“Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond”

North Central Region News

Volume 2009 January

A Missouri Wing Cadet renders honors during the Wreath’s Across America event on December 13th

On December 13th 2008, Civil Air Patrol members across the nation took their Saturday morning
to honor the nation’s deceased war veterans by laying wreaths at cemeteries in their local
communities. This issue of NCR News has coverage of some of the events starting on Page 7.

In this Issue
• Wreath’s Across America coverage starts on page 7
• Kansas Squadron Change of Command
• Stories of Individual Excellence
• And MUCH MORE!!!!!
NCR News January 2009 Page 1
 Commander’s Column
Col Steve Kuddes
Commander, North Central Region

I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to continue
your outstanding service to your communities and the nation.

I just have a short update for you on the Region Conference. We have changed
the date from the first weekend in October to the last weekend in October. The
new dates are Friday 30 October 2009 to Sunday 1 November 2009.

It will be in Des Moines, IA and as details are confirmed we will get the word out
to you as soon as possible.

Our Air Force Liaison personnel may or may not have their budget approved in time for the first weekend. It is
always a pleasure and our desire to have them participate with us. I believe it is of the utmost importance we have
our Liaison team and State Directors there also.

Friday night will be our social and registration. Saturday will be the conference and dinner. Sunday will be NCR
staff meeting. Wing commanders are required to be in attendance Saturday but attendance Sunday for the NCR
staff meeting is optional.

With our dinner on Halloween night.....who knows what might happen?

The region staff have several exciting events planned for this year including the Cadet Competition, Region Staff
College, PAO Academy and the Region Cadet Encampment. Watch your e-mail, the region website/calendar and
NCR News for information on these activities.

Legal Officers Recognized

At their January staff meeting, Minnesota Wing Commander, Col Tom Theis presented National Commander’s
Commendation Awards to (l) Minnesota Wing Legal Officer Lt Col Kevin Dunlevy
and (r) Group 3 Legal Officer Lt Col Jim Garlough for their work in the CAP Legal Officer’s Corps.

North Central Region News is published monthly by the North Central Region, Civil Air Patrol
Col. Steve Kuddes, Region Commander Maj. Al Pabon, Director of Public Affairs

Please send submissions by the 10th of each month to: pao@ncr.cap.gov

NCR News January 2009 Page 2

Kansas squadron celebrates achievements and change of command
Major Dan Metcalf
Public Affairs Officer, Kansas City Composite Squadron

On December 15th the Kansas City Composite Squadron held its semi-
annual Award Ceremony, combined with a
Change of Command ceremony.

Capt Charles Wright, who has been commander since the squadron was
chartered nearly three years ago has retired. He also got married, increased
his family with three daughters and has moved with his new family to Texas.

Capt Wright has been an inspiration and asset to the squadron. He has
always put his cadets and officers first, and worked for the improvement of
them and the squadron. Not only was he the commander, but their friend.
He will be greatly missed.

Col Regina Aye, Kansas Wing Commander, conducted the transfer of

command ceremony and swore in Capt Catherine Metcalf as the new
commander.

Kansas Wing Commander, Col Regena Aye
hands the squadron flag to Capt Catherine
Metcalf at the change of command
ceremony.
In her remarks Capt Metcalf said that "I look forward to the new year of 2009
with our officer staff, cadet staff and parents. You will see some new
changes to the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program, Kansas Wing and the Kansas
City Composite Squadron. We will be experiencing the learning, sharing,
working and having fun in 2009. Together, we will work as a team for the
good of our squadron, cadets, Kansas wing and Civil Air Patrol."

Col Aye presented Commander’s Commendation Awards to Capt

Catherine Metcalf, Maj Dan Metcalf, C/Col Daniel Metcalf, 1st Lt
Byron Edmondson and 2d Lt William James.

Civil Air Patrol Achievement Awards were presented to to Capt

Alan Simon, Capt Dennis Thompson, Capt Karen Bork, 1st Lt
Sally Willson, 2d Lt Marlene Ahlgren, 2d Lt Daniel Chaverin, and
2d Lt James Newbill.

Cadet awards included the Wright Brothers Award to Cadets

Nathanial Chaverin, Samuel Chaverin, Maverick Moore, Thomas
Martin and Jonathan James. The Mary Feik Achievement was
also presented to Nathanial and Samuel Chaverin.

Dinner was provided by the parents. Kansas Wing State Director

Richard Almeida, Air Force Officers Representative Lt Col Scott Cadet 2d Lt Grant Collison received the Gen Billy Mitchell
Award from Shawnee, KS Mayor Jeff Meyers
Harvey, and Bayer Corp representative Deborah Waller were
also in attendance.

