March 2004
THE NEWSLETTER OF MAINE WING, CIVIL AIR PATROL, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AUXILIARY
North East Region, Maine Wing, 2004 Winter Survival School
by Capt. Dick Jackson, CAP,
CCCS, ME058
“NOW, LISTEN UP…COUNT OFF”
and from among the
trees came; “ONE” -----
-“TWO”------“THREE”---
----“FOUR------then si-
lence followed by more
embarrassing silence…
and then… “WHERE
ARE YOU, SMITH-
ERS”…”HERE, SIR”…”
NO, I MEAN, FIVE…
and the count resumes
all the way to “THIRTY
SIX”. You see,
“THIRTY SIX” is “TOP
DOG”, our leader, Ma-
jor Scott D. Higgins, and he is just
making sure none of his 30 cadets
and 6 Seniors for whom he is re-
sponsible, have become lost. (The
name “Smithers” has been chosen
to protect the guilty.) And, that’s
how the MEWNG Winter Survival
School began that cold Friday after-
noon of February 20, 2004 at the
Bangor, Maine, Air National Guard
Base.
Now, this description is coming to
you from the point of view of a sen-
ior who has never done any winter
camping. Because I pilot my own
single-engine experimental aircraft,
I felt it would be good life insurance
to know how to survive in the field
were my aircraft ever to fall out of
the sky with me in it. I know how
long it might take for one of our CAP
“night-supersonic” C172s to find me
and I wanted to be alive when they
arrived, so I dutifully
filled out CAP FORM 31
requesting the “2004
Winter Survival School”
and was accepted.
After a prior evening
check-in at the BOQ at
MANG, muster was in
the chow hall Friday at
0700 with the proper
menu of complex carbo-
hydrates, proteins and
fats, (Yes, Cadet Vir-
ginia, fats ARE good for
you.) In all fairness, we
were not required to cook our own
meals. The 101st Services Flight of
the 101st Aerial Refueling Wing pro-
vided three excellent
meals Friday, and one
enthusiastically re-
ceived breakfast on
Saturday after all night
out in the field.
After Friday breakfast
we broke into three
groups: First Year stu-
dents, the “newbies”,
that’s me; Second
Year students, the
“we’ve-done-it-once-
before” group; and the
Third Year Students,
the “what’s he going-to-throw-at-us-
now” group.
1
We, “newbies”, had to learn some-
thing sensible before we could risk
our fragile bodies out in the cold for
an overnight. For the next six hours
we heard several PowerPoint pres-
entations and lectures enriched by
the personal, colorful experiences of
our instructor, Major Higgins. Topics
included: an understanding of the
balance of body energy (BTUs) to
prevent frostbite or hypothermia; the
kinds of food to maintain the internal
furnace; how much water to drink
(lots); what to do when your body
becomes critical (you’re going to
die), at either too hot at 105oF or too
cold at 92oF; how to warmly dress
(three layers); and what kind of
sleeping bag (polyester) in which to
sleep. After all this instruction, we
“newbies” were taken to the field and
challenged to find a smooth,
comfortable place between
two or more trees to create a
cozy shelter to keep out
wind, rain, and, hopefully, to
allow some sleep!
Upon return to camp after
dinner on Friday with our
shelters already built, along
comes “Quiz Time”. The fire
was restoked to blazing. In-
structor Higgins called out
question after question on a
myriad of topics. Any ques-
tion properly answered was
promptly rewarded with a mystery
(Continued on page 6)
MEMORANDUM FOR All Cadets,
Maine Wing
FROM: Deputy Commander, Maine
Wing Encampment
SUBJECT: Encampment Cadet
Staff Selection and Training Week-
end
1.. Cadets applying for staff positions
at the 2004 Maine Wing
Encampment are expected to attend
two pre-encampment staff training
weekends. This memorandum con-
tains information on the first pre-
encampment training weekend. This
activity will also accept applicants
from cadets not planning on serving
on encampment staff (see item 3b).
