May was a Community Action month for the CAP Carroll Squadron.

June 2015. WESTMINSTER, MD. What does, the Red Tail Show at Carroll County Regional Airport, The Taste of Carroll held at Finksburg’s Gerstell Academy, The Ladies Tea at the Assembly of God Church in Westminster, a community garage sale at the Westminster Non Profit Center, the Westminster Memorial Day Parade and the Carroll Squadron Open House all have in common? During the month of May 2015, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Carroll Composite squadron had a full calendar of community events to cover that included all the above in addition to weekly meetings, drills and training activities held throughout the month. It was a busy month for members who worked hard and took every opportunity to provide community partners and the public an excellent representation of CAP working with and for their communities.

Carroll squadron members were on hand at the The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Red Tail Squadron, America’s Tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, held May 9, 2015, at the Carroll County Regional Airport. The event provided exhibits, film and a presentation of the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen – America’s first black military pilots and their support personnel. Two Tuskegee Airmen were guests at the event as well as a 96-year-old Buffalo soldier who was drafted right before Pearl Harbor. Carroll squadron members fulfilled their mission to welcome visitors, help with parking and showcasing CAP programs. Joined by community EMS & Fire companies, military representatives, local vendors and special guests, the Carroll squadron provided visitors a firsthand look at the CAP Carroll plane and responded to questions and comments related to our programs. The event was well attended and served as a good recruitment opportunity as many visitors with young children took the time to talk with us and expressed interest in CAP cadet programs.

Carroll squadron supported the Taste of Carroll which helps fund the vital programs and services provided by Carroll Hospice. Local restaurants joined together for the 17th year to provide supporters access to fine foods and service while donating to the hospice program. Carroll cadets and senior members welcomed attendees and provided parking support.

On May 12, 2015, Carrol Squadron held its 2015 Open House. It was a great success, attended by over 100 people who enjoyed the exhibits, personal contact with squadron members and had the opportunity to learn about CAP cadet programs, our service to our community and our nation.

Carroll cadets were on hand for the Hilltop Assembly of God Church Ladies Tea to welcome ladies to an afternoon of tea and light fare. Cadets, wearing dress uniforms, escorted ladies to their tables and provided assistance when requested. It was a formal tea which afforded everyone the opportunity to experience the protocols of a time gone by when ‘having tea’ was an expected respite of every day.

The Carroll Squadron participated in the 146th Westminster Memorial Day Parade May 25, 2015. The squadron joined other community organizations and military groups, marching though the downtown Westminster area. Parade watchers lined the streets and broke into applause as the Carroll cadet formation passed in review. It was a proud time, with American Flags waving, families, veterans and military alike watching and cheering from porches, stoops, businesses and curbside. It was an honor to be part of an event that continues to recognize and remember the men and women who have made the supreme sacrifice for America.

Carroll Squadron joined with other residents of the Westminster Non Profit Center in its annual garage sale. Squadron members cleaned home closets and donated used items to the venture with proceeds of sales going to the squadron to support future activities. Cadets and senior members took the opportunity to respond to inquiries and discuss CAP programs with the “deal makers and garage-sale seekers.”

Although the squadron’s May schedule was full of activity, every senior and cadet that participated in the various efforts to enhance community partnerships, share information and represent CAP expressed pride for their involvement and value in the success of each and every event.

The Carroll Composite Squadron meets 7 p.m. Tuesday evenings at the Hilltop Assembly of God Church Hall at 30 North Cranberry Road in Westminster, Maryland. Prospective cadets, ages 12-18, and their parents are always welcome. Adults seeking mentoring opportunities are invited as well. For more information, email carrollcomposite@yahoo.com or visit www.carrollcap.org. You can also follow the squadron on Facebook at www.facebook.com/capcarrollcomposite.

Nearly 1,600 CAP members serve in Maryland. Last year wing members flew 13 search and rescue missions. The wing was credited with five finds and one life saved. Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland. Members flew 2,106 hours in all mission categories. Volunteers contributed services estimated at $4.6 million. For more information, contact the Maryland Wing at www.mdcap.org or follow the wing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarylandWingCivilAirPatrol.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 60,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs about 85 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 70 lives annually. Its unpaid professionals also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 25,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs. Performing missions for America for over 70 years, CAP will receive the Congressional Gold Medal in 2015 in honor of the heroic efforts of its World War II veterans. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com, www.capvolunteernow.com and www.capgoldmedal.com for more information.

Article by Alice Raatjes, Capt., Public Affairs Officer, Civil Air Patrol, Carroll Composite Squadron. Picture credits Capt. Raatjes and 2nd Lt. Carol Scanlan

Photo Bylines:

Photo 1: Mission pilot, Major Pat Aaron provides monthly safety briefing on the topic of Water Safety to the Carroll CAP cadets.
Photo 2: CAP Carroll Squadron helps support the annual Taste of Carroll. Pictured L-R, Squadron Deputy Commander for Cadets, 1st Lt. Sandra Yerger and 2nd Lt. Carol Scanlan.
Photo 3: CAP Carroll Squadron supported the Red Tail Squadron Tribute to the Tuskegee Airman. Pictured L-R, Senior Members, Henry Enders, Senior Members, Matt and Sarah Crise and 1st Lt. Dan Levin.
Photo 4: The Civil Air Patrol has over 550 single engine aircraft used national to support search and rescue, humanitarian and disaster relief. Pictured is the Cessna aircraft assigned to the Carroll Composite Squadron.
Photo 5: Carroll Squadron cadets and senior members prepare for their participation in the Westminster’s 146th Memorial Day Parade.
Photo 6: Crowds lined the streets of downtown Westminster during the 2015 Memorial Day Parade and cheered as the Carroll Squadron passed in review.
Photo 7: Carroll Squadron proudly carried the U.S. and Maryland State Flag accompanied by the squadron banner during the 2015 Memorial Day Parade in Westminster, Maryland.