MPS Grads Serve During Historic Presidential Events
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Anna Aguilar
The State Funeral for former President Jimmy Carter was held at the Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 9. Two Moore Public Schools graduates who serve in the U.S. Air Force played a part in the traditional ceremonies.
Just a few weeks later, both MPS graduates will serve during the Jan. 20, 2025, 60th Presidential Inauguration of Donald J. Trump.
Moore High School 2017 graduate Johnny Thornton had the exclusive honor of serving as the lone Air Force pallbearer for Pres. Carter at the National Cathedral, along with servicemen from all branches of the military. His title is Senior Airman, Ceremonial Guardsman - USAF Honor Guard.
Thornton attended the University of Oklahoma after high school and worked with the OKC Thunder NBA team until he enlisted in 2021.
President Carter was an inspiring human being; we all hope that we have been able to honor him with the dignity that he deserves.
- Johnny Thornton
Thornton said USAF Body Bearers have a Tier II fitness test they must complete at the Presidential Level while also having enough seniority within their unit to be selected for the honor of serving as a pallbearer.
Thornton will also have the honor of serving as an usher for invited guests at the Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20, representing the USAF.
Serving at the same funeral for former Pres. Carter was Westmoore 2018 graduate Airman 1st Class Sara Wilson. She was serving at the funeral as a member of the Honor Guard. She is the 10th woman to serve in the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team.
"Joining the drill team has been the hardest challenge in my Air Force career. It's physically and mentally demanding, but I'm honored and grateful for the opportunity to do this. Representing the Air Force as a female ambassador in blue is such a blessing that I never expected," Wilson said.
Wilson served as a part of the Presidential Escort Procession that guided Pres. Jimmy Carter to the Capitol to Lie in State and await his State Funeral. On that honor, Wilson said, "I've learned a lot about this president who impacted my right to serve as a ceremonial guardsman. He was an honorable civil rights activist and was the first Commander in Chief to allow women to serve in the - then called - USAF Presidential Honor Guard. Nine women were selected and only five graduated from training."
On being a part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20 for Trump, Wilson said, "I feel a deep sense of gratitude to be able to take part in such a historical time; I'm truly blessed to have this opportunity."
Her spot on the team is even sweeter after sustaining a fractured arm while training for a place on the team. She tried out again after a few months and earned her place.
While at WHS, she was in choir, played in marching band and was a member of the WHS Color Guard. "I loved being in the Guard program at Westmoore. My instructors were Casey Lawrence and Mallory Readnour; they have a special place in my heart."
Observers may see a link between a military drill team or honor guard and what color guard teams do in high school, but the mindset required and the performances are quite different.
"As I work, I am expressing the Air Force through my drills by being sharp, crisp, and motionless. With the color guard at WHS, it was more of an expression of self. They are both incredibly important to me and require teamwork, hard work, and passion, which have taught me wonders."
After high school, Wilson attended Oklahoma City Community College and worked at the Animal Emergency Center in SOKC and coached Color Guard at Washington High School.
My great-grandfather served in the Air Force and my brothers served in the Air Force and Army. I've always felt driven to a higher purpose, and I knew there was a part of me that I could reach by being pushed in ways I couldn't do by myself. The Air Force is helping me become the best version of myself.
- Sara Wilson
Wilson said she felt the Air Force was a difficult branch to get into, but she also felt it could help her create the future she wanted, so she did everything possible to get accepted. She spent 455 days in-processing, remaining focused on her decision to join before leaving for Basic Training in February 2023. Her first assignment was in Washington, D.C. at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling as a ceremonial guardsman with the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard.
Wilson said she'd encourage any Westmoore student to engage in as many extracurricular activities as possible in high school.
"Don't take time in high school for granted; follow your dreams. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't be an artist, a musician, a pilot, or an astronaut. It's truly possible, Wilson said.
Use this time to grow and hone in on what you want out of life and yourself. I'm so fortunate to be where I am today, and thankfully, with some grit and hard work, I made it into the Air Force and into a prestigious group for which I will forever cherish.
- Sara Wilson
Learn more about the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard here. Read Wilson's story by the Defense Visual Distribution Service here.
