Civil Air Patrol using appearance in parade to recruit

Nearly two dozen members of the Civil Air Patrol's Trail of Tears Composite Squadron will march in Monday's SEMO District Fair parade.

It's one way of letting residents know about the U.S. Air Force auxiliary and recruit new members, according to Sara Bohnert, the senior cadet commander.

Sam Riehn, who will turn 17 Monday, said being a cadet since 2003 has helped him lose 30 pounds and develop self-discipline. He's attended national leadership workshops, a national glider academy in Mattoon, Ill., and has graduated from the Civil Air Patrol's National Emergency Services Academy.

"I want to serve my country," said Riehn, the squadron's cadet commander.

He said leadership skills start with attending weekly two-hour meetings, which include aerospace education, physical training, marching drills and passing uniform inspections. Weeklong summer encampments at U.S. Air Force bases gives cadets a taste of military life. Riehn grins when he talks about getting up at 5:30 a.m. to make his bed inspection-worthy in less than three minutes before heading to a 45-second shower.

"It builds character," he said. "But unlike the military, our cadets can't yell at others or make them drop and do 10 push-ups."

Since joining the Civil Air Patrol, his shyness has dissipated.

"I've spoken to four-star generals and audiences of hundreds of people," he said.

During World War II, Civil Air Patrol members patrolled the U.S. coast, spotting 173 submarines, attacking 57, hitting 10 and sinking two. CAP pilots flew more than 24 million miles; 64 members died in the line of duty. In 1943, the Civil Air Patrol became a U.S. Army Air Forces auxiliary. One year after the U.S. Air Force was designated as a separate armed service in 1947, the Civil Air Patrol was named its official civilian auxiliary.

Today, adults serve as senior members, helping cadets ages 12 to 21 learn the ropes. Search skills have shifted from enemy watercraft to domestic search-and-rescue operations for lost planes and hikers. In 1986, the Civil Air Patrol won congressional endorsement to work on anti-drug missions, though no one locally has been certified for that, according to Neil LaVanchy, senior commander of the Trail of Tears squadron.

Among the squadron's equipment is a Cessna 170, kept at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, and a van.

The plane recently transported Cape Girardeau's postmaster to Jefferson City in a homeland security exercise. The Civil Air Patrol can also help transport emergency medical supplies, LaVanchy said. He joined the squadron with his son, Micah, in 2001.

Micah LaVanchy, now 19, earned his private pilot's license and became a cadet colonel before leaving home to attend Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., to study aviation.

The group's honors include being named 2006 squadron of the year for the state and national squadron of merit for 2005 and 2006.

Neil LaVanchy said graduation and military service has dropped membership from a high of more than 50 adult and cadet members in spring to 26 senior members and 20 cadets.

To learn more about the Trail of Tears Composite Squadron, visit www.mocap127.com, call (573) 243-7542 or attend the squadron's 7 p.m. Thursday meeting at Fruitland Community Church, 6040 U.S. 61 North in Fruitland. Annual membership costs about $35 for cadets and $50 for adults.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127