July 2, 2012

Sent on behalf of Major General Charles L. Carr, Jr.

 

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National Board Members,

 

Despite the fact that on May 10th the Senate passed S418, the CAP Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) bill, by unanimous consent and with 86 cosponsors, time is running out in the House for passage of their version of the CGM bill, HR 719. We had hoped that the House would suspend their normal rules and quickly vote on the Senate bill. Unfortunately, they will not do that and are requiring us to gather all 290 cosponsors necessary for committee action.

 

Complicating matters is the fact that at the end of the 112th Congress time will run out for us if we don’t get the necessary cosponsors. At that point the bill will die, and we will have to start over again in the next Congress. In addition, we continue to lose our World War II veterans at a very fast pace. For example, on June 20th, Colonel Vern Kramer of South Dakota passed away. He flew on the Coastal Patrol as well as later in the war as a tow target and liaison pilot. Add to this the fact that this is an election year which will take time and attention away from legislative business, and we have our work cut out for us. I need help from wing commanders and CAP members who support this legislation to reach out to those Representatives who have not yet cosponsored. This requires some effort as it is vitally important to not only ask but to follow up until you receive an answer one way or the other.

 

To help you I have attached several documents: the latest CGM update (which includes instructions on what needs to be done), a list of cosponsors (and those who have not cosponsored), and a one-page background sheet. Also, you can get the latest CGM updates and support materials anytime by going to http://members.gocivilairpatrol.com/cap_national_hq/cgm/ . If you have any questions, please contact our CAP Washington Representative, John Swain, at (703) 887-1749 or at dcoffice.cap@verizon.net .

 

 

Now is the time to recognize those early CAP veterans who gave so much to their country at a time of extreme national need. Your help is vitally needed if we are to make it to the finish line and honor those who did so much for the nation. 

 

Thanks,

 

Chuck Carr

 

Charles L. Carr, Jr., MG, CAP

Commander, Civil Air Patrol

Six adult and cadet members of the Ohio Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) traveled to Washington, DC to participate in Civil Air Patrol’s National Legislative Day in which CAP members from all across the country meet with their respective elected Congressional officials to discuss the importance of Civil Air Patrol to the nation.

Major General Charles Carr, the National Commander of the Civil Air Patrol and a native Ohioan, along with Ohio Wing commander Colonel Gregory Mathews, Ohio Wing Government Relations Advisor Major Paul Bronsdon, and cadet captains Adam Campbell, Jared Mohler, Joshua Schoettelkotte visited with Senator Sherod Brown, Congressman Michael Turner, and the assistants to Senator Rob Portman, Congressman Pat Tiberi, and Congressman Steve Austria. Discussion topics included Ohio Wing’s service during World War II, the 2013 Operating Appropriations which allow Civil Air Patrol to perform its vital missions, and support for the bills that would award Civil Air Patrol members who served during World War II the Congressional Gold Medal.

During World War II, over 60,000 Americans - civilians who remained on American soil during the war - served in the Civil Air Patrol. One of the primary duties was Coastal Patrol, the defending the American East Coast and Gulf Coast from German submarines who sought to disrupt shipping. Of the 59 CAP pilots killed during World War II, 26 were lost while on Coastal Patrol duty, and seven others were seriously injured while carrying out the missions. It is estimated that there are only a few hundred still alive from that time period and the Congressional Gold Medal - the highest civilian medal awarded by Congress - seeks to recognize the sacrifice that the hometown heroes made when the country needed them the most.

Photo Top: Ohio Wing Commander Colonel Gregory Mathews, Civil Air Patrol Command Chief Master Sergeant Lou E. Walpus, Civil Air Patrol National Commander Major General Charles Carr, Civil Air Patrol National Chaplain Colonel J. Delano Ellis, and Civil Air Patrol Cadet Major Joshua Schoettelkotte, Civil Air Patrol Cadet Captain Jared Mohler, and the General’s Aid Captain John Khattar stand on the of the Capitol in Washington, DC. Photo by Major Paul E. Bronsdon, CAP.

Photo Right: Civil Air Patrol National Commander Major General Charles Carr meeting with Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio. Photo by Major Paul E. Bronsdon, CAP.