Wing News Story

Wing Meets Congressional Leaders during Civil Air Patrol Legislative Day

Washington, DC. -- During Civil Air Patrol 2012 Legislative Day on March 1, West Virginia Commander Col Dennis Barron briefed members of the West Virginia Congressional Delegation on how the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary's primary missions, Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Programs make a difference in communities. Col Barron, and eight members of the Wing took part in this annual networking event on Capitol Hill. The delegation was able to personally meet with Sen. Joe Manchin, and Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito. During Manchin's briefing, Col Barron presented Manchin with a certificate of membership into the Congressional Squadron. Manchin, an avid aviator, joined the Congressional Squadron, which is comprised of members of Congress and members of their staffs, and is based at Andrews Air Force Base. Capito has been a long time supporter of the CAP, especially its cadet program. The trip to the hill also provided the delegation an opportunity to garner support for bipartisanship legislation introduced in Congress to honor CAP's World War II era members. Identical bills introduced by the House of Representatives and Senate call for the awarding of a single Congressional Gold Medal to CAP in recognition of the highly unusual service performed by the volunteer men and women of the organization who, using their own aircraft, conducted combat operations and other emergency missions during the war. CAP's National Board meets twice a year, and consists of 67 members representing each state, plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, within the organization's eight regions. The board is CAP's policy making arm, and in conjuction with the CAP's Board of Governors, proposes amendments to the governing constitution and bylaws.

Photos can been seen here: http://picasaweb.google.com/jscappao137

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 61,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 54 lives in fiscal year 2011. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to nearly 27,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet program. CAP received the World Peace Prize in 2011 and has been performing missions for America for 70 years. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.