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13
May
2019
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14:16 PM
America/Chicago

Va. Wing Member Honored for Service to Family During Hardship

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Tim Miner
Chaplain
Virginia Wing

Capt. David I. Spence of the Virginia Wing’s Southside Composite Squadron has been honored with the Chaplain Robert P. Taylor Prize for Compassion and Service for his service after a death in a squadron family.

The Virginia Wing’s leadership and chaplaincy created the annual award – named for U.S. Air Force Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Robert Preston Taylor, who in 1950 became the first chaplain assigned to Civil Air Patrol headquarters – to recognize the most outstanding example of service the previous year by a wing member to another member or their family during a time of great hardship.

Spence is the Southside unit’s character development instructor. He was recognized for leading the squadron’s support and service to a Southside senior member and her cadet children after the unexpected death of the husband and father.

“Capt. Spence led the squadron’s efforts to support this family and even reached out to get additional critical resources from around the commonwealth,” said Capt. James A. Manning, Southside commander. “While nothing could bring back their family member, David’s tireless efforts eased the burdens brought on by an untimely death.”

Col. Dean Gould, Virginia Wing commander, called Spence’s leadership and service a “shining example of how Virginia Wing members rise up to fulfill the national commander’s vision that ‘one Civil Air Patrol’ comes together to excel in its service to its membership.”