OPEN HOUSE at Carroll Composite Squqdron - Results

March 2014, Westminster, Md. The Civil Air Patrol Carroll Composite Squadron located in Westminster, Maryland, hosted an Open House March 4, 2014. Approximately 100 guests attended which afforded the squadron an excellent opportunity to showcase Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and the squadron’s achievements in many areas including communications, emergency services, cadet programs and professional development.

The evening began with a short program that included a well-received presentation by Cadet First Lieutenant Olivia Persing on “How CAP works for a Cadet.” Squadron commander Lieutenant Col Frank Jarosinski welcomed everyone and took note of special guests Carroll County Commissioners Robin Frazier, Richard Rothschild and Haven Shoemaker. Attending on behalf of Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski, Ms. Julianna Albowicz honored the squadron with a Certificate of Recognition from the Senator. Jarosinski presented the commissioners and Ms. Albowicz with a commemorative squadron cap and command coin in appreciation for their support. Wing Administrator, Major Sherry McManus and Towson Squadron Commander Captain Stacey McManus also attended the event.

During the squadron formation, two cadets received acknowledgement. Cadet Blair Barao was promoted from senior master sergeant to chief master sergeant. Barao serves as the cadet noncommissioned officer for safety and public affairs. Cadet Second Lieutenant Aaron Scanlan received the ‘General Billy Mitchell’ Award. Scanlan, a member of the 2013 award winning Carroll Color Guard serves as the cadet flight commander for Tango squadron and as a member of the squadron public affairs team.

The open house provided the Carroll squadron the opportunity to showcase CAP programs and services and provide hands-on exhibits for visitors. These exhibits highlighted the effectiveness of squadron collaboration and encouraged a heightened public interest in CAP. Exhibits included presentations by:

Communications officer, Second  Lieutenant  Bryan Woryk,

Pilot, Captain Dave Alexander

Emergency Services Officers Captain Cole Brown and Second  Lieutenant  Rick Stuart,

Safety Officer Captain Joseph Manning,

Aerospace Instructor First  Lieutenant  Daniel Levin and Senior Member Henry Enders, and

Recruitment Officer First Lieutenant James Kellogg.

Open house attendees also were treated to a special presentation by the squadron’s Drug Demand Reduction Officer, First Lieutenant Steven Yerger and his dedicated partner ‘Kilo’ a German shepherd trained in searching for and locating narcotics.

The Carroll squadron commander expressed his appreciation to the squadron, and all who attended the event. “The Civil Air Patrol is comprised of citizens serving their communities above and beyond. Strong leadership skills, aerospace training, physical fitness, character development and emergency services are all part of our mission. However, we cannot accomplish our mission without community support. Regardless of where one lives, there is a CAP squadron near that needs both senior and cadet volunteers. We hope that those who attended the Open House will ‘spread the word’ and help us grow to better serve our community and our nation.” said Jarosinski.

Visitors milled through the various exhibits, interacted with cadets and senior members and many expressed a new found understanding of what CAP is all about. “It is only because of the dedication and support of each and every Carroll Composite Squadron member,” said First Lieutenant Alice Raatjes, squadron public affairs officer, “that this event was such a tremendous success. We all enjoyed the opportunity to ‘tell our story.’ Subsequent to the Open House, photos taken by the squadron’s public affairs team were posted on the Carroll Composite Facebook page and have received more than 1,000 viewings.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 60,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs about 85 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 71 lives annually. Its unpaid professionals also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 25,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs. CAP received the World Peace Prize in 2011 and has been performing missions for America for 72 years. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.

Nearly 1,700 CAP members serve in Maryland. Last year wing members flew 13 search and rescue missions. The wing was credited with five finds and one life saved. Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland. Members flew 2,106 hours in all mission categories. Volunteers contributed services estimated at $4.6 million. For more information contact the Maryland Wing at www.mdcap.org or follow the wing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarylandWingCivilAirPatrol.

The Carroll Composite Squadron meets 7 p.m. Tuesday evenings at the Hilltop Assembly of God Church Hall at 30 North Cranberry Road in Westminster, Md. Prospective cadets, ages 12-18, and their parents are always welcome. Adults seeking mentoring opportunities are invited as well. For more information, email carrollcomposite@yahoo.com or visit www.carrollcap.org. You can also follow the Squadron on Facebook at www.facebook.com/capcarrollcomposite.