In honor of Captain John Graziano
Donation protected
Captain John Graziano
April 17, 1990 – November 13, 2018
This account has been established to create a high school scholarship to honor Captain John Graziano. The proceeds of this account will be provided to John’s former high school, Archbishop Spalding Catholic High School, in Severn, Maryland to establish a scholarship in his name.
My brother, Captain John Graziano, died at the age of 28 during an aircraft accident at Laughlin AFB, Texas. John was a T-38C instructor with over 1300 hours in the cockpit, who had a passion for flight and a dream to be an Air Force fighter pilot since the age of two. He never wavered from that goal, always doing what was necessary, committed to putting in the work required to realize his lifelong dream and goal. Becoming an Air Force pilot and officer was John’s calling in life. When John passed away he was, in fact, as they say “Living his dream.” Whatever John did, he gave 100 percent. He was always “all in.”
John was an accomplished and skilled pilot. After graduating from Undergraduate Pilot Training, or UPT, in August of 2015, John was selected as a First Assignment Instructor Pilot in the T-38C Talon, as part of the 87thFlying Training Squadron, 47thOperations Group, 47thFlying Wing, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. John served in many capacities at Laughlin. As a Check Pilot, John flew over 40 student pilot evaluations, critical to training validation of 122 pilots, the most produced in over a decade. As a T-38C Instructor, John flew 1,010 sorties, amassing 1,130 hours, contributing to the graduation of 306 pilots for the US and seven allied nations, earning John the Air Education and Training Commands “High Flier” award for 2017. This top award is hosted by the 19th Air Force and recognized John’s dedicated and exceptional efforts to produce highly qualified aircrew. John was also the Laughlin Air Force Bases only T-38C First Assignment Instructor Pilot selected to be a Functional Check Flight Instructor Pilot, and earned several awards including Instructor Pilot of the Quarter, Company Grade Officer of the Quarter, and 6 “Best Instructor Pilot Awards” from various graduating classes. While earning his wings, John also received the “Top Elvis” Award after the T-6 segment of the course, which is given by the student’s Flight Commander, and awarded on traits other than flying including leadership, work ethic, flight room presence, attitude, willingness to help, ability to accept instruction and officership.
John was an adored son, an awesome big brother to Paul, me, and Sarah, a nephew, a cousin, and friend to many. He was a man of strong faith, integrity, and character. John did not fear death but rather embraced life, and celebrated each and every day with enthusiasm and warmth, and a passion for flight. John treated other with kindness, respect, and compassion. John also had an easy way with people, and was always engaging from an early age. He always had an easy smile, a kind heart, a helping hand, and an undeniable and playful spirit.
John was always active in the Church – he was an altar server, an extraordinary minister, and a lector in the Catholic Church. John often relied on his faith in difficult times, as we now will rely on our faith to garner the strength and will, to move forward in this life without my beloved brother. Our faith tells us we will see our John again in eternity.
On behalf of my family, my father Tom, my mother Glenda, my brother Paul, and my sister Sarah, I would like to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to everyone for the outpouring of love and support we have received in the last few weeks. It has been truly touching and provided us with some much-needed comfort in what has been, and will continue to be, undoubtedly the most difficult time in our lives.
John was my adored big brother. We looked up to him as a role model, came to him for advice, and were best friends. We followed in his footsteps throughout elementary and middle school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and through high school at Archbishop Spalding, where had a wonderful experience that prepared us well for college. We will use the full proceeds of this account to establish a scholarship at Archbishop Spalding in John’s name.
John, you were an awesome brother, son, and friend to so many. We are so proud of you – the young man you have become, what you have achieved, and the company you have kept. You may be gone for now, but know that you will never be forgotten, and that we will hold you close in our hearts and love you forever.
