My middle-school aged daughter expressed interest in joining the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program.  Some of her peers from school and soccer are involved in this program and sparked her interest in it.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with about 61,000 volunteer members nationwide. The local program here in Hilo has about 30 members in it.  The cadet program uses aviation as its cornerstone.  Through this program, members develop leadership skills, learn fundamentals of aerospace science, develop good exercise habits, solidify character, and participate in hands-on activities that prepare them to become responsible citizens. This program also offers numerous academic scholarship opportunities for cadets. The cadet program is open to young people 12-18 years old.

At tonight’s meeting, my daughter learned about aerospace.  I never expected that my daughter would be interested in Civil Air Patrol or anything remotely related to the military.  I even thought that after the meeting, she would come home and say that it wasn’t her thing.  I was wrong.  After the meeting, she was excited about attending next week’s meeting.  Looks like she takes after my Japan-born mother who was in the Jieitai (Japan Self-Defense Forces) in Japan and my Hawaii-born father who was an Airborne Ranger in the U.S. Army.  My parents actually met through their military activities, fell in love, and eventually got married in Alabama.  My daughter’s paternal grandfather was also a proud veteran of the U.S. Army.  In fact, my husband’s uncle was also a veteran.  He served in the Korean War and is a Silver Star recipient for his service to the United States.

If your youth is interested in the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program, you can call the Lyman Field Squadron at 935-6927.  Most meetings are on Wednesday evenings from 5-8 p.m.