21 June 2008

CIVIL AIR PATROL MEMBERS
MEET PRESIDENT BUSH

MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL AIR PATROL MEET PRESIDENT BUSH

Cedar Rapids, Iowa - Little did Cadet Airman Katelyn Mishmash know when she reported for duty at the Emergency Operations Center in Cedar Rapids, the day would be like no other she's ever experienced.

While manning her duty assignment at the security desk, Airman Mishmash had a once in a lifetime opportunity when she was greeted by President Bush. The President was in town visiting with the citizens of Cedar Rapids, one of the cities hit hardest by the floods, was exiting the operations center when he approached Cadet Mishmash.

"I found myself shaking hands with the President as he was leaving the building and I was very shocked," said Cadet Mishmash. "I actually got to talk to him for about fifteen seconds. He asked how old I was and seemed surprised that I was fifteen. He noticed I was in Civil Air Patrol, and said "Civil Air Patrol, outstanding" and thanked me for my help during the floods. In addition to meeting the President I got to meet the Governor, Lt Governor, the mayor of Iowa City, General Walsh, and several other VIPs. It was very exciting."

Civil Air Patrol Major George Cobley stated, "it was an honor to greet the President and Governor Culver with both words and a firm handshake. But, the real joy was to see Cadet Mishmash when the President stopped and asked her a couple questions and offered her encouragement in her CAP activities. I'll bet she still hasn't found the ground yet. It was great and one of the reasons I like working with cadets." In addition to meeting Major Cobley and Cadet Mishmash the President also greeted Second Lieutenant Michael Dzado and Senior Member Brian Mishmash.

"This experience is one that I will remember for the rest of my life. When I first joined Civil Air Patrol I never imagined I'd be shaking hands with the President of the United States," said Cadet Mishmash.

The Iowa Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with over 340 officers and cadets across the state. Resources include qualified ground and aircrews, CAP aircraft, ground vehicles and communication equipment, distributed across the state for rapid deployment. CAP volunteers also performs homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies.

For more information about the Iowa Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, please contact the Iowa Wing Director of Public Affairs, Captain Christopher Colvin. He can be reached at pa@iawg.cap.gov