pennsylvania wing - feb 2005

8/14/2019 Pennsylvania Wing - Feb 2005

1/12

ItemofInterest:

BUDGETHIGHLIGHTS


2/12

NOTES FROM THE COMMANDER

I want to let you know that I have not seen as much activity at Wing as I did the day of the NationalSpecial Activity Selection Process. Over 200 members jammed our facility to participate in our program dur-ing Saturday. This was a problem, but a good problem. Ninety One slots to Special Activities were soughtafter this year.

Twenty Nine Cadets sought the 12 slots open for the PAWG 1st Annual Power Flight Encampment.The executive Committee considered and approved opening up the encampment to 15 Cadets due to theexcellent participation in the testing process. The turn out was the best I have seen in fifteen years. I wantto say what a great job Lt Col Bruce Brinker, Captain Bill Doyle and Captain Robert Bobbie Suplee did.The exceptional participation in the boards by both the Cadets and Seniors should be applauded.

There were some uniform and grooming standards violations that need to be looked into by the unitcommanders. I have asked Captain Suplee to let you know who needed a second look. This is to beexpected. What I did not expect was the poor written testing score by upper echelon cadets. When you areat your next meeting; ask the cadets to recite the Cadet Oath. Then ask that individual to recite theRanger Creed. More people know the Creed than know the Oath. Is this what we should be looking for?Cadets also have no idea about The Cadet Protection Training Program. This is mandatory for all Cadets

coming up on their 18th birthday. Issues like these and the Chain of Command need more attention by theSeniors leading our Cadets.

Recently CAP Flight release has become an issue. There, will be a zero tolerance for avoiding andproperly releasing and authorizing a flight. You can not sign a CAPF 99 and then expect some one to comealong later in the day and initial your paperwork. I wish I could simplify the rules, but I need to tell you that alot of these rules come from mishaps from members who break the rules.

Thanks to those of you who follow the rules and pay attention to the high priority issues. Be safe andbe fair.

M. Allen Applebaum

M. ALLEN APPLEBAUM, Colonel, CAP

Commander


3/12

KEYSTONE WING SLIPFEBRUARY 2005

SPECIAL EDITION VOL 8

Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol

United states Air Force Auxiliary

Bldg. 3-108, Fort Indiantown Gap

Annville, Pennsylvania 17003

1Lt Linda A. Irwin, Public Affairs

Headquarters - 717-861-2335

Fax - 717-861-2164Email - [email protected]

Web Site - www.pawg.cap.gov

Group 1 Units; 603, 605, 704, 714, 1405 and 1502 working as

a team to aid in the search for missing 55 year old woman.

Search for Missing Cook Township Woman

Civil Air Patrol squadrons, 603, 605, 704, 714, 1405 and1502 of Group 1 of the Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrolalong with searchers from Allegheny, Indiana and WestMoreland counties, aided in a search for missing fifty fiveyear old Deborah Joan Pritts.

Deborah Pritts disappeared from her home near Rector,sometime between the evening of January 4 and themorning of January 5.

Many agencies were involved in the search, said Lt ColEdgar Flick, including the Pennsylvania State Police,Allegheny Search and Rescue, Evergreen Search andRescue and Somerset Countys Team 200.

Then on Saturday, January 8, the Appalachian Searchand Rescue Conference organized the volunteers for thelargest and most thorough search for the woman. Thesearch fanning out in an area within a 1.5 mile radius of

Pritts home, with volunteers of an estimated 275 and asearch dog team, came to a halt when she was founddeceased, face down in a island in the creek that runsthrough the Laurel Mountain Camp in Cook Township onlyabout a half mile from her home.

Credited with finding Deborah Pritts was an AlleghenyMountain Rescue Group dog team and another searchteam, as they approached the sides of the creek aboutthe same time.

The Pritts family expressed their gratitude to all thegroups and volunteers for helping to look for their missingloved one.

(Credit for parts of this article; The Tribune-Review and the Daily

American.)

