BROOKINGS – Big Sioux Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, will dedicate its new outdoor flagpole during a ceremony open to the public on Thursday, Sept. 23. The ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. at Big Sioux’s squadron building, located at 413 W. Second St. S., Brookings. 

Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force, providing local, state, tribal and national agencies with air and ground operational mission support, fostering aerospace education, and offering a youth program, known as the Cadet Program. 

The local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) awarded Big Sioux a grant earlier this year to purchase and install the new flagpole. Since receiving the grant, cadets, senior members, and even a parent of two of Big Sioux’s cadets, Javier Sanchez, have been busy clearing and setting up the flagpole area and erecting the pole.  

One or more local DAR representatives, along with members of Big Sioux, will dedicating the new flagpole during the ceremony. Big Sioux is inviting other community members to also attend. 

“All of our cadets learn American flag etiquette as part of our color guard training,” said Captain Tyler Gross, Big Sioux’s Commander. “Now with our new flagpole, the cadets can much more effectively learn how to show proper honor to the colors and demonstrate excellence when our color guard is asked to raise and lower the colors on an outdoor flagpole during local civic events.” 

Big Sioux Composite Squadron meets every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at 413 W. Second St. S., Brookings, SD 57006. Adults (18+) interested in becoming involved with Civil Air Patrol may contact the squadron commander via email at Tyler.Gross@sdwg.cap.gov. Youth interested in joining the cadet program (over age 12, but younger than 18) may contact the deputy commander of cadets, 2nd Lt. Rudy Trias, via email at Rudy.Trias@sdwg.cap.gov.