Kadena High School thanks 'Sarge' for 50 years of AF service

  • Published
  • By Jeremiah Ishikawa
  • Kadena High School
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Retired Senior Master Sgt. David Weissgerber has been affiliated with the U.S. Air Force for 50 years, in roles ranging from an active duty radio technician to his current position as the Junior ROTC instructor at Kadena High School. "Sarge," as students and faculty affectionately call Weissgerber, has served as the backbone of Kadena's Junior ROTC program and has influenced thousands of cadets as they have passed through the school.

Weissgerber enlisted in the Air Force in 1962 as a radio technician and, after eight years in this field, began working with munitions and building bombs. Of his active duty service 17 years was spent on Okinawa, until he retired in 1985. Upon retirement, he accepted a job as a Junior ROTC instructor in Florida where he stayed for six years until accepting his current position, 19 years ago, as the instructor for Kadena High School.

"Sarge has taught me everything I know about flight and the military," said Khalil Belden, senior Kadena High School. "He really cares about the students, and the program."

Through his role as the instructor, Weissgerber teaches the flight and space classes which are a requirement for all second, and third, year cadets.

"When he's teaching space, he changes his entire classroom and puts up photos of space everywhere. And he always goes (in-depth) when he's teaching," Belden added. "He doesn't just tell you something and expect you to automatically understand it; he will explain it from different angles and will answer questions until he's sure everyone gets it."

Weissgerber's dedication extends far beyond the classroom and the end of the school day. His weekends, plus a big portion of his summer, are committed to program activities. Programs include coordinating and overseeing events such as repelling trips, cemetery clean ups in Naha, camping trips and beach clean ups at Okuma and the Summer Leadership School.

"He does anything and everything we could ask for, and then he does more," said Terry Gibson, Kadena High School Principal. "We are so lucky to have him on board."

Using his vast knowledge of Okinawa and World War II, Weissgerber created a tour to share his knowledge, of the island, with not only his cadets, but other people as well.

"(Students) need to know why they are here and why their parents are still working to keep this island and its people safe," Weissgerber said.

The tour visits major battle sites to teach the next generation about the Battle of Okinawa. Sarah McKinney, a teacher at Kadena, takes her 10th-grade Honors World Literature class on the tour each year as they study the history of World War II.

"The tour has been very successful, and it would not be possible without Sarge and his knowledge about Okinawa during World War II," McKinney said.

Like his days in the Air Force, Weissgerber continues to serve the military community, just in a different way.