TV STARS IN CAPSeveral years ago, I awoke one early morning (around3:00 AM), to see Lt Col Bob Meinert and Chief RichGale staring at me from my TV! Well it happened again!I fell asleep waiting for the BIG GAME, (22 January), andwhen I woke up, Capt Rob Pena is staring at me! Robwas on CN 8, on a one to one interview on CAP. Greatinterview, Capt Pena! - Col M. Allen Applebaum

HAWK MOUNTAIN WINTER SCHOOL WESTFebruary 5-6, 2005, Seth Mack Boy Scout Camp, Indian, PA

- Captain Scott FillarI think it was a great event, weather was terrific, other

than Sunday morning was a bit chilly.I am sure every one learned a great deal from the instruction

provided, through out the weekend! Being in new territory, madeit all more real to our mission of having to overcome differentobstacles, which can be faced even when not in our own back-yard.

We don't always have every tool available to us that modern daymay allow, but everything was done to the highest professionallevel of all members!!! You had to be there to experience the

magnitude of it! We had decent representation from Group 1andGroup 2 Squadrons, but there was also members from Ohio andMaryland attending.

The motto, "so that others may live", there is no other greaterfeeling that can represent the feeling of saving a life. It maybefrom employing simple CPR to an advanced search and rescue,in any weather condition!

Training at various facilities with members from other squadrons and

Wings helps build your own SAR skills

by learning different techniques,

sharpening your improvising abilities

and expanding your contacts,

said Maj DeEtte Riley.

Ranger Winter School West

Photo credits;

Maj DeEtte Riley

Magazine HighlightsCommanders Letter

National News - Page 5Squadron News - Page 6

Cadet News - Page 7


4/12

PENNSYLVANIA WING CIVIL AIR PATROL Conference 2005

23-25 SEPTEMBER 2005

HOLIDAY INNStation Road

GRANTVILLE, PANEAR HERSHEY PARK

New Location for this years Conference

717-469-0661 Phone

717-469-7755 Fax

HEATED INDOOR SWIMMING POOL,

TWO RESTAURANTS

( Bring your Cowboy Boots, Hats and Jeans)

HIGH SPEED INTERNET CONNECTIONS IN ALL ROOMS

GUEST SPEAKERSTHE HOCK SHOP (Uniform & CAP Supplies)

SEMINARS ON ALL MAJOR STAFF FUNCTIONS

COMMANDERS CALL

CADET COMMANDERS CALL

AEROSPACE POSTER CONFERENCE

AWARDS!CADET OF THE YEAR

SENIOR OF THE YEAR

SQUADRON OF THE YEAR

WING STAFF OFFICER OF THE YEAR

Recognition of all Scholarship Awardees

CADET POOL PARTY

CADET HOSPITALITY ROOM

PING PONG * AIR HOCKEY * AND MOREROOM RATES $79.00 PER NIGHT

Project officer Captain Robert Gallagher

(For more hotel information,

see Holiday Inn ad on page 6.)


5/12

HighlightsofThePennsylvaniaWingCivilAirPatrol2004-2005BudgetSummaryforProgramandUnitFunding.

FundingCadetProgramsCadet Scholarships $6,750Powered Flight Encampment $15,000

Encampments & Weekend Training $27,000

Glider Orientation Flights $3,500

Cadet Travel to Region and National

Training /Conferences $4,000PAWGCAPSchoolProgram$75,000FundingforGroupandSquadronUnits $66,000OperationsandEmergencyServices $35,000Communications $15,000WingConference,MeetingsandAwards $13,000SeniorProgramTraining $9,000

- Major DeEtte Riley, Director of Finance

Eye on Safety continued....answers1. Most newer car models offer ABS as either standard or optional

equipment. There are different ways to find out whether your car hasan antilock brake system:* Read your owner's manual* Check your instrument panel for an amber ABS indicator light afteryou turn on the ignition.* When you buy, lease or rent, ask your dealer or rental car company.

