• Silver Wings members develop leadership skills while providing support to military

  servicemen

• Marquette chapter currently planning a regional conference in Milwaukee for next fall
• Group sent cards and letters to soldiers in Iraq as well as visited veterans

In the midst of an ongoing war, the Jeannette Kapus Silver Wings Chapter of Marquette seeks to acknowledge military efforts through service and leadership. Following their motto, "knowledge, wisdom, and the courage to serve," group members express an attitude of gratitude through their generous giving to soldiers and active involvement in their organization.

Although just re-established at Marquette four years ago, Silver Wings was founded in the 1950s as a sorority, said Emily Fleck-Mitchell, president of the chapter and sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences. The organization initially provided an outlet for girlfriends to help and support their boyfriends in the Air Force.

Each Silver Wings chapter has a namesake in order to honor military members for their service. The Marquette Silver Wing's chapter namesake, Jeannette Kapus, was one of 1,074 women who served in World War II as a woman air force service pilot, Fleck-Mitchell said. Kapus just celebrated her 88th birthday and now resides in Germantown.

The image of Silver Wings today has evolved since its beginnings.

"We're not just the cheerleaders of the Air Force, we do more now," said Caitlin Clark, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences.

The group has taken on a more professional structure and invites both men and women to join. Silver Wings now supports all military servicemen in addition to just the Air Force.

Many members of Silver Wings also dedicate their time to the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, the National Guard and Air Force Cadets. However, it is a civilian organization and at least 51 percent of members must be civilians, Clark said.

"A lot of my friends are overseas and it's a great way to help out," Colleen Farrelly, a chapter officer and senior in the College of Arts & Sciences said. "Considering the sacrifices they have made for us, it's nice to do something for them."

Marquette's chapter of Silver Wings has sent Christmas cards and letters to soldiers in Iraq, visited veterans and talked to high school students about the Army ROTC, Farrelly said. This past semester the group also sent popcorn, candy and movies to soldiers abroad for their "Take a Soldier to the Movies" service project.

"It's just something to say thank you," said Fleck-Mitchell. "To let them know we appreciate them and also to remind us that there are people out there making sacrifices for us."

In addition to service, Silver Wings stresses leadership and professional development, she said.

Silver Wings chapters across the country meet for a national conference in the spring and regional conference in the fall, Fleck-Mitchell said. The conferences provide an opportunity to discuss fundraising, activities and the state of the organization.

Fleck-Mitchell said the Jeannette Kapus Silver Wings Chapter is currently planning next fall's regional conference, which will be held in Milwaukee in conjunction with the Milwaukee School of Engineering and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"I enjoy the conferences," she said. "It's great to meet people dedicated to the same causes."

Jacob Grinwald, a chapter officer and junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, attended the conference last year.

"I was in the Air Force ROTC the last semester of last year and went to the Salt Lake City National Conference," he said. "I was going to quit (Silver Wings) because I'm not in ROTC anymore, but I had a really positive experience and it changed my mind."

Fleck-Mitchell said the group has recruited 10 new members this year – a huge number considering five to six members will not be returning next year because of graduation. The group currently has about 20 members.

Silver Wings meets every other week. Fleck-Mitchell said that she does not want to make it too hard for people to participate. She said she wants the commitment to be feasible and to keep the group intact.

"I like that the big focus is on gratitude," she said. "Gratitude can go a long way."