Wreaths Across America and National Capital Wing

It was a blue sky over the crowd gathered at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday, 13 December. Among the at least 2,000 people were members of Civil Air Patrol; from National Capital Wing, Maryland, Virginia, Maine, and more.  We were all there to take part in the Wreaths Across America; honoring our fallen with a symbol of the season - a green wreath festooned with a red bow.  

A simple symbol but striking against the white headstones.  The headstones of our fallen military, some visited often through the year, others forgotten so long ago but all remembered on this day.

Even with all the attention and ceremony of the day, the only moment that counted was that one personal minute as the wreath was laid.  To read the headstone and say thank you.

To all the members of National Capital Wing and Civil Air Patrol, my appreciation to you for the time you gave this day.  And many thanks to all the volunteers behind the Wreaths Across America and Maine Society.

Civil Air Patrol National Capital Wing and CFC

National Capital Wing is one of 52 wings in Civil Air Patrol. What makes this wing unique in Civil Air Patrol is that our boundaries are not determined by state lines, as the fifty other wings (Puerto Rico Wing is the other exception). Instead, National Capital Wing is the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area, encompassing the District of Columbia, parts of the Commonwealths of Maryland and Virginia. As such, National Capital Wing receives no state funding to run our youth programs or training of members in homeland security and emergency services.

This year, National Capital Wing has joined the ranks of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) to raise funds in order to help existing and proposed programs within the wing. During the CFC open season, please enter our number, #26757, and help support Civil Air Patrol in the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area.

For more about National Capital Wing and how to make someone a star, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ5FFN-UC-c

Good-bye, Liz

Maj Cianciolo, Liz Hurley, Col Davies - That's a tiny box...

National Capital Wing Civil Air Patrol recently had to say good-bye to Elizabeth (Liz) Hurley (yes, that is her name. She liked to say she was the pretty one) who left us after a little more than 2 years.

Liz’s spouse was heading to Afghanistan and like any good military spouse packed the household goods and kids and headed to New Mexico. There the family will wait out his deployment. Liz was great at her job and truly went above and beyond.

Liz will be missed, and her box of candy, and her great sense of humor. Thank you, Liz, for everything.

"I love you guys!" An engraved iPod Touch to always remember NATCAP

Our Civil Air Patrol Wing Administrator

National Capital Wing has a new wing administrator, our third in less than three years. Linda Winkler graciously accepted the position and joined the staff on 28 July and we’re glad she did.

Linda is also an Air Force spouse, living on Bolling AFB - what a tough commute! Linda has blended very well into our CAP family, mastering Quickbooks and WMIRS in very fast order.

To understand more of what we do, Linda spent a couple of hours at our SAR eval.  Linda was able to gain a better understanding of what Civil Air Patrol does and how all the WMIR entries and paperwork relate. Linda was able to shadow the various section chiefs as they worked their tasks.

From all of us in the NATCAP wing, welcome, Linda. We’re glad you’re here.

8 Aug, 0930hrs…more from the Summer Board

(I was writing this during the National Board meeting and meant to publish.  Was sidelined shortly after - long story.  But better late than never…)

The General Assembly of the Civil Air Patrol 2008 Summer National is well underway. More members of the Board of Governors have joined us - they are an important part of our leadership. Presentations and recognitions are being given at this time; you can see this on the live webstream from NHQ (www.capchannel.com). But if you prefer a brief summary, here goes: MGen Bolling received the Citizen Corps of America award; BGen Kastle was remembered; our fallen throughout the year were remembered, and cadets who earned their Spaatz this year.

The region president of the AFA is addressing the assembled group. (Have you joined AFA yet? Their convention is in September, see our calendar. And, have you taken advantage of the benefits they offer to the squadron?)

AOPA is touting the help they have received from Civil Air Patrol, in particular their fly-in at Frederick. They have donated a check for $5,000 for these efforts. It will be used for scholarships.

Colonel Mary Feik was awarded life membership in Civil Air Patrol, usually presented to former national commanders.

