Contact:	Lt. Harry Robinson   								Phone:	(770) 587-2409



	Brigadier General Steve Ritchie and Captain Scott O'Grady
	To Present Programs


May 1, 1997.  Gwinnett County Composite Sqdn, 09112 Civil Air Patrol ("CAP") announce that General Steve Ritchie and Captain Scott O'Grady have agreed to present programs to assist in raising funds to complete the purchase of a new hangar.

The hangar will be primarily used for training and meetings for the CAP cadets and adults.  The squadron currently has 71 seniors and 43 cadets.  Last year all of the graduating cadets went to college.  One entered the Air Force Academy and one received a full Navy scholarship.  Also, there were two Spaatz awards, Cadet of the Year award and one cadet selected for International Air Cadet Exchange.

General Ritchie, was the only Air Force pilot "Ace" of the Viet Nam conflict, is the only American pilot ever to down five MiG-21s, and may be the last Fighter Pilot Ace in the history of aerial combat.  General Ritchie explains how it is possible to turn that seeming defeat into victory.  His message of positive discipline and leadership is uplifting and stimulating.  People will come away feeling good about themselves, their families and about our country.  These positives will result in greater efficiency, productivity, and increased sales.  General Ritchie is a speaker that children and grandchildren will read about in their history books.

General Ritchie will present his program on Monday, July 21, 1997 at the Atlanta Marriott Gwinnett Place (Pleasant Hill Road and I-85).  Dinner will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m.  General Ritchie's program begins at 7:30 p.m.  The cost is $30.00 per person.  Children under 12 is $15.00 per person.  

Captain Scott O'Grady, author, Return with Honor.  In June of 1995, Captain O'Grady was helping enforce the NATO no-fly zone in the skies of Bosnia when a Soviet-made anti-aircraft missile slammed into his F-16.  Captain O'Grady's presentations focus on the story of how he managed to live through the missile impact, the technigues he used to survive in a barren and hostile landscape for six days, and the real story behind the daring rescue mission carried out by the U.S. Marines.

Captain O'Grady will speak in October 1997.  The location, date and time will be announced later.
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The Civil Air Patrol is an all volunteer, non-profit, benevolent organization dedicated to humanitarian activities. CAP's three primary "Missions for America" are (1) emergency services including search and rescue, disaster response, humanitarian services and countering operations, (2) Cadet Program developing American youth in leadership, achievement, growth and Drug Demand production programs and, (3) Aerospace Education promoting aerospace technology.

For further information, please contact Lt. Harry Robinson (770) 587-2409 or Lt. Col. Will Hargrove, (770) 979-6174.




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