The second grade of Christ the King Parish School made a special field trip to honor our nation and our military servicemen and women during Catholic Schools Week. As the Chaplain to the 142nd Wing, Vocations Director, Fr. Peter Julia joined Lt. Colonel Jonathan Friedman, USAF, to introduce the students to the Oregon Air National Guard Base on January 29, 2025.
The group arrived just in time to watch three F-15 fighter jets take off from the field! They were thrilled by the speed and power of the jets. The students asked many questions during their visit to the debriefing room. Fr. Julia and Lt. Col. Friedman explained the branches of the military, the National Guard, how their aircraft work, and what it takes to be a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. The students were amused when their teacher, Ms. Creech, tried on the pilot’s flight equipment.
Fr. Julia led the class in a prayer to the patron saint of pilots and airmen, St. Joseph of Cupertino. Since the students had read about St. Joseph earlier in the week, they were able to recall how he was blessed with the gift of levitation out of his love for and happiness in Jesus.
The final part of the field trip allowed each student in turn to see inside the cockpit of an F-15 jet. Lt. Col. Friedman showed students the seats and the special controls inside, which numbered over 250 buttons. Before leaving, the class prayed three Hail Marys for the servicemen and women right beside the aircraft. Ms. Creech said, “This was a beautiful, hands-on learning experience for our students this Catholic Schools Week.”