Winnemucca Mayor Di An Putnam hosted the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet Promotion ceremony Sept. 22 at the National Guard armory.
Seven cadets were promoted from Cadet Basic to Cadet Airman, and Army National Guard Brigadier Gen. Todd Plimpton had the honor of pinning each cadet their new rank. They also received the JF Curry achievement ribbon.
Plimpton gave a speech admiring their devotion to duty and the pride the community takes in their young people. Sixty friends and family were in the audience to give rousing applause, including representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW provided pizza for the teens and everyone in attendance after the ceremony.
CAP Major Jill Thomason and legendary Vietnam War Air Force pilot Leon Franklin have been instructing the cadets on basic military drills and ceremonies as well as aviation skills. The cadets have been doing outstanding service as flag honor guards at Memorial Day and Independence Day celebrations. They will eventually participate in all Civil Air Patrol duties and missions. CAP membership is open to all students age 12 to 19.[[In-content Ad]]