Dr. Dan Callahan was presented posthumously the Senator Sam Nunn Community Leadership Award for 2021 at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Feb. 23. His son, Dr. Daniel Callahan, accepted the award from Col. Lindsay Droz, Installation and 78^th Air Base Wing commander. This is a prestigious honor given annually to someone in the community whose actions are consistently above and beyond in support of the installation and the United States Air Force.

“Over eight long decades, the people serving at this base have been the lifeblood of our critical missions for the nation, and the local community has been the heart of Robins Air Force Base,” said Col. Droz. “This year’s award recipient embodies that long-standing and unparalleled support.”

In 1968, Dr. Callahan coined the phrase “Every Day in Middle Georgia is Air Force Appreciation Day,” and in 2004 it was changed to Armed Forces to salute all our men and women in uniform. After 54 years, this mantra stands strong and true. Every Day in Middle Georgia is Armed Forces Appreciation Day – EDIMGIAFAD – demonstrates the long-standing community–base partnership.

In a video message Nunn stated, “The spirit of appreciation that came from this expression really caught on and was prescribed by Dr. Callahan and became contagious. It helped to build a trusted relationship, which exists to this day with Robins Air Force Base and the community.”

The EDIMGIAFAD phrase is part of our legacy and future.  Robins AFB is proud to be celebrating our 80^th anniversary with a year-long celebration running through September 2022. Robins80: Our Legacy, Our Future. From its origins as dairy farm pasture more than 80 years ago to its current status as the largest single-site industrial complex in Georgia, Robins remains one of the nation’s greatest defense assets.