Cadet Squadron Members Successfully Complete Sandbag Mission

Having the opportunity to put training into practice feels good to a member of the US Civil Air Patrol. The Parma Cadet Squadron had an opportunity recently to feel really good.

Heavy storms, rain and wind had been pelting the region for days. With flooding threatening residents of northwestern Ohio, Parma Cadets responded to the need with a sandbagging mission.

"We train for moments like these," said 1st Lt Flo McKinley, squadron commander. "There was no hesitation on the part of my family, who are all members of CAP. We jumped at the chance to go!"

As is typical for CAP, everyone rolled up their sleeves and got to work, rank notwithstanding. The flooding of the Maumee River wasn't going to wait for a salute. More than 40 members volunteered for the mission.

The operation was originally supposed to take place in Paulding, but had to be relocated to Ottawa due to rapidly advancing floodwaters. Getting to Ottawa was a mission in itself because roads were closing so fast, authorities couldn't keep up, according to CAP.

At least 25 tons of sand was bagged in Ottawa and that's not counting what was bagged in Paulding.

Lt. Col. Dick Neuwirth of the Defiance Area Composite Squadron, CAP incident commander, described the mission with two words: "Team effort."

"They shoveled, they filled, they did everything they were asked to do," he said. "I transported a couple of cadets who, when asked how they were doing, said they were scared. This was their first mission."

Some of the cadets were only 13 or 14 years old, Neuwirth said.

So appreciative of their efforts were the local residents, they kept the Wing supplied with cold water, ice, hamburgers and pizza.

FMI: www.cap.gov