The Air and Space Forces Association has always been very supportive of the Civil Air Patrol. When I told someone that I had made arrangements for the CAP color guard to present the colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance at a recent Military Affairs Committee meeting, my friend replied “Hey, that’s great. You’re building the bench.”
I hadn’t thought of the Civil Air Patrol cadets as a feeder program for the U.S. Air Force, and in general the Civil Air Patrol is not an official recruitment agency for the USAF, but at the Air Force Academy 10% of all incoming Air Force Academy Cadets have had Civil Air Patrol experience. When you think of it in reverse, our Minot cadets have a good chance of being nominated for the Air Force Academy.
Right now, there are over 28,000 CAP cadets between the ages of 12 & 17. At a recent AFA convention that I attended there was a seminar on keeping your local CAP squadron strong. Of course there are many adults involved in the Civil Air Patrol, but much of the seminar was focused on giving the CAP cadets a positive experience and thus keeping them on track to look at an Air Force, or even other military branch, career.
So, thank you to Zeke Hoverson, Emma Slocum, Jeanie Dehaan and Isaac Sager for their help in the presentation of colors at the December 4th Military Affairs Committee meeting.
Operation Homebound
There are so many songs about going home for the holidays and over my younger years when I was not able to return home that first year away from home, it gave me an empty feeling. There are so many first term Airmen at Minot Air Force Base that are in that situation this year. Operation Homebound may be holiday focused when it comes to sending a number of these Airmen home, but the efforts of the Minot Chamber/EDC is a 365 day a year challenge. Right after the holiday season efforts turn to the Prairie Warrior Auction. Some of the proceeds from the PWA go directly to Operation Homebound. It’s a great start to fund raising for Operation Homebound, but it takes a lot more events, like the December 4th Day of Giving from Qdoba and Jersey Mike’s to keep the momentum going. Can’t say “thank you” enough to the folks who took the time to purchase their lunches or dinners that day because 100% of the sales went straight to Operation Homebound.
Last year I had the opportunity to interview on of the young Airmen who had been given a plane ticket home. It was quite the occasion as she stepped off the plane into the waiting arms of her family. Not only her family welcomed her home, but everywhere she went folks would give her a hug and thank her for her service. So, what were the final results of her trip home last year? “I plan to do everything I can to give someone else a chance to go home this year.”
Suppose that you are a parent of a young person who joined the Air Force and was stationed at a base far from Minot. One day your Airmen sends you a text so excited about the community where she is based raising enough money to pay for her airline flight home to Minot. What would your thoughts be about that community? Probably something like “now there’s a community that cares!” Enough said…
Ski, Tube, Snowboard!!!
Bottineau Winter Park is open for the season! Today (Friday), they will be open until 9 PM for night skiing. Haven’t skied before? The have lessons, and rental equipment and most of all encouragement. Check out their Facebook page for hours of operation and snow conditions. Remember, the weather is a lot different in the Turtle Mountains, so make your plans for a family or group trip today!
Today’s Chuckle
People with kids know necessity is the mother of intervention.
One Of Those Moments
I was standing next to the sled near the Downtown Minot Christmas Tree when a young man stepped out of the crowd and said “I suppose that Santa waits until Christmas Eve to come and get his sled? And then he brings the reindeer.”
