north central region - mar 2008

8/9/2019 North Central Region - Mar 2008

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North Central Region NewsVolume 2008 March

A Matter of Honor

2nd

Lt Linda Dilley

At 11:00 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, I arrived at the Willmar Municipal Airport to join other senior

officers and cadets of the Wesota Composite Squadron. One of our cadets, C/SSgt Jessica Lewison, and herfamily had asked us to join in welcoming home the body of her uncle, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Matthew RyanKahler, 29, who was killed in action on January 26, while serving with the United States Army in Afghanistan.

Family and friends were gathered at the airport and were visiting with each other when word spread that the planecarrying the casket was making its final descent. In an instant, there was silence. I couldnt even hear peoplebreathing. It was at this point that I knew I was going to experience an extraordinary event in my life.

As the plane landed and taxied to a stop in view of everyone, some members of the Minnesota Patriot Guard, amotorcycle group that attends the funeral services of fallen American soldiers, and their flags had moved from thefront of the terminal to the tarmac to form a line near the building. Without a sound, family members movedoutside to view the ceremonial removal of Kahlers body from the plane. Six soldiers in dress uniform carried thepall into the airport terminal.

Continues on Page 3


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North Central Region News Page 2 of 13

Commanders ColumnCol Steve KuddesCommander, North Central Region

It's time again to focus on the North Central Region Conference to be heldMay 16-17, 2008 in Omaha, NE.

The region staff and the Nebraska Wing Headquarters are busy working onthe details for the General Assembly, Break-Out Sessions and the AwardsDinner. We are also trying to get a very special guest speaker for the AwardsDinner who will surely make it a night to remember.

At the Dinner, we will have the presentation of many awards including the Sgt Phil Svitak American PatriotAward which will be given to a person or group who displays the patriotic characteristics of a true CAP hero.

Since the conference falls on Armed Forces Day, we will have a very noticeable theme and will end theconference dinner with a very special resounding tribute to our Armed Forces and veterans like we did in 2006.

More information will be coming in the next newsletter and through the registration area of the Region website.

Commanders spotlight Civil Air Patrol missions in Washington, D.C.

The North Central Region Wing Commanders and other selected members brought Civil Air Patrol to theforefront as part of the organizations annual Legislative Day and Winter National Board meeting in WashingtonD.C. Feb. 28-March 1.

During CAPs 2008 Legislative Day on Feb. 28, CAP leaders briefed legislators on how CAPs primary missionshave impacted their communities.

Leaders like Minnesota Wing Commander, Col. Stephen Millerand Cadet Lt Col. Matthew Dunlevy, NCR Cadet AdvisoryCouncil Chair met with members like Congressman JimRamstad, from Minnesotas Third Congressional District.

Congressman Ramstad is a member of the CongressionalSquadron.

Legislative Day was held in conjunction with CAPs WinterNational Board meeting Feb. 28-March 1 at the Hilton CrystalCity, Arlington, Va. The CAP National Board consists of 69members representing each state, Puerto Rico and the Districtof Columbia, within the organizations eight regions. The boardis CAPs policy making arm and in conjunction with the CAPBoard of Governors, proposes amendments to the governingconstitution and bylaws.

In the photo from left to right are Col. Sliwinski, Cadet Lt. Col. Dunlevy, Congressman Ramstad, and Col. Millermeeting in the congressmans Washington office.

CAP Websites of Interest

National Website: www.cap.govProspective Member Info: www.joincivilairpatrol.comRegion Website: www.ncr.cap.gov


3/13


South Dakota Wing Announces Command ChangesCol Mike Beason

1st Lt Thomas Clark replaced Capt Dan Gerwing as the Brookings Squadroncommander. Capt Gerwing joined CAP in 1995 as a cadet and rose through theranks to become the commander more than three years ago after he became aCAP officer. Lt Clark joined CAP in 2000 as a cadet and now, as an officer, has

taken over as commander. Thanks to Capt Gerwing for his service to CAP andcongratulations to Lt Clark for his selection as commander.

