SQ 144 Provides Color Guard Detail for CAF
El Cajon, CA On Wednesday, 23 July, Maj Dennis Ammann, Commander, San Diego Cadet Squadron 144 received a call from Mrs. ‘Charlie’ Riker a member of Commemorative Air Force (CAF), Air Group One requesting the services of a color guard for a memorial service in only three days. One of their members, Col. Tom Black a former Commander of their unit, passed away at the early age of 63 on 15 July. They could not find a color guard for their upcoming Saturday memorial service and so their friend, Maj Dave Bowels from CAP San Diego Senior Squadron 57 suggested Squadron 144. Maj Ammann told Mrs. Riker he’d look into it and get back to her later that night. Squadron 144 and CAF, Air Group One are old friends having worked together during the annual Wings Over Gillespie Air Show each year.
Maj Ammann immediately called Cadet Commander, C/1Lt Peter Kler and apprised him of the situation and in one hour he informed the commander that the squadron color guard has been notified and committed for Saturday, 26 July! A remarkable accomplishment, reflecting the dedication these cadets have in order to help a veteran’s widow with her memorial service! Maj Ammann called Mrs. Riker back with the good news; she was very pleased that the squadron would do this with such short notice.
On Thursday night, C/1Lt Kler, C/Maj Anastasha Freeman, and C/1Lt Joseph Connolly met with the color guard and practiced the required formation maneuvers. C/MSgt Joshua Flewellen was able to obtain two ceremonial rifles on loan from a local Jr. ROTC unit; truly the icing on the cake! Cadet Flewellen’s contribution to this effort was greatly appreciated by all!
At 0900 hours, on Saturday, 26 July the color guard reported to C/1Lt Kler at the CAF, Air Group One hangar, Gillespie Field Airport. They surveyed the hangar where the memorial service was located in order to present the colors and the best route to march in and out. After introducing the CAP Color Guard to the CAF dignitaries and Mrs. Karen Black (Tom’s widow), the memorial service commenced at 1000 hours.
Col. Allan Riker, their Commander, welcomed everyone and asked all to assemble outside the hangar for a ‘missing man’ formation fly-over. Out of the east came three Beech T-34 Mentor aircraft flying over the hangar and departing to the west, then turning left and coming over for a second pass with one breaking off, pulling straight up, and leaving the other two to fly off to the west again. This was very touching and just wonderful to see. I’m sure Mrs. Black was pleased. Next Rev. Luauna Stines, PHD gave the invocation and our color guard presented the colors. Col. Riker led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance and Rev. Stines offered the opening prayer. She spoke about her special relationship with Mr. Black, who owned a photography/video studio in El Cajon. Many years ago, she needed a 30 second commercial video for her Christian outreach program and the Lord led her to him. While working with him on hundreds of Christian videos, Tom found Jesus through Rev. Stines; a wonderful sermon about his salvation followed. Her daughter, a gifted singer, sang the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and a few other sacred songs. Taps was played and Col. Riker presented an American flag to Mrs. Black. Rev. Stines gave the benediction and our color guard retired the colors. The squadron members were thanked by all and departed about 1130 hours.
This was a fitting tribute to a Navy veteran who was a postal clerk and a door gunner in a Sikorsky UH-34 Choctaw helicopter stationed aboard the USS IWO JIMA (LPH-2) during the Vietnam War, with 21 combat missions under his belt. His awards included the Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
The Squadron 144 color guard consisted of Cadets Scott Lynch, left rifle bearer; Daniel Gorin, American flag bearer; Spencer Beaulieu, CAP flag bearer; and Anthony Tavan, right rifle bearer. Cadets Laura Brown and Joshua Flewellen were alternates standing by just incase additional personnel were needed. C/Maj Freeman and C/1Lt Connolly provided guidance and last minute training. Lastly, many thanks to C/1Lt Kler as Cadet Officer-in-Charge making this project happen in a timely/efficient manner. Each color guard member had a very important part in this ceremony and without each cadet’s participation, attention to detail, and sharp uniforms, their overall performance would have been diminished. Needless to say, we are all very proud of our color guard!
Respectfully submitted,
Maj Dennis Ammann
Commander
