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Tuesday,
February 24, 2004 |
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Air
Force service society created
The
Silver Wings program returns to TCU and will provide students
a chance to support the military through service and fund
raising.
By
Stacey Grant
Students
looking for an opportunity to support the U.S. Air Force
will soon be able to with the creation of a program called
Silver Wings.
Freshman Air Force ROTC cadet Brett Tillman said he hopes
to form a branch of the national Angel Flight Silver Wings
by the end of this semester.
Angel Flight Silver Wings is a co-ed honorary service
organization that organizes fund-raisers and offers service
to the Air Force, Tillman said.
Tillman said he wants to get the program started on campus
because it is a great opportunity for students to get
involved with the military without actually joining ROTC.
“By reaching out with the Silver Wings program, we
are able to reach more people who are looking for ways
to offer support to the Air Force,” Tillman said.
Members of Silver Wings will also work alongside TCU’s
Air Force Association, an organization consisting of active
duty and retired Air Force members, Tillman said.
“Last year, we had an event called ‘Project
HOT (Help Our Troops)’ where we sent care packages
to soldiers in Iraq,” Tillman said. “This semester,
we hope to have ‘Project 2 HOT’ and members
of Silver Wings will help organize the event.”
Air Force Commander Heather Estey said Silver Wings was
on campus about four years ago, but a lack of interest
made it fade away. Six or seven students have currently
expressed interest in joining the organization, Estey
said.
“Silver Wings is a great opportunity for civilians
to get involved in helping with the Air Force ROTC and
show their appreciation,” Estey said.
Lt. Col. Wanda Echevarria, assistant professor of aerospace
studies, said students involved in Silver Wings will participate
in social events and service projects, as well as help
with recruiting.
“This is a great opportunity for students looking
to track hours for volunteer work,” Echevarria said.
Echevarria said Silver Wings is about making positive
role models for the community. One possible service project
would be getting members to participate in a high school
mentoring program, she said.
Tillman said they are still in the process of getting
the organization chartered. Eight members are needed to
get it started, but 15 are recommended because of all
the paperwork required from the Silver Wings national
headquarters, he said.
Along with fund-raisers and military events, members will
be able to attend local AFA meetings and hopefully the
National Conclave, Tillman said. The Conclave is an annual
conference where all Silver Wings meet to plan national
events and recognize outstanding members, he said.
Members will most likely have a small payment of dues,
but most events will be covered through fund raising,
Tillman said.
Any students interested in joining Silver Wings should
contact Tillman at b.d.tillman@tcu.edu. |
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