Stephen "Steve Awesome" Austen -- TSA National President -- welcomed all to the event and recognized the committment of Spaatz Association and Cadet Program leaders to the development of todays Cadets -- our "Aerospace Leaders Of Tomorrow".

Members of CAP's Board of Governors and National Board, led by Lt. Gen. Nicholas Kehoe, USAF (ret.), Maj. Gen. Dwight Wheless, CAP/CC, Brig. Gen. Tony Pineda, CAP/CV and CAP's Executive Director Col. Al Allenback, USAF (ret.) joined members of The Spaatz Association at their celebration of our "Aerospace Leaders of Tomorrow".

"The Cadet Program holds a special place for members of The Spaatz Association," observed TSA National President Stephen Austen in his welcoming remarks, "We are not merely proponents of the Cadet Program, we are the very products of that Program. We simply would not be here without the enduring stewardship of CAP leaders and Cadet Program professionals and they have our profound appreciation."

This was the third in what has become an annual dinner for CAP leaders and Spaatz recipients everywhere. The focus of this year's event was to recognize and appreciate Cadets and Cadet Program officials for their devotion to developing today's young people their quest to be the leaders of tomorrow.

Air Force Brigadier General Ted Bowlds offered authoritative insights on the future of air power. General Bowlds is the Deputy for Acquisition, Aeronautical Systems Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Colonel Bob Mattes, USAF of the Defense Intelligence Agency and Emcee for the evening updated regarding the War On Terror. Both of these fine leaders are former Civil Air Patrol Cadets and Spaatz Award recipients. Their unique "insider" perspectives were of special relevance to the world that our young people will be living in.

Mr. Carl Andrew Spaatz Thomas - grandson of Gen. Carl A. Spaatz -- shared reminisces of the General about his views and practice of motivational leadership. The General led literally thousands of young airmen in the mighty contest of World War II.

The evening was highlighted with the award of three of the Association's Aerospace Leadership Scholarships. Each $2,500 scholarship will help those deserving young people pursue their dreams of securing a private pilot's license. To date The Spaatz Association has awarded over $30,000 in flying scholarship to CAP Cadets, thanks to the generous endowments of Col. Louisa S. Morse, CAP (ret.) and Association members under the faithful stewardship of Col. Bob Mattes, USAF.

These were awarded to C/Major Andrew Sutton (Lexington Composite Squadron - SCWG), C/Capt. Richard Barnard (Tallahassee Composite Sq - FlWG) and C/2LT Devin Keigley Shelbyville Composite Sq. - INWG).

There were also special presentations of several CAP Cadet Program awards; each a significant benchmark in their progress through that program.

C/Colonel Jeremy Lamonte of Texas Wing received his General Carl A. Spaatz Award in a star-studded presentation by Maj Gen Dwight Wheless, CAP National Commander; Brig Gen. Tony Pineda, CAP Vice Commander and Brig. Gen Ted Bowlds, USAF, Spaatz recipient and the evenings keynote speaker. Amelia Earhart Awards were also presented to Cadets Jake Fuentes (New Mexico Wing) and Shawna Bell (Ohio).

Next year's event is now on the drawing board and is planned for Saturday, 4 March 2006 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott hotel. The Spaatz Association has formed a planning team under the leadership of Mr. Curt LaFond to assure next year's event will be the best yet! Spaatzen everywhere are invited to mark their calendars, as are all members of CAP's Board of Governors and National Board.

TSA Members -- L to R -- Mike Murphy, Larry Trick, Ted Bowlds, Tim Cheslock, Noelle Sublett, Andrew Sutton, Douglas Rutherford, Kaycee Gilbert, Bob Mattes, Jon Banks, Curt LaFond, Austyn Granville, Steve Austen