- Senator Tammy Baldwin cosponsors Congressional Gold Medal Bill S. 309 – helps push bill to a vote; cosponsors still needed for H.R. 755
- Two members from Wisconsin Wing graduate CAP’s National Staff College
- West Salem Civil Air Patrol cadet earns Air Force Academy appointment
- Waukesha teens win two state awards at annual conference
- La Crosse to host statewide Civil Air Patrol search and rescue evaluation
Senator Tammy Baldwin cosponsors Congressional Gold Medal Bill S. 309 – helps push bill to a vote; cosponsors still needed for H.R. 755
Madison, Wis. – This past week saw Wisconsin’s Senator Tammy Baldwin with an additional 34 cosponsors of the Congressional Gold Medal for Civil Air Patrol’s WWII members in the Senate, pushing the bill towards a vote in the full Senate soon.
The House currently has 159 cosponsors and still needs another 131 Congressmen to cosponsor H.R. 755 in order for it to go to the House Financial Services Committee for consideration.
While Wisconsin’s Congressmen Sean Duffy, Thomas Petri and James Sensenbrenner have cosponsored the bill this year, Wisconsin Wing strives to gain the support of Congressmen Paul Ryan, Mark Pocan, Ron Kind, Reid Ribble, and Congresswoman Gwen Moore.
Kind, Ribble and Moore cosponsored the bill last year in the 112th Congress, but have yet to renew the pledge to do so this year in the 113th Congress. Congressman Pocan is new this year while Ryan makes it a matter of practice to not cosponsor bills that must come before his committee. None of this however has deterred the membership to keep contacting the offices of the Congressmen asking for their support.
Because of the heroic efforts of their predecessors in CAP, today’s members wish to give honor by seeking the Congressional Gold Medal for those CAP senior members serving during WWII. One medal would be awarded and kept in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Those CAP members still alive, as well as the families of those who have passed away, will receive replica medals to commemorate this honor at no cost to the government in honor of their service.
Updated information regarding Civil Air Patrol’s efforts to have H.R. 755 and S. 309 passed in the 113th Congress, may be seen on the Congressional Gold Medal page of the national CAP member website.
Two members from Wisconsin Wing graduate CAP’s National Staff College
Madison, Wis. – Two members of Wisconsin Wing Civil Air Patrol were among 97 students from 34 wings attending the 2013 CAP National Staff College held at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. this past week.
Major Roger Rognrud, 153rd Madison Composite Squadron and Major David Snyder, Sr. La Crosse Composite Squadron, graduated the week-long course which is designed for those seeking to reach executive level positions in the organization. The training is also a requirement for earning the Gill Robb Wilson Award, CAP’s highest professional development achievement.
Congratulations gentlemen!
West Salem Civil Air Patrol cadet earns Air Force Academy appointment
Photo by Lt. Col. Harold Moe – Lieutenant Colonel Rose Hunt, Wisconsin Wing Vice-Commander, and Colonel Clarence Peters, Wisconsin Wing Commander, present Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Mike Ebert with his last cadet promotion to the rank of Cadet Colonel.
West Salem, Wis. – Some high school seniors might be content to let the end of their senior year play out, but not Cadet Colonel Michael Ebert. While his friends prepare for graduation and wonder what they’ll do this summer, Ebert has been reaching goals that he set for himself long ago.
In late April, Ebert achieved the General Carl A. Spaatz Award, Civil Air Patrol’s most prestigious cadet award. Ebert’s award, #1884, marked the first time a cadet from the La Crosse Composite Squadron ever reached this level. On average only 1 in 200 CAP cadets ever earn the Spaatz Award.
“It’s a pretty elite club, Mike can be very proud of himself,” said Major Todd Mandel, a prior Spaatz recipient himself. The award is named for General Carl Spaatz, the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.
Only a few weeks later Cadet Ebert accepted an appointment to the Merchant Marine Academy, marking the second major goal he obtained in as many months. Earning a slot at one of the nation’s service academies had long been a goal for Ebert. A service academy appointment was part of his strategy to reach his ultimate goal; flying for the United State Air Force.
Then, just this week, Ebert received a call and was offered an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Being offered two service academy appointments presented Ebert with a tough decision. However, after consulting with family and friends he ultimately accepted the USAFA appointment.
According to Ebert, “Attending the Air Force Academy is the next stepping stone towards my dream, which began in 4th grade, of being an Air Force officer and pilot.” Ebert reports in June to begin his Air Force career.
Next week Ebert will graduate from West Salem High School. He will enjoy his accomplishments, but he can’t rest long, for new goals await him.
The La Crosse Composite Squadron meets at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings at the CAP Center located at 2906 Fanta Reed Road on the east side of the La Crosse Municipal Airport. Prospective cadets, ages 12-18, and their parents are always welcome. Adults seeking mentoring opportunities or opportunities to serve are invited as well. For more information visit http://lacrossecap.org or call Major Todd Mandel at 608-633-1496 or email at todd.mandel@gmail.com.
Waukesha teens win two state awards at annual conference
Photo by Lt. Col. Dean Dolence – Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Austin Witthun prepares one of his rockets for launch during a recent aerospace project.
Waukesha, Wis. – Civil Air Patrol’s Waukesha Composite Squadron cadets received two of the three state-wide awards given to cadets at the annual CAP Conference held recently in La Crosse Wis.
Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Stephanie Hopkins was awarded the Air Force Sergeants Association Outstanding National Cadet Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Award. Given annually, the award is given to the NCO cadet who exhibits outstanding qualities in the areas of followership, leadership, self discipline and aerospace education, as well as helping other cadets reach their goals.
Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Austin Witthun was awarded the Frank G. Brewer CAP Memorial Aerospace Award for his outstanding aerospace achievement and significant contribution to the Civil Air Patrol aerospace program.
The cadets are among 25 Waukesha area youth that are members of the cadet program in Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, which is open to all youth ages 12 – 21. The program focuses on leadership, aerospace education, fitness and character development.
