Class of 2009 “Parent Spirit Mission” Benefits Freshman Class and Academy Humanitarian Fund

It couldn’t be done. Yet it has been. The first ever USAFA Parent Spirit Mission
The United States Air Force Academy Class of 2009 parents from across the United States, and across the globe, up-end tradition by initiating the first-ever “Parent Spirit Mission” meant to unite their cadet class, themselves and the greater Academy family.
Less than four weeks ago, on the heels of a message to parents from new Academy Superintendent, Lieutenant General John F. Regni, which spoke of reinstating “Spirit” into the Academy, the Class of 2009 parents hatched an idea to do something unique: Unbeknownst to their cadets they initiated a Parent Spirit Mission to congratulate their 2009 “silver” class for completing a rigorous first year at the Academy. A plan was launched and emails raced across the globe, soliciting small donations to purchase silver M&M candies for the freshman class. The customized M&Ms bear the class standard “09 - Our Time.” With military efficiency, more than 1200 silver tins of the chocolate are being delivered to the Class of 2009 today at a briefing scheduled for 12:30 mountain standard time, just in time for Finals Week.
But this mission goes well beyond a sweet treat for freshman cadets. As donations poured in from parents in the U.S., Chad, Honduras, Chile, American Samoa, Germany, Iraq, Thailand and Korea, organizers knew they had tapped into something deeper than a candy drop for their students. Cadet parents opened their hearts and their wallets, even as targets were met and exceeded. Because of their generosity, $2009 will be donated to the Dennis P. Rando Cadet Humanitarian Fund in the name of the Class of 2009. The Rando Fund provides emergency transportation to cadets to attend services in the event there is a death of a classmate. It is also available to cadets facing dire family crises who must travel home on an emergency basis. The remaining donated funds were utilized so that the Class of 2009 could express their sincere thanks to the medical staff of the Penrose Hospital Critical Care Unit for their immediate and ongoing care of C3C Thomas Avolio, who was seriously injured in a hiking accident two weeks ago. On Monday, May 8, a special lunch was delivered to these hardworking and dedicated professionals with a note of gratitude from the Class of 2009.

For additional information regarding the 2009 Parent Spirit Mission, please visit http://usafa2009parent.blogspot.com and for a direct link to pictures of today's event, please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/mslikk/. Information and pictures will be added as they become available.