BOERNE HAS BIG AIR FORCE ACADEMY PRESENCE

By Butch Wehry

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs

            U.S AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. The small Texas town of Boerne is making a big presence at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

            We are so very proud of our town, Boerne, our high school and the record our young men and women who have decided to attend the Academy,'� wrote Cadet 2^nd Class Daniel Velo's father. 

            Considering our Texas town's population is only approximately 7,500, I believe Boerne is doing quite well in representing itself at the Academy,'� Al Velos wrote.

            It's unlikely any town of comparable size has five cadets at the Academy. They include Cadet 1st Class Tyler Voss, Cadet 2nd Class Daniel Velo, Cadet 3rd Class Mike Rogers, Cadet 3rd Class Ashley Langston and Cadet 4th Class A.J. Smith.

            When Cadet Voss graduates this year, their number to start the following year won't drop.  Future cadet applicant Blair Kessler is readying to follow their footsteps.

            Most of the cadets were involved with the high school Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, which helped spark their interest to attend the Academy.

            Surrounded by the Texas Hill County, just 30 minutes from downtown San Antonio, Boerne is a place of old world charm and Texas hospitality.  It's been said the small town ambiance enlivens the spirit and warms the heart.

Knowing almost everyone

            Cadet Smith graduated with Cadets Langston and Rogers and ran track with Cadet Velo.

            I was recruited for football and heard about the Academy from my family,'� said Cadet Smith, preparing to visit his parents in North Carolina, then heading to see old friends in Boerne.

            The greatest thing about growing up in Boerne was knowing almost everyone was in my grade in high school,'� he said. And as an Academy freshman it's always good to see someone I know in the hallway.'�

            Personally knowing Boerne cadets already at the Academy influenced him.

            I played soccer with one for more than four years and knew the others mainly due to their interest in the Academy.'� Cadet Smith said. In high school and now, all of our parents kept in touch with each other infrequently. You run into each other a lot in a smaller town.'�

Everyone is supportive

            When growing up, Cadet 1^st Class Mark Voss had a close family friend who was an Air Force Vietnam combat veteran who spoke highly of the Academy and sparked his desire at a very early age to come to the Academy.

            I feel like there's something about the conservative rural culture. that really respects military members, that motivates younger people to join,'� said Cadet's Squadron 36's aeronautical engineering major. Boerne does have a lot of patriotic roots, especially in the older generations which is evident in Veteran's Day parades, Memorial Park and general flag waving or bumper stickers. I certainly don't feel the same way in say Boulder or Denver.'�

            Graduation beckons.  Then a pilot slot and training.

            As a firstie, it is easier to reflect on my experience here,'� said Cadet Voss.  I will be graduating soon, but there were times when I wasn't so sure.

            Everyone in Boerne is very supportive of us going to the Academy and always have plenty of questions to ask about it, Cadet Voss said. At church or in the store people congratulate you a lot and you can tell they receive you in a much different way than my other friends going to college or just working in the area.'�

A special camaraderie

            When Cadet Daniel Velo was in high school he decided he wanted to be an officer and a pilot.

Part of the lure of the Academy was being able to ask Cadet Tyler Voss questions when he was thinking of applying.

            The fact that there were others at the Academy from the Texas hill country also helped him make his decision.

            I wouldn't say Boerne is that much different from other Texas towns, but I would say that Texas is more patriotic than most,'� said the cadet.   

            The Academy has a very structured environment which I thought would be good for me and there are opportunities here that you just can't get at any other college,'� Cadet Velo said.   

            I'm pretty sure all the Boerne people at least know who the other Boerne people are,'� said the behavioral science and leadership major with Cadet Squadron 40.  I played soccer with Tyler, Mike and I lived in the same neighborhood. Ashley and I were in the Junior Reserve Officers Training Course together, and AJ and I ran track together.

            I remember as a freshman whenever I saw Tyler Voss, he would say something to the effect of it gets a lot better, just stick it out.'�  Getting that word of encouragement from someone I knew and respected, who had already been through what I was going through was very helpful.  It helped me stay motivated and gave me hope for finishing my freshman year.  I try to pass the same message on to others.'�

            Has this cadet 2^nd class found what he was looking for?

            Most definitely,'� he said.  I've already been able to experience so much and I still have a year and half left.  Just to give a small glimpse of the kind of opportunities I've had since I've been here: glider soaring program, been to Ramstein, Germany, and received incentive rides in a KC-135, C-130, F-16, and HH-47.  I am scheduled to do the basic freefall program my senior year.  Also, there is a special camaraderie that is unique to the Academy that is inherent in the difficulty of freshman year and everything that we go through together.  That is something that I had heard about but never really understood or appreciated before.'�  

            Air Force Academy cadets finish their fall semester final exams Dec. 19 and begin their winter break.  Cadets return to the Air Force Academy on Jan. 6, and begin their spring semester on Jan. 8.