|
Group Commander
 |
In the Midst of Tragedy
On August 28, 2005 Hurricane Katrina came
ashore creating one of the worst Natural Disasters of this decade. On
September 11, 2001 nineteen terrorists had murdered three thousand
people. Katrina came into our lives without malice, because nature has
no will of its own. As large, as powerful and devastating as hurricanes
can be, they are an emotionless force of nature that weather
forecasters, meteorologists, and climatologists can understand and
describe with mathematical models. The hijackers of 9/11 attacked us
because they hated us. They hated everything we stood for, and still
stand for, and in the misguided universe where these hijackers lived
they believed that the world would be a better place if they could only
reduce the number of Americans living in it. There was no hate in
Hurricane Katrina, but there was hatred in the hearts of those
hijackers.
In my life's experience these two events
– Hurricane Katrina and the attacks of
9/11
– will always be inextricably linked
because on September 11 of 2005 I was standing in the Civil Air Patrol
ICP in Jackson, Mississippi along with 211 other CAP members from
sixteen wings as we worked together to bring assistance to the residents
of Coastal Mississippi whose lives had been veritably flooded with
tragedy
Some of you were there with me, and I know
you remember.
So here we are again. Within the next few
days, what could be a very major hurricane will come ashore somewhere on
the Gulf Coast of the United States. And, once again, the members of the
Civil Air Patrol will set aside their personal lives, and in some cases
even their own tragedies, and will work together to bring assistance to
those in need.
America is not only a land of good and
decent people who will voluntarily give of their personal lives to
shoulder the burden of service to our community, state, and nation.
America is also the land of those who, even though they have suffered
tragedies of their own, will still reach out to help others first.
In the end, this is how I know that the
terrorists were wrong about America.
It is a privilege to serve with you.
Lt. Col.
Owen Younger, Commander
Tertia semper primoris |
|
Wing Commander
 |
Safety
Training, 23 August
From: Smith, Joe R
Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2008 9:02 PM
To:
Subject: Safety Program Participation
CAPR 60-1 requires that CAP check pilots,
mission check pilots, and instructor pilots be designated in writing by
the current executive director, region commander, or wing commander.
CAPR 62-1 requires every member to attend a face-to-face safety meeting
every calendar quarter.
I have withdrawn my approval of five Texas
Wing instructor and/or check pilot certifications for failure to
participate in the safety program for over 90 days. Those qualifications
are being removed from the CAP-USAF AFAM pilot list and I have suspended
those qualifications in ops qual.
Participation in the safety program is
required of all members prior to any CAP activity, but those individuals
in a position of authority or responsibility have a special duty when it
comes to safety. In particular, check pilots and instructor pilots are
critical elements in our task of building a culture of safety in our
aircrew members, and it is essential they be active in the safety
program - and are perceived to be active - because of the critical first
impression they give to our new aircrew members during training and the
initial evaluation.
WMU has products that allow you to check the
safety currency of any pilot, and we expect every FRO to be doing that
for every flight release. You can also use that product to determine who
is going to be removed from the AFAM pilot list next month - unless they
start participating in the safety program. WMU also prints a unit report
that indicates the safety currency of every member of the squadron, so
the ability to ensure safety currency before every CAP event is
available.
|
How to access the utility:
1. Go to
http://wmu.nat.cap.gov/
2. Click on the "Web WMU" link,
3. Press the "Safety" button,
4. Log in,
5. After a wait (depends on the connection), when you are
logged in, press the "Pilot Listing" button.
6. A few minutes later (depends on how many pilots), you
will have a report for our wing pilots.
(Thanks to Capt. David Medders for providing the
step-by-step routine) |
I remind all unit commanders of the
importance of our safety program, the requirement for every member to
participate, and the importance of documenting that participation.
Building a culture of safety is not easy. It requires dedication,
effort, and everyone's participation.
Col. Joe R. Smith, Texas Wing Commander
|
|
Wing Vice Commander
 |
To members of Texas Wing, 30 August
This has been a very interesting year so
far. We had several months of Firewatch and now we are into our third
storm. Along with that, we have had many changes to deal with. I find
that this often has a negative effect on our morale. To that end, let me
tell you how much your support is appreciated. You have made major
contributions to health and welfare of your and my neighbors. The Texas
SOC considers you essential to their operations. Governor Perry was
reviewing the Dolly pictures this morning and said that it was exactly
what he needs for Gustav.
It is really my pleasure to represent you at
the SOC. It is through your hard work that CAP's reputation is so well
respected.
In the next few days I will be looking for
your help again. This time to support recovery efforts as Gustav makes
landfall. Please have a happy Labor Day weekend and get ready. CAP and I
need everyone of you. I, and probably you, joined CAP to be able to help
in occasions like Gustav. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Lt. Col. Jack Jackson, Texas Wing Vice
Commander
Gustav Update,
30 August
Gustav increased to a CAT 4 at 2:00pm CDT.
It still has to cross the western tip of Cuba. Once it enters the Gulf,
it will strengthen again. This has raised a concern that Gustav might
make landfall as a very strong storm. We have been asked to have another
5 aircraft with cameras on standby in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in case
the workload exceeds what Ellington can handle. Also, Victoria should
standby in case Gustav shifts towards Houston.
Lt. Col. Jack Jackson, Texas Wing Vice
Commander |
| Chaplain
 |
The Golden Rule
During my early studies in
seminary I came to love the teachings of an ancient rabbi
named Hillel. The story of his life and those maxims
attributed to him are the stuff that can guide a person to a
life of honor and caring. His gentle approach to mankind,
and what was needed to repair a world that was torn by
strife and greed, may be used as examples even in today’s
world.
Hillel was born in Babylon on
about 10 BCE (before the Christian era). He is said to have
descended from the tribe of Benjamin on his father’s side,
and the family of King David on his mother's. Hillel came to
the Land of Israel as an illiterate young man and at the age
of 40 began his studies. He is believed to have lived during
the age of King Herod and the Roman Emperor Augustus. His
brilliance and humanistic application of Jewish law to
everyday life soon allowed him to assume the position of
head of the academy.
Hillel is known for a famous
saying that is still applicable to daily life today, and is
found in all humanistic belief systems. When a non-Jew
approached Rabbi Hillel asking for an explanation of Jewish
law, Hillel said, “That which is hateful to you, do not do
to your fellow [to mankind]. That is the whole Torah; the
rest is the explanation; go and learn.” With that, the
“Golden Rule,” which is known to us all, was born and
repeated to this day.