Major Wayne Jackson replaced Capt Tom Murphy as the commander of thePierre squadron. Capt Murphy joined CAP recently, in 2005, and has spurredthe squadron on under his leadership. Major Jackson joined CAP in 1985 andtransferred into SD Wing a couple years ago. He is a mission pilot and instructorpilot. Thanks to Capt Murphy for his service and congratulations to MajorJackson for his selection as commander.

Anoka Squadron Cadet Commander Appointed to USAF Academy2d Lt George Supan

It is with great pleasure and pride that I get to announce the appointment andacceptance of C/2d Lt Andrew Haus to the US Air Force Academy said CaptAndy Bosshart. Commander of Minnesota Wings Anoka County CompositeSquadron. The Academy known for its exceptional standards and exemplaryeducation very selectively chooses who gets to attend. C/2d Lt Haus clearlymeets those standards, said Capt Bosshart.

C/2d Lt Haus has demonstrated his leadership abilities through the manyprojects that he has lead at the Anoka Composite Squadron and also at hishigh school where he was a leader on his hockey team. C/2d Lt Haus has leadthe Cadet program and worked with many Cadets to promote them to the nextrank.

Minnesota Wing cadet receives Mitchell awardLt Col Tony Tarpy

Minnesota Wings Group 3 Commander, Lt. Col. Mike Moen recentlypresented the General Billy Mitchell Award to Cadet AlexanderSelner of Fort Snelling Cadet Squadron, who also was promoted tothe grade of Cadet 2

ndLt.

Cadet Selner also received a $100.00 monetary award for being thefirst cadet to receive his Mitchell award at Fort Snelling Squadron in2008. A longtime member donated the funds for this recognition.

In This Months CAP Volunteer Magazine

Wreaths Across America and the WORLD!!!!! Flood Coverage featuring NCR Members CAP helps former Nebraska Cadet Achieve His Dreams And more from across the nation

www.cap.gov and click on News


4/13


A Matter of HonorContinued from Front Page

After a private ceremony for the family in theterminal building the casket was then placed in thehearse. Family and friends made their way toawaiting vehicles while most of the Patriot Guardhad moved into positions on both sides of theairport road, their huge flags waving in the breeze.

We also moved into a line by the road. The hearsedriver gave the signal to begin the procession. Asthe hearse, family, and military personnel passedby, our squadron, at attention, saluted until all hadpassed. We then got in our van and joined theprocession to Granite Falls, SFC Kahlershometown.

I made observations along the way:

In the small town of Raymond, Minn., elementaryschool children in a line were holding and wavingflags. Between Raymond and Clara City, one manby the road, reverently held a regulation sized flag.Others along the way held hands over hearts,

saluted, or waved.

In Clara City, we were met with lines of people onthe street, many holding flags. It appeared that allthe Clara City High School students were by theroad, all holding regulation sized flags and atattention. The American Legion Postrepresentatives were at attention and bearing flags.Clara City fire trucks joined the procession to thecounty line.

In tiny Maynard, there was a large group ofelementary school children standing some distanceaway from the road on a bed of snow, holding flagsand looking so very serious. I wish I could paint apicture of that scene. Someone had prepared alarge trailer covered with balloons and a sign thatread, Thank You, Matt. Maynard emergency andfire vehicles joined us through town.

Once we neared Granite Falls, nine fire and rescuetrucks joined us at the edge of town. A flag was athalf-mast at the MARR Valve Co. as employeeslined the road, holding flags. As we came aroundthe bend, there were hundreds of people lining theroad, holding various sized flags.

Students from Yellow Medicine East School,bearing flags, lined the street in front of the school.Red ribbons were on lampposts, trees, and flagseverywhere we looked. As the procession passed infront of them, people began saluting, crying, and

hugging each other. It was a matter of honor.

