Florida Wing awarded National Commander’s Unit Citation Award at Annual Banquet

TAMPA- “Training for results” was the theme of the 2012 Florida Wing Conferen ce, and for the nearly 400 cadets and senior members who converged at the Marshall Student Center at the University of South Florida, results were readily apparent in the form of seminars, social activities, and award ceremonies. With 34 sessions for senior members and 16 for cadets, the 2012 conference provided training opportunities numerous areas, including Drug Demand Reduction, officer positions, and safety. Cadets were able to take part in activities such as Public Speaking and a Cadet Advisory Council (CAC) luncheon. The highlight of the day was the annual Awards Banquet. Following the presentation of the Colors by the Gainesville Composite Squadron Color Guard team, over 60 awards were presented to members, including Lt. Col. James W. Hart Jr., who was awarded a lifetime CAP membership for in recognition for his 50 years of service, C/Col. Tiffany Jakowczuk, who in addition to being Florida’s most recent recipient of the Carl A. Spaatz award, earned the Ira C. Eaker Award, and C/A1C Robert Soto, who earned the Certificate of Recognition for Lifesaving. At the 2011 Awards Banquet, Florida Wing received the Unit Citation Award. Florida followed up in 2012 with the National Commander’s Unit Citation Award. The National Commander’s Unit Citation Award is awarded only at the discretion of the National Commander to units “providing services or achievements above and beyond those normally recognized by a Unit Citation Award”. Florida Wing was recognized for its services during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. Amidst the tradition and formality of the banquet, the atmosphere was relaxed. Between attempts to entertain with jokes, Lt. Col. Stephen Governale handed out raffle prizes, and a pizza was delivered to the head table. The special guest for the evening was Brigadier General Glenn Bramhal, who recognized Civil Air Patrol for the services it performs for the nation. Bramhall is the Deputy Commander of the 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command and has earned numerous awards and decorations for his service. As a token of appreciation, Florida Wing Commander Col. Mike Cook presented Bramhall with a model of a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 aircraft. The conference concluded with a town hall meeting the following morning, during which additional raffle prizes were handed out and two cadet teams competed in a panel quiz, which tests their ability to quickly and accurately answer aerospace related questions. Right: The Gainesville Color Guard team posts the colors at the beginning of the conference Left: Florida Wing is awarded the National Commander's Citation award