The Newsletter

POLK COUNTY COMPOSITE SQUADRON

Volume 1, Issue 4 September 2010

Inside This Issue:

Commanders Call Member Spotlight ESP September Birthdays Character Matters Promotions Cadet Happenings EOC Tour Pix Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 4 Page 5 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 8 Page 8

Albert Whitted Airport

St. Petersburg

Blinks (Web Links) Squadron Calendar Cool History

Mission Base for this months Emergency Services evaluations.

By: Lt. Col. Roy L. Hall, Deputy Commander for Seniors

1 September 2010 is an important date to remember as far as the proper wear of some corporate uniforms. As of this date, the white aviator shirt with AF style blue rank epaulets and blue three-line name tag go away. The white aviator shirt and blue AF trouser combo can still be worn but with the grey CAP style rank epaulets and grey name tag. Also, the metal CAP cutouts previously authorized on the epaulets of the black windbreaker and

overcoat will be removed to allow for proper placement of the grey epaulet sleeve. Cadets over the age of 18 are now authorized to wear the white aviator shirt and grey slacks combo with the currently authorized blue cadet name tag and grade insignia. As always, the bible for the proper wear of all uniforms is CAPM 39-1 as amended.

By: 1st Lt. James K. Peto, Commander

Whats on Jims mind?

Ahh, September. School has started, Labor Day, and the end of another fiscal year. I will save the year in review for a later date, but I would like to mention that we have a fundraiser currently going on. If you still have first aid kits in your possession, please sell them and bring the proceeds to the next squadron meeting. This past month has seen its share of activity. We had several cadets attend a group-wide event at the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa. They had a chance to view the new Legends of Flight movie, which CAP helped produce, and also got to tour the museum and check out the Mission to Mars exhibit. A couple of our pilots had check rides taken care of and are now current again. I would like to take some time to recognize a couple of dedicated men. First is Lt. Col. Bill Rogerson. He has taken a position with Florida Wing as the Assistant Director of Administration. It is a tough loss for our squadron, but the Wing is gaining a tremendous individual, dedicated to the missions of the organization. We will still have the privilege of seeing him from time to time, as he will be attending some of our squadron meetings and hopefully flying with us. Second is Lt. Col. Roy Hall. Col. Hall has been appointed the new Deputy Commander for Seniors, filling a role that has been vacant since the departure of Lt. Col. Zedonek earlier this year. Col. Hall has been the Professional Development Officer in this squadron for some time and he has some ideas on how to further our senior program. Id like to say congratulations to both of you. I know that you will make us proud in your new positions. Our squadron will be represented on the Group 3 Cadet Advisory Council again this year by a couple of very capable cadets. The primary representative is Cadet Master Sergeant Alex Peto. He is starting his second term as the CAC rep for the squadron. The alternate representative is Cadet Technical Sergeant Jeremy King. This is his first year being involved with the CAC. If you have an idea that could benefit all cadets in the group, please let either of our reps know so they can take it to the next meeting. On August 31st, our squadron was granted the chance

to tour the new Polk County Emergency Operations Center in Winter Haven. Paul Womble, Program Manager & Polk County Emergency Manager, was more than gracious in his presentation and extremely forthcoming in allowing us to check out the new facility, which just opened up in the spring of this year. Many thanks go out to him and to everyone that was able to make it. Let me also officially welcome our newest members to the squadron. Cadet Grant Masters, Cadet Pryce Newberg, Senior Member John Marr, Senior Member Heidi Masters, and Captain Robert Gregor, who transferred in from Michigan. As far as upcoming activities, there are quite a few. First is an Emergency Services evaluation day on September 11th. Group 3 will be working it from two locations. The flight and mission base will be at Albert Whitted airport in St. Petersburg. The UDF and ground teams will be operating out of Starkey Park in Pasco County. This is a great opportunity to get some muchneeded qualification sign-offs. Please see myself or TFO Ford to sign up. Next is the annual Safety Stand Down Day. This will be on September 21st. It will be during the regular meeting time at our headquarters. It is a requirement that we dedicate one meeting entirely to safety. We will have a couple of guest speakers that will be presenting safety-related material. We need to get back to the Bartow location and clean it up. Lets choose a Saturday in September to get it done. There isnt much to do, but it should be left in a condition better than when we received it. Major Petersen may have an opportunity for our color guard to perform at a football game for a Christian school in Winter Haven. Stay tuned for details on that, as it would be a tremendous way to show our stuff and to possible introduce ourselves to more of the community. Lastly Id like to mention a fantastic chance to raise some serious money for the squadron and honor our fallen heroes at the same time. Wreaths Across America is a national and worldwide project where Christmas wreaths are laid upon the graves of fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. Civil Air Patrol began its association with Wreaths Across America in 2006.
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The wreath laying takes place on the second Saturday in December each year. This year, it will be December 11th. With roughly 50% of CAP membership made up of cadets, participation in the Wreaths Across America program is seen as an opportunity for cadets to learn and integrate more about our Nation's past history, current events, and future. Many officers of Civil Air Patrol are veterans themselves, and are honored to participate in this remembrance project. We should be as well. There will be more information regarding WAA in the very near future. Also coming up is the CPR/First Aid class on the 25th. It will be held at squadron headquarters and will cost $40 per person. This will be a two-year certification throuth the American Heart Association. This is a great opportunity to get the Basic First Aid sign off needed on so many qualifications. Until next month, remember

