Archive news

Lebanon Civil Air Patrol Squadron 307 hosted Harrisburg Squadron 306 at
the VFW Post 23 in Lebanon, Pa. on August 26, 2009,  for a special
presentation by Technical Sergeant George Brizek from Reading CAP
Squadron 811.  Sergeant Brizek had a slide show of the history and
reasons for organizing the Civil Air Patrol in 1941.  He also had CAP
uniforms from past years and photographs on display for cadets and
senior members.  

Handouts with questions about Civil Air Patrol were passed  out to all
to test their knowledge about the Civil Air Patrol history both past and
present.

After the presentation, two Certificates of Achievement were awarded to
C/AB Christina Durick and C/Amn Cathy Mannon.  Also, 1Lt. Wilson
Ballester celebrated his birthday that date and the cadets bought him a
birthday cake and sang "Happy Birthday".

Refreshments were served and the meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.

Thank you,
1Lt. Bea Gernert
Photo by 1Lt. Wilson Ballester

Lebanon Civil Air Patrol Squadron 307 cadet and senior members were
invited by 2Lt. Art Lyon and 2Lt. Matt Eckert who are members  Sq. 307
and the Lebanon County Radio Control Club in Annville, Pa. to learn to
fly Sq. 307's Sig Kadet 25 size trainer on the club field on July 30th. 
The plane was purchased and  assembled by the Civil Air Patrol Squadron.

Cadets could fly the plane on the field  the first time as a guest and
after  that they are required to join the AMA (Academy of Model
Aeronautics)at a cost of one dollar a year for a youth member under the
age of 19.

Senior member may fly once, but after that they must join the flyng club
in order to fly.  Senior AMA dues are $58 a year and club dues are $45 a
year.

So far this season, 5 cadets and 3 seniors have logged 2.5 hours of
actual flying minutes.

1Lt Bea  Gernert

Lebanon, Pa. Civil Air Patrol Squadron 307 cadets and senior members
participated by supporting  three surrounding communities for August 4,
2009's National Night Out.  The towns were,  Cornwall, Pa., Annville,
Pa. and Campbelltown, Pa.  

Sq. 307 had recruiting booths set up at all 3 locations and had a lot of
responses for new memberships.  A lot of questions about Civil Air
Patrol were asked by the public and answered by cadets and seniors.

------------------------------------------------
Thank you,
1Lt. Bea Gernert

On June 25, 2009 Lebanon, Pa. Civil Air Patrol Squadron 307,  Sq. 306
and other organizations took down the flags  and poles from the Avenue
of Flags  at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Pa.  
This year the flags were flown from May 9 to July 25th so more visitors
could enjoy seeing so many US flags flying along the roads in the
cemetery.  To see hundreds of our US flags blowing in the breeze is
very moving and beautiful.

The only flags used are the ones draped over the casket of veterans who
have passed.  These flags are donated by family and friends to the
cemetery to be flown at a future date.   

The poles are stored until needed again at Veterans Day and Memorial Day
and the Holiday Season.  The flags are folded and stored until the next
event when they will again be flown.  The frayed and worn flags are
formally retired.  The Avenue of Flags are displayed to honor the
veterans.

The time and dates of putting up the poles and flags are dictated by the
Memorial Council and the Cemetery Administration. The Memorial Council
just purchased 108 poles to be placed  along the roads and the Cemetery
Administration has flags contributed by families an/or friends of
deceased veterans to fly on the new poles.  The Memorial Council is
planning to purchase 200 more poles so the entire cemetery roads will
have flags flying.  The Memorial Council is funded by individuals and
organizations to purchase needed items not covered by the federal
government.

Thank you, 
1Lt. Bea Gernert
P.S. Pictures by 1Lt. Wilson Ballester

Lebanon, Pa. Civil Air Patrol Squadron 307 members  participated in the
annual PA Wing CAP Encampment held at Fort Indiantown Gap in Annville,
Pa. June 20th to June 27, 2009.

The members of Lebanon Squadron 307 successfully completing the training
were, Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Andrew Henning, Cadet Staff Sergeant
Skylar Scherer and Cadet Airman First Class Jordan Hollinger.

Cadet Major Emily Rentschler, a member of Squadron 307, was on the staff
for the encampment training.

Thank you,
1Lt. Bea Gernert
P.S. Photos of graduation for the encampment were taken by 1Lt. Wilson
Ballester.