2. Call the NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline on 1-888-327-4236, 1-888-

DASH-2-DOT.3. An antilock braking system works with the regular or foundation

brakes on your vehicle. ABS simply keeps your base brakes fromlocking up. In vehicles not equipped with ABS, the driver can manuallypump the brakes to prevent wheel lockup. In vehicles equipped withABS, the driver's foot remains firmly on the brake pedal, allowing thesystem to automatically pump the brakes.4. When your brakes lock up on wet and slippery roads or during a

panic stop, you lose steering control and your vehicle can spin. Rearwheel ABS prevents wheel lockup so that your car stays in a straightline. If your car has ABS control on all four wheels, you also keepsteering control. If you have steering control, it is possible to avoid acrash by steering around hazards if a complete stop cannot beaccomplished in time.5. In many vehicles, drivers may experience a rapid pulsation of the

brake pedal--almost as if the brakes are pushing back at you.Sometimes the pedal could suddenly drop. Also, the valves in the ABScontroller may make a noise that sounds like grinding or buzzing. Insome cars you may feel a slight vibration--this means the ABS isworking. It is important NOT to take your foot off the brake pedal whenyou hear noise or feel pulsations, but instead continue to apply firmpressure.6. What ABS does is similar to a person pumping the brakes. It auto-

matically changes the pressure in your car's brake lines to maintainmaximum brake performance just short of locking up the wheels. ABSdoes this very rapidly with electronics.7. Read your owner's manual for more details on the complete oper-

ation and benefits of ABS. The antilock brake system is speed sensi-tive, and will not activate at very slow speeds. One way to familiarizeyourself with the operation of ABS is to test drive the vehicle at a

speed above which the ABS activates (usually above 10 mph) in anunobstructed parking lot and apply the brakes firmly. It is easier toactivate the ABS on a wet and slippery road surface. The antilock sys-tem should prevent the wheels from skidding. Pulsation may be felt inthe brake pedal and you may hear a clicking sound. Avoid pumpingthe brake, even if the pedal is pulsating.8. You should not pump your brakes if you have ABS. Just hold your

foot firmly on the brakes pedal and remember that you can still steer.9. ABS is designed to help the driver maintain control of the vehicle

during emergency braking situations, not make the car stop morequickly. ABS may shorten stopping distances on wet or slippery roadsand many systems will shorten stopping distances on dry roads. Onvery soft surfaces, such as loose gravel or unpacked snow, an ABSsystem may actually lengthen stopping distances. In wet or slipperyconditions, you should still make sure you drive carefully, always keep

a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you, and maintain aspeed consistent with the road conditions.10. They are all very similar in the way they control brake pressure,but some systems are designed to prevent only the rear wheels fromlocking up. These rear-wheel-only systems are found on pickups andsport-utility vehicles. Rear-wheel ABS keeps your vehicle from spin-ning out of control, but you will not have steering control if the frontwheels lock up. All other ABS systems-including those for cars andminivans--are designed to keep all four wheels from locking up. If youown a pickup or sport-utility vehicle, you can check your owner's man-ual to see what type of ABS you have.

- article from CAP National Safety Pages

EYEONSAFETY

Protect yourself and your familywhenever you're on the road.

When used properly, an antilock brake system (ABS) adds an impor-

tant measure of safety to your driving, under all conditions. ABS lets

you maintain vehicle stability and directional control, and may reduce

stopping distances during hard braking - particularly on wet and icy

roads. But to work properly, you have to allow your ABS to do its job.

So it's important to understand how ABS works.

Questions and Answers Regarding ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS

(ABS)

1. How do I know whether my vehicle has ABS?

2. Where Can I get more information about ABS?

3. What is ABS?

4. Why is that important?

5. Will I notice anything when the ABS is working?

6. How does ABS work?

7. How can I familiarize myself with ABS?

8. Does ABS change the way I should use the brakes?

9. Do cars with ABS stop more quickly than cars without?

10. Are all antilock systems the same?

(Continued this page, next column)

-3-


6/12

MAXWELL AFB, Ala. - CAP featured on an episode of CNN's "Defending America"

- Melanie LeMay, Public Relations Specialist, National Headquarters Civil Air Patrol

The segment was filmed in Louisiana and focuses on CAP's work in home-land security, showing how our civilian volunteers with busy careers take

time to serve their communities as CAP members. The segment empha-sized the importance of CAP's work and the training required to perform it.

