National News

The winning team,  flanked by Lt. Col. Paul J. Ballmer (left), New Mexico Wing director of cadet programs, and Col. Richard F. Himebrook, wing commander – (from left) Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Tabitha Romero, commander; Cadet Staff Sgt. Haleigh Ferguson; Cadet Airmen 1st Class Jordon Hill and Sean Kilbane;  Cadet Master Sgt. V. James Clark, alternate; and Cadet Tech. Sgt. Allen Gallegos, coaching aide.

Photo by Lt. Col. Jay T. Tourtel


Lt. Col. Jay T. Tourtel
Public Affairs Officer
Eagle Cadet Squadron
New Mexico Wing

NEW MEXICO WING -- Amid keen competition, the Rio Rancho Falcon Composite Squadron swept nearly every team and individual award to win the 2009 New Mexico Wing Cadet Color Guard Competition, held Oct. 23-24 at Kirtland Air Force Base.
 
The color guard, commanded by Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Tabitha Romero, not only placed first but also won team awards for best overall mile run, in-ranks inspection, indoor and outdoor practical drill and standard drill. 

In addition, the Fleet Foot Award -- for the fastest individual mile run -- was presented to Cadet Staff Sgt. Haleigh Ferguson in the female category and Cadet Airman 1st Class Jordon Hill in the male category.

The squadron competed against four other units – the Las Cruces Composite Squadron, which came in second; the High Desert Composite Squadron; and two teams from the St. Therese Middle School Cadet Squadron, a School Enrichment Program unit.

Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Corey Newman of the High Desert squadron won the individual award for top written exam score. Cadet Staff Sgt. Emilia Apodaca of St. Therese Middle School Squadron Team 2 was honored as Top Overall Cadet.

The Hardest Working Team Award was presented to St. Therese Middle School Squadron Team 1, which showed extraordinary heart and spirit for a unit composed almost entirely of cadet airmen.

 All five units were honored at an awards ceremony presided over by Lt. Col. Paul J. Ballmer, New Mexico Wing director of cadet programs.  Before presenting the awards, Ballmer thanked the cadets and their parents for participating, saying their presence made this year’s competition an unprecedented success.

“Out of five teams, there can only be one winner, but as far as I’m concerned, you’re all winners,” he told the cadets.

The awards were presented by Col. Richard F. Himebrook, wing Commander. 

The Falcon Composite Squadron won't have far to travel to represent the New Mexico Wing at the Southwest Region Cadet Color Guard Competition, which will be held in Albuquerque during the spring of 2010.
 

(1)
Cadet Senior Airman John Haney and Capt. Lisa Johnson discover that a German-style frankfurter is far more than an ordinary hot dog.

(2)   
Cadets gather around the beverage station.

(3)
Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Alejandro Lopez guides traffic.

(4)
Lt. Col. Robert Masiker, Lantana Cadet Squadron commander, and Ralf G. Bahr of the American German Club of the Palm Beaches.

(5)
A couple of cadets wait to sample some of the Oktoberfest wares.

(Photos by 1st Lt. Athina Holmes)


1st Lt. Athina Holmes
Public Affairs Officer
Lantana Cadet Squadron
Florida Wing
 
FLORIDA -- Willkommen to Oktoberfest!

Lantana Cadet Squadron members heard that greeting more than once during the annual celebration of German culture, traditions and customs at the American German Club of the Palm Beaches.

The club, which has staged the festive tradition since 1967, added a new wrinkle recently by granting Lantana cadets permission to handle all event parking – this year, more than 800 vehicles.

The club also made a generous donation to the squadron for the service.
 
Ralf G. Bahr, the club’s communications director and member of the board of directors, talked with Lt. Col. Robert Masiker, Lantana squadron commander, about the importance of the squadron’s performance in keeping the heavy parking situation under control. Cadets worked alongside the Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies to maintain a steady flow of traffic.

Each year cadets work diligently in making sure Oktoberfest parking proceeds without incident.
 
Although the cadets pride themselves on the outstanding service they provide, they also know how to join in on the festivities. During breaks, they had the opportunity to explore such German foods like bratwursts and frankfurters, kartoffelsalat (German potato salad), spätzle (a noodle dish), specialty pastries and much more.

