Tenn. Governor Honors Southeast Region Commander

Col. Barry Melton was recently appointed colonel aide de camp to Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam's staff in recognition of the Southeast Region commander’s service in Civil Air Patrol.

Melton was presented the honor at a ceremony during the region's annual conference in suburban Atlanta.

Tennessee state statute permits the governor to award the honorary designation of colonel aide de camp to a Tennessee citizen for outstanding achievement. Melton lives in Cleveland, Tennessee.

As region commander, Melton leads more than 8,000 CAP members in six wings – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and Puerto Rico.

With the appointment, the former Tennessee Wing commander joins the governor's honorary staff, which is headed by the state adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Terry "Max" Haston, in an ex officio role.

The governor usually awards the title at the request of a legislator, but Melton's honor was issued directly by Haslam's office.