Marco Island, FL-- In a time-honored ceremony rooted in military history, the Marco Island Civil Air Patrol conducted a Change of Command between the outgoing commander Lt Col Lee Henderson, who had led the Squadron for four highly successful years, and incoming commander Lt Col Ray Rosenberg.
The ceremony was held March 27 at the Marco Island CAP Hangar at the Marco Island Executive Airport, and was attended by a large contingent of dignitaries, CAP members from the local area and from around the state, and honored guests.
Lt Col Henderson’s accomplishments included the growth of both senior membership and the cadet program, while providing vital community services to Marco Island and Southwest Florida. Supporting the Commander during that period, Deputy Commander Lt Col Rosenberg provided leadership to the Senior Member segment of the Squadron.
The new commander, Lt Col Rosenberg, who retired as a lieutenant colonel from the US Army after 26 years of service, has served the local CAP Squadron as logistics officer and, for the past three years, as deputy commander. He also serves as a volunteer member of the Marco Island Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and is a licensed amateur radio operator.
As the guests assembled, they were entertained with music provided by the 47-piece of the Naples New Horizons Band, directed by Dr. Ken Carper. Major Joseph Wilkins served as Master of Ceremonies and opened the Ceremony with a welcome. The CAP Cadet Color Guard then moved in formation through the parted crowd and presented the colors. Nancy Damico sang the National Anthem; followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation was given by Captain Patricia Lammersfeld.
Major Wilkins introduced these honored guests who each made remarks -- District One Collier County Commissioner Donna Fiala; Marco Island City Council Chairman Frank Recker; and Lt Col Fran Gleockler, Florida Wing Group 5 Commander, who also conducted the change of command ceremony. Other special guests introduced included Dan Summers, Director, Bureau of Emergency Services of Collier County Florida, Bob Tweedie, Manager, Marco Island Executive Airport, Chief Tom Carr, Police Chief City of Marco Island Florida, USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 95 Commander John DeFalco, immediate Past Commander Robert Witte and Flotilla Operations Officer Mary Werres.
Lt Col Fran Gleockler, Florida Wing Group 5 Commander conducted the change of command ceremony in which the flag was passed from the outgoing to the new commander, who each then made remarks.
In addition to the actual change of command ceremony, special awards and recognition were presented to several other members of the Marco Island Squadron. CAP members are all volunteers, and their only “paycheck,” except for a personal feeling of accomplishment attached to their important missions, is recognition by their peers of notable achievements and the award ribbons accompanying them.
Among the highest awards are performances on CAP missions, such as those in support of Homeland Security efforts to suppress illegal drug importation. These are not ordinary missions, as they require a high degree of skill in the art and science of instrument and night flying. Receiving these awards were Capt. Bob MacNeill and Lt Col Bill Paquin. Capt MacNeill has participated in at least 28 counter-drug sorties with Marco's squadron, and earned the counter-drug ribbon with clasp. Lt Col Paquin has participated in at least 12 counterdrug sorties with Marco's squadron, and earned the counter-drug ribbon.
Other award recipients at the Change of Command ceremony were Major Dave Walsh, 10 year Red Service Ribbon award; 2d Lt John DeChellis, 2 year Red Service Ribbon award; Capt Richard Farmer, 2 year Red Service Ribbon award; and 2d Lt Ed Crane, 2 year Red Service Ribbon award and Certificate of Appreciation. CAP Cadet George Sherman was promoted to Cadet Master Sergeant.
The ceremony was concluded with a final award presented to the Marco Island Squadron as a whole for Safety Achievement -- No Incident Year for 2009 (airplane, auto and personnel). This was recognition by CAP National Headquarters and presented by the Group 5 Commander Lt Col Fran Gleockler.
Major Wilkins then adjourned the ceremony and everyone proceeded to a barbeque lunch cooked and served by Squadron members under the leadership of Dave Walsh and Ed Crane with much help from wives and friends.
The Marco Island Senior Squadron was chartered in September 1981 as Unit FL-376 of the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the United States Air Force. The squadron’s missions are threefold: (1) emergency services, (2) aerospace education and (3) cadet programs. Perhaps best known for search and rescue efforts, CAP flies more than 85% of all inland search-and-rescue missions as directed by the Air Force.
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