JAN-FEB

2009
ALABAMA - FLORIDA - GEORGIA - MISSISSIPPI - TENNESSEE - PUERTO RICO WWW.SERCAP.US

The Commander’s Lead Inside this issue:

Fast Paced First Quarter 2009

We have a very ambitious schedule facing us during the first calendar quar- 2
ter of the New Year. The first item is the Compliance Inspection for Missis- CAP IN SPACE 2
sippi Wing over the weekend of January 9 – 11. The following weekend is the SAFETY—ROTATING TOOLS
first of three ARCHER training sessions, this one in Chattanooga, TN. We NSC 2008 3
have a plan in place to keep our trained personnel proficient in the use of ALWG—WREATHS
the technology so we will be prepared when the need arises. Contact Capt
Gordon Merrill if this applies to you. MEDICAL NEWS 4
FAA AEROMEDICAL
The weekend of January 30 – February 1 brings us to the Florida Wing Conference in Orlando. Two
weeks later brings us to the Southeast Region Conference over the weekend of February 13 – 15 in CALENDAR 5
Birmingham, AL. This is the first stand alone region conference we have held in several years. We
are planning a great program. Be sure and plan to attend. The Southeast Liaison Region will hold
their conference in Biloxi during the week of February 17. The second ARCHER training session will
be held over the weekend of February 20 – 22 at a location to be determined. The annual Legislative
Day will be held in Washington, DC on February 26 where we will visit as many of our Congressmen
and Senators as we can schedule for visits that day. This is an important event at which we brief
them on the good works of the Civil Air Patrol. The following two days contain the Winter National
Board meeting on February 27 and 28. The Spaatz Association holds their annual banquet on the
evening of February 28 at the Crystal City Marriott in Arlington, VA. The weekend of March 13 – 15
brings us to the Mississippi Wing Conference in Jackson, MS. The third of the ARCHER training ses-
sions for the quarter are also scheduled for that weekend at a location to be determined. Our Re-
gion Cadet Competition is likely to occur near the end of March to prepare us for the National Com-
petition.

This covers the large items that show up on the region calendar and does not cover the myriad of
activities scheduled by our six wings. We also have the routine conference calls once a month for
the National Executive Committee, the National Board and the Southeast Region Finance Committee.
Then there are the daily phone calls and e-mails that are important to the members who generate
them that need to be addressed.

When you look at this schedule, you chuckle at the old joke that ―it only takes two hours a week.‖ I
am truly amazed at the dedication that all of our volunteer professional members devote to our
great organization. I truly appreciate all that our members do for the support of our states, our
nation and the Civil Air Patrol. I trust that we all enjoyed a happy holiday season and are renewed
and ready to face a challenging and rewarding 2009.
 Southeast Region ReCAP Jan-Feb 2009 Page 2

CAP Member Returns from Space

Former CAP Cadet and current Senior Member USAF Colonel Eric Boe returned from a
journey to the International Space Station as pilot of the Space shuttle Endeavour on
STS-126. The mission that Col Boe piloted delivered the Multi-Purpose Logistics Mod-
ule to the ISS.
A former Georgia Wing cadet and current FLWG member, Boe said his involvement
with CAP as a young man helped him achieve his career goals of becoming a fighter
pilot and astronaut. Boe, who soloed at age 16 at a flight encampment conducted by
the GAWG, credits his cadet experience for solidifying his desire to fly.
―That was my first opportunity to fly an airplane by myself,‖ he said. ―CAP gave me
that opportunity, and it really made a difference in the long term. It’s always nice to
have flown before you show up at pilot training.‖
Boe is the recipient of CAP’s Carl A. Spaatz Award, the highest awards cadets can achieve. Only about one-tenth of
1 percent of CAP cadets achieves this award. Boe carried his Spaatz coin with him into space in honor of his CAP
experience.
Boe also credits CAP for expanding his horizons: ―I had IACE (International Air Cadet Exchange) cadets stay at the
house,‖ he noted. The program, now more than 60 years hold, promotes international friendship and understanding
through a common focus on aviation. In 2009, cadet representing 20 countries will visit CAP squadrons in the U.S.
as participants in the IACE program.
―It was good exposure to see people from other countries, and now I’m working on the International Space Station.
I was stationed in the Philippines in the military and with NASA I was in Russia for a year with my family. That initial
IACE experience gave me a flavor for the international experiences that I have had so far,‖ he said.
A top-notch pilot, Boe’s military service includes flying 55 combat missions over Iraq in support of Operation South-
ern Watch after the Gulf War and more than 4,000 flight hours in more than 45 different aircraft. His military
decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal and Aerial Achievement Medal.

