Things CAP should do to promote its history

Started by jimmydeanno, March 17, 2008, 05:25:04 PM

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Major Carrales

Local units should do their best to preserve Unit history.  There are lots of local/regional archives at Universities and museums that exist to preserve the old documents.

A Unit history is a great project for cadets and a local historian.
"We have been given the power to change CAP, let's keep the momentum going!"

Major Joe Ely "Sparky" Carrales, CAP
Commander
Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron
SWR-TX-454

Smithsonia

OK Let's think of some ideas for CAP History Promotion.
1 small article on Wing/Squadron Website include old pix and 250-500 words
2. Every Colonel/50 year member/record 1/2 hour interview. Edit to the
best length... put it on YouTube or CAP Website. I'm doing this project and calling
it "The Colonels." I videotape the 1st one next month.
3. I'm building a set of 5 min/quicktime programs called CAP"Old School" The first 5 are shot but not yet edited. That series is called 1943 Briefings. Flight Gear, Introduction to the L2, HandPropping, Run up, Once around the Patch. I own a L2
so I've got the "right stuff."-- Literally but not in the Tom Wolfe figurative sense.
4. Trackdown the old guys for the ES Stories. I've got a Colorado Team of 6-7 members with 315 SARS, 85 Saves, over 1000 ELTs, The largest single mission
save in US/CAP History, and 130plus "finds". I'll have their story on the CO/WG Website next month. AND its a hell-of-a-story. I'm tracking down some of their Saves this month and getting the Old ES Team Together with their saves from 30 years ago. I did 90percent of the research on the Web.
How's that? Good Luck!!
With regards;
1st Lt. Ed O'Brien
Denver CO
Black Sheep Sq Historian.
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

mikeylikey

^ Sounds good.  Welcome to CAPTALk by the way!   :)
What's up monkeys?

mynetdude

Quote from: Smithsonia on March 20, 2008, 01:27:45 AM
OK Let's think of some ideas for CAP History Promotion.
1 small article on Wing/Squadron Website include old pix and 250-500 words
2. Every Colonel/50 year member/record 1/2 hour interview. Edit to the
best length... put it on YouTube or CAP Website. I'm doing this project and calling
it "The Colonels." I videotape the 1st one next month.
3. I'm building a set of 5 min/quicktime programs called CAP"Old School" The first 5 are shot but not yet edited. That series is called 1943 Briefings. Flight Gear, Introduction to the L2, HandPropping, Run up, Once around the Patch. I own a L2
so I've got the "right stuff."-- Literally but not in the Tom Wolfe figurative sense.
4. Trackdown the old guys for the ES Stories. I've got a Colorado Team of 6-7 members with 315 SARS, 85 Saves, over 1000 ELTs, The largest single mission
save in US/CAP History, and 130plus "finds". I'll have their story on the CO/WG Website next month. AND its a hell-of-a-story. I'm tracking down some of their Saves this month and getting the Old ES Team Together with their saves from 30 years ago. I did 90percent of the research on the Web.
How's that? Good Luck!!
With regards;
1st Lt. Ed O'Brien
Denver CO
Black Sheep Sq Historian.

That I'd be interested in looking at when all this materializes :)

Smithsonia

Thank you for the kindly welcome. I've been lurking for some time. Other ideas...
1. If you've got a prewar or wartime Luscombe or Taylorcraft on your field... chances are better than even that the plane was used by the Civilian Pilot Training Program/USAAF/or CAP. You should talk to the owner. Likely, this owner won't know because the CPT/CAP logs are Squadron based not individual plane based. BUT you can track it down on the web from different sources. Taylorcraft.org and Luscombe Club can be of service.
2. Many WW2 and Post WW 2 Trainers/O-birds/Liaison planes were in the CAP. Look for L19s, T34s, and 180HP-172s... again, talk to the owner.
3. Gun Clubs, American Legion Halls, Old Soldier Homes, Vet Hospitals, American Legion Posts are full of good stories. Check it out. Last week I found a completely new Tuskegee Airman Post WW2 Story. A new Iwo Jima story. I'll get back to those soon.
In some Squadrons Historian is the last place job. You can change that. When you give a briefing or presentation... keep it short (BE BRIEF)and keep it potent. Work on it. Boring history is lost history. Be proud of CAP history. If you've got the story you'll get the glory. My favorite thing is to make old guys cry. When you make them the hero. When you tell their story. When you care about the storyteller's craft... you'll make'em cry and they'll love you for it. God loves historians and so do old guys with pent up stories to tell. Listen, be inquizitive, and keep good notes... and most importantly write everyday. Well written emails are good practice. Write and write and write... that way when you've got a history to wirte... it's easier by a nautical mile. Come on you Historians rally to the sound of gun fire and make them old guys cry.
With regards;
1st Lt. Ed O'Brien
Denver, CO
Black Sheep Squadron
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

