#Middlebury #Veterans
My birth certificate says I was born at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. In recent years that name was changed to Joint Base something-Bolling due to the base realignment. Now, given the current climate, I have to wonder: Will they change the name of the base to something else altogether?
Editor’s note: Wikipedia says of the past name change, “In 2010 it (Bolling Air Force Base) was merged with Naval Support Facility Anacostia to form Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling.”
I looked up the man for whom the original base was named, wondering if he was objectionable in any way that would make certain groups of people unhappy enough that they’d demand a name change. History shows that Raynal Cawthorne Bolling was a World War I hero, killed in combat. Wikipedia helpfully provides a bio as well as a photo.
Bolling was an attorney by trade, but when a cadre of wealthy men became part of the Preparedness Movement, aiming for a strong military, he joined them, rented airplanes and learned to fly. He was ready when the government called him to active duty in 1917. He organized the first reserve air unit, which became the 26th Aero Squadron, and was slated to be the chief of air service for the U.S. II Corps.
Col. Bolling was killed in 1918 as he drove toward the German line on pre-battle reconnaissance. He went down firing his weapon, killing Germans as he died, saving the life of the wounded private with him.
If you were born on a military base, or have children who were, it’s time to learn the history of the name of the base that’s on the birth certificate before it’s gone forever. Born at Fort Bragg? Fort Hood? Fort Benning? Don’t delay in your research.
Even if you think your base was named after someone not likely to cause offense, don’t wait. How about Fort Sam? Fort Belvoir?
I’ve hunted and I can’t find anything objectionable about Col. Bolling nor his background. When patriotism called, he answered. Still, you never know.
© 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
You must be logged in to post a comment.