Foil: 54 Panel: 2 Column: 1 Line: 11

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:
Kassandra Maier

From a young age, Scott Rider loved all things airplanes. He was enamored with the Apollo missions, the Space Shuttles, the International Space Station, and everything related to air & space. This was a love he shared with his father, George Rider, who served in the Army and loved old Bombers & Fighter aircraft. Together, they introduced this passion to their family, including Scott’s nephews and his daughter.

Summer trips to nearby airshows was a regular occurrence, visiting all airshows within a couple hours drive of their hometown, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Sure, the airplanes were impressive & loud & just “plane” cool, but it was the family time spent together that made these days so memorable. Jokes and laughter flowed like water, and it was always a carefree, fun time. Specifically, it was also where I discovered what I wanted to do when I grew up, as did my cousins Josh & Matt Dolley. Seeing the Airmen in flight suits, walking around the airshow knowing every little thing about their airplane seemed like the coolest job in the world. It was there that I decided I was going to join the Air Force right after high school. And it was only because of my dad that I got there. He fought for me when I thought there was no way I could do it, he supported me unlike any other person in the world, and he worked his butt off to make sure his family had everything we needed.

He worked third shift in a factory for 44 years, but never missed a family event, be it my basketball game, a family holiday, or any other important event. But on special days, when he got off work in the morning, he would keep me home from school and we would spend the day together doing something fun. We watched every Space Shuttle launch and he would fly me around the living room like I was the Shuttle. We made day trips to DC to visit both the Air & Space on the National Mall and the Udvar-Hazy. In fact, we were there for its opening week. I think I may be one of the only people in the DMV area who refers to the museum as the Udvar-Hazy and not just “the one out by Dulles” because of how often my dad talked about it. We also went to the planetarium in NYC when it opened, and toured the Intrepid to see the Shuttle.

I can’t think of a better person to have his name inscribed as “Dedicated to All Those Who Share a Passion for Flight”. Not only does he have that passion, but he shared that passion with the children in his family, and that passion has undeniably made each of our lives richer. The Air Force has given us so much and without Scott Rider, we probably wouldn’t have found it. So thank you, Dad; for everything you’ve done for me, for everything you continue to do for me, and for everything still to come. I love you.