Undersecretary visits STARBASE Louisiana

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BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFPN) --  It was an out-of-this-world experience for 25 local school children when they were visited by two former astronauts with Air Force ties. The visit was arranged by officials of STARBASE Louisiana, part of a national program designed to raise the interest and improve the knowledge and skills of youth in math, science and technology.

Undersecretary of the Air Force Dr. Ronald Sega, a retired major general, and 8th Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Kevin Chilton visited the Air Force Reserve Command-sponsored on-base schoolhouse as part of Dr. Sega’s recent visit to 8th Air Force.

“We were honored to have such distinguished guests take an interest in our program,” said Kathy Brandon, STARBASE Louisiana director. “It was thrilling for the students to ask questions of two mission astronauts and hear them speak about the value of learning math, science and technology, the primary focus of our program. What a fabulous testimony that what (these children) are learning is used in real life!”

“What do you like best about STARBASE?” the former astronauts asked the students, opening the floor to discussion. 

Hands flew up, and Keithville, La., fifth-grader Christian Martinez quickly responded with much enthusiasm by saying, “We get to do hands-on activities. We learn to work together here.”

Myriad questions followed: "How much did you weigh in space?"  "Did you get nauseous?"  "How did you sleep?"

General Chilton answered the last question by comparing sleep in space to “lying face up in a swimming pool, totally relaxed and floating.”

The undersecretary concluded the visit by encouraging the children to “keep up the good work, study hard and get through high school and college.”

“We need lots of people working together, just as you are here,” he said.

Christian said his entire class was “blessed” for having met them. 

“Not a lot of people get to meet someone so important,” he said. “I hope to be as important as they are one day.” 

When asked what he would like to do when he grows up, Christian said, “I want to be a surgeon.”

Keithville 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Henderson, said she had been “bouncing off the walls” since she received the news she and the students would get to meet the undersecretary and the general. 

“I’m grateful these kids from such a rural community had the opportunity to meet someone so high in the ranks. It’s an experience they will never forget,”  she said.