This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Nov. 22, 2010 - Officially, Boeing Co.'s rally today was to celebrate the domestic and foreign contracts that are extending the production lines of the F-18 and F-15 fighter planes -- preserving thousands of high-paying jobs in the St. Louis area.
But the event, held before hundreds in a Boeing hangar, also unofficially became a celebration of the man that the company's executives and politicians in both parties praised for being a key facilitator of the aircraft company's success -- retiring U.S. Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond, R-Mo.
"Missouri's senior senator, Kit Bond has never missed an opportunity to support our armed forces, our industry and our workforce," said Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing executive vice president and president of Boeing Defense, Space & Security division. "It's no understatement to say that, without Sen. Bond, we would not be here today commemorating these remarkable milestones."
Missouri's two top Democrats -- Gov. Jay Nixon and U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill -- each took time in their brief addresses to praise Bond's 40 years of public service, which included 24 years in the Senate and eight as governor.
"On behalf of the Show Me State, Sen. Bond has served our state well and been a true leader and a great advocate as well as a mentor to me in so many ways, how to make sure you're fighting for your state," Nixon said. "The state of Missouri wishes you well. ... The entire state of Missouri appreciates your service, my friend."
McCaskill said that Bond "stayed in public service for decades because he cared deeply about this state, and he's been a great mentor for me, in terms of fighting the good fight for this company and the great aircraft it produces."
Bond himself quipped as he took the microphone: "It's amazing how much appreciation you get when you're finally leaving office."
But the senator emphasized, in all seriousness, that he was thrilled to join Boeing and its workers for Monday's event.
The rally was marking the military's additional multiyear procurement of 124 F/A-18s, which Muilenburg said will keep the line open to 2015, and Saudi Arabia's requested purchase of 84 F-15s, which Muilenburg said would continue production to 2017.
Muilenburg added in an interview that Boeing "fully expects" to see both lines extended further, because of hoped-for U.S. or foreign contracts.
Bond took note of the soon-to-be-finalized sale to India of 10 C-17s, Boeing's cargo plan. "Continued production of the C-17 will help ensure our nation won't lose its only large military airlift line in production," he said.
Similar praise of Boeing came from U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. (who mesmerized the crowd with his story about his older brother's employment at then-McDonnell Douglas and the plastic airplane models he'd bring home), and numerous area members of Congress, including Reps. Russ Carnahan, D-St.Louis; Todd Akin, R-Town and Country; Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth; Jerry Costello, D-Belleville; and John Shimkus, R-Collinsville.
The one notable absence was Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-St. Louis, whose district includes Boeing. Spokesman Steve Engelhardt, who attended, said that Clay had been unable to be in town because of transportation delays.
But the fact that every other major congressional figure was at the rally drove home the political importance of Boeing, aside from its major role in the nation's military and aerospace industry.
Muilenburg said the packed podium of Republicans and Democrats "speaks to the partnership that Boeing enjoys with our elected officials and the region."
The crowd also underscored the shared respect for Bond, despite any political differences. Bond joked in an interview that he already had told McCaskill that he had a travel schedule for her, so that she could take over his international trips to promote Boeing's products.
Bond also briefly got a bit wistful -- with a wry twist.
"It's a blessing for me to represent the people of Missouri for 40 years," he said. The senator then added, with a chuckle, that he also was "truly grateful to have nice words said about you, particularly while you're still standing up."
