It is Never Easy

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – Often, I'll write this message ahead of schedule, maybe a month or more. Or the subject might suggest a focus that, after it is published, I feel I should add to, so the first one turns into the prologue to a second shot at the same theme. But not this time. For some reason, I had nothing left "in stock" that I could put in this place, but I didn't worry. The comfort of liking to write is that you're never short of inspiration. But my readers have little to worry about. In my case, this space won't ever carry any odes to fleas, finches, or furies.

At times, my readers might find this space amusing, instructional, or even surprising. This month, though, it isn't really my space. Rather, it belongs to a friend and fellow CAP member. Someone I respected and liked, who had many human qualities I wish more people would cultivate or even develop. Besides, it is really too soon for me, after having lost my friend Lt. Col. Steve Manley, to find the resignation to face yet another loss.

The news article summarized it by saying, basically, "On 12 February 2009, Lt. Col. Daniel Boyd Williams and his wife Rheta Lynn Williams died when their Beechcraft Baron was lost while attempting to land at Williams Airport, northwest of Porter, about 20 miles from Houston, Texas. Dan Williams was the Commander of the Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron, and the Deputy Group III Commander-South." Short, to the point, depersonalized, cruel, final.

On that day, he was not flying a CAP airplane but a rented one, a Beechcraft Baron, a reliable and well-built twin engine, low wing, retractable landing gear, million-dollar 200-knot cruiser. A fine aircraft by any measure. An eyewitness said that the plane first nosed up, then banked to the left. It never recovered, hitting the ground at an estimated 100 knots. Was it equipment malfunction? Physical incapacitation, however momentary? The reasons for the accident are now up to the experts. But we are the custodians of the memories.

Dan and Rheta had been on their way to visit a daughter, who arrived at the airport minutes after the accident. Our heart goes out to her and the family. Both parents gone in an instant, turning a celebration into a great, devastating and wrenching sadness.

Dan Williams was a kind and enlightened commander, a gentle friend, a great mentor, an eminently qualified pilot. An excellent manager of talent – an indispensable skill in a volunteer organization – he got things done with a minimum of fuss. He was the ultimate practitioner of leadership as Harry Truman defined it, "Leadership is getting a man to do what he doesn't want to do, and like it." Except that Harry Truman had the mission in mind when he coined it. Dan Williams, on the other hand, never lost sight of the people behind the mission. He cared for and respected those who worked with him. And that's why his unit members were fiercely loyal to him. He was the ultimate leader, in the sense that the leader is at the service of those he leads.

Having lost very good friends in the military, some people think I ought to be used to this. Well, let me tell you. You never get used to it. Each one who failed to come back left an enormous void, an emptiness that couldn't be filled, an absence that would never be redeemed. And it is never easy to accept it, nor to live beyond it as if it hadn't happened. The same with Dan and Rheta. Still young, productive and established members of society, generous contributors to worthy causes, now gone. Their absence will remain with us for a very long time.

I know I'm not the only one who can say, "Dan was my friend." For myself, I know he'll live forever in my heart, where I'll make room for Rheta too.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

I Have No Answer

In 1961, author Ernest K. Gann first published a book called "Fate is the Hunter." I read it many years ago, and I was riveted by it. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to read through an amazing chronicle of early commercial aviation, beginning in the 1920's, where Gann wrote about things like flying DC2 aircraft in all kinds of circumstances. As an example of what you'll find in his book, in one case he spoke of manually pumping alcohol onto the wings of his aircraft for some measure of protection against ice, while flying through winter weather. Readers of Gann's book will discover that he had the same disconcerting feelings about aviation as many of us do today, but will see that Gann loved aviation then every bit as much as we do now, and that is why he pressed on.

In the days of early aviation, Gann explained, it was expected that some pilots would not come back. All pilots who took to the air knew and expected that some day fate would find them, and yet they flew on. In my decade as a pilot, I have lost friends to this avocation that I love with all my heart, and I am left with the same question that Gann spent hundreds of pages trying to answer, "Why is it that some pilots make it through an entire life and a whole career, when some other pilots never return home? How can we lose such good, skilled, well trained, and experienced people, and still continue to return to the air?"

Gann's answer was ultimately the title of his book. That answer may be the only one Gann had, but I find it to be phlegmatic and terribly unsatisfactory. And yet, here we are. In the intervening decades since Gann's initial experiences as a pilot, we have advanced our knowledge and understanding of the flight environment in some amazing ways. Today, pilots interact with air traffic control as a matter of course, and terms such as "human factors," "CRM," and "Operational Risk Management" are in common use. Today pilot training is standardized, instrument approach and en-route procedures are standard and published, and many airports have automated weather observation systems. Today, pilots have resources and training available to draw from that Gann and his colleagues could only have dreamed of. But no amount of progress will ever eliminate Gann's fundamental question. "Why do some come back while others don't?"

On Thursday, February 12th, 2009, I lost another friend to an avocation that I love with all my being. Dan was not the first friend I lost, but I hope deeply that he'll be the last one. Dan loved flying as much as I do. He was a good man, an experienced pilot with good judgment, and a friend. I wish I could write words here that explained how we could lose a guy like Dan, and that I could give some better answer than the one that Gann proposed almost five decades ago. But I can't. I am so terribly sorry, but I don't have an answer.

We will continue to feel the loss of Dan and Rheta for a long time. But we love aviation as much as they did, and I hope that we will not abandon it.

I think Dan would want us to reflect on what lessons we could take away from this tragedy. And I will try to do that.

Lt. Col. Owen Younger, Commander

From: Owen Younger
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 11:06 PM
Subject: New TX 352 Commander

Group III Awards

It is with great pleasure that I announce the Group III 2008 Winners. Congratulations to all.

Lt. Col. Owen Younger, Commander

On-line Basic ORM Course

ELT/EPIRB Disposal Awareness Program

From: Salvador, John
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 6:42 PM
Subject: ELT/EPIRB Disposal Awareness Program

Wing and Region Commanders,

The Civil Air Patrol and AOPA are teaming up to remind pilots to properly dispose of their old emergency locator transmitters. In addition, CAP is reminding pilots about how they can help us monitor 121.5/243 beacon activations when they're flying. Attached is a news release about the program and two "form fillable" posters our units can download, type in the appropriate information, and then post at airports and other suitable locations. Please forward this information to all your units. Thank you.

Special thanks goes to Maj Jon Stokes, a Group Commander in CA Wing, for coming up with this great community service idea.

The news release and posters may be found on the CAP NHQ website, and well as below: 

• News Release

• Please Don't Toss Out Your Beacon! (poster)

• Important Notice (poster)

John A. Salvador, Director of Missions, HQ CAP

What Makes a Good Aerospace Education Officer?

GEORGETOWN, Texas – Can you describe the ideal AEO? If you are thinking in terms of young/old, male/female, cadet/senior member, you're off the mark. It has nothing to do with looks, rank or gender. It has to do with attitude, focus, and above all caring.

Let's see what qualities the aspiring AEO needs to bring to the table.

1. A sense of humor and imagination rank very high. If you make the instruction fun, you'll teach a lot more effectively.

2. Interesting activities. Books and computer-based instruction are wonderful, but nothing beats hands-on.

3. Memorable field trips. Have you taken your cadets to the local airport, so they can see the tower and can hear from the air traffic controllers how they work? Do you have an aviation museum nearby? Is NASA too far for you to go to? Are there air shows in your area?

4. Great projects. Have you taken advantage of the AEX program? Rocketry? Robotics? Model airplane building? Hands-on physics demonstrations?

5. Outside Speakers. Have you invited AE-related educators from your local High School or College to present a master class? Do you have retired military pilots willing to talk to the class?

