Dream comes true for boy at Luke

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stephen Delgado
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Most of us have a memory from childhood that is so wonderful we carry it with us through life. Max "Maximoo" Marangella, 6, was pilot for a day at Luke July 27, which was a dream come true for him. The day presented a scrapbook of memories, which he and family will cherish forever. 

Max was accompanied by dad, Michele; mom, Patricia; and sister, Ellie, 11. His mom said her son has a profound interest in aviation and different types of aircraft, so being at Luke for the day was a thrill for Max, and Patricia was glad the family could be there to share it with him. 

His life has been a constant battle with one surgery after another -- 30 in all. Max was born with half of his intestines and his aorta was loose and distended. Max's most recent heart surgery was a mere month and two days before his visit to Luke. However, despite the major surgery, nothing was going to stop Max from his date at Luke. 

When Max arrived at the 308th Fighter Squadron, a large screen had his name displayed for all to see. Capt. Chad Burdick, 308th FS instructor pilot, and 1st Lt. Garrett Dover, B-course pilot, greeted Max and acted as hosts for the day. 

After greeting and meeting everyone, Max was taken to life support. He watched Lieutenant Dover don a flight suit and then Max got to try on a helmet, which brought a huge smile to his face. 

More than that, Brig. Gen. Tom Jones, 56th Fighter Wing commander, showed up with a wrapped box. Inside the box, Max discovered a perfectly sized flight suit with his name on it. He quickly put it on, and General Jones presented Max with a coin. 

Now the moment Max and his family had been waiting for arrived -- to see an F-16 and sit in the cockpit. Senior Airman Jeffrey Braun, 308th FS crew chief, had the aircraft in pristine condition, but as any good pilot would do, Max inspected the landing gear and took a look at the entire aircraft. He climbed the stairs to the cockpit with an air of a veteran pilot and with Captain Burdick by his side. "It's really  high up here," he said. 

After lunch Max made a stop at the simulator, where he was given two tests and demonstrated superior skill. 

The next stop was to see a military working dog demonstration and then on to the fire department, air traffic control center and end of the runway. 

At the fire department, Max rode in fire trucks, turned on the sirens and water hoses and was presented with colonel wings. "He wears them with pride wherever he goes," Mrs. Marangella said. 

Captain Burdick said the day was a huge success and was impressed with Max. "The pilot's motto of the 308th FS is 'Strength and Honor.' My hope is that Max will take these words with him throughout his life. Max has been through 30 surgeries in his short life. Strength and honor are part of his character," he said.