April 2023
Volunteers serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.
Inside This Issue: Cadets set balloon altitude record, aerospace education members visit the Video Corner, CAP awards cadet scholarships, CAP national artist honored, chief of operations announced, 1st Air Force commander flies with CAP, best-selling author shares her CAP cadet story, and more!
Connecticut Cadets Aim High, Set CAP Balloon Altitude Record - 23 Miles
A high-altitude balloon launched March 18 by cadets in the Connecticut Wing’s 399th Composite Squadron climbed to 121,660 feet – 23.04 miles – to set a record for Civil Air Patrol.

The balloon was launched at 10:14a.m. and landed at 12:30p.m., traveling 129.6 miles from Warwick, New York, to Storrs, Connecticut, and capping a ...
VIDEO CORNER
CAP Member and Future Air Force Reserve Aviator Shares #HerStory
Second Lt. Shannon O'Brien of the National Capital Wing's Andrews Composite Squadron, Delta flight attendant, private pilot, and soon-to-be Air Force Reserve aviator, tells #herstory during Women of Aviation Worldwide Week.
Meet This Energetic CAP Aerospace Member!

Kaci Pilcher Heins, KY teacher and Director of Educaton at Limitless Space Institute. She is an amazing ambassador for Civil Air Patrol and would be happy to share aerospace resources with any educator.
"Shaping Futures"
91 Cadets Earn CAP Scholarships Worth $155K
Ninety-one scholarships totaling $155,000 have been awarded to CAP cadets from 32 wings and one overseas unit. The total includes 63 academic scholarships worth $123,500 and 28 flight scholarships worth $31,500.

In all, 984 applied for academic and flying scholarships.
"CAP has inspired me to serve in the U.S. Air Force and pursue a career in the field of aerospace. This scholarship will help pay for advancing in my flight training and further my goal of earning my private pilot’s certificate."

-Cadet Maj. Rithvik Vijayakumar,
2023 CAP flight scholarship recipient
CAP National Artist
Honored by
Aviation Hall of Fame
Maj. Ron Finger, a 13-year veteran Minnesota Wing's Crow Wing Composite Squadron, was honored April 1 in Minneapolis by the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame for his artwork in CAP’s Timeline Flight and Silvered Wings initiatives, which captures for future generations the iconic aircraft of ...
Are you an artist?
Yes, I draw, paint, woodwork, craft, etc.
Maybe, I like to try.
No, but I appreciate art and artists.
Want to Save on Taxes and Support CAP?


Did you know you can donate stock to help you save on your finances as you make a lasting impact on CAP's future?
 
CAP has partnered with FreeWill to provide a free online tool that guides you through the process of donating stock in about 10 minutes.
John W. Desmarais Sr., Chief Operating Officer

John W. “Moose” Desmarais Sr. is the new chief operating officer at CAP National Headquarters at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. In this role, he ensure CAP’s compliance with all applicable U.S. Air Force, U.S. Department of Defense, and federal grants laws/directives along with centralized procurement of all major equipment, vehicles, and aircraft. He also serves as executive secretary of the CAP Board of Governors — the organization’s governing body.
Outgoing 1st Air Force Commander Flies with CAP
“As the 1st Air Force commander, CAP is one of our key mission enablers. In the past year, they flew more than 70,000 hours in Air Force-assigned missions as the official U.S. Air Force auxiliary,” Lt. Gen Kirk Pierce
Alumni Feature

Cadet-Turned-Fighter-Pilot:
CAP 'Invaluable for Preparing You for the Future'
Many Civil Air Patrol cadets dream about completing a harrowing – but safely landed – flight. And retired Air Force Col. and former California Wing cadet Kim Campbell got to do just that. On April 7, 2003, her A-10 fighter was hit by ...
The Benefits of a QCD Donation...We Make It Easy
Remembering Those Who Have Passed
Final Salute
CAP offers friends and family the ability to make gifts in memory or honor of someone special. Tribute/memorial gifts made through the link below are listed in each issue of Civil Air Patrol Volunteer.
Civil Air Patrol Development
 
Kristina E. Jones, M.A., CFRE, Chief of Philanthropy
Gloria Negrete, M.B.A., Deputy Chief of Philanthropy
Col. John M. Knowles, Deputy Chief of Alumni Relations
Donna Bass Maraman, Development and Donor Communications Manager
Rebecca Armstrong, Donor Database Specialist

(334) 953-9003 Direct
(833) IAM-4CAP Toll Free
 
Interested in talking about the legacy you want to leave?
Contact Kristina Jones, Chief of Philanthropy, at legacy@gocivilairpatrol.org
More Ways to Support Civil Air Patrol