[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17919]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE OAKLAND COMPOSITE SQUADRON COLOR GUARD TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2008

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the Oakland 
Composite Squadron Color Guard Team for their excellent performance at 
the National Cadet Competition last month. The members of the team have 
and continue to represent the Civil Air Patrol with honor, distinction, 
and professionalism.
  The Civil Air Patrol, CAP, was established on December 1, 1947, as 
the all volunteer auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Today there 
are more than 56,000 members in the 50 States, District of Columbia, 
and Puerto Rico. The membership of the CAP is comprised of cadets 
between the ages of 12 and 18, and senior members, who are 18 or older. 
The Michigan Wing of the CAP currently has 487 cadets and 740 senior 
members. The CAP has three missions; to run cadet programs to build 
character, leadership, patriotism, and honor; to promote aerospace 
education; and to serve as a primary resource for the U.S. Air Force 
Rescue Coordination Center.
  The Oakland Composite Squadron, which is located in Waterford, 
Michigan, has 57 members, 29 of whom are cadets. Earlier this year, 
five of those cadets stepped forward to serve as members of the 
squadron's Color Guard Team. The team appears at public events like 
parades and veterans' ceremonies presenting and posting colors. They 
also participated in Color Guard competitions which require dedication, 
team work, and exceptional academic success.
  After embarking on a rigorous training regimen that required physical 
and mental discipline, the Oakland Composite Squadron Color Guard went 
on to win first place overall at the Michigan Wing competition after 
sweeping all seven events on March 30. Then, on May 4, the team once 
again won first place overall at the Great Lakes Regional competition. 
They would go on to represent the entire region, consisting of 
Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Wisconsin in the 
National Cadet Competition on June 30. At the National Competition, the 
team took second place in the Academic Panel Quiz and tied for third 
place overall.
  Madam Speaker, I wish to congratulate these cadets for their hard 
work and dedication. I am proud to represent these young men and women 
who have shown such character in competition. Theirs is a shining 
example of what we are all capable of achieving with dedication and 
hard work.

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