2.. Location and Dates: The staff se-
lection and training weekend will be
held at the Bangor Air National Guard
Base on 19-21 March 2004. Sign in
will be between 1900 and 1930 hours
on Friday. Dismissal will be at 1200
hours on Sunday.
3.. Who may attend:
1.. Cadets applying for staff positions
at the 2004 Maine Wing Encamp-
ment are expected to attend. If you
can not attend, but still wish to be
considered for a cadet staff position,
you must contact Colonel Treadwell.
You will be expected to complete the
staff application process as detailed
Maine Wing Over
Wing Commander
Col Mitch Sammons
Vice Commander
Lt Col Larry Woods
Wing Public Affairs
Maj Chris Hayden
Newsletter Editor
Capt Dennis Murray
Headquarters
Maine Wing, Civil Air Patrol
PO Box 5006
Augusta Maine, 04332-5006
Editorial Office: 207/767-1874
Headquarters: 207/626-7830
The Maine Wing Over is an unofficial newsletter pub-
lished quarterly in the interest of members of the Maine
Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. Any opinions either ex-
pressed or inferred by the writers herein are their own and
are not to be considered official expression by the Civil
Air Patrol or the Department of the Air Force.
in my 25 February 2004 memoran-
dum.
2.. Any cadet holding the grade of
Cadet Staff Sergeant or higher may
attend the weekend, even if you do
not plan on applying for an encamp-
ment staff position. Attendance at the
activity is limited to 40 cadets; priority
for attendance will be given to en-
campment applicants. Non-
encampment applicants will be taken
on a first come, first accepted basis.
Please indicate on your application
that you are a non-encampment ap-
plicant. Applications and Deadline:
You must complete each of the fol-
lowing steps to attend the staff selec-
tion and training weekend:
1.. You must notify 1Lt Wayne
McKinney, CAP, at Maine Wing
Headquarters that you plan to attend
by phone or e-mail by 1200 hours on
Friday 6 March 2004. Lt McKinney
can be reached via e-mail at
wayne.j.mckinney@verizon.net
or by phone at 207-626-7830.
b.. You must complete a CAPF form
31 and mail the form, along with a
check for $10 payable to Maine Wing
Cadet Programs to Maine Wing
Headquarters. The letter must be
postmarked no later than 12 March
2004. The address for Maine Wing
Headquarters is P.O. Box 5006, Au-
gusta, ME 04332-5006
1.. Medical information: It is very im-
portant that you properly complete
the medical information questionnaire
on CAPF 31. Please advise Colonel
Treadwell if you have any medical
conditions or limitations.
2.. Uniforms: Uniforms for the week-
end will be both Class "B" blues
(short sleeve shirt, no tie) and BDU's.
You must also bring PT clothing.
3.. Meals: You will be provided four
(4) meals during the weekend:
Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner
and Sunday breakfast. If you have
food allergies or other medical and /
or religious restrictions on what food
you may eat, you must communicate
that to Colonel Treadwell with your
application package.
4.. You will be billeted at the Horizon
2
Inn at the Bangor Air National
Guard Base. In addition to your cloth-
ing, you must bring your own
toiletries, soap, towel and washcloth.
It is recommended that you also bring
notebooks and other writing materials
and your leadership laboratory
books.
5.. Open Cadet Staff Positions: All
cadet staff positions, with the
exception of cadet commander, cadet
deputy commander, cadet executive
officer and cadet training officer are
open. The following list illustrates
the open positions:
1.. Flight staff (flight commanders
and flight sergeants)
2.. Squadron Staff (Squadron Com-
manders and first sergeants)
3.. Training NCO
4.. PAO Staff (PAO Officer, PAAO
NCO, Photographer)
5.. Emergency Services Staff (flight
commander, flight sergeant,
squadron commander, first sergeant,
and instructors)
6.. Operations (operations officer and
NCO - new staff position this
year working in and with the cooks)
7.. Other executive staff positions
(logistics, admin, etc.).
