Apr 14, 2015 2 min read

Capt. Nancy Parker of Peters Township recently assumed command of Civil Air Patrol’s Washington Composite Squadron 601 from Capt. Edward Silassy of Canonsburg.

The ceremony was conducted by Lt. Col. Gary Fleming, CAP’s Pennsylvania Wing commander select, at the National Guard Armory in Washington.

Parker, a teacher at Bower Hill Elementary School in Peters Township, has been a member of the Washington County chapter of CAP since 2009 and has held numerous positions in the organization. Her most recent position was deputy commander of her squadron.

“I am excited and nervous,” Parker said. “I have huge shoes to fill. Capt. Silassy brought so much energy and enthusiasm to the position. He was such a great role model for the cadets and senior members. I can only hope I do the same.”

Silassy moves onto the position of deputy commander of CAP’s Group One Pennsylvania Wing. Group One encompasses several squadrons in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

“Serving as commander of Washington Squadron 601 was a very fulfilling time in my life,” Silassy said. “But I am leaving the squadron in great hands.”

Washington County Composite Squadron 601 is a local chapter of CAP, an all-volunteer, civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and a nonprofit organization with more than 58,000 members nationwide. CAP’s membership provides search and rescue, emergency services, youth programs, aerospace education and more for surrounding communities.

Since joining CAP, Parker has served in a variety of positions for 601, including squadron safety officer, personnel officer and deputy commander of cadets.

Washington Squadron 601 meets from 7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday at the National Guard Armory in Washington. For more information about Squadron 601, visit www.pasquadron601.org or attend a regular meeting.