Bratt Couple’s ‘Doomsday Romance’ Was Born On Top Secret Plane, Knowing One Might Not Survive
February 14, 2018
On Valentine’s Day, a Bratt couple celebrated a “Doomsday romance” born in one of the most secure places on earth, where only one member of the couple might survive as one of the last living people on the planet.
Gary and Kayleen Amerson were married in 1991 after meeting in the Air Force and being assigned to the Boeing E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post, project name “Nightwatch” but more commonly called the Doomsday Planes. If the United States were ever in a nuclear war, the planes would provide a mobile command post for the president, secretary of defense and the nation’s top military leaders. The planes also follow the president as he travels abroad.
The year was 1988, the last year of the Cold War.
Gary was wrapping up a tour at Grissom AFB in Indiana and was anticipating getting out and returning to Bratt to work with his dad. A distracted driver totaled his car and he bought a new SUV, thinking he had a year to pay it off before leaving the Air Force. A military “roll back” (which gave airmen a choice of another four years or an immediate discharge) forced his hand, and he had to re-enlist for another tour. He volunteered to go overseas or to the coast, but was given an unwanted second Midwest assignment to Offutt AFB outside Omaha, NE.
Kayleen was in Iowa, attending her second college taking her third change in major and, on a whim, visited the recruiter, signing on to “any job that flies”. She requested an overseas assignment and instead was assigned to the nearest possible base to her home — at Offutt AFB, NE.
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Both arrived at Offutt in summer of 1989, assigned to the 1850th Airborne Communications Squadron to serve as airborne communications systems operators aboard the E-4B “Doomsday Planes”.
They lived two doors apart in an exclusive flyers’ dorm that allowed for crews to rest around the clock, since flyers didn’t keep regular hours.
Kayleen and Gary flew the same training flights. As 20-somethings, they fell between the old married guys that had been around forever and the new young airmen that were too young to drink.
Kayleen took to hanging out with Gary because the younger airmen were afraid of him and wouldn’t continually ask him to buy them beer, so they would leave her alone if she was with him. By the time they were each assigned to mission teams that fall, they were best friends. They were engaged that spring and married the following year.
“So both of us were in careers we hadn’t planned, assigned to a place neither wanted to go, and landed right where we were meant to be,” Kayleen said.
“One random afternoon I was hanging out in Gary’s room,” she added. “Gary finally got around to asking me if I wanted to go out … like on a date. I agreed, and then not knowing what else to say, left and went back to my own room.
“A few minutes later there was a knock at the door and there stood Gary, saying tentatively ‘I’m here to talk to my old best friend, not my future date.’ I said ok, slightly confused, and he continued in a new, more excited voice, ‘I’ve got a really hot date and I need you to take me shopping for some new clothes!’”
“The mission kept up a 24/7 hot alert, meaning one airplane was always on, keeping in constant communications with other national command centers. The crew of 60 plus, including flight crew, battle staff and communicators, slept in shifts in the ‘alert facility’ right next to the jet and could be airborne in moments in the event of a national emergency.” she said.
Each crew came on duty on Thursday mornings and would stay with the plane until the following Thursday. Gary and Kayleen were on opposite teams after they began to date and after their marriage, so they worked opposite duty shifts with six days together in between. Their eventual honey moon in June 1991 was the longest period of time they had ever spent together.
They spent hours on the phone when the other was away.
“We learned to live in sound bites. We had to fit everything into a weekend that a normal couple would handle in a month. We had been talking about eventually getting married for a while, which for us was probably weeks. I knew when he got the rings but he hadn’t asked me yet,” she said. “It was a night before he was scheduled to leave and I was doing my darndest to get him to propose before he left because I absolutely did not want to wait another two weeks before our next conversation. I kept trying to maneuver us into what I considered romantic settings to set him up to propose but it turns out he already had a plan, and all my maneuvering kept getting me further and further from the target.”
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Many, many nights, the one not on alert would bring dinner and after the office cleared out for the night create a picnic in the crew lounge. They knew that the one on alert could be called at any time and have to dash out without so much as a goodbye kiss.
“We spent more time together in that building than at home for the first years of our marriage,” she said.
“We watched the first invasion of Iraq sitting on the floor in the lounge listening to Wolf Blitzer on CNN. We watched the Branch Dividian saga unfold and Ruby Ridge shortly thereafter. One of us was on alert when the first reports came in of the relatively unsuccessful car bomb attempt at the World Trade Center when no one knew the name bin Laden. Gary was in Japan following President George H.W. Bush when the president choked at a state dinner, and those of us back home wondered if we’d be scrambling a backup jet to get to a successor. We watched all the big events of the world through the lens of always anticipating a presidential catastrophe or bolt out of the blue.”
