As reported here Compatriots were on hand at both the United States Air Force Academy and Military Academy earlier this year to present awards to outstanding cadets during special ceremonies.

During the May Awards Ceremony at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Cadet First Class Melissa L. Bland was given the National Society's Foreign Area Studies Award.  A few day's later she received a Bachelor of Science Degree and a commission as an Air Force Second Lieutenant during Academy's 46th graduation program.  Plans call for her to attend the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California and then enter pilot training.

Several years ago Compatriot and Mrs. C.E. Thorp endowed this award.   Still active in the Wisconsin Society, he has served as it's President as well as a term as Vice-President General for the Great Lakes District.

Toward the end of May the first award ever presented at the Military Academy at West Point, New York was received by Cadet Kyle Greenheck who had demonstrated significant achievement and excellence in his studies of United States History.   The award, which is an engraved sword, was offered by Historian General Richard W. Sage (the sword and others to be presented in future years are paid for through an endowment made to the Academy with funds contributed by Academy graduates and numerous Compatriots).  He gave a brief overview of the SAR and its objectives to those attending the affair.  Cadet Greenheck was later graduated and is now serving as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Cadet Melissa L. Bland received her SAR award from Col. Joseph L. Thomas, USAF (Ret).   During the 115th Annual Congress held in Louisville this past July, he was elected Vice-President General for the Rocky Mountain District.

Participating in the ceremony saluting Cadet Kyle Greenheck were these Compatriots (from left):  Peter K. Goebel, Empire State Society; Douglas W. Stuart, Maryland Society; and Richard W. Sage, Empire State Society.  Goebel and Stuart are Academy grads.