Whiteman CDC dedicated to Susie Skelton

  • Published
  • By By 1st Lt. Matt Miller
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Rain and snow didn't dampen the spirits of more than 150 Team Whiteman and community members as they paid tribute to the late Susan "Susie" (Anding) Skelton Saturday by dedicating the base Child Development Center in her honor. 

The Whiteman AFB Child Development Center, completed in 2007, provides world-class specialized childcare provisions and development for infants, pre-toddlers and preschool age children. 

"We're dedicating this building in honor of a great American - Susie Skelton," said Brig. Gen Garrett Harencak, 509th Bomb Wing commander. "She was an incredible supporter of military families and the military way of life, and we owe her so, so very much. This is but a small token of our appreciation." 

Congressman Ike Skelton, Representative for Missouri's 4th Congressional District and Susie's husband of 44 years, was on hand to accept the honor on Mrs. Skelton's behalf. With three of Whiteman's youngest dressed in flight suits, Congressman Skelton, along with Dale Buckingham, president of Whiteman's Base Community Council, unveiled a painting of Mrs. Skelton which was commissioned by the BCC and now on display in the CDC foyer. 

"This is a nostalgic, but also a very happy moment," said Congressman Skelton. "What a great tribute to Susie. I know she'd be touched by this."

During the dedication, General Harencak was adamant about the CDC being the most important of more than 900 Whiteman buildings. 

"For decades to come, as Whiteman remains one of our nation's most important military installations, we will always have Susie Skelton's name on our most important building," General Harencak said. "We're not only honoring Susie's legacy, but also our future by putting her name on the child development center. 

"Our Airmen, right now, are all over the world in harm's way doing something extraordinary, risking their futures to protect the future of my children, and your children and out neighbor's children. That's what it's all about," he said. "And what symbolizes that more than our child development center - the place where we nurture, educate and protect our children." 

Mrs. Skelton, a native of Pacific, Mo., was born on Aug. 19, 1936, in St. Louis, Mo. She was married to Congressman Skelton on July 22, 1961, in Pacific, Mo., and have three children. 

She moved to Washington when her husband was elected to Congress in 1976, and she was active in several organizations representing spouses of public officials. She was also a member of the board of trustees of William Woods University, active in Missouri University's Alumni Association, taught Sunday school and was a Cub Scout den mother. 

Mrs. Skelton was elected president of the 95th Congress group, the organization representing spouses of members in their first session. During the 100th Congress, she became only the second Missourian to serve as president of the Congressional Club, presiding over one of the largest memberships in the history of the organization. She also was a member of Congressional Families for Drug-Free Youth. 

Mrs. Skelton, 69, passed away in Lexington, Mo. Aug. 23, 2005. 

"She was a remarkable lady, and I had the honor of being married to her," Congressman Skelton said during the dedication. "I hope that many, many children through the years will enjoy this child development center. I agree, it is the most important building at Whiteman."