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Our Nation's Unsung Heros

Cadets at Kitty Hawk
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Cadets with the national commander and the color guard. Persons in image L-R: General Wheless, General Courter, Colorguard, and Cadets. Photo by: Capt. Terri Zobel
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Raleigh-Wake Cadets at Kitty Hawk Dedication

By C/Maj Kyle Zobel
Cadet Commander MER-NC-048

8/27/2010–Raleigh, NC– On the drizzly morning of August 19, 2010, the Raleigh Wake Composite Squadron color guard led the way into a new era for the Civil Air Patrol.

Since its founding in 1941, the members of the Civil Air Patrol have worked hard to provide valuable service to the US Air Force, as well as the community through its three main goals: Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Programs. Many leaders in the program call the CAP, “The nation’s best kept secret.” From now forward, the secret is out.

On this day, thanks to the contributions of the Hilton Garden Inn, the First Flight Society, and many individual donors, pillar number 10 of the monument to the century of flight was dedicated to the members of the CAP and their constant and valuable service to our country and aviation.

The national commander, Maj. Gen. Amy Courter, prior national commander, Maj. Gen. Dwight Wheless, the president of the First Flight Society, and a host of CAP members and local officials were in attendance to witness this momentous event. It is the first and certainly most lasting of all monuments dedicated to CAP and it is a fitting tribute to the members and their service.

As was best said by Maj. Gen. Courter, “The members of CAP have often been referred to as our nation’s unsung heroes, but today we are all singing their praises.”