6. CAP Talent. How many talented and gifted senior members and cadets are there in CAP? Have you ever invited some of them to come and liven up your presentations? Hurricane damage assessment, humanitarian missions, real world missions; we do that work as a matter of routine, but it is news to cadets who have never been there. Have you ever even thought about asking any of them to come and talk to your class?

This is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a lot more you can do, if you just plan ahead a little, and use your head. Make your teaching interesting, and your students will remember it for ever. Make it fun, and they'll be begging for more. Make it dull, and some of them will walk and never come back. And if enough of them leave, you'll be out of a job.

1st Lt. Sue Kristoffersen, AEO

NASA's Teaching Material Search Tool

     GEORGETOWN, Texas – NASA has enhanced its website to help educators find teaching material appropriate for classroom instruction http://search.nasa.gov/search/edFilterSearch.jsp?empty=true .

A series of selection boxes helps narrow the selection, and the use of appropriate keywords will yield some very useful hits. Designed for educators at all levels, from Kindergarten through College, it also contemplates the needs of the home-schooled and just people who "want to know."

Give it a try and see for yourself.

1st Lt. Sue Kristoffersen, AEO

What's the Purpose of the CAP Cadet Program?

The mission of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program is to provide the youth of our nation with a quality program that enhances their leadership skills through an interest in aviation, and simultaneously provide service to the United States Air Force and the local community.

Anyone that has read CAPR 52-16, "Cadet Program Management," has read this sentence right off the bat, because it is the first paragraph in the first chapter of that regulation. In my experience working with cadets, I have noticed that most CAP members consider Aerospace Education, Emergency Services and general activities the purpose of the program. While I will agree that those missions are necessary for any successful cadet squadron, I constantly find myself reminding them that those things are not the primary goal of the Cadet Program. 

Upon more careful reading, it emerges that providing the cadets a quality program that enhances the cadets' leadership skills is at the heart of the Cadet Program. Aerospace Education, Emergency Services and general activities are the means by which cadets are empowered to develop those skills. And, without those additional studies and practices, CAP cadets would have just another ROTC or “boot camp.” 

Without Leadership, there is no substance to the program; it is pure icing and decorations – without the cake. It has long been my belief that any young adult who participates in CAP should be better off for the experience. I would hope that 20 years down the road, when former cadets look back, they'll be able to tell themselves – and anyone who will listen – that they are better people and better citizens than they would have been, hadn’t they been a part of the CAP Cadet Program.

Next time you find yourself working with a cadet, or standing face to face with a cadet, in the back of your mind, remind yourself that they are future senior members, our future neighbors, our future servicemen, our future scientists and businessmen, our future national, state and local leaders. Do them the honor of providing them the leadership, inspiration, and motivation to be better than their peers, and help them become better citizens, no matter what path they choose.

1st Lt. J. M. Coffman, CPO

Core Values and Real Life

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – "Where am I going to anchor this?" I asked myself, "Public Affairs? Recruiting and Retention? Chaplain Staff Section?" If I'd had an "Essence of the Civil Air Patrol" Staff Section, that's where I would have put it, but I didn't have one. "OK, Cadet Programs it is."

My friend Maj. Al Pabon, my counterpart in the North Central Region, caught an article in the November-December 2008 "Scouting" magazine – extracted here in PDF format – that interested me greatly. As an introduction, it presents the crew of nine boy scouts that produced an audio-visual feature in twelve segments, each illustrating one of the 12 points of the Scout Law. Then you get to experience their work. They planned, shot, and edited it, and the finishing touches were contributed by volunteer professionals.

Said in these few words, it might sound easy, but this was no trivial undertaking. Rather, it was a heavy burden for scouts the same age as our CAP cadets (and they seem to have been picked from pre-teen to late teen). The project was born in Austin, where I live, in the Capitol Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, funded by donors. The results are truly astonishing.

Don't take my word for it, please visit www.scouttube.org and witness the scouts' work.

Why couldn't we do something like it, using our Core Values as the theme?

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Director of Public Affairs, SWR

The Ugly Behind the Glitter

Sunday evening my wife and I were watching the Academy Awards. Correction: she was watching, I was reading a book. “Wow, she gasped,” look at that rock.” I glanced up from my book and saw what she was talking about. Here was a beautiful Hollywood starlet. She was one of the leading ladies who spoke for every cause that would bring attention upon her. Recently, she had been a compensated spokesperson for PETA. Now she was wearing jewelry worth enough to feed every man, woman and child in Darfur for a year. My studies of Martin Buber forgotten, I sat up and gave my full attention to the television.“I thought that would get your attention,” my wife smiled at me.

I am neither a liberal nor a conservative. If anything, I consider myself a member of the “honest” party. I am an active member of the human race. I was disgusted by what I saw that evening. Star after star. Coiffed starlets followed by leading men. Each wearing enough baubles and diamonds to pay off our national debt. People. Our fellow Americans are hungry, out of work, and yet these people who bring us this fantasy world parade their wealth before us and the world. Why?

How many of you have been to Hollywood? About six years ago, I co-officiated at the wedding of my cousin in Pasadena, California.  Hollywood was a side trip of about an hour. There was no glitz and glamour. That was all part of the make-believe. I sat in a Falafel stand by Hollywood and Vine, speaking Hebrew with the Israeli owner as I listened to his rundown on the area. He told me that he had owned the restaurant for 40 years, and that what I saw was as it had always been. Dirt, hookers, alcoholics and drugs. I watched a young woman no older than 16, with “Rude Girl” written in crayon on the back of her jacket, stagger down the street. “She beautiful, eh?” the Israeli asked me in Hebrew. “Came from Oklahoma to be a movie star. Now I give her a sandwich every once in a while, to keep her from dying on the street.”

The following day my wife, cousins and I returned. Many were Israeli and I had bragged a great deal about the Falafel stand and the food. “The smell that permeated the streets was like that found on the 1960s' lower east side New York. Everything was dirty. Rude Girl was sleeping on the street, strung out, still under the effects of her night’s “high.” 

Hollywood? You can have it.

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Marc Ben-Meir

Emergency Services Training, 28 February - 1 March

GEORGETOWN, Texas – On Friday, 27 February, the planes and students started to arrive for the classes that would begin bright and early on the following Saturday morning. As planned, Sign-in started at 7:30 a.m. for the ICS 300 course, taught by Texas State Director Ed Brown, and the ICS 400 course taught by Southwest Region Director of Emergency Services Lt. Col. Paul Spencer. Classes started promptly at 8:00 a.m., with 11 students taking the ICS 300 and 12 students enrolled in the ICS 400, for a 100% graduation rate.

At 8:30 a.m., sign-in started for the Aerial Photography class, taught by 2nd Lt. Marcus Moffitt with Lt. Col. Rick Woolfolk as the back-up instructor (a member and the commander of the Nighthawk Composite Squadron, respectively). Classes started promptly at 9:00 a.m. It had been apparent at the start of the day that the weather wouldn't let us fly the planned sorties, so it was decided that we would take pictures from the vehicles instead. The skills acquired in one vehicle would easily transfer to a different one. The 13 students participating in this training included two cadets who had come to learn the ground procedures for the camera, so they could support mission base in the event of an emergency.

Lunch on Saturday brought a surprise and a rude awakening. We hadn't realized that our trusty grill had been damaged during the move to our hangar, and now we had about 40 people to make hamburgers and hotdogs for. 1st Lt. Sue Kristoffersen asked for "some muscle" as she prepared to go to Home Depot, and her team wasted no time in departing on its mission, returning with the needed equipment on short order. Thanks to Lt Kristoffersen, lunch was prepared to standards and served to everyone's satisfaction, a mere one hour late. The instructors, aware of the situation, simply taught a longer morning session, and the excellent mission support met with a hungry and very appreciative crowd.