We arrived at the funeral home where the PatriotGuard stood silently in line across the road. Thefuneral home announcement board read:

Sgt. Matthew Kahler1:30 Sat. Feb. 9 GFLHonoring Our Fallen

Continued on Page 5


5/13


A Matter of HonorContinued from Page 4

Squadron members met up with Cadet Lewison,and we were invited to have pizza at the AmericanLegion, which her grandmother managed. Thefamily was gathering in a room upstairs. When wewere ready to leave, we gave Cadet Lewison andher family hugs and much thanks for theirhospitality toward us. We commented that it hadbeen quite an honor to take the maiden voyage inour new van to such an occasion as this. But itwould not be our last trip to Granite Falls.

On Friday, February 8, 2008, we made another tripthere for the reviewal. It would have been difficult toprepare for what we were about to experience.Cadet Lewison led our squadron members to thefront of the church where the body waspositioned.

We looked in awe at this soldier that we felt we hadcome to know personally. There was a shrine ofhonor containing the American, Airborne, PurpleHeart, and Battalion flags; a table with his boots infront, his upright rifle with his battle helmet atop;and an array of medals for bravery arranged neatly

on the table. There were flowers everywhere. Somepeople, who had passed in review, took time to sitin the pews to pray. Others went directly to thechurch basement for a lunch. We followed CadetLewison there and while we ate, we watched the lifeof Matthew Kahler flash before our eyes as wewatched a CD production in his honor prepared bythe family. When it neared time for us to leave, wewent upstairs, and Cadet Lewison led our squadronthrough the review one more time. Once again, in

the back of the church, we said goodbye with hugsand well-wishes for the family for the funeral thenext day. We then began the journey home.

Personal note: As I stood in the back of the churchlooking through a glass sound barrier and in fullview of the front of the church where Sgt. Kahlerlay, the honor I felt to be in this place in time could

not be put into words. As a citizen of the UnitedStates of America, I felt pride for his sacrifice, yethumbled and an overwhelming sense of sadness atthe death of this son, husband, father, uncle, andfriend.

I asked our cadets and seniors for their thoughtsabout this experience. Heres what they had to say:

Maj Ruth Hoffman: A very emotional experience.Lt. Tim Bjur: Nice to see the plane and ceremonyat the airport.Cadet Hans Hibma: It was a humbling

experience.Cadet Peter Hibma: I was glad to see the peoplethat pulled over to the side of the road as theprocession went by.Cadet Tyler Ahrndt: I felt honored. It was realnice to see the people along the highway. Even theitty-bitty towns had people out there.

Honor Guard Presents at HonorableEventCapt Tammi Miller

Missouri Wings Cass County Honor Guardhonored C/Amn Matthew Roberts during hisEagle Scout award presentation.

He requested that the Cass County CompositeSquadron Honor Guard present the colors forthe Boy Scouts of America's milestoneceremony.

An amazing amount of hard work andcountless hours are required to achieve thislevel.

C/Amn Muriel Eaton, C/CMSgt Josh Hargis,C/CMSgt Jordan Hargis, and C/Lt KennaEggenberger served as the presenters.

Also in attendance were C/Amn BenjaminRoberts, Capt. Roger Eaton, and Major TonyBelto.


6/13


Airplane found tied down to the ice2d Lt George Supan

U.S. Air Force Rescue Coordination Centerreceived notice of an Emergency LocatorTransmitter (ELT) signal in the Brainerd area. TheAnoka Composite Squadron received the call.

It was just before noon on a bright Sunday,February 24, 2008 when the Anoka CompositeSquadron ground team left from Blaine. A CAPaircraft with an air team was in the air searching forthe ELT when the ground team arrived in theBrainerd area. The ground team used thedirectional finder and communicated over the radiowith the air team. All indications were the ELTsignal was coming from a location somewhere onMille Lacs Lake.

