This year a crowd gathered in downtown Dallas, Texas to honor veterans of
the United States armed forces. Among the parade participants were Civil
Air Patrol ("CAP") Cadets from the Dallas Composite Squadron and
the Redbird Composite Squadron. As a mist covered the parade's lineup and
the sky refused to relinquish sunshine for the day's event, the dedicated
CAP cadets fell into formation behind two Air Force Association military
trucks. Spearheading this formation was the Air Force Recruiting Service's
driveable model of a Thunderbird F-16 Fighter Jet, "piloted" by
Senior Airman Torres of the 344th Air Force Squadron. Making up the proud
CAP Cadet Color Guard were Cadet Tech Sgt. Browning, Cadet Sr. Airman Chris
Arriaga, Cadet Staff Sgt. Daniel Doerr, Cadet Tech Sgt. Jessica Jackson,
and Cadet Sr. Airman Patrik Tippett. As area bands played and marched to
the beat of the drums, ROTC students marched in ranks, and military vehicles
rolled through the streets, the Air Force blue made some noise as CAP cadets
marched to a cadence lead by Maj. James Downing and Cadet Robert Jimmerson.
The best of the best students from Dallas comprise the CAP Cadet Squadrons.
These cadets aspire to join our nation's armed forces, obtain a college
degree, and most will become pilots in theAir Force or other branches of
the military. Studying aerospace and developing leadership skills are primary
goals of the cadets. Many students have already completed the necessary
ground school and the many flight hours necessary to achieve a private pilot's
certificate. On this, the year 2000 Veteran's Day, we looked around us at
all who had served our country proudly, and we remembered those who made
the ultimate sacrifice. We looked to the future and were greatly encouraged
by the pride and dedication of CAP Cadets who are following in the footsteps
of those who have gone before them and who aspire to serve our nation proudly
in today's armed forces.