Edison CIVIL AIR PATROL Cadets at Legislative Day 2020

On Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Civil Air Patrol (C.A.P.) cadets, Cadet Second Lieutenant (C/2d Lt) Varija Mehta and Cadet Chief Master Sergeant (C/CMSgt) Jadon Pinto (residents of Edison, NJ), from the Captain Bud Jackson Composite Squadron traveled to our nation’s capital, Washington D.C., for a three-day trip called Legislative Day. Legislative Day is a national event for the C.A.P. program, where each state sends representatives from the various congressional districts to speak on behalf of their squadrons and wing, and request for an increase in funding for C.A.P. 's main missions.

Cadets Varija Mehta (Grade 9 of Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics & Engineering Technologies) and Jadon Pinto (Grade 9 of John P. Stevens High School) were chosen on behalf of their community, New Jersey’s 6th Congressional District, to speak to Congressman Frank Pallone about their interests, motivations to join C.A.P., future aspirations, and the funding matters. Cadets explained how approximately 1,600 CAP volunteer members across New Jersey actively participate in activities including Aerospace Education, Cybersecurity, Military Drone programs, Search and Rescue, and Disaster Relief and Emergency Services Missions. As an organization, we support the NJ Office of Emergency Management, FEMA and all branches of the military and government. Nationally, with 66,000 CAP volunteers, CAP has 560 aircraft, hundreds of drones, 900 ground team vehicles, thousands of radios of back-up communications- all to support missions for America and to create the dynamic aerospace and emergency response leaders of tomorrow.

The cadets were able to speak with other Congressmen, Congresswomen, and their staff including Mr. Andrew Kim, Mr. Joshua Gottheimer, Mr. Donald Norcross, Mr. Jefferson Van Drew, Mr. Christopher Smith, among others. In addition, they received a wonderful opportunity to converse with Senator Mr. Corey Booker’s staff. Cadets also got to meet the Civil Air Patrol National Commander, Major General Mark E. Smith, who made a special appearance at the Legislative Day Conference.

It is impossible to visit the nation’s capital and not do some sightseeing! In addition to the US Senate Building and the Capitol, Cadet Varija Mehta and Jadon Pinto and their fellow New Jersey representatives visited the renowned Library of Congress, where they admired the beautiful architecture and intricate artwork. They also visited the United States Air Force Memorial in Arlington, VA, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the Washington Monument.

The Civil Air Patrol (C.A.P.) Cadet Program is open to all Middle School and High School students from ages 12 to 18. For more information about the CAP, please contact Captain Jose Vergara at jose.vergara@njwg.cap.gov or visit the CAP webpage at gocivilairpatrol.com.