Kansas City Composite Squadron will be celebrating its 3rd Anniversary 12 January 08. It is comprised of over 30
cadets and 20 officers, of which 20 members joined in the last year. The squadron serves the greater Kansas City
area, with members from Weston and Gladstone Mo, Leavenworth, Lawrence, in addition to Olathe and Kansas
City.

The squadron has supported many community and national activities, including Wreaths Across America. The
squadron will be hosting a Search and Rescue activity in April that will include county and city first responders,
along with the Kansas Wing.

NCR News January 2009 Page 3

Two Minnesota youths admitted to Civic Leadership Academy
Capt Richard Sprouse
Public Affairs Officer, Group 2, Minnesota Wing

Two Civil Air Patrol cadets from Minnesota are among the 24 youths nation-wide who have won admittance to the
Civil Air Patrol’s Civic Leadership Academy, February 21-28, 2009, in Washington DC.

Cadet Colonel Charlie Cox is a sophomore at the University of St. Thomas majoring in
political science. Cadet First Lieutenant Katherine Jones is a freshman at the College
of St. Catherine majoring in nursing. Both are also Army ROTC cadets through the
University of Minnesota.

Cadet Cox, 19, is from Edina, and has been a CAP cadet since 2003. He’s among the
1 percent of CAP cadets nationally to earn the organization’s Spaatz Award, the top
cadet honor. Cox is also the 2007 Minnesota Wing Cadet of the Year. He says he’s
really looking forward to the academy.

“Being a political science major in college, I'm thrilled to have this opportunity,” Cox
said. “It will be another great experience for me thanks to Civil Air Patrol.”
C/Col Charlie Cox

Cadet Jones, 18, is originally from Ogilvie, Minn., but has been living in Florida the
past 10 years. She returned here to attend college. A CAP member since 2004, she
feels that all cadets, whether they are in middle school, high school, or college should
be paying attention to politics and the effect that the process of government has on
their everyday lives.

“To me, Civic Leadership Academy is a unique opportunity to expand my textbook

knowledge of government and politics to a concrete experience that I will be able to
integrate into my future career, “ Jones said. “I am very fortunate to have been
selected to attend Civic Leadership Academy and am looking forward to the
opportunity to immerse myself in Washington DC with other cadets from around the
nation.” st
C/1 Lt Katherine Jones

In February, Cox and Jones will discuss international affairs with foreign service officers at the State Department,
learn about the legislative process in meetings with Congressional staff on Capitol Hill, study the judiciary with legal
scholars at the Supreme Court, and more. The academy culminates with the cadets scheduled to visit
Representatives John Kline and Betty McCollum of Minnesota to deliver Civil Air Patrol’s Annual Report to
Congress.

Minnesota CAP leaders are not surprised that Cox and Jones were selected for the prestigious academy.

“They’re both tremendous young leaders, and great role models for our younger cadets,” said Colonel Tom Theis,
Minnesota Wing CAP commander.

As CAP cadets, Cox and Jones have been developing leadership skills since they first joined the organization. “The
civic academy takes that training further by giving youth a behind-the-scenes look at our federal government and a
chance to explore public service careers,” according to Curt LaFond of CAP’s National Headquarters.

Photos from this issue of NCR News are available for

download at the NCR Photo Album hosted at the Region
PAO’s Resources and Training Website:

