was well-worth every penny. This DDRA would like to encourage all Wing. Commanders to allow your DDRA's to cater lunches
New Mexico Wing Character Day Donna Bracken, Maj/CAP DDRA Thinking about how your Wing will participate in the upcoming National Character Day? Or how you, “just can’t add another event to the already overloaded scheduled?” Both valid questions as we prepare for the Second Annual National CAP Character Day scheduled for September 2012. The New Mexico Wing would like to encourage all Wings to set a date to bring your Wing together and celebrate a drug free life. Not all plans go as follows. In the words of the SWR IG, “Use the F word,” no, not that one…FLEXIBILITY! We had set a date in September to be in compliance with NHQ, but because of football hoopla and start of school events, the number of anticipated participants was five – yes, 5…total! Knowing that wasn’t going to work, the NMW Cadet Programs Director and DDRA jointly planned the event for February – a time where football was over and basketball had not yet started. A cost was set at $5/person, and non-CAP guests were invited. This fruitful event yielded over 100 participants. The event was held at Temple Baptist Academy, Albuquerque (at no charge to CAP – thanks to Lt Spencer Graham) with use of their multi-purpose room, gym and kitchen. The event started with sign-in and breakfast snacks, the perfect way to win tired, hungry, teenage hearts. The morning was filled with dynamic speakers, no one slept! Our speakers included Thomas Ventriglia, Col, USAF 377th MXG CC; Mitch Varley, US Marshall; Marcus Washington and Brian Regan, FBI Albuquerque Division; and Bernalillo County Sheriff Deputy Tim Miller with Longo and Deputy David Littlefield with Tessie (their drug dogs). All speakers brought with them “cool stuff” from demonstrating how to sniff out drugs to taking down drug houses – and the speech on “How to Rise Above it All” encouraged everyone. After a yummy lunch prepared by consorted efforts of DDRO’s, all participants (seniors included) alternated playing on the 70’ inflatable obstacle course and “Two-Minute In” basketball (where everyone rotates). Cadets and their guests left the event excited about what they had learned, fun had, and new friendships made. The overall cost was well-worth every penny. This DDRA would like to encourage all Wing Commanders to allow your DDRA’s to cater lunches at Wing events to earn money for your DDR program. This DDRA serves year around lunch for staff meetings, SLS, CLC, UCC, SAREX’s, any event available!!! Most importantly, “Follow your dream and stay clean” – make it happen!
Cadets Miquela Apodaca and Kyrie Selph, “A Race to the Top” FBI Agents Brian Regan and Marcus Washington
Bernalillo County Sheriff Deputy Tim Miller and David Littlefield w/ Longo
Thomas Ventriglia, Col, USAF 377th MXG Mitch Varley, US Marshall
