Ft. McHenry CAP Joins with Community Partners to Honor the Fallen.

26 May 2017. Baltimore, Md. The Fort McHenry Composite Squadron (FMCS) of the Maryland Wing, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) participated in the 30th Annual Flag Placement and Commemoration for Memorial Day event. The “We Remember” event, hosted by the National Pike District of the Baltimore Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, took place May 26, 2017, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Baltimore National Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland.

FMCS cadet color guard members, C/SSgt M. Thomas-Crawford, C/SrA Angelina Pfuger, C/Amn P. Skidmore and C/Amn S. Wigley took part in the formal program that accompanied the event. These members were joined by other cadets, C/Capt Collin Stiers, C/1st Lt J. McSweeney, C/TSgt K. Runge, C/SrA B. Thomas-Crawford. Together with the hundreds of other participants, FMCS members helped place U. S. Flags on over 44,000 grave-sites to honor and respect the memory of the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces.

Joining with the cadets were FMCS squadron senior officers Lt Col Steven Hollis, squadron commander, Lt Col James Steinmeier, deputy commander for cadets, Lt Col Cajetan W von der Linden, deputy commander for seniors, Lt Col Sherry McManus, recruiting and retention officer and squadron public affairs officer, Capt Alice Raatjes. Towson squadron commander, Maj Stacey McManus also participated in this event.

Being assigned to the color guard is considered an honor because these individuals present and carry the symbols of their unit and country Their primary purpose is to present the National Colors at presentations and ceremonies. CAP color guards carry the United States flag and other flags such as the state and unit banners as appropriate. In addition to the flag bearers, who are positioned in the center of the color guard, there are two or more individuals who carry rifles. These rifle carriers symbolically represent that the flag (and our nation) will always be protected.

Color guard members are “Ambassadors for Civil Air Patrol.” This traditional formation adds dignity to any military-related activity, parade, or civic event by showing respect to our Nation and those who have served. Guard members must have high standards in appearance, education, conduct; an aptitude for ceremonial duty, professionalism and the will to make a difference to the future of America. Cadet and senior members of the CAP color guard project pride in, and is honor to, representing our nation as the Air Force’s auxiliary.

The Fort McHenry Composite Squadron meets weekly Wednesday nights from 7-9 p.m. at the American Legion Post 109, 1610 Old Sulphur Spring Road, Arbutus, Maryland, 21227. Prospective cadets aged 12-18 with their parents are always welcome. Adults seeking volunteer opportunities are invited as well. Follow the Fort McHenry Squadron on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fortmchenrycap For more information about CAP and the squadrons of the Maryland Wing, Group II, visit www.mdgroup2cap.org.

Nearly 1,600 CAP members serve in Maryland. Last year wing members flew 13 search and rescue missions. The wing was credited with four finds. Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland. Members flew 2,245 hours in all mission categories. Volunteers contributed services estimated at $4.6 million. For more information, contact the Maryland Wing at www.mdcap.org, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarylandWingCivilAirPatrol and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWGCAP.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force, which consists of regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees. CAP, in its Total Force role, operates a fleet of 550 aircraft and performs about 90 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 78 lives annually. Civil Air Patrol’s 56,000 members nationwide also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Its members additionally play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet program. Performing missions for America for the past 75 years, CAP received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014 in honor of the heroic efforts of its World War II veterans. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.

Article by: Capt Alice Raatjes, Public Affairs Officer, FMCS, Group II, Maryland Wing, Civil Air Patrol.

Photo credit: Capt Alice Raatjes and Lt Col James Steinmeier.