The basis for the design is the Georgia State Flag and, therefore, symbolizes the membership of the Wing and the state we serve. The three white stars represent the three missions of Civil Air Patrol: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Programs.
In heraldry the colors also have meaning. The colors in the emblem represent:
Information provided by:
Lt Col David Brown, Georgia Wing Historian
2015 Annual History Report
Joe Congleton, a former cadet commander of Sandy Springs Cadet Squadron, had created a patch design that incorporated Snoopy, the dog from the popular Peanuts comic strip. Snoopy was seated on the roof of his doghouse as a WWI Flying Ace, with 'The Flyin' 45th' on the top of the patch in reference to the squadron's charter number.
Harry Topliss, the cadet commander following Congleton, sent a letter to Peanuts creator Charles M Schulz requesting approval to use Snoopy's likeness. The artist responded in a personal letter dated July 25, 1967, stating that they "certainly may have permission to use Snoopy" in their patch, and that he was "flattered [they] should wish to do so."
Since 1967, SSCS members have proudly worn the 'Snoopy Patch' on their flight suits and pockets of their olive drab 'pickle suits', jungle fatigues, and Battle Dress Uniforms. Patch designer, Joe Congleton, left college to serve his country as a Huey Cobra pilot in Vietnam where he was severely injured and disabled. Harry Topliss who was cadet commander at the time the patch was made, retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the USAF Reserve.
This article about the patch appeared in the January-February 2008 issue of Civil Air Patrol's Volunteer magazine.
The patch went to space in 2011 on STS-133, Space Shuttle Discovery's final mission!
Information provided by:
Brian Berry, Lt Col, CAP
Commander, Sandy Springs Cadet Squadron
February 2007
"The DeKalb County Cadet Squadron patch was modeled after the US Army Ranger shoulder arc by then squadron commander, Major Ron Bradford. Originally, one had to earn the privilage to wear the DEKALB patch by passing several tests, amoung which included rappelling off a mountain! Ron Bradfield was a Vietnam Veteran, and wore his military awards on his CAP uniform including the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Lieutenant Colonel Bradford passed away in 1986."
A little known item:
"Ron Bradford had worked for Dekalb Cablevision, a local cable TV provider, and the very first patches worn by Dekalb Squadron personnel were ones worn by employees from that company!"
Information provided by:
1st Lt Charles E (Chuck) Corway, formerly of DeKalb County Cadet Sq
April 2006
- and -
Lt Col Brian Berry, Commander, Sandy Springs Cadet Sq
February 2007
Now that the Squadron Patch is a Reality, it is appropriate to reflect on the patch design, the meaning behind its symbols, and what it should mean to those who wear this shield.
The patch carries the obvious symbols that many have seen associated before with Civil Air Patrol. The Eagle mounts the CAP Shield, together becoming the CAP crest. It is visible on our buttons, hat insignia, and blazer jacket to name a few. It is a modification of the US military emblem/standard of today except with the exception of the lightning bolt and arrows held in the talons and of course in lies in the heart of this nation’s image.
The plane is the same as that of the emergency services patch, telling of our missions of mercy for our countrymen and of our coastal control duties during WWII and today.
The two stars could be said to stand for the two cornerstones of CAP, its seniors and cadets, its past and its future.
But these images imply something more than the above obvious and immediate meaning and it is the unconscious use of these symbols that I wish to share.
The eagle from the dawn of recorded time has been an ancient symbol for celestial power. With it in one’s mind’s eye, we are able to overcome the downward pull of psychic gravity and rise above our limitations, soaring ever upward toward the light. The eagle was used also as the sun symbol in many lands, a symbol of light and illumination of consciousness. it came to stand for many as an image of a luminous sky.
The stars are shown on opposite sides of the eagle, on each side of the luminous day. They represent the morning and evening stars, the dawn and the dusk. They have also from mans beginnings stood for those that rose above the common man, those heroes that dared ascend to the heights and were immortalized in the stars.
Finally, the airplane. the perfect symbol of man’s dreams. To dream of things thought impossible, and then to make them possible is what fuels heroes today. Not all Heroes take to the air, but those in Civil Air Patrol are heroes on the wing.
To me the squadron patch says this:
From Dawn to Dusk, through the luminous sky, the heroes of Civil Air patrol fly. Civil Air patrol flies with courage, with conviction, and with honor. CAP members are the unsung heroes of today. Take pride in CAP, be proud of the heroes that you are and wear the Gwinnett county squadron patch with pride. But more importantly, live in it ideals, dare to dream, dare to fly above the rest.
God Bless,
Major J D Sander
Information provided by:
Lt Col Deborah J Schmid, Squadron Commander
July 13, 2016
"The patch was designed by our cadets. The eagle represents the Glider Program in Georgia Wing and we took upon ourselves the name of "Eagles". We were the first unit in Georgia to get a glider since we have the Mid-Georgia Soaring Association at our home field of Monroe Airport. Since then, Georgia has hosted many National Glider Encampments. Silent Eagle is the name our cadets selected for the glider and that is reflected on the patch with the golden eagle. (note: all that gold thread seems to be why they cost so much) Also, the 172 shown with a crashed aircraft represents search and rescue. You will notice that our unit designation is there as 09142 as well as the CAP motto. We have had the patch for about ten years and it has been very popular with collectors."
Information provided by:
Lt Col Darrell Golliher, Squadron Commander
April 13, 2010
"The patch design was created in 2008 by Cadet Julian Gluck, assisted by Cadet Ryan Brown, and finalized by Mr. Joshua East. It was approved by LaGrange Composite Squadron Commander, Capt Brion Gluck, and authorized by Georgia Wing Commander, Col James Hughes."
"The emblem features the latin phrase 'Per Aspera Ad Astra' meaning 'To the stars through difficulty.' Inside the circular inset, there is a thorny branch with five thorns representing the five milestone awards in the cadet program (Wright, Mitchell, Earhart, Eaker, and Spaatz) and five in the unit designation. Behind the thorny branch is a runway with a hidden heading of 153 for the unit title. In the black sky above, there are three four-pointed stars; the number of stars represents the three missions of the Civil Air Patrol; the points all face the cardinal directions to highlight search and rescue."
Information provided by:
Capt Brion Gluck, Commander, LaGrange Comp Sq
January 26, 2009
The elements of our squadron patch include:
1. The F-84 that is prominently on display at our headquarters location, the Marietta Museum of History, Aviation Wing.
2. The Air Force Wings.
3. The CAP tri-blade emblem centrally located on the red portion of the patch symbolizing the service and sacrifice of its members.
4. The Red White and Blue of our country's flag in the V-formation indicative of a traditional diamond flight formation.
5· The perfect intersection of the AF Wings to the Red White and Blue stripes.
6. The Squadron's unit number.
7. The point of all of the triangles pointing to the Wild Blue Yonder and heavenward to the Creator ofthat Wild Blue Yonder. (Cue "High Flight" by the USAF A Cadet Chorale, as composed by Lloyd Pfautsch, written by John Gillespie McGee, Jr.)
The patch was designed in collaboration between the new squadron commander (Lt Col Tom Berg) and the design artists at Stadri Promotions. This occurred in June/July 2012 and was approved prior to production in that same timeframe.
Information provided by:
Lt Col Thomas Berg, Squadron Commander
2016
