Welch Elementary School holds first Welch Day Published May 15, 2023 By Staff Sgt. Faith Barron 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Maj. George S. Welch Elementary School hosted the first Welch Day at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, May 10, 2023. Students, staff and community members came together for an assembly to celebrate the accomplishments and life journey of the Wilmington, Delaware native on his birthday. “We want the students to connect our school’s name with the person whom it was named after,” said Stephanie Cummings, WES fifth grade teacher. “Each day people walk by Welch Elementary and do not realize the courage and bravery that Welch had throughout his lifetime. Bringing history to life was the purpose when creating ‘Maj. George S. Welch Day.’” Originally Cummings came up with the idea from the school’s reward system HERO, which encourages students to behave with Honor, Engagement, Responsibility and to include Others. “As we were looking at how to implement the new system, our team decided to focus on Welch as our first HERO’ and incorporate it into our school culture,” said Cummings. Welch was a World War II fighter pilot in the United States Army Air Corps and a Medal of Honor nominee. “Their eyes lit up when they had the opportunity to learn about Major Welch and see how he pushed the limits and became a ‘HERO’ in a very short lifetime,” said Cummings. Leading up to May 10, students in younger grades learned about Welch’s career by drawing and coloring pictures of Welch and his planes. The students in the older grades researched his life accomplishments and made timelines to display throughout the hallways. “Our students come from all around the world,” said Col. Matt Husemann, 436th Airlift Wing commander. “Showcasing how Welch was a ‘HERO’ inspires them to be tomorrow’s leaders. When we teach our ‘HEROs’ heritage and tradition, it shows them that they can do anything.”