October 30, 2018

Cadet for a day Ryleigh reports for duty

Cadet for a Day Ryleigh Messmer sits in the cockpit of a powered-flight aircraft at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Oct. 26, 2018. The eight-year-old has been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. The Academy, through a partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, hosted Ryleigh and her family for a day of fun with cadets and Academy staff. (U.S. Air Force photo/Trevor Cokley) By Jennifer Spradlin, Oct 30, 2018 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Ryleigh Messmer is a curious, rambunctious eight-year-old living with cystic fibrosis. The Air Force Academy, through a partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, hosted her and her family for a...

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March 19, 2019

Academy welcomes newest ‘Cadet for a Day’

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet for a Day, Je'Moni Ford. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong) Story by Jennifer Spradlin, March 19, 2019 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Je’Moni Ford, a local area fourth-grader, loves to play the drums. Two years ago, his parents noticed something on his ring finger, which his doctor initially mistook for a friction blister from his drumsticks. It turned out to be Sarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer. Je’Moni endured six surgeries to remove the cancer and reconstruct his hand. He had to relearn how to tie his shoes. But he never gave up on playing...

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April 15, 2019

Liver transplant recipient is latest Air Force Academy Cadet for a Day

(U.S. Air Force photo/Darci Ibidapo) By Jennifer Spradlin, April 15 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Clyde Hoffman loves planes. The Colorado Springs sixth grader researches planes, aircraft safety, and airports in his free time, and flies model planes with his dad on the weekends. Thanks to a partnership between the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Air Force Academy, he was the newest Cadet for a Day at the Air Force Academy, April 12. “It’s been a blast to host Clyde and his family,” said Cadet 2nd Class James Barney. “Before we became cadets, the community gave back to us, and now that...

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