Saturday, March 28, 2009, at the Penn Manor High School in Millersville,
Pa.  20 cadets and senior members of Civil Air Patrol Sq. 307 assisted
the Military Mothers and Friends from Lancaster pack 300 Easter boxes
filled with homemade cookies, candy, pretzels, personal comfort items,
cards signed by friends and people who helped pack the boxes  and other
items too numerous to mention for our deployed troops overseas and
stateside.

 They help sort  the donated items, pack, seal, stamp, affix the
necessary forms and stamps and load the  boxes  in bins for the postal
trucks.

There were boxes for former members of Sq. 307 which were passed around
to sign by the squadron members.  There were also boxes for friends and
family of the squadron.

This is one event our squadron faithfully assists at Easter and
Christmas because it means so much to all of us.

Thank you,
1Lt Bea Gernert
Photos by  1Lt Wilson Ballester
I did not mention the names of the cadets in the photo, only because
there were so many that helped.

Saturday, March 21, 2009, 12 cadets and 5 senior members  from Civil Air
Patrol Squadron 307 participated in a CPR/1st Aid/Blood Borne Pathogens
class conducted by 2Lt. Beth Henning, who is a certified Red Cross
instructor, and also a member of Squadron 307.

The class was 9 1/2  hours long and was held at the Red Cross Building
on Mifflin St. in Lebanon, Pa.

Thank you,
1Lt Bea Gernert
Pictures by 1Lt Wilson Ballester  

Dec. 6, 2008 Civil Air Patrol Sq. 307 drove to Lancaster, Pa. Catholic
High School where they assisted the Military Mothers and Friends pack
over 300 Christmas boxes to send stateside and overseas to our deployed
military service men and women.  The boxes contained personal items,
candy, soup, pretzels and homemade cookies as well as other items too
numerous to mention.

Two of our former CAP cadets had boxes shipped to them.  Senior members
and cadets signed the boxes and also enclosed notes to the former cadets
wishing them a safe Merry Christmas and to let them know we are all
praying for them.

Thank you,
Lt. Bea Gernert
Photos by Lt. Wilson Ballester

November 22, 2008 Lebanon, PA VFW Civil Air Patrol Squadron 307 held a
formal flag retirement at the Lickdale, Pa. American Legion Post 910.
They retired the flags that were gathered from the gravesite of veterans
buried in Lebanon County. Even though it was a bitter cold and snowy
day,  the squadron performed the ceremony to show respect and honor for
the flag of the United States of America.  

Thank you,
Lt. Bea Gernert
Photos by Lt. Wilson Ballester

November 15, 2008 Lebanon, PA  VFW Civil Air Patrol Squadron 307 helped
other military organizations take down approximately 6,000 flags from
veteran's graves in Lebanon County.  It was a rainy day but the squadron
considers this an honor to remove the flags from the graves of the
veterans that died serving  our country.  The retirement ceremony was
postponed until next Saturday because our area was in the middle of
three storms Saturday.

Thank you,
Lt. Bea Gernert
Photo  by Lt. Wilson Ballester

November 1, 2008 Lebanon, Pa. VFW Civil Air Patrol Squadron 307 Color Guard was invited to post colors for a special concert by the Hershey Symphony Orchestra honoring "local heroes" including military, EMTs, Firefighters, police, etc. in Hershey, Pa. The Color Guard posted colors for the afternoon concert, which was for children and the evening concert which was for paid attendees. Anyone in uniform was admitted free as well as their guest.  The Color Guard and Senior members, Major Warren Parks and Lt. Wilson Ballester each received free DVD's of the concert.  They were praised by all for the professional performance in posting the colors for the opening of the two performances. Thank you, Lt. Bea Gernert Picture by Lt. Wilson Ballester Left to right: Cadet 2Lt. Patrick Roach, Cadet Airman First Class Tyler Zohner, Cadet Airman First Class Jordan Hollinger, Cadet Staff Sergeant Andrew Henning

CAP Sq. 307's newest member with Sgt. Henning.

Lt. Bea Gernert

Third and last picture of Cadet Manon.
CAP Sq. 307, Lebanon, Pa.

Lt. Bea Gernert

Civil Air Patrol Squadron 307 held a Halloween Party Oct. 29, 2008 in
the ballroom at VFW Post 23.  Cadets and seniors were in costume.
Refreshments were served and prizes awarded for the three best costumes.
Cadet Major Emily Rentschler had a list of games to be played and one
was done with toilet tissue.  Three cadets paired up and wrapped one
like a mummy.  The best mummy was selected by the senior members.

