DENISON, Texas (September 25) – September has been a busy month for the Cadet Color Guard from the Texoma Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol, with performances at the openings of two local high school Homecoming football games in two consecutive weeks (Denison on the 16th and Sherman on the 23rd). And, their work shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

They continue their “tour” of local schools on the 30th at Bells High School, making their third appearance at a Homecoming game in three weeks. This time, however, there will be more work to do: in addition to the Color Guard presenting the colors during the National Anthem, the squadron’s entire Cadet corps has been asked to participate in the Homecoming ceremonies.

Meanwhile, the stadium management at Sherman High School was so delighted with the Color Guard’s performance that they have invited the cadets to present the colors at their next home game on October 7th. That same evening, another request was received for the Color Guard to perform at a ceremony in Denison on October 15.

All of this activity has produced some well-deserved recognition. ”Our Cadets work very hard at practicing and performing their Color Guard duties,” said Texoma Composite Squadron Public Affairs Officer 2d Lt. Michael Bernier. “They understand the importance and honor that come with bearing and presenting our nation’s colors, and they take great pride in what they do. The fact that they received two invitations in one evening, including a repeat appearance, tells me the word about them is getting out into our local communities.”

“So far, all of the Color Guard’s appearances have been in Grayson County, mainly because the squadron is based here,” Bernier continued. “We actually cover an area that includes Cooke and Fannin counties as well. As word about them continues to spread, I am confident we will see a steady flow of requests for our Color Guard to perform throughout the Texoma area.”

The Texoma Composite Squadron’s Color Guard marches into position to present the colors at the Denison High School Homecoming game on September 16, 2011. photo by 2d Lt. Michael Bernier, CAP

For more information about Texoma Composite Squadron, visit www.captexoma.org

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 61,000 members nationwide. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 113 lives in fiscal year 2010. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies.

The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the more than 26,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for 69 years. It is a major partner with Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. For more information on Civil Air Patrol, visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or www.capvolunteernow.com