Son continues Air Force family legacy

  • Published
  • By Airmen 1st Class Jessica Lockoski and Maria Ruiz
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  It can be one of the proudest moments in parents' lives when they realize they have raised a child to be self sufficient having abilities to make responsible choices for their future.

Elliott Snow, 17, son of Maj. Mark Snow, 22nd Comptroller Squadron commander, made a life altering choice that many military members undergo of enlisting for six years into the Air Force Reserve. Elliott will be a fifth-generation servicemember in this family. The family has a proud heritage of members serving in historical events throughout the decades.

"Elliott's great-great grandfather, Howard Craig, was in the Army during World War II and survived the Bataan Death March," said Major Snow. "His great grandfather, W.A. Wood, served in the Navy during WW II, and he participated in the Battle for the Marshall Islands."

The atmosphere of the ceremony held significance to both father and son.

What made the enlistment special for the two patriots is the Major had the opportunity to administer the oath of enlistment to his son in his office Dec. 21.

Maj. Snow's office encompasses many sentimental attachments from their family's military history. One of the items is a framed picture of W.A. Wood, in the Marshall Islands with two captured Japanese flags. Father and son stood in front of a flag that was used in the grandfather's funeral when they recited the oath.

Elliott is scheduled to leave for Basic Military Training at Lackland, Air Force Base, Tx., Mar. 4. His technical training in information management will be in Keesler AFB, Miss.

Before deciding to enlist into the Air Force, he was active in Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Core for two years at Bedford High School, Mass.

"My dad has been my inspiration for joining," he said.

Elliott chose the Reserves so he may be able to continue a steady college education. He would like have a career teaching history or sports therapy.
"I want him to follow in my footsteps," said Major Snow. "He has a desire to enlist, get a degree, and become an officer. I want him to work hard to fulfill his dreams."

Proceeding his father and grandfather, Elliott hopes to continue the legacy of service in pride as he begins his journey as an Airman.

"The traits I hope he will pick up from an Air Force career: pride in the work he does; camaraderie; accountability for his actions; confidence; and discipline," said Maj. Snow.