CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Team Charleston commemorated a former wing commander by naming the base's child development center in his honor Aug. 17.
The Brigadier General Thomas R. Mokolajcik Child Development Center was named for the retired general who commanded Charleston AFB from 1991 to 1994. He later retired from the Air Force after holding a position at Headquarters U.S. Air Force in Washington, D.C., in 1996.
The CDC was named for General Mikolajcik "for years of loyal service, selfless dedication, and uncompromising care for our Airmen, their families, and Team Charleston," according to a plaque that was presented at the dedication ceremony to be displayed in the CDC. "May the Child Development Center continue to impress upon future generations the value which you conveyed to all."
"He's a true patriot," said Col. John "Red" Millander, 437th Airlift Wing commander. "He's worked to better the lives of people at the base and people in the community. And that will be one his legacies."
Besides being the commander at Charleston in the 90s, he was also stationed at Charleston AFB from 1973 to 1975 as a C-141 Starlifter instructor pilot and the wing current operations officer.
"We have the opportunity to pay real tribute to a true Charleston hero today," said Lt. Gen. Robert "Rod" Bishop Jr., 3rd Air Force commander, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. "I always like to brag about Charleston and how great it is here, and that's why I try to come back any chance I get. But when one travels about 9,000 miles, they would really want their word to mean something. That's why I want to say that I have high regard for this man and everything he's done and how much he meant to me as a mentor."
General Mikolajcik was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2003. ALS is more commonly referred to as the Lou Gehrig's disease and is a degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
"I am lucky and fortunate to be here four years after my diagnosis and I am honored and humbled by this dedication today," said General Mikolajcik. "Everyone here has been there for me 365 days a year for as long as I can remember. And the CDC - that's our country's children. This CDC should be thought of as our family."
The site for the new CDC will be located south of Hill Boulevard next to East Jackson Drive. According to plans, the construction is projected to start in fiscal year 2009. The new facility will be able to hold a capacity of 305 people.