CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- -- Col. Johnny Galbert, 90th Missile Wing commander, attended a panel for the “Braver Angels” event at the Laramie County Library, Oct. 5, 2023.
Galbert explained solutions and gave input from his position as wing commander and as an African American to help the chances of lowering the racial and ethnic tension that has persisted in Laramie County as well as answering questions from the audience.
“One thing I’m trying to do is open the base. I think after 9/11, we just sort of closed the gates and COVID didn’t help at all,” said Galbert. “So I want more people like you to be on my base. I want more people like you to come on to the base, see our diversity, and to demonstrate to you that it is a strength.”
The panel consisted of well-known members from the Laramie County community who all came together to bring solutions to the problem. Due to the tension coming from various parts of the community, the panel was made to be diverse to help answer questions from the audience and to explain the multiple viewpoints of the participants.
One of the organizers, when explaining the purpose of the event, had some advice to those present to help anyone be a more empathetic member of the community.
“Getting to know each other, listening deeply to each other, and sharing respect and compassion each day takes an ongoing commitment to create and sustain a loving community,” said Ed Beamish, event organizer.