Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks) and members of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee today held a ceremony in the Ryan Office Building Rotunda commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol.
The official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) was created in 1941 and has a special place in Berks County history.
Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, a native son of Boyertown, directed the bombing campaign against Nazi Germany in World War II.
Spaatz was the first chief of staff of the United States Air Force and the first chairman of the Civil Air Patrol National Board.
Maloney, a strong supporter of volunteerism and the strong history of volunteers among those who comprise many of Pennsylvania’s first responders, noted that CAP’s history is rooted in volunteerism and community leadership.
“The highest honor a Civil Air Patrol cadet program can earn is the Spaatz Award and to even qualify to take the Spaatz exam, cadets must first prove themselves as servant-leaders,'” Maloney said. “Cadets who earn that honor are expected to follow Spaatz’s example, serving as role models for junior cadets and later becoming leaders in their communities.”
House Resolution 748 honoring the 75th anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol, which Maloney authored and successfully ushered through the House in April, was presented to Pennsylvania Civil Air Patrol Wing Commander Col. Gary Fleming with many CAP members in attendance.
A nonprofit organization with 56,000 members nationwide, CAP performs approximately 90 percent of inland search and rescue missions in the continental United States. CAP also provides emergency services, aerospace education and cadet programs.
