Legislative Day 2023
MCGUIRE COMPOSITE SQUADRON
CIVIL AIR PATROL
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AUXILIARY
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, NEW JERSEY 08562
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Maj. Bill Petzinger
(609) 306-0966
Local Student Participates in a Wreath-laying Ceremony
at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Cadet First Lieutenant Allyson Kittel (front) of Civil Air Patrol’s Maj Thomas B. McGuire Jr Composite Squadron participates in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery with other Civil Air Patrol cadets from Pennsylvania, Indiana and Rhode Island.
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. (March 2, 2023) – A Civil Air Patrol
cadet and student at Northern Burlington County High School recently participated in the
wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in
Washington, D.C.
Cadet First Lieutenant Allyson Kittel of the Maj Thomas B. McGuire Jr Composite Squadron
and three cadets from Pennsylvania, Indiana and Rhode Island wings received a unique
opportunity to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Cadet Kittel’s father, Master
Gunnery Sergeant Christopher Kittel, US Marine Corps, was present and watched his daughter
participate in the ceremony.
It meant a lot to me to honor those who served in the military", Cadet Kittel said. "My father
was so proud of me for having such a huge honor placed on me. Not many people get to do
something like that."
Cadet First Lieutenant Allyson Kittel of Civil Air Patrol’s Maj Thomas B. McGuire Jr Composite Squadron stands next to her father, Master Gunnery Sergeant Christopher Kittel, US Marine Corps, who watched his daughter participate in the the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
Cadet Kittel, along with more than 200 Civil Air Patrol members from other states, traveled to
Washington, D.C. for Legislative Day in which she met with representatives in Congress or their
staff to lobby for support. Cadets met with US Senator Robert Menendez and Rick Bowman,
Defense Fellow, from Congressman Andy Kim’s office.
Cadet First Lieutenant Allyson Kittel of Civil Air Patrol’s Maj Thomas B. McGuire Jr Composite Squadron waits outside Representative Mikie Sherrill’s office in Washington, DC.
"We talked about our missions in New Jersey and at the national level as well as funding,” Cadet
Kittel said. "And high on the list is informing Congress about how Civil Air Patrol’s Federal
appropriations are spent and what our future requirements are.”
Civil Air Patrol, the long-time all-volunteer auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force operates 26
squadrons in New Jersey carrying out Air Force-assigned emergency and disaster relief missions
as well as congressionally chartered education activities in science, education, technology and
math (STEM).
Cadet First Lieutenant Allyson Kittel of Civil Air Patrol’s Maj Thomas B. McGuire Jr Composite Squadron meets with Rick Bowman from Congressman Andy Kim’s office in Washington, DC.
If you are a student between the ages of 12-18 -- or an adult – and considering joining Civil Air
Patrol, please reach out to Maj Bill Petzinger by email bill.petzinger@njwg.cap.gov . Visit the
squadron’s website for more information.