NYW NEWS ONLINE
By Captain Chuck Heath, Commander, Utica Cadet
Squadron
UTICA, NY: The theme for the Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS)
Commanders recent retirement party was based upon the 1960s sitcom Gilligan's
Island.
Brigadier General Clark Speicher (brevet promoted from Colonel) retired
after 30 years of service. Speicher became
a castaway along with members of his family, friends, co-workers and
distinguished visitors on a recent Saturday night after being marooned at
the NEADS fitness center.
NEADS has historically been a strong supporter of Civil Air Patrol, so
members of the Utica Cadet Squadron chose this occasion to give a little
something back. A number of CAP
cadets became the Gilligans and provided manpower support for the event.
They bussed tables, moved beverages and food from staging areas and
helped serve dinner to the myriad of guests in attendance.
The cadets would have given a professional catering staff a run for
their money and positive comments about the caliber of theses young CAP
members were made by many of the castaways, including the Skipper.
Its always an honor to support organizations such as NEADS and the
Utica Cadet Squadron will be proud to do so again in the future.
The cadets and officers of the unit wish Brigadier General Speicher and his
wife Merry all the best as they begin new a new chapter in their lives and
they thank him for all the support hes given to our unit.
Two of the
Gilligans, Cadets Geoffrey Schmidt and Tyler Kulesa pose with Mr Howell
(Air Force Captain Garrett Schutt of NEADS) the party coordinator