A Salute to Veterans

The North Carolina 4th of July Festival announces Civil Air Patrol, Brunswick County Composite Squadron for this year’s annual Veteran Recognition Ceremony on Sunday, July 2nd, 2023, at 6 p.m. at the Southport Community Building.   Open to the public, the Veteran Recognition event is an opportunity to express gratitude to those who have served our country. 

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as an auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF).    One of 30 all-volunteer CAP Squadrons in North Carolina, the Brunswick County Squadron has 47 members (18 senior members and 29 cadets) and has been assigned a Cessna 182 airplane,  one of the 13 aircraft currently allocated to North Carolina.  In addition, a communications room, a 12-passenger van and communications trailer ( a mission pilot, Information Technologies Officer, Assistant Operations and Maintenance Officer).   The Brunswick County Composite Squadron (NC-170)  headquarters is located at the Cape Fear Regional Jetport, Southport, NC.  The Civil Air Patrol operates approximately 550 aircraft nationwide and has an estimated 64,000 members. 

Captain H. Karl Noffke will be the keynote speaker of the Veterans Recognition event. He joined the Brunswick Composite Squadron in June 2017, shortly after moving from Connecticut and retiring to North Carolina with his wife, Linda. He became the squadron commander in October 2019. In addition he is a mission pilot. His military service includes 32 years in the United States Air Force/C.T. Air National Guard.  He earned his MBA from the University of New Haven, CT; a B.S. in Business Management from Teikyo University, Connecticut, where in graduated Magna Cum Laude; an Associate Degree in Management from Naugatuck Valley Community Technical College, Connecticut; and an Electronic Technician Certificate from the Connecticut School of Electronics. His experience  includes 28 years in the pharmaceutical industry supporting electronic laboratory information and scientific data management systems. 

Established on December 1st, 1941, six days before Pearl Harbor, the Civil Air Patrol defended America’s shores and borders, trained soldiers and airmen, and rescued thousands of men and women. Over the past 75 years, CAP has remained committed to the mission of emergency services, aerospace education, and cadet programs. The Brunswick Squadron is an active and vital part of the local community. The evening’s presentation will be informative and exciting. 

You may see more here: https://www.facebook.com/BrunswickCountyCS/about

The Veteran Recognition Ceremony is a mainstay of the N.C. July 4th Festival. The Festival Committee is grateful to offer many events that allow the public to stop and remember those who serve our country and protect our freedoms. We encourage all Veterans in the area to attend. Seating is limited, and this event is first come, first serve.