BSC and LAB celebrate a fruitful partnership

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Luke Hill
  • 2 Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The Louisiana Association of the Blind celebrated their 15-year partnership with the Base Supply Center at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct. 27.

The BSC provides Airmen with a convenient shopping location for deployment gear and other basic items such as office supplies.

"We supply Barksdale Airmen with uniforms, office equipment and other deployment items," said Georgia Jones, BSC cashier. "Whatever you need for a deployment or daily use, we can get it."

The Barksdale BSC has worked with LAB since 1999 and gives visually disabled people an opportunity to participate and serve alongside service members. The partnership is important, because it provides job opportunities to people who wouldn't be able to work otherwise.

"It has been a tremendous relationship from day one, the support of this installation has been beyond anything I could have ever imagined." said Shelly Taylor, president and chief executive officer for LAB. "Blind people are no less patriotic than anybody else. They love our country and they love the opportunities they have to be a part of the military and serve along-side the service members. It's extremely meaningful for them."

"It's nice to know we have served the military for over 15 years, and I'm grateful to know that people appreciate what we do at the BSC," Jones said. "It's a privilege and an honor to work here and serve the U.S. military, and I really enjoy getting to know military members at Barksdale."

The celebration was a time to remember why the BSC's partnership with LAB is important and to recognize some of the accomplishments of the organizations and their employees.

"It feels nice, and I'm grateful to know people appreciate what we do here," Jones said.
"It's important to remember why we are here," Taylor said. "Not only are we here to serve the military, but the military allowing us to be here is creating employment for the disabled and giving them hope and a job that they can be proud of."