Cadets from the Jesse Jones Squadron 304 participated in two activities on Nov. 12.

Cadets presented the colors and a POW/MIA table at the veterans' luncheon for Trinity Church in Lititz on Nov. 12. Participating cadets were Cadet Cpt. Reilly Sollenberger, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Mary Weinheimer, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Ryan McNally, and Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Slater Shannon. The training of the Squadron Color Guard is supervised by 1st Lt. Donald Reisch.

The presentation of colors consisted of the ceremony of presenting and retiring the flag. Color guards are often seen at events, carrying the colors to represent the service of the armed forces.

The POW/MIA table is displayed to signify those who are missing but are not forgotten. Each detail of the table symbolizes an aspect of the POW/MIA's life or fate, or of those whom they left behind. Set at the table is a plate containing a slice of lemon signifying the service member's bitter fate and a small amount of salt symbolizing the tears of those missing and their families. The single red rose stands for the service member's loved ones, and the red ribbon represents the service member's love of his or her country. The yellow candle and its yellow ribbon symbolize hope for a joyous reunion with those yet unaccounted for.

Service to one's community, state and nation is a primary part of the cadet programs within the Civil Air Patrol.

Cadets from the Jesse Jones Squadron 304 also participated in the model rocket launch at the Hambright Elementary School in Lancaster, hosted by the Southern Pennsylvania Area Association of Rocketry (SPAAR).

Rocketry is one of the fundamental aerospace education topics taught to cadets in the Civil Air Patrol. Cadets attending the rocketry launch constructed their own individual rockets. A successful launch and recovery is one of the milestones toward earning the rocketry badge.

The cadets who participated were Cadet Airman 1st Class T. Carter Bojako of East Earl, Cadet Senior Airman Brady J. Dougherty of Willow Street, Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Trevor A. Jones of East Earl, and Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Slater J. Shannon of East York. The event was coordinated by Lt. Col. Glenn C. Baugher of Lancaster, who is also the squadron aerospace education officer. The launch pad and ignition systems were provided and coordinated by SPAAR.

SPAAR is a member of the National Association of Rocketry, Section 503. SPAAR is based in Lancaster County and holds monthly sport launches and meetings in and around the Lancaster area. Membership is open to all persons with an interest in rocketry. For more information, visit http://www.spaar.org.

Jesse Jones Squadron 304 meets at 7 p.m. each Monday, except holidays, in the Venture Jets hangar, which is located at Lancaster Airport near the intersection of Lititz Pike and Millport Road. Visitors are welcome.

The Civil Air Patrol is the all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary. For more information, visit http://www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or http://www.CAP.news. Details about the Jesse Jones Squadron 304 are available at http://www.JesseJones.cap.gov and by searching for "Jesse Jones Composite Squadron 304" on Facebook.