The event also featured cultural attire, kiddie amusement rides and games, a host of craft vendors, live music, cultural performances and the traditional chicken dance.

The list of the 2010 National Cadet Special Activities are up on the new website, ncsas.com!  NCSAS provide several unique events every year in leadership and officer development, career orientation and technology.

You can now view each event description by clicking on the activity name; additional information (including activity costs) will be added as we get closer to the Registration, Approval, Slotting, and Payment portions of the process.  Check out the Important Dates link to see the timeline for NCSAS.  Instructions for how to apply (cadets and senior members) are under the Instructions tab.

Comments are allowed and you are welcome to leave feedback about our new site but our blog is not a platform for answering individual questions.  If you have a question, please email cadets@capnhq.gov.
 

Two of the Puerto Rico Wing aircrew’s aerial images after the Oct. 23 gasoline refinery explosion outside San Juan.


Maj. Edgardo Barreto
Legal Officer
Puerto Rico Wing

PUERTO RICO – A Puerto Rico Wing aircrew took to the skies to provide aerial photos after 15 fuel tanks exploded at an oil refinery early Oct. 23, rocking the entire San Juan metropolitan area with what residents first mistook for tremors from an earthquake.

The huge cloud of black smoke from the explosion at the Caribbean Petroleum Corp. plant in Bayamon rose to 20,000 feet, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a temporary flight restriction affecting commercial traffic routes and general aviation.

Within hours of the explosion and with special permission to fly into the area, 1st Lt. Frank Matias, mission pilot for the Muniz Air National Guard Squadron, and Maj. Waldemar Figueroa,  Puerto Rico Wing disaster relief officer and mission observer, teamed up to take more than 90 photos of the site.
The images were delivered to the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency.

Civil Air Patrol was the only participating agency that flew a photo reconnaissance mission in the explosion’s aftermath.

Cadet Staff Sgt. Samuel Walker helps a young visitor apply air in motion with a Ghostblaster.
 
(From left) Cadet Airman Basic Nate Watkins, Cadet Airman 1st Class Eric Arnesen, Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Caleb Schneider and Cadet Staff Sgt. Samuel Walker take a break during the Ghostblasters activity.

Photos by Senior Member Liz Hamm
 

Capt. Christopher Colvin
Public Affairs Officer
Winchester Composite Squadron
Virginia Wing

VIRGINIA – Cadets from the Winchester Composite Squadron helped make sure visitors to the Steven F. Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum’s annual Air and Scare event came away with some aerospace education lessons as well as Halloween candy.

Visitors were treated to trick-or-treating, costume parades and trick-or-truth information stations where they found out if Area 51 exists, whether the museum collection includes an alien spaceship and even why someone would fly with a lion in the backseat of a plane.

“The Winchester squadron always is a bright star in the constellation of activities that make up Air and Scare,” said Jennifer McIntosh, Discovery Station program coordinator at the museum. “They were and are critical in developing and manning a station called Ghostblasters. 

“This is one of the most popular activities of the night, where visitors can try their hand at using air pressure via air cannons to knock about tissue paper ghosts,” McIntosh said.

“More children and adults learned about air in motion with our Ghostblaster activity this year than any of the past years,” said Maj. CJ Muncy, the squadron’s deputy commander of cadets. “I’m proud of the cadets who gave their time to teach the visitors to the museum about aerospace education with practical, hands-on activities.”

While Cadet Airman Basic Nate Watkins was tired at the end of the day, it was an experience he won’t soon forget.

“I had a lot of fun and the museum was really cool,” Watkins said. “We worked hard and met some members from other squadrons who stopped by.

“I think the best part of the day was seeing the kids’ eyes light up when they were using the Ghostblaster to move the ghosts.”

McIntosh added, “The squadron always gives the visitors an informative and high-energy experience—and working with them is always a blast!  They are an integral part of the night.”

 

(1)
Cadet 2nd Lt. Korben Weidenborner of the St. Cloud Composite Squadron, recognized as the distinguished graduate of the Basic Commissioned Officer Course’s Alpha seminar, shows that “all work and no play” wasn't a guiding principle for participants.

