Letters

I received 75 thank you letters from the students at Aviation High School. A number of them referenced ERAU specifically; I thought you would be interested in these as indicators of successful first steps in recruiting ERAU students of the future.

Peter M. M.
Director Special Projects
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

My dear young man:

I read with great interest of your personal biography, and flight achievements.  May God continue to shine His light on you. I am a senior citizen, and there are days when I lose hope for our young people, and the future of America.  I am so happy for your parents, and community. Know that I am sending your web site to many of my friends.  Thank you for making this old gal's heart sing!  <smiling> The more young folks out there who follow your example, the greater good will happen.

Warm regards,
Mrs. CM
Spring, TX.

 

We really looked forward to Jamail's arrival and I have to say he did not disappoint. His resentation was very professional. The students were hanging on his every word. I sincerely believe that his visit impacted the lives of my students and helped them have a clearer understanding of following their dreams of becoming pilots and aerospace engineers. We are hopeful he will be able to visit our school again next year when a new group of students will be learning about this exciting industry. Thank you for making these visits possible.

Rick F.
Potomac Falls High School
Sterling, Va.

Jamail,
 
I just saw your segment on Fox News. I have to tell you sometimes when I watch the news I am not too hopeful about many things going on in this world. Then I see someone like you and it restores hope to me. You are obviously well on your way to becoming a very important person to this country. It is great to see people like you not only pushing forward with your own goals but taking the time to help others. Just incredible...  My father was a career fighter pilot in the USAF and he long ago told me about the Tuskegee Airmen that you spoke of on the show, he was in awe of them, I am too. I have seen the movie several times and have devoured as many books, articles and web sites that I can find relating to them. I wrote them a letter once and thanked them for not only their ground breaking service but for serving this country. I am 40 yr old former active duty marine that now investigates terrorism finance and operations, and I explained to those brave Tuskegee Airmen that in no small way I felt like they were all my grandfathers. Without brave men like them my life would not be what it is today as a US citizen living in this great country.
 
Not to put pressure on you :) but someday someone will look upon what you do and think of you in the same way, you are already an american hero and I don't use that term lightly. People will see you as the kind of man that makes this country much better and gives us all just a little more of that "special secret sauce." Please be safe and take care of yourself. This country needs men like you to to make us ALL much better. So I just wanted to thank you for what you are doing, for making this country better and giving me faith that we still have people like you that dream about and do incredible things. You made my day! I cannot wait until my beautiful wife wakes up so I can show her the segment she is working on getting her pilots cert. she will be stoked to see you.
 
 
Very Respectfully,
 
John K
Pacifica, California

Dear Ms. Western:


I would like to thank your school for sponsoring the Jamail Larkins DreamLaunch Tour.  As a recent graduate of Embry-Riddle, I was thrilled to see our university support young students and work to provide encouragement for their dreams in aviation.  As a young man, I can remember how much aviation fascinated me.  If I had met someone like Jamail back then I might have completed my degree in my early twenties, not at forty seven.  I keenly understand how important it is for young people to know what is available and what is possible.  Jamail's tour is providing this knowledge to students that might not otherwise receive it.

I know you are aware of this as a professional in the educational world.  The fact that ERAU, and others, have sponsored him clearly indicates your commitment to education and aviation.  Jamail's "hit the streets" type of tour is what it takes to reach out to those who don't believe great things are possible.  While watching Jamail work it was obvious he was reaching quite a few students who had no idea the opportunities he spoke of existed.

So what makes Jamail different from other presenters?  His youth touches those of similar ages and even those much older.  His willingness to share his time, one of the most valuable commodities in today's busy world, with people he does not know is commendable.  He takes time away from his studies, his family, and his friends to commit to those who need someone they can look up to, someone they can trust, someone other than an authority figure telling them how to live their lives.  He fulfills this need in education wonderfully.  His level of commitment was evident when business commitments required that he leave very early in the morning to fly to Memphis. And yet, he still accomplished two presentations, numerous conversations, and flew home that evening.

Success, after all, breeds success...especially when it is shared in this manner.  It is my fervent hope that his personal success will continue and that it will continue to make a difference in many young people's lives.  I feel certain that will happen. His legacy will live on here in Memphis.  It has inspired others to speak to young students.  That is perhaps his greatest gift - inspiring others to take his lead.

Thank you again for your sponsorship.  Jamail's Dreamlaunch Tour to Memphis was sincerely appreciated by everyone at the airport and the school's we visited.  I hope ERAU will continue its support of future DreamLaunch Tours and that others will continue to benefit from this program long after Jamail moves on to other aviation challenges.  

 
Sincerely,
Dave Moreau
Airport Duty Manager
Memphis International Airport

 

Dr Ebbs,

My wife and I saw Embry student Jamail Larkins on Letterman last night. What a resource your school has in this young man ! Handsome, articulate, polite, smooth with off the cuff conversation.... very talented. Congrats to his parents. My wife commented that he was a flying Tiger Woods ... a wonderful Ambassador for the school ... for flying ... for young people ... and for the minority community. I hope you will use him well... he can bring a lot of positive recognition to your school and to flying. What a find for the aviation community.

Dear Jamail,

I had so much more to say but couldn't cut it down.  You have really motivated my son.  God Bless.

M.A.B., New Orleans

Dear Jamail,

You are blessed. Be careful and remain focus. Your tour truly is in need of reaching more kids and young adults in the inner city. I still am interested in marketing you ( smile). Your Higher Spirit is riding your shoulders. Peace Be with you!

T. L. C. - Shaker Heights, Ohio

Jamail

The pleasure was all mine. You are an inspiration to people of all ages and race.  Thanks for taking the time out of your schedule to be accessible.  I was very impressed with your patience with the children.  As I stated, they have been talking about you every since.  Ashley (the young lady who went up in the plane with you) is ready to take lessons.   Believe me, you made a positive impact in Vidalia. I will contact John Rosica to see if we can get you here to speak at our dinner. Thanks for everything.

C.G. - Vidalia

Jamail

Thank you Jamail for accepting our invitation.  You are an impressive and inspiring young man.  Very much looking forward to working with you again on ther future projects. Keep up your wonderful work!

Barbara Pack - DFW International Airport

Debi,

We sure enjoyed getting to meet Jamail while he was in Chicago.  Thank you for including us in his visit here.  Keep us in mind if Chicago is a possibility for the fall tour, we've had several folks ask about Jamail's availability.

B.H. - Boeing Employees Flying Association - Chicago

Jamail,

Thank you so much for including us in your very hectic schedule. I'm glad you made it to NJ safely. You were fantastic and the parents loved you! So did the kids. If your ears have been burning, it's because folks are still commenting on your fabulous presentation! I look forward to seeing you at GND!

D.J.H.