The purpose of the general’s visit was to get to know our aviation class (The Aeronautical Dolphins). When the general arrived he was greeted by Mr. Garrison and a group of very excited aeronautical dolphins. Mr. Garrison has supported the class since the very beginning. He even let use his personal vehicle, when the van was unavailable.
After a warm welcome in the parking lot, we promptly escorted the general and his family to room F101, which is the home of the aeronautical dolphins. We were seated in a circle and the general asked each aeronautical dolphin what their goal in life was. Some students told the general that they wanted to be pilots, since the general is a proven ace fighter pilot. Other students express a desire in becoming engineers, computer specialists, and nurses. Furthermore, the general reminded each student about the value of having passion in whatever career path that they chose to pursue.
He explained how they could get a college degree through the United States Air Force. He said that he wanted each of them to have options, even if they decided not to join the Air Force. However, it was noted that, the Air Force offers a lot of benefits for those who have the passion to serve.
He further elaborated, that one should not join the Air Force strictly for the benefits that are offered. But, one should join the Air Force for the passion to excel in his/her chosen career path. That path could be a pilot engineer, computer specialist, nurse, etc.
The students asked the general about his personal experience flying the F-15C fighter aircraft. The general was very forthcoming, when he talked about his first time flying in the F-15C. He told us as he set inside his F-15C aircraft on the runway, five stages of afterburner filtered through, which felt like something slapping your back five times. Then the aircraft accelerated very quickly on the runway and before he knew it, he was flying straight up. The general added that this was an experience that he would never forget.
Some students asked the general’s wife questions about how it was being the wife of a general. She explained that she had lots of duties. She said that she could be considered the mother of Andersen Air Force Base. Furthermore, certain ceremonial activities and functions required her presence, which in essence makes her a vital part of team Doucette.
Grayson, who is the general’s son, was also asked some questions. The one question that I recalled was how it was being the son of such a famous man. Grayson seemed shy, but I could tell that he was proud of his father and mother and they look good as a family unit.
Grayson, by the way, is an engineering student at Virginia Polytechnic University.
Finally, the general answered the last question and then he signed our aeronautical dolphin’s banner. After signing the banner, he and his family took time to take some pictures with us. I walked the general back to his car and he shook my hand and told me that I had a great class. He then told me that if we ever made it to Andersen Air Force Base, that he would give us the red carpet treatment. There will also be a possibility of the students flying on a KC-135 Aircraft. This means that they could actually witness, air-to-air refueling. The KC-135 is also the aircraft that I crewed when I was in the United States Air Force.
Janette and Grayson Doucette left after the general because they were still talking with some of my students. Of course, we didn’t want this experience to end, but the Doucette’s were on a tight schedule and they had already surpassed their time limit at MHS.
Next Monday, Congressman Kilili Sablan will be coming to the home of the aeronautical dolphins. The purpose of this trip will be to give aeronautical material needed to enhance the education of the students. At this time, we will express the possibility for future appointments to the Air Force Academy to come from this program. We are justifying this request, under the premise that our program is support by a United States Air Force general who, by the way, is a commander of a large Air Force Base, the Commander of the 36th Wing, and last but not least ,one of the best darn fighter pilots in the United States Air Force.
(The writer is the teacher of the aviation class at Marianas High School.)
