Cadets turn miles into money
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The MinotWreaths.org’s First Annual Cadet Challenge delivered a surge of energy Sunday, Sept. 13, as cadets of the Civil Air Patrol Magic City Composite Squadron transformed a 90‑minute fun run into a major community impact event. Minot businesses kept pace by pledging donations for every mile logged, sponsoring veteran wreaths at Rosehill Cemetery through MinotWreaths.org, the local effort of Wreaths Across America.
In a display of grit, determination and unmistakable cadet spirit, participants logged 52 miles at Minot North High School's Sentinel Field. Local businesses responded in force, pledging about $10,000 in support of MinotWreaths.org. Those pledges will provide nearly 600 wreaths to honor veterans at Rosehill Cemetery this December.
"The Civil Air Patrol cadets were driven once they hit the ground running,” said MinotWreaths.org Coordinator Robyn Stoner. “Since 29% of all wreath funds return to our community to support their own Cadet Program, every stride meant these kids were supporting their own squadron. Not only did they work for wreath sponsorships to honor our veterans, they also generated $2,900 that returns to our community to strengthen their cadet emergency services training, leadership development, aerospace education and year‑round service activities. The event was created to include all members of the squadron, ensuring every cadet had the opportunity to participate, contribute and support the mission of honoring veterans through MinotWreaths.org, even those not geared toward fundraising. And our Minot community stepped up."
Participating cadets were C/Capt. Zeke Hoverson, C/Second Lt. Kohen Merkel, C/Chief Master Sgt. Emma Slocum, C/Master Sgt. Jeannie DeHaan, C/Tech. Sgt. Tyler Todd, C/Staff Sgt. Miles Batteiger, C/Sr. Airman Nick Parker, C/Airman 1st Class Jack May and C/Airman Miller Merkel.
Each wreath sponsored through this event ensures a veteran's name will be spoken aloud and remembered with honor during the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony on Dec. 19.