10. The encampment commander,
along with the deputy commander,
commandant of
cadets, and the emergency services
program director will have the final
decision on staff selections. No staff
selections will be made until the end
of the staff selection weekend.
1.. Questions on the application proc-
ess can be addressed to the
undersigned via e-mail at mweb-
ster@westelcom.com or by phone at
518-493-5961. If you are unable to
reach Lt. Col. Webster, you may con-
tact Col. Treadwell directly at
ctread@maine.rr.com.
MARK T. WEBSTER, Lieutenant
Colonel, CAP
Deputy Commander
AttentionWingto
Cadets
all and Stobie Seaplane Base on Moosehead Lake, Maine move a Cessna 182 seaplane from theportant
Seniors at Airman
Cadets! water rampposition will Maine
to land parking. be managed
Wing has ag-
supported the International Pilots association Fly-in for the past seven years. Photo Courtesy of Mike Lange, Moosehead Messenger.
Academy is coming up! Mark your gressively by 1Lt. Goss to all of our
calendar for April 19th-22nd at the benefit.
InternationalI am looking
Paradeforward
Lead by to CAP
work-
Bangor Air National Guard Base. ing with him in
Color and Honor Guard this endeavor as he
This training activity is designed for develops a program
On August 9, 2003, the Maine Wingthat will make
basic cadets, Airman, Airman 1st Maine
Squadrons Wingfrom an outstanding example
St Croix Composite,
Class, and Senior Airman that would for CAP.
Machias Valley and Downeasttoonce
Our congratulations them
like further training on follower ship are in order as well as our
again participated in the International thanks for
skills and leadership skills. This activ- taking
Paradeon fromthose responsibilities.
Calais, Maine to St This
ity is designed to assist you in is a strong New
Stephens, teamBrunswick.
that will continue
In addi-the
achieving your next grade and to pre- fine tradition of the
tion, the Honor Guard from manyMaine Wing Cadet
dif-
pare you for Encampment. If you are & Safety Programs. There
ferent squadrons participated. This are some
planning on a successful career as a cation for a long time. Colonel Mel- greatwas
year ideas and events
special to Maine planned
Wing,for CAP
cadet, plan on attending this activity. rose is currently the Communications because this year,we so lead
don'tthe miss out
parade, onwhich
the op-
You must send your CAPF 31 to Licensing and Records Officer for portunities
has not been anddoneexperiences. Check It
for many years.
Maine Wing HQ, P.O. Box 5006, Au- Maine Wing. Colonel Melrose is also seems the Maine theWing Web Page
organizers of thefor the can
event
gusta, ME 04332-5006 by April 1st, dates of these activities
count on CAP personnel to be on time and watch for
along with your $30.00 registration future announcements.
and to be very professional. Less
fee. Arrival time will be 1330 on Mon- My thanksfor
problems to them
theseand members
believefor me their
day the 19th. Lunch will not be dedication and commitment
they have many problems to deal to the
served so be sure to have eaten be- success
with, before, of Maine
during Wing.
and after the
fore hand. Graduation will be at 1400 Mitch
event. Thank you toCol.
