NJ Cadet wins Tuskegee Airmen National Essay Contest, 2020

C/2nd Lt Priya Abiram won First place in the National Tuskegee Airmen Essay Contest held during February of 2020. Cadet Abiram is a sophomore from J.P. Stevens High School in Edison, NJ and a Cadet 2nd Lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol Captain “Bud” Jackson Composite Squadron.

The CAF Red Tail Squadron holds an annual contest in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen. Civil Air Patrol cadets are allowed to enter this contest and have the opportunity to win the 332nd Chanute package and a Student Achievement Certificate. The lucky recipient will enjoy a roomy high-quality lined brown leather jacket with full-color embroidered back and a Squadron patch ball cap with 13 insignia patches related to the Tuskegee Airmen. A Rise Above Lapel Pin is also included.

World War II resulted in many people breaking barriers and paving new roads for the future of the United States. As CAP paved the way for civilians to volunteer and serve by protecting our coasts, the Tuskegee Airmen broke the barrier for African-American and Caribbean-born pilots to fly for the US Armed Forces. These military pilots formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Forces. George Boyd was a Tuskegee Airmen, one of the first African-American USAF, veteran of three wars, and a CAP volunteer.

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.