Ramstein Airmen help ‘make a wish’ for Florida teen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Scott Saldukas
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  What may have seemed like ordinary day-to-day operations for many Team Ramstein Airmen were all part of make one Florida teenager's wish come true April 5 and 6 here.

For two days, members from several base units took time out of their busy schedules to team up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Florida and help bring some extra joy into the life of Cresencio Santos.

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Fifteen-year-old Santos, who goes by the name of Chris, was born with neurofibromatoses type one, a genetic disorder that affects his skin and nervous system. The effects can be severely disabling, mildly disfiguring or can even go undetected.

Chris' original wish was to spend time with his brother, an Army Private stationed at Miesau Army Depot, Germany. However, through conversations with his Make-A-Wish sponsors, they discovered his fascination and love for the military, specifically the Air Force.

When Chris was in eighth grade, his big brother and mentor, Kevin Colindres, enlisted into the Army and found out he was going to be stationed in Germany. For Chris, this was difficult news to handle. Not simply because he would be separated from his sibling, but because his brother had been more of a father figure to him.

"One day, I was talking to my friend about how my brother was joining the Army and how much I was going to miss him since he was going to Germany," Chris said. "My teacher overheard our conversation and told my principle who contacted the Florida Make-A-Wish Foundation and made my trip to see him possible."

Thinking he was only visiting his brother, Chris was pleasantly surprised when he arrived in country and found out what the rest of his visit entailed.

"When I got here, I thought I was only going to spend time with my brother; instead, I was able to do so much cool stuff with my brother and mom because of the Air Force," the Tampa native said.

Multiple Air Force squadrons jumped on board when they found out Chris, along with his mother, Rosa Figueroa, and his brother, were going to be their guest for two days and prepared scenarios for them to be a part of. The first stop on his two-day tour took the family to the 37th Airlift Squadron where he was welcomed by a group of pilots and loadmasters, all eager to show him what they do.

"It was great to have the family come out and get a feeling for what we do," said Capt. Adam Wantuck, 37th AS flight commander and C-130J pilot. "To know we're adding a few days of escape and adventure to the life of someone who suffers from a disorder like this, you know you've done something important when you see the smile on their face."

At the 37th, Chris was able to try on an aircrew helmet equipped with night vision goggles and pressure test an oxygen mask at a simulated 45,000 feet.

Upon completion of his mock pilot training, the squadron made him an honorary 37th AS "Blue Tail" and presented him his very own pilot's wings.

And that was just the first of many new things Chris was able to try and learn about Air Force operations thanks to the program.

"Our second stop was awesome," Chris said about his visit to the wing headquarters building. "I was able to meet the one star, Brigadier General Dillion. He let me sit in his chair, gave me his business card and a coin. I want to have more coins than my brother."

Their next stop was the most talked about event of the trip -- his visit to the 86th Security Forces Squadron military working dog unit.

Although he said one of his favorite things to do at home is play with his dog, the precision displayed by the highly trained security forces members and the capabilities of their four-legged partners was better than he expected.

But, it wasn't just about watching the dogs in action; it was also about spending precious time with a brother he doesn't see very often. And, the brotherly bonding was stepped up a notch when Chris and 15 of his newest security forces buddies persuaded his big brother to put on the dog suit to demonstrate how the dog would attack if needed.

"I was a little nervous, but I would do anything for my brother, even get in a dog suit and get attacked by a military working dog to see him smile," Private Colindres said.

His first day ended with a visit to the 886th Civil Engineer Squadron, who treated him to a ride in one of their fire trucks, taking up control of the water hose and learning how the trucks he helped operate play a major role in the fire department's effectiveness.

During their second day, the family was a guest of the 721st Aerial Port Squadron. But before he could go anywhere, the unit made sure he was properly outfitted, supplying him with his own full set of ABUs and a black 721st APS hat.

"It makes me proud to see him in uniform," Chris' brother said. "It's a great opportunity for him. Since he won't be able to join the service, now he can feel what it's like to wear the uniform."

The 721st introduced the family to all aspects of their job.

First, he ran a pneumatic test on a C-17, allowing him to "rev" the engines to full throttle to test the airflow in the cockpit. Then he learned firsthand how cargo gets loaded onto the aircraft.

After loading 30,202 pounds of cargo, the group toured a C-5 and worked their way into the passenger terminal where Chris was able to conduct role call with unit Airmen and check in passengers.

"Watching Cresencio interact with our folks was truly special; something none of us will forget anytime soon," said 1st Lt. Jordan Clark, 721st APS passenger services flight commander. "Anytime we're able to highlight what our Airmen do on a daily basis is a good day, but this was extraordinary."

Upon completion of his visit with the 721st APS, Santos was named an honorary Ramp and Port Dawg, names bestowed upon those in the squadron who work specific jobs, for his day of work with the squadron and also received multiple coins from their leadership.

"This has been awesome, and I got so much cool stuff I can put up in my room," the ninth-grader said.

Although he earned eight coins -- now more than his brother -- a plethora of patches and multiple plaques, all of this wouldn't have been the same without his brother being present.

"Really, all I wanted was to be with my brother; the rest was just a bonus," he said. "Growing up neither one of us had a father, so I looked up to Kevin. He's what I want to be like when I grow up. He is my hero."

Though the focus of the visit was about making a dream come true for Chris by giving him an inside look into Air Force operations, after spending a day with the two brothers, it was apparent the added time spent with his brother through the visit was just as important.

"I knew joining the Army would separate us, but I joined for my brother," Private Colindres said. "I knew there was a strong possibility he wouldn't be able to join even though he wanted to. So, I did it for him. Everything I do is for him."

Reuniting the brothers took time, effort and partnership from many different people and agencies across the base, and that did not go unrecognized by the family.

"I am very happy and feel very fortunate that my sons were able to experience this together," Ms. Figueroa said. "I am so proud of both of them, and I thank everyone who made my son's wish possible."