(2)
Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Jarek Connolly, a member of the Mankato Composite Squadron, explains the successful characteristics of rocket flight during an aerospace education session held as part of the Basic Commissioner Officer Course.

(3)
Cadet Staff Sgt. Caitlin Albrecht (foreground), Noncommissioned Officer School distinguished graduate, and Cadet Senior Airman Jasmine Sands, distinguished graduate for the Charlie seminar, share a smile for the camera. Both are members of the North Hennepin Composite Squadron.

(4)
Cadet Airman 1st Class Garan Williams (foreground) of the North Hennepin Composite Squadron and other Noncommissioned Officer School participants note the finer points of drill and ceremony.

(5)
Cadet 2nd Lt. David Nelson of the Red Wing Composite Squadron, Basic Commissioned Officer Course distinguished graduate, and Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Chandler Vondy of the Duluth Composite Squadron at a session on effective communications.

Photos by Maj. Richard J. Sprouse


Maj. Richard J. Sprouse
Seminar Instructor
Basic Commissioned Office Course
Minnesota Leadership Academy
Minnesota Wing

MINNESOTA – The Minnesota Wing's Leadership Academy drew a full house during its annual session at Camp Ripley, graduating 16 cadets from the Basic Commissioned Officers Course and 34 from the Noncommissioned Officer School.

The academy is part of the wing's Integrated Leadership Program, which provides cadets continuous training and development from cadet basic to cadet colonel.

The training prepares cadets to become leaders through academic study and practical excises focusing on improving communications and interpersonal skills, affirmation of the leadership skills the cadets already have, as well as provide them ready resources that will help them deal with the challenges confronted by most young leaders.

For Noncommissioned Officer School, major components are drill and ceremony, human behavior modification, verbal and written communication, and conflict resolution.

"I learned a lot about proper drill and ceremony during NCOS, and how I was doing it before was wrong," said Cadet Airman 1st Class Kati Jents of the St. Croix Composite Squadron. "I can't wait to go back to my squadron and practice what I learned."

The Basic Commissioned Officers Course addresses such elements as character development, project management, ethics and leading by example.

"I took a ridiculous amount of notes during each session," Cadet 2nd Lt. David Nelson of the Red Wing Composite Squadron said, "and I will apply what I learned at BCOC to make us an even better squadron."

In each graduating class a number of award winners were selected for overall academy performance and leadership excellence. The cadets were presented their awards by Col. Tom Theis, Minnesota Wing commander.

The distinguished graduate of the Basic Commissioned Officers Course was Cadet 2nd Lt. David Nelson of the Red Wing Composite Squadron.

Among the Noncommissioned Officer Course participants, the distinguished graduate was Cadet Staff Sgt. Caitlin Albrecht of the North Hennepin Composite Squadron.

Other cadets recognized for excellence:

Noncommissioned Officer School distinguished graduates:

• Alpha seminar – Cadet Airman 1st Class Megan Halek, North Hennepin Composite Squadron.
   
• Bravo seminar – Cadet Airman 1st Class Abdulrahman Haji, Valley Composite Squadron.
   
• Charlie seminar – Cadet Senior Airman Jasmine Sands, North Hennepin Composite Squadron.
   
• Delta Seminar -- Cadet Senior Airman Matt Klugherz, 130th Composite Squadron.

Basic Commissioned Officer Course distinguished graduates:

• Alpha seminar -- Cadet 2nd Lt. Korben Weidenborner, St. Cloud Composite Squadron.
   
• Bravo seminar -- Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Libby Berg, Grand Rapids Composite Squadron.

While the academy curriculum and experience provides a solid foundation for being a leader, the primary benefit Theis wants cadets to leave with is a strong dose of confidence in their ability to be leaders.

"We want them to feel empowered," he said.

That feeling was not lost on Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Lydia Wiff of the Viking Composite Squadron, who said she was excited about applying what she had learned during the Basic Commissioned Officer Course because the experience was still fresh in her mind.
 
