CAP Congressional Gold Medal Website

Started by MisterCD, May 17, 2014, 01:45:41 AM

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SarDragon

Quote from: THRAWN on May 20, 2014, 05:06:48 PM
Quote from: capsafety on May 20, 2014, 04:43:33 PM
This type of event and confirmation is good for CAP and the membership as a whole. The efforts of those involved, have been happening behind the scenes for about 3-4 years. They have surfaced in the last couple of years because support was growing. This type of thing does not happen in a day and should not been taken lightly.

This is a recognition of effort for the Charter Members of CAP and the sacrifices they made during WWII and beyond. Most of these members have passed and the recognition will be posthumously. The least we can do as members is appreciate what has been done.

Allow these folks to be honored and recognized for their sacrifices without turning it into a political debate.

Horse hockey.

It's good for the people who have been "working" on it for the past few years. Instead of working to improve the organization now, they're still feeding the myth of how the little yellow planes beat back the Wolfpack. The founders have been honored, and recognized, and have had units named for them. A CGM? Not really...

Use the networking efforts to develop missions for CAP. Expand programs for Cadets. Increase the viability of the STEM effort. We don't need another dusty bit of metal in a display case that will be forgotten about as soon as it is awarded. Just how is this good for the membership? Without Googling, name one other national organization that has been awarded this medal and how it has benefited it....
Recognition The Congressional Gold Medal is awarded to persons "who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient's field long after the achievement."

Organizations of a national basis include:
Women Airforce Service Pilots
Tuskegee Airmen
American Red Cross

Other groups (all from the linked article):
Montford Point Marines
Navajo and Native American code talkers
Little Rock Nine
1980 US Summer Olympic Team
Members of the United States Antarctic Expedition of 1939-1941

And many individuals, including Bob Hope and John Wayne

Benefit - does there need to be a benefit?
Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

Eclipse

Did you do that without Googling?

As I was not bound by the Google restriction, here's a link to past recipients, including the entire 1980 Olympic team (650 medals).
http://history.house.gov/Institution/Gold-Medal/Gold-Medal-Recipients/


"That Others May Zoom"

SamFranklin

Quote from: Eclipse on May 20, 2014, 10:28:58 PM

OK, let's be fair, most Americans have no idea what the CGM even >is<, and they would certainly have no clue as
to why CAP is being decorated, any more then they understand the MOH or the military in general, for that matter.

You were either talking to a stacked demographic or they were just being polite.

One doesn't need a PhD in political science to "know" what a CGM is. It's obviously some kind of honor bestowed by the Congress -- our national legislative body, so some kind of prestigious award.

My friends and coworkers had no prior knowledge of the CGM legislative history. No matter, CGM got their attention, enabling me to tell the two minute CAP story. The "wow" followed naturally.

Some here will argue still, So what? What do we get?

"We" don't get anything. Our seniors get long overdue recognition. There's intrinsic value in that.

Only on CAPTalk will one find so many pessimists. Ubi caritas est?



Eclipse


"That Others May Zoom"

THRAWN

Can't wait to see what comes next. First a racecar, now a years long effort to have a paperweight awarded....we should buy a giraffe.....
Strup-"Belligerent....at times...."
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THRAWN

Quote from: SamFranklin on May 21, 2014, 02:10:28 AM
Quote from: Eclipse on May 20, 2014, 10:28:58 PM

OK, let's be fair, most Americans have no idea what the CGM even >is<, and they would certainly have no clue as
to why CAP is being decorated, any more then they understand the MOH or the military in general, for that matter.

You were either talking to a stacked demographic or they were just being polite.

One doesn't need a PhD in political science to "know" what a CGM is. It's obviously some kind of honor bestowed by the Congress -- our national legislative body, so some kind of prestigious award.

My friends and coworkers had no prior knowledge of the CGM legislative history. No matter, CGM got their attention, enabling me to tell the two minute CAP story. The "wow" followed naturally.

Some here will argue still, So what? What do we get?

"We" don't get anything. Our seniors get long overdue recognition. There's intrinsic value in that.

