25 years of service and still going

ironputts · December 08, 2016, 02:01:18 PM

Hello to all!

I am celebrating my 25th year in CAP on December 10. I have no regrets and cherish the many wonderful times I have had with this organization. I was introduced to CAP during my two week Army Reserve encampment in 1991 at Ft. Dix, NJ. I saw all the cadets marching at their summer camp and wanted to know who they were and their mission. I talked with several senior members and eventually joined a local squadron. I have been in several squadrons since and worked at group and wing.
Many have written on CAPTALK about why they would stay with this organization. I would be lying if I didn't say I thought that many times myself. In the end, it was my initial goal when I came to this organization and that was working with cadets and the leadership building/moral leadership of the Cadet Programs. I have enjoyed working with other senior members and keeping the squadrons going.
I smile when I think when I first started I had many visions of where I could go with this organization. In the end, I feel very comfortable at the local squadron. I have seen many generations of cadets come and go. I ran into one of my earlier cadets and he is a father of three children who are now in CAP. He thanked me for what I did for him and helped pay for ice cream for me and my family. I thanked him and told him it was I who owed him. He and all the cadets gave me such purpose and it was nice to see he continued with the same goal as mine.
This organization is more aligned with the Air Force which I believe is a good sign. In the end, though, we are a civilian organization with many great missions and I will continue to support them the best I can. I hope to make it to 50 years and still working with young cadets in a squadron. I will always remain grateful for this opportunity and extend to all of you Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

THRAWN · December 08, 2016, 02:11:34 PM

Greg, having stomped on some of the same sand, I wish you well for another 25!

NIN · December 08, 2016, 02:45:14 PM

Greg

Thanks for the first 25 years, looking forward to the next

Chappie · December 08, 2016, 04:21:10 PM

Greg....outstanding!!! Thank you for your past, present, and continued service.

dwb · December 08, 2016, 10:15:27 PM

Just finished my 24th year. Looking forward to that 25-year longevity device on my Red Service next year!

Storm Chaser · December 09, 2016, 01:03:53 AM

Congratulations! And thank you for your years of service.

PHall · December 09, 2016, 01:21:01 AM

Rookie!!!! Just renewed for the 37th time. Don't ask me why, I think it's pure habit by now!

And congrats for the 25 years.

SarDragon · December 09, 2016, 02:48:23 AM

Quote from: PHall on December 09, 2016, 01:21:01 AM
Rookie!!!! Just renewed for the 37th time. Don't ask me why, I think it's pure habit by now!
And congrats for the 25 years.

N00b. In April, I will finish my 47th year of membership. February will mark the 53rd anniversary of my first joining.

PHall · December 09, 2016, 04:35:14 AM

Quote from: SarDragon on December 09, 2016, 02:48:23 AM
Quote from: PHall on December 09, 2016, 01:21:01 AM
Rookie!!!! Just renewed for the 37th time. Don't ask me why, I think it's pure habit by now!
And congrats for the 25 years.

N00b. In April, I will finish my 47th year of membership. February will mark the 53rd anniversary of my first joining.

I took a 8 year "sanity" break.

SarDragon · December 09, 2016, 04:43:56 AM

Sanity break? Didn't help much, did it?

You're still short a year, even if you don't count my six year break.

PHall · December 10, 2016, 01:38:05 AM

Quote from: SarDragon on December 09, 2016, 04:43:56 AM
Sanity break? Didn't help much, did it?

You're still short a year, even if you don't count my six year break.

Dave, this my look of concern about you having more time in CAP.

It just means you're older then me too.

SarDragon · December 10, 2016, 02:08:02 AM

Better preserved, too!

PHall · December 10, 2016, 04:20:30 AM

I'm still climbing poles for AT&T at age 60 and you?

ColonelJack · December 10, 2016, 12:15:16 PM

Quote from: SarDragon on December 10, 2016, 02:08:02 AM
Better preserved, too!

And they said all that alcohol would never do one any good ...

Jack

ironputts · December 10, 2016, 02:29:52 PM

I am very impressed with the 75th anniversary video..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxRdZrI7vbA. Thanks for all your comments. Going celebrating today!

Luis R. Ramos · December 10, 2016, 02:55:26 PM

Cool!

:clap:

Damron · December 12, 2016, 02:21:40 PM

Congrats!

Glad you stuck with it, I'm sure there were some challenging periods. Were there any periods where you just took a break rather than quit?

ironputts · December 12, 2016, 08:35:31 PM

Two times. First, for a couple of years but assisted my old squadron until I went to another squadron. The second, I physically moved from north part to middle of state. I found a new squadron. I was there for 11 years and now moved to another squadron in another state. Different people and responsibilities keeps things fresh and my perspective resets to my original goal in advising cadets.