Regardless of your religious
belief, applying the “Golden Rule” to your daily life, and
living by that rule, can only make you a better person. Best
of all, it lends itself to the honor code by which you, as a
Civil Air Patrol member, are expected to live your life.
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Marc Ben-Meir
"Chaplain Marc"
|
|
Communications
 |
Upcoming Change in Communications
Please see message below, from the Director
of Missions, CAP NHQ.
S. M. Roger Courtney
From: Salvador, John
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 5:18 PM
To:
Subject: Narrowband Transition Update Briefing
Importance: High
Commanders,
Here is a narrowband transition update
briefing from Lt Col Mike Marek, our Communications Team Leader. The PDF
file contains the slides and talking points to go along with each
slide. Recommend you view this PDF version first. Attached documents:
Please share this information with your
staff so they can be prepared to assist your communications team with
the multitude of tasks that will be required in the coming year. Thank
you.
Sincerely,
John A. Salvador, Director of
Missions, HQ CAP |
|
Emergency Services - DHS
 |
Feature-Rich Website
The
Lessons Learned Information Sharing site, published and
maintained by the Department of Homeland Security, is a rich source of
planning, hands-on, and practical information. Do check out their
Hurricane Preparedness page, recently updated.
To
access the site, at
https://www.llis.dhs.gov , you must create a user account first. If
you have trouble doing so, they publish a Help e-mail
address, and they also have a toll-free phone number to assist you.
Refreshingly, if you phone, you'll get an American standard accent
belonging to a patient and clear helper.
At the
very least, read the State of Texas Hurricane Evacuation and Mass Care
Plan
https://www.llis.dhs.gov/docdetails/details.do?contentID=23405
This
site is free, useful, and clear. You can't go wrong.
Crisis Management Newsletter
To
receive this e-newsletter, send a message to
join-crisismanager@laser.sparklist.com -- No subject or message is
required. You'll receive a message that you must answer in order to
confirm your subscription. (Tip sent in by my friend Lt. Col. Tom
Traver, ORWG PAO.)
Capt.
Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor |
|
Emergency Services - Training Opportunity
 |
Special Training Opportunity for Texas CAP Members
It is a fact that NIMS training is mandatory, but the ICS
300 and ICS 400 courses cannot be taken online. They must be taken in
person at an approved location, taught by certified instructors. Many
TXWG members who would otherwise be able to take these courses, at times
cannot because of the cost, since they are taught in few places, mostly
the large cities in Texas.
This is a Great Deal!
ICS training is available through the Governor's Division
of Emergency Management. This program will reimburse CAP members for
travel and living expenses incurred to attend mission-related training.
If in doubt, or if you have any other questions, please
contact the Group III Emergency
Services Officer.
Capt.
Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor |
|
Finance
 |
|
Group III Patch Available
|
Are you on Group III Staff? Wear the Group III Staff patch
proudly. At $5.00 each, they are a bargain and show your
commitment to Group III and the CAP program. (Click on the image
for a larger view.) |
|
|
Group III Coins Available
 
Our mint
has delivered a batch of new
Group III Commemorative Coins, and you may own as many as you wish,
for $10.00 each. They make wonderful gifts for your loved
ones ... or even yourself. (Click on the images for larger
views of the obverse and reverse.)
To purchase either
Group III Patches or Group III Coins, please contact Maj Laurie
Lancaster -
laurielancaster@yahoo.com |
Maj. Laurie Lancaster, FO |
|
Information Technology
 |
Most
Common Mistakes that Beginning Webmasters Make - "Could you find me,
please?"
The beginning webmaster (BW) labors away with the page
design, the content, and the "navigation blues" that pop up when a naive
user just can't seem to find a particular page linked so cleverly that
even a fool could find it ... but not that fool. So the BW keeps at it,
until everything is easy for everyone.
Once these issues have been worked out, the BW posts the
site online and sits back, relishing the thought of millions upon
millions of visitors filing through its dazzling pages. Hold on, now.
Reality check. First of all, the visitors will need to know the site is
there, and that won't happen unless (1) the BW tells them about it (it
would cost a fortune), or (2) the search engines find the wonderful,
brand-new site.
And here comes the catch. Search engines are capricious,
and insist on reading some things but not others. Or they discover
things the BW didn't think would be notable. Or they ignore entire
sections of the new website because their standard search pattern didn't
take them there. Well, worry not. Help is coming.
The answer is the lowly "robots.txt" file. Yes, a plain
text file, in the best tradition of old-style computing, when there were
no great graphical interfaces because the CRTs (Cathode Ray Tubes, also
called computer monitors) could only display text. Yes, the practice
goes back to nearly the stone age of computing as practiced 30 years
ago.
Telling the robots (or "bots," or "crawlers") to skip
your site altogether is quite simple. It is also easy to tell them not
to look at one or more directories. But telling them to look in specific
places so they'll index their content, or even how to index the content
takes a little work.
Rather than going into a lengthy explanation, here's a
link to an article that tells you
how to do it. Happy indexing...
Capt. Arthur E.
Woodgate, ITO
|
|
Inspector
General
 |
Inspection Status
Due to Capt Manley's slow recovery,
there are no inspections scheduled at this time. He
is expected to be back among the movers and shakers
soon, and he'll put together a new schedule at that
time.
Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor
Inspection Schedule
| Charter # |
Unit Name |
Date |
Comment |
| TX-352 |
Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron |
21 April, 2007 |
|
| TX-030 |
Group III |
5 May, 2007 |
|
| TX-376 |
Waxahachie Composite Squadron |
Date TBD |
|
| TX-390 |
Addison Composite Squadron & TCA Flight |
9-10 June, 2007 |
|
| TX-148 |
Waco Composite Squadron |
14 July, 2007 |
|
| TX-391 |
Dallas Composite Squadron |
Date TBD |
|
| TX-351 |
Pegasus Composite Squadron
|
Date TBD |
|
| TX-133 |
Irving Composite Squadron |
Date TBD |
|
| TX-803 |
Red Oak Oaks Cadet Squadron |
Date TBD |
|
| TX-076 |
Crusader Composite Squadron |
Date TBD |
|
Capt. Steve Manley, IG
Civil Air Patrol Ethics Policy
On 25 August 2005, the National
Commander issued this
policy letter
as a guide for all CAP members. Please make sure that you understand
it, implement it, and remain vigilant concerning any violations.
Inspection Schedules
Unit inspection schedules are
now posted on the Group III
website's Squadron Support / Inspector General page.
