Encampment coming to an end....

Well, we are coming close to the end of encampment week. Only 1 more day. Tomorrow we will be at Barksdale to see our guys graduate! I know some of you heard from them early in the week and they said the first 2 days were rough and some were even homesick but Major Santana, the LAWG DCC is great with the youth and they all love him; Mr. John "Z" Zaremba, the State Director and liaison with the Air Force is awesome as well. I am sure they have filled the week with things that intrest them. I would venture to bet that this week was harder on us than it was on them.

I am sitting here in a hotel room just 5 minutes from the base and the anxiety is killing me, I am so anxious to see Codey tomorrow and hear all about his week. I know I am not alone.

I hope you all have been able to see the pictures on Facebook but for those I have not seen on Facebook, I will post a few here - I am trying to set up a Photo gallery. See link above.

Here is a link to the article that the Public Affairs Office at Barksdale posted on their website:

Unprecedented Graduation Attendance expected

In spite of the five hour drive; In spite of the 10am Graduation time; In spite of the need to get hotel rooms overnight; All valid points that might have been used as reasons a family would not be able to make it to encampment graduation. But not for the parents, grandparents and other family of our cadets! Our 9 cadets registered over 40 guests who plan to be in attendance. Not only did we have 100% participation of all eligible first year cadets at encampment this year but 100% of those cadets will have at least one family member there to see him graduate. It is common for the squadron to have to arrange for transportation to and from encampment but this year, on the return trip, each cadet will be with each his own family! The level of family support for the cadets in the Ascension Squadron is one of the main reasons the "Flying Tigers" are always rising to new heights.

Cadets off to Encampment 2010

After weeks of preparation, checking and rechecking lists, 8 of our first year cadets piled into the van early Saturday morning, headed to Barksdale Air Force Base for their first Summer encampment. One cadet, C/SrMSGt Pardue was already there, waiting. The Sergeant and other staff cadets arrived Thursday to prepare for the new cadets.

After a rendezvous with 5 cadets from Hammond Composite Squadron and 3 from Capital City Composite, 3 cadets from Ascension Climbed aboard the Hammond van to do a little training on the 5 hour trip up. The cadets practiced Radio Communications communicating between the vans and studied the Encampment knowledge book. They practiced everything from how to answer questions with a firm command voice to basic drill movements every time we exited the van. By the time we arrived at encampment, they seemed motivated and confident (well, as good as it can get when you are facing a week of having to keep your bed made and socks folded.)

The first pictures from encampment shows lots of activity. It is not likely they will get bored. Below is one of the pictures taken from the CAP Louisiana Wing Encampment facebook page.

"Hang in there Cadet Blank!"

Promotion and Award Ceremony a Success

On Monday, July 12, Ascension Composite held a promotion and award ceremony at the Gonzales Public Safety Center. Amoung the special guest in attendance were, State Director John "Z" Zaremba; Col. Art Scarburough, Wing Commander and Ascension Parish President Tommy Martinez.

Ms. Jan Linton lead the singing of the National Anthem and sang a beautiful tribute to our Nations Service men and women, "Hero Coming Home."

Major Christian Richmond shared the story behind the "Flying Tigers" squadron patch design and dedicated the patch that is worn by many of the cadets who have demonstrated the attitude and spirit behind the patch which bears the motto "Semper Ascendo."

Cadets received their new grade insignia from the Wing Commander with the assistance of their parents/grandparents.