A nice article was written about John in the Catholic review:
https://www.archbalt.org/air-force-pilot-baltimore-catholic-school-alum-killed-in-crash/
April 17, 1990 – November 13, 2018
This account has been established to create a high school scholarship to honor Captain John Graziano. The proceeds of this account will be provided to John’s former high school, Archbishop Spalding Catholic High School, in Severn, Maryland to establish a scholarship in his name.
My brother, Captain John Graziano, died at the age of 28 during an aircraft accident at Laughlin AFB, Texas. John was a T-38C instructor with over 1300 hours in the cockpit, who had a passion for flight and a dream to be an Air Force fighter pilot since the age of two. He never wavered from that goal, always doing what was necessary, committed to putting in the work required to realize his lifelong dream and goal. Becoming an Air Force pilot and officer was John’s calling in life. When John passed away he was, in fact, as they say “Living his dream.” Whatever John did, he gave 100 percent. He was always “all in.”
John was an accomplished and skilled pilot. After graduating from Undergraduate Pilot Training, or UPT, in August of 2015, John was selected as a First Assignment Instructor Pilot in the T-38C Talon, as part of the 87thFlying Training Squadron, 47thOperations Group, 47thFlying Wing, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. John served in many capacities at Laughlin. As a Check Pilot, John flew over 40 student pilot evaluations, critical to training validation of 122 pilots, the most produced in over a decade. As a T-38C Instructor, John flew 1,010 sorties, amassing 1,130 hours, contributing to the graduation of 306 pilots for the US and seven allied nations, earning John the Air Education and Training Commands “High Flier” award for 2017. This top award is hosted by the 19th Air Force and recognized John’s dedicated and exceptional efforts to produce highly qualified aircrew. John was also the Laughlin Air Force Bases only T-38C First Assignment Instructor Pilot selected to be a Functional Check Flight Instructor Pilot, and earned several awards including Instructor Pilot of the Quarter, Company Grade Officer of the Quarter, and 6 “Best Instructor Pilot Awards” from various graduating classes. While earning his wings, John also received the “Top Elvis” Award after the T-6 segment of the course, which is given by the student’s Flight Commander, and awarded on traits other than flying including leadership, work ethic, flight room presence, attitude, willingness to help, ability to accept instruction and officership.
John was an adored son, an awesome big brother to Paul, me, and Sarah, a nephew, a cousin, and friend to many. He was a man of strong faith, integrity, and character. John did not fear death but rather embraced life, and celebrated each and every day with enthusiasm and warmth, and a passion for flight. John treated other with kindness, respect, and compassion. John also had an easy way with people, and was always engaging from an early age. He always had an easy smile, a kind heart, a helping hand, and an undeniable and playful spirit.
John was always active in the Church – he was an altar server, an extraordinary minister, and a lector in the Catholic Church. John often relied on his faith in difficult times, as we now will rely on our faith to garner the strength and will, to move forward in this life without my beloved brother. Our faith tells us we will see our John again in eternity.
On behalf of my family, my father Tom, my mother Glenda, my brother Paul, and my sister Sarah, I would like to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to everyone for the outpouring of love and support we have received in the last few weeks. It has been truly touching and provided us with some much-needed comfort in what has been, and will continue to be, undoubtedly the most difficult time in our lives.
John was my adored big brother. We looked up to him as a role model, came to him for advice, and were best friends. We followed in his footsteps throughout elementary and middle school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and through high school at Archbishop Spalding, where had a wonderful experience that prepared us well for college. We will use the full proceeds of this account to establish a scholarship at Archbishop Spalding in John’s name.
John, you were an awesome brother, son, and friend to so many. We are so proud of you – the young man you have become, what you have achieved, and the company you have kept. You may be gone for now, but know that you will never be forgotten, and that we will hold you close in our hearts and love you forever.
A nice article was written about John in the Catholic review:
https://www.archbalt.org/air-force-pilot-baltimore-catholic-school-alum-killed-in-crash/
Organizer and beneficiary
Katy Graziano
Organizer
Elkridge, MD
Thomas Graziano
Beneficiary
