Road sign could be relocated

Seeing his father's name relocated to another road on Cannon Air Force Base would be like seeing the death of his father a second time, said Keith Ingram.

Ingram's father, D.L. Ingram, was a local dignitary who helped pioneer the Committee of 50, an organization that has served as a lobbyist for Cannon.

The main road that leads into the base has had D.L. Ingram's name since his death in 1989. Now, Ingram is concerned his father's name will be moved after Cannon officials told him there are plans to do so.

Ericka Engblom: USAF photo

Kermit Evans Jr. and Pernetha Evans, son and widow of Cannon Air Force Base's Capt. Kermit Evans, a fallen hero, unveil the coverings from the street sign renamed in his honor. On a main road that crosses Kermit Evans Avenue, the base's D.L. Ingram Boulevard may potentially be moved to another road on base. Ingram was a Clovis dignitary supportive of Cannon through the Committee of 50.

"I'm not going to let this go quietly," said Ingram, a Clovis teacher. "I think it's a huge insult. What happened to loyalty?"

According to Ingram, former Cannon Lt. General Don Peterson was behind the name change in 1989, citing his father's dedication to the base.

According to Capt. Laurence Van der Oord of Cannon public affairs, the suggested name change and relocation of Ingram's father's name is preliminary. The new name suggested for the road is Air Commando Way.

Van der Oord said the base will be renaming several streets to give the names more of special operations feel.

"We're not just looking at this one street, it's a collective effort," Van der Oord said.

Ingram is scheduled to meet with base Commander Col. Buck Elton Wednesday to discuss the possible change. Ingram said he feels strongly that they should leave the road's name alone.

"This is terribly personal," Ingram said. "Anytime I'm out there (on base), I see that sign and it's like saying 'Hi' to my dad."

Van der Oord said the road they are considering moving D.L Ingram's name to will be one of the most heavily trafficked roads on base because it's located where a new support hub is being built.

But Ingram is not satisfied with that proposition.

"They might as well eliminate it and let it die," Ingram said. "They came to me asking my opinion and they're getting it. Hopefully the commander will say 'we'll leave it like it is' and this situation is over but if it's not, my battle is just starting with this situation."

Van der Oord said they are open to hearing what Ingram has to say.

"We definitely value his opinion and that's why we're reaching out to him," Van der Oord said. "We understand the tradition and lineage and we're taking that into deep consideration."

Ingram said one of his father's biggest accomplishments was helping with the expansion of the Melrose bombing range, which took place in the late 1980's. He added that his father took multiple trips to the nation's capital to fight for keeping Cannon in Clovis.

"He loved the military, he loved Cannon and he wanted America to be a strong country," Ingram said of his father. "I've never had a complaint about Cannon before. As a school teacher, I love having Cannon kids in my classroom. It makes my classroom better."

Ingram said the fact that the name relocation was suggested will leave those who knew his father in shock that it was even considered.

"His impact was great and legendary upon military people," Ingram said.