Chesapeake Cadets Earn Prestigious VFW Honors
CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Two outstanding members of the Hampton Roads Composite Squadron have been recognized for their exceptional leadership, academic achievement, and dedication to service after being selected to receive top honors from the Staff Sergeant Jonathan Kilian Dozier Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2894. Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Russell McCracken (left) and Cadet Captain Michael Hogwood (right) were named the VFW Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and Officer of the Year, respectively.
The awards are among the most distinguished honors presented by the VFW to youth participating in leadership development programs. The recognition is designed to identify and honor exceptional cadets from Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC), CAP, and Naval Sea Cadet units. Recipients are selected based on demonstrated leadership ability, academic performance, community involvement, military bearing, and commitment to the core values of their organizations. The awards also highlight the important role that the CAP plays in developing future leaders. As the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force, CAP provides youth with opportunities to build leadership skills, participate in aerospace education, engage in emergency services training, and serve their communities.
For McCracken and Hogwood, the recognition serves as both an acknowledgment of their past accomplishments and an encouragement for future success. Their achievements reflect not only their individual dedication and hard work but also that of the Hampton Roads Composite Squadron's cadet program. By earning these highly respected VFW medals and certificates, Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Russell McCracken and Cadet Captain Michael Hogwood have brought distinction to their squadron and their community.
About Virginia Wing
Civil Air Patrol's Virginia Wing is home to 21 squadrons spread throughout the Commonwealth and has approximately 2,500 members, 13 light aircraft, 6 small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), and 28 multi-mission vehicles. These assets are available to federal, state, and local governments, as well as to emergency responders and law enforcement agencies to perform search and rescue, homeland security, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and counter-drug missions. For more information on Virginia Wing, visit the wing’s website at https://vawg.cap.gov.
About Civil Air Patrol
Founded in 1941 and established as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force seven years later, Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization for the purposes of youth development, aerospace education, and to promote general aviation. In an auxiliary role as a Total Force partner of the Air Force, CAP operates the world’s largest fleet of single-engine aircraft for search and rescue, disaster relief, training, and education. Civil Air Patrol is dedicated to serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.
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For More Information:
2d Lt Jordan Stokes at PA@vawg.cap.gov