CAP ground teams train for various situations but tobe searching for an ELT on a lake was a newventure. Of the 10,000 lakes in Minnesota one ofthe larger is Mille Lacs Lake.

The ground team led by Capt Andy Bosshart alongwith 1

stLt Jay Spreitzer, 1

stLt Shelly Supan and

C/SSgt Hanna Olsen proceeded to the lake. Theyfound a local resident to guide them onto andacross the lake. His guidance on the lake wasneeded to know which unusual path plowed in thesnow would lead them to the area on the lakewhere the ELT signal was coming from. As theground team was heading across the lake the skieschanged and a heavy overcast come across the

lake.

The guide took the team a long distance throughvarious paths on the lake to a fishing area wherethey found the airplane. The airplane had snowskies, was in good condition and tied down to theice. The ELT signal was coming from the airplane.Looking for Pilot the team knocked on the door ofeach fish house. The skies continued to darken andthe over case lowered. The local guide informed theteam that the time left to be able to get off the lakewas soon arriving. Clearance to enter the airplanewas delayed due to the Pilot was no longer on the

lake. The clearance was received, the ELT wasfound and C/SSgt Olsen turned off the ELT.

The ELT find in an airplane on the lake experiencewill enrich the team and was shared as search andrescue training with the Anoka CompositeSquadron.

Iowa Wing Searches for ELTCapt Chris ColvinOn 10 March 2008, an air crew and UDF Teamwere dispatched from Ankeny in search of an ELTin central Iowa.

Mission Pilot, Captain Kim Kirshman, and Mission

Observer, Major Anita Elliott, were quickly over thetarget area and helped guide Ground Team Leader,Major Roger Elliot and UDF team consisting ofCaptain Christopher Colvin and C/SMsgt ChrisColvin.

The ELT was loud and strong from the air but withthe rolling hills in the area was difficult to hear onthe ground. The ELT was found in the pilots homeas he had taken it out of his airplane to replace thebattery. He stated to the ground team that it was notoperating but the tone terminated when the ELTwas turned off. CPF 1365 flew 2.7 hours and theground team worked about 12 man hours.

CCCS Honor Guard Salutes Kansas CityPolar PlungeCapt Tammi Miller

The Polar Plunge, hosted by the Kansas City MetroSpecial Olympics, is a large fundraising event in thearea where participants gain pledges to financiallysupport their emersion into freezing cold lakes.

Over 400 hundredpeople throughout

the Kansas Citymetropolitan areaparticipate yearly inthe freezing folly.

The Cass CountyHonor Guard wasrecruited to presentthe colors during theopening ceremonyon February 2, 2008.

Temperatures wereabout 40 degrees for

the day, but the water temperature steadied around36 degrees.

Local TV and radio stations rallied the variety ofgroups as they voluntarily ran into the frigid waters.

In the photo are: C/CMSgt Jordan Hargis, C/TSgtAaron Hooper, C/A1C Jonathan Fairchild & C/AmnMuriel Eaton. Photo Taken by: Captain MelindaBerry.


7/13


Red Wing member sets the exampleMajor Mari Lucas

Many would saythat 28 years ofservice to theircountry was

enough, but notDaniel Schaller ofRed Wing,Minnesota.

Daniel A Schallerenlisted in theArmy in 1948,serving 4 years asa Combat Medic

in Korea and Okinawa. After his honorabledischarge from the Army and 2 years as a civilian,Schaller joined the Air Force as an Aviation Cadet.He completed his aviation training in 1956 andcontinued his service in the Air Force for 24 moreyears. During those years of service, Schaller flewB47s during the cold war and Cuban Missile Crisis,RB-66s in Thailand and Vietnam, a LockheedJetstar in the presidential fleet, instructed in the C-118 and C-141, and participated in Operation DeepFreeze flying C-141s from New Zealand toAntarctica.

