“Participation Matters”

When we joined CAP, we all knew it was a volunteer organization but may not have known that it was different than just about any of the other volunteer opportunities out there. I have been a member of some these other organizations but they were different than CAP in that the level of satisfaction one got from participating. Other organizations have expectations and even minimum amounts of time that one is expected to “donate,” but none have ever left me with the feeling of accomplishment that CAP does.

There are so many opportunities for CAP members. Emergency services immediately comes to most people’s minds when thinking about what we do. Whether it’s searching for a missing aircraft or person, flying badly needed medical supplies or personnel following a disaster or maintaining one of the largest communication networks in the country, CAP is ready and willing to answer the call. Our cadet programs officers are helping to groom the next generation by instilling the CAP Core Values of Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence and Respect in our young people. Many don’t know that our Chaplain Corp has been called upon to augment active duty Chaplains to help minister to our men and women in the armed services or that CAP pilots and aircrews will soon be assisting in the training of Army and Marine ground forces through the Surrogate Predator program. CAP aircrews and base personnel fly thousands of hours every year assisting other governmental agencies in our counter-drug efforts and CAP volunteers have been assisting at air force bases around the country in the Volunteer Support to the Air Force (VSAF) program.

These are just a few of the things that we as America’s “professional volunteers” are doing every day. We need no more compensation for our service other than the thanks of a grateful community. For those who serve, thank you for all that you do, for you understand that “participation matters.”

Semper Vigilians – Always Vigilant

Jon Stokes, Maj CAP