Local Spokane boy lives dream as "Airman for a day"

Published May 11, 2012
By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- A 10-year-old Spokane, Wash., boy, who has been fighting a cancerous tumor on his optic nerve and undergone 1.5 years of chemo therapy, had the opportunity to visit here May 4 thanks to a program started by Fairchild's Company Grade Officer's Council.

"When I was little, I would say, 'Hey mom! I'm gonna be a Soldier!'" said Samuel Burke, the "Airman for a day."

Sam was the first youth to participate in this program implemented for the first time at the 92nd Air Refueling Wing. Children like Sam get a break from whatever challenges they face on a day-to-day basis.

"It means a lot to me to be a part of something so important to someone as brave as Sam," said 2nd Lt. Nick Kim, 92nd Air Refueling Wing CGOC president. "This program's intent is to give a child like Sam, who is battling a serious medical condition, the opportunity to experience the Air Force first-hand. With the help of members from Team Fairchild and the CGOC, I hope we were able to show Sam and his family something special -- hopefully something he will never forget."

And according to Sam, not only will he not forget his time here, but he said he may make it a career some day.

"After what I experienced today, I would totally become an Airman," Sam said.

Sam, along with his mother, Valentina, and sister, Madeline, began their tour with a visit by the 141st Air Refueling Wing's command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Deist. The chief explained how Fairchild's active duty and Air National Guard members work together.

More than 10 agencies from Fairchild came together to show off their mission. Members donated items including: an explosive ordinance disposal ball cap, a firefighting helmet, a custom sized Airman battle uniform, a survival evasion resistance escape beret and a second lieutenant's flight suit complete with 92nd ARW patches and rank.

"EOD was definitely my favorite," Sam said. "Because they get to blow things up!"

During his visit to EOD, Sam not only got to try on their bomb suit, operate their robot and learn more about the weapons they use down range, but he also had the opportunity to head out to their test range and dispose of 5 pounds of C4 explosives.

"Most people don't understand exactly what we do," said Master Sgt. Jesus Hernandez, 92nd CES EOD flight chief. "It's really great having the opportunity to show somebody like Sam what we do day in and day out -- expose them to how important our mission really is."

Though EOD may have been Sam's favorite, Sam was Fairchild's favorite Airman.

"I think this is a really great experience for young people like Sam," said Staff Sgt. Sean Marlow, 22nd Training Squadron SERE specialist. "We got to show him what we do -- so anything we can do to help. He's worked the hardest of anyone here."

Marlow, referring to Sam's ongoing fight with his cancerous tumor, said he has the utmost respect for the boy who watches nothing but the Military Channel when allowed television time.

Right in stride with Marlow's appreciation for Sam's struggle, Staff Sgt. Jose Cadena, a 92nd SFS military working dogs trainer, said it was an honor to see the smile on Sam's face when he saw Cadena's dog, Dakota, demonstrate her skills of taking down an "aggressor."

The sushi loving, Chinese food gobbling, young Batman enthusiast not only got to fly a KC-135 simulator, but also refueled an F-35 Lightening II in the boom operator's simulator.

"We're all about making wishes happen," said Tech. Sgt. Justin Dixon, 92nd Air Refueling Squadron boom operator. "I've had a lot of family who have dealt with cancer over the years, so seeing how motivated and driven Sam is means a lot to me.

"I think this 'Airman for a Day' program not only helps kids like Sam deal with what they're going through, but it helps their families as well," Dixon added.

Sam's mother said they felt so welcome during their visit to Fairchild and wanted to thank all agencies involved.

"I think it was so great of everyone to have made such a special day for Sam," she said. "Everyone put so much time and effort into this -- we couldn't have been in better hands. The best part about what you all did for Sam is that he couldn't stop smiling and laughing. This was a huge morale boost for my son. Thank you."

[Editors note: A special thanks to the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron's EOD Airmen and firefighters, the 92nd SFS's military working dogs and their handlers, the 92nd Operations Group, the 92nd Maintenance Operations Squadron, the 36th Rescue Flight and the 336th Training Group for their support of "Airman for a day."]