"It really helped me develop that confidence . . . you can't be afraid to speak up sometimes,” Wiff said. “You may just have an idea that would contribute to Civil Air Patrol as a whole, so speak up and make a difference.”

 
 

(1)
Capt. Mary Sherrer, the National Capital Wing’s deputy director of personnel, hands out shopping passes for a $5 donation during Macy’s “Shop for a Cause” Oct. 17 at Springfield Mall. 

(2)
Senior Member Seth Poole (left), Arlington Composite Squadron finance officer, and 1st Lt. Derrick Barnette, Andrews Composite Squadron commander, greet shoppers at the Macy’s entrance.

(3)
Macy’s shoppers learn about Civil Air Patrol from (from left) Capt. Howard Hall, Cadet Staff Sgt. Joe Frech and 2nd Lt. Joe Frech of the Mount Vernon Composite Squadron. Hall is the unit’s public affairs officer, while the elder Frech is deputy commander for cadets.



Photos by Maj. Paul Cianciolo


Maj. Paul S. Cianciolo
Director of Public Affairs
National Capital Wing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Capital Wing raised more than $1,500 through Macy’s “Shop for a Cause” event Oct. 17 at Springfield Mall in Springfield, Va.

In all, “Shop for a Cause” raised a total of $1,561 in tax-deductible donations, which will help the wing continue to perform its missions.

 “I would like to thank everyone who stopped by Macy’s to support us and do a little shopping,” said Col. Richard Cooper, wing commander.
“Your donations will go a long way in helping us support our youth program here in D.C.”

Macy’s shoppers who made a $5 donation to CAP received a one-day shopping pass for extensive discounts throughout the store. National Capital Wing squadrons also received $470 in donations for shopping passes before the event.

In the store, members from wing staff and squadrons showcased Civil Air Patrol and educated shoppers about its important missions in emergency services and civil support, aerospace education, and cadet programs.

More <a href="http://www.natcapwg.cap.gov/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=4484">photos from the activity</a? can be viewed at the wing’s Web site.





 

(1)   
Col. Rod Moore, former West Virginia Wing commander, congratulates Col. Dennis Barron after he assumes command of the wing. 

(2)
Col. Dennis Barron assumes command of the West Virginia Wing.

Photos by Capt. Russell Voelker 


Maj. Jeffery Schrock
Public Affairs Officer
West Virginia Wing
 
WEST VIRGINIA – Col. Dennis D. Barron was sworn in as West Virginia Wing commander during a ceremony Oct. 25 at the wing conference and banquet in Charleston.

Barron is concluding four years of service as the wing's chief of staff.  He has also held the positions of wing drug demand reduction administrator and inspector general.

For 20 years he commander of the Martinsburg Composite Squadron – the unit he joined as a cadet in 1965. He is a pilot and an incident commander and has commanded more than 45 summer encampments for the West Virginia Wing.

Barron’s many awards over the years include three Exceptional Service Awards, eight Meritorious Service Awards, more than 25 Commander's Commendation Awards, the West Virginia Wing Commander's Special Commendation Award, Civil Air Patrol’s Gill Robb Wilson Award and three Air Force Liaison Awards for mentoring cadets.

"I am very honored to have been selected as the new commander of the West Virginia Wing," Barron said. "We have an outstanding wing with some of the finest members in the nation.”

“The West Virginia Wing has made great progress in the last four to six years in every facet of the CAP program.  We have a lot to be proud of, but we cannot rest on our laurels.  We must forge ahead and build on our past successes," he said.

Col. Joe Vazquez, commander of the Middle East Region, said the new commander  “has done an excellent job managing the West Virginia Wing and will be a valuable member of West Virginia and Middle East Region in the years to come.”

Col. Rod Moore, former wing commander, has agreed to act as vice commander until a new command staff is in place. Moore will also be assuming the position of director of operations for the wing.


 

WISCONSIN -- Twenty-nine ground team members, an aircrew and five Mission Base staffers from the Civil Air Patrol were involved in the successful search for a missing hiker earlier this month. An article published recently by WiscNews.com chronicles the search for 59-year-old Diana Haley, who lost her way while hiking in the Baxter Hollow Preserve in Sumpter, Wisc. Citizen volunteers from CAP's Wisconsin Wing, despite below-freezing temperatures, helped find the woman alive and helped bring her to safety.

