Ten new Cass County cadets successfully completed the Cadet Great Start Program, an orientation and training program for Civil Air Patrol cadets. Cass County offered two weekends, first in July and then in September, for cadets to spend a Friday evening and entire Saturday learning the basics of becoming a Civil Air Patrol cadet. Cadets were educated in topics ranging from becoming acquainted with correct uniform preparation to walking through the review board process. Spending the night at the squadron building and watching a movie rounded out a weekend of great fun for the ten young men completing the Great Start course. Although the main goal for the weekend was to provide new cadets with an exciting introduction to CAP, another remarkable component of the program occurred with the cadet staff acting as teachers for the majority of the course. “What a great way for new cadets to learn the ropes than by their NCO/Officer peers leading them through the process,” said Major Tony Belto. Cadets participating in the program were: C/Amn Jack Conklin, C/Amn Jacob King, C/Amn Jacob Davis, C/AB Kyle Fichtner, C/Amn Ty Humbird, C/Amn Kurt Mathews, C/Amn Carlos Miller, C/Amn Ryland Miller, C/AB Ceasar Swigart, and C/AB Christian Swigart. Cadet teaching staff included: C/Capt Kenna Eggenberger, C/2Lt Daniel Caron, C/2Lt Jordan Hargis, C/2Lt Aaron Hooper, C/TSgt Trenton Eckerle, C/MSgt Genesis Martinez, and C/CMSgt Karra Miller. Seniors assisting for the weekend program were: Major Tony Belto, Major Melinda Berry and Sgt Mike Mudry.

Four Cass County cadets provided honor and prestige to a remarkable event honoring those who have served to protect our country. The Cass County Historical Society hosted the Vietnam Art Exhibit and Veteran’s Recognition on Saturday, January 17, 2009, and the Cass County Composite Squadron Honor Guard presented the colors for the program. About a dozen Vietnam veterans have been interviewed for the Society’s Veterans Oral History Project. Several of these former soldiers briefly shared memorable experiences. Artist James Davis Nelson and photographer Ival Lawhan, Jr., provided vivid displays of their work throughout the Harrisonville Branch Library. Cadets participating in the honor guard were: C/2Lt Jordan Hargis, C/2Lt Daniel Caron, C/CMSgt Karra Miller, and C/A1C Malachi Hargis.