Sammons all ofCAP
the partici-
on Thursday 22nd at the Air National Commander - Maine Wing
Guard Base, so any parents who
want to attend plan on being there for
that time. Cadets can be picked up
after graduation. Special note to any Honor Guard Academy
cadets interested in applying for staff:
In order to qualify for staff you must a former Maine Wing Commander. To all Cadets planning on attending
have attended either an Airman Both Colonel Melrose and Major Mel- the Honor Guard Academy,
Academy or an Encampment previ- rose are the Directors of both the This years Honor guard academy will
ously and be a C/SSgt. or above. Maine Wing HF Nets and the North- run from April 18 - 24 (please note
Please note on your application east Region Nets. They have both that this is longer than the airman
which position you are applying for been nominated by the Northeast academy). The academy will end at
and send a short resume. If you Region Commander for the National 1500 on Saturday the 24 of April, so
would like a staff position send your Meritorious Service Award. Their please make sure you have proper
application in as soon as possible, dedication and service to the Civil Air arrangements to be picked up. The
because staffing decisions will be Patrol and our country should serve cost for the Academy this year will be
made soon. as an inspiration to all members. $100 per cadet. If funds are a problem
1Lt. Lori Renzullo Maj Mike Pellerin, DOC please let us know and we will work
something out. Do not forget to have
a form 31 completely filled out includ-
50 Years of Service
Staff Changes ing the medical section. Please send
all forms to Lt. Roberts at: 744 Gray
Colonel Mitchell Sammons, Maine
Wing Commander and Major Mike I am pleased and proud to announce Rd. Windham Me. 04026 If you have
Pellerin, Maine Wing Director of that Captain Ted Kryzak has as- any problems call Lt. Roberts at 892-
Communications, recently visited sumed the helm as the Director of 0386. Your money and a photocopy of
Colonel Joseph Melrose and Major the Maine Wing Cadet Program as- the form 31 should be sent to Maine
Ann Melrose at their home in Bath. sisted by 1 Lt. Lori Renzullo as the Wing Headquarters. For the academy
While their, Colonel Melrose was Deputy Director and Major Scott Hig- cadets should expect for rigorous PT,
presented his 50 year service award gins as the Cadet Activities Officer. I and constant work from the time you
and both of the Melrose's received am especially pleased to announce get up to the time you go to bed. Con-
Commanders Commendation that 1Lt. Peter Goss has agreed to tact me for a list of what to bring.
Awards. They have both served the step in to take the reins of our Wing C/MSgt. Ribeiro
Civil Air Patrol with tremendous dedi- Safety Program. This extremely im- Honor Guard Deputy Commander

3
 Cumberland County
Composite Squadron
1Lt Paul Connors, Capt Ted Kryzak, & Maj
Chris Hayden Man the booth at the Boy
Scouts Expo
Maine Wing's Cumberland County
Composite Squadron set up and
manned an effective informational
and recruiting booth at the Annual
Boy Scouts of America Exposition on
Sunday, February 1st, 2004. The
event took place at the Cumberland
County Civic Center in Portland. The
MEWG Honor Guard led the scouts
during their impressive parade of
flags and performed some drill rou-
tines several times throughout the
six-hour event, to the delight of the
Expo's attendees. Local ABC-TV
Channel 8 briefly featured the Honor
Guard on its evening newscast.
Throughout the day, the full scale re-
cruiting booth drew a good-sized
crowd. Based upon the level of inter-
est, the CCCS anticipates a new
flood of cadets as a result. One
Squadron cadet who is both a CAP
Cadet and a Boy Scout changed
uniforms half way through the day in
order to support both interests
equally! Maine Wing Senior Members
who contributed to the success of this
high-visibility CAP display included
MEWG Honor Guard coaches 1Lt
Roberts and 1Lt Young, as well as
CCCS Members Capt Marc Brunelle,
1Lt Paul Connors, 1Lt Andrea Hay-
den, Maj Chris Hayden, Capt Ted
Kryzak, Capt Beau Provost, 1Lt Har-
old Ribeiro, Capt Don Sau-
cier, Lt Col Ed Vadja, and
Capt Jeff Weinstein. Cadets
Burns, Washek, Earle,
McGovern and St John all
enthusiastically helped man
the booth and answer ques-
tions about the CAP cadet
program from inquiring
youngsters.
Submitted by Capt Jeff
Weinstein, CAP Maine Wing
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
(Maj Chris Hayden, Maine
Wing Public Affairs Officer &
CCCS Squadron Com-
mander, also contributed to
this report.)
Photos by Capt Jeff
Weinstein.