Retiring after 28 years of active duty in the Armyand Air Force in 1977, Major Schaller wasntfinished serving; he joined Civil Air Patrol andbecame a member of the Red Wing Composite

Squadron. That was 30 years ago. Today, Lt ColDan Schaller is still serving his country, flying theAmerican skies, sharing his extensive aerospaceknowledge, mentoring, and watching out for thesafety of his fellow squadron members.

Shortly after joining Civil Air Patrol, Schallerpurchased his first private plane, a Cessna 172.Schaller used that plane to fly missions for Civil AirPatrol for at least 20 years, until the squadron wasassigned an aircraft from Minnesota Wing.

Lt Col Schallers milestone of 30 years in Civil Air

Patrol is also a milestone for the Red WingComposite Squadron, as no other squadronmember has stayed an active member longer.

Schallers active participation at the squadron levelthroughout the past 30 years has helped to shapethe squadron into the successful unit that it is today.Schallers service has centered on aviation andover the years, he has been active completingcadet orientation flights, and as an instructor pilot,mission pilot, transport pilot, and flight check pilot.

Dan Schaller and his T-6.

As time has passed, Schaller has seen manypeople come and go, a wide variety of meetinglocations, and has weathered the many changeswithin the squadron and within CAP. He has alsoseen more qualified, dedicated individuals join thesquadron and remain members.

Red Wing has somewhat of a unique culture withapproximately 1/3 of the squadrons Senior Officersbeing former Civil Air Patrol cadets. Hes watched

these young men and women join the squadron ascadets, work the cadet program, and then comeback to rejoin as adult members. Schaller creditsthis commitment to the dedicated people willing toput in the time and effort to support and mentoryouth.

Schaller believes that you cannot have a viable,dynamic CAP squadron without an airplane andqualified, energetic crews. This is one area thatSchaller feels that Red Wing Squadron has alwaysexcelled.

Schaller also recognizes that in Red Wingsquadron, there is a core group of backgroundsupporters, who have moved on from beingmembers of Red Wing to the Wing or Region Levelof Civil Air Patrol. The background support alsokeeps Red Wing a successful squadron.


8/13


Red Wing member sets the exampleContinued from previous page

A young Lt Col Dan Schaller and his wife Janis.

Schaller prides himself with being an easy goingindividual, but draws the line on easy going withsafety. He says safety in the squadron and safetywhile flying are essential elements that cannot be

compromised.

Schaller always has something to say during RedWings monthly pilot briefings on safety. Schallerhas achieved a master rating as a Civil Air PatrolSafety Officer and a senior rating as an OperationsOfficer. In 2007, Lt Col Schaller was honored bythe Federal Aviation Administration with the WrightBrothers Master Pilot Award, recognizing his effortsin following the precaution and awareness of safeoperations. Most importantly, through the award,the FAA recognized Schaller for his contributionand maintaining safe flight operations for 50 ormore consecutive years of piloting aircraft.Remarkably, Dan Schaller has been a pilot for 54 ofhis 73 years.

Lt Col Schaller always seems to be one of the firstto volunteer to participate in Search and RescueExercises (SAREX) and BlueCAPs (unit levelemergency services training). Schaller hasrecruited and mentored many new squadronmembers throughout the years. He hasvolunteered an enormous amount of his time,

instructing new pilots and completing check ridesfor other experienced pilots.

After retiring from the Air Force, Dan helped farm400 acres of soybeans and corn. For a time, heworked as a flight instructor for Seifert Airways andlater went on create Schaller Aviation, employingother flight instructors. Always needing to stay

busy, Dan attended HVAC and Auto mechanicclasses at the local Technical College, later servingas a substitute teacher for those same classes.

