Stamford High Black Knights Marching Band

In a new feature we offer a profile of a Black Knight alumni - Don Currie, currently serving a three year tour in the United States Airforce.

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An email interview with Don Currie - USAF.

What is your full name?

Donald E Currie III

Graduated year of?

2005

What instrument(s) did you play?

Played the trumpet my freshman year, than switched to tuba/sousaphone for my remaining three years of band.

What did you do right after graduation?

My parents sold their bowling alley on Hamilton Avenue in Stamford. We moved to Arizona in late June of 2005. From there, I had a few part time jobs, which included a car wash and a short order cook. I went into Basic Training for the United States Air Force on December 13th, 2005. I participated in the 6 week struggle throughout my birthday on the 17th of December, Christmas, and New Years, in San Antonio, Texas. From there I went to Witchita Falls, Texas, for technical training, to learn my job. I left early April 2006 and went Home to Arizona to my family for 2 weeks, where then I departed to Tucon, AZ. I now reside on Davis Monthan, AFB.

Where are you now?

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, AZ

Any interesting stories about your new career and life compared to high school and being in the band?

In Basic Training, I was "A Flight Guide". Basically A Flight Guide takes the forward right hand side of the marching block, where everyone has to dress and cover to. The reason that I took that position was mainly because of the marching skills that I aquired during my four years of marching band.

What was the coolest thing you did in the band - please elaborate?

Had to be the Flordia Gator Bowl trip. Definitely a bad week. I've never been to flordia, but seeing 15 bands on the field at the same time all playing together was definitely the coolest thing I've ever been a part of.

What was your biggest take away from being in the band?

Meeting a lot of friends my freshman year was cool, it definitely helped with the nervousness of being a freshman, and helped the year go by fast.

Imagine you are an incoming freshman to Stamford High School - why join the band?

I just love to play music.

And where are you now?

Right now I am an Aircraft Fuels System Mechanic For A-10's and C-130's.

Basically the fuel system in a car is very similar to an airplane. I change pumps, bladder cells (as seen in dirty jobs on the discovery chanel), fuel lines, and do a lot of sealant work (basically a caulk for the plane like on a roof to prevent leaks). I am just about to hit my one year mark, a big milestone for me since this is the first time I've been away from my family and my twin brother, Ryan. So far, I love it. The pay isn't bad, and the benefits are amazing. School is still an option that is still in my mind, and is definitely possible to do while in. For anyone thinking about joining, other than basic training and tech school, the airforce is just like a full time job. After work, you can do whatever you want. I have about 3 years left of my contract. Will I re-enlist? I haven't decided. I will probably know when the opportunity comes to do so.

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Thank you Don. If you'd like to reach out to Don, he can be reached by email through our website (NOTE - you must be a registered user of the Band Website for this feature).

- Webmaster