St Croix
Composite Squadron
The St Croix Composite Squadron,
is pleased to announce the promo-
tions of four cadets in the squadron. Clark on you well deserved promo-
Shown, left to right, are the following tion.
cadets. Cadet John Chambers, Bai- (Photos by 2Lt Jerry Palmer)
leyville & Grand Lake Stream was
promoted to Cadet Technical Ser-
geant, Cadet Robbie Wilson, Cal-
ais, was promoted to Cadet Airman,
Cadet Steven Martorano, Calais,
was promoted to Cadet Senior Air-
man and Cadet Stephen Lincoln,
Jr., Baileyville & Baring, was pro-
moted to Senior Master Sergeant.
LTC James Greenlaw, awarded the
promotions to each cadet during the
regular meeting on Thursday night.
Capt Dennis Murray, DCC
4
Cadet Joseph Martorano promoted
to C/A1C
Martorano re-
ceived his well-
deserved pro-
motion at the
regular meeting
on January 22,
2004. C/A1C
Martorano pic-
tured here, received his promotion
orders from Commander Lt Col
James Greenlaw. Congratulations to
Joseph Martorano on you well de-
served promotion.
(Photos by 2Lt Jerry Palmer)
Cadet Todd Clark to C/SrA
Clark received his well-
deserved promotion at
the regular meeting on
January 22, 2004. C/
SrA Clark, pictured
here, received his pro-
motion orders from
Commander Lt Col
James Greenlaw. Con-
gratulations to Senior Airman Todd
Cadet Derek Farquharson pro-
moted to C/SSgt.
The St Croix Compos-
ite Squadron, CAP, is
pleased to announce
the promotion of Cadet
Derek Farquharson.
Farquharson received
his well deserved pro-
motion at the regular
meeting on January
22, 2004. Congratulations to Staff
Sergeant Derek Farquharson on you
well deserved promotion.
(Photos by 2Lt Jerry Palmer)
Stories by: Capt Dennis Murray, DCC
When good people in any country
cease their vigilance and struggle,
then evil men prevail.
—Pearl S. Buck
 ments for outstanding dedication to
Machias Valley CAP. During the annual awards ban-
Composite Squadron quet held in February cadets, seniors
and family members shared in a spe-
cial supper while awards were an-
The Machias Valley Composite nounced. Lt Col. Pearl Bender was
Squadron had the following promo- named senior member of the year for
tions the last quarter: our squadron. C/Amn Doug Glidden
Cadet Commander took home the honor of cadet of the
David Roth received year. C/MSgt Miles Noonan was an-
his Earhart award and nounced as the cadet NCO of the
was promoted to Cap- year. C/Capt Erik Bellandi shined as
tain. Cadet Christo- the cadet officer of the year. In other
pher McCarthy was newsworthy notes several senior
members have been nominated for
Wing Conference awards: Lt Col.
promoted to Pearl Bender was nominated for the
Cadet / Chief Senior of the year award, Maj Art
Master Ser- Philbrick was nominated for the
geant. Cadet Brewer award, 1Lt Doug Grosso was
nominated for Communicator of the
John Rother- year award, and 2Lt Charlie Brown
mel was pro- was nominated for the Maurice Cantor
moted to Cadet / award.
Senior Master 2Lt Lauren N. Grosso, PAO
Sergeant. Cadet
Richard Sim-
mon was pro- Augusta-Gardiner
moted to Ca-
det / Master
Composite Sq
Sergeant. At the Squadron in the last eight
Senior month's we have had 5 of our wonder-
Patricia Rothermel, our new chap- ful cadets pass the Mitchell. That is
lain, was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. great for this squadron. We've come a
(No picture available) Senior Tim long way in 3 1/2 years !! We are un-
Moorhouse, derstaffed, but we have 4 very de-
our newest voted seniors that always get the job
pilot, was done. I just thought Wing should know
promoted to this.
2nd Lieuten- A devoted Member.
ant.
Congratula-
tions to these fine members of Civil Air (Continued from page 7) CAC, Wing Conf
Patrol. Your dedication and accom- more said than done." We don't want
plishments make us all very proud. to fall into that trap. These activities
Karen Varian, PAO and increased input from the cadets
Machias Valley Composite Sq. through their CAC should promote
more interest and involvement, thus
success, in Maine Wing. Please let
Waterville Composite me know if you have any questions.
