442nd family member receives Air Force Academy nomination

  • Published
  • By Bob Satnan
  • Sedalia Democrat
SEDALIA, Mo. --  Stephen Chappel is inspired by his father's service to the United States and hopes to follow in his footsteps.

Chappel took another step on that path Monday, when he received word that U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler has nominated him for an appointment to the Air Force Academy.

Chappel, 18, a senior at Sacred Heart School, is one of 15 students in the Fourth Congressional District to be nominated this year for a service academy appointment by Hartzler, a Republican and member of the House Armed Services Committee.

"These 15 young men and women have exemplary academic and extracurricular records," Hartzler said in a news release. "Their exceptional scholastic achievement and leadership skills will serve them well."

A Congressional nomination does not guarantee an appointment; the service academies make the appointments, and nominees will be notified of their acceptance in early spring.

Chappel found out about the nomination from Sacred Heart counselor Pat Jennings, who called him to the office at the end of classes Monday to share the news.

"I was stunned," Chappel said. He applied for admission to the Air Force Academy over the summer and received approval, then applied to get one of Hartzler's nominations in September or October.

Chappel is only interested in an Air Force Academy appointment, and his family background makes it clear why. His father, Air Force Lt. Col. Stephen Chappel, is stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base and currently is deployed overseas.

His mother, Ellen, served in the Air Force, as did her brothers, her father and her husband's "whole family," she said.

Ellen Chappel contacted her husband on Monday night to let him know about the nomination.

"He was ecstatic, and really pleased for (his son)," she said. "It has been such a dream for him."

Stephen Chappel said he has long had the goal of attending the Air Force Academy because "I believe in our duty to our country. I have studied World War II soldiering and their contributions and sacrifices. I want to serve my family and my fellow citizens in the defense of our nation."

Ellen Chappel said the academy is tough to get into, but her son has maintained an attitude of "I am going to do it no matter what it takes." She said the family has tried not to set itself up for a letdown if he doesn't win an appointment, but with Monday's news, "Wow, maybe it is going to happen now," she said.

Should Chappel not get the appointment, he has backup plans. He already has been accepted at Auburn University in Alabama and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla. His father graduated from Embry-Riddle in 1986.

"So I might take the route my dad took." he said, adding he would major in aeronautical engineering.

Chappel credited support from his church, St. Paul's Lutheran, as well as the teachers and staff at Sacred Heart for his success to date.

"He was brought up in a Christian environment; he was taught to serve," Ellen Chappel said. "That laid the groundwork for him."

Sacred Heart Principal Mark Register ticked off a list of Chappel's activities, including participation in Youth Leadership Sedalia, senior class president, National Honor Society and being a four-year letterman in football.

"This kid's a winner; he is going to do some good things in life," Register said. "He has done everything necessary, and proven if you set your sights on an important goal and stay focused, your goal can be realized."

Chappel said he was drawn to the Air Force Academy because of its focus on building officers of good character and the high level of education. He also acknowledged that "a lot of things combined to make this possible."

"Rep. Hartzler has given me a good shot at this, and I thank her greatly for that," he said.