Causing a Buzz

  • Published
  • By Arlo Taylor
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  Everyone has probably heard the legends of Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill and John Henry and their amazing feats.

Unlike those mythical figures, Team Little Rock's Jerry Lee Horne Jr. is the real deal. In his two years at Little Rock Air Force Base, he has carved a legend of his own. Actually, he's created a "Buzz."

Buzz is the nickname everyone knows Mr. Horne by. He has tirelessly served the Team Little Rock community in every way imaginable -- as key spouse and mentor for the 19th Force Support Squadron his wife, Lt. Col. Debbie Horne, commands; as the first-ever male president of the Little Rock Spouses Club; as a substitute special education teacher with the Pulaski County Special School District - that's barely scratching the surface of his service to his community. Buzz has been a part of almost every community event in his time here.

He follows a simple philosophy.

"I just do what I do," Buzz said. "I see things that need to be done, and I do them."

On any given day, he hops into the "Buzz-mobile" - his souped-up 1968 Volkswagen Beetle - or his big, blue four-wheel drive pickup and looks for a way to make a difference.
His experience as a military spouse/father/retired NCO/fighter crew chief/mechanic/carpenter/electrician/plumber/teacher/biker/baker/artist/photographer/emcee/roadie and paramedic has helped countless people in the community.

"I'm a jack-of-all-trades, master of none," he said. "But it's natural for me to go and help people. If I see something that needs to be done, I'm going to go and do it."

Buzz's unique talents served Team Little Rock after an EF-2 tornado ripped through the base April 25. Minutes after the disaster, he loaded his chainsaw into his truck and jumped into the fray of relief and recovery efforts. In the ensuing recovery period, he helped tornado victims retrieve lost possessions, clear debris, cut and clear downed tree, move families to their new units, deliver donated furniture, and even patch, repair and replace damaged tires on several vehicles.

With the base in total darkness without power and Colonel Horne's cell phone battery dying while her squadron was setting up recovery efforts at base lodging, Buzz did his "MacGyver thing," as Colonel Horne calls it: he took his own deep-cycle battery off his lawnmower and used alligator clips, speaker wire, car cigarette lighter receptacle, automotive power inverter and a phone charger to create a 110-volt charging ability to keep the FSS recovery staff's cell phones up and running following the tornado. That feat allowed FSS recovery team members to keep communication contact with base leaders during blackout conditions.

Buzz says the opportunity of being a stay-at-home husband allows him the time to get out and support the entire Team Little Rock community. His infectious personality and superhuman work ethic has left an impression on everyone he has encountered.

"He's funny, kind, hard working, encouraging, calm, a great listener, knows everyone and is incredibly giving. Buzz truly embodies the phrase 'service before self.' He is always ready to help anyone in need and is loved by everyone ... active duty, spouses, kids, retirees and civilians," said Ashley Minihan, spouse of 19th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Mike Minihan.

Buzz acknowledges anyone can do what he does and doesn't feel that what he's done at Little Rock AFB is out of the ordinary.

"Everyone on this base can make a difference, even if it's something simple as picking up a piece of litter. Get out in the community and do things and better yourself. You have to get out, be involved and be a part of it," he said.

"My advice: if people see things that need to be done, just do it."