Pegasus Color Guard's Victory

CAMP MABRY, AUSTIN, TX – Racing hearts, restless bodies, butterflies in the stomach. These are just a few phrases that would describe everyone’s emotions during the weekend of the 2007 Texas Wing Cadet Competition. The pressure of every event hangs over the head of every Color Guard member, while supporters watch anxiously, hoping for the best. But that hope rests on top of the sure knowledge that precision and synchronization don't come without practice.

Knowing what it is like to be in the Pegasus Composite Squadron Color Guard, I understand how much time and effort is needed to do well in the Texas Wing Cadet Competition. The saying, “Practice makes perfect” can definitely be applied to what every Color Guard must go through in order to come up on top in this event. Spending the weekend with my squadron’s color guard, I got the privilege of experiencing the rush of this competition once again – no longer a participant myself, but now a spectator.

Together, the following team members put their hearts and souls into this event:

• Commander and American flag bearer, C/Amn Austin Lowery,
• American flag guard, C/MSgt Robbie Petrosky,
• Organizational flag bearer, C/CMSgt Rand Fowler,
• Organizational flag guard, C/CMSgt David Hamman and
• Alternate, C/SSgt Aaron Harold.

Under the guidance of Maj J. D. Draper, the Pegasus Color Guard “took it to the streets” and placed first in the following categories:

• Outdoor Practical,
• Mile Run, and
• Written exam.

Pegasus placed second in

• In-Ranks Inspection,
• Panel Quiz,
• Standard Drill, and
• Indoor Practical.

In the end, the Pegasus Color Guard earned first place overall and will be representing Texas Wing at the upcoming Southwest Region Cadet Competition. Their long hard work had paid off, and they had risen to the top. When I asked C/CMSgt David Hamman how he felt about the Color Guard's win, he replied, “We came, we saw, we terminated.”

Along with their outstanding team results, C/Amn Austin Lowery, the fastest male on the mile run, earned the Male Fleet Foot award.

Although the Pegasus Color Guard achieved an impressive accomplishment, it also faced a formidable opponent in Houston's Sheldon Cadet Squadron, so it was a very narrow win. I thought Sheldon looked very sharp, and no one was sure of the outcome until it was announced – it was that close.

Something else emerged from the Color Guard competition. There was amazing improvement on the part of Red Oak Cadet Squadron, a relatively new unit in competition, who have come a long way since their first attempt last year. Placing third in this event, for a team so new and young, was a fantastic achievement.

All in all, the Pegasus Color Guard's hard work has paid off so far, but the real test will come on 27 March at the Southwest Region Cadet Competition in Louisiana. I look forward to seeing the team give the competition their very best, in a spirit of friendly rivalry. I hope they have a great time in Louisiana and gain valuable experience, taking advantage of an opportunity that doesn’t present itself all too often.

Article submitted by C/2d Lt Raphael Erie, Pegasus Composite Squadron