NCR News January 2009 Page 4

Member overcomes challenges to earn Yeager Award.
By 2d Lt. Erik Lindquist
Public Affairs Officer, Viking Squadron, Minnesota Wing
It always seems that when we start to talk about
personal disabilities, there is a hesitation to hold any
meaningful discussions. Today’s environment of
political correctness has muffled our ability to start or
maintain meaningful discussions in fear that we may
say something perceived as offensive.
This lack of conversation robs us all of who we are as
human beings by assuming negative intent, and
creates gaps in our true understanding of ourselves
as individuals. Knowing our limitations and strengths
helps us all work together to achieve greatness.
As human beings we seem to always want to
associate our challenges with the physical challenge
of climbing mountains. It seems to be a visualization
that we all recognize as obtaining satisfaction or
achievement.
I recently had the great opportunity to talk openly with
a friend from Viking squadron who has faced physical
challenges all his life. He has provided a substantial
contribution to CAP through his years of service.
st
1 Lt Matthew Stepaniak proudly receives his Yeager
Award from Viking Squadron Commander Major Brent
Halweg.
1st Lt. Matthew Stepaniak has had a lifetime of
physical limiting challenges. Being born with cerebral
palsy, Matthew has been challenged to get around
with a motorized wheelchair.
His strong will and character has helped him to adapt
to his situation, and to succeed greatly in all that he
has chosen to do. He has always worked for his
successes with nothing being handed to him.
NCR News January 2009
At age 19 he became very interested in HAM radios,
and devoted much of his time to public safety
communications for Hennepin County. His
knowledge of radio equipment and radio networks
has grown immensely since then, and has made him
an expert in the field of communications.
Matthew has also been involved with the Salvation
Army Emergency Disaster Service. He has
volunteered to go out in a UHF repeater emergency
canteen whenever disasters such as explosions,
plane crashes, building collapses, floods, extreme
weather events, or any other type of event or
incident, which endangers life and or severely
inconveniences the public have occurred.
It is no surprise that his communication skills were
meant to serve with the Civil Air Patrol. Matthew
joined CAP in 2004 and as a new senior member he
took on the task of assistant communications officer
for the squadron.
His limitations to physical travel were overcome by
setting up CAP radio equipment at his home as a
base backup. This has allowed him to easily serve
CAP as a devoted radioman. Every Friday night he
has held the Minnesota Wing FM Net, which is a
great tool that provides a comfort level of training
radio communications between wing and its
squadron members.
He has naturally had some frustrations throughout his
life (as we all have), but he has been able to get over
them and stay focused on communications and its
importance. He continues to be available on call for
any activity that requires his services. His
contributions to CAP radio communication training
are priceless.
In 2008 National HQ and Viking squadron
encouraged all Officers to accomplish the
requirements for the Charles E. ‘Chuck’ Yeager
Aerospace Education Achievement Award. For
Matthew this was a daunting request, because he
can’t see a textbook perceptually. He has no visual
perception of images, which makes written learning
almost impossible for him.
Continued on Page 6
Page 5
Stepaniak Continued
His best method of learning is audible or verbally.
This requirement worried Matthew, but when Viking
squadron aerospace education officer Capt. David
Coates approached Matthew, he quickly saw the
problem and formed a solution that would work for
Matthew.
The request for squadron support came for members
to contribute time to read and verbally record each
chapter of the study book. Within a matter of minutes
the sign-up sheet was filled with volunteers.
Over a period of months, Matthew had listened to all
the chapters that had been recorded, and it was time
to take the test. He was read each question, and he
verbally provided his answers.
With assistance to help him input his answers to the
online quiz, 1st Lt Stepaniak of Viking Squadron
passed his Charles E. ‘Chuck’ Yeager Aerospace
Education Achievement test. This mountain had
been climbed and conquered, so now it is on to other
mountains.
For Viking squadron it is the pride to see one of its
members succeed on a personal level, and we all
gain strength from the experience.
We should remember to give tribute to the great
contributions of many of our CAP members that
struggle daily with challenges, yet still rise to the call
of service and duty. Their focus, confidence, and
purpose of life should give us all inspiration to
continue to do our best as an organization.

We can all feel proud of our team.

Saving Lives from the Air

Krystle Kacner
KDLT TV, Sioux Falls, SD

When people go missing in South Dakota, it's up to a group of well-

trained volunteers to find them. For those people, today was training day,
going through scenarios of missing people, missing aircrafts, or
disasters; as if it was reality.

Today, it's just a drill; but this practice makes a difference when there are
lives on the line.

George Colombe, Civil Air Patrol says, "Basically what you do is find out
what you're doing wrong, and make sure that you get all your procedures
down and your doing everything correctly."

Several times a year the civil air patrol has training missions where they
practice for real life scenarios where they have to take planes like this up
to look for missing people or missing aircrafts.

Colombe has seen his share of real scenarios. "For missing aircrafts and missing persons." Colombe said.

For today's training mission, he is the incident commander, overseeing the ground team and the aircraft out
searching, and the team working at home base. "This particular mission we're looking for a missing aircraft and we
also have another scenario where we're looking for a missing person." Said Colombe.

The hardest part of his job is keeping it all together. Colombe said that, "to keep everybody focused on what needs
to be done to get the mission completed safely."

Colombe, like all members of the civil air patrol is a volunteer, giving his time and money for things like certifications
so he can help in times of need... "It's important to be able to go out and say you've saved somebody's life or that
you've found somebody that's lost." Said Colombe.

A fulfillment, Colombe says, that is hard to come by anywhere else. Members of the Civil Air Patrol are anywhere
from 12 to 99 years old; and with day jobs of anything from teachers and doctors, to students.