They also knew that in the event of an all-out nuclear war, their marriage would die. Literally.
“Gary and I were on separate teams, so only one of us would survive,” Kayleen said.
“Once, I was on shift on the plane and we had an alert for an inbound missile that would impact the United States,” she said. “We ran through the protocol, called the Pentagon, they reacted and we launched. The whole time I’m thinking ‘yeah me, I get to survive because Gary is at home’.” It turned out to be a false alarm.
“We understood each other’s stress, so it was a natural outlet,” Gary remarked.
The Amersons spent their first years of marriage at Offutt when they were reassigned to Andrews Air Force Base. Gary to the 99th Airlift Squadron, Kayleen to the 1st Airlift Squadron — same mission, different planes to fly the nation’s top leaders — the vice president, secretary of state, secretary of defense, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the First Lady.
“There our relationship was largely passing glances and radio calls from different continents,” Kayleen said of their time at Andrews AFB.
Major holidays, like Christmas and Valentine’s, stand out in Kayleen’s memory because they would often be apart. “I would plan ahead and hide things in the house, like 12 different notes for the 12 days of Christmas.”
Kayleen quit flying in 1997 to start a family and work at NSA. They spent 1999-2000 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, went back to Offutt in Nebraska in 2003 and Scott Air Force Base in Illinois until retirement at the end of the decade. Kayleen had the only deployment, to Qater in 2005-2006.
And now they are back in Bratt.
“We used our wedding money in 1991, still at Offutt, to buy the land we currently live on. Bratt was always the plan.”
Both currently commute together for three hours a day, working as cybersecurity consultants supporting the U.S. Navy.
“We have always worked together or in similar, connected jobs,” he said. “There were no secrets between us; we knew the same things. If one of us had been a civilian, there would be things I could not tell her about work.”
“God meant for us to be together. Gary is the only person in the world I am able to stand to be around all the time. We just fit,” she said.
“It’s like the Garth Brooks song Unanswered Prayers,” he said. “God decided that we were meant to be together.”
“It is true that the whole idea of mutually assured destruction was a very real fact for us on a daily basis. So you just create the best forever that you can for however long as you get. We got lucky and got the forever after,” Kayleen said.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dining Sites Provide A Good Meal, And A Good Smile For Seniors
February 12, 2018
Century seniors leave the Council on Aging of West Florida’s dining site with more than a hot meal — they usually leave with a smile.
“The program provides them a hot meal that I serve,” said Deborah Williams, the Century site manager as she prepared plates of beef stew, rice and broccoli. “And I always give them a smile. People just need a smile sometimes.”
The senior dining site program is a neighborhood-based program offering nutritious meals, activities and socialization for seniors age 60 and older. Council on Aging operates nearly 20 dining sites in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties including sites in Cantonment, Century, Jay and Chumuckla.
The Century senior dining site on Industrial Boulevard current serves about 10 clients Williams said, but there’s room for about 40. Attendance has dwindled for the Century program, she said, due to a lack of adequate transportation in Century.
A donation of $2 or more per person is recommended, but it is not mandatory. Donations are returned to the senior dining site program to support the provision of meals and activities at the sites.
Along with the sites often offer fun and mentally-stimulating activities. Common activities include puzzles, word games, field trips, guest speakers and bingo.
“I take them on field trips sometimes,” Williams said. “We’ll go to the Golden Corral, go by the doctor’s office or go shopping. It just does them good to get out.”
“It keeps them smiling.”
Individuals interested in participating in the senior dining site program or getting loved ones involved, should call Council on Aging of West Florida at (850) 432-1475 or visit www.coawfla.org for more information.
Pictured top: Deborah Williams, manager of the Council on Aging of West Florida’s senior dining site in Century. Pictured inset and below: Seniors enjoy lunch at the senior dining site in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Good Times Roll With Pensacola Mardi Gras Parade (With Gallery)
February 11, 2018
The Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade rolled through the streets of downtown Saturday before a crowd of tens of thousands.
For a photo gallery click here.
Photos courtesy City of Pensacola for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Students Celebrate 100th Day Of School
February 11, 2018
Bratt Elementary School recently celebrated the 100th day of school with activities that included dressing up as 100-year olds. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: A Rainy Day At The Pipes
February 11, 2018
Pictured is the view looking from The Pipes back toward Old Bridge Road near Cantonment on a rainy Saturday afternoon.