Safety—Rotating Tools
How many times have you used some type of rotating tool? That could have been a chain saw, electric drill,
grinder, or even an electric mixer in the kitchen! We probably all do so without even giving tool safety a
thought. And yet every year there are hundreds of accidents, many serious and life changing, from these
everyday tools.
In the photo an electric grinder caught the users hoodie draw string and drew head and tool together. It
doesn’t take a great imagination to picture the results. Similar accidents happen with long sleeve
shirts/jackets and also gloves. Before you use a tool, take a moment to look at the environment around your
workspace giving special attention to anything that could potentially be caught by the rotating part of the tool.

2009 Southeast Region Staff College

It’s time to reserve your seat in the 2009 SER Staff College being held at the McGhee Tyson ANGB in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The college will be in session July 25-31 and is open to CAP officers who have completed Level III professional development.
This is in-residence training with billeting and classes held on base. Tuition for this college will be $147.00 and the director
will be Lt Col Wes Hannah. Lt Col Hannah can be reached at WHANNAH@SERCAP.US. For additional information including the
downloadable Participant Handbook and registration information is available at HTTP://SERCAP.US/RSC.ASPX
This is the premier training at Region Level — Don’t miss out by signing up early!!
 Southeast Region ReCAP Jan-Feb 2009 Page 3

Nation Staff College 2008

Maxwell AFB, AL— National Staff College 2008 has concluded successfully with
several SER members participating as both staff and students. The NSC is the
premier training opportunity for Senior members holding the rank of Captain and
above and its completion is required to reach Level 5.
This year a total of xx students from across the United States participated with a
total of xx students coming to the school from Southeast Region. On staff this year from SER include Lt Col Wilma Ward, Major Dale Lahrs, and Lt Col Jim
Lawson. Students from SER include: Col William R Bass, Maj Anthony G Beresford, Lt Col James B Lewis, Lt Col Jack B Lynn, Maj Antonio J Barroso, Maj
Christian Campbell, Lt Col Charles H Clement, Jr, Maj Weldon B Cox, Jr, Col S Buddy Harris, Maj John R Kachenmeister, t Col George O Navarini, Maj Ramon
C Palacie, Lt Col Steven P Schultz, Maj Segio B Seoane, Lt Col Shirle E Arnold, Lt Col James L Card, Maj Scott G Hamre,Maj Nora L Hey, L. Col John P Hey III.
As always, SER is well represented. Take the first opportunity to congratulate these folk for their commitment to Civil Air Patrol.

ALWG—Wreaths Across America

FORT MITCHELL NATIONAL CEMETERY, Ala. — Members of the Auburn Composite Squadron of the Civil
Air Patrol and Rep. Mike D. Rogers, R-Ala., laid wreaths Dec.13 at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery in
Russell County, Ala., to honor both veterans who served our country as well as current military
members. The squadron’s efforts coincide with tributes occurring simultaneously across the nation
during Wreaths Across America observances.
The public was invited to attend the event at the cemetery. In what is now very much a holiday
tradition, Civil Air Patrol is partnering with Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization with a
mission to remember, honor and teach about the service and sacrifices of our nation's veterans.
Veteran memorials and gravesites across the nation were adorned with remembrance wreaths on
Dec. 13 in stirring, solemn tributes to the courage and sacrifice of those who have guarded and preserved our nation’s freedom throughout history. CAP
units lead almost half of roughly 350 observances this year and participated with other color and honor guards at many additional locations. CAP cadets
and officers laid wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery as well.
The Arlington wreath-laying ceremonies culminated with a nationwide ceremony and moment of remembrance at 12:00 noon EST. All W reaths Across
America participants nationwide, including members of the Auburn squadron, adorned veterans’ graves with remembrance wreaths concurrently with the
Arlington celebration. The Arlington observances concluded with a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Members of the public have sponsored placement of more than 100,000 wreaths on veterans’ graves across the U.S., an increase of nearly 70,000
wreaths from 2007. These wreaths were placed in ceremonies at cemeteries in all 50 states and overseas. Worcester Wreath Co. donated more than
17,000 wreaths for the remembrances, 10,000 of which were placed at Arlington National Cemetery.
―Our mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom,‖ said Karen Worcester, Wreaths Across
America executive director. ―Thousands of CAP members last year participated and helped us to do just that, and this year’s W reaths Across America
promises to take this worthwhile endeavor to even greater heights.‖
―As an organization filled with many current and former military members, Civil Air Patrol is honored and proud to have this opportunity to salute Amer-
ica’s veterans who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy,‖ said CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter. ―CAP members’ dedication
to serving their communities above and beyond the call of duty is evidenced by their participation in the wreath laying ceremonies at Arlington and at
veterans’ cemeteries across the nation, as well as their leadership in helping the public share in these patriotic observances through wreath sponsor-
ships."
Wreaths Across America began in 2006 as an offshoot of the Arlington National Cemetery wreath project, which was started in 1992 with the annual
placement of wreaths donated by Worcester Wreath Co. Wreaths Across America ceremonies were conducted largely by CAP wings and squadrons with
the help of veterans’ organizations; private citizens; the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., which annually assists with the laying of wreaths at Ar-
lington; and the Patriot Guard Riders. In its first year, Wreaths Across America wreath-laying ceremonies were held at more than 240 national and state
veterans’ cemeteries across the country and in Puerto Rico.
Capt. Jonathan W. Lartigue, CAP, Public Affairs Officer
 Southeast Region ReCAP Jan-Feb 2009 Page 4

