NERPA505 Update

Greetings from the Ice Cap (Scandia Road)!

(1) The main thrust of this update to get us all fired up for our upcoming Open House on Tuesday! I want to encourage all of our members to make a contact list of people they want to invite to the open house, then call or invite them in person. This is an important day for us, because it kicks off our Spring recruiting drive, and because our squadron's first Billy Mitchell cadet is being recognized by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. This is not just an accomplishment for C/2 Lt. Matheny, it is an accomplishment for the entire squadron. Evan worked hard to get where he is, but he understands that he would not be there without all of you!
(2) Major Wedge plans to attend the open house, and has agreed to test all cadets who are ready. So far, I am aware that at least two cadets plan to test. I would like to hear that three more are ready. If you plan to test, and have not informed me, please let me know so I can inform Maj. Wedge. The uniform of the day is Class B blues for cadets and blues or the CAP Corporate uniform for senior members.

Semper Vigilans! See you Tuesday! Don't forget to invite your friends! There will be refreshments and snacks provided.
--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PAWG, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

Welcome to 505!

Congratulations, and welcome to Senior Member Alan Fuller!  SM Fuller received his CAPID number from CAP NHQ today.  Everyone be sure to give him an enthusiastic welcome at the next meeting!

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PAWG, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

Recruiting Documents

To the 505 Recruiting Team (that's everybody!).  I have uploaded a few documents to help get ready for the Open House on 2 Mar. You can view, download, and/or print the following by clicking on them: Open House Invitation; "Virtual Relaity" poster;  Civil Air Patrol Fact Sheet;  CAP Major Accomplishments.  Make as many copies as you need and don't forget to add your contact information to them!

Semper Vigilans!  See you at the Open House!

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PAWG, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

Welcome to 505!

Congratulations, and welcome to C/AB Bryan Johnson!  C/AB Johnson received his CAPID number from CAP NHQ today.  Everyone be sure to give him an enthusiastic welcome at the next meeting!

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PAWG, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

NERPA 505 Update

Greetings 505, from Westover ARB, MA! CISM classes are excellent. I look forward to sharing some of what I've learned with you.

(1) Tuesday is Aerospace Education emphasis. The uniform of the day is BDUs. The cadet staff has some other training planned as well.

(2) We've had two more adults submit applications for membership, Brad and Nicole Peterson, the parents of Jason and Natalie. Welcome to 505, Brad & Nicole! We look forward to serving with you!

(3) We'll keep an eye on the weather. A major system is heading our way, but it remains to be seen what it will bring to us. Ground teams should check their packs and other equipment. We will plan to have an inspection on a Tuesday in March.

(4) We had to schedule our Spring Open House for March 2. I know that is soon, but it is the only evening that Rep. Kathy Rapp will be available to present C/2Lt Matheny's Billy Mitchell citation. I will still attempt to arrange a visit to Beaty before the Open House. Our Spring Recruiting Drive starts now!

Semper Vigilans!

See you Tuesday!

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PAWG, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

Chaplain Matheny Out of Town 19-22 Feb.

I plan to be out of town 19-22 Feb., attending CISM training at Westover AFB, MA, and hope to be home Monday evening, God willing.  I can be contacted via email or cell phone/text message (8146886940) if needed.

Blessings to all,
Randy

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PAWG, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

Radio Operator's Class at Erie Composite Squadron

Cadets,  please remember to ask your parents if you can attend the Radio Operator's class in Erie on 13 Mar.  You will need to read the regulations referenced below before attending the class.  The letter announcing the class is also linked below.  I need to hear from each of you by this Thursday, 18 Feb., if you have permission to attend so I can get you pre registered.

Click on the documents to read or download them:  (1) CAPR 100-1, (2) CAPR 100-3, (3) ROA announcement.

I will review the class material with you during a squadron meeting, before we go to the ROA class.  If you have problems viewing or downloading the documents, let me know and I will print copies for you.

