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Pharmacy volunteer keeps history alive

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Connie L. Bias
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFPN) --  Those tall aspen on the road leading to the Fairchild hospital. Who remembers when they were planted? And all the trees behind the housing area. Does anyone remember when those were just short, tiny wisps?

For anyone who was stationed at Fairchild and doesn't remember, they're in good company. As with most people at military bases around the world, the majority of us are only here for a short time.

There is one man, though, who has watched Fairchild, including those trees, grow since 1954, when he was first stationed here. Retired Col. Francis Potter, volunteer at the pharmacy refill center, served his last active-duty Air Force tour as the deputy base commander here. He retired in 1969 and has never left. In fact, he has remained as active as ever.

"I've been volunteering at the pharmacy for about 24 years," Colonel Potter said. "I like to remain a part of the military ... I like to keep in touch with the people."

With more than 50 years of association with the base, the colonel also is keeping Fairchild in touch with its history and progress, and he has seen quite a few big changes over the years.

"One is the buildings," he said. "We were still using World War II buildings when I was here, with the old wood. You had to paint them just about every other year. Most of those are gone now. The buildings and the dormitories are much nicer."

The use of computers is another thing he's seen expand. When the colonel retired, computer use was "just coming in," he said.

"A lot of changes have happened on the flightline too," he continued. "There are so many more buildings now to house the aircraft. Back when I was flying B-36s (Peacemakers), we had over-the-wing refueling. You had to get up on the aircraft and pour gas into the tanks. Now it's all center-point from the bottom. That's quite an improvement."

Along with his time in the B-36, Colonel Potter has more than 5,000 hours flying time in the B-52 Stratofortress, which is the last aircraft he flew here. The colonel retired with almost 10,000 total flying hours.

Over the course of his Air Force career, which began in 1943, he also served as a bomber squadron commander and chief of training. He flew in the Berlin Airlift in 1948, helping to feed two-and-a-half million people, and has watched the Air Force's education requirements move from a high school diploma for officers to today's growing education and degree requirements.

"I had a good career and did a lot of things," he said.

Now, Colonel Potter spends every Wednesday morning assisting pharmacy customers and has made himself, according to pharmacy personnel, invaluable.

"He provides a lot of wisdom to our staff here, in addition to consistent support of the pharmacy," said Maj. Raymond Reser, pharmacy flight commander, adding that the colonel also is a favorite among pharmacy patients. "We have so many patients who come in just to see him and interact with him. Some patients will wait until Wednesday to pick up their medications."

Part of that fondness comes from the colonel's willingness to share his history with his customers and co-workers. Once you get to know him, said Major Reser, you "live through him vicariously." And many retirees who utilize base services share some of Colonel Potter's Air Force experiences.

"The retirees get to relive some of their history, and it's comforting for them to have someone who's been through it provide them with care," said the major.

"It takes a lot for somebody to give all those years to our service, and then come back and volunteer to make sure the next generation is cared for. That means a lot," he added.

Caring for the next generation is no problem for the retired colonel, though. He enjoys the interaction and being involved in the Air Force's forward progression.

"The people at Fairchild do a good job," Colonel Potter said. "They've always done a good job. I see a lot of good, young Airmen here. They're a dedicated bunch."

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