By Staff
AUTOGRAPH TIME Maj. Chandler Seagraves autographs a flyer Friday for Southeast Lauderdale Elementary students Rebecca Knight, Kayla McNair, Savannah Cooper Heather Davidson and Destinee Thrasher. Seagraves spoke to about 500 kindergarten through fourth grade students at Southeast Elementary School. Photo by Paula Merritt / The Meridian Star.
By Penny Randall / staff writer
April 17, 2004
Maj. Chandler Seagraves, a U.S. Marine pilot and events coordinator for the world-famous Blue Angels, delivered a message to students at Southeast Lauderdale Elementary School on Friday.
Southeast was the only Lauderdale County school Seagraves visited while in town this week for the Wings Over Meridian 2004 air show, set for today and Sunday at Naval Air Station Meridian.
Seagraves said he chose Southeast for one special reason: He was a student there in the fifth through eighth grades.
In addition to talking to children about his job, Seagraves also took time to visit one of his former classmates at Southeast who now teaches the fourth grade: Stephanie Roulier.
After graduating from high school in North Carolina, Seagraves attended Mississippi State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in poultry science.
Seagraves planed to become a veterinarian before two military officers knocked on his door and offered him the chance to join the Marines.
He was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1992 and joined the Blue Angels in September 2002.
Seagraves, accompanied by a Blue Angles aircraft mechanic and three other U.S. Marines in full dress uniform, answered children's questions and also played a video that showed Blue Angles pilots in action.
Air Show Facts
Going to Wings Over Meridian 2004 today and Sunday at Naval Air Station Meridian? Then check out the following tips, courtesy of the air show's Web site at
www.meridianairshow.com.
Unauthorized Items: Don't plan to take coolers,
backpacks, carryall bags, large handbags, animals/pets,
bicycles/skateboards, kites/
balloons, contraband, weapons, knives, guns.
Authorized Items: You can take small purses; clear bags for medical items medication or infant care; portable lawn chairs (but not in their bag
carriers); still and video
cameras (but not in camera bags); strollers/wagons.
Don't forget: Sunscreen, chairs, hearing protection, cash (although there will be limited ATM availability).
Important points:
All vehicles will be subject to inspection upon entry to NAS Meridian, so plan to arrive early to avoid long lines.
All bags will be searched.
Concessions will be
available.
Entrances:
If coming from Meridian, take Highway 39 to Stennis Drive. Enter the base off Stennis Drive.
If coming from north of Meridian, enter the base off the northern part of Campground Road off U.S. 45.
If coming from south, west and east of Meridian, enter the base off the southern part of Campground Road.