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PAWG, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

NERPA505 Update

Greetings, 505! Time for another reminder for some of the things we do to ready ourselves to serve our community, state, and nation. One of the first things we learn when we become part of CAP is that when we are not on an actual mission, we are in training. That means we do a lot of training! Considering some of the special things we learn to do, especially flying in search aircraft and ground search and rescue, maintaining a high level of readiness through training is necessary.

(1) Tuesday is PT and drill emphasis night. The uniform of the day is BDUs and appropriate exercise clothing to change into. Remember that we are a mixed group of boys and girls, so please make an effort to dress modestly. We are still expected to model the core values of Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence, and Respect, even when doing PT and exercise.
(2) We have been blessed to pick up one senior member this month, Mr. Alan Fuller, whom some of us were privileged to meet during our squadron dinner. His application has been submitted and is awaiting processing. Welcome, Mr. Fuller, to 505! We are happy to have you with us!
(3) As we have already noted, one of our senior members has informed us that he is unable to renew his membership, so our manpower will still be at 14. We can only accept this as a temporary situation, especially since minimum manpower for a composite squadron is 16. Let's do everything we can to recruit four or five new members, cadets or seniors, as soon as we can! For those of you who attend Beaty, I will try to arrange another visit soon. I will inform you in advance so you can tell some of your friends.
(4) It would be great to take some cadets to the Cadet Conference on Saturday, 17 April. Applications will be available at the next meeting, or you can download one by clicking here.

Semper Vigilans!

See you Tuesday!
--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PAWG, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

Weather Update

As you probably know already, the Winter Weather Watch has been downgraded to a Winter Weather Advisory, in effect until 7:00 pm Wednesday.  It does not look like the forecast will change before meeting time, however, the dark blue "warning" section on the map at http://www.uswx.com/us/wx/ seems to keep creeping closer to us.  Tonight's meeting is still scheduled, unless the Advisory becomes a Warning, or Capt. Hagberg determine otherwise.

Rule of thumb for driving in any kind of weather:  If you feel it is unsafe to drive, don't.

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PAWG, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

Correction to the Earlier NERPA505 Update

As you could probably tell from the time stamp on the earlier 505 Update, I was typing with one eye open and the other closed.  We will cancel the Tuesday meeting only if the Winter Storm Watch becomes a Winter Storm Warning before the meeting, or is very likely to become a warning during the meeting.  Sorry for the confusion.  I'll keep you posted on changes of which I become aware.

You may be interested in signing up for email and/or text alerts by setting up an account at https://alert.pa.gov.  I've found this service useful many times, including a few times last year during baseball, soccer and football seasons.

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PAWG, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom

NERPA505 Update

Greetings, 505!  We completed our first Group Inspector General visit last Tuesday.  We do not have the results yet, but it seems that we did fairly well.  The Group 6 team pointed out some areas of improvement that we will begin working on right away.

Congratulations to Cadet Evan Matheny for achieving the Billy Mitchell Achievement Award!  His promotion to Cadet Second Lieutenant is effective immediately.  According to the congratulations message that he received from National Headquarters, the Billy Mitchell Award places him in the top 15% of cadets nationwide.  Thanks to Major Chuck Wedge for administering the final part of the exam to him on Tuesday night.  Hopefully, we will be able to have a new testing officer soon so testing can resume for all cadets.  In the meantime, keep studying and working hard towards your next milestone award!

(1) "931 PM EST SUN FEB 7 2010 ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING..."  We will keep an eye on the Winter Storm Watch.  If it remains in effect on Tuesday evening then, per our policy, our meeting will be canceled unless otherwise determined by Captain Hagberg.
(2) Tuesday is Character Development and Leadership night.  The uniform of the day is USAF style Class B Blues for cadets, blues or corporate uniform for senior members.

  Semper Vigilans!  

See you Tuesday (weather permitting)!

--
Randall F. Matheny, Chaplain (Capt.)
PAWG, Group 6
Civil Air Patrol
--
kb3mom