Four members of VAQ-139, the Cougars, recently paid a visit to Columbia Elementary School in Mukilteo. They were invited to attend the annual Career Fair to represent naval aviation to a large group of fifth grade students.

Volunteering to make the 65 mile trip from Oak Harbor to Mukilteo were AME2 Cy Gardner, NCC(AW/SW) Max Chico, Lt. Glenn Davis and Lt. Brian Taylor. They brought plenty of giveaways, such as Navy pens, mouse pads and Frisbees, and shared stories of their experiences.

Taylor spoke to the class on the importance of nutrition, exercise and of being a person of good moral character. He also explained how the Navy impacted his life.

“The Navy really gave me a purpose in life, and without it, I would probably be in some dark alley,” Taylor said.

Davis, a Cougar pilot, spoke about the importance of mathematics in aviation. With quizzical looks from the group of 11-year-olds, he explained how to convert fuel remaining in pounds to time.

In turn, students had excellent questions and comments during and after the presentation, such as, “Is that big thing on the nose of the Prowler a gun?” and “After I retire from baseball, I want to be an Air Force pilot just like you.”

The student who made the Air Force comment was then stripped of his Frisbee, mouse-pad, pen, pencil and ruler (only momentarily).

Taylor helped dress several students in the nearly 40 pounds of flight gear Navy jet aircrew must wear. Students enjoyed wearing the helmet and seeing the various items contained in the survival vest.

Will these young people ever join the fleet? No one knows for sure, but they at least got the Cougars’ message on the importance of studying hard and being of strong moral character. And that’s a great start.