Only on CAPTalk will one find so many pessimists. Ubi caritas est?

Overdue recognition? Seriously? Have you been in CAP for less than a year? You cant have a CAP conversation without somebody going down the great job CAP did in World War 2. Like it was yesterday and like that effort has never been recognized. This is a happy feelgood project that does nothing to advance CAP. All it does is recognize the past efforts. Again.
Strup-"Belligerent....at times...."
AFRCC SMC 10-97
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spaatzmom

Quote from: THRAWN on May 21, 2014, 03:19:05 AM
Quote from: SamFranklin on May 21, 2014, 02:10:28 AM
Quote from: Eclipse on May 20, 2014, 10:28:58 PM

OK, let's be fair, most Americans have no idea what the CGM even >is<, and they would certainly have no clue as
to why CAP is being decorated, any more then they understand the MOH or the military in general, for that matter.

You were either talking to a stacked demographic or they were just being polite.

One doesn't need a PhD in political science to "know" what a CGM is. It's obviously some kind of honor bestowed by the Congress -- our national legislative body, so some kind of prestigious award.

My friends and coworkers had no prior knowledge of the CGM legislative history. No matter, CGM got their attention, enabling me to tell the two minute CAP story. The "wow" followed naturally.

Some here will argue still, So what? What do we get?

"We" don't get anything. Our seniors get long overdue recognition. There's intrinsic value in that.

Only on CAPTalk will one find so many pessimists. Ubi caritas est?

Overdue recognition? Seriously? Have you been in CAP for less than a year? You cant have a CAP conversation without somebody going down the great job CAP did in World War 2. Like it was yesterday and like that effort has never been recognized. This is a happy feelgood project that does nothing to advance CAP. All it does is recognize the past efforts. Again.


WOW!!!  Who peed in your wheaties?  It is no skin off your back so why are you being sooooooo negative.  CAP still has a few members that served on those coastal patrols but they are dwindling daily.  And for the most part other than possibly a local gees thanks, got zip in recognition of their efforts/  Even less at a boys for those that died trying to prevent a coastal invasion.  I don't believe it is going to "hurt" anyone here to remember the true nuts and bolts history that took place.  I for one am very grateful to each and every one of them.  They never aspired to greatness just for a shiny medal, they did what they did for love of country.  So the Congress awards a gold medal, finally,  I ask just what took so long for these people to be awarded the highest CIVILIAN award in the country.

THRAWN

Quote from: spaatzmom on May 21, 2014, 04:03:02 AM
Quote from: THRAWN on May 21, 2014, 03:19:05 AM
Quote from: SamFranklin on May 21, 2014, 02:10:28 AM
Quote from: Eclipse on May 20, 2014, 10:28:58 PM

OK, let's be fair, most Americans have no idea what the CGM even >is<, and they would certainly have no clue as
to why CAP is being decorated, any more then they understand the MOH or the military in general, for that matter.

You were either talking to a stacked demographic or they were just being polite.

One doesn't need a PhD in political science to "know" what a CGM is. It's obviously some kind of honor bestowed by the Congress -- our national legislative body, so some kind of prestigious award.

My friends and coworkers had no prior knowledge of the CGM legislative history. No matter, CGM got their attention, enabling me to tell the two minute CAP story. The "wow" followed naturally.

Some here will argue still, So what? What do we get?

"We" don't get anything. Our seniors get long overdue recognition. There's intrinsic value in that.

Only on CAPTalk will one find so many pessimists. Ubi caritas est?

Overdue recognition? Seriously? Have you been in CAP for less than a year? You cant have a CAP conversation without somebody going down the great job CAP did in World War 2. Like it was yesterday and like that effort has never been recognized. This is a happy feelgood project that does nothing to advance CAP. All it does is recognize the past efforts. Again.


