South Texas Civil Air Patrol Cadets make good showing in Buc Days Parade

By Major J. E. Carrales, CAP
Corpus Christi, Texas- Cadets from the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron (of Kingsville) and the Corpus Christi Cadet Squadron were honored to represent the Civil Air Patrol in the 2011 Buc Days Illuminated Night Parade which was held in downtown Corpus Christi, Texas on Saturday, 30 April 2011.


In all, attendance was excellent seeing a good mix of cadets from both units.

C/2d Lt Matthew Spencer, C/SSgt Savahannah Jimenez, C/SrA Juan Vela, C/SrA Robert Alcantara, C/A1C Amnah Ziyad, C/1AC Keleigh Scudder, C/Amn Jon Stillwagon, C/Amn Aurora Canales, C/Amn Sarah Del Valle (of Riviera, Texas), C/Amn Devin Salazar and C/Amn Ricardo Gonzalez represented the Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron which is garrisoned at Kingsville ISD’s Memorial Middle School.

C/TSgt Christopher Lidy, C/SrA Miguel Ortiz, C/SrA Azrael Ryder, and C/A1C Emily Phelps represented the Corpus Christi Composite Squadron.

Cadet M. Spencer prepares the formation to enter the parade route.

Major Joe Ely Carrales, SM Kurt Ryder, SM Rose P. Osborne and SM Rachel Pena supervised the activity.

Cadets meet at the marshaling area at 4:00 pm and had to wait 4 hours for the opening shotgun shot, a traditional starting ceremonial. During that time, cadets had a class on making Knots, given by SM Kurt Ryder, for use in Emergency Services activities. This was followed by a knots contest. Cadets also dined and shared some fellowship time.

“The Cadets marched outstandingly,” said Major Carrales Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron Commander, “they demonstrated the type of respectful reverence that reflects the service of the Civil Air Patrol in South Texas going clear back to World War II.”

A quick run through as the sun sets

Major Carrales indicated that this was the best showing of the Civil Air Patrol in the Buc Days Parade in the unit’s history…having marched in said parade several times early this century.

The formation was commanded by C/2d Lt Spencer who did so despite the roar of the crowds. The Colors element was made up of C/SrA Azrael Ryder, who called the commands, and C/SrA Robert Alcantara.

Cadets Ryder and Alcantara held the colors for the parade

Buc Days is a major festival in Corpus Christi first held in 1938. The Illuminated Night Parade is a long tradition that sees numerous entries from all over South Texas, and beyond, with crowds of over 160,000 spectators drawn to this event.

Getting the spacing right is always a challenge in a parade setting

New unit bugler, SrA Vela, familiarizes C/Amn Stillwagon to "Assembly"

Standing poised for the main part of the event, Cadet Spencer reminds cadets to fall back on their training and to be embody "semper vigilans" and all will be well