NCR News January 2009 Page 6

This feature looks at the Wreaths Across America events that were held in several of the
wings of North Central Region
MISSOURI WING
For the third year in a row, Missouri Wing’s Group 2
hosted the annual Wreaths Across America
ceremony at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
on December 13, 2008.
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery is the nation’s
second largest veteran’s cemetery after Arlington
National Cemetery.
More than 120 members of the general public, Patriot
Guard Riders, and Civil Air Patrol members from
Groups II and IV braved a cold and windy day to help
place more than 1,100 holiday wreaths in honor of
those who gave their lives in service for our country,
as well as those who have served and are serving in
our nation’s armed forces.
NCR News January 2009
In addition, seven specially made wreaths
representing the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force,
Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and POW/MIA were
presented during a short ceremony.
The event began with a flyover by a Civil Air Patrol
Cessna aircraft piloted by Capt. Brian Thompson,
Group II Operations Officer, sharply at 11 a.m. to
coincide with the beginning of the national program at
Arlington National Cemetery and the simultaneous
start of all ceremonies across the nation in over 350
state and federal veteran’s cemeteries. The event
concluded with the powerful rendition of Taps by a
bugler.
“The freedoms that we enjoy
today have not come without a
price” said Maj. David Miller,
Group II commander and
coordinator of the ceremony.
“Lying here before us and in
cemeteries throughout this
nation are men and women
who gave their lives so that
we can live in freedom and
without fear”
At the end of the ceremony, the Army wreath was
presented to the family of James Amelung in memory
of his two brothers PFC Melvin O. Amelung and PFC
Vernon A. Amelung. Both served in the European
Theater in WWII. Melvin Amelung served in General
Patton’s 3rd Army and fought in three major battles
including the Battle of the Bulge, and assisted in
liberating the concentration camp at Ohrdruf, Melvin
Amelung is buried in Belleville, Illinois
The Army wreath will be placed at the gravesite of
Vernon Amelung, an Army Engineer in France during
WWII who is buried at Jefferson Barracks. This
wreath represents not only the Army, but also a
brother’s journey of honoring and preserving his
brothers military legacy.
Continued on Page 8
Page 7
Wreaths continued from page 7
The Navy wreath was presented to the family of
Hospital Corpsman Second Class Donald Lee
Henderson. Donald Henderson enlisted in the Navy
and served stateside in Oakland, California, during
the Korean War.
He passed on to his children and grandchildren his
vast knowledge and facts about the Navy and the
Korean War, encouraging them to never forget or
overlook this conflict as sometimes is done in
history.
However, the number one fact he kept in his heart,
and mentioned often, were the 919 soldiers from
Missouri & from all branches of the armed services
who lost their lives during the Korean War.
Henderson passed away in 2004 and is buried at
Jefferson Barracks. The wreath was presented after
the ceremony to his wife, Joyce Henderson.
The Marine Corps wreath was presented to the family
of Corporal Walter Wozniak, Sr., who served during
WWII.
The wreath was presented after the ceremony to his
granddaughter, Sally Young.
NCR News January 2009
The Air Force wreath honors the memory of 1st Lt.
Michael Blassie, a graduate of St. Louis University
High School and a 1970 graduate of the U.S. Air
Force Academy, who was shot down over An Loc on
May 11, 1972 as a member of the 8th Special
Operations Squadron.
From 1984 to 1998, his remains were buried in
Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the
Unknowns as an unidentified soldier from the
Vietnam War.
His remains were identified in 1998 and were
reinterred at Jefferson Barracks. The wreath was
placed after the ceremony at 1st Lt. Blassie’s
gravesite in a brief but solemn presentation.
The Coast Guard wreath honors the memory of Billy
Rice, former Command Pilot and Flotilla 7
Commander of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and a
recipient of the U.S. Coast Guard Award of Merit,
with Operational Distinguishing Device for his work
during the 1993 Missouri floods.
This is the highest award the Coast Guard can
present to a non-enlisted individual. Billy Rice also
enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War
and served as a member of the Civil Air Patrol for
many years.
The wreath was presented after this ceremony to his
wife, Carolyn Rice.
The POW/MIA wreath was presented to Patriot
Guard Ride Captain, Bill Hunt, in memory of the
93,852 United States servicemen from all branches
of the service whose last know status was either
Prisoners of War or Missing in Action.
Continued on Page 9
Page 8
Wreaths continued from Page 8 C/2Lt Victoria Cachro, and C/SrA Thomas Mossman,
along with Major Vicky Marking, 2Lt Duane Martinz,
These individuals have never returned to their and Sponsor Kris Bierwirth.
families and homes and shall not be forgotten.