By 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, the Over Water students signed in and prepared for their class, taught by Lt. Col. Rick Woolfolk and Capt, Stewart Hagedorn, a member of the Ellington Composite Squadron. Unfortunately, the raft needed for the water training was not present, so the ground portion was the only part completed.

Sunday rounded up the instruction, for a very successful weekend for both students and instructors.

Serving as the project officer for this event was very rewarding for me. Thanks to everyone for coming, and keep up the good work.

Capt. Cheri Fischler, Apollo C.S. Commander

Emergency Response Training

This link http://www.teex.org/search.cfm?pageid=search&area=teex  will take you to the TEEX webpage – the state agency responsible for all ground operations. They do monthly training at their Disaster City facility, and need volunteers to be victims, assist with logistics, set up victims with moulage injuries, and other essential tasks. They train in a number of areas, including dog teams.

If you have ground team expertise, I strongly urge you to put on your best BDUs and go train with the TEEX professionals.

Check out the website above. TEEX has a fantastic volunteer appreciation program.

Lt. Col. Brooks Cima, Texas Wing Director of Emergency Services

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.

• Schedules and program details are available at www.preparingtexas.org

• Visit http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/dem/training/08trainingcal.pdf and read page 9 for information regarding reimbursement.

If in doubt, or if you have any other questions, please contact the Group III Emergency Services Officer.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

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

I Need a Second PC ... Or Do I?

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – Roughly 30 years ago, there were two worlds in reasonably-priced computing: Unix (and other multitasking operating systems), and primitive PC-based single-tasking operating systems, among which was Microsoft DOS 1.0. The multitasking computers were priced in five figures and up. The PCs cost in the low to mid 4 figures (including needed software). Of the latter, there were many, including Commodore, the Radio Shack TRS-80, and of course the IBM PC that killed them all. The multitasking environments were networked; the PCs were not. Apple was the first to network small computers effectively, but since it enforced its patents, it became a niche player.

The first graphical user interfaces required more computer power than the average PC had. In time, PCs got more muscle and handled graphics with ease. It didn't take too long for PCs to acquire multitasking and networking, and as PC power increased, and the operating systems became more sophisticated, it became possible to run multiple applications with relative ease. The limiting factor was the available monitor space. A bigger monitor was the obvious fix. But often, two or more networked PCs was a more popular option.

Now we can buy very powerful multi-processor PCs selling for $1,000, and Microsoft's Windows operating system is much smarter. Rather than clutter up your desk with multiple computers, the smarter solution might well be to use multiple monitors. You might want to read about it.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, ITO

A Browser Update

Not all PC browsers are the same, though all are designed to display the same information. For a long time, Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) reigned supreme, but new open-source browsers have been nipping at its heels. In some cases, IE has had to scramble just to keep up. Who's the winner?

Read on.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, ITO

John Foley, jpfoley@techweb.com, www.informationweek.com

Cutting the Cost of Software

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – Balancing your budget is always a consideration when you want to squeeze more functionality out of your PC. Software can be expensive, and we're conditioned to think in terms of big-brand (and big-bucks) products. Well, it doesn't have to be that way.

• My friend Maj. Paul S. Cianciolo, National Capital Wing PA, provided the following list,

  • Alternate to Adobe Photoshop - http://www.gimp.org/ - Edit and convert photos.

  • Alternate to Adobe InDesign - http://www.scribus.net/ - Create page layouts for newsletters, magazine and newspaper ads, posters and brochures. Will save files in formats that can go directly to a print service in the proper color profile and cut lines.

  • Alternate to Microsoft Office - http://www.openoffice.org/ - Create documents and spreadsheets.

• From Lt. Col. Donald A. Becket, the North Carolina Wing's Johnston County Cadet Squadron PAO, came the following pair,

  • Paint.net is Windows Paint on steroids. Very nice interface, very easy to use - http://www.getpaint.net/

  • Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics editor that can do some pretty cool stuff - http://www.inkscape.org/

• From 1st Lt. Mark L. Curtis, the Michigan Wing Asst. PAO, came these,

  • I've played around with some of the online photo editing resources before, but have never been "blown away" before. That is until today. Through a friend I found http://www.pixlr.com. Its interface and features are very similar to Photoshop, and yet easy to use. It loads and works fast! Are there limitations? Sure. This is not an application meant for large photos, such as RAW files, but it works very well for what it does, especially tweaking images for newsletters or websites. Check it out.

  • Another good site is http://www.picnik.com.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, ITO

Enter Free Sites The Easy Way

If you use Firefox, as many do, there are some very useful extensions to be found. One of them is BugMeNot, now in its 2.1 incarnation. You can find it, read the documentation and download it at http://www.bugmenot.com/. The Mozilla page for this add-on, by its count, says that over a million copies have been downloaded to date. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6349

BugMeNot is a login-sharing database that relies on its users for upkeep, letting you go into a "members only" or "login required" section without having to register for it. The program keeps track of valid username/password combinations for the site, and lets you ask it to log you in. It isn't perfect, but it works most of the time. If you ask for a login and it fails, ask again and, if it has alternatives, it will cycle through them. In turn, you're asked to leave your login information for others to use.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, ITO

Clean Up Your Word Documents

When you create or edit a Microsoft Word document, the program keeps a lot of information. Particularly damaging can be notes and comments added by multiple contributors to a project. Even if you hide them, they're still there, and anyone who knows how to query the program can find them.

This is how you can kill them all. If you use Microsoft Office 2003 or XP, download the Microsoft Remove Hidden Data Tool at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=144e54ed-d43e-42ca-bc7b-5446d34e5360&displaylang=en - This page contains full instructions and offers some useful links.

If you use Microsoft Office 2007, use the link on the page above to get the correct Remove Hidden Data tool for your version. The job you save might be your own.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, ITO

Michael A. Monsoor - A Life, 5 April 1981 - 29 September 2006

     DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – The Navy SEALs (an acronym that stands for Sea, Air and Land, the environment in which they are trained to fight), have a proud tradition of service, and their training is predicated on precision team work. In time of war, there are occasions when the mission might be imperiled if one member of the team were to survive and the rest of the team died, but if one made the ultimate sacrifice so that the others might live, the mission might have a chance and succeed.

I have served and retired from the U.S. Army, yet was never faced with such a final and clear-cut call to duty. On 29 September 2006, Michael A. Monsoor, a Navy SEAL, faced this cruel choice in an unremarkable room on an Iraqi rooftop, where he stood with three team members. A grenade came in, bouncing off his chest. He could have escaped through the door and survived, leaving behind three team members who would have surely died, or fallen on the grenade and perhaps saving them from certain death. He chose the latter. Those who wear the golden trident of the Navy SEALs are tightly knit, mission-oriented, and care for each other. They are also trained to make quick decisions.

It has been reported that at his funeral in San Diego, at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, his coffin was borne between two lines of Navy SEALs. Each of his fellow SEAL had removed his golden trident from his uniform and, as the coffin moved by, slapped the symbol of their training, dedication and courage on Mike's coffin, as a final farewell to the friend and hero.

They say the sound of each badge being banged on the coffin could be heard across the cemetery, as each golden badge was nailed onto Mike's wooden coffin, studding it with the respect and affection his fellow SEALs felt for their fallen comrade. Later, President George W. Bush would say, "The procession went on for nearly half an hour, and when it was all over, the simple wooden coffin had become a gold-plated memorial to a hero who will never be forgotten."

A memorial to his heroism is posted on YouTube.

About a year and a half after the event – a fairly short time for the selection process that America's highest award for heroic military service must be subjected to, Congress approved the awarding of the Congressional Medal of Honor to Petty Officer 2 (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Michael A. Monsoor, posthumously. At The White House on 8 April 2008, during the presentation of the award – which was accepted by Mike's parents, George and Sally Monsoor –, President George W. Bush was overtaken by emotion.