The story follows LAWG member and attorney Colonel Rock Palermo,

CAP, as he flies a target intercept mission for the Air Force in theGippsland GA8 Airvan, and then shows him in his professional life as an

attorney in private practice.

This story is especially significant because CAP and the Air Force workedtogether through official channels and obtained permission for CNN to actually accompany CAP on the mis-

sion itself. Under clearly defined security restrictions, CNN was able to film the intercept by F15 fighter jets

as well as the CAP Cessna 182 that served as high bird for the mission. This is a first for CAP, and is testi-mony to the good working relationship CAP has established with 1st Air Force.

After filming the mission in the New Orleans area, CNN traveled to Lake Charles, La., to film Palermo atwork in his law office. The CNN crew spent some seven hours on the road from New Orleans to Lake

Charles just to obtain this footage.

In all, filming took three days and included interviews not only with Palermo, but also with other CAP

members, including the mission flight crews.

NEW REGULATIONSThe Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued new regulations requiring all flight schools

and flight instructors to take certain actions before beginning flight instruction leading to specified certifi-cates and ratings, and to obtain ongoing security awareness training.

Major General Wheless has issued a detailed background paper and instructions for certified flightinstructors instructing CAP members. These instructions can be found at:

http://level2.cap.gov/visitors/programs/operations/standardization_evaluation/

This is a new, complex and evolving requirement. Additional information can be found at the AOPA

website (http://www.aopa.org/tsa_rule/) and the National Association of Flight Instructors website(http://www.nafinet.org/). Please help General Wheless get the word out to all of your commanders andflight instructions.

Stanley H. Leibowitz, Col, CAP

General Counsel

(Notation; all PA Wing CFIs are to take the TSA online FSSA course. Captain William Doyle, DOV

NEWS FROM NATIONAL

-4-


7/12

Goals and Dreams and Flying Machines

-by Capt Bill Doyle, CFI A&I, AGI, IGI, ASC, PA Wing Director of Standards and Evaluation

Have you ever wondered what it was like to take flying lessons? This article describes my first flying lesson, which occurred

on 6 APR 1991. The article was originally written on April 28, 1991. On the advice of a co-worker, it was submitted to ThePublic Spirit. The Spirit published it on December 1991.

And so the adventure begins

Since I was seven years old, my dream has been to fly. Now, 37 years later, my dream is becoming a reality.Flying is not at all like hopping in a car and going out for a spin. Before every flight you must conduct an inspection of your

aircraft. Pilots call this the pre-flight. There is a specific procedure for each type of aircraft. Among other things you visually

check your fuel tanks; make sure your elevators, rudder, and ailerons move freely; check that cotter pins, nuts, and bolts arein place on your control surface hinges; and make sure all locking pins are removed from your flight controls.

My first lesson was mostly class room orientation on the four fundamentals of flight: straight-and-level, climbs, turns, anddescents. We did get 24 minutes of air time in a Cessna 152 single engine, high-wing, two seat aircraft.

My hands on, actually feet on, started with the taxiing procedure. On the ground you use the rudder pedals to steer. As I

have now heard many times, "Right to go right, left to go left." My wife and kids have threatened to put L and R on the toes ofmy flying sneakers. Anyway, that first time we zigged and zagged down the taxiway. To my credit, I only put a wheel in thegrass once, though we came close on several other occasions.

When we got to the runway threshold, I thought my work was over. However, my instructor pointed to the airspeed indicatorand said we would lift off at 60 knots, i. e. 70 mph. As we hurtled down the runway, he said "60 knots, you can rotate any timenow." Nobody said anything about rotating! My highly visceral reaction was to look at the trees looming at the end of the run-way, then at my instructor, then blurt "Say What!?!"

