“If we have one more Marine, we take over this operation,” said Col. Frank A. Buethe, Civil Air Patrol Southwest Region commander, referring to his own tenure in the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as that of several other Marines in attendance among a packed crowd of CAP officers, cadets and parents at the Sedona Shadows clubhouse on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

It was the first of many jokes shared between officers of the CAP, cadets and their families. The evening, organized by Sedona Shadows resident Major Patrick E. Nixon, would see seven awards presented to the young cadets of Verde Valley Composite Squadron 205, and another two to Glendale cadets.

During his remarks, Buethe quoted President Teddy Roosevelt on character, praising the cadets on developing their work ethic and moral foundation through the CAP.

“Remember that it’s important to continue to have that dedication,” he said, urging each cadet to become “an adult that contributes to your family, your community and your nation.”

To read the full story, see the Friday, Jan. 30, edition of the Sedona Red Rock News.