On the day he fell in combat, Mike Monsoor was 25 years old. He left behind the gratitude of those he saved, and the admiration and affection of his fellow SEALs. But even the highest honor on earth cannot replace a life, especially that of a son.

May he rest in peace, a shining example to future generations. (Photos of Navy SEAL badge and Navy Medal of Honor: U.S. Navy; Mike Monsoor's coffin: anonymous.)

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

In Memoriam Lt. Col. Dan Williams and 1st Lt. Rheta Lynn Williams, 12 February 2009

 AUSTIN, Texas – The media coverage of the tragic accident that cost the lives of Lt. Col. Dan Williams and his wife 1st Lt. Rheta Williams was extensive. The news story broke in the Houston area, given its proximity to the scene of the accident. From there, it quickly traveled to Austin, since both victims had their residence in the Austin area.

Below are links to the CBS (Austin Affiliate) TV coverage, both online and in video broadcast.

Deadly plane crash kills 2 from Austin area  |   Video

Friends remember couple who died in Montgomery Co. plane crash   |   Video

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, SWR Director of Public Affairs

Dan and Rheta Williams, 18 February

     AUSTIN, Texas – On a brilliant, balmy day, we gathered to say farewell to two wonderful persons. On Thursday, 12 February, at Williams Airport north of Houston, Lt. Col. Daniel Boyd Williams (58) and his wife Rheta Lynn Williams (57) died when the Beechcraft Baron that Dan was piloting impacted the ground near that small airport's single runway. They had joined in matrimony on 22 July 1990, lived a full and happy life together, and together they departed this world. They leave behind five grown children, numerous grandchildren, many relatives, and innumerable friends.

Dan had been a member of the Civil Air Patrol for 15 years, bringing to it his love of flying and the inexhaustible resourcefulness, love and care of a wonderful teacher. He had retired from the Goose Creek Consolidated School District in Baytown, Texas, where he had been a member of the Baytown Senior Squadron and also its commander. He had taught music in the classroom, where he met countless students. Outside the classroom, he also guided and mentored them. In him, hundreds of  young persons found understanding, strength, and the will to reach for their loftiest goals. Many remember him as the single most influential person in their formative years, someone who supported their dreams and encouraged them to do their best. For Dan, "Excellence in all we do" was a concrete, personal, everyday way of life. And he always followed it with a smile and a personal touch.

Dan and Rheta will be remembered for a very long time.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, SWR Director of Public Affairs

Honoring the Flag

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – The American flag is a familiar and respected sight. But it is more than that. As one of our national symbols, it embodies the very spirit of the nation and that of its people. Of greater importance is its primary role in battle, where it leads and accompanies our armed forces, cradling in its bosom the honorable sacrifices made by millions of Americans, through the centuries, as they fought to preserve the country, its institutions, and above all its sovereignty. All nations share the same feeling towards their respective flags. And all persons know how to honor their own flag.

When two flags are displayed side by side, the right is the place of honor. This custom is anchored in the Age of Chivalry, when the knight held his weapon with the right hand and his shield with the left, which was his vulnerable spot. The lesser-ranking knight would guard that spot for him. The analogy here is that the flag stands for all the nation's combatants. As such, the flag's right, as well as the knight's, is the viewer's left.

In the heat, noise and confusion of medieval battle, it was all too easy to become disoriented. Thus, the king's flag was flown at the end of a lance held upright above the fighting force, and a lesser ally's would fly right below it. This is why, today, when two flags are displayed on the same flagpole, the honored position is at the top.

Heads of state know this protocol well, and when they visit each other, the visitor's flag will be displayed to the left of the host country's. Or under it, if on the same flagpole. The situation is reversed when the former visitor becomes the host, and the former host, the visitor. In a foreign country, the only place where the American Flag is displayed to its own right is on the grounds of the American Embassy, because by international agreement that piece of land is American soil.

We've seen many American Presidents visit other countries. On those occasions, the news footage has shown the American flag being displayed at the secondary position. No one has ever objected to this, because international flag protocol is clear and accepted. Breaking it is an insult to the host nation itself, through abasement of its most hallowed symbol.

The United States was founded as a land of freedom and a haven from intolerance. In that spirit, the nation has received millions upon millions of people born abroad who integrated themselves into American life and became productive members of society, embracing its culture, language and values, as well as its traditions. In time, they earned the privilege of becoming American citizens – as I did, in 1963. I am not alone, though, because the vast majority of honest immigrants follow this path.

Occasionally, however, either through ignorance or mistaken motives, some choose to treat the American flag with disrespect. In so doing, they defile it. Ignorance, however, is no excuse, just as ignorance of the law does not remove guilt from those who break it. An immigrant's ignorance of the law and customs of the country is hard to understand, because learning how to honor the national symbols is required knowledge of both citizens and citizens-to-be. In the end, it is really quite simple. In a sovereign nation, its flag merits the place of honor. Always.

There is a video clip making the rounds of the Internet in which a deeply-wounded and irate American citizen, a veteran, deals with a situation in which the American flag, on American soil, displayed on a short flagpole, is filmed flying beneath another nation's flag. This was broadcast by an American television station, suggesting that it probably was staged. In the end, the American flag is shown being cut off the lanyard, the lanyard itself cut, and the other nation's flag left crumpled on the sidewalk.

Two wrongs don't make a right.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

Are PAOs Really Important?

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – Conventional wisdom has it that if you want to get operated on, the best way to go about it is to visit a surgeon with a plausible complaint. Most surgeons, rather than advice a clinical, non-invasive alternative (and send the business elsewhere), will work up a bunch of tests so they can justify getting you into the OR and under anesthesia. When you wake up, you'll be minus one or more parts. (That's why I always see an internist or clinician first.)

It is the same with PA work. If you ask someone who isn't a PAO, especially a person who doesn't understand the job, the answer is likely to be, "PAOs? Who needs them? What we really need here is a subject matter expert." If you agree with this statement, please treat yourself to this short video, then come back. And even if you disagree, watch the video anyway. It's well worth it.

OK, I hope you trusted me and watched the video. How did you like it? I'm indebted to my friend Maj. Paul Cianciolo, the Director of Public Affairs, National Capital Wing, for the WMV file you just viewed. It is a perfect example of a Subject Matter Expert (SME) sticking his foot right into his mouth, convinced that he's saying the right thing, and making very little sense to anyone but himself. And, of course, his oft-repeated explanation of, "The front fell off," becomes an unchallenged object of derision and amusement – to the viewer, if not overtly to the newsman.

Notice how quickly the newsman picks up on the SME's weak spot, turning the accident into a comedy of errors. Gauge the superb manipulation of the SME's ego, as the newsman "plays dumb." That is a masterful performance, totally dead-pan, as the newsman expertly elicits a torrent of nonsense from the SME'smouth, getting him to repeat himself as he loses credibility and even dignity. Would the SME have profited from swallowing his ego and letting a cautious, well trained and well informed PAO handle the interview?

What do you think?

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

Languages & Cultures

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, in Monterey, California, is the premier U.S. Government language school. Used by the armed services as well as the State Department and other federal agencies that need to field personnel to work in foreign lands, it has long been known for its excellence in "total immersion" teaching.

Surprise! The http://www.lingnet.org/default.asp website makes available to the general public some of the information formerly accessible only to the military or federal government employees.

Anyone interested in a foreign language (not all are represented), would profit from visiting the website above. A sister website offers a collection of legends and folktales from around the world (please visit: http://fieldsupport.lingnet.org/products/LF1/ )

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

What's a Scientist?

