgt. Vicki Robertson, 94th Airlift Wing command chief.

 

“I want to thank all my wingmen at the 932nd for a great event here at Dobbins,” McPike said. “The two C-40s, aircrew and maintainers did an outstanding job delivering the member of Congress to Georgia.  They were the utmost professionals, as always, and represented the 22nd Air Force and the Air Force Reserve with precise, on time airlift for our distinguished visitors.  I could not have been more proud.”

 

The day before the Congress members arrived, an Armed Forces Body Bearer Team carried the flag-draped casket of Lewis from an 89th Airlift Wing C-32 aircraft to a hearse parked on the flight line. The hearse then made its way to the state Capitol, where the late representative lay in repose prior to the funeral service and internment.

 

“The recent flight carrying Congressional members to the funeral of Representative John Lewis, highlights what our airmen do every day,” said Col. Glenn Collins, 932nd AW commander. “It is an entire team which supports these missions.  I am humbled and proud to be a part of the 932d Airlift Wing every day.  The 932d Airlift Wing was privileged to be part of our nation’s history honoring the life of Representative John Lewis.”

 

Lewis served as a Georgia representative for three decades, and had a lifelong commitment to the civil rights movement.