Capt. Steve Manley, IG
|
|
Professional Development
 |
Unit Commanders Course
A UCC
will be offered on 4-5 October at the
Group III HQ, Business Jet Center,
Dallas Love Field. Here is the
OPLAN.
Class size is limited to 30 students, so
apply early. Submit your CAPF 17a and
letter of participation to
Capt. Vanessa Smith, Course
Director. An activity fee of $15.00 to
cover cost of materials will be due at
sign-in.
Online
Courses
This is designed to be a
classroom-taught course, but it can
serve you well as a self-paced
home-study course just as well. If you
take the course, give me some feedback,
please. It might be a good addition to
the 2009 Group schedule.
How to Record OPSEC Training in
e-Services.
Please visit
https://www.capnhq.gov/News/Recording_OPSEC_Training.ppt#1
- for a new e-services power point on
how to record OPSEC training,
Capt. Vanessa Smith, PDO
tx438pdo@yahoo.com |
|
Public Affairs – Welcoming a New C/PAO
|
From
Pegasus C.S., a new voice
C/1st Lt Sean Stewart joined the Civil Air Patrol in 2003
because he was interested in the military. Home schooled, he also wanted
to participate in group activities. He has his sights set on Texas A&M
University, where he would like to join the Corps of Cadets. His
ultimate goal is to be commissioned and serve as a military officer as a
career. He is comfortable with people of all ages, and has excellent
manners. A patriotic and very moral young man, he has a strong Christian
faith and practices what he believes. Broad minded and interested in
engineering, especially architectural and civil engineering,
firefighting (wants to get his firefighter certification), and martial
arts (Tae Kwon Do).
As the Sierra Flight Cadet Commander, he is responsible
for all aspects of cadet life in that unit.
His first contribution
to this newsletter, not surprisingly, has to do with leadership,
mentoring, guiding and the welfare of others. We wish him a long and
successful life. Welcome to the Group III Cadet PAO Program, Cdt
Stewart!
From Dallas CS, a young surprise
C/TSgt Zach Buswold is a senior in
high school and wants to pursue a career in business. "How high?" I
asked. "I'm shooting for an MBA," he replied. He is developing his
color guard skills
and loves the Civil Air Patrol. He also likes sports: basketball, soccer
and tennis. Good sports all of them, promoting coordination and agility.
"Do you like the arts?" "Oh yes, Sir. Music." It turns out that he plays
both the guitar and the piano. He prefers the piano for classical music,
but the guitar is for fun. Since he needs to trim his fingernails for
the piano, he uses one or two picks to play the guitar.
Cdt Buswold is polite, respectful, and
expansive. A very good combination that gains him the respect of those
around him. Mine too. Welcome to the Group III Cadet PAO Program!
Also from Dallas CS, another author
C/SMSgt Tyler Moore is difficult to
find, especially during summer vacation. What I know about him is by
reference. He is home schooled, and came to Texas Wing from Colorado. He
is also in the squadron's
color guard and
is a team player. "Very factual," said 2d Lt Susan Cathcart, his
squadron's PAO. "A nice guy," said C/TSgt Zach Buswold, who co-signed
the article with him. I sent him an e-mail and left a message on his
answering machine, but we did not connect. At the edge of the
newsletter's deadline, I got an e-mail from him. It appears that he's
having a good time in Colorado, and his only connection with the outside
world is the library's computer. Never mind. We're glad to count you as
a member of the Group III Cadet PAO Program, Cdt Moore. Have a grand
time and come back refreshed.
Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, DPA, SWR |
|
Public Affairs – C/PAOs Report NCSA
|
AFSPC-FC
(FL) Reported by Cadet PAOs, 26 July 3 August
COCOA BEACH, Florida - It was a grand idea, but the risk
was high. What would happen if the cadet PAOs chosen to report this
National Cadet Special Activity weren't up to the job? Arguably, Texas
Wing counts among its cadets the most young writers and photographers,
so it was reasonable to select two cadets from Texas.
Their work speaks for itself.
Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, DPA, SWR
Day One, 26 July COCOA
BEACH, Florida - What a great day to start the Air Force Space Command
Familiarization Course! Upon arrival, anyone could have noticed the
steel-blue sky, penetrated by the bright Florida sun. It was a brilliant
view that promised wonderful things. With cadets arriving from many
states, both near and far, and using different modes of transportation,
gathering all of them in one place was no easy task. To be sure, it took
a lot of coordination and a great deal of patience on the part of the
senior staff.
Gradually, as the cadets arrived at the Cocoa Beach Resort, they
familiarized themselves with the facilities. Although there was a delay
in room assignments, it was not as inconvenient as it might seem. The
delay gave the cadets time to relax and socialize, getting to know each
other.

As they
interacted and exchanged impressions, the Cadet PAO team had the chance
to ask the cadets how they felt about the upcoming events. Were they
looking forward to the AFSPC-FC experience? The cadets didn't give many
enthusiastic answers, probably due to fatigue and hunger from their
travels. We definitely hope that their answers will change after a nice
warm dinner and a good night’s rest.
After
the gleefully welcome dinner on Patrick Air Force Base, the cadets moved
on to the 45th Space Wing Command Conference room to attend the Welcome
Briefing. This was a formal introduction to the activity that laid down
the rules and expectations as they applied to all participants. Cadet
Master Sergeant Tim Fisher (Georgia Wing) said, "I expect to gain a
better understanding of the Air Force Space Command.”
Directly
after the Welcome Briefing, the cadets headed back to their rooms for
lights out. There, in the comfort of their rooms, they were free to
dream about the exciting things they will encounter in the very near
future.
Cdt. 1st Lt. BrandiiRe'Ann Davis & Cdt. 1st Lt. Raphael Erie, C/PAOs
Day Two, 27 July
COCOA
BEACH, Florida - The sky is wide, the sun is up, we're well rested and
ready to go… and we’re off! As it turned out, the first full day of the
Air Force Space Command Familiarization Course was definitely an
exciting one!
After a satisfying breakfast at 0700, the cadets attended a class taught
by Major Dickinson. Space 101, an introductory lecture, covered the
basic principles of Space as well as the Air Force’s and NASA’s
involvement with Space. Directly after the class, the cadets took a
comprehensive quiz that consists of 25 questions about the material
covered in the presentation. When asked if she had learned a lot from
the Space 101 class, Cadet Second Lieutenant Laura Boehk said, “I
already knew some of the material, but I still learned a lot.”
