Wright Flight needs volunteers with 'right stuff'

  • Published
  • By Maj. Christina Abbott Marks
  • 442nd Mission Support Group
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Do you have what it takes to be a part of the Wright Flight? 

Ever thought you could make a difference in the life of a child? 

These questions can be answered by being a 442nd Fighter Wing Wright Flight instructor for one of four Kansas City inner-city elementary schools, a school in Hardin, Mo., or a school in Norborne, Mo. 

For the children, the 442nd instructors are not only some one they can look up to but also a role model they can count on. 

"All of us in uniform are role models, and to inner city kids, some of whom have never been outside of their neighborhood, we have a tremendous, positive impact," said Col. Mark A. Ronco, 442nd FW vice commander. "As part of HRDC, it is our number one community outreach program, and it allows the 442nd Fighter Wing to bring aviation
history and Air Force values to their community." 

For most inner-city children, reality is drugs, early pregnancy, dropping out of school and other events that make the news. These are events that parents hope never happen to their children, but unfortunately they often do, and more so in the inner-city. 

Wright Flight volunteers strive to break that paradigm and make a difference. 

"If we plant the seeds with these children early, we can be successful in changing the
mindset of those children who have the will and the dreams to become something or someone other than a drug dealer, a criminal, a teenage parent or a statistic, which in turn will change the face of our communities," said Larry Washington, Wright Flight Kansas City Neighborhood Alliance coordinator and 442nd Mission Support Flight first sergeant. "With the Wright Flight program, if we were to save one child from those things, we as instructors or we as the 442nd Fighter Wing would be a true success." 

But whether the child is from the city or the country, the Wright Flight program does just that. It challenges them. It makes them know that they can be more than what they think. 

Nothing is given; hard work and learning are expected, and it's a goal that's achievable. 

"We should be encouraging the kids that they can make good decisions," said Ms. Hersticene Marshall, a Melcher Elementary School teacher. "When kids have dreams we must help them believe they can and will reach those dreams if they put forth the effort." And that's one of the Wright Flight program goals.

By using the Wright brothers as an example, the students learn that the Wright brothers had a dream, a goal and the desire and disciplineto achieve their dream. They weren't special or rich. People thought their idea odd ... to some even crazy ... but with determination and discipline, they reached their dream. By doing what the Wright brothers did, these kids can too. 

Not only does this program make a difference to the students, it also enriches the volunteer as well. 

"The most rewarding thing about it (Wright Flight) is the knowledge that my involvement with the students makes a difference in the way these kids see the world," said 1st Lt. Terrell Eikner, 442nd Maintenance Squadron officer. "If only one child's life is changed because of the Wright Flight program, then it is all worth it." 

The Wright Flight coin states, "helping kids reach new heights; commitment, achievement, success," and for the 442nd volunteers, that's one child at a time. 

If you would like to volunteer your time and would like to be a 442nd Wright Flight instructor, there are two training classes offered, Nov. 5, and Dec. 3, from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., in the wing conference room. 

Master Sgt. Chiquita Wilson, 442nd Fighter Wing Chaplain's office, can also answer questions about the volunteer program by calling her at (660) 687-3829.