Vance volunteer crossing guard named "Friend of Education"

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Frank Casciotta
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  A flight commander with the 71st Operations Support Squadron received the Dewitt Waller Middle School "Friend of Education" award May 22.

1st Lt. Dan Venable spent nearly every morning of the school year at Dewitt Waller Middle School as a crossing guard for students.

"Normally, this award goes to a business that supports our school in some way," said Adam Beauchamp, the Waller Middle School principal. "Lieutenant Venable really filled one of our needs and that's why he deserves the award."

When the 71st Operations Support Squadron was called on to assist Waller Middle School in Enid, Venable called the school's principal and asked what the school needed.

"He said 'we need a crossing guard in the mornings,'" said Venable, a Franklin, Tenn. native. "I told him we will do our best to have someone there every morning."

The challenge for Venable was tight scheduling. Venable leads air traffic control Airmen, and their schedules vary from week to week.

Air traffic controllers guide Vance student pilots during their training flights to keep them a safe distance from each other while they fly.

Keeping his word to the principal while remaining loyal to the mission, Venable spent almost every morning as a crossing guard himself.

"I really don't know what we would have done if he was not there," said Beauchamp. "He showed up early every day with a genuine smile on his face."

Venable's dedication to his crossing guard duty was reminiscent of the Postman's Creed, said Beauchamp.

"It didn't matter if it was raining, snowing - he would roll up in his little sports car ready to go," said Beauchamp.

Venable spent about a half-hour each school day getting students safely across the street.

"I remember cars speeding though the crosswalk while I stood there with a stop sign and a reflective vest," said Venable. "Thank goodness I had held the children on the side of the road those times."

On one occasion near Christmas, one of the children's parents personally thanked Venable for being there every morning.

"It meant a lot to hear someone say they appreciated it," said Venable.

Venable plans to continue safeguarding Waller's students after summer vacation is over.

"We would to love to have him back next year," said Beauchamp. "He was a great advocate promoting the positive relationship between Vance and Enid."