Group 1 renews Winter Ball tradition

1st Lt. Stacey Bowen, CAP

Public Affairs Officer, Mt. Airy Composite Squadron

Photos courtesy of Stacey Bowen, 1^st Lt., CAP, and Officer Brian Winters, CAP 

01/12/2009 – Mt. Airy, MD –  A flurry of snowflakes and twinkling lights set the stage for Group 1’s Fifth Annual Winter Ball, where over 50 Civil Air Patrol cadets, officers, and guests enjoyed an evening of swinging to the beat and mingling with peers.  Capt. Kathleen McLellan of Mt. Airy Squadron, and Maj. John Reutemann of Bethesda-Chevy Chase Squadron organized the event.  Wing Vice Commander Lt. Col. John Knowles, and Group 1 Commander Lt. Col. Eric Haertel joined in the festivities. 

The goal of the evening, according to Maj. Reutemann, was for the cadets to have fun in a more formal atmosphere.  “I think it’s important for cadets, especially this generation, to be exposed to the formal side of social activity,” he said, “and for them to see that it can be a lot of fun nonetheless.”  This activity was resumed from a five-year hiatus, with the 4^th annual event happening in 2003, so a large turnout was not expected.  Reutemann said that he’d “like to see this event not only continue into the future, but grow to the point where it is truly representative of the entire group.”   

Ballroom dance music was organized by Capt. McLellan, giving some Mt. Airy cadets and officers a chance to demonstrate their dancing skills and help others to learn a few steps. Reutemann mentioned that, in keeping with the tradition of other formal activities, such as a homecoming or prom, some cadets and officers from Bethesda-Chevy Chase attended a dinner beforehand, and the female cadet staff planned a sleepover afterward.   

Reutemann said, “I think the evening went very well.”  He added, “Hopefully the Sixth Annual will be even bigger and better!” 

The Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U. S. Air Force, was founded on Dec. 1, 1941, less than a week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the U. S. into World War II. CAP is a nonprofit organization with more than 56,000 members nationwide. The organization’s members perform 95 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and were credited by the AFRCC with saving 103 lives in fiscal year 2007. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. 

Members take a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the almost 25,000 young people currently participating in the CAP Cadet Program. CAP’s cadet programs provide young men and women with a safe and motivating environment in which to grow and explore opportunities in the military and aviation industries. CAP has been performing mission for American for more than 63 years.  There are approximately 1,300 members of CAP in Maryland. Last fiscal year wing members flew 42 search and rescue missions and were credited with 31 finds. For more information, visit www.mdcap.org . 

The Mount Airy Composite Squadron meets at 7p.m. Thursdays at the Mount Airy Senior and Community Center, 703 Ridge Ave., Mount Airy.  Prospective cadets, ages 12 to 18, and their parents are always welcome.  Adults seeking mentoring opportunities are invited as well.  For more information, e-mail contactus@mtairy-cap.org , call 301-829-9057, or visit www.mtairy-cap.org .

Any comments and/or suggestions: webmaster@mtairy-cap.org.