Shawn Sattazahn, a Western Kentucky University ROTC student, describes parachuting from an aircraft at 14,000 feet as “the most liberating experience I’ve ever had in my life.” 

“It’s just continuing on with the family tradition,” said Sattazahn, a Russellville freshman born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy. 

Sattazahn took the leap Nov. 13 in Tullahoma, Tenn. The next day, Lt. Col. Thomas MacMillin pinned silver parachutist wings on Sattazahn’s uniform. WKU’s Department of Military Science worked with the 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment to induct Sattazahn as an honorary member of the U.S. Army’s airborne community. 

Sattazahn’s family has roots in the airborne community, including the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell and the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Del Din, Italy. As an MS Level 2 in WKU’s Military Science program, Sattazahn said he feels at home. He enjoys the camaraderie and said those around him see past his disability and see him for the person he really is. 

“There’s never a moment when he’s not smiling,” said Michael Bryar, a Louisville junior and MS Level 3 in the program. 

Bryar said no one in the program wants to be there more than Sattazahn. He described Sattazahn as a source of motivation for other students in the program and that “he’s just one of those people where he’ll talk to anyone.” 

As a group of WKU ROTC students called out cadences and marched to Gary Ransdell Hall for an award ceremony Thursday, Sattazahn was among them. One by one, program students received awards, many of which were playful – one recognized a student for having no sideburns. 

The final award was called the Jump Master Award. Sattazahn said he was shocked and amazed to receive the honor. 

“It’s a very prestigious honor to have that award because it represents part of the U.S. military as well,” he said following the ceremony. 

Capt. Colin Bair is an instructor with WKU ROTC and described Sattazahn as someone who speaks his mind. 

“He’s intelligent, he’s adaptable and he picks up really easily on team dynamics,” he said, adding that he always finds a way to make sure his voice is heard and is well-received.

Taylor Hansen, a Chicago senior and an MS Level 4, teaches tactics and has helped Sattazahn with classwork. 

“He’s very adventurous,” she said. “He wants to learn.” 

Hansen said she’s seen a difference in Sattazahn’s development of his “commanding voice,” which is used to give directions to any sized unit. She’s also learned from him.

“He’s taught me to have a lot of patience,” she said, adding that she can be grump at times. “He’s taught me to smile a little more too.” 

Hansen described watching Sattazahn earn his silver wings as an emotional moment. He’s challenged other’s expectations, she said. 

“He’s taught a lot of people especially to have an open mind,” she said. 

— Follow Daily News WKU, county schools and general assignment reporter Aaron Mudd on Twitter at twitter.com/aaron_muddbgdn or visit bgdailynews.com.