Grateful to pilots for sharing passion

Recently, members of the Black Jack Squadron, a group of pilots based mainly out of Arlington Air Field, came to visit our multiage 4th/5th/6th grade program at Monte Cristo Elementary in Granite Falls.

These gentlemen did an amazing job connecting with our kids while teaching them about aviation, aeronautics and goal setting. They followed this up by having us out to the airfield to see their planes, attend their preflight briefings, watch a private formation air show, and see a plane being built by hand.

These men took time out of their busy lives to make a connection with our students. They shared their passion for flight, stressed the importance of academics, perseverance and hard work. What is more is that their actions matched their message. Each one of them is a class act.

Sometimes we struggle to find heroes and role models for our youth … maybe we forget to look in our own backyards. In this teacher’s opinion, we have found both in the members of the Black Jack Squadron and we thank them for that.

Mike Schireman