Finally, the Merchant Marine wreath was laid at the

Merchant Marines memorial site at Jefferson
Barracks after the ceremony.

Their role in the ceremony included distributing the

special-made wreaths to the veterans designated to
represent the various branches:

Cindy Tschetter represented the Army, Bill Barlow

represented the Navy, Bob “DOC’ Baty represented
“This was the first year that Group II units participated the Marine Corps, Martin Mahrt represented the Air
in wreath sponsorships and we were, frankly, Force, David Fluck represented the Coast Guard,
overwhelmed by the success of the program.” said Keith Blume represented the Merchant Marines, and
Maj. Miller. “We were expecting approximately 300 Virgil Kock represented the POW/MIA.
wreaths. We received almost four times that
amount.” The ceremony began at 10:00 a.m. with one minute
of silence. 2d Lt Duane Martinez presented the same
“I am especially grateful for the extraordinary WAA emotional speech that was being read across
assistance provided by Capt. Jimmie Peyton, the country that day.
commander of the River City Composite Squadron,
Capt. Tim Mohr, commander of the St. Louis
Composite Squadron 1, and Lt. Col. Randy Fuller,
commander of the Missouri Wing Legislative
Squadron. This year’s event could not have been
successful without their hard work.”

Members of the following squadrons participated: St.

Louis Composite Squadron 1, St. Charles Composite
Squadron, River City Composite Squadron, Gateway
Senior Squadron, Mid Rivers Senior Squadron,
Pegasus Composite Squadron, Mineral Area
Composite Squadron, Group II headquarters,
Missouri Wing Legislative Squadron, and the
Missouri Wing headquarters.
In an excerpt specifically addressed to the youth who
SOUTH DAKOTA WING were present, the script stated, “To our children, we
want you to understand that the freedoms you enjoy
HOT SPRINGS today have not been free at all, but have come with a
cost that someday you may have to pay yourself. As
The Crazy Horse Composite Squadron of the SD a nation standing together, we can defeat terrorism,
Wing of Civil Air Patrol participated for the second hatred and injustice. Thanks to our veterans, we
year in the Wreaths Across America (WAA) program have the freedom to do just that.”
at the Hot Springs National Cemetery.
Continued on Page 10
Cadets from Custer and Hot Springs, including
C/SSgt. Justin Bierwirth, C/MSgt Angelica Cachro,
NCR News January 2009 Page 9
Wreaths Continued from Page 9 NORTH DAKOTA WING
By JENNY MICHAEL
Despite chilly weather, each veteran and CAP Bismarck Tribune
member stood vigilant at their place until the
ceremony’s completion without wavering from their
duty.

The wreaths were placed by the service

representatives one at a time to honor past veterans
of each branch. The VFW Rifle Team then presented
a rifle salute followed the playing of “Taps” by Ben
Hobbs of Pringle.

2d Lt Martinez suggested that each person attending

stroll around the cemetery, write the name of a fallen
veteran, and research their past life to make the
experience more personal.
Participants and guests remarked that the ceremony
was exceptionally moving.
At the conclusion, 2d Lt Martinez and Major Marking
invited the audience to help distribute additional
wreaths that were purchased and donated by various
sponsors from Custer and Hot Springs and even from
Tucson, Arizona.
SIOUX FALLS
The Bismarck Composite Squadron didn't quite hit its
goal of providing wreaths for 3,800 headstones at the
North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, but it came close.
The wreaths, 2,583 of them, arrived Monday, Maj.
Sean Johnson said. The squadron began a wreath
sponsorship campaign in November with the goal of
raising enough money to have wreaths for each of
the approximately 3,800 veterans and family
members of veterans interred at the cemetery south
of Mandan.

Members of the Sioux Falls Composite Squadron
participated in the annual Wreaths Across America,
in Hills of Rest Cemetery, in Sioux Falls.
The squadrons' honor guard performed and
presented the colors at the opening ceremony.
Lt Col Tim Steppan was the host of the ceremony
and spoke about the dedication of our military and
the great sacrifices they make for our freedom.
During the event, the wreaths were presented, one
for each branch of the military, honoring those who
have paid the ultimate price.
The project is part of "Wreaths Across America,"
which began in 1992 when the Worcester Wreath Co.
of Maine had excess wreaths as Christmas neared.
Company president Morrill Worcester had visited
Arlington National Cemetery as a child and
remembered being moved by the experience. So, the
wreaths were placed on headstones in an older
portion of the cemetery. Now, the program partners
with the Civil Air Patrol and places wreaths at
veterans cemeteries in every state.