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – From our arrogant vantage point of tech-rich 21st Century, most people would hold the title of this article to be pure hogwash, a ridiculous question. "Why, everyone knows what a scientist is!" would be the ignorant person's most common circular response. "A man of science, of course!" would hazard redundantly the slightly educated and more cautious among them. "An inventor and discoverer, working to decipher the secrets of the universe," might muse the aspiring scientist, starry-eyed at the prospect of fame... and riches, of course.

Ask any reasonably educated person to name some of the Fathers of Modern Science, and you might hear Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier, the Father of Modern Chemistry (1743-1794), René Descartes, the Father of Modern Mathematics (1596-1650), Galileo Galilei, the Father of Modern Physics (1564-1642), Carl Ritter, the Father of Modern Geography (1779-1859), Charles Robert Darwin, the Father of Evolution (1809-1882), or even Sir William Osler, the Father of Modern Medicine (1849-1919). Hallowed names in the halls of science, all of these. Lionized by researchers and scholars the world over, in fact.

Lavoisier had the bad luck of being born a Frenchman and living in turbulent times; at the height of the French Revolution, he lost his head. The others lived out their natural span, reaching what passed for venerable old age at their respective times. All of them have earned a distinguished place in the pantheon of the Great Names in Science.

Enter the etymologist, bent on rooting out the true and cruel facts. He loves doing that, because no one can argue with facts. "Scientist, noun, 1834, coined from the Latin scientia (see science) by English philosopher William Whewell (1794-1866) by analogy with artist." Definitely, you can't argue with facts, so let's take a second look. In today's encyclopedias, Lavoisier, Descartes and Galileo, all of whom died before 1834, are described as philosophers who contributed to the sciences for which they are known and remembered. That's because that's what they were – Philosophers.

What about the others? The German Ritter, as well as the Englishman Darwin and the Canadian Osler, received an underlying liberal arts education that included the study of Classical Latin and Greek, as well as philosophy. The Wikipedia write-ups to which I've linked their names don't mention this, but since it was a standard of their time, there is no reason to believe that they got any other. These were the ground-breakers, the creators, the pioneers that declined to accept the teachings of the day and, instead, forged on in their quest to expand the boundaries of knowledge in their chosen disciplines.

"So what's in it for me?" you might ask. If you didn't, you would have disappointed me. "I'm glad you asked," I'd say. Why? Because philosophy (literally: love of knowledge) is the essential preparation that will open the mind to new thoughts, finding new paths, and conquering the unknown. But it doesn't stop there. Those new conquests must be achieved at a human level, without harming the innocent, and for the benefit of all. This is an unyielding principle of ethics. And... you guessed it – ethics is a branch of philosophy that seems to be in very short supply these days.

In the Middle Ages, the alchemists (precursors of the chemists) spoke of "the philosopher's stone" as the alchemical secret for turning lead into gold. Little did these emerging scientists dream of what science would eventually be capable of accomplishing. Just take a look around. The latest Intel 4-core microprocessor, selling for about $1,000.00, has little more than a dollar's worth of component elements. The other $999.00 in the price account for the development expense (cost) and what it can do (profit). And it is possible to turn about 15 dollars' worth of raw materials into an analogue record-playing stylus that is priced at $35,000.00 – and yes, people will buy it because it makes the music sound better than anything else.

There's an unexpected truth here. Gold, more than an a precious metal, has turned into an idea.

But scientists aren't gold-diggers. That's another story.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

What Makes Good Writing?

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – Writing isn't just setting down words. If it were, the Nobel Prize for Literature might go to editors of the Unabridged Oxford English Dictionary that currently contains 263,917 entries (741,153 meanings), illustrated by 2,931,547 quotations. The paradox is that the word literature is derived from litteratura (literally–that is, to the letter–, lettering) which in turn is descended from littera or letter – not a missive or epistle but any of the symbols used to construct words. In common with most complex thoughts, the kernel that gave literature expression belongs to a very simple and clear word, letter. Such is the human condition. We tend to complicate things. Now keep this last thought alive, and hold it tenderly as you read what follows.

This penchant for complication is what derails matters for many writers, who often give in to the irresistible urge to drag in every last word they know (or think they know), whether they understand it or not, throwing them all into the pot. In the animal kingdom, this is what bull frogs do when they puff themselves up and pretend to be a great deal larger than they truly are; scientists label this a defense mechanism. Of course, this doesn't work too well, because the bigger they are the easier they are to catch, so Mother Nature gave them an even better defense: they taste awful. The predator nears one and, when the prey puffs itself up, the predator knows immediately that eating it will cause great digestive consternation, so it moves on. The poor bull frog, on the other hand – if it thinks as we do, which I doubt –, might reason that its size-doubling skill did the trick. The human condition is not unlike this. We delude ourselves. Now, without chucking the previous tenderly held thought, add this one too, as you read on.

When it comes to writing, don't be a bull frog. I could go on at great length about what people do that makes for atrocious, nearly incomprehensible writing, but I won't. Instead, I'll try to give you some simple rules.

Let's say that accidentally you hammered your thumb. "The most painful experience anyone has ever experienced," would write the raw beginning writer. "I see. How would you describe open-heart surgery without anesthesia?" asks the sarcastic editor. Oh well... Next!

Some writers have been putting words together for some time, and getting away with it. "This is GREAT!" they write. "All right, maybe so," says the cruel reading master, "Now please read aloud for me the following three words, 'great', 'great!', and 'GREAT!', and make me hear the difference." Ooops! Were he still alive, the great Sir John Gielgud himself couldn't do that, I bet. In the minimalist world of instant messaging, ALL CAPS substitute for (1) bold facing (2) Italicizing and (3) shouting. The IM experts of the world can tell which by some sixth sense that totally escapes me, given that IM often lacks context at all. Or else they simply can't tell the difference between (1), (2), and (3), and might not even care. Please, don't add this thought to the previous two. Instead, just erase it.

Watch your adjectives and adverbs. If they add nothing, throw them out. If they add the wrong thing, fix them so they do. If they distort your thought, chuck them. Adjectives and adverbs are "shaders" of meaning. The soul of the sentence is really in the noun, and when you start messing with a soul, things tend to break. "An incredibly beautiful dawn assaulted my senses like a 30 lb. sledge-hammer," says Jimmy Hyperbole. Trust me. This is truly bad writing. So bad, in fact, that it isn't even funny. It's pathetic. Just off the bat, "incredibly beautiful" is inane, because either it is beautiful or it isn't, and if you can see its beauty, you'd better believe it, and that makes it credible, so incredible doesn't fit. (It is truly difficult to write this poorly, believe me.) I could ask you to compare Jimmy Hyperbole's statement to this one, "As the darkness yielded to the brightening horizon, the landscape emerged as half-discerned shapes," but that would be my own writing. Instead, consider, "Ten thousand scimitars flash in the sunlight, and thrice ten thousand dancing-girls strew flowers" (Charles Dickens, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Ch. I, "The Dawn").

Above all, watch your thoughts. It is possible to pour out countless words and say nearly nothing. If you don't believe me, just listen to your local weather commentators and you'll see what I mean. If there is no substance to your writing, and you don't catch your reader's attention with the first sentence or two, there goes your prose. To the trash heap. But it isn't enough to get past this hurdle, you've also got to go on delivering until you're done.

Closing a book and walking away is the easiest thing in the world. So, good luck.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

When Simple Words Count

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – There are times when the use of complicated words is necessary, because the subject at hand demands it. For instance, when dealing with technical information or philosophical discourse. But a conversation is a different matter. Keep in mind that conversation is descended from the Classical Latin conversari, meaning "to associate with." As a rule, a real conversation is more than just an exchange of words or information; at heart, it is a process by which two or more people who know each other keep in touch with their mutual doings, thoughts and feelings.

