Huber Heights commission swears in new member with Air Force background

The Huber Heights Military and Veterans Affairs Commission swore in a new member at its meeting that began at 6 p.m. The man who took the oath identified himself in the transcript using two surnames in separate remarks—"James Wyman" during the oath and later as "James Blighton"—and described a long record of Air Force service.

The new member said, "My name is James Blighton. I'm from Arkansas. Born and raised. I joined the Air Force in February 2009," and described having served at Keesler and at Wright-Patterson. He said he retrained into religious affairs and previously worked as a chaplain assistant. He told the commission he applied after a member of his church suggested the opportunity and that he wanted "to find a way to give back to my community."

The commission administered the oath that included support for the U.S. Constitution, the Ohio Constitution and the charter and ordinances of the city of Huber Heights. After the oath, the presiding officer welcomed the new member and said the commission hopes to meet expectations and do "some great things."

Earlier in the meeting commissioners moved to excuse several absences and to approve minutes from the previous meeting. Both motions were seconded and recorded as approved without a roll-call vote in the transcript.

The commission did not take other formal actions related to the new member at the meeting; he introduced himself and answered brief questions about his background and motivations. The commission will continue its agenda items, including Veterans Day planning, at future meetings.