Fall-Winter - Minnesota Wing

NCR PA OF THE YEAR
Minnesota Wing member named Region’s
Public Affairs Officer of the Year
C/CMSgt Lydia Wiff
Cadet Executive Officer
Viking Composite Squadron, Minnesota Wing
It didn’t take long for Major Richard Sprouse
of Sauk Rapids to make an impression on the
members of the Minnesota Wing of the US Air
Force Auxiliary - Civil Air Patrol.
In 2007, he was named the Minnesota Wing’s
public affairs officer of the year after joining the
organization the previous year.
That award happened to be the first in a host
of others to come, including the most recent:
North Central Region public affairs officer of the
year. The NCR includes North Dakota, South
Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and
Kansas.
The award was presented by Colonel Tom
Theis, Minnesota Wing commander, at the Army
National Guard Aviation Facility in St. Cloud on
November 23.
“Major Sprouse has a wealth of experience in
news and public relations that’s proved to be a tremendous
asset to the organization’s public relations
efforts,” Theis said. He noted Sprouse’s nearly
150 stories and pictures published in local, state,
regional, and national publications as evidence.
“When I ‘hung up my boots’ through the
Reserves in 2005, I really missed the camaraderie
of being around troops,” Sprouse said. “Now I
have the best of both worlds – I get to continue
to serve my community, state and nation, and put
my PR and news skills to work telling the CAP
story.”
The NCR Public Affairs Officer of the Year
Award is given to members who demonstrate
exceptional expertise, professionalism, and
advanced public relations skills.
The award was the latest honor Sprouse has
(L-R) Col. Tom Theis, Minnesota Wing commander, Maj.
Richard Sprouse, North Central Region Public Affairs
Officer of the Year. Photo courtesy of C/Capt Lydia Stone,
Minnesota Wing
received from the Minnesota Wing. In October,
he was promoted to his present rank, in April he
received the Commander’s Commendation Award
for excellence in public relations, and in the past
three years his efforts have earned a number
of awards from the Minnesota Association of
Government Communicators.
Major Sprouse continues to be an excellent
example of professionalism to Seniors and Cadets
alike. His experience in public relations and writing
is well known throughout Minnesota and the
Region. All who have worked with Major Sprouse,
appreciate his expertise in these areas and have
learned much from him.
“The regional recognition is much appreciated,
but the honor really goes to the many Minnesota
Wing members across the state that include me in
their PR efforts,” Sprouse said. “Yes, it was hard
work, but it was also fun. Otherwise, I wouldn’t
have done it. Overall, CAP has been a fantastic
experience!”