Published: January 11, 2008 09:24 am      

Local cadets honored

Wimberley — The David Lee "Tex" Hill Composite Civil Air Patrol Squadron honored its Texan Flight cadets recently at the Wimberley VFW Post 6441 Hall.

The banquet attendees included honored guest Mayor Tom Haley of Wimberley, members of the VFW Post 6441 and the family and friends of the Tex Hill Squadron Senior Members and Cadets. The banquet was kicked off by Cadet/A1B Christopher Gooch with his performance of the National Anthem. A photo collage video that was produced by Cadet/2lt. Thomas Floyd of the Texan Flight in action over the past year was shown during the meal.

The Civil Air Patrol has three missions, emergency services, aerospace education, and cadet programs.

Cadet awards were given to Cadet/Captain Colton Anderson for Cadet of the First Quarter of 2007; Cadet/SSgt Joseph Floyd was the Cadet of the Second Quarter of 2007; Cadet/A1B Jack Wheeler was Cadet of the Third Quarter; and C/A1B Ofelia Cisneros was the Cadet of the Fourth Quarter 2007.

Cadet/2Lt. Thomas Floyd received the Cadet of the Year Award.

Cadet/2Lt Steven O'Neil and senior member 2Lt Jordan Claus received appreciation awards from the cadets for outstanding performance in planning cadet search and rescue exercises. Senior Members 2Lt Jordan Claus, 1Lt Roland Coyote, and Capt Bob Spiegel were awarded "Find" Ribbons for their successful UDF missions in 2007.

Two milestone awards were the focal points of the evening. Cadet Thomas Floyd was awarded the Mitchell Award which completes his Phase II of the five phase cadet program. Mayor Haley promoted Cadet Floyd from the non commissioned officer rank of Cadet/Chief Master Sergeant to officer rank of Cadet/Second Lieutenant.

Cadet Colton Anderson was awarded the Earhart Award for his completion of Phase III of the cadet program, and Mayor Haley promoted him from Cadet/First Lieutenant to Cadet/Captain.

Mayor Haley also presented both cadets with a ceremonial Texas state flags that was sent to the cadets from Representative Patrick Rose, who was unable to attend the banquet.

The banquet was closed with observance and request for prayers for our troops that are overseas and for the family of the squadron's namesake Tex Hill.

Brigadier General Hill passed away in October 2007 and will really be missed

by all who knew him. More interesting information about Tex Hill and the

local Civil Air Patrol Squadron can be found at www.texhillcap.org.