The Lancaster Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) recognized several members during a promotion and awards ceremony on Aug. 24, highlighting achievements across multiple levels of the program.

As part of the program, Cadet Col. Slater Shannon of East York received the Commander's Commendation. The award was presented by Lt. Col. Jeffry Smith - commander of CAP's Pennsylvania Group 2 - on behalf of Col. James Ridley - commander of the Northeast Region, which consists of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Shannon was honored for serving as the secretary of the Regional Committee, which was responsible for coordinating regional engagement and ensuring all states and units contributed to the 250th Fourth of July celebration. The committee also designed CAP's commemorative challenge coin.

Senior member Tara Hsiung of Lititz was promoted to second lieutenant, marking the beginning of CAP's officer leadership track for adult senior members. Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Michael Pietrangeli of Lebanon was promoted to cadet second lieutenant and received the Billy Mitchell Award. This is a major milestone in the cadet program that marks advanced leadership and training and officially begins a cadet's entry into the cadet officer corps.

Cadet 1st Lt. Lucyann Draeger of Landisville earned Achievement 11. Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Anna McCamant of Lancaster was promoted to cadet chief master sergeant and received the Robert Goddard Award. Cadet Airman 1st Class Jake Delvisco of New Holland and Cadet Airman 1st Class Micaiah DeLeon of Columbia were promoted to cadet senior airman and received the Mary Feik Award.

Jesse Jones Squadron 304 meets each Monday except holidays at 6:30 p.m. at Alliance Aviation, located inside the Lancaster Airport terminal on Airport Road in Lititz. Visitors are welcome.

CAP is the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. To learn more, visit http://www.cap.news or http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com. Information about Squadron 304 is available by visiting http://www.JesseJones.cap.gov or following the squadron on Facebook.