After the pop quiz, we marched down to the Riverside Dining Facility and enjoyed a
nice hot lunch. It was such a beautiful day, that some of the cadets
chose to eat their meal on the outside porch.
The highlight of the day was a visit to the John F. Kennedy Space
Center, where the cadets visited many different exhibits. The most
popular were the LC-39 Observation Gantry, the Apollo/Saturn V center
(which contained the real Saturn V rocket), and the International Space
Station Center.

Right after touring the displays, the cadets had a treat. They met
former astronaut Col. Rick Searfoss, USAF Ret. He talked to us about the
best way to get started in a profession in Space Aeronautics, then
signed autographs for all of us. Afterwards, we got a chance to visit
the rest of the exhibit. Cadet Second lieutenant Eashan Samak said, "My
favorite exhibit at the Space Center was probably the Apollo 1, and also
seeing the launch control center.”
The cadets then headed back to the 45th Space Wing Command Conference
Room, where they had delicious Subway sandwiches for dinner. Directly
after that, Captain Gary Dahlke held a class explaining the Seven
Wonders of the Universe. Inspired by the topics that Captain Dahlke had
thrown at them, the cadets proceeded to overwhelm their instructor with
an apparently endless stream of questions.
This was
definitely a wonderful and successful start to what is sure to become
one of the greatest experiences the cadets have ever had. Participants'
expectations from this activity are high, and they are all looking
forward to being surprised by getting more than they'd expected.
Cdt. 1st Lt. BrandiiRe'Ann Davis & Cdt. 1st Lt. Raphael Erie, C/PAOs
Day Three, 28 July
COCOA BEACH, Florida – Monday was certainly the most eventful day so
far. It was also the very first day that the cadets wore their "class B"
Blues uniform, prompting everyone to take extra care in dressing for the
day.
At 0550 the cadets, half-asleep, slowly made their way to
the vans for transportation to breakfast on base. With a quick but
satisfying breakfast, the cadets revived and attended three consecutive
briefings. The first one, "The 45th Space Wing Mission Brief," guided by
Captain Page, USAF, was a basic overview of the functions of the 45th
Space Wing.
The next briefing offered the cadets the opportunity to
meet former astronaut and current 45th Space Wing Commander, Brigadier
General Susan Helms, USAF. General Helms described for the cadets her
experiences as an astronaut, then answered their many questions.
Following General Helms was a briefing regarding the
Human Space Flight Mission, guided by Mr. Chris Malbon. Out of the three
briefings, Cadet Master Sergeant Charles Walker preferred Brigadier
General Helms’, saying, "Although I have met two astronauts before, I
had never met an Air Force General who had been an astronaut."
Directly after these presentations, the cadets had lunch
at the Riverside Dining Facility and then performed an In-Ranks
Inspection. It was extremely important that the cadets met the highest
standard of appearance and behavior, especially when upholding the image
of the Civil Air Patrol.

Afterwards, the cadets proceeded to the DOMS Telemetry
Tracking Facility. This is where the Air Force observes rocket launches
using planetarium-like telescopes. The cadets were introduced to the
technologies that allowed the Air Force to view a rocket launch from
every angle possible.
The next event was a tour of Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station’s fantastic facilities (where a lot the action takes place). The
first facility we visited was the Atlas Space Flight Operations Center.
Our wonderful tour guide, Mr. Mike Woolly of United Launch Alliance,
explained everything about the Atlas rockets as he led us through the
Atlas Command Control Center.
Next we went to Complex 34, the site of the Apollo 1
tragedy. We felt honored and privileged to have been allowed to visit
this site. It was such a beautiful sight to see, and there was so much
emotion attached to it that words cannot completely describe it. The
scenery consisted of a massive, peaceful landscape of lush vegetation
and a large body of water. The familiar facilities of NASA and Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station have been built within this striking
landscape.
Subsequently, the cadets visited the Space and Missile
Museum’s captivating historical exhibits. Thanks to the tour guide, our
own Captain Gary Dalhke, everyone left the Museum with a vast amount of
historical knowledge.
After dinner back at Air Force Diner, the cadets went
straight to the 45th Space Wing Conference Room to take the test
covering the day’s events. That done, they attended a presentation from
the night’s guest speaker, Mr. Norman Beck of the LRO/LCROSS Mission,
who spoke about the future of the Moon landing programs.
What a day! It seems that the AFSPC-FC is gaining
momentum as the week rolls on. Today was more jam-packed with events
than either one of the previous two days, and now we anticipate even
more in the days to come. (Photos: C/1st Lt. BrandiiRe'Ann Davis and
C/1st Lt. Raphael Erie)
Cdt. 1st Lt. Raphael Erie, C/PAO
Day Four, 29 July
COCOA BEACH, Florida – The day was long but filled with rewards. Running
a little behind schedule, we quickly ate our breakfast and loaded onto
the Air Force bus. To pass the time, some cadets cracked jokes as we
drove to the 1st Range Operations Squadron. There, we toured the
facilities and learned about the cooperation needed from all mission
members in order to have a successful launch. These members work hard
and smart in making sure the launch runs smoothly, as the countdown
timer ticks away.
The 45th Weather Squadron introduced us to their mission and showed us a
short film about what they do. We watched with great interest as the
video played across the screens. Mr. William Roeder brought laughter to
the room as he briefed us on the proper safety procedures one must
follow in order to prevent being struck by lightning. When asked what
was her favorite part of the day, C/MSgt Hanley, commented "The speech
about the lightning. The speaker was really funny."
When the lightning show was over, we wished our tour guides farewell and
boarded "our" bus. We discussed amongst ourselves what we had seen and
heard, as we used the time profitably on our way to the Balloon Release
Facility. There, Mr. Dave Chapman briefed us on the balloons and their
purpose. After the briefing, we were told to pick a number between 1 and
100 for a mystery drawing. The lucky winner, C/1st Lt. Benjamin Frazier,
was the one chosen to release one of the spherical balloons into the
vast Florida sky. We were led back to the small work room, where we
watched the rising balloon's progress.

Our next stop was the Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF). With Mr.
Mike Woolley as our tour guide, we learned many interesting things. One
great bit of trivia was that the floor of the Processing Bay broke the
world record for being "the most level floor" in the world. Creating a
temporary home in the Processing Bay were two Delta Four rockets in the
assembly stage of their useful life. Yes. They were big. When the cadets
first walked into the Processing Bay, their breath was taken away by the
sight, and a look of awe and wonder came over them.
