FLWG Encampment 1987 & 2018

Started by Stonewall, December 31, 2018, 03:32:37 PM

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Stonewall

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.
Serving since 1987.

NIN

Why is there no "LIKE" button on this.

I mean, seriously: this is awesome.
Darin Ninness, Col, CAP
I have no responsibilities whatsoever
I like to have Difficult Adult Conversations™
The contents of this post are Copyright © 2007-2024 by NIN. All rights are reserved. Specific permission is given to quote this post here on CAP-Talk only.

TeamBronx

Serendipity at its finest.

baronet68

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!!!
Michael Moore, Lt Col, CAP
National Recruiting & Retention Manager

OldGuy

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!

Okayish Aviator

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.
Always give 100%, unless you're giving blood.


Stonewall

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?
Serving since 1987.

Okayish Aviator

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.
Always give 100%, unless you're giving blood.