(1)
(From left) Cadet Staff Sgt. Tanner Williamson (back to camera), Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Spencer Enriquez, Senior Member Ed Skaife, 1st Lt. Jennifer Kupec and Senior Member Shane Baker prepare for their walk team assignments at the Madison Mallards' ticket booth.
Photo by 2nd Lt. Dale Mitchell, Wisconsin Wing
(2)
Cadet Staff Sgt. Tanner Williams halts traffic at a pedestrian crossing for participants in the walk.
Photo by Maj. David Vriezen, Wisconsin Wing
(3)
The column of walk participants turns from Warner Park Lagoon toward a city street.
Photo by Maj. David Vriezen, Wisconsin Wing
(4)
Cadet Airman 1st Class Creole Schmaltz at his station on Woodward Avenue.
Photo by Maj. David Vriezen, Wisconsin Wing
(5)
Cadet Tech. Sgt. Erich Vraney high-fives a walk participant as Senior Member Shane Baker looks on,
Photo by Maj. David Vriezen, Wisconsin Wing
2nd Lt. Dale Mitchell
Public Affairs Officer
153rd Madison Composite Squadron
Wisconsin Wing
WISCONSIN – It’s a challenge the Western Wisconsin Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation faces every year: how to recruit volunteers to safely route thousands of participants who turn out for the Walk for a Cure in Madison.
To their relief, organizers of the annual event have found that members of the Madison 153rd Composite Squadron possess the skills, teamwork and enthusiasm essential to fill this need.
In 2011, members of the squadron responded to the foundation’s last-minute request for help. Event planners had expected parking lot construction to be completed by the day of the walk, only to discover otherwise.
The 153rd Composite members mobilized to route drivers through the maze of construction barrels to the usable areas of the parking lot.
This year, walk organizers reached out again to ask the unit for help.
For Maj. Dave Vriezen, squadron commander, the event was an opportunity to actively use CAP emergency services skills and promote teamwork.
Vriezen assessed a map showing the walk route, and as members arrived four teams were formed. Each was given a station at a critical location along the route.
The squadron’s safety officer, Senior Member Shane Baker, conducted a safety briefing before the four teams deployed. Uniforms were inspected, canteens filled, radios tested and the team locations marked on a route map.
The 2012 walk originated and ended at the Madison Mallards’ Duck Pond, home field of a team in the summertime Northwoods League, an indpenedent minor league for collegiate players. The 2 1/2-mile walk was well-marked with signs, but it traversed multiple parking lots, park paths, grassy strips and sidewalks along city streets.
Easily recognizable in their battle dress uniforms with bright green and orange safety vests, the CAP volunteers oversaw orderly and safe passage at key transition points, ready with radios to lend assistance if needed.
Vriezen drove the CAP van along streets adjacent to the walk route, monitoring his four teams and taking photos. When it appeared no more walkers would be crossing the finish line, he verified that information with the teams.
“We made sure no one is left behind” he said before calling in his last two teams.
The squadron's successful mission drew praise from event organizers and participants.
“JDRF staff and walkers were grateful for the support and for [CAP volunteers] ensuring the safety of over 2,000 walkers,” said Elizabeth Meland, special events coordinator for the foundation’s Madison office.
