RONKONKOMA, NY – February 22, 2007.   Building relationships with non-CAP organizations within the community has always been one of the goals of the Long Island Group.  One such relationship that has been cultivated over the years is with the Salvation Army of Suffolk County, NY and every year it seems to grow stronger.

The Salvation Army supports many CAP missions by providing their Emergency Response Vehicle, or “ERV” as well as generous supplies.  Having access to these assets, CAP is able to support many events such as the Long Island Breast Cancer Walkathon at Jones Beach which require our members to spend many hours outdoors usually in less than ideal weather.  

CAP members have shown their support of the Salvation Army by raising money for the Army’s disaster relief efforts such as the Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina.  

This year the Long Island Group’s color guard team from the Col. Francis S. Gabreski Squadron was invited to present the colors at the annual Salvation Army Volunteers Appreciation Dinner held at the Courtyard Hotel in Ronkonkoma, NY.

The color guard was led by C/MSgt Joshua Medina and included C/A1C Daniel Bornschien, C/MSgt Carissa Lackey and C/Amn Zeki Ozyilmaz.  Shortly after 7PM they began the evening’s ceremony by presenting the Colors to the assembled Salvation Army Volunteers while they recited the Pledge of Allegiance.  The team then posted the flags and marched off.  Afterwards the team received a round of applause from all in attendance.  Major Lou Fenech, Jr., the Gabreski squadron commander said “it was truly inspiring to be in the company of so many dedicated supporters of the Salvation Army”.  He went on to say that he “was truly moved when CAP was recognized by the Salvation Army Director Mr. Paul Vincent.”