PT senior achieves one of CAP’s highest awards

Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Adam Parker, a senior at Peters Township High School and cadet commander of Civil Air Patrol’s (CAP) Washington County Squadron 601, was presented CAP’s prestigious Eaker Award by State Rep. Brandon Neuman during the unit’s banquet held Jan. 11 at the Washington Elks Lodge. Cadet Lt. Col. Parker was also awarded a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for his achievement from Congressman Tim Murphy’s office.
“As I get closer to the end of my CAP career, I keep on reflecting on my journey,” Cadet Lt. Col. Parker said. “I find it very satisfying that I have come so far, and that I can now focus on helping other cadets reach the same goal.”
Cadet Lt. Col. Parker is also the first cadet in Washington County Squadron 601’s history to earn the award, which was named to honor the late Air Force General Ira C. Eaker, one of the chief architects and visionaries of the U.S. Air Force. To earn the award, cadets must complete all levels of the cadet program and demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities.
“Less than 200 cadets a year achieve this honor nationwide. We are incredibly proud of Cadet Lt. Col. Parker’s achievement,” said Capt. Edward Silassy, Commander, Washington Squadron 601. “He is an outstanding young man and a dedicated leader within our squadron, Civil Air Patrol and his community.”
Cadet Lt. Col. Parker has been a member of CAP’s Washington Squadron 601 since 2008. In addition to his role as Cadet Commander for his unit, he also serves as a representative on CAP’s Pennsylvania Cadet Advisory Council. Amongst his many CAP accomplishments, he includes graduation from CAP’s Northeastern Regional Leadership Academy in Cape Cod, Mass., the U.S. Air Force Civil Engineering Academy at Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, Fla., and the U.S. Air Force Space Familiarization Academy in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
CAP, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, has three missions: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education of the American people and the Cadet program, which provides opportunities for the learning and nurturing of leadership to nearly 26,000 young people ages 12 to 18 years of age nationwide. Less than 1.2 percent of cadets ever earn the Eaker Award, the second highest a cadet can achieve.