The Pipes is a Northwest Florida Water Management District day-use area that offers a picnic table, pedestal grill, portable toilet, and canoe/kayak launch on the Perdido River. The public area does not allow ATV’s or alcoholic beverage use.
Photo by Jared Sigler for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Don’t Stop Working For It: Winter Olympian Is From Northwest Florida
February 10, 2018
Update 2/21: Mia Mangenello and her speed skating team won the bronze medal in team pursuit, the first medal for U.S. women’s speed skating in 16 years.
Don’t stop working for it is the mantra of a Winter Olympian from Northwest Florida.
Speed skater Mia Mangenello, 28, was born in Fort Walton Beach and later lived in Crestview.
Mangenello’s parents opened Mia’s Italian Restaurant in Crestview and named it after her before selling it. Mia worked there growing up. They later opened Dominic’s Pizzeria in Valparaiso (it’s named for her dad). To this day, she still eats pizza to unwind after competitions.
“As a young child I quickly discovered my talent with inline skating and began to excel in the sport. When inline skating gave way to speed skating, I realized my life passion. With the abundant support of my family, we moved to Salt Lake City, UT, so I could train and pursue an Olympic dream,” she said.
After the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics inspired Manganello to switch from inline roller skating to speed skating, the then-13-year-old and her family made the move from Crestview.
In 2010, however, Manganello missed earning a spot on the U.S. team for the Vancouver Olympics and decided to step off the ice.
“I discovered a new love — competitive cycling,” she said.
She spent the next six years competing in cycling, believing that her speed skating days were over.
“In the winter of 2015, after a long break and a visit back to Salt Lake, the ice called once again. I competed in my first speed skate events in six years, ” Manganello said.
Her comeback was solidified when she claimed three titles at the 2017 U.S. Championships: the 1500m, 5000m and 3000m, which she won with a time that matched the American record. She was a member of the U.S. team at the 2017 World Single Distance Championships, where she finished 13th in the 3000m and 14th in the 1500m.
“Never stop dreaming,” she said online from Gangneung Ice Arena in South Korea. “They really do come true.”
Pictured top: Olympian Mia Mangenello is a Northwest Florida native. Pictured inset: Mangenello sports the official U.S. Olympic team’s official apparel. Pictured below: Mia Mangenello with her parents outside the restaurant in Crestviwe that bears her name. Courtesy photos for NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Names Valentine’s Court
February 10, 2018
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Valentine’s Dance Friday night, naming a queen and her court based upon student votes.
King Noah Harigel and Queen Shelby Rice reigned over the dance, along with their court: Sixth Grade Knight Bentley Van Pelt, Sixth Grade Maiden Carsyn Dortch, Seventh Grade Knight Kaden Odom and Seventh Grade Elianna Morales.
Pictured top: King Noah Harigel and Queen Shelby Rice. Pictured below: Seventh Grade Knight Kaden Odom and Seventh Grade Elianna Morales. Pictured bottom: Sixth Grade Knight Bentley Van Pelt, Sixth Grade Maiden Carsyn Dortch. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia 4-H Kids Really Know Their Bugs; Team Places Second In State
February 10, 2018
The Escambia County Junior 4-H Insect ID and Skill-a-Thon team really knows their bugs — the team place second in the recent Florida 4-H Insect-a-Thon contest at the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida.
