Wildwood Elementary students were thrilled Wednesday morning when an Army helicopter landed at their school.
Physical Education teacher Adam Nave spent several years in the Army. He knows that the military can give young people without many resources a real start in life. He used his time in the Army and the benefits he earned to put himself through college and earn a master’s degree.
Many of his students live in poverty and some are homeless. He wanted to make the helicopter visit possible because he knows few of his students would ever be able to see an airplane or a helicopter close up. Nave believes that giving students an opportunity to experience new things may help them believe they can embark on exciting, important careers.
A few years ago when Nave was at an airshow, he met helicopter pilot Chris Tenaro, who gave him some contact information to make it possible for the students to enjoy Wednesday’s helicopter visit. This is the third year Nave has been able to help make this happen along with the soldiers of the 1st Battalion 111th Aviation Regiment stationed at Jacksonville.
More than 800 Wildwood Elementary School students were on hand when the Army Blackhawk UH-60 landed on the school’s playground. The Blackhawk first appeared on the northern horizon and the children could hear the chopper before it came over the neighboring tree line. Their excitement peaked as the Blackhawk passed over the school and landed on the P.E. field behind the classrooms.
The helicopter left Jacksonville at 9:30 a.m. and landed at the school a half hour later.
The pilot shut the engine off and secured the aircraft, allowing the teaching staff to arrange their students so that they could each explore the helicopter. The students had the opportunity to sit in the pilots’ seats and the rear passenger area. They peppered the pilot with dozens of questions and posed for pictures in and around the helicopter.