The 153rd Madison Composite Squadron Color Guard and the Timmerman Composite Squadron Drill Team from Milwaukee, WI, both of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), took first place in the 2009 Wisconsin Wing Color Guard/Drill Team Competition at Volk Field, Wisconsin. Five Madison-area and ten Milwaukee-area teens comprised the teams, which competed in several categories, including standard and innovative drill, panel quiz, and the mile run.

Madison’s CAP unit, meets at the National Guard Armory in Madison, took home first place in Color Guard competition in five categories, with one cadet receiving an individual award. Kenosha Composite Squadron placed 2nd overall and Sheboygan Composite Squadron placed third.

Timmerman’s squadron, based at Timmerman Airport on the Northwest side of Milwaukee, took first place in nine categories, with four cadets also achieving individual awards. Timmerman Composite Squadron has more than 60 members, including some 40 young adults, ages 12 to 18, living in and around Milwaukee. Many come from low income families, and for all of them the CAP provides an opportunity to grow and flourish as leaders to serve in the community. Racine Composite Squadron placed second overall.

Most of the cadets from the winning color guard and drill teams volunteered more than 500 man hours this past June as part of the CAP’s flood relief efforts in Sauk County. In addition, many of the young people participate throughout the year in actual and practice search and rescue operations.

The two teams now advance to the Great Lakes Region Cadet Competition in Dayton, Ohio where they will compete against cadets from Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. The winner will advance to CAP’s National Cadet Competition.

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