Official websites use .mil
Secure .mil websites use HTTPS
The goal of the Pilot for a Day program is to provide children, who have serious or chronic conditions, and their families with the opportunity to be a guest of the 355th Fighter Wing and one of D-M's squadrons for a day. The program strives to give each child a special day as an honorary pilot and a break from the challenges they face. Children are selected for the program by certified Child Life Specialists at local children's hospitals. Participants battle a variety of illnesses and diseases, to include "terminal" illnesses. For many children with severe, but not "terminal" illnesses, the Pilot for a Day Program is a significant milestone in their recovery. Local media representatives are invited to cover Pilot for a Day events to promote public education, community awareness and community involvement. Each honorary pilot leaves D-M with patches, souvenirs and memories to help sustain them in the face of their personal challenges.