Family vacation – military style

Published July 17, 2006
By Chief Master Sgt. Charlie Hall Jr.
81st Aerial Port Squadron

CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. -- Most families plan summer vacations to the beach, mountains or even Disney World, but for the Larrieu family it would be “Encampment 2006” with the South Carolina Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.

Senior Airman Dawn Larrieu is not only part of the 81st Aerial Port Squadron, but the mother of four is also a second lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol. And three of her children, along with her husband, are members, too.

This summer, the family took part in “Encampment 2006,” an annual training opportunity for Civil Air Patrol Cadets to hone their basic military skills and learn new leadership techniques they can later apply as future civic leaders.

Conrad, a retired executive chef, and his wife, Dawn, also with an extensive cooking background, took on the task to feed the 100 Civil Air Patrol cadets who attended the eight-day event.

In addition to feeding and cooking for the troops, they also taught nutrition, hygiene, sanitation, food preparation, planning and budgeting. Of course they didn’t do this without the help of the cadets, who provided kitchen police, servers and cooks.

Lieutenant Larrieu’s daughters first joined the CAP three and a half years ago followed by her son. “I was torn with emotions of fear, shedding tears and pride for my children, so the only way to overcome it was to join the CAP myself,” she said.

Serving in the CAP with her family was nice, but the lieutenant wanted more. This led her to eventually end up in the 315th Airlift Wing’s 81st APS.

Her children have plans to be part of the military as well. Nicholas wants to be a pilot or get into the medical field, Mary Cathrine has her sights on the Air Force Academy, and her oldest daughter, Sarah, likes the “scheduled life” the military offers and will probably seek a commission.

Whatever the plans for the Laurrieu family, they will certainly venture down those paths together. This is one military family that enjoys spending time together at home or in the field.

Family business