Burke Civil Air Patrol Squadron To Hold Awards Ceremony

BURKE, VA — The Burke Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol has earned numerous state and regional awards, but the squadron will give its own awards out on Thursday night.

The squadron's annual awards ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Washington Irving Middle School, 8100 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA.

Awards presented will include:

• FA Outstanding CAP Squadron Cadet Award – presented by Mr. Mike Maxwell
• VFW NCO Cadet of the Year – presented by Mr. Chuck Sleeper
• VFW Officer Cadet of the Year – presented by Mr. Chuck Sleeper
• AFSA Cadet of the Year – presented by MSgt. Daniel Schultz
• Squadron Cadet of the Quarter – presented by C/2nd. Lt. Catherine Lam
• Wright Brothers Award (promotion to C/SSgt. Tyler Webb)– presented by Capt. Julie
• Demyanovich and C/2nd. Lt. Catherine Lam
• Mitchell Award (promotion to C/2nd. Lt Catherine Lam, C/2nd. Lt. William Lam) – presented by Lt. Col. Dan Brodsky
• Earhart Award (promotion to C/Capt. Samuel Ten) – presented by Col. Liz Sydow, Virginia Wing Commander
• Benjamin Davis Award, Capt. Bill McNulty – presented by Capt Julie Demyanovich

The Civil Air Patrol is the auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. The Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol has 22 squadrons around the state, including the Burke squadron. Squadrons are available to provide resources for search and rescue, homeland security, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and counter-drug missions for federal, state and local governments, emergency responders and law enforcement agencies.

The Burke squadron, made up of adult and youth members 12 and older, provides opportunities through the Civil Air Patrol such as search and rescue, flying in Cessna aircraft, cybersecurity, and more. Last year, the Burke Composite Squadron was recognized with the Squadron of Merit Award and the Quality Cadet Unit Award from the Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. The squadron additionally won an award from the Civil Air Patrol's High Altitude Balloon Challenge.

Most recently, the Virginia Wing Cadet Competition Team from the Burke squadron won first place overall at the Mid-Atlantic Region Cadet Competition and will compete in the National Cadet Competition in July.

For more information, visit vawg.cap.gov/units/burke.