Looking for more SAR training?  Click here for the Civil Air Patrol emergency services training manuals.

Following the ceremony, the cadets will stand guard for the rest of the day, regardless of the weather, ensuring that the wreath remains upright and unharmed. Similar to the path taken by the Old Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, cadets march back and forth in front of the wreath, taking 21 steps on each pass, and pausing 21 seconds before turning to begin the next. In the military tradition, the 21 steps and 21 seconds symbolize the 21 gun salute used to honor fallen heroes. For each cadet it is an honor, the highest privilege, to be able to pay tribute to America’s soldiers in this fashion. The men and women of the Armed Forces who fought and died did so to protect the freedom of all Americans.

So what would make 15 or so cadets, ages 12-19, stand out in the cold or rain or sunshine guarding a wreath? It is because remembering and honoring America’s military heroes is what the Civil Air Patrol Honor Guard is all about.

We’re approaching the Thanksgiving holiday. We should take the time to reflect on how with the help of CAP members, we managed to get things accomplished during the past year.

Maybe there was a time or two when we needed help from a fellow CAP members in one way or another. Yes, there may have been a time or two when we needed support to drive officers or cadets to and from a CAP activity, maybe the time when we needed assistance in providing some type of training, maybe we needed some type of help for a conference or for paperwork that needed to get done. Maybe someone thought to bring us a food and water when we were busy holding a meeting or when we were out on the flight line, working on a team project at encampment. Maybe we needed assistance to explain something we couldn’t figure out like an online process.

There are many members who take time to teach us how to do things. They go out of their way to get us something we need for a project. Then there are those follow CAP members who show their support by having a shoulder to cry on or those few words of kindness by saying they are available to talk to us or do something for us when we have a family emergency or crisis.

MER CAP Drug Demand Reduction team wants everyone to enjoy the holidays but be cautious and remember safety first. Be careful with over the counter drugs and prescription drugs that many of us may take. Be careful with inhalants such as fuel for the airplanes and vehicles, glues, cleaning products, any strange smells that may cause one to feel ill (lightheaded or nauseated). Be careful when going out to parties, remember to watch when your drink is being poured into a glass and watch those open bottles. You just don’t know what may ended up in your drink. Remember to drink responsibly, don’t drink and drive. If you don’t feel comfortable driving or with a the person who’s suppose to drive you or your friends home, call someone you trust to take you or call a taxi.

Let’s be thankful this Thanksgiving for the support we all receive from our CAP fellow members. Let’s remember to thank our families for allowing us to give up time with them for the time we spend on CAP. Let’s remember to be careful and responsible in whatever we may do during Thanksgiving week and all throughout the holidays.

Thank you for everything you do for your fellow CAP members, their families and for the CAP organization.

Happy Thanksgiving

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The Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office announced that the pilot, Andrew Lindberg, died in the crash. Over the course of 4 days nearly 400 Civil Air Patrol Members from Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota wings, including ground team members and pilots, were involved in the search. They used 18 CAP aircraft in the search for the missing aircraft that was flying from Air Lake Airport to Hallock last Friday night. Also included in the search was the state and DNR helicopters.

CAP was alerted of the missing aircraft early morning of November 14th by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Tyndall AFB, Fla.

CAP air and ground crews from all parts of Minnesota Wing joined CAP members from Fargo and Grand Forks, N.D., and Sioux Falls, S.D., in the search. The site is being secured by the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office and the circumstances of the crash will be investigated by the FAA and NTSB.

This training is crucial if your squadron is fielding a color guard team in order to participate in local/community events or if you have formed a color guard to participate at the cadet competition.  All aspects of color guard performance will be addressed at this and future training sessions.   This is an excellent opportunity to be trained by the very best — the United States Air Force Honor Guard!   

Show for practice this Saturday is 0830, and you will receive the best training available!  Everyone in the wing is welcome, regardless of grade.  Seniors (Officers) are highly encouraged to attend as well!

Practice is this Saturday; please sign-up below by Thursday evening, 19 Nov 09.

• What: NatCap Wing Color Guard Training
• When: Saturday, 21 Nov 09, 0830-1400
• Where: Bolling AFB (Air Force Honor Guard Facilities; Ceremonial Hall)
• Uniform:  BDUs
• Signup: Use the online form below.

***Bring cadet books (leadership & aerospace books), paper, pen/pencil and money for lunch!

The CAP-Wreaths Across America partnership delivers a powerful message about patriotism, sacrifice and service.  It’s a perfect way to involve your unit’s membership in a common cause, to make CAP known within your community and to honor veterans across the nation.  And it’s so simple to accomplish.  Just register your CAP unit at the Wreaths Across America Web site at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/fundraiser.html. 

Following directions posted there, the next step is to sell the wreaths at $15 a piece, $5 of which will be returned to your unit.  All wreaths are shipped from the Worcester Wreath Co. in Maine, which originated the program in 1992 as the Arlington National Cemetery wreath project.  After taking orders for the wreaths and collecting payment, members of your unit will be responsible for placing the wreaths Saturday, Dec 12.

Wreaths Across America has grown in scope and popularity. Major wreath-laying ceremonies will be held this year throughout the country and around the world. Please don’t miss out on this opportunity to be a part of such a global endeavor.  National Capital Wing will assist laying wreaths at Arlington Dec 12.

Lt Col Davies spoke about his experiences at the Pentagon during the 9/11 terrorist attack. He served on the Army staff during the attack and is a recipient of the Solder’s Medal for his actions that day. His directorate lost 26 individuals when the plane stuck the Pentagon.

In 1977, the Gen Curtis E. LeMay Cadet Squadron had been deactivated and what remained had been stored at Connecticut Wing headquarters, including the unit flag. Chance brought the flag out of storage and to the attention of Capt Arthur Dammers, also a former cadet of the squadron, who was tracking down former members of the unit, including Col Davies (then a cadet). Shortly after, Capt Dammers learned that it was Col Davies who had handcrafted the unit flag for the Gen Curtis E. LeMay Cadet Squadron when she was 16 as a cadet in the squadron. She last saw the flag in 1975.

Later in the evening a special presentation was made by Connecticut Wing Commander Col Peter Jensen to Col Jane Davies, former commander of National Capital Wing, and after 34 years the flag was returned to her.