GALION, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Galion City School District and Civil Air Patrol Squadron 802 held a special Promotion and Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Galion High School.
During the ceremony, Galion City Schools staff member Lt. Allison Kentosh received the Civil Air Patrol Life Saving Certificate for her extraordinary act of donating a kidney to save the life of a close friend, Spenser Whisler. The honor recognized exceptional service and personal sacrifice in keeping with the values of Civil Air Patrol and the Galion City School District.
The event also included promotions for cadets in Squadron 802 and the promotion of unit commander and Galion City Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Hartmann to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Dr. Hartmann, a former Civil Air Patrol cadet and Army Reserve veteran, has served in Civil Air Patrol for 30 years and has been superintendent of Galion City Schools since 2023.
Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force, serves communities across the nation through cadet programs, aerospace education, emergency services, and search and rescue missions.
Galion City Schools partnered with Civil Air Patrol in 2024 to establish a school-based cadet program, a unique initiative in Ohio. The program is led by educators and veterans and currently includes more than 120 student cadets in grades 6–12.
Honored guests included Col. David Dlugiewicz, Commander of the Ohio Wing, and Major Bradley Williams, Commander of the Northwest Ohio Group.
