AF Reserve pilot, real-life wingman for Minneapolis boy

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Bob Sommer
  • 934th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MINNEAPOLIS AIR RESERVE STATION, Minn. --  Almost three years ago Air Force Reserve Capt. Robert Wilson, a C-130 pilot with the 302nd Airlift Wing, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. donated lifesaving bone marrow to then 7-year- old Alexander, or "A.J." Neppl of Apple Valley, Minn.

On May 5, due to mission requirements and a little bit of luck, Wilson ended up at the 934th Airlift Wing based at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and a first-time meeting of Wilson, A.J. and his family took place.

Wilson waited for the Neppl family at Minneapolis Air Reserve Station's main gate. While watching for the family's car he said, "I am excited to meet him, just really, really excited." The feeling was more than mutual. Once the two saw each other it was apparent an instant connection was made. The group exchanged some pleasantries and then Wilson whisked them away to the flight line for a tour of a C-130 Hercules and some "student pilot training."

A.J.'s voice was heard loud and clear as he helped Capt. Wilson conduct a practice radio check with base operations. Each family member was assigned a crew position on the flight deck of the C-130. After running through the preflight checklists, the next stop was to take a look around the aircraft, inside and out.

After the C-130 tour A.J. had a few surprises for Wilson. A.J. had made an Origami "fortune teller." Oddly when you opened it to see the fortune, it was blank. A.J. said, "I did not write a fortune inside because I want you to create your fortune."

During the visit Wilson asked A.J. to remind him how old he was. A.J. said, "Well, I am 10 and 2." A puzzled Wilson asked A.J. to explain. A.J. said, "From my first birthday I am 10. And, it's been two years since my second birthday," said A.J. referring to the time that had passed since the bone marrow transplant surgery.

Next, A.J. presented Wilson with a large 'Hero' poster he had made highlighting events in A.J.'s past three years, including one of the drip bag filled with bone marrow that Wilson had donated. Explaining that drawing, A.J. said, "And this is your bone marrow, well, our bone marrow."

Reflecting on his visit with A.J. after returning to his home unit in Colorado, Wilson said, "People tend to think the recipient of a donation like this are the recipient of a gift. But actually, after this experience, I too have been the recipient of a most special gift."

Editor's note:  The Rocky Mountain Company Grade Officers Council will host a blood and Department of Defense bone marrow drive on Tuesday, May 29 at the Peterson Air Force Base Club. For more information on the CGOC blood and marrow drive, contact 2nd Lt. Kevin Slaughter at (719) 556-9563.  The 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs office also contributed to this story.