Dan says I never worked very hard, and I alwaysmade sure that I enjoyed what I was doing.Dan married his wife Janis in 1956 and she hasstood beside him through his military and Civil AirPatrol careers. They recently celebrated their 50

th

wedding anniversary. Dan and his wife raised 4daughters and 1 son. Surprisingly enough, none ofDans children have taken up flying, though all 8 ofhis grandchildren enjoy their grandfathers favorite

past time.

When not serving his community, state and countrythrough Civil Air Patrol, hes also active with theAmerican Legion, Veterans of Foreign War,Disabled American Veterans, and the local chapterof the Knights of Columbus.

Lt Col Dan Schaller is a living representative of thehistory of Red Wing Composite Squadron and thehistory of Civil Air Patrol, and we hope he continuesto contribute for many years to come. All Civil AirPatrol members can look to him as an example.

Lt Col Dan Schaller was presented with aCommanders Commendation by North CentralRegion Chief of Staff Col Dale Hoium at the RedWing Squadron Banquet on February 23

rd, 2008.


9/13


Recent Promotions

Senior Member Tom Swaney of Kansas WingsKingman Squadron was promoted to Captain at apresentation on February 26th. His Promotion isbased on time in service with the CAP and hisprofessional background of 14 years as a schoolteacher. Capt Swaneys promotion was presentedby Maj. David Maude.

Captain Janelle Gates of Minnesota Wings ValleyComposite Squadron was promoted to Major at arecent squadron meeting. Group 3 Commander LtCol Mike Moen presented the promotion after thesquadron successfully completed its SubordinateUnit Inspection.

Can we agree that we disagree?SM Erik Lindquist

Cadet and senior members of Minnesota Wings Viking Squadron were confronted with the fact that people aredifferent, and we all have our own ideas, beliefs, and perceptions. When working as a team we are most likelyto find that there are a range of feelings, beliefs, and experiences that present challenges to making decisionsand working together.

These differences are not always bad, but they can prevent a team from working efficiently unless there is agood means of making compromises. The art of persuasion is notalways clear-cut or easy, when we are dealing with individuals comingfrom different points of view and experiences. Viking Squadron held anight of debates to help show how important communication is in thisprocess.

Cadet and Senior members of Viking Squadron found the art ofpersuasion is not as easy as just presenting the facts.

Like playing a strategic game of chess, each team was tasked to takeapposing points of view. The teams prepared for their position in thedebates by brainstorming their strong points, and anticipating theiropponents position. To go even further to trying to understand each

individuals personality on the opposing team. After a 5-minutepresentation by each team leader, the teams were allowed to askquestions and offer additional ideas to work to pull the other teamcloser to an agreement to their point of view.

The nights success was not measured by the coming together ofteams, but to realize the potential for disagreement, and the importanceof communication and compromise.

There were a lot of very good arguments made and discussed on bothsides of the debate. The decisions were not clear-cut, but the importance of getting issues out in the open, sothat they could be discussed further was a major accomplishment.


10/13


Former Minot CAP Commander Earns AccreditationMajor Sean Johnson

Lt. Col. Chad Grondahl, (pictured left) formerly theSquadron Commander of North Dakota Wings, MagicCity Composite Squadron recently earned his MasterCertified Flight Instructor (CFI) accreditation from the

National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI).

Grondahl is an independent flight and ground instructorwho has taught the past 4 years at Pietsch Aircraft &Restoration in Minot, ND. He is Captain in the AirForce, and was recently transferred to Buckley AFBfrom Minot AFB where his current assignment isprimary flight instruction and instrument flight training.

In addition to his CAP squadron commandresponsibilities, Grondahl served as the Standardization and Evaluation Officer for CAPs NorthCentral Region. In this role, Grondahl was responsible for ensuring CAP volunteer flight instructors in

seven states provided flight instruction to CAP pilots in accordance with the national headquartersflight operations policies and safety practices.

The Master CFI designation is a national accreditation recognized by the Federal AviationAdministration that is earned by candidates through a rigorous process of continuing professionalactivity and peer review. This process parallels the continuing education regimen used by otherprofessionals to enhance their knowledge base while increasing their professionalism.

