Canon-McMillan Student takes Cadet Command of Local Squadron during Awards Banquet

Washington County Composite Squadron 601 of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) celebrated the 74th Anniversary of CAP with a Cadet Change of Command Ceremony and Awards Banquet on December 1st, 2015. Cadet CMSgt Zachary Keyes of Canonsburg assumed command of the squadron and Cadet 1st Lt Collin Page of Washington made his final remarks as outgoing commander. Cadet Page was also promoted to 1st Lt and awarded the Community Service Award. This award is given to members who have completed 60 hours or more of community service. Page has gone above and beyond that requirement having already dedicated over 120 hours to his local community. When asked what community service means to him he replied, “Community service is giving back to our local community in payment for what we take from it. Without us giving back, the community would starve for help to replenish its resources.”

A number of other achievements were also awarded to various squadron members during the ceremony. C/2d Lt Zachary Kagle of Burgettstown was presented with the General Billy Mitchell Award. A milestone award which is earned after completion of the first eight achievements in the cadet program. Cadets who receive the General Billy Mitchell Award are also eligible for advanced placement to the grade of E-3 should they choose to enter the US Air Force. Kagle was also awarded the Airforce Association Squadron Cadet of the Year. C/TSgt Jeremy Soyring of Canonsburg achieved his Eddie Rickenbacker Achievement and was promoted to C/TSgt. C/SrA Joshua Sheppard of Washington had the honor of receiving the Cadet of the Year Award, Keyes was awarded the Cadet NCO of the Year, and 1st Lt Samuel Soyring was awarded Senior Member of the Year. Squadron “Of the Year Awards” are given to recognize members who have shown outstanding leadership and continued dedication at the squadron level. “Each year we reward our fellow squadron members for going above and beyond in service to our squadron and community. It is always an honor to be chosen for such recognition. I am proud to work with such a great group of people”, commented Capt. Nancy Parker, Squadron Commander.

The following cadets were recognized at a smaller promotions ceremony held at the squadron in November: C/A1C Caleb Heckler of Marianna received the General “Hap” Arnold Achievement, C/MSgt Daniel Salai of Wind Ridge received the Charles A. Lindbergh Achievement, C/SrA Joshua Sheppard of Washington received the Mary Feik Achievement, and C/1st Lt Raeann Silassy of Canonsburg received her promotion to 1st Lt.

As a whole, the Washington Composite Squadron received the Quality Cadet Unit Award. A national recognition given to cadet units that display strong program fundamentals. Squadron 601 currently has 35 members, 19 of whom are cadets between the ages of 12 to 21 and is commanded by Capt. Nancy Parker of McMurray. The group meets from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Wednesday at the Flyers Club located at the Washington County Airport. For more information please visit www.pasquadron601.org.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force, which consists of Regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees. CAP, in its Total Force role, operates a fleet of 550 aircraft and performs about 85 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 70 lives annually. Civil Air Patrol’s 58,000 members nationwide also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Its members additionally play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet program. Civil Air Patrol received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014 in honor of the heroic efforts of its World War II veterans. Congressionally chartered 74 years ago, the nonprofit organization also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.capmembers.com for more information.