WISCONSIN -- Gov. Jim Doyle has signed legislation protecting the jobs of the state's 1,119 Civil Air Patrol members. Seven hundred twenty-two of Wisconsin Wing's citizen volunteers are senior members, now guaranteed a leave of absence for their participation in CAP missions. 

(1)
Cadet Staff Sgt. Ryan Drayton of the Phoenix Composite Squadron answers a spectator’s questions about aircraft at the Kiwanis Club Kids Day at LaGuardia Airport.

(2)
A cadet explains Civil Air Patrol’s mission while Capt. Ray Miller of the Falcon Senior Squadron and others observe.

(3)
Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Zin Han of the Academy Cadet Squadron, stationed at the Piper Comanche flow in by Maj. Ray Bengen of the New York City Group.

(4)
The New York Wing contingent.
               
( 5,6)            
Cadets provide flight line marshalling.

Photos by 1st Lt. Louis Morgan


Capt. Michael Lee
Public Affairs Officer
New York City Group
New York Wing

NEW YORK – Members from six squadrons in the Long Island and New York City groups joined recently to assist with the annual Kiwanis Club Kids Day at LaGuardia Airport, with senior members flying in a pair of aircraft and cadets helping greet spectators and provide flight line marshalling.

The Civil Air Patrol participants came from the Academy, Amelia Earhart and Brooklyn Tech cadet squadrons, the Floyd Bennett and Phoenix composite squadrons and the New York City Group.

Piloting planes in were Maj. Ray Bengen, emergency services and operations officer for the New York City Group, and Maj. Daniel Rogers,  Brooklyn Tech Cadet Squadron commander.

In addition, Lt. Col. Marilyn Rey, director of aerospace education for the New York Wing, set up a string model aircraft, drawing a number of children to gather around to practice landing a model aircraft safely on a mock runway. Cadet Staff Sgt. Jason Chan of the Academy Cadet Squadron took the opportunity to jump right in and begin recruiting new cadets.

Maj. Manuel Ceja, New York City Group safety officer, also set up a display showing photos of a variety of CAP activities.

Midway through the afternoon, following a Port Authority request for flight line marshalling while certain aircraft took off, with the approval of the CAP officer in charge -- Capt. Valerie Ricchiuti of the New York City Group -- Capt. Michael Lee of the New York City Group immediately summoned almost all the cadets to perform. The team ensured that the flight line was clear of spectators

The cadets – who had undergone 30 minutes of flight line training that morning by Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Kleiver Gomez of the Earhart squadron -- did such a good job that they earned high praise both from Port Authority officials and from the Kiwanis Club.
                         

 

COLORADO -- A story in the Grand Junction Sentinel briefly chronicles the 40-year-old rescue of a Colorado man. F. Peter Simmons, now 83, recently told members and guests of the local Thunder Mountain Composite Squadron, "CAP saved my life." Simmons was seriously injured when his single-engine plane hit a tree. He was later rescued by the CAP.

Cadets and senior members brave rain and cold temperatures in a 10K run held Oct. 17 at Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst, N.J., as a benefit for Gold Star Mothers.


1st Lt. Mark Swanson
Public Affairs Officer
New Jersey Wing

NEW JERSEY – Rain and cold proved no obstacle Oct. 17 as New Jersey Wing members took part in the First Sergeants Council Third Annual Ruck March at Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst.

With temperatures in the mid-40s, a nor’easter moving up the East 
Coast added more than an inch of precipitation as about 15 cadets and senior members ran in the rainy 10K benefit for the Gold Star Mothers of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The CAP members were among 75 military and civilian four-man teams participating. Each team carried memorial items of fallen service members, provided by Gold Star Mothers.

The New Jersey Wing contingent carried a photo and medal dedicated to Army Cpl. Steven R. Koch of Milltown, N.J., who died March 3, 2008, at age 23 from wounds caused by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan’s Sabari district of Afghanistan. Koch’s mother, Christine, was one of the Gold Star Mothers participating in the event.

