Putnam Civil Air Patrol Cadets Excel in Accomplishments

Civil Air Patrol cadets from the Putnam County Composite Squadron were recognized for accomplishments over the past year in a ceremony held on November 15 at the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services in Carmel.

Cadet Second Lieutenant Diego Gonzalez received the Air Force Association Cadet of the Year award, General Billy Mitchell Award, Red Service ribbon and Rocketry Award. Gonzalez also received a Certificate of Merit from the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly. Jordan Hardy, community liaison for New York State Senator Peter Harckham (40th Senate District) presented the Mitchell Award which honors the late general, an aviation pioneer, advocate, and staunch supporter of an independent air force for America. The award is earned after completion of the first eight achievements in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program. Gonzalez demonstrated competence in program areas encompassing aerospace education, leadership, physical fitness, and ethical values. Only 15% of cadets receive this milestone award.

Awards and promotions:

- Nick Ahern: Promoted to cadet chief master sergeant and awarded the Red Service ribbon and Rocketry Award.

- Eduardo Gonzalez: Promoted to cadet chief master sergeant. Awarded the Air Force Association NCO Cadet of the Year award, Red Service ribbon and Rocketry Award. Gonzalez also received a Certificate of Merit from the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly.

- Jaime Virola: Promoted to cadet chief master sergeant and appointed cadet commander. He received the Red Service ribbon and Rocketry Award.

- Steven Johnston: Promoted to cadet senior master sergeant and appointed honor guard commander.

- Evan Regan: Promoted to cadet senior master sergeant and awarded as the Outstanding Member on a U.S.A.F. Training Exercise Evaluation.

- Nick De Benedictis: Promoted to cadet master sergeant and received the Red Service ribbon and Rocketry Award.

- Maggie Mahoney: Promoted to cadet master sergeant and presented with the Wright Brothers and Rocketry Awards.

- Frank DiMicco: Promoted to cadet technical sergeant and received the Red Service ribbon, Wright Brothers and Rocketry Awards.

- James Sullivan: Promoted to cadet staff sergeant, earned the Red Service ribbon, Wright Brothers and Rocketry Awards.

- Corrine Taylor: Promoted to cadet staff sergeant and received the Wright Brothers Award.

- Michael Pereira: Promoted to senior airman and presented with the Red Service ribbon.

- Dominic Kentish, Caramia Leggiero, Rocco Rapisarda, Tara Rothenberg: Promoted to cadet airman first class.

- Jacob Leggiero: Promoted to cadet airman.

- Liam Brady, Benjamin Gormley, Damien Karnes welcomed as new cadet members.

Guest speakers Karl Rohde, Director of the Putnam County Veterans Service Agency, and Brennan Mahoney, Commander VFW Post 1374, recognized and thanked cadets for their achievements and for being a positive influence to their peers across Putnam County.

Major Elena MacDermant, squadron commander, noted the exemplary effort that cadets put in to achieve their goals, underscoring the commitment cadets showed to community service throughout the year. “I am proud of all our cadets who worked so very hard the past year towards their awards and promotions,” said MacDermant. “Our cadets are a reflection of Civil Air Patrol’s underlying values of integrity, volunteer service, excellence and respect.”

The Putnam County Composite Squadron has received multiple Civil Air Patrol Quality Cadet Squadron Awards for commendable cadet programs performance. Members meet on Friday’s from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Paladin Center, 39 Seminary Hill Road, Carmel, NY. To learn more contact Major MacDermant at (845) 216-5433, email elenamac@aol.com, or visit www.ny033.cap.gov.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, 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 80 lives annually. CAP’s 60,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to over 25,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or www.CAP.news for more information.