{"id":6792,"date":"2026-09-16T14:52:47","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T14:52:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/?p=6792"},"modified":"2026-09-16T14:52:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T14:52:48","slug":"thunderbird-pilots-visit-patients-before-taking-to-the-skies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/?p=6792","title":{"rendered":"Thunderbird pilots visit patients before taking to the skies"},"content":{"rendered":"

From the air to the ground, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds spread smiles across the Sioux Falls area<\/p>\n

If you were in the area, you may have seen, and heard, their showmanship and talents over a recent weekend<\/p>\n

But before they took to the sky, they made a few stops at the campus of the Sanford USD Medical Center to spread those smiles to people who might not be able to see the airshow<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a very unique opportunity to get out in the community, which is always a treat for us,\u201d said Maj. Josh Burress, a Thunderbird pilot. \u201cIt\u2019s important for our team to get in touch with everyone in our nation<\/a>, but also with those who served.\u201d<\/p>\n

A group of pilots stopped to visit veterans who were hospitalized, thank them for their service, and share stories and experiences with each other<\/p>\n

\u201cThis part of the job is always part of the reason why you sign up. The flying\u2019s always a riot, but deep down when it comes to the Thunderbird mission, it\u2019s to recruit, retain and inspire,\u201d said Burress<\/p>\n

The pilots\u2019 willingness to visit is not lost on Matt Rollag, who leads the office of military and veteran experience at Sanford Health<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a big deal that we were able to get them here today. Their schedules are packed full when they come to town and for them to be willing to carve out some time to come to the hospital and visit patients today was awesome, and I think we\u2019re only able to coordinate that because of Sanford\u2019s partnerships throughout the community,\u201d said Rollag<\/p>\n

\u2018Full circle\u2019 moment for veteran employee<\/h2>\n

Sanford Health has invested in care for veterans, opening veterans clubs in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Fargo, North Dakota, in 2018<\/p>\n

Rollag, a veteran himself, said being selected as the lead of military and veteran experience was a dream come true, and an honor<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a full circle moment for me because I have been part of both the 114th<\/sup> fighter wing and at Sanford Health for over a decade. This particular event and my role with Sanford\u2019s office of Military and Veteran experience allowed me to connect and coordinate between the two organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n

The veterans weren\u2019t the only patients who were visited. Another group of pilots stopped to visit children at the Sanford Children\u2019s Hospital<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a whole society of young kids growing up, and we want to show them that serving your country is a noble path to go into. If that\u2019s something they end up doing, we want them to know that their country is going to take care of you,\u201d said Burress<\/p>\n

Learn more<\/strong><\/h2>\n