Wreaths Across America is a nationwide event,

honoring veterans on the holidays and to pay tribute
to their service.

The Sioux Falls Squadron has participated in the

event for the last seven years.

Special thanks to Col Mike Beason,

Col Tom Theis, Major Sean Johnson,
Major David Miller, Major Jim Kline, Capt
Robin Helgager, Capt Richard Sprouse
and 1st Lt Lori Anderson for their
contributions to this feature.
"We could not be happier and more excited with the
tremendous response we received from the
community," Johnson, who commands the Bismarck
Composite Squadron, said.
Continued on Page 11

NCR News January 2009 Page 10

Wreaths Continued from Page 10
"So many people and organizations got behind this
effort, and we are confident that it will be even bigger
next holiday season."
The wreaths cost $15 each, meaning that the CAP
raised $38,745.
MDU Resources Foundation, Basin Electric
Cooperative, Fischer Sand and Gravel of Dickinson
and Butler Machinery of Fargo each put up $1,500 for
corporate sponsorships. KQDY-FM and Cash Wise
Foods coordinated a live remote and sponsorship
drop-off point for donations, which Johnson said
helped generate a "tremendous response" to the
project. Other sponsorships came from small
businesses, families and individuals.
The 188th Family Readiness Group, associated with
Battery A, 1st Battalion 188th Air Defense Artillery
Regiment of the North Dakota Army National Guard,
also raised more than $5,000 toward the effort,
Johnson said.
Now that the wreaths have made it to North Dakota,
Johnson and the CAP are focusing on Saturday's
wreath laying ceremony.
Though the Bismarck CAP has participated in
Wreaths Across America ceremonies in 2006 and
2007, this will be the first year wreaths will be placed
at individual headstones. The wreath laying
ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the
North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. Johnson said the
public is welcome to attend and help place wreaths
across the cemetery.
The ceremony will be one of close to 300 wreath
ceremonies conducted simultaneously across the
nation at veterans cemeteries.
NCR News January 2009
It will take place outdoors on the flag plaza, so
Johnson encourages people to dress appropriately
for the weather. The chapel at the cemetery will be
open during the event, but will be reserved for people
who shouldn't be exposed to winter conditions for
very long. The ceremony is expected to last about 20
minutes.
Wreaths will be placed in three phases upon the
conclusion of the ceremony, which will include
placement of wreaths for each branch of the military.
First, people who sponsored wreaths and want them
to be placed on specific graves will go first. Next,
CAP members and volunteers will lay out wreaths on
graves for people who sponsored wreaths but could
not attend. Last, the remaining wreaths will be placed
on gravesites starting from the flag plaza and moving
out until the supply is exhausted.
Parking will be available on the right sides of the
roadways inside the cemetery. The normal parking
area near the main building will be reserved for
ceremony viewing.
Johnson said he already has heard from a number of
groups planning to attend.
"We're going to have some good numbers there," he
said. "We're looking forward to this ceremony."
Johnson said he expected the support the project
garnered from the community, but he was humbled
by the responses of veterans and their families.
"I cannot count the number of calls I took from family
members who were in tears as they expressed how
much this meant to them to have a wreath placed on
their loved one's grave," he said. "It also meant a lot
to many living veterans to have their deceased
comrades recognized for all their sacrifices."
Continued on Page 12
Page 11

