National
Commander: 'Overcoming
Fear With Fact'
Not only is fear a normal part of being human, CAP National Commander and CEO Mark Smith notes
in his latest letter
to members and staff, but also “the level of fear that some people are dealing with is amped up given that the current world of COVID-19 can seem to be a pretty scary place.”
How to combat that reaction? “Perhaps the best way to overcome fear is for us to arm ourselves with the facts,” Smith writes. “Facts are like a bright light dispelling the darkness of fear. For COVID-19 information, let’s rely on reputable sources, such as the CDC, White House Task Force, and our state and city authorities.“
In the meantime, he adds, “as restrictions ease, people who are in high-risk categories will be wise to continue to stay at home. People in hot spot areas will see restrictions ease more slowly. Social distancing will probably be with us for a while. Sound safeguards based on facts from reliable sources should serve us well.”
Such realities should be kept in mind “as we begin providing the means by which we can start easing the restrictions we are currently under in Civil Air Patrol,” the general says.
The past week has been a busy one for Smith, whose recent interview with Fox News aired on May 4 on
“America's Newsroom With Sandra Smith and Ed Henry,
” where it reached an audience of over 60 million people. He also addressed the U.S. Air Force's virtual Agility Prime Conference on May 1.
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Fla. CyberPatriot Cadets Place 2nd Nationally
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The team members – Cadet Capt. Harrison Keating, Cadet 2nd Lts. Kelsey Hall and Gavin Morton, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Alex Bitzer and Cadet Staff Sgts. Jocelyn Caraway and Stephen Parth – will each receive $1,500 scholarships from Northrup-Grumman, the competition' presenting sponsor, for their second-place national performance and $1,000 from Cisco for the NetAcad performance.
Winners in the annual competition were announced May 3. The CyberPatriot XII national finals were originally scheduled for March 20-22 in Rockville, Maryland, but were instead held remotely this past weekend because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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NW Ind. Food Banks Combat Hunger With Wing's Assistance; N.C. Wing's Missions Exceed 40,000 Miles
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Indiana Wing members (above) began providing assistance April 23 to two food pantries in Northwest Indiana, both in Gary, as the COVID-19 pandemic creates new challenges for such facilities in the area.
Allyson Vaulx, Food Bank of Northwest Indiana director of development, said the Indiana Wing’s assistance “allows our agencies to reopen during a time when it is needed most.”
Indiana Wing members "set up the drive-through structure for us and respectfully gave out large boxes of food to almost 500 households (between 1,000-2,000 individuals) no matter the weather or the crowd,” said Sister Peg Spindler at Sojourner Truth House. “This is what it takes to beat such a pandemic
–
everyone working together
–
and that’s what this partnership is doing."
Meanwhile, members of the North Carolina Wing have logged more than 40,000 miles conducting transport missions across the state in support of the North Carolina Department of Emergency Management’s COVID-19 response.
More than 60 drivers have participated in the most extensive ground-based operation in the wing’s history, with each delivery day accounting for an average of 2,000 miles. So far the wing has made more than 500 deliveries of much-needed supplies and equipment from the mountains to the coast.
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Applications Taken for BoG Vacancy
Applications are now open for the Board of Governors' vacancy to be left by Lt. Col Thomas Vreeland, whose Member-at-Large term ends on Nov. 10, 2020.
The Board of Governors' four Members-at-Large serve three-year terms. Civil Air Patrol members may nominate themselves to fill these positions, as they are vacated.
Minimum requirements are:
- Senior member in good standing
- CAP grade of major or above
- Earned the Paul E. Garber Award (Level IV)
- Have at least five years Civil Air Patrol membership
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Quality Cadet Unit Award Adjustment Made
The social distancing measures in effect to slow the spread of COVID-19 have significantly impacted cadets’ squadron meetings and summer opportunities. We know squadrons are still working hard to offer vibrant programs, support and community during this time.
To recognize this, the criteria to earn the 2019/2020 Quality Cadet Unit Award (QCUA) have been adjusted. The encampment participation, orientation flight participation, and growth criteria have been suspended. Units that meet at least five of the remaining seven criteria on Aug. 31, 2020, earn the award. The QCUA Midyear Tracking report has been updated to reflect these changes.
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Coronavir
us & CAP
-- Stay Informed
Make sure to watch for the Special Bulletins that National Headquarters has been emailing the membership to announce CAP's latest actions regarding the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the organization's policies and activities.
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Free Red Cross Certification Available
The American Red Cross is offering a class on COVID-19 Mental Health First Aid, which conforms to Civil Air Patrol training. As a result, you may want to take this free class and get a Red Cross certification. It uses the Look-Listen-Link-Live paradigm to talk about stresses and responses to the stresses during the ongoing pandemic.
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"Air Patrol Makes Quick Work of Transporting COVID-19 Tests"
"Two Lakeland Seniors Appointed to U.S. Air Force Academy
"
"A State on Edge: 'If You Need Food, I'll Get It To You.' N.J.'s Largest Food Bank Faces Unprecedented Demand"
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CAP Marketing & Strategic Communications
877-227-9142
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