When I mentor writers, my advice to them is simple, "When you can pick between two words, go with the short one." If you read the preceding sentence once again, you might notice that all words except one are monosyllables; the exception is "between" that has two syllables. Also notice that "between" offered the shorter alternative of "tween" since about 1300, but it is now in disuse. Interestingly, as the language evolves and acquires new meanings and coinages, it also sheds old meanings and even words. But not all of this is healthy or even desirable.

Here's a case in point. We're too close to the original meaning of "presently" to use this word as a synonym for "currently," so using it in this sense tells others that we don't really know the word presently very well. Around 1380, it meant "immediately," but by 1566 it had shifted to "sooner" or "later." Now I ask, "Why would someone want to go back to "1830 presently" when "present-day" and "currently" are available? No matter. With this one, the user runs little risk of offending anyone; the only damage could be to the user's pervceived level of education.

However, other shifts of meaning can seriously endanger a relationship. Take, for instance, verbiage. This word entered English from the French, first recorded in 1721. Its original meaning (and today's still primary meaning) is "wordiness" or "profusion of words usually of little or obscure content," rather than "choice of words." Yet many I keep hearing it these days, used instead of "wording," "choice of expression," or "explanation." It takes a little imagination and breadth of vocabulary to understand why telling a writer, "I like your verbiage," in the early 19th century, would easily have landed the speaker in a duel. Today, the result might be having made an enemy, perhaps for life. Don't forget, writers are in the business of words, so they are quite aware of what they mean.

So here's a handy life preserver I can throw into the sea of words. The suffix "-age" (pronounced ahge) entered Middle English from the Middle French, and (in English) it is nearly always derogatory. As an example, let's look at disparage, that today means "1. to lower in rank or reputation, degrade; 2. to depreciate by indirect means (as invidious comparison), speak slightly about." Originally, disparage meant "to degrade by marriage below one's class," in other words, to abase or sink below one's station in life, by one's own choice. That's the sort of thing a bum might do, right? Bottom line, use only words you know well, and always prefer those written by good authors.

Who hasn't been a child and, at some point, said, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me"? Don't buy into this.

Should the wrong word fly out in your presence, I hope you'll be the listener, not the sayer.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

Online Press Rooms Frustrate Journalists

     Journalists need facts and phone numbers, not Flash animation, study says

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was posted on the PAO Forum by Maj. Paul Cianciolo, Capital Wing PAO

You’ve jazzed up your corporate Web site with Flash animation and fast-moving videos, but did you forget the simple things, such as adding a “contact” link to your media relations team? If you forgot, apparently you’re not alone.

A new study on the usability of Web site press rooms shows that journalists remain mighty frustrated about the lack of easy-to-find information on corporate sites.

“When corporations design Web sites, they design them for themselves,” explains Hoa Loranger, director of Nielsen Norman Group, based in Fremont, Calif. Loranger is co-author of the consulting firm’s new report, which studied 40 journalists and their use of the Web.
“The designers of these press rooms don’t create them based on the needs of the users,” says Loranger.

In an age of overworked journalists with ever-shorter attention spans, the impact of a poorly designed press room is substantial.

“Journalists repeatedly said that poor website usability could reduce or completely eliminate their press coverage of a company,” the study reported. One journalist, asked about his likelihood of bailing on a confusing press room, said, “I would be reluctant to go back to the site. If I had a choice to write about something else, then I would write about something else."

One of the biggest complaints of Web-browsing journalists is that they can rarely find fact-based, straightforward information about what a company does.

“We’ve been studying this for years. Companies are still not adequately communicating what makes them unique,” says Loranger. (read Nielsen Norman’s previous study on “About Us” pages for corporate Web sites).

The journalists who took part in the study confessed to confusion about jargon-filled and fluffy “About” pages and corporate mission statements. In many cases, the writers of corporate “About” pages rely on insider lingo and industry terms that they understand but no one else can decipher.

“They don’t realize that their site visitors are not as educated on their business as they are,” says Loranger of some of these press room writers. “And it’s not just journalists who are lost. It’s customers and investors as well.” Here’s how to make your online press room more useful:

Make finding PR contact info a foolproof process: Of the top five reasons the journalists gave for visiting a corporate Web site, the most important reason is to locate PR contact info. That usually means a direct phone number to a PR person.

“Sites must offer a simple way to contact a live human being in the PR department,” says the study. “Although a Web site can answer many basic questions and provide great help, journalists almost always want to talk to a person, too.”

Loranger says journalists are more likely to desert a Web site that only offers an e-mail address as a means of contacting a PR person. Worse yet, she says, is a generic PR e-mail address, such as press@XYZCompany.com. “They’re more likely to send an e-mail if there’s a person’s name, because at least there’s some accountability,” she says. But when they’re on deadline, they still want a phone number.

Create an easy-to-find fact sheet—and don’t lard on the hype: One of the biggest beefs of the journalists studied by Nielsen Norman is that companies hide basic info under some virtual rock. The number-two reason that journalists said they visited corporate sites is to find out facts and stats about the organization, such as the year founded and the number of employees.

Yet not only is this info in short supply, it’s often cloaked in “marketese and excessive verbiage that smother the facts,” reports the study.

“You need to be wary of marketing language in the corporate section of your site. When people go there, they’re on a fact-finding mission,” Loranger says.

In other words, while journalists and other site visitors expect to be marketed to elsewhere on a site, they don’t want it on a “just-the-facts” page.

(By the way, the other top reasons to visit corporate Web sites, according to the journalists, were: to figure out the company’s spin on events, to check financial information and to download images for use in their stories.)

Link to external sources: Journalists told the Nielsen Norman researchers that they use press material only to figure out how a company is positioning itself. Press rooms should have links to external sources of information about the company, such as press clips.

“Journalists often consider articles from independent newspapers and magazines to be much more credible than a company's own press releases,” says the study.

Assume media visitors don’t have the latest hardware and software: Many journalists work at home full-time or part-time and, like most people, put off doing computer upgrades as long as possible. So your press room’s latest wizardry may not be appreciated. Or worse, journalists won’t be able to view or download press info.

To be on the safe side, Loranger suggests that all press materials, such as press releases or podcasts, be usable or downloadable with software that’s two years behind current releases. And while professional communicators tend to love PDFs because they preserve the look and feel of a document, journalists told the Nielsen Norman researchers that PDFs slow down their work.

“They feel that PDFs are flat documents. They don’t allow them to navigate to other sources of information,” says Loranger. (NOTE: A good PDF creator will preserve working hot links. Editor)

Christine Kent

Your Digital Camera and the Law

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – If you're taking digital photos (or any other kind of images on film, tape, video cam, and so on), you don't have much to worry if you're recording a CAP event. As a PAO, your job is to record what your CAP unit does, so you're within the rules of your job.

The situation is different if you're taking photos in a civilian environment, and there are people there who are not members of the Civil Air Patrol. Recently, Dave Johnson, a PC World staff writer, published another installment in what is becoming his "Photos and the Law" series. Here's the link http://www.pcworld.com/article/159046/article.html?tk=nl_coxblg

Dave is a professional photographer and what he has to say is helpful to us. It isn't enough to be a good photographer, you must also do what is right both legally and ethically.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

Monthly Safety Briefing

Each Squadron is required to provide both a flight safety briefing and a ground safety briefing each month. The Sentinel, the national CAP Safety newsletter, should be briefed as a minimum. Briefings need not be lengthy presentations - a 10 to 20 minute talk (and optional group discussion) is enough.

Maj Jeff Yevcak, formerly the Randolph AFB safety officer who was also the Randolph AFB liaison officer to CAP, kindly offered the following for the month of February, should you want to use them at your own squadron.

