WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio - Retired Chief Master Sgt. David Whorton, holds up Flat Stanley in front of a C-5 Galaxy. Flat Stanley traveled with the 89th Airlift Squadron on their recent flight to Landstuhl, Germany, and McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. as part of a school project. (Air Force photo/Stacy Vaughn)

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Flat Stanley flies across the pond with the 89th Airlift Squadron

Published Feb. 23, 2009
By Stacy Vaughn
445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio -- C-5 crew members from the 89th Airlift Squadron became part of a geography lesson in February when a little girl from Florida invited her friend, "Flat Stanley," to visit Ohio.

Brittney's second grade class from Equestrian Trails Elementary School in Wellington, Fla., incorporated Flat Stanley, an envelope character who travels the world learning about new places and geography, into personalized folders for each participating student. Flat Stanley does the traveling for the student and provides the connection to different places.

Each student started Stanley on his journey by sending their folder to a friend or family member in another location. At the new location, information is recorded in the Flat Stanley folder indicating information about the community and local places of interest. A friend or family member then sends the folder to another location and the process is repeated until Flat Stanley's due date to return to the school.

Recently, the Flat Stanley project from Brittney arrived at the front door of retired Chief Master Sgt. David Whorton. "I retired here after my last assignment at
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. I'm originally from Florida and that's how I first received this geography lesson from Brittney, through mutual friends." Mr. Whorten took Stanley to visit the Wright Flyer statue. He was able to have his photo taken with Flat Stanley while standing in front of the statue. The photo was developed then taped to the Flat Stanley folder with a description of the location and statue.

The 445th Airlift Wing was the next stop. "I thought if I could take the Flat Stanley project to the 445th Airlift Wing, perhaps someone there would have an idea how to get it sent further outside the local area," Mr. Whorten said. Capt. Michael Shampine, pilot, 89th Airlift Squadron, was up to the challenge and volunteered to take Stanley on their next flying mission, which turned out to be several miles away from Ohio and across the sea.

Captain Shampine was the key photographer and Stanley's "escort." The crew flew to McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., and on into Landstuhl, Germany. At both locations, Captain Shampine took Flat Stanley's picture with something referencing the area in the background. While at McGuire, Stanley was photographed with the background of cargo being loaded on the wing's C-5 Galaxy. In Germany, Stanley was photographed in front of a historical castle tower, with the German landscape in the background.

"I enjoy participating in school projects like this," Capt. Shampine said. In the past I've taken teddy bears, each wearing little backpacks with a camera and travel log inside, to locations such as Hawaii, Japan, and even Australia."

After a final photo taken of Stanley at the 445th Airlift Wing with a C-5 Galaxy in the background, Flat Stanley packed his bags and headed back to Florida to Brittney and her fellow classmates so they could read about his adventures in Ohio and across the pond.