Discretion being the better part of valor, my instructor safely got us to 1,500 feet. I just settled down when my instructor askedme if I remembered the ground briefing on the four fundamentals of flight. I said I did and he said "Good, you have the aircraft!"My fantasy of being Tom Cruise in Top Gun II dissolved. After a while I relaxed, managed to keep the airplane's nose level onthe horizon and thought straight-and-level flight wasn't that bad. (Story continued on page 7)

NOTES FROM OUR

NATIONAL COMMANDER

The United States Air Force advised that prior

requests of CAP for approval regarding the followingitems has been declined:

1. A-2 leather jacket may not be worn since CAPtraining does not fall within aircrew guidelines specified in

AF! 11-402, Table 2.1,2. Metal rank for the service coat and blue epaulets

for the light blue shirt/blouse,

3. Wearing of Boonie hats.

- Maj Gen Dwight Wheless, National Commander

( Also note; per the PA Wing Regs - the wearing of thebdu cap/hat with any combination uniform is forbidden.

Family History Tells the Story

- by LTC Tim Cheslock, PAWG HSPO

(This article is designed to increase awareness of health issues that

may be of interest to our members. The contents are not to be con-

strued as a substitute for the interaction between a patient and their

physician.)

Our membership in CAP includes a diverse group of people from all

walks of life. We come together under the common missions of ourorganization to be of service to others. In order to carry out our mis-sions effectively, we need to be in good health and should strive toengage in healthy behaviors.

This month I would like to briefly discuss the family health history. Weall know about Grandpa's service in WW II or Aunt Sally's recent pro-motion at work, but how many of us know the health history of our closerelatives? Why should we care?

With the recent advances in medicine and genomics there have beenmany advances in determining who is at risk for certain diseases bylooking at the disease trends in blood relatives. Being aware of ourrisks and how to prevent them from developing into diseases should besomething we are all interested in. There is not a day that goes by thatwe don't hear about the number of people with heart disease, diabetes,or cancer. In order to avoid becoming one of those statistics there aresome simple things we can do to stay healthy.

The Surgeon General and Department of Health and Human Servicesrecently launched the Family Health Initiative program. Through thisprogram they hope to increase awareness and provide easy to usetools that will help people better interact with their physician on puttinginto place lifestyle changes than may help increase the chances ofavoiding these diseases down the road.

(Family History Tells the Story continued on page 7)

ADVANCED NOTICE

-Lt Col Charles Bechtel, Group 2 CommanderThe next Group 2 SAREX will take place at Joe Zerbey air-

port on 30 April/1May. This is a week later than we had ini-tially planned and I know some of you have commitments.The date change was brought about by the fact the WINGdesignated Group 2 to participate in an interstate exercisewith New Jersey and Delaware and they could not do it a

week earlier.

-5-


8/12


9/12

CADETNEWSCadet interviews were held on Saturday, January 15, 2005 at PA Wing Headquarters, for

the 2005 activities, which included; Powered Flight Encampment and staff officer posi-

tions for PA Wing Encampment, Hawk Mt Ranger School Encampment and Cadet

Leadership School.

Approximately 125 Cadets arrived at the Pennsylvania Wing Headquarters to await their turn fo

interviews and/or testing by the 2005 selection board for approvals to serve as a staff officer orto be one of those selected for the Powered Flight Encampment.

Encampment News! Check it out!

For information on the 2005 Pennsylvania WingEncampment, log on to anencampment home page at:http://www.pawg.cap.gov/encampment/

This is where cadets and parents will find more infor-mation about the encampment held at FortIndiantown Gap. In the upcoming weeks andmonths, more information will be posted to this siteto aid in getting your cadet ready for a week thatthey will never forget. Former cadets who have goneon to the military often state that it was encampmentmore than anything that helped them prepare fortheir basic training. PAWG Encampment 2005 willbe held 23 July 2005- 30 July 2005 at FortIndiantown Gap, Annville, Pennsylvania.

There were ninety one applications to National events.and thir-ty nine basic encampment applications. Cadet leadershipschool had twenty nine applicants for staff positions and fourfor Hawk Mt. Search and Rescue School. Lt Col BruceBrinker, Cadet Program Director, was especially pleased toannounce that twenty six powered flight encampment applica-tions were reviewed and four individuals received a perfectscore on their test! Those 15 that were selected were in thetop two thirds of the applicants and they will be notified by let-ter in the very near future about their being selected for the2005 Powered Flight Encampment. In addition to the encamp-ment, they will be required to attend a mandatory groundschool in June. Captain William Doyle will be advising them ofthe exact date and time. The selection board for the 2005Powered Flight Encampment included Major Vincent Zicolelloand Captain William Doyle.