March Flight Safety Briefing (MS Word document)

March Ground Safety Briefing (MS Word document)

Recurring Reports

Editor

Chaplain visits Hanscom, offers messages on spiritual wellness, divine guidance

     3/13/2007 -- HANSCOM AFB, Mass. -- -- "Why am I here? Is there a purpose to my life? Is there a life beyond this life?" 

"These may be difficult questions to ponder, but these are the questions that deployed troops muse about during the long and monotonous days of deployments," said Air Force Deputy Chief of Chaplains Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) Cecil R. Richardson during an interview here March 8. 

"You think about these things when you're working 16-hour days, 7 days a week and then you turn your heart to God," Chaplain Richardson said. 

Chaplain Richardson visited Hanscom to speak at the base's National Prayer Luncheon. 

The chaplain shared his thoughts on the importance of spiritual wellness for all members of the military community -- whether they are serving at their home station or in a deployed location -- during an interview before addressing the crowd of approximately 175 people. 

"[When we are deployed] we get away from MTV and away from all the noise in our lives, and after a while we start thinking about what's important -- our spouse, kids, family, the progression of life, life itself and then we think about God," he said. "Whereas when we were stateside, we are often so caught up in stuff that we never took the time to think about the ultimate things like purpose." 

The chaplain stressed, however, that those who don't deploy "need spiritual 'under-girding' just as much" as those who deploy. 

"Spiritual wellness is that something within us that keeps us going, that gives us focus in life. It gives us purpose and meaning," Chaplain Richardson said. 

"In a sense, spiritual wellness is closely tied to the word 'hope,'" he said. "A lot of people confuse faith and hope. Faith is person-centered -- you have faith in a person or God and it is for the present. Hope is future-oriented. Hope says 'I have a future, my tomorrow looks even better than today.'" 

The Prayer Luncheon's theme was "Lord, Guard and Guide" and Chaplain Richardson discussed those moments in life when one comes to a point and seeks guidance from a higher power. 

The chaplain told the luncheon's audience of personal experiences when he felt God's guidance. While he was serving in the Air Force as an interpreter for the National Security Agency after enlisting in 1970, he felt called upon to change his course. 

After coming "to the Lord as a two-striper" he decided not to re-enlist, but rather attend college and obtain his undergraduate and Master of Divinity degrees.

He told the audience how God guided his life through his college years, including the period he spent working the late shift as a gas station attendant with a Baptist minister, who influenced his desire to become a military chaplain. 

Chaplain Richardson described the "miraculous way God just kicked the doors wide open for me to become a chaplain." 

"I've had the privilege of a not only a wonderful ministry, by making little chapels into big chapels, but I've also had the privilege to cheer on the chaplains and the chaplain's assistants through the years," he said. "What a gift it is to have these people who want to devote their lives to making the chaplain ministry successful." 

Part of the mission of chaplains, Chaplain Richardson said, is to minister to personnel belonging to various faith groups. 

"America is perhaps one of the most religious nations on earth, well over 90 percent [of Americans] believe in God, and they don't quit believing in God when they come into the military," he said. 

"The National Prayer Luncheon is a time to pray -- for ourselves, the nation and the military. But it's also a time for us to pause and remind ourselves that although we are neutral concerning religion, we as a nation are not neutral concerning God. Although we come from different faith traditions, we believe in God." 

Chaplain Richardson said religion can take on an important role in the lives of military personnel. 

"Our profession goes hand in hand with the realization that we could potentially be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice, but we also realize that we're dealing with dangerous things all the time. We're always called upon by something that is above and beyond ourselves -- both individually and corporately," he said. 

After serving more than 30 years in the Air Force and on multiple deployments, the chaplain said he and his wife "could not possibly comprehend a better life" than they've had in the military. When he retires, which he doesn't plan to do any time soon, he said he will use the skills he's developed while serving as an Air Force chaplain in the civilian world. 

Chaplain Richardson, the father of three sons and grandfather of three grandsons, said he will continue to focus on making "little congregations into big congregations." 

In addition, he has passed his passion for ministry to his eldest son, who is also a chaplain and will become the Air Force Academy's Cadet's Chaplain this summer. 

Together, the chaplains have the distinction of being the only father and son team to serve as active-duty chaplains simultaneously. 

"It's easier to see -- when looking back on life -- how God has guided me," Chaplain Richardson said.

He also said he tries to share this sense of being guided by God to others through his chaplain duties and ministry. 

"I really believe in using humor, witticisms, illustrations and personal experiences not just to be entertaining, but because I have a message, a passionate message that I really want people to get," he said, "And it doesn't make a difference what I say if they don't listen."

1st Lt. Lisa Spilinek, 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Aviation & more

Safety

US Decorations Rack Builder – All military, auxiliary, and civilian decorations

Squadron Commander Speaks to Rotarians, 12 February

GLADEWATER, Texas – Below is what the Rotarians had to say about my presentation.

(Capt. Harold Parks)

Gladewater Rotary Clubs' meeting February 12th featured Capt. Harold Parks Jr. of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) (shown here with Rotarian Leon Word).  He is the Commander of the local Gladewater Squadron. He is an ex-member of the United States Air Force, now retired and living in Ore City. Flying has been his life-long dream and he has been fortunate enough to have had a pilot's license since 1970.

CAP is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). While CAP is sponsored by the Air Force, it is not an operating reserve component under the Air Force or the federal government. CAP is a non-profit volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and occupations. It performs three congressionally assigned key missions: emergency services, which includes search and rescue (by air and ground) and disaster relief operations; aerospace education for youth and the general public; and Cadet Programs for youth ages 12-20. In addition, CAP has recently been tasked with homeland security and courier service missions. CAP also performs non-auxiliary missions for various governmental and private agencies, such as local law enforcement and the American Red Cross.

Membership in the organization consists of cadets ranging from 12 to 20 years of age, and senior members at least 18 years of age. These two groups each have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of pursuits. The Cadet program contributes to the development of America's youth with a structured syllabus and an organization based upon United States Air Force ranks and grades, while the older members serve as mentors, instructors, supervisors, and operators. All members wear uniforms while performing their duties. 

(Capt. Harold Parks)

A Change of Pace, 24 February

GLADEWATER, Texas – We did something different tonight at our meeting. One of our senior members had donated two MREs to the squadron, and we were scratching our collective heads while trying to figure how we could best put them to use. After kicking around various ideas for awhile, we decided to have a contest with the MREs as the prize for the winner(s). Further, the cadets came up with the notion that the contest should include some sort of mission-related skill. They then dreamed up the following scenario – We would have an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) find contest, where the participants would be timed while searching for the ELT, which would be hidden somewhere on airport property. The ELT would be placed in the same exact (undisclosed) location for each contestant.

Our Cadet Commander, C/2nd Lt. Jarrod Alexander, can be pretty devious when he goes about hiding the transmitter. Tonight, he approached me and asked if he could hide the ELT inside my personal airplane. "After all," he reasoned, "that is what ELT searches are all about anyway – finding airplanes with screaming ELTs."

It took the entire evening to sequence through all the cadets (2nd Lt. Alexander had made himself ineligible to compete). Each cadet took a turn, and each cadet found the ELT, though their times varied. Tonight's winner was a big surprise – C/A1C Matt Brown, one of our newest cadets, turned in the lowest time. All other cadets were good sports about the results, and lined up to congratulate the winner.

The contest was so well received, that we'll plan on having similar events in the future. It was great fun, and everyone's competitive spirit kept the entire group excited and lively throughout the evening.

(Capt. Harold Parks)

Austin Aircrews Strive for Excellence, 3 February

AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INT'L AIRPORT, Texas – On 3 February, air crews from squadrons in the Austin metroplex that includes the Pegasus Composite Squadron, the Apollo Composite Squadron, the Texas Legislative Squadron, and the Col. Joe Kittinger Senior Squadron, gathered for our quarterly air crew meeting. These events were started inm 2008, in an effort to coordinate our knowledge and resources more effectively.  By coming together, we have found that we all hear similar messages regarding aircrew issues and safety. In addition to the meeting, aircrew members are also linked in an online Yahoo group as an aid to sharing information regarding air crew operations and coordinating our efforts during exercises and missions.

