When Denny Barron was laid to rest in August 2019, Civil Air Patrol members from across the state came to pay respects to a legend in the CAP WV Wing. The 68 year old had been involved with the organization for over 50 years, influencing the lives of hundreds of cadets and eventually achieving the rank of Colonel.
Before his death, Col. Barron carefully planned ahead to ensure the continued success and growth of the organization he had dedicated so much of his life to, partnering with the Community Foundation to establish two funds. The Martinsburg Civil Air Patrol Fund and the West Virginia Wing – Civil Air Patrol Cadet Scholarship Fund were established in 2016 and have grown exponentially in the past five years.
Initially, recipients of Col. Barron’s scholarship were to receive up to $2,000 per year. Thanks to generous gifts made in Denny’s memory after his passing and provisions he made in his will, the Foundation’s careful stewardship of this fund has allowed it to grow to where its three recipients received scholarships of $5,000 in 2022.
This year’s recipients of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Scholarship Fund were Aimee Ballard, Camden Link, and Nathaniel Whetsell. Jefferson High School graduate and WVU student Ballard called CAP one of her “greatest learning experiences,” helping her grow as a leader and eventually achieve the rank of flight commander.
Fellow WVU student and East Hardy High School graduate Camden Link been involved with the organization for over four years, earning his Pilot Wings and participating in CyperPatriot, a Cyber Security training program. Link was deemed “the most goal-oriented student I had ever taught” by one of his teachers, earning his Pilot’s License at 17 in only 41 hours.
Fairmont student and Elkins native Whetsell actually got the chance to meet Col. Barron while attending a Civil Air Patrol leadership course at Camp Dawson. Whetsell says that Col. Barron’s “passion for the program and helping cadets is something I will never forget. It’s because of his passion and attitude that so many cadets held him in such high regard.” Students in the Eastern Panhandle will continue to benefit from Denny’s life, work, and passion, now and forever, as they dedicate themselves to public service in the CAP as he once did.
Col. Barron’s contributions also earned him a spot in the Foundation’s Legacy Society. He had made a provision in his will for each of his funds, and ultimately left the Foundation the largest legacy gift we’ve ever received — over $1 million. Col. Barron’s legacy and his love of the Civil Air Patrol will live on thanks to his careful planning and remarkable generosity.