Wednesday, October 30, 2002
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Wednesday, October 30, 2002 |
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Local cadet awarded top Civil Air Patrol honor
Brett Matcheck, 17, of Peachtree City, a senior at Starr's Mill High School, and a member of Civil Air Patrol, has received the General Carl Spaatz Award, the highest and most prestigious award in the CAP cadet program. The award was presented to Cadet Matcheck by Brigadier General Richard L. Bowling, National Commander of CAP. The ceremony took place Oct. 5 during the CAP Southeast Region Conference in Marietta. The young cadet colonel, a member of CAP since Oct. 1996, comes from a Civil Air Patrol family. His mother and father, uncle, older brother and younger sister have all served in CAP uniform, and except for his mother, all of the Matchecks got their start in CAP ranks as cadets. Matcheck has also been promoted to the rank of cadet colonel, the highest rank a CAP cadet can earn. The new cadet colonel has just completed a one year term as cadet commander of the Peachtree City - Falcon Field Squadron of CAP. Among his many accomplishments in the CAP cadet program, last summer Matcheck participated in the International Air Cadet Exchange, spending two weeks in The Netherlands. Matcheck has set goals for himself to attend the United States Air Force Academy and to become an Air Force fighter pilot. He has currently logged 75 hours of flying time as a civilian private pilot. When he is not flying, young Matcheck participates in track and cross-country at school, enjoys snow skiing, SCUBA diving and working on his car. Asked who was the one person who helped him most in CAP, Matcheck replied "Lt. Col. Phil Casha." Colonel Casha lives in Peachtree City and is a well respected former Squadron Commander of the Peachtree City - Falcon Field Squadron. Asked "What has CAP done for you?" Matcheck said that "CAP has given me leadership opportunities and experience, learning to put service before self, and to aim for excellence in everything you do." Cadet Colonel Matcheck and current popular squadron commander Major Vince Murray invite all interested young people ages 12 to 18 (or in 6th grade) to come visit the local CAP Squadron. The unit meets every Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at Heritage Christian Church at 2130 Redwine Rd., Fayetteville. There are always openings and opportunities for young people and adult volunteers. Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U. S. Air Force.
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