Geibel grad, now a pilot, goes viral for his gratitude

“We knew that he would speak to his passengers before takeoff but never expected so much attention,” said his mother. “We really couldn’t believe what we were seeing and the amount of appreciation. It really made our hearts warm.”

Schuessler is not sure what sparked his interest in flying. 
“I remember getting excited as a child when ‘M*A*S*H’ would come on TV, and seeing the helicopters landing during the opening credits,” he said. “My family helped me keep the spark burning over the years, from trips to the airport to see the planes, to running up to the helipad of the Uniontown Hospital to see Stat MedEvac. Even my teachers at St. John’s stopped disciplining me for jumping up and looking out the window if I would hear the helicopter getting close. It was a collective effort by everyone.”