Back to more mundane needs, when Mr. Woolley’s exciting tour was over,
we rode to Burger King, ate a nice tasty meal and discussed many topics.
After all of us had boarded the bus, the command was given, "Count off!"
We had to make sure that everyone was present and accounted for. Upon
arriving shortly at Complex 14, just inside the double doors was a
special treat. Ten Air Force lieutenants sat in a neat row, waiting to
answer our questions about a career in the Air Force. Cadet First
Sergeant Dendrinos commented, "It’s pretty cool to major in something in
college, then be assigned to something completely different that what
you intended to do -- and still be great at it." With assigned duties
varying from Medical to Engineering, these wonderful Ladies and
Gentlemen were definitely one of the highlights of the evening.
The International Space Station Director, Russell Romanella, ended the
evening with a nice Power Point slideshow of the International Space
Station and the Universe. Meeting and speaking with this amazing person
was a real pleasure.
The events of the day were busy, very rewarding, and did not disappoint
us. We look forward more exciting and wonderful activities in the days
to come. (Photos: C/1st Lt. BrandiiRe'Ann Davis and C/1st Lt. Raphael
Erie)
Cdt. 1st Lt. BrandiiRe'Ann Davis, C/PAO
Day Five, 30 July
COCOA BEACH, Florida – Another outstanding day has gone by, faster than
the blink of an eye. It's hard to believe that we've been here for
five days, and we're over the half-way mark already. The many events
we’ve experienced are soon to be just memories. There is a feeling of
urgency all about, as we concentrate on cherishing every opportunity
given to us in these few days.
The bright and sunny day started at 0615, with a pleasant breakfast that
would surely keep us fueled until lunch. From there, we went straight to
the John F. Kennedy Space Center. Upon arrival, we met our tour guide,
NASA engineer Mr. Glenn Perez, who gave us a wonderful overview of the
NASA facilities and processing areas.

This was a long day, full of NASA wonders. After touring the Kennedy
Space Center, we went back to Patrick Air Force Base and had dinner at
the Riverside Dining Facility. Excited about the day, and happy about
our good meal, we went to the 45th Space Wing Conference room to take
the daily quiz covering the day’s events.
When asked what he planned to do with the knowledge he had gained today,
Cadet First Lieutenant Brian Urbancic said, "The stuff that I found out
here is phenomenal. Now I have an idea of what to do when I’m older."

The final event was a briefing from the day's guest speaker, Mr. Jack
Fox. He gave a wonderful presentation about NASA’s upcoming
Constellation Program.
Some of us are wondering how we might make our stay here last longer.
The activity is going by too quickly, and we wish there were a way to
slow it down some. We know that very soon we'll be back home, left with
the memories of our new-found friends and awesome experiences.
(Photos: C/1st Lt. BrandiiRe'Ann Davis and C/1st Lt. Raphael Erie)
Cdt. 1st Lt. Raphael Erie, C/PAO
Day Six, 31 July
COCOA BEACH, Florida – The last day before graduation was a fulfilling
one. It certainly proved to be more relaxed, as we were able to wear our
white AFSPC T-shirts with casual dress. But it was just as exciting as
the previous days – both staff and students learned a great deal, to be
sure.
Despite being tired from the previous day’s events, we all got into the
CAP Vans at 0550 to make our way to the Riverside Dining Facility. After
an enjoyable breakfast, we went back to the John F. Kennedy Space Center
to finish taking our tour from yesterday. Unexpectedly, Col. Christian
Moersch, the Florida Wing Commander, accompanied us on our tour. The
retrieval of NASA’s equipment was undoubtedly an intriguing subject. We
were also fortunate to attend a classroom session with Mr. Lesgold at
the NASA Education and Training Center. He captivated everyone with his
fascinating footage from the Apollo Landings, plus numerous
attention-grabbing activities that explained the fundamentals of Space
Exploration.

After the theory, we got a taste of the practical side, when we
experienced the thrilling ride of the Shuttle Simulation. This is a
mock-up of the Space Shuttle that recreates the illusion of a launch
from the perspective of an astronaut.
The following event was the highlight of the day. We were all honored to
have lunch with former astronaut Col. John Blaha, USAF Ret. During the
meal, Col. Blaha spoke to us about his experiences as a Space Shuttle
astronaut. It was really cool when he complimented our efforts as Civil
Air Patrol members.
Following lunch, we left the Space Center and went to the Astronaut Hall
of Fame. This was a great opportunity to get a really good understanding
of the Space Program's history. There we saw many interesting exhibits,
as well as an activity area that offered us many fun experiences, such
as a G-Force simulator and a Shuttle Landing simulator. Cadet Technical
Sergeant Chad Nowak of the Wisconsin Wing said, "It was interesting to
learn about the background of all the astronauts, and see what they did
to achieve such a prestigious career."

Dinner soon came around, but this one was different. We were given the
chance of talking with Command Chief Dennis Vannorsdall, of the 45th
Space Wing, and eight senior Non-Commissioned Officers. They gave us
much good advice and were very supportive of us. Soon after, we went to
the 45th Space Wing Conference Room to take the very last test of the
activity! When all tests were complete, our guest speaker, Captain Theo
Spanos (who happens to be a former CAP cadet), gave us a very
interesting talk about the Space Shuttle program.
Our reward has been very rich. We received a vast amount of knowledge
that we'll treasure for a lifetime, and we're grateful for the rare
opportunity of being able to glimpse space operations up-close.
(Photos: C/1st Lt. BrandiiRe'Ann Davis and C/1st Lt. Raphael Erie)
Cdt. 1st Lt. Raphael Erie, C/PAO
Day 7, 1 August
COCOA BEACH, Florida – The sky was
blue and clear, with the radiant sunshine pouring down from the heavens.
This was a perfect day that would serve as a perfect setting for the
day’s planned events. The official conclusion of the AFSPC-FC activity
ended with an awesome graduation.
After enjoying a great breakfast, we went to
the Space Tec Facilities where Captain Gary Dahlke presented an
introductory class to Model Rocketry. He also showed us one of his own
impressive model rockets, that was actually twice the size of Captain
Dahlke himself. We then built our own pressurized air rockets using
basic office supplies such as construction paper and tape. It was fun to
see the deep look of concentration on the cadets' faces as they labored
to assemble their rockets. The cadets would be competing to see whose
rocket would go the farthest. In the end, Cadet Captain Benjamin Josse
took 1st place, while Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Christopher Pannier
won second place.
