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Capt. Eric Pearson congratulates Capt. Bill Power on his Achievement Award and retirement as squadron commander. Pearson will begin his new duties in that post immediately. Submitted photo
Capt. Bill Power passed the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) squadron guidon (flag) to Capt. Eric Pearson during a Change of Command ceremony at the unit’s annual awards dinner on Dec. 7, 2021. Group II Commander Lt.Col. Peter Morford officiated the exchange and presented Power with a CAP Achievement Award for his service. Based in the old terminal building at Sulphur Springs airport, the squadron meets Tuesdays at 7 pm.
Power plans to remain active with the squadron, serve as a mission pilot, and continue his work as an attorney in nearby Emory, Texas. His achievements while in command, and the squadron’s strength, were praised by another squadron member, retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mike McClendon.
Pearson recently retired to this area from Connecticut. He’s been in CAP for seven years, holds a pilot rating, and served as commander of the 186 Comp. Squadron in Plainville, Conn.
He said he looks forward to the challenge of leading the local squadron and to greater involvement in the Texas Wing.
His impetus for joining CAP came in a suitcase!
“When my father passed away, said Pearson, “I got an old valise. It contained all kinds of information about Dad’s World War II service in the Army Air Corps and many items relating to his Civil Air Patrol service. I didn’t even know about CAP, but when I found out, I had to join. It’s one more way I can continue to honor his legacy.”
The annual awards banquets began with a flurry of activities, as a group of well-organized cadets set tables and hung decorations under C/Major Carmen Ashburn’s watchful eye. She had no idea that all eyes would be on her at the end of the ceremony -- as she was named Outstanding Ca det of the Year.
Power noted that, as cadet commander, she had recommended others for the award, but the committee felt she was the most deserving. A homeschooled high school Junior, Ashburn also competes in track events with the Trinity Christian Academy. She plans to attend West Point and hopes to work as a surgeon one day.
The “Christmas surprise” came with diamonds instead of bows; an impromptu introduction of C/Lt Col Skylar Henry, who completed the Spaatz Award exam, CAP’s highest cadet honor, “just 30 minutes before the dinner.” General McClendon, who earned his Spaatz Award (#106) in the 1960s, spoke about the award’s significance and the challenges a cadet faces in reaching that pinnacle; then gave Henry a personalized Spaatz coin marking the achievement. When the offi-cial award ceremony takes place, Henry will be promoted to C/Col, signified by a rank insignia of three diamonds.
Many others received awards, and a complete list follows this story.
When the awards concluded, Dennis Kelly, the master of ceremonies, asked the audience for a moment of silence; to honor those lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor on this day, 80 years ago. Kelly, a former U.S. Navy Lt. Commander. & Chaplain, knows that historical event well.
He served several years in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
After the awards, cadets and their families feasted on a pot-luck dinner prepared by cadets’ parents.
The entertainment
Enlisted - was a skit, acted by several cadets in elf costumes – miming and “dancing” puppet-style to excerpts from popular holiday songs. As one attendee phrased it: “you’d have to see it to believe it.”
Sulphur Springs Awards & Promotions
Enlisted - Ach. 1 – Curry Award: Ethan Jones, Zachary Kelly, Sarah Kelly, Micah Kelly, Seth Kelly, Tison Lavender and Christina Neal. (promoted to C/Amn)
Ach. 2 – Arnold Award: Alice Hoon and Hunter Starczyk (promoted to C/A1C)
Ach. 4 – Wright Bros. Award: Caleb Netz (promoted to C/SSgt)
Ach. 5 – Rickenbacker Award: Jackson Lavender, Reuben Smith, and Christian Ebel (promoted to C/ TSgt)
Ach. 6 – Doolittle Award: Christian Rylchik (promoted to C/SMSgt.)
Officer –
Cadet Kane Deterding was promoted to C/1st Lt. C/Maj Carmen Ashburn completed Ach. 15 and C/ Maj Joel
Smith completed Ach. 16. After Ach. 16, a cadet is eligible to compete for the Eaker award and promotion to
C/Lt Col, The remaining final goal and pinnacle achievement is the Spaatz Award.
Special Awards – Air Force Association Award for Outstanding CAP Cadet: A1C Hunter Starczyk
Air Force Sergeant’s Ass’n. Award for Outstanding Cadet NCO of the Year: C/TSgt Jackson Lavender
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Award for Cadet NCO: C/TSgt Caleb Netz
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Award for Cadet Officer: C/1st Lt Kane Deterding