May your future be limited only by your dreams. (Christa McAuliffe)

Random Ribbon
Yeager Award

Awarded to senior members who complete the Aerospace Education Program for Senior Members.

This month, we shine the spotlight on one of our newest members, Captain Robert Gregor. Captain Gregor comes to us as a transfer from the Livonia Thunderbolt Composite Squadron (MI-183) between Detroit and Ann Arbor. Captain Gregor has completed Level 2 in the Senior Member program as well as the Aerospace Education Program for Senior Members. He joined CAP in 2000 and has recently moved to Florida. He is one of five siblings and currently lives with his girlfriend. Outside CAP, he is in the sewing machine and vacuum sales and service industry. Captain Gregor is a cadet orientation pilot. He is most proud of that achievement because he says he loves bringing the joy of flight to young people. The best part of CAP, according to Captain Gregor, is its people; CAP members dedicated to teaching our children and saving lives with no expectation of reward. All the members are dedicated to serving the community and making our world a better place to live. CAP cadets are the most confident and well-educated people he has ever met. We couldnt agree more, sir. Welcome to the Polk County Composite Squadron!

By: TFO John E. Ford, Emergency Services Officer

From the office of 274ths Emergency Services department, Id like to thank all those who put in the time and effort to make our ES department top notch. I would also like to thank Mr. Paul Womble for allowing us to tour the awesome new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) building. Thank You Paul! Announcements If you have not signed up for the 9-11 Bivouac, please see me as soon as possible so that I can put you down for what you are trying to achieve and send it Lt. Peto for Group. Remember as soon as you have finished your GES (General Emergency Services) make sure to let me know and give me your completion certificate for your files. Without GES done outside CAP activities are out of the question. Any cadets that need help with Forms and/or Pubs, please do not hesitate to ask myself or Lt. Colbert for help. Finally, make sure that you have all ground team gear ready to go for the 9-11 Bivouac, any questions or concerns please see, email, or call me. Email: jford@gmail.com Cell: 863-207-0968 NO KNIVES WITH BLADES PAST 3 INCHES ALLOWED AT BIVOUAC. PLEASE BRING ONLY POCKET KNIVES, IF YOU HAPPEN TO BRING ANYTHING OTHER THEN A POCKET KNIFE I WILL BE TAKING IT AND WILL HOLD ON TO IT UNTILL THE TRIP HOME. REMEMBER WE ARE NOT ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY SO GIANT RAMBO KNIVES ARE UNECCASARY!

2 September TFO John Ford 4 September Cadet Airman Basic Grant Masters 7 September Captain Sam Bowman 14 September Lt. Col. Bill Lafazia 18 September Captain Robert Gregor 29 September Senior Member Trisha King

