USAF Civil Air Patrol cadets to raise large flag at Stavatti Niagara

USAF Civil Air Patrol cadets from the Niagara Falls Composite Squadron No. 1 will participate in raising the 15-foot stars and stripes at Stavatti’s newly acquired facility at 9400 Porter Road in the Town of Niagara. The flag-raising, set for noon Sunday, June 13, will be the first time in more than 17 years that “Old Glory” is permanently flown from the 70-foot mast – since the former U.S. Army Reserve Center was closed and sold to the Town of Niagara.

Stavatti Niagara’s CEO, John R. Simon, specifically asked for the USAF CAP to do the honors. CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles and occupations. It performs three congressionally assigned key missions: emergency services; aerospace education for youth and the general public; and cadet programs for teenage youth. 

A press release stated, “The vision that Stavatti has for both today and far into the future can only be carried out if we can attract and keep young people, such as the Civil Air Patrol in aviation-related education and activities.”

While Monday is the official Flag Day in America, Sunday was chosen for the event because the cadets are students in local schools and are encouraged at this time of the year to focus and study for their upcoming exams.

“We need well-educated and energetic people, such as these, to help build our company and the area,” Simon said.

The former U.S. Army Reserve Center has been renamed SNAPPER, which stands for Stavatti Niagara Aerospace Prototype Production Engineering & Research facility. The company will be designing and manufacturing military, commercial, general aviation and other aerospace vehicles at this site.