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 Members of the San Angelo community united to participate in the Wreaths Across America Ceremony held at Belvedere Memorial Park in San Angelo.
The ceremony began with the playing of the National Anthem and the posting of the colors by the Goodfellow Air Force Base Joint Color Guard. After a short pause to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy our freedom, representatives from the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Forces, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and POW/MIA laid holiday wreaths in memory of those who served and who are serving today.
Representatives were:
- Army - Lt. Col. Bichson Bush, Commander 344th Military Intelligence Battalion GAFB
- Navy - Master Chief Petty Officer Paul Zimmerman, Center for Information Dominance Detachment GAFB
- Marines - Capt. Henry Billings, Commander Marine Corps Detachment, GAFB
- Air Force - Col. Richard Ayres, 17th Training Wing GAFB
- Coast Guard - Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Abel Griego
- Merchant Marines - Mr. Bob Bryant, Retired merchant marine
- POW/MIA - Mr. Gary Flanagan, former Casualty Resolution Specialist Joint Task Force-Full Accounting, representing all POW/MIA
After the last wreath was laid, Mr. Chris Morgan of Fort Concho played a stirring rendition of Amazing Grace on his bagpipes.
Following the retirement of the colors, attendees were invited to place a wreath on a veteran's headstone, write down the information from that veteran and research their name on the Internet to find out about that person, and reflect that these veterans were real Americans with families, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles.
Civil Air Patrol cadets handed out 175 wreaths to those who wished to help place them on headstones. The unusually warm weather encouraged everyone to linger and reflect on the purpose of the ceremony.
The Wreaths Across America story goes back over 15 years ago when Worcester Wreath Company (a for-profit commercial business from Harrington, Maine) began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones of our nation's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays.
Over that period, Worcester Wreath has donated 90,000 wreaths, which volunteers placed in wreath-laying ceremonies each December. As word spread, the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach about the sacrifices made by our veterans has captured the hearts and minds of many communities across the country.
In December 2008, over 350 participating locations hosted Wreaths Across America ceremonies overseeing the placement of more than 100,000 wreaths on the headstones of those who served and sacrificed for our freedoms.
To find out more about Wreaths Across America go to Wreaths Across America.org.
More stories and images can be found at the following links:
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TX-023 Cadets at CTEP
Cadets Chief Master Sergeant Matthew A. Barnes, Technical Sergeant Brian T. DeLaughter, and Staff Sergeant Christopher J. Levesque attended the Cadet Training Education Program (CTEP) at Camp Mabry in Austin, TX from 28 to 31 November.
Cadets Levesque and DeLaughter graduated from the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy. They received intermediate training in leadership and effective communications skills, introduced to topics such as the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Protection Policy and United States Air Force Core Values, and advanced instruction in the execution and instruction of drill and ceremonies.
The NCOA is for cadets grades C/SrA to C/MSgt. It is the third level in the CTEP Progression Plan. Upon completion, NCOs will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to take on intermediate leadership roles within and outside of the squadron. This school reinforces material covered in Phase II of the Cadet Program, Achievements 4-6, as referenced from "Leadership for the 21st Century."
Cadet Barnes graduated from Officer Training School. The school’s curriculum focused on the role of an officer, how to carry out their duties, and how to advance further in CAP. Other areas of focus included: leadership, speaking, writing, and corresponding with others.
OTS is designed for C/2d Lt - C/Capt (C/CMSgt with SNCOA credit). It is the fifth level in the CTEP Progression Plan. OTS reinforces material covered in Phase III of the Cadet Program, achievements 9-11 and the Earhart Award, as referenced from "Leadership for the 21st Century." |
An "O" flight I'll never forget
by C/SSgt Brian DeLaughter
Every since I joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), I’ve wanted to fly. It’s been a dream of mine to one day fly in the United States Air Force, and I believe I will get there, eventually.
It was the 26 of June, at the weekly meeting just following encampment, and I had no idea we would be told we were going for orientation flights that Saturday. 2nd Lt Augustine, who is our Deputy Commander of Cadets, basically said “suit up in BDUs on Saturday cadets, your going on an “O” flight”. I, like Cadets Ferguson and Levesque, nearly jumped out of my seat.
Cadet Levesque and I were paired off at the 0900 flight Saturday morning. We were told to meet Lt Col Gray at Skyline Aviation, hanger 22. When I arrived, I met with Lt Col Gray and Lt Col Nussey. We went over the exterior parts of the aircraft, what they do, and how they help us in the air. We were flying a Cessna 172 type aircraft, which is standard for the CAP. We then conducted our pre-flight. We took a few pictures, and then got down to business.
 We were taxied to taxiway Bravo, and were given safety briefing India. We received permission to take off, with the Fed Ex plane behind us. We started increasing our throttle, rolling down the strip, and before I knew it we were in the air, rapidly gaining altitude. As we gained altitude, we headed towards the western training airspace over Mertzon, 12 miles from Mathis field Airport, in San Angelo. As we passed over Lake Nasworthy, we could see all the people at the boat races that were taking place that weekend.
 Levesque and I decided who went first in the front seat. We decided Levesque would go first because I was going to take pictures. The view was amazing. I could see my house. The ground looked like swirls of trees, lakes, and dirt. It was a little bumpy, but I liked it. We practiced some 90 degree and 180 degree turns, some ascents, and descents, and then turned back to the airport to switch seats. Levesque went to the back seat, and I went to the co-pilot seat. Finally it was my turn to co-pilot. I banked a little too much, but I felt I did well.
I think the back seat was a little to much for Cadet Levesque, because coming in he couldn’t take it, and he threw up. Thank goodness for the bag in the glove box, or he said it would have been my canteen.
Before I knew it, it was over, and we were back on the ground. We spent a few minutes talking about our experience to the next cadets who were going up.
The experience was over before I knew it, and my only though was, “when can I go up again.”
San Angelo Composite Squadron
place flags for Memorial Day
by 2nd Lt Dave Augustine
26 May 2008 - The Civil Air Patrol San Angelo Composite Squadron cadets placed flags on Veteran's graves at Belvedere Memorial Park in San Angelo, Texas. Flags were provided by the Tom Green County All Veteran's Council.
A small gathering of Civil Air Patrol members, parents, family of the deceased, and veterans observed the 12th annual ceremony for Memorial Day 2008.
San Angelo Squadron
This is the story of San Angelo's Civil Air Patrol Squadron. You can find San Angelo's Civil Air Patrol Squadron by clicking here.
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