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Base renders honors to lifelong supporter

  • Published
  • By Janet Taylor-Birkey
  • 27th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Men and women of Cannon Air Force Base gathered with family members and military dignitaries from around the world March 2 to commemorate the life of Ernest O. “Doc” Stewart, 81, who died Feb. 27. 

A man described as having a global impact, Doc worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for Cannon Airmen and their families. 

“We have lost a wise mentor, a national treasure, a true friend,” said Gen. Ronald Keys, Air Combat Command commander. Reiterating Doc’s informal personality, he went on to explain he had known Doc for 20 years without realizing his first name was Ernest, until Doc was nominated for the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Humanitarian Award presented at the Pentagon in January. 

Listing several contributions made by Doc, General Keys said there is hardly anyplace on Cannon Doc’s influence cannot be seen. 

Taking the opportunity to remind Airmen that Doc was “proud of the new greatest generation,” General Keys encouraged Cannon men and women to continue being the best.

It was not only Americans who felt his influence, but also Cannon’s former unit from the Republic of Singapore Air Force. Brig. Gen. Richard Lim, Republic of Singapore Air Force, told how Doc went out of his way to make the former Singaporean 428th Fighter Squadron feel at home in a country so foreign to them, and attributed to Doc the characteristics of being genuine, sincere and always keeping his promise. 

These characteristics were seen by everyone who came in contact with Doc.
Referring to Doc as a “country gentleman,” Col. John Posner, former 27th Fighter Wing commander, said Doc had the best attributes of both Texas — Doc’s birthplace — and New Mexico. 

As a family man, Doc extended those attributes to his adopted family at Cannon, said Colonel Posner, which included inviting single Cannon men and women to his home for Christmas and using every opportunity to encourage others by closing conversations with the words, “I appreciate you, I love you, I’m proud of you.”

The base memorial concluded with the chief master sergeants group giving a final salute to Doc, an honorary chief master sergeant, followed by a 21-gun salute and Taps.
While the base memorial was for Doc’s family and the military members at Cannon, many members also joined the Clovis community to give a final local goodbye at Central Baptist Church with another 21-gun salute, playing of Taps and a four-ship flyover.

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