Cadet Airman 1st Class Alina Polzin of the Wyoming Wing’s Cheyenne Composite Squadron took advantage of a rare opportunity July 19 — delivering a squadron challenge coin to a U.S. Air Force four-star general.
The presentation took place when Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, commander of the U.S. Transportation Command, flew through Cheyenne on an official visit within the region. Van Ovost had previously given specific instructions that she didn’t want to visit or be greeted by any dignitaries or receive any military honors, but she made a point of asking to meet with Civil Air Patrol cadets in the area.
Cheyenne Composite Squadron cadets spoke with Van Ovost for 90 minutes — twice as long as she originally requested — in the airport conference room.
Van Ovost, herself a former CAP cadet, discussed her career and the need to stay motivated in the face of both positive outcomes and challenges.
Touched by Polzin’s gesture, Van Ovost reciprocated by presenting the cadet with her personal flight suit “Fly Like a Girl” patch. She also presented all the cadets in the room with coins of her own._____Lt. Col. Charles Young II Commander Cheyenne Composite Squadron Wyoming Wing
