Chandler P. Seagraves is definitely flying high these days. And from where he sits, there’s nothing but blue skies ahead. “You might say I was born to do this, but I certainly fought it for a long time,” he admits. “I think you have it in your blood, and once the flying bug bit me, I felt like I could be unstoppable.” Ultimately, Seagraves followed his calling. Today he has the distinction of being Mississippi State University’s first alumnus to become part of the elite Blue Angels Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron. Catching up with Seagraves, the team’s events coordinator, is no easy feat. Fortunately, he was recently in Mississippi gearing up for the 2004 Wings Over Meridian air show at the Meridian Naval Air Station. Amidst the crowd of enthralled air show enthusiasts, Naval and Marine personnel and a group of Seagraves’ junior high school pals, it was clear that this “hometown” boy, known as “C.P.,” was genuinely pleased to combine a lot of
“For the 45 minutes those pilots are actually up in the air–that’s the hardest job–but the rest of the time, I think my job is the most complex because of all the preparation that goes into pulling off a successful air show. We’re just regular aviators who have volunteered to do this, and we’re having the time of our lives.”
hard work with a little pleasure on a sunny Saturday afternoon. It marked his first trip to Meridian following a 12-year absence. Seagraves is one of a group of 16 officers and 110 maintenance personnel who travel with the air shows that feature
Mississippi, and Japan. The younger Seagraves never thought that was the life
six blue-and-gold Navy F/A-18 Hornets performing maneuvers
for him. In fact, he wanted to be a veterinarian. It was the
at 500 miles per hour that often put them as close as 18
promise of adventure and an overwhelming sense of patriot-
inches apart. The Blue Angels were formed in 1946, just
ism that eventually sent him to become an officer in the
after World War II, to showcase the United States’ aviation
Marines.
superiority. Their mission is to enhance Navy and Marine Corps recruiting and serve as goodwill ambassadors.
When Seagraves was growing up, his dad was assigned to the Meridian base as a flight instructor. It was this partic-
Last season, more than 17 million persons attended the
ular tour of duty that gave his son Chandler a place to finally
air shows, with Seagraves at the helm. For the Blue Angels
put down some roots. Since the younger Seagraves was able
team, it’s a grueling slate of shows and endless practice
to spend the fifth through ninth grade at Southeast
sessions. That’s why a tour of duty for the coordinator only
Lauderdale School, he formed several lifelong friendships.
lasts two years. “For the 45 minutes those pilots are actually up in the air–that’s the hardest job–but the rest of the time, I think my
“For a while at least, I wasn’t referred to as the new kid in school,” he said. Seagraves credits his father and his mother, a homemaker,
job is the most complex because of all the preparation that
for providing him with strong values. Another guiding hand
goes into pulling off a successful air show,” he said. “We’re
was lent by family friend, Meridian native and MSU alumnus
just regular aviators who have volunteered to do this, and
Richard Armstrong, a retired Marine colonel who now serves
we’re having the time of our lives.”
as executive director of the MSU Foundation. Armstrong
Seagraves, a Quantico, Va., native, grew up around flying wherever his father was stationed during the 20 years he
served in the Marines with Chandler’s father. “Colonel Armstrong made a lot of time for me growing
spent as a Marine pilot. The family shuttled between North
up,” he said. “And every time I’ve needed his advice, he’s
Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Virginia, California,
always been there.”
story by amy cagle | photos provided by the blue angels and paula merritt of the meridian star
A Summer 2004
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