Thank you.
Squadron
In news from the Waterville Composite Mitch Sammons Col. CAP
Squadron, cadets and seniors have Commander - Maine Wing
recently been recognized for achieve-
5
An important component of the Wing
Conference is the presentation of
awards to acknowledge and thank
those members who have performed
their CAP duties in an exemplary man-
ner and/or helped others learn and
grow by their example in the calendar
year 2003. The categories of awards
are: Eagle Award ( for the member
demonstrating Exceptional Service)
Guy Gannett Public Affairs Award,
Maj Maddox Communicator of the
Year, Maurice Cantor Service Award
(for the jack of all trades member who
gets whatever needs doing done), Pro-
fessional Development Officer of the
Year, Richard MacDonald Emergency
Services Award Safety Officer of the
Year, Senior Member of the Year,
Squadron Commander of the Year,
Sustained Excellence Award (for that
member with most remarkable persis-
tence and perseverance), Wing Staff
Member of the Year, Commander's
Commendation and Certificates of Ap-
preciation. All seniors and cadets may
submit as many nominations as they
wish (however cadets may not be
nominated). Please send in your nomi-
nations to MEWG CAP HQ (P.O. Box
5006, Augusta ME 04332-5006) identi-
fying the award category, the nomi-
nee's name, your name and the rea-
sons you feel your nominee should re-
ceive the award. If for some reason
you do not want your endorsement
made public on the website please in-
dicate in your submission. Alterna-
tively, you can enter your nominations
on-line by going to the Wing website
and clicking on the "Nominations" link.
To see who has been nominated so
far, click on "Nominees". The closing
date for receipt of all nominations will
be March 15, 2004 as the award com-
mittee will meet to review and select
the award winners at the Wing work
session 3/16/04.
1LT Wayne McKinney
MEWG Administrative Assistant
The following squadrons had no re-
ports: County Senior, Bangor–
Brewer, Pinetree, Sundown and
Downeast.
(Continued from page 1) Winter Survival 2004
airborne missile. Topics ranged
widely on Aerospace, CAP Regula-
tions, Navigation,
and, of course, a
review of what we
had learned about
survival that morn-
ing. Sleeping was
a challenge. Our
campsite was lo-
cated about 1000
or 1500 yards
abeam and west of
runway 16-34 of
the ANG Base.
About 3AM some-
body out over the
Atlantic needed
some gas as they
were departing from or returning to
the US. Consequently, starting about
3 AM and continuing for about 4 sor-
ties, KC135 tankers departed to meet
the refueling requirements. Now,
sleeping through that takeoff noise
resembled a level 5 tornado passing
through your shelter. You get a lot of
practice falling asleep over and over.
Finally, dawn arrived along with light
snow. After packing gear and polic-
ing the area several times to make
sure the campsite was left as pristine
as we found it, we headed back to
the Mess Hall to share what we had
learned. After appropriate answers,
Major Higgins handed out the Certifi-
cates of Completion. Major Higgins
had some very capable assistants to
help keep the 30 cadets following
proper routine. They were 2ndLt. Jeff
Furlong (CCCS), Capt. Jeff Fellows
(Aug) and 1st Lt. Peter Kleskovik
(Aug). A survival school such as this
needs lots of help and these three
were excellent as they assisted Major
Higgins in maintaining proper dignity
and protocol with all hands. As a
newcomer to the CAP, I have found
the cadet program to be outstanding
for what it teaches cadets in disci-
pline, teamwork and consideration for
others. This quasi-military approach
results in certain additional life-
lessons rarely found in other high
school programs. For me, the 2004
Winter Survival School was invalu-
able. I learned what minimal equip-
ment of least
weight I need to
carry in my aircraft
to survive a cold
night in the Maine
Woods, and while
such an overnight
is not a pleasant
prospect, having
the proper knowl-
edge now makes
such an event
seem survivable.
