TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Police officers, firefighters, nurses, teachers and many ordinary citizens work tirelessly within their neighborhoods, cities and counties to make them safe and enhance the lives of those around them. That is why Travis Air Force Base’s “Thunder Over the Bay” Air Show honored 27 individuals, nominated by their peers, as Hometown Heroes.
Hometown Heroes are selfless individuals who act when others are in need in the local communities. Even though they didn’t seek glory or rewards for the impact they make, Travis made sure they received the recognition they deserve.
“We are thankful our country looks to the military as heroes of hope and security,” said Col. Jeff Nelson, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander. “Yet, it’s important for Team Travis not to overlook the heroes in our local community who, like us, work every day to keep us safe.”
The Hometown Heroes who were chosen were not only those individuals who risk their lives, but also those who are changing lives within their communities. This might be someone who volunteers with organizations that better the community or the janitor who positively impacts the lives of the children in the schools they serve.
Out of the 27, one was chosen for a flight in an F-16 Fighting Falcon with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. This year’s Hometown Hero flight went to Solano County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Daniel “Cully” Pratt, who was nominated by Mark Lillis, executive director of The Leaven. Pratt, a U.S. Army veteran, is an active volunteer at The Leaven, which provides tutoring and mentoring to children in at-risk neighborhoods. He also founded a non-profit service providing support to first responders.
“I was truly humbled and honored when I found out I was nominated and surprised when I was chosen,” said Pratt. “I had been on a CH-47 (Chinook) helicopter in the U.S. Army, but this was way different. It was pretty incredible and definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was extremely honored, proud and beyond excited to share this opportunity with so many of my coworkers, family and friends.”
Another opportunity included a chance to fly with the 21st Airlift Squadron during a local training mission on a C-17 Globemaster III. Kasama Lee was one of 10 Hometown Heroes who flew with the crew. Lee is a community realtor serving families in Solano and Napa counties since 2004 and an avid community contributor, donating her time volunteering and speaking to others about leadership skills. She has financially sponsored and supported more than 19 youth and non-profit organizations.
“The flight crew were professional and accommodating in every way,” said Lee. “I still can’t believe we flew over the Grand Canyon. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will never forget.”
The base also hosted a Friday Night Social event, where all of the Hometown Heroes were given the opportunity to meet with the air show performance crews and Travis Airmen. They were recognized individually for their selfless acts and gifted folded flags on behalf of Travis.
“Receiving the U.S. flag was such an honor,” said Lee. “To be nominated for the work you would do anyway because you are passionate about it is truly humbling. The whole experience was my favorite part. I can’t pick one event over the other because I was interacting with different service members for different events.”
Lastly, Hometown Heroes were provided a space to tell their story to some of the air show attendees inside their own tent, which was lined with their storyboards, allowing the community to learn about these unsung heroes.
“The Hometown Hero Program this year was so different from 2017 because we really emphasized how important Hometown Heroes are,” said Staff Sgt. Emily Mulligan, 6th Air Refueling Squadron squadron aviation resource management NCO in charge and assistant Thunderbird liaison for the 2019 Air Show. “We really made it the basis of our air show and really incorporated our local community.”
Travis relies on community support to rapidly project American power…anytime, anywhere. It’s the people in the community - the unsung heroes, the ones who do the right thing when nobody is watching, the ones who change lives, the ones who make a positive impact no matter how big or small - who inspire Airmen to serve.
For more information about the Hometown Heroes who were selected this year, visit https://www.travis.af.mil/TravisAirShow/.