Jim Griggs, Captain, CAP
Deputy Commander / Seniors IL-049
(Photos: SM Matt Sky, IL049)
Palwaukee Composite Squadron held it's annual holiday party 06 December at the Northbrook Radisson Hotel. Of the approximately 70 people that attended the party, there were officials from the Villages of Prospect Heights and Wheeling IL, the Chicago Executive Airport, and CAP.
Guest of Honor was Congressman Mark Kirk (10th Dist), who awarded the Disaster Relief ribbon with 'V' device to 18 members of Group 22, aided by it's Commander, Major Robert Williams. The award stemmed from the CAP mission on 13 September in Prospect Heights IL, which saw the CAP members assisting with flood mitigation efforts. The activity was subsequently declared a federal disaster area, as was a large portion of the Congressman's district. The Honorable Mr. Kirk was himself onscene during the mitigation efforts, filling sandbags and personally surveying the affected area. At the dinner, he also took time to present the Air Force Association Award and the Air Force Sergeants Association Award to Palwaukee Squadron cadets.
Palwaukee Squadron Commander, 1st Lt. Scott Murphy, gave a video presentation of the past year's accomplishments by it's members, and spoke of it's current initiative to build a new permanent facility. Deputy Commanders Major Robert Dempsey, and Captain JIm Griggs presented awards to outstanding members in both programs, and offered thanks to the committed members who make the unit so successful.
After the award ceremony was concluded, Great Lakes Region Vice-Commander, Colonel Robert Karton, inducted Congressman Kirk into the Legislative Squadron of CAP. During his acceptance remarks, the Congressman mentioned that his own flight experiences began in a Cessna 172 at Palwaukee Airport, currently Chicago Executive Airport. He also expressed how amazed he was during the September mission with how quickly CAP responded to the local communities need, and how impressed he was with what CAP had to offer his district.
Many thanks to Congressman Kirk, Colonel Karton, Major Williams, Lt. Murphy, and to all the attendees for making this a successful evening. Attendees from Group 22 HQ and other units also made this a memorable event, showing the honored guests that we are all one big CAP family.
