Family, friends gather to celebrate Conner's Way Published June 11, 2013 By Senior Airman Elizabeth Van Patten DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Family and friends gathered June 8 at the Consolidated Club here to celebrate the life and contributions of Charles "Doug" Conner, former ground safety manager for Dobbins Air Reserve Base. Chief among his remembered contributions is the running trail that runs the one mile from Dobbins Inn to the Base Exchange, parallel to Atlantic Ave. "The trail was dedicated five years ago, just over a year after Doug's passing," said Mona Eaton, Conner family friend and event co-hostess. "The trail's name commemorates Doug for his tireless efforts in promoting and supporting safety programs, his leadership in the safety field throughout the Air Force, and his service to our country." Many friends and Conner family members walked the trail during the event. Along the trail is a bridge, two large oak trees, a Ginkgo tree and a commemorative plaque at the half-mile mark honoring Conner. Two benches were donated at that spot by the Dobbins Top Three. The trail does offer a safe path for running or walking, for which the Dobbins community is grateful for. While Conner is credited for the trail, does that mean he is to blame for the many hills runners endure along it as well?