Every pilot, CAP or
otherwise, should
take this course.
It’s the cheapest
insurance policy a pilot could buy.
Safety
Recently there was a Wing Com-
manders' teleconference call with
Major General Bowling and others on
his staff. As you know, there have
already been some serious accidents
including two fatalities involving CAP
members and aircraft. There is great
concern at National over what we all
have to do to make the cultural
change that is apparently necessary
in order to have each member al-
ways think of the aspect of SAFETY
when in service for CAP as well as in
personal activities. Some sugges-
tions that were made include the po-
tential for instituting the following re-
quirements that we may hear more
of from CAPNHQ - Mandatory atten-
dance for pilots at monthly Squadron
Safety meetings. No attendance...no
fly. Mandatory involvement in the
FAA Wings Program for Pilots. On-
line safety quiz at Wing level - all
members. It is up to all of us in
Maine Wing to always defer to safety
considerations and to have it be-
come an instinctive reaction to think
of safe operations when we are in-
volved in the potentially hazardous
activities of this second vocation we
6
have agreed to undertake. You will be
hearing more of these developments
to strengthen safe operations in the
future. In the meantime...please think
before acting and then please act in a
safe manner.
Thank you.
Mitch Sammons Col. CAP
This is a note mostly for the Com-
posite Squadrons – Important
The "official" announcements for the
Maine Wing Conference will soon be
out.
(1.) Please let me know if your squad-
ron will be submitting any displays for
the conference and, perhaps, for the
Northeast Region Conference. A no-
tice had been sent to all that was initi-
ated from NER which described what
sorts of displays they were looking for
this Fall. The essence of the notice
was that they would like to have dis-
plays which would bolster the aspect
of safety or safe operations with the
theme "Safety in all that we do". The
next competition that will happen is
the Aerospace Display Competition
with the theme of "The Most Innova-
tive and Inspirational"...a hands-on
educational activity display. The for-
mat appears to be an activity/inter-
active game or puzzle type of display.
(I would think that with all the com-
puter guru's that are in the cadet
ranks, they should be able to come
up with some clever video game or
interactive visual game or puzzle.) If
you did not keep a copy of the NER
guidelines, let me know and I will
send them to you.
(2.) There will be a Speech Competi-
tion for Cadets at our conference this
year, as well. Please submit the
names of those who would like to
compete in this event to me by 31,
March. There will be three topics for
the speeches. These topics will be
determined at the next Maine Wing
Staff Meeting (3 March) and will be
sent to the squadrons for their plan-
ning.
(3.) Maine Wing has encouraged and
provided increased support for the
(Continued on page 7)

Arlington, VA Ten cadets and three
senior members from Maine Wing’s
Machias and St Croix Squadrons
headed south on December 16th to
the Arlington National Cemetery to
participate in the annual laying of
Christmas Wreaths on the veterans’
graves the following day. “The cadets
did an outstanding job and were a
credit to the Civil Air Patrol” said Capt
Wayne Merritt, the Machias Squad-
ron Commander. “Seeing our CAP
cadets drew comments of praise from
the public and from the Air Force Re-
servists who were also there to help”
added Lt Col. James Greenlaw the
Croix Squadron Commander.
The inspiration for this trip came from
sister squadron to Machias, and re-
Maine Wing ceived the same resounding "yes"
Annual Conference from their squadron commander Lt
Col James Greenlaw.
2004 Joined by Capt Dennis Murray of St
April 23rd-25th Croix, Lt Col Greenlaw and Capt
Merritt and ten cadets drove for a
Chalet Motel solid twelve hours and rendez-
Lewiston, Maine voused with the Worchester Wreath
Be There! company truck in Arlington. To-
You might win.
gether all the volunteers laid
4,500 – 5,000 wreaths that day.
The cadets and seniors also wit-
Capt Wayne Merritt’s boss Morrill nessed the wreath ceremony at the
Worchester of the Worchester Wreath Tomb of the Unknowns.