MINNESOTA WING
Camp Ripley, MN
Several veterans’ organizations, the Minnesota
Patriot Guard and members of the Crow Wing and St.
Cloud squadrons of the Civil Air Patrol participated
Saturday, December 13 in Wreaths Across America
at the State Veterans’ Cemetery near Camp Ripley.
First Lieutenant George Ramler of St. Cloud
Squadron said the central Minnesota squadrons
were proud to be part of the event.
“There are a significant amount of veterans in central
Minnesota and we want to honor them,” Ramler said.
“We also want our cadets to learn the value of
freedom and honor those who have fought to
preserve our way of life.” Approximately 40,000
veterans live within 75 miles of the cemetery.
A poignant moment occurred when one of the nearly
245 wreaths was placed at the grave of Sergeant
NCR News January 2009
Jacob Pfingsten, a Crow Wing Squadron member
who died in 2005 while serving with the US Army in
Germany.
“Jake was a great young man. He had a positive
attitude and was always smiling.
He was a great role model for the cadets in
squadron,” said Lt Col Bob Johnson of Crow Wing
Squadron.
Pfingsten’s parents, Captains Tom and Beth
Pfingsten, and his sister, C/2d Lt Sarah Pfingsten,
are active members of the squadron.
The nearly 245 wreaths were about a 3,400 percent
increase from the seven placed at the cemetery last
year. The Minnesota Patriot Guard provided 75
wreaths with another 168 coming from Crow Wing
and St. Cloud squadron sponsors.
Still, Ramler hopes the effort will be even more
successful next year.
“It’s a big increase from last year and a great
incentive to do even better in 2009. It’s the very least
we can do to honor our veterans.”
The 37-acre Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery
near Camp Ripley was opened in 1994 and is the
resting place to 3,000 veterans and eligible family
members. 334 burials were conducted there during
the past fiscal year, a 17 percent increase from the
previous year.
Many more photos from the
Wreaths Across America events in region
can be seen in the NCR Photo Album at
www.ncrpao.org
Continued on Page 13
Page 12
Wreaths Continued from Page 12
Over that period of time, Worcester Wreath has
donated 90,000 wreaths, which were placed by
volunteers in a wreath-laying ceremony each
December. But 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.
The Civil Air Patrol started placing wreaths at
Arlington National Cemetery several years ago. The
event then spread nationally among members and
has become a tradition for CAP.
NCR News January 2009
Minneapolis
Twin Cities squadrons organized by Wing Public
Affairs Officer, Capt Richard Geis for the third year in
a row honored veterans at the Fort Snelling National
Cemetary during the Wreaths Across America
national event.
“It was a challenging day with the snow and cold, but
we survived. We've had nothing but good reports
and comments of appreciation for your efforts.” said
Col Tom Theis, Minnesota Wing Commander after
the ceremony.
After the ceremony, Col Tom Theis, Lt Col Mikitta, 1st
Lt Norine Olson and C/TSgt Kaelyn Olson C/MSgt
Tim Blesi also placed wreaths at the grave sites of
Cadet Marc McCollum (Viking SQ) who perished on
his first cross country solo flight at the age of 16,
Colonel Joseph Kasper and Colonel Alan Brandon,
former Minnesota Wing commanders were also
honored with wreaths.
Continued on Page 14
Page 13
Wreaths Continued from Page 13
Bemidji
Laurie Swenson Bemidji Pioneer
Ethan Helgager, representing members of all
branches of the service whose last known status was
either prisoner of war or missing in action; and
Beltrami County Sheriff Phil Hodapp, representing
law enforcement officers who have served or are
serving.

The Civil Air Patrol’s Northland Composite Squadron

hosted Wreaths Across America with a recognition
ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery that included the
laying of ceremonial wreaths honoring the Army,
Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard,
Merchant Marines, U.S. Public Service, prisoners of
war/missing in action and law enforcement officers
who have served or are serving their country.
“Our goal was to honor the veterans, teach our young
people to remember, encourage our active duty
members that are here, and provide meaningful
service to the community,” said Capt. Robin
Helgager, deputy commander.

The ceremony was held in conjunction with the

wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National
Cemetery in Washington, D.C., and ceremonies at
cemeteries around the world.

“Today we show a united

front of national unity all
across the United States
of America as we
remember the fallen,
honor those who serve
and teach our children the
value of freedom,” said
Capt Terrence Best,
Squadron Commander
After the ceremony, cadets placed purchased
wreaths at graves and rendered salutes.
Staff Sgt. Seth Martell laid the first holiday wreath on Best told the cadets to take a moment to visit a
behalf of those who served and are serving in the gravesite, write down information on the person
U.S. Army. buried there, and research the name.
He was followed by Chaplain Walter James, “You will find they were real Americans with families
representing the U.S. Navy; Tom Stinar, representing — mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers
the U.S. Marine Corps; Airman Rob Sandberg, and sister, aunts and uncles,” he said. “They were
representing the U.S. Air Force; Donald Drusch, and are more than a statistic.”
representing U.S. Coast Guard; Cmdr. Robert
Saddoris, representing the U.S. Merchant Marine; Lt. To learn more information about the Wreaths Across
Junior Guard Megan Arndt, representing the U.S. America program please visit their web site at
Public Health Service; Civil Air Patrol Cadet, 1st Lt. www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
NCR News January 2009 Page 14
Nebraska Squadron Dedicates New Aerospace Education Room
A ribbon cutting ceremony by squadron
commander, Lt Col David Waite and Cadet
Aerospace Education Officer Cadet 2d Lt
Mandy Mueller, marked the opening of the
General Curtis E. LeMay Offutt Composite
Squadron's new aerospace education room.
This ceremony was held in conjunction with a
celebration recognizing the 52nd anniversary
of the founding of the squadron. The date of
the ceremony was also symbolic in that it was
the week of the 105th anniversary of the first
heavier then air flights by the Wright Brothers.