More later…

From the 2008 Board Meeting (again)

Colonel Reggie Chitwood, current chief of staff Civil Air Patrol, was elected to the position of National Vice Commander. Brig Gen (S) Chitwood will receive his star at the banquet on Saturday evening. Brig Gen (S) Chitwood will join Maj Gen(S) Courter in leading Civil Air Patrol forward.

Chitwood was one of three candidates, the ballots were: Col Chitwood - 39, Col Chazell - 24, Col Boyd - 2.

Congratulations to the new leadership team. National Capital Wing looks forward to working and supporting you!

From the 2008 National Board Meeting…

Thursday, 7 August 2008. A first has occurred for CAP; the first woman national commander has been selected. Brig Gen Amy Courter, interim national commander and vice commander, was elected to the position by the National Board with no dissenting votes. Brig Gen Courter will be promoted to the grade of major general at Saturday’s banquet.

The announcement of the vote was greeted by a standing ovation by the board members and audience. CAP is fortunate to have her dedication and belief in our missions and programs.

Congratulations and Semper Vigilans!

National Commander and Vice Commander Election

At the Summer National Board Meeting, the Board will be electing a new national commander and vice commander of Civil Air Patrol. The national commander position is elected to a three-year term, while the vice is a one-year term. As a board member, I will be representing National Capital Wing in the election process - helping to choose the leadership of CAP and the direction of the organization.

I would like your input on who would be the best candidates to lead our national organization. The positions and candidates are listed. Please take the time to pass your opinions to your squadron commander, or to this blog. Your squadron commanders have been given additional background information on the candidates.

Semper Vigilans!

The candidates to date are:

National Commander: Brig Gen Amy Courter, current interim national commander

Vice Commander:

Colonel Reggie Chitwood, current national chief of staff

Colonel George Boyd, former national board member

Colonel Russ Chazell, current Rocky Mountain Region commander

Your say at the upcoming National Board Meeting

As a wing commander, I take it as my responsibility to represent each member of National Capital Wing while attending the Summer National Board Meeting. Various agenda items are presented for discussion, policy change and eventual vote, affecting the member in some form. The agenda items are published for the membership to read;

http://www.cap.gov/visitors/events/2007_cap_annual_conference/national_board_business_agenda.cfm

I encourage you to review these items, by yourself or with your fellow squadron members and leadership, and provide your comments to your squadron commander. If you prefer, your comments can be posted on this blog.

Working items are not limited to the agenda, board members are allowed to bring up new business. If there is something that you would like brought forward to the National Board Meeting, please pass onto your squadron commander or this blog.

Take part in the process!

First Summer Encampments: forever that special event

The emails are flying back forth for the preparation of transporting cadets to summer encampment.  I can picture the cadets packing their gear, checking the lists but still putting in their iPods and special snacks.  And each year, the clothes aren’t labeled correctly (to be lost forever in the pile of community laundry), or the numerous other things that go missing or weren’t packed, so they make do or share.

Summer Encampment IS what the cadet program is all about.  It is a rite of passage for the cadet.  The encampment is not to learn about the cadet program but to practice the cadet program; to experience teamwork first hand.

Each encampment is the same yet different; and as we get older, that first encampment becomes the “special” one.  My special encampment was at Grenier AFS, NH in 1970, CT Wing.  In a galaxy, far, far away - wrong blog.

The shock of community showers and sleeping quarters.  (Can someone really snore that loud?  Is someone crying?)  The pride of your flight being selected honor flight, making that perfect hospital corner or aligning your shoes on the mark; the uniforms buttoned and hung in order.  It stays with you forever (finally, stopped doing hospital corners, but the rest - yep).  Cleaning the barracks for inspection; tackling the floor buffer - how many cadets does it take to keep it from flying away?  Three!

The best part is to see the faces of the cadets on graduation day, their pride and sharp uniforms.  The “I want to go home” has turned into “I want to stay”.  The last cheers with their flights; last handshakes and sharing of contact info before they leave.  How quickly they fall asleep when they get in the family car!

Enjoy summer encampment, it is a great opportunity and will forever be special to you.