Submitted by Denair Unified School District

The last time Airman First Class Hannah Pointon appeared at an elementary assembly in Denair, she was the guest of honor as the perfect Christmas present for her parents, who didn’t know she was coming and cried tears of joy in an emotional reunion.

Friday morning, Pointon returned to the campus she once attended. This time, there were no surprises. And she brought along a colleague, Air Force Tech Sgt. Brad MacDonald.

The visit continued Pointon’s relationship with Denair Elementary Charter Academy teacher Patti Morrissey, who taught Pointon in fourth grade about 15 years ago. Then, Pointon and her classmates “adopted” some U.S. military personnel, sending cards and letters. After Pointon joined the Air Force a few years ago, Morrissey’s classes chose to adopt Pointon, who grew up in Denair. Her parents, Jody and Roger Jorge, still live here.

Pointon hadn’t been to Denair since Christmas. She and MacDonald, who both are cardiopulmonary technicians, are stationed at Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas. They drove eight hours Sunday to California and are staying with the Jorges at their home.

Friday, wearing their Air Force fatigues, they were the featured guests at an 8 a.m. assembly for more than 500 DECA elementary students. MacDonald, in a booming voice, led the Pledge of Allegiance. And he and Pointon proudly joined with the youngsters to sing the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Seeing the awe in the students’ eyes “makes you walk a little taller,” the soft-spoken Pointon admitted.

“They are the reason we do what we do,” MacDonald said.

Afterward, they took cookies decorated with the Air Force logo to Morrissey’s class and briefly shared their backgrounds with her fifth-graders. Continue reading “Visit by Air Force Personnel Highlights DECA Assembly” »