Civil Air Patrols Woodfield Composite Squadron hosts a Special Award Ceremony

In recognition of their efforts, Woodfield Squadron Cadets receive awards from various dignitaries

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (PRWEB) July 7, 2005 -- Wednesday evening, May 18th, was a special meeting for Civil Air Patrol's Woodfield Composite Squadron. At the Squadron's regular meeting at the Schaumburg Airport, five Cadets received Officer Achievement Awards as presented by four special dignitaries.

Cadet Lieutenants Christine Sydney, Daniel Stark, Daniel Wells, and Michael Freling received their General "Billy" Mitchell Awards. Cadet Major Kaz Teope, about to enter the Air Force Academy, received his Amelia Earhart Award.

Just as important as the awards, the presenters themselves represented three of Wood Dale's outstanding citizens as well as a surprise fourth presenter. Invited by Alderman Ed Kneip (Capt. CAP), a 14 year volunteer with Civil Air Patrol, was:

Joe Buttice - former Commander of the V. F. W. Tioga Post 2149, current and long time organizer of the Veterans Day Parade, and recipient of the Wood Dale Citizen of the Year award

Larry Venere - Former Wood Dale Alderman, current Police Commission Board Member, President of the Elizabeth Park Homeowners Association, and former CAP cadet from 1943

The Honorable Ray Soden - former National Commander of the V.F.W., Du Page County Board member, and recently retired Illinois State Senator

The surprise presenter was Mr. Al Knickerbocker, father of Lt. Craig Knickerbocker, and himself a former Cadet from the Vermont Wing serving in 1948.

As is the practice with Civil Air Patrol to have the Cadet Achievement awards presented by a dignitary, Capt. Kneip lauded Mr. Buttice, Mr. Venere, and Mr. Soden as three outstanding examples of Leadership in the Wood Dale community. He also encouraged the cadets to follow in the footsteps of all the men and develop their leadership potential as the Cadets may become the future leaders in their communities and organizations.

Many young people find Civil Air Patrol to be an important and useful first step towards learning to fly, wether in private, commercial, or military aviation. Other Cadets join as a step towards attending the military academies or joining college R.O.T.C units. The only real requirement is a love for and curiosity about aerospace.

The Woodfield Composite Squadron has been in operation since 1992 and is based out of Schaumburg Regional Airport in suburban Chicago. Civil Air Patrol, the official Air Force Auxiliary established Dec. 1, 1941, is a nonprofit organization performing more than 95 percent of inland search and rescue missions in the continental U.S. as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Our volunteers take a leading role in aerospace education around our community and serve as mentors to America's youth through CAP cadet programs. 

For more information about Civil Air Patrol and its various programs, go online to http://www.woodfieldcap.org or call 630-472-0365. Feel free to visit their meetings in the lower level of the Schaumburg Regional Airport on the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Tuesdays as well as the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 7 pm.

for more information on this story and for pictures, please visit http://www.woodfieldcap.org/pr/20050518.shtml

Press Contact:

H. Michael Miley CPT, CAP

Public Affairs Officer, Communications Officer

Woodfield Composite Squadron

Schaumburg IL

630.894.3062

Many photos available at http://www.woodfieldcap.org/pr/20050518.shtml