WOW!!!  Who peed in your wheaties?  It is no skin off your back so why are you being sooooooo negative.  CAP still has a few members that served on those coastal patrols but they are dwindling daily.  And for the most part other than possibly a local gees thanks, got zip in recognition of their efforts/  Even less at a boys for those that died trying to prevent a coastal invasion.  I don't believe it is going to "hurt" anyone here to remember the true nuts and bolts history that took place.  I for one am very grateful to each and every one of them.  They never aspired to greatness just for a shiny medal, they did what they did for love of country.  So the Congress awards a gold medal, finally,  I ask just what took so long for these people to be awarded the highest CIVILIAN award in the country.

Because, frankly, it doesn't rate the highest civilian award in the country. Did they do anything to end racial segregation (Montford Popint Marines, Navajo Code Talkers, Tuskegee Airmen, Little Rock 9)? Nope. End gender discrimination (WASPs)? Nope. Provide shelter to citizens at little or no cost during times of disaster (Red Cross)? No again. Did they operate as part of the larger civil defense structure during what was the largest mobilization of the entire population? Yep. The real question is why isn't the rest of the CD establishment being recognized? CAP was a part of that, not the be all and end all....
Strup-"Belligerent....at times...."
AFRCC SMC 10-97
NSS ISC 05-00
USAF SOS 2000
USAF ACSC 2011
US NWC 2016
USMC CSCDEP 2023

Panache

Quote from: THRAWN on May 21, 2014, 11:30:07 AM
Quote from: spaatzmom on May 21, 2014, 04:03:02 AM
Quote from: THRAWN on May 21, 2014, 03:19:05 AM
Quote from: SamFranklin on May 21, 2014, 02:10:28 AM
Quote from: Eclipse on May 20, 2014, 10:28:58 PM

OK, let's be fair, most Americans have no idea what the CGM even >is<, and they would certainly have no clue as
to why CAP is being decorated, any more then they understand the MOH or the military in general, for that matter.

You were either talking to a stacked demographic or they were just being polite.

One doesn't need a PhD in political science to "know" what a CGM is. It's obviously some kind of honor bestowed by the Congress -- our national legislative body, so some kind of prestigious award.

My friends and coworkers had no prior knowledge of the CGM legislative history. No matter, CGM got their attention, enabling me to tell the two minute CAP story. The "wow" followed naturally.

Some here will argue still, So what? What do we get?

"We" don't get anything. Our seniors get long overdue recognition. There's intrinsic value in that.

Only on CAPTalk will one find so many pessimists. Ubi caritas est?

Overdue recognition? Seriously? Have you been in CAP for less than a year? You cant have a CAP conversation without somebody going down the great job CAP did in World War 2. Like it was yesterday and like that effort has never been recognized. This is a happy feelgood project that does nothing to advance CAP. All it does is recognize the past efforts. Again.


WOW!!!  Who peed in your wheaties?  It is no skin off your back so why are you being sooooooo negative.  CAP still has a few members that served on those coastal patrols but they are dwindling daily.  And for the most part other than possibly a local gees thanks, got zip in recognition of their efforts/  Even less at a boys for those that died trying to prevent a coastal invasion.  I don't believe it is going to "hurt" anyone here to remember the true nuts and bolts history that took place.  I for one am very grateful to each and every one of them.  They never aspired to greatness just for a shiny medal, they did what they did for love of country.  So the Congress awards a gold medal, finally,  I ask just what took so long for these people to be awarded the highest CIVILIAN award in the country.

Because, frankly, it doesn't rate the highest civilian award in the country.

Senator McCain?  Is that you?

JeffDG

Quote from: spaatzmom on May 21, 2014, 04:03:02 AMSo the Congress awards a gold medal, finally,  I ask just what took so long for these people to be awarded the highest CIVILIAN award in the country.
Can someone cite a source that defines that the CGM is the highest civilian award?

I thought it was the Presidential Medal of Freedom (with distinction)

lordmonar

Quote from: THRAWN on May 21, 2014, 11:30:07 AM
Because, frankly, it doesn't rate the highest civilian award in the country.
That would be the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction.
QuoteDid they do anything to end racial segregation (Montford Popint Marines, Navajo Code Talkers, Tuskegee Airmen, Little Rock 9)? Nope. End gender discrimination (WASPs)? Nope. Provide shelter to citizens at little or no cost during times of disaster (Red Cross)? No again. Did they operate as part of the larger civil defense structure during what was the largest mobilization of the entire population? Yep. The real question is why isn't the rest of the CD establishment being recognized? CAP was a part of that, not the be all and end all....
That's a good question.  Maybe the CD alumni organization should ask for one.