The Skill-a-Thon consisted of insect identification, insect damage matching, a pollinators test, and adult/juvenile insect identification. In addition to the second place junior team (ages 8-10), intermediate (ages 11-13) and senior (ages 14+) teams from Escambia 4-H also competed.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
February 8, 2018
Jim Allen Elementary School has named Students of the Month for January. They are Joshua List (left) and Kinzy Cutler. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Releases Latest Honor Roll
February 8, 2018
The following students were named to the second nine weeks honor roll at Bratt Elementary School:
Kindergarten Honor Roll
Waylon Bell
Rex Brown
Bailey Campbell
Jonah Carter
Sarah Jane Classen
David Daniel
Zoey Davidson
Ella Grace Diller
Amanuel Dubose
Linley Dunn
Brooklynne Fountain
Audrey Franklin
Cameron Gipson
Tucker Hare
Braylie Harrison
Riverly Heathcock
Kalli Ikner
Zoe Jantz
Rylan Johnson
Jonathan Kaul
Ivyonna Knight
Trevor Knighten
Brantley Laborde
Landon Lee
Jadon Long
Bentley Lowery
Madalynn Lowery
Makyla Mason
Freddie McCall
Brylynn McGhee
Shaleria Mitchell
McKenzie Norton
Dalton Perdue
Brylee Peters
Kailah Pompa
Bentley Rice
Aric Rolin
Chayton Rolin
Anniston Salter
Sawyer Sandoval
Samuel Sandoval
Calee Satterwhite
Houston Smith
Emma Southard
Makiah Spates
Bella Walker
Angel Whisenton
First Grade A Honor Roll
Alexis Amerson
Alexa Beasley
Jaxon Byrd
Addison Carpenter
Harmony Cruz
Carson Eady
Aubrey Flowers
Pryce Flowers
Josyah Fontenot
Olivia Garrett
Nathan Gilmore
Kyndal Hadley
Mason Helton
Sophia Ikner
Maybree Johnson
Jeremy Lisenby
Noah Luker
Keylashia Randle
Caden Sanspree
James Thompson
Javan Thompson
Kinley White
First Grade A-B Honor Roll
Eric Anthony
Sadie Baker
Nola Barber
Jerrilynn Barlow
Abigail Brown
Payton Coon
Kintley Flowers
Christian Fountain
Jepp Godwin
Alexa Hardy
Autumn Heist
Denis Lambeth
Parker Marsh
Mya McCants
Briley Moore
Demeatree Moorer
Jonathan Patrick
Layla Pettway
Jade Presley
Madison Rice
Jamileon Syria
Brooklyn Turk
Mi’Kavion White
Dillon Wiggins
Second Grade A Honor Roll
Govan Alexander
Landon Allcock
Jack Carpenter
Logan Diller
Sawyer Gilmore
Brody Hall
Camden Jacobson
John McAnally
Hunter Parker
Kain Pompa
Christian Roberts
Makinzi Roley
Lani Steadham
Kaylee Wilson
Second Grade A-B Honor Roll
Tyler Amerson
Eli Anthony
Kasei Barlow
Gabrielle Boatwright
Jamarreai Davison
Braxton Dinc
Jacob Dove
O’Neshia DuBose
Brayden Faircloth
Zachary Flowers
Parker Ganey
Emmalee Grimes
Anthony Johnson
Evelyn Jones
M’kenzie Mcghee
Mya Pettway
Madalynn Pittman
Brooklyn Reynolds
Jackson Sellers
Breah Shelly
Adalynn Southard
Noah Spence
Wyatt Spence
Cassandra Stilwell
Kameryn Thompson
Third Grade A Honor Roll
Montgomery Baker
Amara Campbell
Christian Caraway
Jacobi Dougall
Annberly Dunn
Jad’Quie Evans
Hayden Gipson
Cathryn Greenwood
Laila Hadley
Presley Johnson
Kylee Langham
Kaylee Long
Savannah Lowry
Mikayla McAnally
Dakota Richardson
Avery Stuckey
Third Grade A-B Honor Roll
William Classen
Caley Daharsh
Crimson Davis
Carlie Davis
Kylar Davis
Thomas Davis
Nolan Eady
Lori Hall
Jackson Helton
Dallas Kelson
Khloe Mason
Logan Morris
Makayla Plato
Anna Claire Sanspree
Miles Smith
Jake Taylor
Raleigh Warr
Jason Wiggins
Cobie Wiggins
Melissa Wilson
Fourth Grade A Honor Roll
Desiray Bagwell
Jackson Bridges
Addison Classen
Tristan Crumm
Samantha Minchew
Jackson Simmons
Fourth Grade A-B Honor Roll
Lauren Abbott
Ellie Adkins
Claire Amerson
Wade Bailey
Bailey Blackwell
Karissa Boatwright
Nevaeh Bush
Luke Chavers
Aakira Davis
Jordan Dawson
John Glenn
Talise Gregson
Joseph Hardenbrook
William Heard
Tristan Johnson
LanDon Johnson
Jessica Jowers
Keeli Knighten
Carley Moore
Christopher Odom
Braylan Shelly
Brayden Smith
Maggie Stewart
Mya Wilson
Fifth Grade A Honor Roll
Ashton Covan
Colton Criswell
JaCee Dortch
Jaylin Evans
Jamison Gilman
Mary Catherine Hughes
Laura Laborde
Colby Pugh
Ally Richardson
Maggie Scott
Zakyla Smith
Fifth Grade A-B Honor Roll
Ayden Atallah
Kinslee Coker
Beau Daw
Noah Faulkner
Aliyah Fountain
Landon Hawthorne
Ja’Marrion Hooks
Taliyah Johnson
Kamryn Langham
Kaitlin Lloyd
Michael McGhee
Anthony Miller
Adannaya Mondaca
Breanna Sanspree
Daygen Slate
Bryce Stabler
Brayson White
Jayden White