The DOMINATION
Dominic Illingsworth has his own Internet talk show, the DOMINATION. Here’s what he says about it:
I am 16-years old and I host an Internet talk show called the DOMINATION. It airs Mondays and Fridays 6-7pm EST. @ www.blogtalkradio.com/domination . You can listen to archives of the show anytime if you miss the live shows.
I am a strong Conservative and my show reflects that entirely. I am a part of a Conservative network called The Conservative Alliance which can be found at www.conservativealliance.org . I occasionally write for the site and my articles can be viewed under my profile on the website. Two of my biggest concerns in the political spectrum are abortion and illegal immigration -- topics I cover heavily on my shows.
I am also participating in the "Job Shadow program" for WOKV in Jacksonville Florida. The website for this Conservative talk station is www.wokv.com , a station with which I hope to have a career one day as a talk show host. I attend West Nassau High School in Callahan as a junior and plan on attending college to get a degree in radio broadcasting.
Watch out, one day you may hear me on your local radio station!!
Photo by: Richard Dean, www.conservativealliance.org :)
Extraordinary IndividualThis extraordinary individual was the timekeeper during the United States vs Jamaica Rugby game Saturday, November 14, at the University of North Florida. This was the first Rugby game I'd ever watched and, while it resembled a cross between soccer and American football, it was impossible for me to understand. The US Team won 37-22. GOOGLE Jacksonville Axemen and the Axe Maiden Cheerleaders to find out more. Photos are on the next page.
Airman follows in famous uncle’s footsteps
By Mike Joseph
37th Training Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFRNS) - When Airman Christopher Platte decided to join the Air Force last year, he didn't know he would be following in famous footsteps.
His recent graduation from Basic Military Training here capped a two-day whirlwind that included rare time spent with his great uncle, retired Capt. Claude Platte, an original Tuskegee Airman.
BMT graduation was the first time since he was an infant that Airman Platte had been with his famous uncle, who helped break down racial and educational barriers. Captain Platte was one of the first African-American officers trained and commissioned in the newly re-opened Air Force pilot training program at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, in the 1940s.
Airman Platte found out about his uncle after telling his family he wanted to join the Air Force. He first spoke with his great uncle in November 2008, he said.
"I talked to my mother about [joining the Air Force] and she said, 'Oh, by the way, you have a great uncle who is a Tuskegee Airman,'" Airman Platte recalled.
"I had no idea," he added. "I think that it's going to be a great motivation for me to take it a step higher now that I know where I come from. Even if I decide not to be a pilot, it's motivation to be the best I can be in the Air Force."
The elder Platte served 18 years in the Air Force and trained more than 400 African-American Airmen to fly solo and pilot specialized military aircraft. Captain Platte's brother -- Christopher Platte's grandfather -- was also a Tuskegee Airman.
Captain Platte has received many honors including an honorary doctorate in public service from Tuskegee University in 2006, and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007.
Living in north Texas and retired from Bell Helicopter Textron Co., CaptainPlatte and other Tuskegee Airmen travel the country telling their stories.
A modest man who stays involved in community service, CaptainPlatte said he wasn't out to break down barriers; he only wanted to fly.
"It was something I wanted to do," he said. "It was just like getting a toy. I didn't think about the segregation part of it. I wasn't interfered with, so I really enjoyed it."
Captain Platte's return to Lackland AFB for his great nephew's graduation was the first time he had been back since his own BMT nearly 50 years ago.
And, as Airman Platte begins his military career, he's entering as a survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist. He, too, started down a different trail.
After all, how many Airmen begin their career with an Eagle Scout Court of Honor the day before BMT graduation?
"It was an interesting experience. It was not a traditional court of honor," he said about the ceremony.
Col. William Mott V, the 37th Training Wing commander, presided over the event and presented Airman Platte with his Eagle Scout award.
The two days of activities were enough to make a mother proud.
"I don't think there are words to describe how proud I am," said Airman Platte's mother, Marilyn Wright. "He really didn't have any idea the legacy he was stepping into. Since he was 6, he's been saying, 'I want to fly planes; I want to be in the air!'
"Honestly, I tried to discourage him, but it's in his heart to be an Airman," she said. "Now he's fulfilling a dream." (Courtesy of American Forces Press Service)