After enjoying our boxed lunches, we
discussed the essay that is a mandatory assignment for this activity. We
then went back to the 45th Space Wing's Conference Room, where Senior
Master Sergeant Rene Rubiella, USAF, our guest speaker of the day, made
an inspiring presentation on teen driving. You could have heard a pin
drop as everyone actively listened to Sergeant Rubiella’s every word.
Afterwards, we all went back to the hotels
and were given a few hours to prepare for graduation. With everyone’s
uniform looking sharp, we went to the Patrick AFB Officers' Club to
attend a graduation we were all looking forward to.

(Photos: C/1st Lt Raphael Erie)
This was certainly the best part of the day.
The evening started with time allotted for socializing with our guests
and peers. All the cadets were really surprised to see some
distinguished guests, including Colonel Butler, USAF and his wife, as
well as Colonel Moarsh. Then we watched the end-of-course slide show
that had been prepared by one of the Cadet PAOs, Cadet First Lieutenant
BrandiiRe'Anne Davis. Following a short speech from Colonel Butler, we
had a surprise visit from current astronaut Lieutenant Colonel Boe. The
latter talked to us about his adventures as an astronaut and answered
questions from the audience.

(Photos: C/1st Lt BrandiiRe'Ann Davis)
After getting our certificates, three
distinguished awards (Professionalism, Essay, and Academics Awards) were
presented to the winners, one of whom won two of them. They were:
-
Professionalism award – Cadet Technical
Sergeant Micah Humphrey
-
Essay Award – Cadet Chief Master
Sergeant Christopher Pannier
-
Academics Award – Cadet Chief Master
Sergeant Christopher Pannier
Congratulations to these cadets!
With graduation over, we were all allowed to
stay up later than the previous nights. This grand finale will be
followed by a fun day that will offer new friends the opportunity to
hang out together for one last time before departing on Sunday.
Cdt. 1st Lt. Raphael Erie, C/PAO
Day 8, 2 August
COCOA BEACH, Florida – The extra hours of sleep and the memory of having
graduated the night before were the perfect setting to start the final
activity day of the AFSPC-FC. We woke up, grabbed our beachwear, and
headed for the van. The first stop was the Riverside Dining Facility for
a hot breakfast.
After the morning meal, we loaded back into the van and drove a few
blocks to the Banana River. Here we collected oars, life jackets and
kayaks for a lot of fun. Within 30 minutes, we were on the river,
paddling away. Some of us chose to race, while others preferred to enjoy
the little time we would spend on the river before we would have to
leave for home. We had been told that we would have two hours on the
river, and that didn't seem like much, so we tried to have an
adventurous time. Some of us played bumper kayaks, and splashed each
other until we were soaking wet. Then, before we realized it, the two
hours were over, so we returned our borrowed gear and hopped back into
the vans.
Shortly afterwards, we stopped to vacuum out the, leaving them in even
better condition than we had found them. Our chore finished, we traveled
back to the hotel. We would have free time until 1315, at which time we
could play any activity on the hotel complex. When we reported in for
the beach party, we were greeted warmly and asked to stand in line for
food. By 1345, quite hungry by then, all of us had a plateful of food
and a soft drink in our hands.
After lunch, most of us headed to the beach, while others went to the
pool, racket ball or tennis courts. We rode the waves, dug our feet in
the sand, and found multiple sand dollars along the way. We partied with
each other until 1700, when we left for the Star Gazing Observatory. One
last opportunity to take yet more knowledge away with us. Here we
learned about the stars and their locations.
After stargazing, we loaded up and went back to the hotel for dinner...
and much needed rest. We would need it for the trip home. (On day
eight, the cadet photographers had been allowed to go on strike -
Editor)
Cdt. 1st Lt. BrandiiRe'Ann Davis, C/PAO
Day 9, 3 August
COCOA BEACH, Florida – The excitement from the previous week’s events,
testing, inspection, briefings, studies, tours and travel, the wonder of
America's Space Program, and the many wonderful people that make it work
came to a grand finale. The adrenaline that once flowed through our
veins now went down to a trickle, as we scrambled to get our luggage
together and into the Civil Air Patrol vans.
Everyone scurried around, trying to make sure everything was organized
and ready for departure. Some of us left as early as 0600, while others
caught a few extra Z’s. The cadets parted company with fond farewells,
and some exchanged contact information to stay in touch. We had arrived
as strangers, but now were scattering as members of a close family, with
many shared memories we would cherish for years to come.

The lucky participating students would like to thank everyone for the
support, encouraging us as we advanced through this outstanding and
rewarding program. Our expectations were exceeded as many surprises
unfolded along the way. On behalf of the Class of 2008, "Thank you for
giving us the opportunity of a lifetime. It shall never be forgotten."
Cdt. 1st Lt. BrandiiRe'Ann Davis, C/PAO
Epilogue
COCOA BEACH, Florida –
This was the first time that the AFSPC-FC (FL) Activity was to be recorded and reported by cadets. Both age 16, and both cadet officers,
they had prepared themselves for nearly a year to carry out this
mission. More than their perfect spelling and impeccable grammar, what I
had looked for was their ability to relate to others, to experience
consciously all that happened around them, and the courage to tell it
all – candidly and from the heart.
Both Cadet PAOs have been published before. They were part of a team of
5 cadets who reported the 2007 Texas Wing
Winter Encampment that I was
privileged to mentor. Above all, they were eager to do the right thing.
And they had a grand time doing it, which showed in their writing. The
Texas press had embraced their daily articles and published them as a
serial. CAP National News Online published them as well. In so doing, a
new standard of excellence was created.
It seemed easy to them at the time, since I was never far from them.
Questions abounded, and I encouraged them to follow their instincts.
They succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. Then the AFSPC-FC (FL)
opportunity presented itself.
It would be different in Florida, half a country away, where they would
have to keep a rigorous schedule, take their photos, write their
articles, have them approved and sent to me in Austin for final editing
and posting to the website. Before going to the Activity, I'd warned
them, "If you fall behind just one day, it'll wreck your schedule." The
late-night graduation ceremony did that. Relaxing on the beach nailed it
shut. And the departure preparations didn't help either. But "duty
before self" prevailed, and they wrote their missing articles on their
way home, the tender days 7 through 9 presented here.
I am so very proud of them. I am also thankful to the Activity for
having made it possible. It's been a real pleasure.
Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, DPA, SWR |
|
Public Affairs – National Conference
|
PAO Academy and National Boards
Conference, 5-10 August
KISSIMMEE, Fla.