Captain William Doyle,

preparing for Cadet interviews

Major Vincent Zicolello,

one of the judges for the

2005 Powered Flight

Encampment.

The 2005 Powered FlightEncampment will

run from 16 July to 23

July, 2005.

REMINDER FOR CADETS

Saturday, April 16, 2005, we will be run-ning a CADET COMMANDERS CALLduring the same time as the WingCommanders Call. All Cadet

Commanders are urged to attend thisprogram. Details for the seminar and top-ics will be released next month. Anyonewith ideas or suggestions, please Emailme at my new Email [email protected]. Place in thesubject line; CAP CADET COMMAN-DERS CALL or you may fax Lt ColBrinker with your ideas and/or commentsat 610-264-7522.

- Bruce Brinker, Lt. Col CAPPAWG Director of Cadet Prog.

(Goals and Dreams and Flying Machines continued from page 5)

Several minutes later in my flying career, my instructor decided that I would be a much better pilot if I were introduced to levelturns. I must say that the only thing level about a level turn is that you're neither climbing nor descending. It has absolutely noth-ing to do with the cabin's roll angle. While I thought my 20 degree turn was exciting, exhilarating, and breathtaking, my instructorthought it was overly gentle and slow. He executed two 45 degree steep turns to demonstrate that you couldn't hurt the airplane.He was right, of course. It didn't hurt the airplane, though it nearly brought up my pre-flight coffee.

Anyway, I retained my coffee and we landed shortly thereafter. Once again I was told "Right to go right, left to go left." Thistime my taxiing zigs and zags were much less pronounced and I managed to keep both, count 'em both, wheels out of thegrass.

This first flight was two days after the Senator Heinz tragedy and my family were more than a little concerned for my safetyand well-being. My wife said to call as soon as I got on the ground. With visions of them anxiously huddled around the phone, Iimmediately called -- and got the answering machine. They were out shopping! Momentarily stymied, I recovered, said, "TheEagle has landed!" and hung up.

Family History; contiuedThe Family Health Portrait can be accessed

on the Web at www.hhs.gov/familyhistory andis available for download. I encourage all ourmembers to go online and utilize this freetool. It encourages discussion among familymembers and will provide you with a print outof your family tree in regards to disease histo-ry, which can then be taken to your familyphysician to review. The program takes about15 minutes to complete. The benefits that youcan obtain from being well-informed of yourfamilies health background is priceless.Open dialogue can then take place with yourphysician on how best to utilize this data inyour overall health care.

Comments or feedback on this article can be sent [email protected].

-7-


10/12

Aviation Education (NCAE)Check out The Latest News on the National website: www.cap.gov/ae

The National Coalition for Aviation Education (NCAE) announces the Dr. Mervin K. Strickler Jr. Aerospace EducationLeadership Award for 2005. For application information, visit the AE home page and click on item #20. Deadline: April 30, 2005

Look for updates to Chapters 1 and 4 in the Supplemental Space Module at www.cap.gov/ssm.html .The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is offering Aeroscholars on-line courses for high school age students. Spring

Registration is through January 30, 2005. To find out more, click on # 21 on our home page.More details and registration information for National AEO School. (# 10 on AE home page)Keep watching the Periodic Space Updates. (# 5 on AE home page)

Special Interest Items:We wish to thank all those who participated in our Microsoft computer survey. The response was terrific! The results of the

survey will assure we meet the needs of our members while we work on a way to implement Microsoft Flight Sim in the class-room and the Unit. As more information becomes available on this project, we will keep you informed.

Find out about our AE Affiliate Program below:Join us today as Aerospace Education Affiliates!

What is an AE Affiliate? The AE Affiliate is a regular member who promotes Aerospace Education to the youth of Americaand wishes to use AE Resource Materials to accomplish this goal.

