Forecaster shares love of weather with students

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stacey Haga
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) --  Rain rains.  Wind blows.  But, who knows what the weather holds?  Tech. Sgt. Publio Casillas knows. 

This rhyme was true to the second graders of Tyndall Elementary School here when they were visited by the 325th Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight mission services element NCO in charge. 

During a career presentation Sept. 28 at the school, Sergeant Casillas spent his afternoon answering questions the students had about weather. 

"Some questions were as broad as, 'What is weather?' and some were specific like, 'What creates a tornado?'" said Sergeant Casillas. "Once I answered all their questions, I tried to touch on weather safety pertaining to lightning, flash floods and tornadoes. Many children go out and play on weekends or afternoons and have no idea how weather can affect them." 

Along with information, the sergeant brought several pictures to illustrate weather phenomena to the second graders. 

"The pictures showed us what weather looked like," said Adam Parker, a Tyndall Elementary student. "I liked the dust devils, because they look like tornadoes."
Despite the busy schedule weather forecasters have during hurricane season, Sergeant Casillas said he jumped at the chance to talk to the students. 

"I have spoken to children before about weather and I've enjoyed it every time," he said. "Their questions are so genuine, and they always surprise you. The look of thought they have after you answer their questions as they absorb the knowledge is very satisfying." 

Some questions asked by the children provided comic relief during the presentation. 

"The student who sticks out so clearly was a particular little boy and his question. It wasn't the wording of his question. But once he had my attention, he wanted to get in every question he had built up along with a few anecdotes of his own," said Sergeant Casillas. "He was so sincere in his question asking and so focused, he blocked out everything else including the teacher telling him his turn was over." 

"It is times like this I wish I could answer every question," he continued. "To children, these questions are important, and they are very inquisitive about the world at this age." 

But even the comical moments of the presentation provided a learning experience for the students. 

"I learned that a fire storm is really a storm," said Wyatt Kerby-Sanders, a second grader who likes to read books about fire. 

"I hope they learned that weather forecasting and observing are fun," said Sergeant Casillas. "Also, I hope they learn that although weather sometimes means just putting on a coat or taking an umbrella with you to school, it can also change your life in the blink of an eye." 

Another lesson learned that day was military people are just that -- people. 

"Our mission here is to train," said Sergeant Casillas. "I think talking and getting involved with the community helps people understand that we are not all 'gung-ho warriors' looking for a fight," he said. "Instead, we are sons, daughters, fathers and mothers helping to preserve our way of life by doing our little part to protect the country and our families.

"It is essential that people realize, despite what we hear on the news, that we are responsible for our own security. By showing people who we are and how we operate, we inspire others to either join or take seriously what we do to protect our country."