– On this second year of the PAO Academy, the emphasis was on
training and planning. As a result of the comments and evaluations
gathered in 2007 and in post-evaluation queries, some of the hands-on
training sessions were divided into "basic" and "advanced" streams, with
excellent results. Many wings were represented by members at the
squadron level, who profited from the basic presentations. Some Wing
PAOs, too, attended the basic courses as a means to update their own
knowledge in an effort to better support their subordinate units.
As in 2007, the Interim National Commander, Brig. Gen.
Amy S. Courter, was very much involved in the proceedings and presided
the presentation of awards at the Wednesday Awards Ceremony. This year,
CNN correspondent Miles O'Brien delivered the keynote address. Southwest
Region award winners were Capt. Jerry Porter, Arizona Wing (2
awards); 2d Lt. Norman D. Reames, New Mexico Wing; and Capt. Arthur E.
Woodgate, SWR DPA (2 awards).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
[1]-[2] During the PAO Academy's Awards Ceremony, Brig. Gen. Amy
S. Courter addresses the group. [3] Capt. Steven Solomon
introduces the guest speaker, CNN correspondent Mr. Miles O'Brien.
Seated (L-R), Miles O'Brien, Interim National Commander Gen Courter,
CAP-USAF Commander Col. Russell Hodgkins, USAF, National Chief of Staff
Col. Reggie Chitwood, CAP Senior Advisor - Administration Col. Joseph A.
Guimond, Jr., and National Marketing Advisor Col. Rick Greenhut.
[4]-[5] It was a good crowd. [6]-[7] After his
presentation, Mr. O'Brien got a desk-top CAP plane, WW II vintage,
presented by Gen Courter. He was delighted with his gift.
[8]
Capt. Phillip D. Norris,
Mississippi Wing PAO, accepts the Balsem Award
for Writing for Media. Observing is
S.M. Dennis Steinbock, Oregon Wing.
The event everyone was waiting for,
however, was the election of CAP's Commander and Vice-Commander. It came
as no surprise that Brig. Gen. Amy S. Courter was confirmed as the new
National Commander. Later in the day, Col. Reggie Chitwood was elected
to be the new Vice-Commander. That evening, they were promoted to Major
General and Brigadier General, respectively.
The breakout sessions had something for everyone. The
presentation on PA Planning was thorough, stressing the 4-step planning
process, that is a recognized business standard. CAP, as a business
(even though not-for-profit), and the official auxiliary of the USAF,
first required that all units prepare a Public Affairs Plan and a Crisis
Communications Plan when the new CAPR 190-1 was published on 4 June
2007. Although the regulation doesn't specify how the PA Plan is to be
structured, National requires each to include a way in which success can
be measured. These will be considered living documents, that must be
reviewed at least semi-annually (preferably quarterly) and updated,
added to, or revised as often as necessary.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
[9] Louisiana Wing Commander Col. Mike DuBois and
his guest Cathy. [10] Texas Wing Commander Col. Joe R. Smith with
his wife SWR Director of Administration/Personnel Maj. Harriet Smith and
daughter 1st Lt. Sandra Smith. [11] SWR Chief of Staff Lt. Col.
Larry Mattiello and his guest Letitia. [12] New Mexico Wing
Commander Col. Ric Himebrook and his wife Roberta. [13] SWR
Director of Public Affairs Capt. Arthur Woodgate. [14] SWR Deputy
Commander East Col. André Davis and his guest Carol Anne.
The posting of a new
Public Affairs Officer Toolkit was also announced, emphasizing the
PA Planning Guidelines:
Writing Your Crisis Communications Plan and
Writing your PA Plan. The PAO Toolkit can be downloaded in its
entirety at the
CAP
Channel site. Approximately 100 PAOs attended the PAO Academy,
considered a great success.
Other Public Affairs sessions presented a variety of
subjects designed to sharpen the skills of all attendees, including
commanders and other interested persons. In fact, commanders at all
levels chose to attend many PA presentations, which speaks eloquently
about how important Public Affairs is now considered at the command
level. PAOs have Maj. Gen. Courter to thank for on this count, since
with her professional background she possesses a deep understanding of
the value of PA for corporate health and growth. It is a fact that those
units that have an active and vigorous PA program do best at recruiting
and retention, as well as reaching out to the community.
Opportunities to network with old friends and meet new
ones abounded, and some very productive high-level planning took place
as well. All Region DPAs attended the Conference, and there were many
Wing PAOs as well. National's top-tier PA staff was there as well. The
result was a series of highly productive talks and pre-planning,
establishing the parameters for optimal corporate growth and
development.
15.
16.
17.
[15] SWR DCS Cadet Programs/DDR Lt. Col. Steven
Trupp, SWR Deputy Commander East Col. André Davis and his guest Carol
Anne, SWR Chief of Staff Lt. Col. Larry Mattiello and his guest Letitia,
and Louisiana Wing Commander Col. Mike DuBois and his guest Cathy.
[16]-[17] SWR DCS Cadet Programs/DDR Lt. Col. Steven Trupp, SWR
Director of Public Affars Capt. Arthur Woodgate, SWR Chief of Staff Lt.
Col. Larry Mattiello and his guest Letitia, and Louisiana Wing Commander
Col. Mike DuBois and his guest Cathy.
Starting this year, the PAO Academy will be held every
two years (2010's will take place in San Diego, in conjunction with the
National Boards Conference). Since some potential attendees couldn't do
so because of distance and/or cost considerations, it was proposed that
Regions hold local PAO Academies in the off-year.
As always, the banquet was an perfect occasion for
networking, as well as rewarding those most deserving.
The chosen location, though expensive, was excellent. And
attendees were lucky in that no hurricane decided to strike during that
week.
Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, DPA, SWR |
|
Public Affairs –
Texas Wing GTE
|
When The A-Team Gets to It, 15-17 August
D. W. HOOKS Airport, Tex.
– It all hinges on good
preparation. Over a month before the scheduled date of 15-17 August
2008, Lt. Col. Brooks Cima, Incident Commander for the Texas Wing
Guided Training Exercise (GTE), put out the call for staffing.
Volunteers from all over Texas threw their hats in the ring, and she
was able to pick from the best. So it was that thirty-one senior
members and two cadets (one of the latter qualified as a
Communications Unit Leader) from all over the state gathered on
Friday, 15 August at the Incident Command Post, hosted by the Delta
Composite Squadron at D.W. Hooks Airport in Spring, just North of
Houston.
Among the experienced volunteers were
Texas Wing Commander Col. Joe R. Smith, Group IV Commander Lt. Col.