By: 1st Lt. Jay H. Wingo, Character Development Officer

The Core Values: Volunteer Service Volunteering is about giving giving your time, your talent, and your treasure. CAP is made up of thousands of volunteers; people who selflessly give of themselves on a daily basis in an effort to be a positive influence. Whether its making a difference in the life of a cadet or helping in a search and rescue operation, the men and women who make up CAP embody the spirit that is volunteerism. Since its inception just prior to World War II, CAP members have shown their patriotism and love for their country and fellow man by putting themselves, sometimes in harms way, in situations that require commitment that goes beyond that of profession. With the exception of a few organizational positions, there are no paychecks, no monetary rewards and no cash incentives paid to members of CAP. Their dedication and commitment comes from a truly giving heart. Erma Bombeck writes, Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain love for

one another. This describes to a T CAP members. So, why then was Volunteer Service included as one of the core values? Quite simply, because it is a trait that encompasses all CAP members. Core Values are things that define an organization in how it interacts within and without. They are traits that individuals within the organization can strive to live up to or improve upon. The idea of volunteerism denotes service; service then denotes duty; duty then respect and dignity. Voluntarily giving of

oneself, over personal desires, to provide for the welfare of others is the embodiment of volunteer service (CAP Level One Foun-

dations Course, Module Five, CAP Core Values, p 2). So, as we strive to live up to this Core Value, let us remember the words of Dr. G. Thomas Gale, a physician who volunteered during the Spanish-American War. A pessimist, they say, sees a glass of water as being half empty; an optimist sees the same glass as half full. But a giving person sees a glass of water and starts looking for someone who might be thirsty.

September 2010 Cadet Promotions:

Congratulations to the following cadets: Adam D. Evans promoted to Cadet Airman, awarded the Curry ribbon

By: 1st Lt. Christine M. Colbert, Deputy Commander for Cadets

This month, Ive elected to go back to basics and look at the cadet oath that we recite each week. The following is taken out of the new Learn To Lead text that was just released this summer.

But if an officer were to tell you to do something morally wrong, you would not have to obey them. wear my uniform properly There is a right way and a wrong way to wear the uniform. Recognizing this, you promise to represent CAP and the US Air force well by always looking sharp in uniform. Because the cadet uniform is similar to the Air Force uniform, you know you have a special obligation to live up to the ideals it represents. and advance my education and training rapidly The word cadet can be defined as a young person in training to become a leader. Therefore, a cadets primary job is to learn how to lead. In the Cadet Oath you promise to take that duty seriously. to prepare myself to be of service to my community, state, and nation. CAP is a volunteer organization whose main purpose is community service. Everything we do is altruistic, meaning that it is for the benefit of others, not ourselves personally. By participating in cadet activities, you gain from those experiences, but the overall goal is to build yourself into a responsible citizen, so America benefits too. America needs leaders who look out for the needs of the community, not their own selfish desires.

THE CADET OATH IN CONTEXT

A close reading of the cadet oath, line by line I pledge that I will serve faithfully in the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program Being faithful means being true and doing what you say you will do. In this first line of the oath, you are saying that you understand what you are getting yourself into by joining CAP, and that you are freely choosing to become a cadet. and that I will attend meetings regularly, While you may need to miss a few meetings once in a while due to other commitments, you pledge to attend squadron meetings on a regular basis. participate actively in unit activities, You promise to be enthusiastic about what cadets do. Youre joining CAP because you are looking forward to great activities, and naturally you intend to take part in them. obey my officers, Here you acknowledge you dont have all the answers. You realize there are people who have more experience than you, and youll follow their guidance. You promise to listen to your leaders.

Squadron website: www.polkcountycomposite.webs.com Group 3 Website: group3.flwg.cap.gov Florida Wing website: flwg.us CAP Website: www.gocivilairpatrol.com CAP eServices: www.capnhq.gov

6 Sep Labor Day 7 Sep Squadron Meeting (Aerospace Education & Achievement Testing) 11 Sep Group 3 E.S. Evaluation Day (Albert Whitted Airport & Starkey Park) 14 Sep Squadron Meeting (CPFT & Drill) 21 Sep Squadron Meeting (Safety Stand Down) 23 Sep First day of Autumn 25 Sep First Aid class at squadron headquarters 25 Sep Group 3 Cadet Glider Flights (Zephyrhills) 28 Sep Squadron Meeting (Emergency Services & Character Development) 30 Sep End of CAP Fiscal Year

This Month In History

1620 The Mayflower departs England bound for America (9/16) 1789 The Bill of Rights is ratified (9/25) 1847 Wild West legend Jesse James is born in Missouri (9/5) 1864 Atlanta is captured by General William T. Shermans army (9/2) 1939 Hitlers armies invade Poland, staring World War II in Europe (9/1) 1947 The United States Air Force is established as a separate military service (9/18) 1948 Teacher and astronaut Christa McAuliffe is born (9/2) 2001 The United States is attacked by terrorists (9/11)
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