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Teacher flies as 'Hometown Hero' with Thunderbirds

  • Published
  • By Scott Knuteson
  • Air University Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  A long-time Montgomery teacher headed into the clouds with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds here March 25, two days before the base's air show.

Dr. Michael Gross, assistant professor of Physical Education and Exercise Science at Auburn Montgomery, was recognized as a "Hometown Hero" with a flight in an F-16 Fighting Falcon.

"It's one of those things where if you say 'awesome,' that gives people a good idea what the flight was like, but it doesn't really describe it," Dr. Gross said after his flight.

His everyday self-sacrifice, much in the same vein as U.S. military personnel, is what the Thunderbirds hope to highlight, said Lt. Col. Derek Routt, Thunderbird 7 and Dr. Gross' pilot for the day.

Dr. Gross, who now teaches future teachers at the university, began by teaching elementary students for 14 years in the local school system, averaging 750 to 1,000 students annually.

"He decided to return to school and earn his Ph. D. in Physical Education so that he could teach and help train those who will be teaching children in the future," said Marcilla Gross, his wife.

His dedication to making a difference in individual lives is one thing in particular that caught the attention of base officials who selected Dr. Gross from among dozens of nominations entered by the public earlier this year.

"We're excited to host Dr. Gross as someone who embodies the same spirit of selflessness our Airmen exhibit," said Lt. Col. Bud Mahan, Maxwell's 2010 Air Show director. "We had a difficult time choosing among so many great nominees we received from across Alabama, but Dr. Gross' efforts to improve the well-being of others, specifically students, really stood out to us."

Last summer, Dr. Gross conducted a youth fitness camp to teach children about proper eating and exercise habits.

"We're hoping to do the camp again this year," Dr. Gross said. "We'll target fourth through sixth grade, which is the age where they begin not to exercise as much. We want to show them that there a lot of fun things they can do to exercise; we play games so they can see how exercise is simple and enjoyable."

About 60 percent of the adult population is either overweight or obese, he explained.

"The goal is to stem the tide of this new generation from becoming that 60 percent," Dr. Gross said.

The teacher, who recently finished his doctoral work, also leads annual mission trips to an orphanage in Brazil - something he has done for the past eight years.

"The children will come running out of their houses calling his name because they know that he genuinely cares about them and brings others with him to invest in their lives," Ms. Gross said.

Dr. Gross plans to return to Brazil May 21 with a team that will continue construction work on the orphanage. But construction becomes secondary if it means having a chance to directly interact with the children.

"If a child asks you to play while you're working, our rule is you put the hammer down and you go play," Dr. Gross said.

Dr. Gross' teams average 10-12 people each year, many of whom go repeatedly.

As for being dubbed a "hero," Dr. Gross said he would describe the term as "heavy."

Dr. Gross said there were moments as an elementary school teacher when he felt like a hero to the kids for teaching them simple, fun things.

"So maybe I've been a hero on a small level, but to have the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds say that is remarkable," he said. "Here's Lt. Col. Derek Routt, an Airman who defends our nation, and he is telling people I'm a hero because I teach children how to run, dribble a ball and eat right."

The Thunderbirds are performing as part of the Maxwell Open House and Air Show here March 27 and 28.

For more information about the air show, visit http://airshow.maxwell.af.mil or call (334) 953-3500.