October 15, 2003
High-flying honor
Casey Gardiner receives Civil Air Patrol cadet program award
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Earning his second lieutenant rank Wednesday evening, Casey Gardiner continues to excel in his duties and studies with the Civil Air Patrol.
At a special ceremony before the local Patrol's regular weekly meeting, Sgt. Tim Olson of the United States Air Force gave Gardiner the General Billy Mitchell Award. This award acknowledges his accomplishments in the organization, a milestone showing he has completed eight of the required 16 achievements in the structured cadet program.
"This shows your dedication, commitment, patriotism and leadership in the Civil Air Patrol," said Olson, the local Air Force recruiter.
As family and other members of the local Civil Air Patrol looked on, Lieutenant Dane Hyde of the Civil Air Patrol pinned Gardiner's second lieutenant insignia on his uniform. He noted that Gardiner exemplified the organization's core values: integrity, service before self and excellence in all they do.
The tenth-grade student at Traverse City Central High School has been a member of the Civil Air Patrol for two and a half years. Gardiner found a home in the organization, which assists with emergency services, search and rescue operations and disaster relief. Gardiner, who is planning an aviation-related career and plans to join the Air Force, also receives ROTC credits as he progresses through the ranks.
"I like the self-discipline and the morals in the Civil Air Patrol," Gardiner said. "My grandpa was in it and I get to fly some."
His mother, Wendy Judson, noted how Gardiner's involvement with the Civil Air Patrol has been a major influence on his life.
"Civil Air Patrol has completely turned him around, from a C student to an A student," she noted.
Hyde has been a member of the Civil Air Patrol for five years; his son learned to fly in the program. A small squadron, the local patrol has only seven cadets plus a handful of adult volunteers such as Hyde and other parents. Despite its small size, the group participates in statewide encampments and is part of the northernmost designated patrol area.
"For my son, Andy, and I, it was something for us to do together," said Hyde, noting the program provides mentoring to young people hoping to fly. "It felt great to have a retired lieutenant colonel teaching my son how to fly."
The Civil Air Patrol cadet program is a nationwide organization and young people ages 12-21 may join. They can learn to fly through the program as well as assist with the organization's mission, which also includes providing aerospace education in the community.
The Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary of the United States Air Force and provides the world's largest single engine air fleet. The Civil Air Patrol dates back to the 1930s and the cadet program began in 1942.
Within the state, Hyde noted that the Civil Air Patrol's contributions include providing 85 percent of all overland search and rescue operations.
"The Coast Guard handles the over water stuff," he noted.
Tim Schramm, an 11th grade student at Kingsley High School, has been a member of the Civil Air Patrol for eight months. He hopes that his participation as a cadet in the program will help him achieve his dream of attending the Air Force Academy.
"I love it, I like being able to do all the training and have the opportunity to do the military exercises," he said.