BROOKINGS – Big Sioux Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) dedicated its new outdoor flagpole during a ceremony open to the public on Sept. 23. The ceremony took place at at Big Sioux’s squadron building, located at 413 W. Second St. S., Brookings.
Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force, providing local, state, tribal and national agencies with air and ground operational mission support, fostering aerospace education, and offering a youth program, known as the Cadet Program.
Big Sioux was awarded a grant for the new flagpole from the Mary Chilton DAR Foundation and the Mary Chilton Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) earlier this year. Judy Goetz, regent of the Mary Chilton Chapter, along with a color guard composed of three cadets from Big Sioux, dedicated the new flagpole. The cadets participating in the ceremony were C/Chief Master Sergeant Mitchell Trias, C/Senior Airman Levi Murray, and C/Airman 1st Class Joshua Lindell. Both Goetz and 1st Lieutenant Rudy Trias, Big Sioux’s deputy commander of cadets, spoke during the ceremony after the American flag was raised.
“The Mary Chilton DAR Foundation and the Mary Chilton Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution were honored to be able to provide the new flagpole,” Goetz said. “We consider our missions of patriotism, historic preservation and education when awarding grants. The grant for the Civil Air Patrol fit into those missions perfectly.”
With the new flagpole, Big Sioux’s cadets will have more opportunities to learn and practice American flag etiquette. “Thanks to Judy and her entire DAR organization for the wonderful donation that helped finally put a U.S. flag pole in front of our Squadron Building,” said Trias, Big Sioux’s deputy commander of cadets. “It’s been a long-time goal of ours to establish one to honor our country, respect our past and present Americans, and teach the CAP cadets the proper way to put up and take down the flag during operation as well as train for Color Guard competitions.”
Big Sioux Composite Squadron meets every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at 413 W. Second St. S, Brookings. Adults (18-plus) interested in becoming involved with Civil Air Patrol may contact the squadron commander via email at Tyler.Gross@sdwg.cap.gov. Youth interested in joining the cadet program (over age 12, but younger than 18) may contact Trias via email at Rudy.Trias@sdwg.cap.gov.
