Thunderbird alumni gives back to community

Mike Hess is the oldest of seven children. As a child he said he used to wonder why people had to die; he knew that life was only the beginning. He was a quiet and shy boy.

“I sometimes got marked absent in school because I was so quiet,” he said.

link Staff photo: D'Nieka Hartsfield

Mike Hess is known for riding his bike around town and collecting cans during his spare time in the Clovis area.

Before he would choose a career path, Hess was an usher at his hometown movie theater. In January 1964, Hess enlisted in the Air Force in aircraft and environmental systems.

“It was interesting work and I got good at it,” he said.

Hess is a Thunderbird alumni and he earned the Thunderbird Airman of the Year award in 1972. He was stationed at Cannon Air Force base in 1984. In 1986, he retired from 22 years of military service as a senior master sergeant. Hess is an avid recycler and enjoys riding his bike around town. He gives back to his community by helping the less fortunate with their needs.

What was your favorite memory of being a Thunderbird?

All the different locations; South America, Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Venezuela to name a few. Because of my devotion I was Thunderbird of the year in 1972. There was a saying about me: If anything was cracked I was the one that found it.

What did you least like about the your military service?

The military thinks they can make all people leaders. After a certain rank, you will become a supervisor. Well, if you’re a great mechanic and become a supervisor than there is a lack in mechanical work, which can be detrimental to the entire unit. You can’t throw a book at everyone and make him or her a leader.

When you were a kid, what did you envision your life being like as an adult?

I though I’d be an artist. I did sketching and sculpturing. I helped my dad build our house growing up. I like to work with woods and building things. My neighbors think there’s nothing I can’t fix.

What do you think about eastern New Mexico?

I like the wide-open spaces. The scenery and environment is nice. But I’ve seen so much waste of water and I’d like the communities to do what they can do to reuse water. For example, water bottles; when people throw them out, the water is wasted. You can simply pour it out on the ground and let it evaporate to become someone else’s rain. I’ve done a lot of articles about water conservation.

What is your favorite song?

I have a number of them. “Last Kiss” by Frank and Cavaliers comes to mind.

Tell us about a happy time?

The happiest is when I got my Thunderbird of the year award. I always thought what can I do to top that. I was in the company of quality people who earned that award.

Who is your favorite entertainer?

Rich Little, Jonathan Winters and Robin Williams. I like to always see Jonathan and Robin’s improv specials. I used to impersonate different voices myself.

What is your favorite TV Show, past and present?

“Rocky and Bullwinkle” and “Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In”... my favorite movies are “Hot Shots” and “Indiana Jones.”

What is your favorite taste?

Chocolate. I used to have three-layer chocolate cake when we had the Golden Corral. Mom thought I was allergic to chocolate but she didn’t realize that I only got sick from it because I ate too much of it. I didn’t get to have any more until I went into the Air Force.

What is your favorite smell?

Lavender and vanilla.

What are your future plans?

I’m still collecting my cans. I will continue to help the community; the single moms in town need a lot of help.

— Compiled by CMI Advertorial/ Editorial Writer D’Nieka Hartsfield