Charles Lindbergh once said: “What freedom lies in flying, what godlike power it gives to men … I lose all consciousness in this strong unmortal [sic]space crowded with beauty, pierced with danger.”
The appeal of freedom and power obtained in flight that Lindbergh spoke of is something many young boys and girls dream of, but very few ever reach it.
Christopher Towns, a 2011 Thomas Dale graduate, finds that his dream of flight is within reach.
“I come from a military family, and I always wanted to join when the time came,” said Towns. “I realized at a very young age that I wanted to fly.”
With his goal of becoming a pilot in mind, Towns laid out a runway for his dreams to take flight. He knew that the military would be his best option in pursuit of his goal.
Upon entering high school, Towns joined the JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) to learn how the military was structured and better prepare him for a life in the service. He kept his grades up and built a resume, making him a prime candidate for any college.
“JROTC really gave me the foundation I needed and it taught me how the military worked,” said Towns.
With his high school graduation nearing, Towns had opportunities to attend the University of Alabama or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He was even ready to pay his tuition at George Mason University, but to his pleasant surprise, the Air Force Academy called.
This was a no-brainer for Towns, so he didn’t hesitate and jumped at the offer to attend the Air Force Academy. He was then one step closer.
Though he earned a spot in the 1,200 -member class at the Air Force Academy, he wasn’t guaranteed the opportunity to fly. He had to work hard and compete for one of the 300 spots available.
After four years of hard work and dedication, Towns graduated with a degree in Systems Engineering with a focus in Human Factors. For his performance, he earned a pilot slot in the Air Force and will be starting flight school at Columbus Air Force Base 14th Flying Training Wing in January.
Now a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force, Towns will surely be a pilot, but just what he will be flying remain to be seen. With a big grin on his face, Towns said he wants to fly something “fast and pointy” as in a fighter jet.
“I am very proud of what Christopher has accomplished,” said his father, Maj. (Ret.) Winford Towns.
The elder Towns served 22 years in the Army before becoming a JROTC instructor at Franklin Academy in Richmond.
“JROTC builds character and it builds leaders, and that’s one thing I always wanted my kids to be,” said Winford Towns. “And most importantly, JROTC teaches kids the need to give back to their communities.”
There is no question that the Thomas Dale JROTC program laid a solid foundation from which he launched, and come January, when you see a fighter jet overhead, he may be in the cockpit.
