’09 Conference Exceeds Expectations

Astronaut Eric Boe’s
advice to fellow CAP members:
Dream big!
By Kristi Carr
A
As keynote speaker for CAP’s 2009
National Board and Annual Conference
banquet, NASA astronaut and Air Force Col.
Eric Boe further solidified his support of
CAP, the organization he credits with
opening the door to his life’s work.
As part of his presentation, Boe narrated NASA video
coverage of the preparations, launch and
deployment at the International Space Station of
the Space Shuttle Endeavor, which he piloted last
year. He also urged cadets and senior members
alike to “dream big!” — as he did while a CAP
cadet in the Georgia Wing.
“You have to be able to dream it before you
can do it,” Boe said, adding, “I heard a
lot of dreams here this week.”
He gave this advice:
• Life is a journey, so enjoy the trip.
• Never give up.
• Find your passion.
• Mistakes are how you learn.
Boe concluded by saying, “I can’t
say enough good things about what
CAP has done for me in my life.” ▲
At the conference banquet Boe presented Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, CAPʼs national
commander, with a framed montage displaying his Gen. Carl A. Spaatz coin, earned
as a cadet, which he carried on his Endeavour flight. The montage also included
NASA authentication the coin had traveled to space. The Spaatz Association plans to
provide Boe with a duplicate coin, while his original framed one is slated to be hung in
the foyer of CAP National Headquarters once the buildingʼs refurbishment is complete
in early 2010.
Boe was a hit with the San Antonio media,
conducting several interviews and posing
for video coverage during the annual
conference.
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