Overlake’s Civil Air Patrol cadet squadron took home the state color guard championship honors in a two-day competition at Camp Murray, Wash.

The Overlake Composite Squadron CAP color guard, based in Redmond, will compete for Pacific Region honors back at Camp Murray, near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, April 28 – 29.

Over two days, teams of six cadets aged 12–18 were tested in on their uniform preparation, standard and innovative drill maneuvers, presentation of the nation’s colors indoors and outdoors, knowledge of aerospace topics in both written and panel quizzes, and physical fitness, including a timed mile run. Overlake placed first in each of the seven events.

“We are thrilled to see our color guard take home this year’s honors,” said Capt. Mike Holliday, commander, Overlake Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol. “These young men and women devote countless hours to develop the cadence, timing, and maneuvers of their drill and then donate their time and effort to honor our country, our flag, and the men and women of our military in many events around our community. These cadets are an amazingly dedicated unit.”

Overlake’s color guard unit has been called on to present the colors at numerous activities and ceremonies around the area: Bellevue’s Fourth of July fireworks celebration at Bellevue Downtown Park, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day at Safeco Field over the past two years, Veterans Day memorial events at Boeing Museum of Flight honoring a Medal of Honor recipient and the Tuskegee Airmen, the Kirkland Fourth of July parade and opening of the Kirkland Little League season and more than a dozen Veterans Day school events.

The winning color guard team included color guard commander Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Moritz Wienke, Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Max Wienke, Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Matthew Skelton, Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Tyler Furnish, Cadet Staff Sergeant Merrick Kruml, and Cadet Airman 1st Class Joanna Aponte. Color guard team advisors are: Cadet Capt. Kelly Walls, squadron Deputy Commander Capt. John Hughes, and Senior Member Andreas Wienke.

Overlake—Composite refers to a unit made up of both cadets and adults. The squadron meets every Tuesday evening from 6:45-9 p.m. at the Lake Washington School District Resource Center in Redmond Town Center. Capt. Mike Holliday is squadron commander.

The Squadron is online at www.overlakecap.org and www.facebook.com/overlakesquadron.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 61,000 members nationwide.

Civil Air Patrol’s Overlake Squadron color guard member Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Matthew Skelton (left) salutes the nation’s colors held by color guard commander Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Moritz Wienke during outdoor flag handling drill competition at Camp Murray, Wash. COURTESY PHOTO, Andreas Wienke