(1) Cadet 1st Lt. Matthew Sorcic’s smile as he emerges from the B-17 Aluminum Overcast leaves little doubt about his feelings following a flight on the vintage bomber.

(2) The warbird takes flight.

(3) Cadet Airman 1st Class Cole Swiszowski and Cadet Basic Jack Fontaine apply some elbow grease to the underside of the B-17’s wing.

(4) The Aluminum Overcast’s nose art, redone in 1988.

Cadet 1st Lt. Matthew Sorcic
Officer in Charge
B-17 Fly-In
Gwinnett County Composite Squadron
Georgia Wing

GEORGIA— The Gwinnet County Composite Squadron renewed its relationship with the crew of the B-17 Aluminum Overcast the weekend of Oct. 3-4 when the vintage warbird flew in to Gwinnett County Airport near Lawrenceville.

Senior members and cadets showed up to assist the event staff for the B-17 fly-in assist and also to participate in fund-raising for the squadron.

Cadets were responsible for managing parking for the event, which included making sure that no other roads or complexes at the airport were blocked by the massive amount of people who came to view the Experimental Aircraft Association’s restored World War II B-17 on its “Salute Our Veterans Tour” visit.

The cadets also got to meet several veterans of not only World War II but also the Korean, Vietnam and Iraq wars.

The squadron exceeded its previous fundraising high for the event, collecting well over $1,000 through sales of hot dogs, hamburgers and doughnuts to hungry guests. Members also solicited donations for the Dec. 12 observation of Wreaths Across America, collecting more than 15 pledges for wreaths in less than an hour.

 
 

(Left)
Col. Louisa Spruance Morse early in her CAP career, wearing the uniform that CAP officers wore from December 1944-Auguest 1951.

(Right)
In 2003 Col. Louisa Spruance Morse was presented with a plaque honoring her 60 years of service to CAP and her country when she was inducted into the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame.  With her are (from left) then-cadets Robert L. Staton, Jerry A. Horn Jr. and Nicholas A. Horn and Brig. Gen. Richard L. Anderson, former Civil Air Patrol national commander.


NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS -- Col. Louisa Spruance Morse, one of Civil Air Patrol’s first and longest-serving female wing commanders, died Oct. 22 in Wilmington, Del. She was 96 years old.

One of only two women inducted into CAP’s Hall of Honor, Morse was active in the organization for more than 60 years, starting as a ground instructor in World War II and rising to serve as commander of the Delaware Wing for 23 years.

She was Delaware’s first -- and only -- female wing commander and also became the first woman to serve on CAP’s National Executive Committee when she was appointed commander of the Middle East Region. She also made major contributions as CAP’s national controller and as founder of the organization’s National Historical Committee.

“Louisa was irreplaceable and will be remembered for all time as a pioneering leader in America’s Air Force auxiliary,” said Brig. Gen. Richard L. Anderson, one of two CAP national commanders who served under her as a cadet.

Morse was a true trailblazer, breaking new ground throughout her lengthy CAP career.

During World War II she was a Red Cross first aid instructor in Wilmington. She studied to become an aviation ground instructor and became certified by the Civil Aeronautics Authority. She enlisted in CAP as a private in November 1942 and began teaching officers the basics of navigation, meteorology and civil air regulations, though she herself was not a pilot.

“I was not a pilot, but I’d done a lot of Red Cross instruction,” Morse said in an interview for the Civil Air Patrol Volunteer’s 65th anniversary issue. “In those days of the civilian pilot training corps, kids were given ground instruction before they went in the military to get a head start on flying.”

She read in the newspaper that CAP needed instructors, and she volunteered. “They did not have cadets when I went in, so I was teaching pilots,” she remembered. “

Though she had a staff sergeant rating because of her experience in civil aeronautics, she wouldn’t take the stripes until she could drill the troops. “So, I learned how to do it,” she said.

Morse progressed through the enlisted and officer ranks. Her staff assignments included instructor, squadron assistant training officer, wing assistant training officer, wing supply officer and wing fiscal officer.

