Shssss, can you hear it?  Be very quiet and listen carefully.  Can you hear it now?  You know the soft muffled cries of the spouse and children of the fallen warrior.  Nah, you probably can’t hear it because these surviving families are out of sight and mind and out of our conscientious.  The reality is that once the last shovel of dirt is placed on the grave of the fallen warrior, the warrior, except for loved ones, is nothing more than a faded memory left to the archives of military history.  No longer does it become a media story of interest.  Society no longer mourns this loss and sacrifice of life!  And, for the first time, the surviving family feels the abandonment by the military; their former rock of Gibraltar.

On the other hand, we are well aware of the plight of the wounded warrior.  We see the wounded warrior in TV commercials, in magazines and on social media.  We can receive a blanket from the Wounded Warrior Project for a monthly donation.  We also hear about the Veterans Administration’s efforts to provide these warriors with help, comfort and hope.  Yet, these heroes also have serious issues with treatment and care.  But, they have a voice!  Their fallen comrades have none. 

The one binding thread that affects both the fallen and wounded warrior families is Post Traumatic Stress (PTS).  The horror of war leaves not only its ugly footprint on the warrior but also on the warriors’ family.  Research has been documented showing that these families often suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  The frequency of deployments, combat assignments, combat-related injuries and death often bring despair and turmoil to these military families.  The death (KIA) or serious injury (WIA) to the warrior reshapes the entire family dynamics. 

Why do I care and who am I?  I am a retired US Marine Corps colonel and a wounded warrior.  I am an aviator, air traffic controller, airfield operations director, and aviation educator.  When I retired from active duty I became a Senior Marine Instructor teaching Marine Corps Junior ROTC, nationwide, in inner city high schools for 13 years.  I have won several national Aerospace teaching awards to include the prestigious Christa McAuliffe Aerospace Teacher of the Year, the General Aviation Manufactures Association and Aviation Distributors Manufactures Association aviation “Teacher of the Year”, member of the "National Congress Crown Circle Aerospace Education Leadership “ and was nominated by NASA as a candidate for the Teacher in Space Program.  All things said; I know a little about aviation and that is why I created Teens-In-Flight.

 My experiences as a combat Marine, a wounded warrior, a casualty assistance officer and as an inner city high school teacher got me thinking about family dynamics when horrible and tragic things happen and how I can help.  

 Teens-In-Flight gets it!  It is all about the teens!  A specific concern of mine is that teenagers, of fallen and wounded warriors, need to redirect their grief and misdirected anger into a positive energy.  Far too often, their emotional and PTSD needs are overlooked and as mentioned, there are no programs in place to provide these teens with the specific psychological support they need!  Without intervention, some of these teens may very well end up in the criminal justice system.

Teens-In-Flight, Inc. is  a 501 C 3 nonprofit  established to make available, to these teens, nationwide, the uniqueness and excitement of aviation as a conduit  to help them emotionally heal and move on with their lives.  Further, Teens-In-Flight, Inc. was established because it has the potential to fill a needed void in providing support to teens diagnosed with PTSD. Aviation is a conduit which we use to help in the healing process.

Flight also opens the eyes of these young teens to the myriad of potential occupational skills that they might desire to pursue.  And, unlike the Wounded Warrior Project staffing, nobody associated within Teens-In-Flight, Inc. receives a salary.  One hundred percent of funds received go to either flight lesson costs or aircraft maintenance.  Moreover, we believe in total transparency by making our financial records available for your review upon you request. By the way, our Federal Tax Exempt # as a 501 3 (c) is 20-4993950.

The Teens-In-Flight mission is simple and direct.   We have a proven track record of success.  This program provides free flight training and aviation maintenance scholarships to those teens that have lost a parent or sibling in the Global War On Terrorism/Active Duty, or, is the teen of a parent or sibling who was wounded in action and is disabled.  This program provides a positive aviation intervention experience. We have partnered with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Worldwide Campus! Here are a few quick facts:

Since 2008, 100% of Teens-In-Flight college-bound students have been accepted to first-rate colleges and universities to include the United States Military Academy, West Point, the United Naval Academy, Annapolis, Florida State University, University of Florida, Jacksonville University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Stetson University, Florida Institute of Technology to name a few.  All go on scholarship!

Since 2008, over 100 students have taken advantage of this opportunity. 

Since 2008 to present, 57 Teens-In-Flight students have passed the rigorist FAA Private Pilot Ground School Examination. Teens selected into the program train where they live.  Nobody associated with Teens- In-Flight receives a salary. Since 2008, 18 Teens-In-Flight students have obtained their FAA Private Pilot License.

Teens-In-Flight raised funds for the shooting victims that attended the "Batman" movie in Aurora, Colorado.  These funds were flown to the Mayor of Aurora in a Cessna 172 departing from Flagler Airport with a female Teens-In-Flight student pilot and instructors.

Teens-In-Flight programs are now located throughout the nation.  To accomplish this goal, it will require sponsorships of $10,000.00 per student. 

I am reaching out to you today to seek your help to assist us in a rebuilding of our aircraft engine so we can continue to fly with these teens. 

If you believe in what I am accomplishing, then I am soliciting your assistance and financial support.  Supporters will receive recognition on our facebook and website, and on all of our marketing efforts. Our contacts in the aviation community will be made aware of your efforts.  Teens-In-Flight is a member of the National Business Aviation Association

Moreover, I would ask that you reach out/network to your many friends and contacts by disseminating information about Teens-In-Flight, Inc.  Hopefully, some of them may step up and assist us.   Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.

Sincerely,

Jack