Thu, Nov 26, 2009
Organization Was Founded A Week Before Pearl Harbor Was
Attacked
The 58,000 citizen volunteers of
the Civil Air Patrol will mark CAP's 68th anniversary on December
1st. The celebration commemorates the rich history of vigilant
service provided by the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force
over the past seven decades.
The all-volunteer, nonprofit organization was founded on
December 1, 1941, less than a week before the Japanese attack on
Pearl Harbor led to America's involvement in World War II. Its
members soon proved their worth by conducting aerial patrols,
vigilance that discouraged and eventually stopped deadly German
U-boat attacks on shipping in American waterways. Fifty-nine heroic
members died; 26 were lost at sea; and seven others were seriously
injured while carrying out CAP missions during the war.
"Our citizen volunteers have a proud legacy of selfless service
to their country and their communities. They truly go above and
beyond each day, giving their best as needs arise," said Maj. Gen.
Amy Courter, CAP's national commander.
Maj. Gen. Amy Courter
"This occasion provides citizens across America the opportunity
to honor Civil Air Patrol and its members. Be sure to say 'thanks'
to these unsung heroes in your communities who provide such
vigilant service, often without fanfare. Each day, through their
volunteer efforts, our members help save lives and preserve liberty
for all."
As the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, today's Civil
Air Patrol performs a multitude of missions in communities
throughout the nation's 50 states and Puerto Rico:
- CAP responds day or night when planes are overdue and emergency
locator transmitters go off. Its volunteers perform 90 percent of
continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions, as tasked by
the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and were credited by the
AFRCC with saving 91 lives in fiscal year 2008.
- CAP provides disaster relief during hurricanes, floods,
wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes and countless other emergencies.
In addition, members perform homeland security and counterdrug
missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies.
- CAP plays a leading role in aerospace education and mentors
more than 23,000 young Americans through its cadet program. By
partnering with 900 educators nationwide, members nurture the
talents of generations of the nation's sons and daughters with
cadet programs that stress leadership and moral responsibility and
teach aviation and emergency response skills.
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