CAP members participate in program at Camp Ripley

Several veterans' organizations, the Minnesota Patriot Guard and members of the Crow Wing and St. Cloud squadrons of the Civil Air Patrol participated recently in Wreaths Across America at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley.

About 40,000 veterans live within 75 miles of the cemetery.

A poignant moment occurred when one of the nearly 245 wreaths was placed at the grave of Sgt. Jacob Pfingsten, a Crow Wing Squadron member who died in 2005 while serving with the U.S. Army in Germany.

"Jake was a great young man. He had a positive attitude and was always smiling. He was a great role model for the cadets in squadron," said Lt. Col. Bob Johnson of Crow Wing Squadron.

Pfingsten's parents, Capts. Tom and Beth Pfingsten, and sister, C/2d Lt. Sarah Pfingsten, are active members of the unit.

Nearly 245 wreaths were placed compared to seven last year. The Minnesota Patriot Guard provided 75 wreaths with another 168 coming from Crow Wing and St. Cloud squadron sponsors.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 57,000 members nationwide, including 1,200 in Minnesota.

The Civil Air Patrol started placing wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery several years ago. The event then spread nationally among members and has become a tradition for CAP.