HILL AIR FORCE BASE -- Three Top of Utah residents have earned their wings.
Ogden residents Pat and Judy Condon and Layton resident Homer Cutrubus recently were named the top community supporters of Hill Air Force Base.
The trio received the base's "Community Wingman Award," which is given out once a year by Hill officials to recognize members of the Top of Utah community for their outstanding support of Hill, its programs and its airmen.
Pat Condon retired as a major general and commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center in 1997. He and his wife, Judy, have lived in the Ogden area since his retirement and have made it a point to serve the base and its people.
The Condons are involved in the Air Force Association and travel to bases around the globe to help military families.
Each year for Thanksgiving, the Condons host a large feast, inviting Hill airmen who are away from their families.
"We started doing that when I was commander," Pat said of the Thanksgiving dinner. "We thought it would be nice to start hosting those that didn't have anywhere to go other than maybe the dining hall."
Condon joined the Air Force in 1964 and said he remembers what it's like to be a young airman during the holidays.
"When you're in the Air Force, you're away from home during a lot of those holidays," he said. "But hopefully, if you can gain a surrogate family, it can be a little easier."
Cutrubus, who owns the Cutrubus Motors franchise and several car dealerships in the Top of Utah, lends out his cars free of charge during large Hill events, such as last year's air show.
"For something like the air show, most of that expense comes from the community, not the government," Cutrubus said, "so we help out in any way we can."
He said he chooses to support Hill because the base helps the Top of Utah economy thrive.
"A lot of people don't realize what that base means to this area. It's such a great asset and a great part of our community."
Maj. Gen. Andrew Busch, current commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center, said the trio and other volunteers like them are essential to the base.
"These (Wingman Awards) are our way of honoring the people who have made a conscious and committed effort to supporting the men and women of Hill Air Force Base."
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