San Angelo Composite Squadron Honors Veteran's Day

19 November 2006
San Angelo  - What began as an ordinary Veteran's Day for the San Angelo Composite Squadron, turned out to be an extraordinary lesson in patriotism and dedication for all members of the Civil Air Patrol. 

As in many small communities, occasionally school activity conflicts with other community activity.  In this case, one member of the San Angelo Composite Squadron Color Guard, had to decide whether to protect his grade point average and possible college future by participating with his high school band at an away football game, or march in the San Angelo Veteran's Day Parade and honor all veteran's. 

Earlier in the week, Cadet/Chief Master Sergeant (C/CMSgt) Stephen J. Bright's band instructor informed the band that their individual letter grade would be reduced one point for not participating at a football game in Odessa, Texas.  C/CMSgt Bright, a senior at San Angelo Central High School and San Angelo Composite Squadron Cadet/First Sergeant, made the decision to forgo his "A" grade point average and march in the parade.  "I made the decision because the band does not have anything to do with honoring veterans," said C/CMSgt Bright.  

In addition, C/CMSgt Bright discovered the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Veteran's Day ceremony, later that day, had no one to present the colors.  C/CMSgt Bright solicited his compatriot Honor Guard members, and they fulfilled that need. One only need look at C/CMSgt Bright's family military history to understand these decisions.  His father Tom served in the United States Marine Corps, 3d Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment in Okinawa and Vietnam.  His brother Jason is currently in the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, California, after serving one tour in Iraq with the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, and preparing for a second tour of duty. 

While the Civil Air Patrol stresses academics over squadron functions, C/CMSgt Bright's decision not only surprised everyone, but provided an inspiration for the other members of the squadron, both cadet and senior.  Sometimes the pupil becomes the teacher. 

Article submitted by 2nd Lt Johanna O. Augustine
Photo submitted by Lynn Butler (Left to right: C/SrA Kristina D. Simmons, C/CMsgt Stephen J. Bright,
C/A1C Christopher H. Brown, C/SrA Bessie M. Knight, and C/A1C Angelica Gutierrez)