In 1953 she was appointed Delaware Wing commander and served diligently until 1976. She was named Wing Commander of the Year for 1969 among CAP’s 52 state commanders before her appointment in 1976 to the National Executive Committee as Middle East Region commander.

She held that post for three years before becoming the national controller of CAP for the next three years. Before she relinquished the post in 1983, she was inducted into the CAP Hall of Honor in 1982.

Morse’s many decorations during her CAP career are legion. In addition to her induction into the Hall of Honor, she was awarded the wartime Courier Service Ribbon and the Distinguished Service Medal with four bronze clasps. She also was inducted into the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame in 2003.

Despite the accolades, Morse was most proud that two of her cadets – Anderson and Brig. Gen. S. Hallack “Hal” du Pont Jr. -- became national commanders.

A recently retired U. S. Air Force colonel who now serves on CAP’s Board of Governors, Anderson said Morse influenced him for nearly 40 years.

“Col. Morse had a profound impact on my life,” he said. “She was one of the major reasons for my desire to remain in CAP as a senior member after my cadet years concluded.

“Simply put, I wanted to emulate her lifetime of service through CAP, which also played out in my decision to pursue an Air Force career.”

During his eight years as an Air Force colonel, on his service dress uniform Anderson wore the same eagles Morse gave him in 1986 for his CAP service dress uniform when he was appointed Nebraska Wing commander.

“They were the same eagles that she wore on her own CAP uniform, starting in 1953 and until her active service with CAP concluded,” he said. “That's the sort of impact that she had on my life, and I was privileged to remain in close contact with her until just one month before her passing.”

Anderson said Morse touched thousands of other lives through the CAP cadet program and was a major benefactor, through her generous financial contributions, of Aviation Leadership Scholarships awarded by the Spaatz Association to deserving CAP cadets.  

Morse’s years in CAP were a family affair. Her husband, Lt. Col. Albert W. Morse Jr., an Army reserve officer, became an active member of the Delaware Wing after they were married in 1947. Their son, William, was a cadet.

“When there would be a mission, we’d start from the house,” she recalled in her 2006 interview with the Volunteer. “I’d get on the radio or the phone, and we’d run things from the house until we’d reach people. We’d get the calls about 4 a.m., usually.”

Lt. Col. Morse, like his wife, advanced in a succession of CAP posts, including director of operations for the Delaware Wing. He died in 1979, the victim of a stroke.

Morse continued to serve in her later years, mainly through her work with the CAP National Historical Committee, which she founded.

As national historian, she compiled a book chronicling the history of CAP uniforms, insignia and ribbons, and another book recording corporate leadership.

She has also transcribed oral history interview tapes of many of CAP’s early members, including those who served in the Coastal Patrol during World War II.

Her reason for dedicating much of her life to Civil Air Patrol was explained in her 2006 interview. “I believe strongly in the missions of CAP,” Morse said, “and was glad to find an interesting and rewarding volunteer service.”

Spoken like the true public servant that she was.

Morse is survived by her two children, son William Spruance Morse of Daytona Beach, Fla., and daughter Alice Humphrey Morse II of Chester Springs, Pa., and two grandchildren, Lindsey and Matthew Morse of Washington, D.C.

Internment will be private. Her memorial service was scheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 27 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 W. 13th St. in Wilmington.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Delaware Wing, Civil Air Patrol, USAF Auxiliary, P.O. Box 11285, Wilmington, Del. 19850-1285.
Notes of sympathy can also be sent to the family in care of this address.


 

COLORADO -- A story in the Grand Junction Sentinel briefly chronicles the 40-year-old rescue of a Colorado man. F. Peter Simmons, now 83, recently told members and guests of the local Thunder Mountain Composite Squadron, "CAP saved my life." Simmons was seriously injured when his single-engine plane hit a tree. He was later rescued by the CAP.

WEST VIRGINIA -- Mercer County Civil Air Patrol volunteers plan to honor American military veterans with a Wreaths Across America observance in Princeton, W.Va, in December. The local CAP squadron is raising money to bring 700 live wreaths to decorate veterans' graves in Resthaven Memorial Park for the holidays.