Bridgeport Nonprofits and Charities

This is a great group that is honoring little Jack with donations to help others with Childhood Cancer.

I was a CAP Cadet in the Clarksburg Squadron in 1957-1959. I give the Civil Air Patrol the credit for getting me on the right track as a teenager. My grades in school was poor and I had interest in nothing. I knew that I wanted to go into the Air Force upon graduation from Bridgeport High School. The Air Force recruiter in Clarksburg suggested that I join the CAP. My first meeting with the CAP changed my life. The squadron was scheduled to take a test on basic aviation the next meeting. I asked if I could test and was told no, because the test would be too difficult since the others had been studying for some time. I convinced the Commandant of Cadets, Sterling Queen, to give me the study material and then let me decide if I wanted to test at the next meeting. I studied hard and passed the test. That was the first positive thing I had ever done. From their my confidence grew. I went to two summer encampments (Clinton County AFB, Ohio and Bakalar AFB, Indiana). I became a Cadet 2nd Lt. After graduation I joined the Air Force and retired after 30 years. I had 2 tours in Vietnam and retired as a Chief Master Sergeant. I then spent 10 years in the Texas State Guard. While in the Air Force I went to night school and obtained 4 college degrees. I am also retired from a state mental hospital here in Wichita Falls, Tx. I consider my military career a success and credit the Civil Air Patrol with getting me on the right track. Thank You CAP.