Meridian children were given a behind-the-scenes look at Meridian Airport on Monday as Meridian City Councilwoman Romande Walker hosted her annual Ward 4 tour.
The annual tour, now in its third year, was started to demystify the airplanes many children of the nearby Western Gardens housing complex saw flying overhead, Walker said.
“So I brought them in and I started doing this tour because I want the children to see what’s going on over here,” she said.
Since then, the event has expanded to include children from other areas of Meridian, as well as adults, to tour the airport facilities, hear from airport staff and learn about the wide array of jobs and careers available through Meridian Airport, Walker said.
“I want somebody to envision enough that, ‘Maybe, I might be able to work here,’” she said.
Tom Williams, president of Meridian Airport Authority, said the airport currently employs approximately 1,300 people serving in a wide variety of roles. An airport, he said, is similar to a small city in the different jobs and services it provides.
Children were able to visit with mechanics from Dean Aircraft Service, talk with helicopter medics from the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s AirCare, see firefighting equipment from Mississippi Air National Guard 186th Air Refueling Wing Fire and Rescue, learn about becoming a pilot and more.
While the event was started for Ward 4, Walker said she invites everyone to take part in the annual tour, learn about Meridian’s airport and see some of the resources the airport provides to the community.
“I don’t exclude any other area,” she said. “If anyone from any of the other wards want to be here, I want them here. I want everybody to be here.”