How do I become an AE Affiliate? If you currently use or would like to use Aerospace Education Curriculum Materials,please sign in to e-services; click on Review/Edit My Member Info; Edit Personal Information; and check the AE Affiliate box atthe bottom of your information OR contact Kathy Baucum at (334) 953-4213 (email: [email protected]) and she can sign youup. What do I receive as an AE Affiliate? You are entitled to AE curriculum materials listed in the Curriculum Flyer found atwww.cap.gov/ae (click on AE Curriculum Materials List under #2). Also, because some members are regular members andteachers, you may wish to have your class participate in the Aerospace Education Excellence Award Program (AEX) for schools.

Always Airborne- Luis Arellano Jr. - By Major Michael L. McGurl, CAP

I was very saddened to hear of the passing of a dear friend of thirty years on Christmas morning. Since I now live in Kentucky, I sent aChristmas Greeting Card and got a reply back from his wife. The news was very bad; he had died of a heart attack.

He was an exceptional friend, brilliant instrument maker and machinist craftsman, electronics expert and a comrade in arms. He was aquiet American Hero that had lived an extraordinary life. I was thinking of some choice words to describe him. He was honest, frank, intelli-gent, and sincere gentleman and had a great sense of humor.

Luis was a true American patriot. He served his country proudly in the Second World War in the United States Army. During the invasion ofEurope, he was with the 508th Airborne (Devils) and did a combat jump into France on D-day June 6th, 1944. He was a Master Sergeant andwounded in action. Airborne combat jumps required brave men like him; many of his peers were lost during the battle. Being dropped behindenemy lines was dangerous and a critical operation that ultimately lead to the day that freed Europe. He was proud of his country, militaryduties and family.

His service continued in the volunteer Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary. He was a First Lieutenant and served as thePennsylvania Wing Group 3 Communications Officer. Despite the fact that I had taken Electrical and Electronic Engineering Courses at thePenn State University, he knew more about electronic and communications equipment than I could ever hope to learn. It was his ultimatehobby and passion. He was the reason that I joined the organization.

He owned a small firm called AED Communications in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. He had a basement shop in his home with a large drillpress and lathe that weighed about two tons. How he ever got it down there remains a mystery to this day, he must have built the housearound it. He was a craftsman, instrument maker, and machinist. If something was broken, he could fix it. If something could be improved, hewould improve it, and if something required a new space age development, he could make it from scrap material. I would stop by and see hisproud inventions every time that I traveled in the Philadelphia area.

He performed many volunteer services in his communities. He had worked and sold on electronic and communications equipment to manyambulances, fire departments, EMS helicopters, and police agencies. Many times he would sell radios to non-profit agencies at his cost whenthey had limited resources. If he repaired something, it was repaired. I had referred many ambulances, fire companies, and even AmericanRed Cross Chapters to him because he cared so much about public service agencies. I could never understand how he could stay in busi-ness with the discounts and gifts that he gave these agencies. He would always remain a volunteer fire fighter at heart.

Luis had a kidney transplant after suffering through kidney dialysis treatments for many years. He never gave up hope for a donor andworked in spite of an illness that would have grounded most of us. His wife Madelyn was always by his side. During his illness, when I wouldstop by she would show me her vast collection of Ceramic Christmas Houses. It was an amazing collection. He would demonstrate his latestinventions and ideas. We could chat for hours and exchange complex ideas and thoughts. His personal dream was to build a large-scalesteam locomotive engine from scratch with his remarkable tools and talents. He had enough unique talents to design and make every singlepart. He never had enough time to complete his dream. He was proud of his country and family.

We will forever miss him; he was a gentleman of true caliber and a technician without equal. I am proud that I had the opportunity to havemet and known him for those years.

He is survived by his dear wife of 56 years, Madelyn (Adolph) Arellano; and five children. He was put to rest at the White MarshCemetery, Horsham for his final airborne trip on his new set of wings.

Tribute to a Friend

-8-


11/12


12/12

pennsylvania wing - feb 2005

Documents