Students at Aurora Junior High School had a chance to see citizenship and patriotism in action on March 5.

As part of the school’s Character in Action program, which features a focus word for each month (citizenship for March), students had a chance to give close inspection to a UH60 Black Hawk helicopter and to talk to the four-man crew.

Piloting the craft was Aaron Johnson, a graduate of Aurora High School, an Eagle Scout and the son of Dan (a teacher at AJHS) and Dolly Johnson. Serving as a crew member was Sgt. Cliff Brackeen, a local resident and member of the National Guard. Rounding out the crew were CW3 Steve Haley and Spc. Geoff Merrick.

The Black Hawk landed on the practice field to the west of Kelly Field. Groups of students had about 20 minutes to move around the helicopter, sit inside, take photos and ask questions of the crew.

After sessions ended at the helicopter, students returned to classrooms to participate in four, five-minute sessions dealing with citizenship and its effect on families and the work ethic. Part of the program dealt with an intervention to bullying, said a staff member.

Brackeen, who had earlier military experience and had to jump through some proverbial hoops to serve his country again, was heard remarking various times during the static display, “I love my job!”

One young student with a bit of a “high and tight” military-type haircut remarked to a crew member, “I’ll see you in a few years!”