On this February evening, we covered a lot of ground – or should I say air space:

• Lt. Col. Gordie White, Commander of the Texas Legislative Squadron, explained that the purpose of his squadron is to educate and build relationships with legislative decision-makers. He also updated the participants on the squadron's activities, encouraging all to assist in recruiting members of the Texas Legislature to the squadron. If anyone happens to have a connection to a Texas Legislator, please contact Lt. Col. White at gordie@att.net.

• Lt. Col. George Mihalcik, who put the meeting together and facilitated the session, spoke about the status of Orientation Rides for CAP and ROTC Cadets.

• 1st Lt. Richard Hacker, Kittinger Phantom Emergency Services Officer, noted the upcoming SAREX in March and the potential for fire watch activities as March approaches.

• Capt. Leonard Laws, the Texas Wing StanEval Officer, gave an overview of some of the key changes in the CAP regulations effecting aircrew operations, as outlined in CAPR 60-1. 

• 1st Lt. Ferrill Ford, Kittinger Phantom Maintenance Officer, reported on the maintenance status of the two aircraft in the Austin area, N984CP hangared at Austin Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS) and 98913 hangared at Georgetown Municipal Airport (KGTU).

• 1st Lt. John Welsh, Group III Safety Officer, briefed the February safety documents, facilitating a group dialog regarding safety issues.

• Capt Steve Barclay, Kittinger Phantom Communications Officer, discussed the transition from the 121.5 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT) to 406 MHz ELTs. At midnight, 31 January 2009, the International Cospas-Sarsat Organization (U.S. included) terminated processing of distress signals emitted by 121.5 MHz ELTs. Pilots flying aircraft equipped with 121.5 MHz ELTs (estimated to be at least 85% of the general aviation fleet) will now have to depend on pilots of overflying aircraft and/or ground stations monitoring 121.5 to hear and report distress alert signals, transmitted from a possible crash site. Capt. Barclay encouraged aircrews to monitor 121.5 MHz whenever possible.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

[1] Aircrew members from across the Austin area gather at the TxDOT Flight Center for the quarterly Aircrew Briefing. [2] Lt. Col. Dan Williams looks on as Capt. Leonard Laws, Texas Wing StanEval Officer, briefs participants on the changes to CAPR 60-1. [3] Lt. Col. Gordie White, Commander of the Texas Legislative Squadron, gives an overview of the Squadron’s activities. [4] Lt. Col. George Mihalcik organized and led the quarterly Aircrew Briefing. [5] 1st Lt. Ferrill Ford (center) briefs the maintenance status of the aircraft as 2nd Lt. Dave Rogerson and 1st Lt. Debbie Ford look on. [6] 1st Lt. John Welsh, most recently a member of the Apollo Composite Squadron and now serving as Group III Safety Officer, provides the February safety briefing. (Photos: 1st Lt. Richard Hacker)

Concluding the meeting, Lt. Col. Mihalcik promised an absorbing table-top search and rescue exercise for our next meeting in May. Working together on the tabletop exercise gives trainees the opportunity to learn valuable skills without the urgency and time constraints of a SAREX or mission, and all aircrew members can share best practices for the benefit of all.

As the squadrons in the Austin area strive to increase our coordination, these meetings will continue to play a vital role in living up to our resolve to serve the community effectively and with excellence.

(1st Lt. Richard Hacker)

In Memoriam Lt. Col. Dan Williams and 1st Lt. Rheta Willams, 18 February

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, SWR Director of Public Affairs

Victorious Once Again!, 13-15 February

CAMP MABRY, Austin, Texas – They did it again! All eyes were on the Pegasus Composite Squadron Color Guard (CG) as they surpassed last year’s standards at the 2009 Texas Wing Cadet Competition. Emotions of both participants and supporters ran high as there were only three contestants: the Pegasus, Lackland and Sheldon CG teams. With only three teams competing, the stakes were much higher, as the color guard judges scrutinized each team, paying much more attention to minute details.

It goes without saying that the Pegasus CG had worked extremely hard towards reaching this goal and will be working even harder as they prepare themselves for the work to come. In fact, Pegasus' Team Commander C/MSgt Austin Lowry said, “It feels great that we have some of the best cadets in the wing, who are also willing to dedicate 8 hours a week in order to reach our goal.”

Guided by Maj. J.D. Draper, the following cadets trained extremely hard for this event:

• C/MSgt Austin Lowery, Commander and American flag bearer,

• C/CMSgt David Hamman, American flag guard,

• C/CMSgt Aaron Harold, Organizational flag bearer,

• C/SrA Hannah Disreali, Organizational flag guard,

• C/TSgt Ali Pautz, Alternate,

1. 2. 3. 4.

[1]-[4] The Pegasus Composite Squadron Color Guard displays its good form and excellent training, executing the moves required of a color guard while standing and on the march.

[5]-[9] The Pegasus Composite Squadron Color Guard receives the American flag, marches it to the flagpole, raises it, and then renders a hand salute at the flying colors.

Both Lackland and Sheldon Cadet Squadrons competed fiercely, and should definitely be commended on their hard work. However, in the end, the Pegasus Composite Squadron Color Guard came up Number One by placing first in the following events:

• Knowledge Bowl,

• Written Exam,

• Outdoor Practical. and

• Mile Run

10. 11. 12. 13.

[10]-[13] The Pegasus Composite Squadron Color Guard folds the flag for presentation following the prescribed movements, then hands it over to the designated recipient.

14. 15.

[14] The Pegasus Composite Squadron Color Guard performs the Indoor Practical. [15] The Pegasus Composite Squadron Color Guard pose for the cameras. (L-R) C/CMSgt David Hamman, C/MSgt Austin Lowery, C/CMSgt Aaron Harold, C/SrA Hannah Disraeli, and C/TSgt Ali Pautz.

The Pegasus CG team members also won several individual awards:

• Outstanding Team Captain - C/MSgt Austin Lowery

• Fleet Foot Award - C/CMSgt Aaron Harold

• Highest Written Exam Score -  C/CMSgt David Hamman and C/CMSgt Aaron Harold

16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

[16] On behalf of his team, C/MSgt Austin Lowery accepts the 2009 Texas Wing Color Guard award from MSgt Coleman, USAF. [17] C/CMSgt Aaron Harold and C/CMSgt David Hamman (a tie) are presented the award for the Highest Written Exam Scores by MSgt Coleman, USAF. [18] C/CMSgt Aaron Harold is presented the Fleet Foot award by MSgt Coleman, USAF. [19] C/MSgt Austin Lowry is presented the Outstanding Commander award  by MSgt Coleman, USAF. [20] The Pegasus Composite Squadron Color Guard hold up the Texas Wing Flag. (L-R) Maj. J.D. Draper, C/CMSgt David Hamman, C/MSgt Austin Lowery , C/CMSgt Aaron Harold, C/SrA Hannah Disraeli, Lt. Col. Debbie French (rear), and C/TSgt Ali Pautz. (All photos: 1st Lt. Steven Pautz)

Even if the Pegasus Composite Squadron CG had not taken 1st Place overall, its members surely would never have forgotten the memories and friendships created during the long practice days. The many hours of arduous training prepared them for the event well, but the team members now understand even better that this competition was not just about winning, but also about having fun.

Without a doubt, this coming May, the Pegasus CG will definitely give it their all when they represent Texas Wing at the Southwest Region Competition in Oklahoma.

(C/Capt. Raphael Erie)

(C/SSgt. Evan Petrosky)