Originally published in 2000
By Marie C. Peinado
On Saturday, October 14, beneath a beautiful sky filled with cotton-candy clouds and a beaming sun, Draughon-Miller became the sixth airport in the State of Texas to benefit from the Adopt-an-Airport Program. The program is geared toward enhancing the beautification and maintenance of Texas airports through the labor of local voluntary groups-their contribution to their communities.
In an agreement between the City of Temple, Texas Department of Transportation, and Bell County Civil Air Patrol, Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport in Temple will begin to reap the bounty produced by this event.
The Bell County Civil Air Patrol, a local chapter of the national organization that promotes aerospace education, and serves as a leadership program for youth, also provides emergency services during a crash or loss of an aircraft in the area. The local chapter has approximately 30 members, meets once a week, and is under the command of Lt. Col. Mike Finn, who gives Maj. Melissa Givvines the credit for the original idea for CAP to volunteer their services to their airport.
CAP’s first project will consist of scraping peeling paint from all airport hangars followed by repainting. The airport sits on 933 acres of land and other tentative plans include the beautification of the airport grounds.
Sharon Rostovich, airport manager, along with local dignitaries, was on hand to provide encouragement and compliments to CAP members, 20 members of whom were in uniform for this early morning celebration. They also acknowledged Waco District PIO Ken Roberts, who provided valuable assistance to Draughon=Miller in formulating plans for this event. A striking sign announcing the adoption by CAP sits at the entrance to the airport.
Congratulations to all Bell County Civil Air Patrol members for their community service and to Draughon-Miller for providing its community a sense of pride and accomplishment.