Dennis Cima, Group III Commander Lt. Col. Owen Younger, and Texas
Wing Director of Operations Maj. Randy Russell. The latter was to
play a major part in handling an emergency mission on the following
day.
Promptly at 4 PM on Friday, 15 August,
the first sorties were assigned to the ten Staging Areas scattered
across the vast expanse that is Texas and, by the time the sun set,
the results were coming in, setting an easy pace that was to become
the norm. The paperwork started and was passed around to the several
positions where the staff began posting the data on the wall charts
and inputting it into the computer programs designed to make sense
of it all (IMU, WMIRS and CAPERS), slowly at first, then more
smoothly as remembered habits kicked in and fingers keyed their way
to success. Was this going to work out well? Of course it was
-- look who was charged with doing it.
Capt. Stuart Hagedorn set up a ground
station and settled in attentively, watching his computer screen
show the near real-time position of several sorties carrying the
Spot Tracker transmitters. Soon he was saying, “We can track them
from take-off to landing.” The Spot Tracker is a small package that
sends the GPS coordinates to a satellite re-transmitter every ten
minutes, and has buttons that can "call home" to announce that "all
is OK" – in this case, Ops Normal - , one that will call “Come get
me,” and one that calls 911 for emergency assistance. Indefatigable,
Capt. Hagedorn would track his charges for the coming two days
without skipping a beat.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
[1] In the communications room,
Lt. Col. Owen Younger gives last minute instructions. [2]
Capt. Stuart Hagedorn at the computer, monitoring the Spot Tracker
plot of several sorties. To his left, Maj. Jerald Landis - a member
of the Ellington Composite Squadron - being trained to use the
computer program. [3] Capt William Schroder, the ARCHER
operator, before the mission. [4] Maj. Randy Russell,
Operations Section Chief, tasks Planning by posting to the mission
software, who in turn tasks the Staging Areas. [5] Texas Wing
Commander Col. Joe R. Smith listens in on an update briefing. [6]
A quick change of hat and Maj. Randy Russell becomes the Incident
Commander for the AF Search and Rescue mission assigned to Texas
Wing by the AFRCC on Saturday.
The ARCHER System-fitted Civil Air
Patrol’s Gippsland GA-8 airplane, largest one on inventory,
fascinated Professor Daemon Byun of the Institute of
Multi-Dimensional Air Studies at the University of Houston. Dr Byun
had expressed an interest in seeing the ARCHER in action, with an
eye towards having his group use it in their studies of air quality
over the United States. After Maj. Randy Russell had given him a
ground school orientation, he boarded the GA-8 for a sortie over an
area that interested him. Upon his return, he praised the system's
performance and capabilities.
Inclement weather over much of Texas
soon handicapped operations of several Staging Areas, causing
already-briefed and ready air crews to first delay, then postpone,
and finally abort their sorties. Six of the ten Staging Areas had so
much rain that they were unable to launch any sorties over much of
the day. There was a report that the Staging Area at San Angelo was
eventually shut down on Saturday, 16 August. Houston weather was
fair to poor, with occasional showers over and around the airport,
delaying the launching of the GA-8 and jeopardizing the
demonstration for Dr Byun. The weather improved overnight, however,
and sorties went out Sunday in good order.
The Air Force evaluator/mentors were
everywhere, unobtrusively observing the quality and efficiency of
the staff's work. At one point, the Information Officer was called
to the land-line where he said, “This is Major Robert Brecount. How
may I help you?” The caller then revealed that he was ‘George, the
Air Force guy.’ Oh, it had been one of their little tests to see how
the IO would answer the phone. There was a bigger test in the works,
but it didn’t come from the on-site AF team, it came from the Air
Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at Tyndall AFB, Fla.
Saturday mid-afternoon the AFRCC
activated a mission prompted by a missing airplane that had taken
off from Steamboat Springs. in the high mountains of northern
Colorado, heading for Sugarland Regional Airport, southwest of
Houston. The presumed path of the aircraft (no flight plan had been
filed) would involve searching by the Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico
and Texas Wings of the Civil Air Patrol. When the Texas Wing Redcap
was assigned to Maj. Randy Russell as Incident Commander, he
immediately set up shop at the same office where he had previously
extolled the virtues of the ARCHER system to serve at his Incident
Command Post. Without delay, he began moving assets toward Amarillo
and establishing contact with his Colorado Wing counterpart, at the
same time that he kept working on the GTE. Within hours, a hiker
found an airplane crash, later confirmed by a County Search and
Rescue team as the missing aircraft. Sadly, there were no survivors.
Operations ceased on this AFRCC mission on Sunday, 17 August.
At the 4:00 o’clock briefing of Saturday
afternoon, the Air Force team were happy to report that the Texas
Wing “A” Team was performing admirably, and that they had found no
discrepancies or weaknesses in its operation. They had nothing but
praise for the whole team, and their only advise was, "Don't get
complacent or lazy." One of the officers, Air Force Lt. Col. George
Villalobos, a 20-year veteran, wrote the following statement during
a later interview:
“The Civil Air Patrol has some
tremendous capabilities – in a way they are (unfortunately) the best
kept secret in the world of emergency services. They continually add
new capabilities and assets to their repertoire. No matter how many
exercises I attend, I am always amazed at what The Civil Air Patrol
is able to do, even more so because they do it with an all-volunteer
force.”
For the Texas Wing “A” Team, that was
the weekend that was.
Maj. Robert Brecount, Information
Officer
|
|
Public Affairs – Commentary on Language
|
The
curse of homophones, 31 August
DRIPPING SPRINGS, Tex.
–
As I work with cadets and help them with their writing, the
developmental tragedy that struck the English language
starting with "The Great Vowel Shift" and successive events have
become painfully obvious to me. America's haste in rushing towards
technical proficiency, and the poor pay allotted to elementary
school teachers have combined into one giant problem for our youth
(and nation). Unable to find more profitable employment in a
different profession, many teachers either lack a firm grounding in
the language themselves or fail to pass along what they know
–
after all, what's required of the student is just passing the test,
not winning a Pulitzer prize.
A more recent
development is texting, which I've decried and lamented in a
previous editorial, but we'll touch upon that later. For now, let's
take "do" for instance, not as in "do, re, mi..." but as in "to do"
–
and right away we see the first big stumbling block. Why is one
pronounced "doh," and the other, "doo"? If you speak Italian and
know music, you also know that Italian is the language of music, and
in Italian the musical note | |