Community calls on Liberty personnel, base members deliver

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nicholasa Reed
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  In the British school system, youth age 11, or school year six take the Standardized Assessment test before school's end.

When College Heath Middle School, in nearby Mildenhall village, was ready to take their tests they called on RAF Lakenheath's Liberty members to assist.

Squadron Leader Paul Harrison, Lakenheath's Royal Air Force commander, who is a school Board of Governors member, put out an all call to the base's group commanders for volunteers.

More than 100 volunteers from the base answered the call to be paired with a special needs pupil and assist, or act as an amanuensis, in completing the assessment.

Subjects on the test included written and spoken English, Math and Science.

For Airman 1st Class Raymond Gordon, 48th Dental Squadron, dental technician and Wichita Falls, Texas native, this was an opportunity to give back.

"I wasn't great in English in school, but I had help. Plus, you always feel good giving back to the community," said Airman Gordon.

For the youth the pairing was also an opportunity to sit and talk with volunteers about the United States, service in or with the military and much more.

"My kid was very interested in the ozone layer," said Airman 1st Class Geneva Newbill, 48th Dental Squadron, dental technician and Hopewell, Va. native.

After a simple explanation from Airman Newbill about the ozone layer her child asked her if pollution was the reason America was so hot as opposed to England.

"He was a hoot," said Airman Newbill.

Both Airmen Gordon and Newbill felt the opportunity was a positive event enabling them to get involved in the community.

And the head mistress of the school agreed, said Sq. Ldr. Harrison.

"We were very privileged to be invited and involved in this process," said Sq. Ldr. Harrison. "Scores increased by 17 percent with the biggest increase in English. The head mistress was extremely pleased and requested the base continue with the program again next year."