Civil Air Patrol Week

WHEREAS, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) was founded on December 1, 1941 by a fledgling group of volunteers led by civilian pilots who flew their own planes at their own expense to support America’s efforts in World War II; and

WHEREAS, since that auspicious beginning, a modern-day Civil Air Patrol has emerged to become one of the nation’s premier humanitarian service organizations, saving lives, finding those who are lost, helping fellow citizens in times of disaster, working to keep America safe, preparing future leaders, offering aerospace education to inspire our nation’s youth and honoring our military; and

WHEREAS, in the past year alone, many of Civil Air Patrol’s professional volunteers, backed by CAP’s own experts in cell phone forensics and radar tracking experts, left their families and their homes, often in adverse weather conditions, to participate in 1,016 search and rescue missions in which they were credited with saving 113 lives; and

WHEREAS, as a top resource for disaster relief, Civil Air Patrol is often first on the scene, providing aerial photography and damage assessment to help emergency officials pinpoint critical infrastructure needs in real time as well as ground team support, often provided door-to-door, which includes water, food and supply delivery, even laundry services, for victims; and

WHEREAS, recent high-visibility Civil Air Patrol missions have included responses to tornadoes that ravaged communities across America; forest fires in numerous states; Hawaiian Island and Pacific Coast tsunamis; Hurricanes Katrina and Ike; wildfires in the Southwest and Midwest flooding; and

WHEREAS, the Civil Air Patrol’s youth program currently includes more than 26,500 cadets who benefit from a curriculum that trains them to be leaders; offers them opportunities for flight, including pilot training; and teaches emergency services techniques, including lifesaving; and

WHEREAS, Civil Air Patrol’s membership includes an 868-member Chaplain Corps that fulfills critical needs for deployed U.S. military chaplains and provides counseling services for soldiers and their families, as well as disaster victims; and

WHEREAS, in its partnership with Wreaths Across America, Civil Air Patrol annually honors military veterans by helping sponsor and place tens of thousands of wreaths at the graves of fallen soldiers at U.S. cemeteries nationwide and overseas; and

WHEREAS, Civil Air Patrol is celebrating 70 years of performing these “Missions for America,” which annually touch the lives and ensure the safety of thousands of American citizens:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim November 27 through December 3, 2011, as

Civil Air Patrol Week

in the State of the Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 15th day of November 2011.

 

                                                                                 _____Governor Robert Bentley