Civil Air Patrol

Seven Bemidji area community members were awarded the “Lead By Example” award at Bemidji Civil Air Patrol’s Annual Dining Out recently.  The criteria for this award includes being a person of integrity, demonstrating proven leadership in the community, showing good communication skills when teaching our young people, and to have spent time working with our cadets at events during the year.

Bemidji CAP Commander, Capt. Robin Helgager comments, “We have such a short time in the lives of our young people, that I choose very carefully who we put in their path for them to emulate.   It is an awesome responsibility to choose what type of leaders we offer as examples to our cadets.  We are very fortunate to have exceptional leaders in this community who have time honored skills in leadership, teamwork, communication with young people, positive attitudes and, of course, integrity.”

Here is a snapshot of Bemidji Civil Air Patrol’s 2010 “Lead By Example” Award Winners from our recent Dining Out and Awards Program:

2010 “Lead By Example” Award Winner:  Mayor Richard Lehman

Mayor Lehmann was chosen again this year for the “Lead By Example” Award for his support of our cadets through attending our events,  and modeling what it means to be a committed civil servant.    Mayor Lehmann is known for seeking out our cadets at events to shake their hand and encourage them to be the best they can be in school, work and CAP!.  He knows many of our cadets by name and takes every opportunity to tell them he is proud of them!

2010 “Lead By Example” Award Winner:  Sheriff Phil Hodapp

Sheriff Phil Hodapp was chosen again this year for the “Lead By Example”" Award for the leadership he has modeled to  our cadets.  Sheriff Hodapp has spent many hours training our cadets in issues of safety and personal responsibility.  He is a favorite instructor for our cadets!  Sheriff Hodapp has been instrumental coordinating Bemidji’s Civil Air Patrol capabilities for Search and Rescue and Disaster Relief projects through combined training opportunities and actual missions.  He spends numerous hours each year preparing our cadets and senior members to work parking cars at the Beltrami County Fair. Because of his hands on hours with our program, he knows many of our cadets by name.

2010 “Lead By Example” Award Winner:  Commissioner Joe Vene

Commissioner Joe Vene  was chosen again this year for the “Lead By Example”" Award for his presence in our cadet leadership laboratory.  Commissioner Vene has been a constant encouragement and supporter of our cadets throughout the year.  He regularly attends our events and challenges our cadets to be the best they can be in all aspects of their life. Commissioner Vene has given our cadets many opportunities to learn to our service men and women who have given so much to protect our way of life.

2010 “Lead By Example” Award Winner:  Ashli Bowen, Bemidji Area United Way Director

Ashli Bowen was chosen as one of our “Lead By Example” Award winners because of the opportunities she presents to our cadet program.  Ashli has been dedicated not only to model servant leadership and a great positive attitude, but also has provided numerous opportunities for our cadets to serve through Bemidji Area United Way projects such as  Coats for the Community and  Holiday Gifts for Kids.  Ashli is always giving a word of encouragement, or making a new cadet feel welcome!  Ashli’s events are our cadet’s favorite activities!

2010 “Lead By Example” Award Winner:  Beryl Wernberg, Beltrami County Emergency Services Director and 911 Dispatch Coordinator

Beryl Wernberg was chosen again this year as one of our “Lead By Example” winners for her tireless  example of an Emergency Services leader.  Beryl has been a champion of our cadets for many years and the cadets feel the same way about her.  She spends countless hours with our cadets each year before, during and after the Beltrami County Fair getting them ready for the job at hand. . . . parking hundreds of cars each day!  Beryl knows our cadets well and provides special training on different topics for them each year.  Whether parking cars or sandbagging during a flood, the cadets think the world of Beryl as a leader and a friend!

2010 “Lead By Example” Award Winner:  Steve McGuirk, EAA/Young Eagles Pilot

Steve McGuirk was chosen as a “Lead By Example” winner for his gift of flight to the majority of the cadets in our program.  Steve has given over 400 Young Eagle flights to area children over the last few years at his own expense.  Steve leads by example in the many children he impacts through the thrill of aviation – giving children sometimes a once in a lifetime opportunity to fly and his encouragement to each one of them to be the best they can be.

2010 “Lead By Example” Award Winners:  Randy and Mary Forseth, Beltrami County Mounted Posse (picture not available)

Posse Randy and Posse Mary, as our cadets call them,  are again “Lead By Example” winners this year for their leadership example to our cadets.  Randy and Mary spend many hours a year working with our cadets at the Beltrami County Fair and various other projects.  Any time a cadet needs a break or more water, the Forseth team is there to lend a hand.  Randy and Mary are “go to” team members that our cadets have come to rely on at the Fair.  Their servant attitude and willingness to work with our young people is such an encouragement to our cadets.  Randy and Mary know our cadets well.  We are grateful for their leadership and support of our program.