PATRICK M. HARRIS, SMSgt, CAP

Eclipse

#31
The CGM is the highest civilian award that Congress can present, just as the PMF is the highest
one POTUS can present, they are considered somewhat equals in status.

However the only cites I can find to that effect are Wikipedia or similar articles.

From the House.gov site posted above.
"Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions."

"That Others May Zoom"

Luis R. Ramos

If I am not mistaken, CAPR 39-3 states that "only one award will be presented for each act" or some similar words.

If you were awarded the Air Medal or any other award for your WW II service and are now given this second award, you are getting two awards for the same act...
Squadron Safety Officer
Squadron Communication Officer
Squadron Emergency Services Officer

JeffDG

Quote from: Luis R. Ramos on May 21, 2014, 02:37:51 PM
If I am not mistaken, CAPR 39-3 states that "only one award will be presented for each act" or some similar words.

If you were awarded the Air Medal or any other award for your WW II service and are now given this second award, you are getting two awards for the same act...
Respectfully, an Act of Congress overrides a CAP Regulation.  I cite Article VI of the US Constitution as a source for this.

Alaric

Quote from: Luis R. Ramos on May 21, 2014, 02:37:51 PM
If I am not mistaken, CAPR 39-3 states that "only one award will be presented for each act" or some similar words.

If you were awarded the Air Medal or any other award for your WW II service and are now given this second award, you are getting two awards for the same act...

There is a difference in type and organization for instance you could receive a lifesaving award from the Boy Scouts and an award for CAP.  Also using that logic no one who earned an award for valor could wear the National Defense Service Ribbon, which is given for service during wartime.

THRAWN

Quote from: Luis R. Ramos on May 21, 2014, 02:37:51 PM
If I am not mistaken, CAPR 39-3 states that "only one award will be presented for each act" or some similar words.

If you were awarded the Air Medal or any other award for your WW II service and are now given this second award, you are getting two awards for the same act...

Not quite. There is a distinction between an award for an individual act, and an award for a period of service.
Strup-"Belligerent....at times...."
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lordmonar

Quote from: Luis R. Ramos on May 21, 2014, 02:37:51 PM
If I am not mistaken, CAPR 39-3 states that "only one award will be presented for each act" or some similar words.

If you were awarded the Air Medal or any other award for your WW II service and are now given this second award, you are getting two awards for the same act...
Does not apply.......39-3 only applies to CAP awards......nothing stopping other agencies from issuing other awards.
PATRICK M. HARRIS, SMSgt, CAP

Alaric

Quote from: Luis R. Ramos on May 21, 2014, 02:37:51 PM
If I am not mistaken, CAPR 39-3 states that "only one award will be presented for each act" or some similar words.

If you were awarded the Air Medal or any other award for your WW II service and are now given this second award, you are getting two awards for the same act...

The military has the same rule according the manual of decorations, however distinctions are made between awards made for an act (i.e. Silver Star); for being there (Campaign Medal); and for something that happened to you (Purple Heart or POW Medal). 

Luis R. Ramos

All of you have stated differences among the organizations and regulations. Nevertheless, if it had been me who had earned the award from the military for WW II service I would have felt the Gold Medal is... meaningless. And now let me duck again so as not get hit by another barrage of regulations!
Squadron Safety Officer
Squadron Communication Officer
Squadron Emergency Services Officer

THRAWN

Quote from: Luis R. Ramos on May 21, 2014, 07:51:32 PM
All of you have stated differences among the organizations and regulations. Nevertheless, if it had been me who had earned the award from the military for WW II service I would have felt the Gold Medal is... meaningless. And now let me duck again so as not get hit by another barrage of regulations!

It's a coaster, or as my lovely bride would say "More cr*p to dust..."
Strup-"Belligerent....at times...."
AFRCC SMC 10-97
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