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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNS - 10/7/2012) -- An
11-year-old boy became the U.S. Air Force Academy newest cadet when
he arrived for "duty" Sept. 28 here.
Wyatt Denton (center) and his brother Joe (left) march on the Terrazzo with Cadet Squardron 32 during Wyatt's Cadet for a Day experience Sept. 28, 2012. CS 32 was the sponsor squadron for Wyatt, a native of Parker, Colo. U.S. Air Force photo/Sarah Chambers |
Wyatt, from nearby Parker, Colo., was welcomed into the
Cadet Wing through the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the
Academy's Cadet for a Day program.
For Wyatt, the
whole day was a surprise waiting to happen for Wyatt.
"All they told me was that I would eat and walk," he
said.
However, Wyatt and his family did more than eat
and walk. The day began with Wyatt getting his official
flight suit and cap and breakfast, Cadet Squadron 32,
followed by a tour and special service at the Cadet Chapel.
Then, they attended a chemistry magic show where Wyatt, his
mother Patty, father Joe and brother Justin assisted in many
chemical reactions.
"The elephant toothpaste
(experiment) was cool," Wyatt said. "I like all of them, but
my favorite was the liquid nitrogen with the balloon that
looked like an acorn."
After the magic show, the
whole family received pilot training in the Academy's flight
simulators and lunch in the cadet's dining facility. After
lunch, Wyatt and his family toured the library, met with the
falconry and basketball teams, and then received a weapons
demonstration and an airfield tour.
But Wyatt's cadet
experience did not end with one day. The whole family
tailgated with Cadet Squadron 32 before the weekend's
football game. Wyatt was also brought onto the sidelines to
watch up close as the Falcons beat Colorado State 42-21.
"Make-a-Wish is amazing," Patty said. "This whole
experience is incredible. I didn't expect this much. (The
cadets) pulled out all the stops. We are so grateful for all
the Air Force is doing for us."
Wyatt is the 44th
Cadet for a Day in conjunction with the Make-a-Wish
Foundation. The Academy hosts Cadet for a Day approximately
four times a year.
"I think the program is an
incredible opportunity both for the children that visit as
well as the cadets who get involved," said Cadet 3rd Class
Savannah Peterson, the Cadet Squadron 32 Cadet for a Day
planner. "When you come into it with a great attitude and a
willingness to participate, it can change your outlook on
life. I am very glad that the Academy gives us this
opportunity to make a very deserving child's day. I had so
much fun spending time with Wyatt and his family.
"I
was constantly humbled by Wyatt's love for life no matter
what the circumstances. There were several times throughout
the weekend I found myself tearing up just from seeing how
much the family appreciated what we were doing," Peterson
added.
By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
Air Force News Service
Copyright 2012
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