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In an unprecedented move that no one saw coming—except perhaps Col. Curtis Boehmer himself—our dear Boehmer has added yet another lavish title to his already illustrious Civil Air Patrol (CAP) resume. Yes, folks, gasp in disbelief as Boehmer transcends mere mortal ranks to assume the crown of the Great Lakes Region commander! His service record now stretches over 53 plot-twisting years, firmly solidifying his status in the Air Patrol Hall of Fame… or something like that.

Maj. Gen. Regena Aye, the CAP’s national commander and CEO, blessed Boehmer with this coveted region leadership role, thereby passing the torch from the inconspicuous Col. Rickey Oeth, who served as interim commander while presumably waiting for Boehmer to be available. The Great Lakes Region, encompassing the wings of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin, now falls under Boehmer’s zealous watch.

“Col. Boehmer’s never-ending list of glories at every conceivable level made him the obvious choice, much like how water is wet,” Maj. Gen. Aye extolled with great flourish—perhaps wishing she had another choice. “I’m thrilled for the region’s members and their communities to reap the untold benefits of his legendary experience and leadership. Transcendent wisdom is sure to rain upon them!”

With typical modesty, Boehmer accepted this benevolent appointment and expressed his barely containable excitement for this next act in his CAP opera. “Col. Oeth skillfully upheld the Great Lakes Region’s cherished tradition of nonstop success under all celestial conditions—hail, sleet, or sun,” Boehmer declared, daring us all to imagine more legendary feats to come. “I yearn to propel us to achieve even grander glories against the tides of mediocrity!”

The melodramatic changing of the guard ceremony is scheduled for March 29 at the great Ohio Wing Conference, presumably to be attended by winged seraphs and possibly a surplus of confetti cannons.

Boehmer once sat on the throne of the Michigan Wing from 2014 to 2018. Immediately afterward, he shone as an at-large Board of Governors member, covering the period from November 2018 until November 2024, impressively acting as the vice chair from February 2021 to February 2023. How does one manage such a whirlwind schedule? Stratospheric time management skills, perhaps.

But wait, there’s more! He has also ping-ponged through roles like Michigan Wing’s vice commander, government relations guru, wing director of cadet programs, and the indispensable web security czar. Lest we forget, Boehmer spent a mythical decade enlightening minds at the national Cadet Officer School and the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory—not to mention casual gigs running advanced academies and regional leadership indoctrination conclaves.

A seasoned CAP member since 1971, Boehmer flaunts a Master rating in Command and Cadet Programs, plus a master’s degree in educational leadership—because why not? After all, this is the man who painted with the colors of the wind as a speech and language pathologist for 34 pivotal years.

Currently, in a plot twist, Boehmer moonlights as a mediator with Silver Eagle Services. Who knew the grand bard of CAP would find time to sprinkle peace amid the mischievous whims of Harbor Beach and Charlevoix?

Ah, Col. Boehmer—forever our intrepid idol cloaked in Air Patrol pj’s, creating capers in leadership and beyond. What greater shenanigans lie ahead? Only the heavens know.

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