October 12, 2008 VFW Civil Air Patrol Sq. 307 from Lebanon, Pa. assisted
the veterans at their 4th Annual VAMC Car Show.  They helped the staff
push wheelchairs from the other buildings to the show.  They also
assisted the wheelchair veterans by serving the individual patients and
then pushing them outside to see the show and then returned them to
their rooms in the various wards.

Sq. 307 Color guard posted and retired colors for the show.  Lt. Tina
Roach took charge of the raffle table and other cadets assisted her and
helped wherever necessary.

The cadets were praised by the veterans and staff and the military
organizations that sponsored the show.

-------------------------------------------------
Thank you,
Lt. Bea Gernert
PS  Picture by Lt. Wilson Ballester

Oct. 25, 2008 CAP Sq. 307 seniors and cadets helped State
Representatives Mauree Gingrich and Rose Marie Swanger from the 101st
and 102nd District hold a ceremony at the Cedar Crest Middle School,
honoring  the Vietnam veterans of Lebanon County.  Also a ceremony
dedicated to those Lebanon County veterans who lost their lives in the
Viet Nam conflict.  
  
The 307 Sq. Color Guard posted and retrieved the colors and both seniors
and cadets help them park the veterans'  cars, show them where to
register and get refreshments, usher them to their seats according to
their last names and shook their hand and thanked them for their service
to their country.  It was a moving event and touched the hearts of all
attending and all that helped with this event. 

Sq. 307 was thanked by the State Representatives and the Vietnam
veterans.

Thank you, 
Lt. Bea Gernert
Pictures taken by Lt. Wilson Ballester. 

Civil Air Patrol Sq. 307 held a Chicken BBQ Fundraiser to support all
their activities and functions.  Kauffman's supplied the chicken and
potatoes.

The event took place in Lebanon, Pa. across from the Home Depot on July
23, 2008 and it was a huge success.  Cadets and senior members sold
tickets in advance and the rest were drive ups.  The community always
supports the Civil Air Patrol.

Thank you,
Lt. Bea Gernert
PS  Photo by Lt. Wilson Ballester

Sat., July 19, 2008 Civil Air Patrol Sq. 307 cadets and seniors visited
Indian Echo Cavern and took the tour and learned many interesting facts
and stories including the one where a hermit lived in the cave for 19
years before he died there. Then the squadron had lunch in their picnic
area.  Then it was off to Hershey's Chocolate World and another tour to
learn how Hershey candy is made and how Milton Hershey first started his
candy business.  The squadron then saw the Hershey Chocolate World  3 D
Show.
 

^1st Lt. Bea V. Gernert
Public Affairs Officer
Lebanon VFW Cadet Squadron 307
Pennsylvania Wing

PENNSYLVANIA -- Cadet Col. Thomas P. Carr received Civil Air Patrol's highest cadet honor, the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award, during a recent ceremony at Lebanon VFW. Post No. 23.
 

Photo by 1st Lt. Wilson Ballester

Cadet Col. Thomas P. Carr receives his Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award from Maj. Gen. Steven Sischo, Pennsylvania deputy adjutant general and Pennsylvania Air National Guard commanding officer. Flanking the pair are the cadet's parents, 1st Lts. Thomas and Belinda Carr.

Carr is the first member of the Lebanon squadron to achieve the Spaatz award in the unit's 34-year history.

Only about one-half of 1 percent of all cadets -- less than 1,700 since the honor was initiated in 1964 -- receive the award, given to those who complete all phases of the CAP cadet program and the Spaatz award examination.

Presenting the award was Maj. 

Gen. Steven Sischo, Pennsylvania deputy adjutant general and commanding officer of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

Guests for the ceremony included Col. Mark Lee, Pennsylvania Wing commander; Lt. Cols. Robert Meinert, wing executive director; Bruce Brinker, wing director of cadet programs; Byron Marshall, wing Group 2 commander; and Roysetta Bruner, Drug Demand Reduction director for Civil Air Patrol's Northeast Region; and State Rep.  Mauree Gingrich.

A senior at Cedar Crest High School, where is a member of the National Honor Society and German Club, Carr is also a member of the Palmyra Junior Rifle Team. He has competed in national rifle competitions at Camp Perry, Ohio; Fort Benning, Ga.; and the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Carr has accepted an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and will be a member of the class of 2012. He will also represent Army as a NCAA Division 1 student athlete as a member of the Army Rifle Team.