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Student presents thank you card for Team Scott signed by 500 peers

  • Published
  • By Karen Petitt
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Within four days of watching a documentary about Sept. 11, high school senior Mackenzie McIntyre arrived on the steps of the 375th Air Mobility Wing headquarters Sept. 9 to present the commander with a special card of thanks signed by more than 500 of her peers.

"I was so moved by the documentary, and knowing that this is the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I just felt the desire to say thank you to all of the men and women serving our country--right here at Scott AFB," she said.  

The poster-sized card is designed with a collage of images from Sept. 11, including photos of the nation's military response, surrounded by signatures that "represent the well-wishes of O'Fallon Township High School who want to express our appreciation and respect for your professionalism and dedication to the defense of our country."

Mackenzie quickly acquired the approvals of school officials to gather the signatures at school, and enlisted the help of the student council and friends to get the card ready to present.  Her dad, Lt. Col. JIm McIntyre, 618th Air and Space Operations Center (TACC), also quickly stepped in to arrange the presentation with the 375th AMW commander, Col. Michael Hornitschek, who, along with Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Candler, 375th AMW command chief, gladly accepted it on behalf of Team Scott.

The high school senior also penned a note to the base that, in part, reads: "Many of us at OTHS may not have too many memories of how things were in the United States prior to 9/11, but we understand there is a price for freedom.  More so, we konw that you've been paying this price, on our behalf, for over 200 years.  We sleep safely at night because you continue to serve.  So, on the 10-year remembrance of 9/11, all we simply want to say is ... Thank you for all that you do."

Touched by this gift, Hornitschek praised her leadership and moxie in being so determined to do something for the troops.  He said the card will be displayed in the wing headquarters building now and throughout the base in the coming weeks.