Two Lancaster Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Jesse Jones Composite Squadron cadets, Cadet Col. Slater Shannon of East York and 2nd Lt. Lucyann Draeger of Landisville, were awarded the Major Jack Weckerle Memorial Scholarship at the squadron's Oct. 13 meeting.

The scholarship was established in honor of the late Jack Weckerle and presented by his son, Jack Jr. It recognizes outstanding cadets who demonstrate exceptional dedication to aviation and community service. The recipients each received a $2,500 scholarship for their private pilot's license training.

In the past year, Shannon received an Achievement Award and a Commander's Commendation and completed the highest achievement of the cadet program, earning the Spaatz Award. Shannon attended the Air Force Supervised Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Course this summer, earned first place in the CAP Aerospace competition in Pennsylvania, and is now an adviser to the current cadet commander, having previously served in that role.

Draeger also received an Achievement Award and earned her Billy Mitchell Award, becoming an officer. Draeger attended the Blue Berret National Cadet Special Activity this summer, enabling her to train and work on the flight line in Oshkosh, Wis. Her current role at the squadron is flight commander.

Weckerle's career in aviation began at the age of 18, when he joined the Air Force with dreams of working in the space program. He was led to aviation mechanics, and, facing limited job opportunities, Weckerle began working at Pan Am as an aircraft cleaner. His love for airplanes led him to pursue his pilot's license and to realize his dreams to become a pilot of the Boeing 707 and 747 aircraft that he once cleaned earlier in his career.

Weckerle was an integral part of the Jesse Jones Squadron for 10 years. As an aviation mechanic, he contributed to the Civil Air Patrol by ensuring the squadron's airplanes were in top condition. As a pilot, he enjoyed taking new cadets on orientation flights and introducing cadets into aviation. The scholarship continues his legacy to support the squadron cadets in aviation after his many years of service.

Jesse Jones Squadron 304 meets each Monday except holidays at 7 p.m. in the Venture Jets hangar, which is located at the Lancaster Airport near the intersection of Lititz Pike and Millport Road. Visitors are welcome.

The Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. To learn more, visit http://www.JesseJones.cap.gov or follow the squadron on Facebook.