Civil Air Patrol Holds Awards Ceremony, Inducts Honorary Members

Civil Air Patrol’s Putnam County Composite Squadron held a year-end awards and promotion ceremony on June 22 at the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services in Carmel, New York.

The program, designated as the Four Winds Ceremony, underscores the fundamental values of Civil Air Patrol; integrity, volunteer service, excellence and respect. Lieutenant Colonel Joe Wooley, Southeastern Group Commander (NY Wing) and Captain Elena MacDermant, Squadron Commander, presented the plethora of awards earned over the past year in areas where cadets demonstrated competence at various levels of the cadet program and exceeded expectations in community service.

Guests speakers in attendance, including New York State Senator Terrence Murphy, New York State Assemblyman Kevin Byrne, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell, Putnam County Court Judge, Hon. James Reitz and Deborah Keesler, Vice Regent of the Enoch Crosby Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, presented awards of recognition and acknowledged the squadron for being an active, positive organization in Putnam County, that encourages cadets to not only excel in personal aspirations, but to also give their time and talent in service to the community. “You are our future. You have the required training, experience and respect to lead,” said Judge Reitz, referring to cadets. “Our future is in good hands.”

Awards and promotions:

• Alexxis Hoernes – promoted to cadet major, Amelia Earhart Award, Air Force Association Cadet Officer Award, Community Service and Five Year Service Ribbons.

• Nicholas Hayes – promoted to cadet captain, Amelia Earhart Award, Daughters of the American Revolution Outstanding Cadet Award, Community Service and Five Year Service Ribbons.

• Brian Kelleher – promoted to cadet second lieutenant, Brigadier General Billy Mitchell Award, Air Force Association Cadet NCO Award, Community Service and Five Year Service Ribbons.

• Kevin Pinerio – promoted to cadet second lieutenant, appointed cadet commander, Brigadier General Billy Mitchell Award, Community Service and Five Year Service Ribbons.

• Diego Gonzalez, Eduardo Gonzalez – promoted to cadet technical sergeant, Wright Brothers and Captain Eddie Rickenbacker Awards, Community Service and Recruiter Ribbons.

• Nicola De Benedictis – promoted to cadet staff sergeant, Wright Brothers Award, Community Service and Recruiter Ribbons.

• Nicholas Ahern – promoted to cadet senior airman, Mary Feik Achievement and Community Service Ribbon.

• Ethan Kovalec – promoted to airman first class, Hap Arnold Achievement and Community Service Ribbon.

• Jaime Virola Jr. – promoted to airman first class, Hap Arnold Achievement.

• Frank Dimicco, Marco Gonzalez, Luke Marinelli, Michael Pereira, James Sullivan – promoted to cadet airman, Curry Achievement and Community Service Ribbon.

• Cadet Second Lieutenant Austin Giacomelli – Community Service and Five Year Service Ribbons.

MacDermant also presented Murphy, Byrne, Odell and Reitz with a squadron patch and welcomed them as honorary members of the Putnam County Composite Squadron. “I was so excited to be inducted as an honorary member of the Civil Air Patrol,” declared Sen. Murphy. “Thank you for this honor and for all you do serving our community!”

In closing remarks MacDermant said, “I am proud of all our cadets who worked so very hard the past year towards their promotions. We are grateful for the support from our State Senators Terrence Murphy and Sue Serino, State Assemblyman Kevin Byrne and especially our County Executive MaryEllen Odell.”

Members of the Putnam County Composite Squadron meet on Friday’s from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Paladin Center, 39 Seminary Hill Road, Carmel, NY. For squadron information email elenamac@aol.com or visit www.facebook.com/PutnamCountyCompositeSquadron.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 90 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 80 lives annually. CAP’s 60,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to over 25,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or www.CAP.newsfor more information.