CAP announces 71st anniversary
November 30, 2012, 06:12 pm
The Civil Air Patrol will soon be celebrating its 71st anniversary.
CAP is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization with more than 61,000 members. The group was founded on Dec. 1, 1941, just a week before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, initiating America's involvement in World War II.
Members of CAP played a crucial role in the war, conducting aerial patrols and stopping German U-boat attacks in American waterways. As a part of the celebration, the group is honoring the 59 members who died during the war, 26 of whom were lost at sea, and the seven others who were seriously injured on missions.
CAP is still involved in training U.S. air defense and ground forces for homeland security. In recent years, CAP has used its airplanes to help ground forces in remotely piloted aircraft operations prior to being deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Each day, our members provide a valuable service to their communities,” said CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Chuck Carr. “They help mentor America’s youth through our outstanding aerospace education and cadet programs and save lives and preserve liberty for all through search and rescue missions and emergency service, disaster relief and homeland security missions nationwide. As this anniversary approaches, be sure to say ‘thanks’ to these unsung heroes in your communities who provide such selfless service, often without fanfare.”
CAP is not the only aviation organization with a recent anniversary. Piper Aircraft and the Piper Cub's recently celebrated its 75th anniversary with a customer fly-in on November 9 to 11 in Vero Beach, Florida.
“This celebration is taking on a life of its own,” said Simon Caldecott, Piper president and CEO. “Industry sponsors have been lining up, as have political leaders and the aviation media. We’ve already received well over 40 aircraft reservations for the fly-in, which will feature Piper airplanes all the way from the Piper Cub to today’s M-Class aircraft. We expect many more to commit as we get closer to the event itself.”
The event included 20 companies that sponsored activities including a welcome reception, vendor exhibits, aircraft static display, customer awards, facility tours, a history lesson from Piper’s official historian, a Piper meet-up and a pancake breakfast.
General aviation plays a critical role in the United States. According to Craig Spence, secretary general of the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations, general aviation's infrastructure accounts for $150 billion in annual contributions to the economy and supports millions of jobs and helpful services in times of crisis.
Pilots are the backbone of the general aviation industry. They are encouraged to ensure their own finances are in order with pilot life insurance.
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