CAP Talk

General Discussion => Hysterical History => Topic started by: Stonewall on December 31, 2018, 03:32:37 PM

Title: FLWG Encampment 1987 & 2018
Post by: Stonewall on December 31, 2018, 03:32:37 PM
This is nuts.

I joined CAP in January 1987 when a neighbor friend I had known since 1980 recruited me. Later that year the two of us attended one of Florida Wing's three encampments, this one at Tyndall AFB in August. We earned our Mitchell Awards and have remained lifelong friends, seeing each other every few years. In fact, in 2003 I was a CAP Squadron Commander and he was a CW3 Kiowa Warrior Pilot at Bragg and hosted my squadron for a visit from Virginia. We also linked up at our 10 and 20 year high school reunions.

Fast forward to December 2018.

Saturday I dropped my cadet at Florida Wing's winter encampment at Camp Blanding. Unknowingly, my old friend from my cadet days was dropping his cadet off, too.  We were visiting Jacksonville over Christmas and decided to take advantage of this encampment opportunity.  Meanwhile, my buddy was thinking and doing the same thing. We came from Ohio and they came from Alabama, and CAP brought us all to Camp Blanding, albeit unknowingly.

Ironically, it wasn't until I posted a pic of my cadet headed to check-in to Facebook that he saw it and said "hey, we were there too!" So we missed each other and our cadets have no idea about this, so at graduation we'll meet up and introduce them.

Bottom line:

1987: Cadets Bowden and Grimes attend their first encampment together in Florida.

2018: Cadets Bowden and Grimes attend their first encampment together in Florida.
Title: Re: FLWG Encampment 1987 & 2018
Post by: NIN on December 31, 2018, 03:55:48 PM
Why is there no "LIKE" button on this.

I mean, seriously: this is awesome.
Title: Re: FLWG Encampment 1987 & 2018
Post by: TeamBronx on December 31, 2018, 05:40:48 PM
Serendipity at its finest.
Title: Re: FLWG Encampment 1987 & 2018
Post by: baronet68 on December 31, 2018, 10:24:44 PM
Quote from: Stonewall on December 31, 2018, 03:32:37 PM
Bottom line:

1987: Cadets Bowden and Grimes attend their first encampment together in Florida.

2018: Cadets Bowden and Grimes attend their first encampment together in Florida.

This... Is... AWESOME!!!
Title: Re: FLWG Encampment 1987 & 2018
Post by: OldGuy on January 01, 2019, 12:45:33 AM
Quote from: NIN on December 31, 2018, 03:55:48 PM
Why is there no "LIKE" button on this.

I mean, seriously: this is awesome.
What he said. Really. Awesome. Hope to see a repeat in another 40 years!
Title: Re: FLWG Encampment 1987 & 2018
Post by: Okayish Aviator on November 21, 2020, 12:02:39 AM
Quote from: Stonewall on December 31, 2018, 03:32:37 PM1987: Cadets Bowden and Grimes attend their first encampment together in Florida.

2018: Cadets Bowden and Grimes attend their first encampment together in Florida.


Oh god, Bowden AND Grimes? Those kids were both a hoot. I think I may have a picture of Grimes at O-Flights.
Title: Re: FLWG Encampment 1987 & 2018
Post by: Stonewall on November 22, 2020, 12:31:37 AM
Quote from: Okayish Aviator on November 21, 2020, 12:02:39 AM
Quote from: Stonewall on December 31, 2018, 03:32:37 PM1987: Cadets Bowden and Grimes attend their first encampment together in Florida.

2018: Cadets Bowden and Grimes attend their first encampment together in Florida.


Oh god, Bowden AND Grimes? Those kids were both a hoot. I think I may have a picture of Grimes at O-Flights.

Which Bowden and Grimes? Old or young?
Title: Re: FLWG Encampment 1987 & 2018
Post by: Okayish Aviator on November 26, 2020, 06:30:49 PM
Quote from: Stonewall on November 22, 2020, 12:31:37 AM
Quote from: Okayish Aviator on November 21, 2020, 12:02:39 AM
Quote from: Stonewall on December 31, 2018, 03:32:37 PM1987: Cadets Bowden and Grimes attend their first encampment together in Florida.

2018: Cadets Bowden and Grimes attend their first encampment together in Florida.


Oh god, Bowden AND Grimes? Those kids were both a hoot. I think I may have a picture of Grimes at O-Flights.

Which Bowden and Grimes? Old or young?

From 2018. I managed the O-Flights for ENC that year and it was pretty interesting.