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State Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi receives a briefing from Lt. Cols. John Jones (left) and Tom Carello.
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Lt. Cols. Tom Carello (left) and John Jones welcome Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi into Civil Air Patrol and the New York Wing.
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Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi with Cadet 2nd Lt. Aaron Dostie (center) and Cadet Staff Sgt. Jonathon Wells.
Photos by Lt. Col. Larry Brinker, New York Wing
Capt. Robert G. Stronach
Public Affairs Officer
New York Wing
NEW YORK – State Assemblyman Anthony J. Brindisi has been inducted into New York Wing’s Legislative Squadron by wing leaders, who also briefed him on homeland security, search-and-rescue and disaster relief missions.
During a ceremony in his Utica office, Brindisi received membership credentials from a New York Wing delegation of Lt. Cols. Tom Carello, wing vice commander; John Jones, Central New York Group commander; and Larry Brinker, national legislative officer.
From the Utica Cadet Squadron, Cadet 2nd Lt. Aaron Dostie and Cadet Staff Sgt. Jonathon Wells were on hand to present the assemblyman with a wing commander's challenge coin.
As a Legislative Squadron member, Brindisi holds the honorary grade of major and is authorized to ride in Civil Air Patrol aircraft and participate in CAP activities.
"As Assemblyman Brindisi progresses on his legislative journey, we are honored and excited that he chooses to share part of his service to New York with our Civil Air Patrol family," Carello said.
"Keeping our families safe is one of the primary reasons I'm in the Assembly," Brindisi said. "The Civil Air Patrol – through its emergency services, counterdrug and youth development programs – enhances New York's and my effort to do just that. The CAP is a natural fit for me, and I'm really looking forward to greater participation in the organization."
Jones added: "I've known the assemblyman for many years. He is a leader that will have a profound impact on our members and programs. Welcome aboard!"
Brinker said the delegation briefed Brindisi on disaster relief and homeland security missions in the state, including aerial damage assessment and ground team support after severe storms and flooding, and flying CAP planes as rogue aircraft for the Air National Guard's F-15 fighter interception practice. With the New York Wing being granted a seat on the state's Emergency Operations Center during the spring, Brinker told the assemblyman CAP wants to reach out to more state and county agencies about its capabilities.
With Brindisi being a member of the Assembly's Veterans Affairs Committee, Brinker said the wing is interested in asking the state to consider honoring its World War II members who helped defend shipping lanes from German U-boats, flying out of a series of coastal patrol bases. The U.S. Congress is considering legislation to grant them a Congressional Gold Medal.