According to NAFI, there are approximately 91,000 CFIs in the United States, and fewer than 600 ofthem have achieved Master CFI accreditation to date. Grondahl is one of only six North Dakotaaviation educators to earn the Master CFI title.

Bemidji CAP Member Brings Her Office with Her1st Lt Robin Helgager

Cadets of the Minnesota Wings Northland Squadron have real life heroes teaching their classes. 1stLt Carolyn Flack is the squadrons Medical Officer on Monday nights. The rest of the week, sheworks as an EMT for Bemidji Ambulance saving lives.

Flack brings her Medical training and experience as a former Civil AirPatrol Cadet Commander to the classes she teaches at thesquadron. Classes have included showing the cadets how abackboard works and the importance of securing the patientproperly. The cadets learned how to work as a team getting the

patient ready for transport and how to carry the patient safely.

Recently cadets were treated to a first hand look at the inside of anambulance; Flack calls her Office on Wheels. Cadets were shownsome of the different ways to monitor a patients vital signs, how tostop bleeding and the favorite question, How do you decide whogets to drive!

1st Lt Carolyn Flack is one of the many Everyday Heroes at theNorthland Squadron serving her community and making a difference.


11/13


Its not all work and no play for Minnesota Wing cadetsCapt Richard Sprouse

When you think of Civil Air Patrol cadets, images ofyoung adults applying fundamental communicationskills, enkindling passion for leadership experience,sharpening responsiveness to community

emergencies, discovering how to explore throughAerospace Education, and building camaraderiebetween members may come to mind.

Ready, serve! at the annual Lock-In and VolleyballCompetition hosted by the St. Cloud Composite Squadron

at St. Cloud State University.

But as the 2008 Lock-In and Volleyball Competitionheld March 1-2 at St. Cloud State University(SCSU) proved its not all work and no play forcadets.

Team Ryan was the volleyball champs during the 2008Lock-In and Volleyball Competition held at St. Cloud State

University. The event drew a record 200 members andguests to the annual event.

Hosted by the St. Cloud Composite Squadron since2001, the hands-on event included flight simulators,rock climbing, swimming, racket ball, dodge ball,board games, and more for nearly 200 membersand guests from squadrons across Minnesota.

Nineteen (19) volleyball teams competed during theevent with Team Ryan the overall winner.

It seems everyone had a positive experience, said

Cadet/Captain Steven Parker, cadet organizer ofthe event. I had comments that even the teamswho finished early in the volleyball competition stillhad a great time watching the other teams finish.

The rock climb is one of the numerous activities heldduring the annual Lock-In and Volleyball Competition

hosted by the St. Cloud Composite Squadron since 2001.

Long-time organizers of the event said it was arecord turnout, and one of the most respectful,punctual groups to attend.

The cadets were where they needed to be whenthey needed to be, and if there was an empty seaton the bus, there was always another cadet readyto climb on board, said Captain Russ Portele, whooperated the shuttle bus to the SCSU flightsimulator until 2:00 a.m. on Sunday. Just a greatgroup of young people having good, clean fun.

Members of the Grand Rapids Composite Squadronstrategize before their next volleyball game.

Continued on next page


12/13


Its not all work and no play forMinnesota Wing cadetsContinued from previous page

Julie and Bennet Weidenborner of Princeton makethe 35 minute drive to the St. Cloud Armory everyMonday with their son, C/SSgt Korben

Weidenborner, a member of the St. CloudComposite Squadron. It was the first Lock-in for allof them.

The whole event was very well organized, fun andSAFE, said Julie Weidenborner. It was a greatway for Korben to meet cadets from othersquadrons. Wed recommend this event to anycadet or parent. She also went on to praise theadult supervision, as well as the appropriate moviesand entertainment chosen for all ages.