Medical
February is Heart Month Awareness; I know you can’t change family history but you can change your lifestyle choices by adopting the following strate-
gies.
1. Stop smoking and don’t use tobacco products. The smoke from tobacco contains more than 4,800 chemicals and many of these can damage your
heart and blood vessels. Also nicotine in cigarette smoke makes your heart work harder by constricting blood vessels and increasing your heart
rate and blood pressure.
2. Exercise – Regularly participating in moderately vigorous exercise can reduce your risk of fatal heart disease by nearly a quarter. It does this by
increasing blood flow to your heart and strengthening your heart’s contractions so that your heart pumps more blood with less effort.
3. Eat a heart healthy diet; try adding more fruits and vegetables. Limit your intake of certain fats especially saturated fat and trans fat. Include
Omega 3 fatty acids like those found in fish. These may decrease your risk of heart attack, protect against irregular heartbeats and lower blood
pressure.
4. Watch your weight, as you get older you have a tendency to put on weight and this weight is mostly fatty tissue. This excess weight can lead to
conditions that increase your chances of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Yearly health screening can tell you what your numbers are and where you need to take action. Make sure you have your blood pressure taken, blood
tests for cholesterol, diabetes, etc.
Follow a heart healthy lifestyle. Be aware and take care.
LtCol Patricia Faunt
SER Nurse Officer

Your FAA Medical Exam

Your FAA medical examination must be done by a FAA designated Aviation Medical Examiner,
(AME). The FAA has designated approximately 5,000 AME’s for the U. S.

Asking your fellow pilots for a recommendation is a good way to locate an AME in your area.

When you arrive for your FAA medical examination, you will be asked to fill out a FAA form 8500-8. You will also be asked to list all prescrip-
tion and over the counter medication you currently use, so be prepared with a list. The questionnaire will ask you to indicate every medical
issue, including alcohol and recreational drug use that has occurred in your life. If you answer ―yes‖ to any of the questions you should have
a copy of all medical records related to that issue. Those records should be typewritten and detail the issue and chronology. Also on those
pages make sure you include your airman ID and date of birth. If the FAA has previously assigned you a (PI) Pathological Index include that
number on the pages also. Always make copies of all your records and any correspondence with the FAA for your files.

The Federal Aviation Regulations (FARS) specify several conditions that may disqualify you from flying; such as heart conditions, diabetes,
psychiatric issues, substance dependence or abuse and significant neurological disorders. However almost all of the previous ly mentioned
conditions are waiverable under the Special Issuance regulation FAR 67.40l, as long as you provide detailed medical documentation to dem-
onstrate flight fitness. Of course there are some issues that absolutely disqualify you, such as major psychosis or personality disorder,
double heart valve, complete heart replacement, implanted cardiac defibrillator and current seizure disorders.

If you are concerned about preparing your medical records and medical issues a good place to contact is Pilot Medical Solutions at
www.leftseat.com. While there is a fee for this service, initially they will talk with you for free and can give you good advice.
Ref: FAA, google FAR67, aopa, E.Samuelson, MD
 Southeast Region ReCAP Jan-Feb 2009 Page 5

Southeast Region Calendar

January 30—Feb 1 Florida Wing Conference

Orlando, FL
February 13—15 Southeast Region Conference
Birmingham, AL
The Best of the Best … Leading All
the Rest
July 25—31 Southeast Region Staff College
Lt Col Jim Lawson, CAP McGhee Tyson, ANGB Knoxville, TN
Deputy Public Affairs
Newsletter Editor

Phone: 865-977-2956
E-Mail: recap@sercap.us

Submission deadline for publication

material is the 15th of month prior
to publication date.

VISIT US ON THE WEB AT: WWW.SERCAP.US