An idea of an aerospace education room

became a possibility when a room became
available to move the squadron's supply room
this past summer. The squadron received a
$4000.00 grant from the Best Buy
Corporation that allowed the room to be
outfitted with new computers and accessories
to make two flight simulators. Cadets Rachel Dunkleman and Matt Callahan won the rights to be the first cadets
to experience the squadron’s new flight simulators.
After the supply room was moved to its new area, the members of the squadron went to work modifying the room.
The room was painted to match the Civil Air Patrol aircraft paint scheme. The squadron's Testing and Finance
Officer, Captain Doug Tweedt, crafted a desk from scratch that can be used by the simulators as well as testing of
cadets. Requests for materials to decorate the room were sent out to aerospace companies across the United
States. Once the materials were received they were placed on the side walls that corresponded to the six cadet
aerospace modules. The back wall of the room contains historical items from the squadrons 52 years of existence.
This includes autographed pictures from Apollo 10 Commander, Astronaut Thomas Stafford, Apollo 12 Astronaut
Alan Bean, the first native born Nebraskan Astronaut Clay Anderson, and aviation enthusiast John Travolta. The
entrance wall to the room is covered with patches from flying organizations from across the country.

As the cadets turn the lights on and off to the room they are reminded of what they are working towards. Just
above the light switch to the room is a plaque listing the cadets who have earned their solo wings while members of
the unit.

Future plans are to use the flight simulators to better prepare the cadets to fly airplanes. The squadron plans on
having pilots teach specific classes on flying using the capabilities of the simulator software to the fullest. In the
near future a weather station will be installed in the room. The weather station was made possible by a fund raising
project conducted by the cadets this past fall.

The room is planned as a work in progress and will be updated as new materials are donated to the squadron.

BLACKCAP XXV is coming

If you want to attend a fun and unique CAP Ground Team training
opportunity then the BlackCAP Emergency Services College is for
you! More information is available at :

NCR News January 2009 Page 15

CAP Member to become an Air Force Test Pilot
Col Mike Beason,
Commander, South Dakota Wing

Capt David Marten of the Rushmore Composite Squadron, also assigned to

Ellsworth AFB as a B-1 pilot, has been selected to attend the USAFTest Pilot
School. Capt Marten has had a long term dream of being a test pilot.

Capt Marten has been a CAP member since 1991, joining as a cadet. He is a
mission pilot and has held a variety of positions at both squadron and wing levels.
Congratulations to Dave for his selection.

Test Pilot School info:

http://www.edwards.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6467

Iowa Wing Member Graduates from Air Force BMT

CAP Flight Officer and Air Force Airman Clarissa Mouw recently graduated as an
Honor Graduate at Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, TX. In her
class, there were 37 honor graduates out of 787 classmates, so she was in the top
5% of her class. She also made the Thunderbolt achievement for excellence in
Physical Training.

Clarissa is married to Major Mike Mouw. He was the South Dakota Wing’s Cadet
Programs Director and recently moved to Iowa and a new squadron. He is also the
Director of Operations for Iowa Wing.

They are both members of the Iowa Wing’s Sheldon Composite Squadron.

Mission Information Officers receive training

The airplanes were moved, the tables were arranged and the projector was connected to the laptop. Civil Air Patrol
members from across the State of Minnesota come together for a Mission Information Officer (MIO) training
mission.

All was ready for the six members who attended the MIO training course on
January 10th at the Minnesota Wing Headquarters. Attendees received a series of
presentations from Major Al Pabon, North Central Region Director of Public Affairs
on what is an Information Officer, their role, it’s importance to the success of a
mission how to write press releases and working with the media.

1st Lt George Supan, Group 3 Public Affairs Officer addressed preparing for a
mission, arriving at the command post and working with the media.

Lt Col Mike Moen, the Group 3 Commander had CAP uniforms to show attendees
and reviewed the 18 different uniforms along what can be worn with each uniform.
Minnesota State Director Bill Willis
The day went by fast as information was shared and guests stopped in to add to makes a point during the
Information Officer Training Mission.
the course. Bill Willis, Minnesota State Director shared his thoughts as to the
importance of the MIO along with the mission’s Incident Commander, Major Chet Wilberg, Emergency Services
Officer.

“Sharing information at the right time with the media is very critical”, said Wilberg.

NCR News January 2009 Page 16

NCR News January 2009 Page 17