It was also the first time for Cadets Jonathan andTyler Hammer of Crow Wing Composite Squadronin Brainerd.

C/Amn Jonathan Hammer said, The lock-in helpedme to know my squadron better and build strongerfriendships.

19 teams competed in the Volleyball Competition held at theannual Lock-In at St. Cloud State University.

C/AB Tyler Hammer agreed. There were many,various activities such as volleyball, which was ablast, and the rock wall was really cool; the flightsimulator was also great, CAP is a great way to

meet new friends and explore new opportunities. Ihad a great time even though I didn't get muchsleep.

The highlight for me was hearing what a positiveevent this was from those who attended, Parkersaid. I think this event is mostly about throwing offthe CAP uniform and getting to connect with peoplearound the wing in a fun environment without thepressure of rank or grade.

Food and beverage for the event were provided byCulligan water, Trautwell, Burger King, Subway(Clearwater), Gary's Pizza, Godfathers Pizza,Sammy's Pizza, Waldo's Pizza, Short Stop, VikingCoke, Country Hearth Bread, and Cash WiseFoods.

Mankato cadets tour simulatorsMajor John Barsness

Cadet Jarek Connolly takes a turn at the controls of a B-757and performs a take off from Runway 08 at Honolulu,

Hawaii.

In late February, cadets from Minnesota WingsMankato Squadron received a tour of the NorthwestAirlines Simulator building and associatedclassrooms and equipment in Eagan, MN.

They each received a hands on demonstration ofthe B-757 simulator from Colonel Michael Huttner, aNorthwest Flight Instructor and MN Wing ReserveAssistance Coordinator.

In a group picture from left to right are WyattWehking, Javier Rodriguez, Calan Merchlewitz,James Renville, Callie Fransen, Christian Garman,Jarek Connolly, Jonathan Macemon, ColonelMichael Huttner, and Corey Fransen.


13/13


Des Moines Squadron Members Meet with World War II POWsCapt Chris Colvin

Our cadets have read about the Greatest Generation and now they have met some very special people fromthat generation, said Captain Betty Kelly, commander of the Des Moines Metro Cadet Squadron. History camealive for the members of our squadron today. The experiences these gentlemen shared with our members willleave a lasting impression.

Members of the squadron met with Private First Class Glenn McDole, USMC, retired, Staff Sergeant CarrollBogard, Army Air Corps, retired, and Colonel Jim McCullough, Army and National Guard, retired, during aluncheon at the Des Moines Veterans Medical Building. The story of McDoles survival in the Bataan andCorregidor Death Marches is chronicled in the World War II book Last Man Out, in which McDole truly was thelast man out of the Palawan Prison Camp in the Philippines.

You are the future leaders of our country, McDole told the cadets. It will be your job to carry this message andothers to future generations. When a cadet asked if McDole had angry feelings towards Japan or his formercaptures, he responded, I was speaking to a group of young people just like you and when I finished speakinga young Japanese girl came up to me in tears and apologized. She had nothing to apologize for, but at thatinstant any anger I had left me. I was touched by her tenderness and compassion.

Bogard, a former prisoner of war in Germany and Poland, asked if there were any future pilots among thecadets. Several raised their hands which brought a smile to his face. He shared his experience of marchingthroughout the winter with little food, water or shelter. Set goals for yourselves today and keep track of yourprogress and youll go far, he told the cadets.

McCullough shared his experiences as a student at Iowa State University (then called Iowa State College) andhis military career starting with his enlistment and retiring as a Colonel thirty seven years later. He closed theluncheon by appropriately urging the cadets to continue to hold the virtues of discipline, leadership andcitizenship close to their hearts as they serve in their communities.

North Central Region Newsis published monthly by the North Central Region, Civil Air Patrol

Col. Steven Kuddes, Region CommanderCapt. Al Pabon, Director of Public Affairs

Please send submissions by the 10th of each month to: [email protected]

north central region - mar 2008

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