From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
July 25, 2025
• Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron 288: ny288.cap.gov
Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary meeting
“We at CAP like to boast that we are the nation’s ‘best-kept secret’ youth program.” – Captain L. Tom Chen, CAP – Deputy Commander, Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron 288, 2025
When I first read Capt. L. Tom Chen’s email suggesting I cover the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron in Wantagh, my immediate reaction was:
A U.S. Air Force Auxiliary program mainly for teens?
Here on Long Island?
AWESOME!
So, on July 21, I attended its weekly Monday night meeting at the Church of St. Jude.
Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. At front are two of the senior cadets leading drills in the main meeting room during the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron’s Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
Arriving early to the meeting, I enjoyed listening to a few adult leaders who enthusiastically shared information related to the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron.
For example, I didn’t know until the squadron meeting that Roosevelt Field was named in 1919 after Quentin Roosevelt, President Theodore Roosevelt’s youngest son, a U.S. Army Air Service pilot who died in aerial combat during World War I. (That reminded me about how my dad wanted to be a pilot during WWII.)
Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. At center, a senior cadet leads drills in the front room during the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron’s Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
• Instruction & Drills
Attendance at the Wantagh CAP meeting was about a third of the usual size because many cadets were upstate at the annual weeklong NY Wing Encampment, which was held this year at the Hancock Field ANG Base in Syracuse, NY.
Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. Speaker shares information during the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron’s Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
CAP
Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. At left, two senior cadets lead drills during the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron’s Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
CAP
Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. Senior cadets take care of business during the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron’s Monday night meeting at Church of St. Jude. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
CAP
Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. Senior cadet, seen from back at right, speaks with cadets during the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron’s Monday night meeting at Church of St. Jude. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
CAP
• Physical Fitness
Running the mile
Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. A Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron cadet runs a mile at Wantagh High School during the squadron’s Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
CAP
Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. L-R., Officers ROBERT STEIDEL and WILLIAM BROCHU supervise two cadets from Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron fulfilling their required one-mile run, at Wantagh High School. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
CAP
Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. After running a mile at Wantagh High School, two cadets take a cool-down walk during the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron’s Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
Calisthenics
Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. Cadets do jumping jacks during the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron’s Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
CAP
• Public speaking
CAP
Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. A cadet (not shown) will give a speech on “Dehydration and the Importance of Hydration” during the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron’s Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
CAP
• Games – sportsmanship
CAP
Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. Cadets are in the middle of a round of Musical Chairs during the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron’s Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
• Wrap Up
CAP
Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. Standing at left, Capt. L. TOM CHEN, Deputy Commander of Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron, addresses cadets during the squadron’s Monday night meeting at Church of St. Jude. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
CAP
Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. L-R, 1st Lt. RICARDO GOMEZ NIETO and Officer WILLIAM BROCHU chat during the end of the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
CAP
Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. L-R. Aerospace Education Officer 1st Lt. CARL YANNUZZI and Officer ROBERT STEIDEL chat during the end of the Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
Now I’m looking forward to covering one of the squadron’s cadet orientations flights at Republic Airport. Though it’ll be a while before the squadron’s next flight session. I expect it will be worth the wait.
• FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post): Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. A Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron cadet runs a mile at Wantagh High School during the squadron’s Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron meeting: my Photo Gallery
Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron: ny288.cap.gov • calendar
CAP Program at a glance: gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets
blogpost about my dad’s military funeral: Final Salute for Papa Les
Wantagh, New York, U.S. July 21, 2025. The Civil Air Patrol U.S. Air Force Auxiliary NER-NY-288 Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron has its weekly Monday night meeting. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)