Company in Machias, Maine. As a Maj. Christopher Hayden MEWG/
young man his father had taken him PA
to Arlington and that visit had such a
profound affect on him he decided he
would find a way to repay the debt to
those who gave their lives so we (Continued from page 6) CAC, Wing conf
could enjoys ours. And so, every year Cadet Honor Guard program. So,
for the past eleven years, Morrill Wor- too, do we want to see increased
chester has placed his company’s activity in the Cadet Advisory
wreaths on the graves of veterans at Council. There will be a meeting of
Arlington. This year Morrill Wor- the CAC at the Wing Conference.
chester felt it would be appropriate to Please so notify the cadet who
ask Capt Merritt if his squadron would represents your squadron in the
CAC of this meeting. Please send
the name, phone number and e-
mail address of your CAC represen-
tative to me as soon as possible. If
you do not have an assigned CAC
representative by now...assign one.
The CAC needs to have more of an
opportunity to express what they
would like to see happen in the
Maine Wing Cadet Program and to
be able to see that their ideas are
like to join him and participate in the made into reality. It is up to them,
wreath laying. It didn’t take Capt Mer- with our support, to see that hap-
ritt long to say "yes" and start contact- pen. There's an old saying: "When
ing the cadets and seniors. He also all is said and done...there's a lot
put in a call to St Croix Squadron, the (Continued on page 5)
7
 Headquarters NONPROFIT ORG.
Civil Air Patrol, Maine Wing U.S. POSTAGE
PO Box 5006 PAID
Augusta, ME 04332-5006 PORTLAND ME
PERMIT NO 203

Melrose. It was an honor to be able

Commanders Corner and I thank our Wing Director of Home-
land Security, Col. Jim Linker, for his to do so, and we are very fortunate to
help in those meetings. Major Chris have Col. Joseph Melrose and his
Because of storms, we have had to Hayden arranged for us to meet with wife Maj. Anne Melrose perform our
cancel training sessions for January the Portland Transit Authority and the radio NET requirements as well as to
and February which hasn’t helped to Downeast Patrol Squadron has been assist Major Pellerin in the difficult
keep our skills in tune or to allow instrumental in arranging for closer ties task of maintaining our radio systems
members to complete their training to with the Hancock County E.M.A. We and records. We sincerely thank
achieve the ES ratings they have need to continue to make those kinds them for their commitment to the suc-
been working on for so long. But, of connections in order to ensure that cess of Maine Wing. Like everything,
hang in there…Spring will be on us Maine Wing will be able to bring its it sometimes seems that we can get
and those opportunities will be there skills to the table should an incident distracted by the smaller incidents
for you again. We may be seeing require our help. All of these agencies that can cause frustration and the ex-
some interesting joint training ses- are planning on training exercises this asperated thought of “Who needs
sions this year. I have had the Spring and Summer and we expect to this?” But we need to remember that
chance to meet with the Department be invited to their parties. Please try to anything that has any worth to it is
of Environmental Protection, the attend the 2004 Maine Wing Confer- usually achieved by hard work and is
Maine State Strategic National Stock- ence on the weekend of 24 April at the not an easy accomplishment. We can
pile Agency, Life Flight of Maine, as Chalet Motel (same location as last all agree that the core values of the
well as the Director of the Hancock year) in Lewiston. As you know, the Civil Air Patrol mean to achieve
County Emergency Management Cumberland County Composite strong character traits and provide
Agency and the Portland Transit Au- Squadron is the host squadron, this good examples for our future genera-
thority to discuss the ways Maine year, and it should be one of the best tions. This is a good program to see
Wing can help them in their security conferences to date. Details are forth- in action and you members of Maine
efforts. The meetings with the Maine coming, watch for those announce- Wing make it happen.
State agencies of D.E.P. and the S. ments. This past month, Major Pellerin Col Mitchell Sammons
N.S. have already resulted in our be- and I had a chance to present the 50 Wing commander
ing written in to their response plans year membership award to Col. Joseph