Sponsor Families

Colleges and Universities A-Z Service Academy Parents
1

<p>On Monday I was at the Atlanta airport. Naturally I had a few hours to kill so I found my amusement watching a baby who had just started walking. He was laughing and making sure that I kept watching him. Because my daughters were both coming home in a couple days, I had been thinking about them quite a bit and so couldn't help but remember them beginning to walk so many years ago. This baby's parents were so proud. And I thought how far my own family had come in just about 20 years. </p>

<p>Then it happened. I noticed the father's baseball cap had an AFA monogram. Of course I blurted out, "Hey are you from the Air Force Academy?" He explained that he lives in the area and that he and his wife volunteer to be sponsors for cadets. They have no connection to the military but just want to help. And they are so impressed with the caliber of young people who attend the AFA. They have sponsored 20 cadets and will continue to do so. We discussed academy life for a few minutes. Then he had to chase down the baby.</p>

<p>I couldn't help but think how lucky we are to have people like this as part of our lives. My daughter's sponsor family has become an important part of the SA experience for her. Last year they taped her favorite shows so she could come over on the weekend and watch tv. They have provided a place to "be normal". They have fed her so many times. So with Thanksgiving tomorrow I just want to say I'm very thankful for them. And any AFA cadets who are sponsored by the family I met at the airport are extremely fortunate.</p>

2

<p>You are absolutely correct . . .
Son was originally assigned a different sponsor family.
By happenstance, he was "adopted" by a second family and they have continued to treat him as if he had originally been their assignee.
They have no connection to the military but just want to help. They now have 3 mids coming and going to the house.
Once, when they could not make to the airport to pick him up, they left cab fare on the table.
They are truly wonderful people.
Each mid/cadet who participates in the sponsor program should be truly thankful.</p>

3

<p>We are very greatful for our Sponsor Family as well. They sponsor six upper class cadets and volunteered to add five more first year cadets this summer. They insisted that I stay at their home when I went to the Acceptence Parade. During the AFA - Navy weekend, my son hosted a Navy cadet. Our Sponsor Family invited our son, the Navy cadet and two other AF cadets that they did not sponsor, over for the night. Photos prove they all had a great time.<br>
I purchased a round trip bus ticket from the AFA to the Denver airport. They only problem was that his flight left so early on Wed. morning that he would have to spend Tues. night in a Denver hotel since the first bus to Denver on Wed. would not arrive before his flight. To my spurprise, our Sponsor Family offered to take our son to Denver, leaving Colorado Springs at 3:45 AM. OUCH! That is going above the call of Sponsor Family duties!<br>
Have a safe holiday!</p>