Last Day - August 2, 2008

It’s hard to believe that today is the last day of encampment. The cadets and Flights have shown incredible improvement over eight short days. The arrived as individuals and now depart as integral members of a team, as members of their Flights.

It was another hot day with another heat warning for the afternoon.

The morning consisted of cleaning and packing. Each room of every building had to be vacated and cleaned, including all bathrooms and shower areas. Each Flight moved their gear to the dining facility, which would be the last building vacated, and then reported to their cleaning duty assignment. Senior staff cleared out the headquarters building and logistical supplies. In a few short hours everything was accomplished. Then each Flight began to form up and prepare for the graduation exercise after checking out with the administration and medical staff (where they received any contraband held during the encampment, any medicines, and their certificates for completing the encampment).

Meanwhile, family members from across the state, and from surrounding states, began to arrive – proud of their cadet and anxious to catch a glimpse of them. Almost one hundred family members made the encampment graduation a special event.

At the appointed hour, the cadet cadre formed up as Flights and marched from the dining facility to the drill pad where their families waited. Guidons fluttered in the breeze, cameras clicked, and cadets marched in step. With all six Flights standing at attention, the order to deblouse because of the heat index came from the Camp Crowder medical personnel observing the graduation. Because of the heat, the graduation ceremony was shortened and the cadet cadre returned to the dining facility to check out with their Tactical Officers.

In the relative cool of the dining facility, Delta Flight was announced as the overall encampment Honor Flight!

Caps were signed, hugs given, email addresses exchanged, and goodbyes offered; and then cadets quickly left with their parents. Next to go were the squadrons who traveled together in their CAP vans. Last to go were the senior staff. And just like that, the Missouri Wing 2008 Summer Encampment was over.

Today’s photographs can be found at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/mocappix/MOWGEncampmentLastDay8208?authkey=L8Hlrbr5Go8