Gunner C

Quote from: Smithsonia on March 20, 2008, 05:34:44 AM
Thank you for the kindly welcome. I've been lurking for some time. Other ideas...
1. If you've got a prewar or wartime Luscombe or Taylorcraft on your field... chances are better than even that the plane was used by the Civilian Pilot Training Program/USAAF/or CAP. You should talk to the owner. Likely, this owner won't know because the CPT/CAP logs are Squadron based not individual plane based. BUT you can track it down on the web from different sources. Taylorcraft.org and Luscombe Club can be of service.
2. Many WW2 and Post WW 2 Trainers/O-birds/Liaison planes were in the CAP. Look for L19s, T34s, and 180HP-172s... again, talk to the owner.
3. Gun Clubs, American Legion Halls, Old Soldier Homes, Vet Hospitals, American Legion Posts are full of good stories. Check it out. Last week I found a completely new Tuskegee Airman Post WW2 Story. A new Iwo Jima story. I'll get back to those soon.
In some Squadrons Historian is the last place job. You can change that. When you give a briefing or presentation... keep it short (BE BRIEF)and keep it potent. Work on it. Boring history is lost history. Be proud of CAP history. If you've got the story you'll get the glory. My favorite thing is to make old guys cry. When you make them the hero. When you tell their story. When you care about the storyteller's craft... you'll make'em cry and they'll love you for it. God loves historians and so do old guys with pent up stories to tell. Listen, be inquizitive, and keep good notes... and most importantly write everyday. Well written emails are good practice. Write and write and write... that way when you've got a history to wirte... it's easier by a nautical mile. Come on you Historians rally to the sound of gun fire and make them old guys cry.
With regards;
1st Lt. Ed O'Brien
Denver, CO
Black Sheep Squadron

This would be fascinating to read.  One note: Only choose colonels who have been around 20+ years - there's a boatload of them that have only been around less than 10 (friends of HWWNBM).  They won't have that much to offer.

However, there's some colonels who have been around since the 1950s who would have a treasure trove of experiences. That would be great!  We need to reconnect with the past of CAP - regain traditions and get rid of the fads.

GC

Smithsonia

Regarding whom to speak with and how long they've been in CAP. Re: "The Colonels" Project. I've decided that "time in" is worthless. Some guys flew 100 missions in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Bailed out of planes, rescued at sea, looked for Katrina Survivors, Found Steve Fosset but forgot to report it... on and on... but haven't been around CAP that long... pick stories. Stephen Ambrose did large arc stories (D-DAY, Lewis and Clark, Building of the Trans-Continental Railroad, etc.) but what he wanted was the smaller human interior narrative that gave the large arc story: context, grit, human scale, character, achievement.
You can go for the small story. Just tell it well and it'll become history. "I shook Charles Lindberg's hand." "The ELT mission with guns drawn." "On fire, On Final"
All could be great stories told by "the right stuff writer." Do a few and people will come to you. You'll talk to the VFW hall and the Korean War Vets will tell you about
flying O1-Liaison Planes in Korea... and you'll have a piece of history you can tie-into when YOU write the story of the little planes that your squadron flew in the 50s... on and on. Storytelling begets storytelling. It is one of the truly virtuous cycles of life. God may have been a Flying Tiger's "co-pilot" (literary reference) but really God is an historian... ever read the Bible? He created all the stuff... then told people to write it up! Even the small stories!!! (No theological content here... just embelishment for point making.)
With regards;
1st Lt. Ed O'Brien
Denver, CO.
Black Sheep Sq.
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

Smithsonia

There's a good and growing reason to embrace CAP History and get the "Historians"
off of their butts. More and more of what we do is OPSEC Protected. If we can't talk about it today. If we can't write it up and present it now... it'll get lost later. SO...
1. Do Drug intercept/Border Patrol Liaison/Flight Caps for Dignitary, etc. history's that you can't release, but -- In 30 years those will be the meat on the CAPs Hisotry  bones of today. If you're willing to keep it quiet... today's Mission folks with these stories will talk to you.
We'll need these stories one day. Write them up now. Put them away for later reading and release. That's something the PAOs can't do. Being that Big Saves are now rare and we still need to justify our/CAPs existence...
2.  Old Histories (is there any other kind?) are more important than ever. Basically we're planes in search of a mission. By telling the ol' guys rememberences of their missions -- we're paying homage to a wonderful volunteer, providing inspiration for cadets and new members, and justifying our continued existence in funding and public support.
Meaning -- Historian IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DESK JOB YOU CAN HAVE IN CAP.
Others may disagree but since the historians control the memory banks -- and therefore get the last word -- and that word is that YOU (Mr. and Ms. Historian) can have meaningful impact in funding, public awareness, recruitment, retention, morale, and Global Warming (slight exageration to keep your attention) I can argue all day with you about your disagreement with my statement capitalized above but don't intend on doing so... I got histories to write.
With regards;
1st Lt. Ed O'Brien
Denver, CO.
Black Sheep Squadron
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

James Shaw

#28
Quote from: Smithsonia on March 27, 2008, 03:18:32 PM
There's a good and growing reason to embrace CAP History and get the "Historians"
off of their butts. More and more of what we do is OPSEC Protected. If we can't talk about it today. If we can't write it up and present it now... it'll get lost later. SO...
1. Do Drug intercept/Border Patrol Liaison/Flight Caps for Dignitary, etc. history's that you can't release, but -- In 30 years those will be the meat on the CAPs Hisotry  bones of today. If you're willing to keep it quiet... today's Mission folks with these stories will talk to you.
We'll need these stories one day. Write them up now. Put them away for later reading and release. That's something the PAOs can't do. Being that Big Saves are now rare and we still need to justify our/CAPs existence...
2.  Old Histories (is there any other kind?) are more important than ever. Basically we're planes in search of a mission. By telling the ol' guys rememberences of their missions -- we're paying homage to a wonderful volunteer, providing inspiration for cadets and new members, and justifying our continued existence in funding and public support.
Meaning -- Historian IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DESK JOB YOU CAN HAVE IN CAP.
Others may disagree but since the historians control the memory banks -- and therefore get the last word -- and that word is that YOU (Mr. and Ms. Historian) can have meaningful impact in funding, public awareness, recruitment, retention, morale, and Global Warming (slight exageration to keep your attention) I can argue all day with you about your disagreement with my statement capitalized above but don't intend on doing so... I got histories to write.
With regards;
1st Lt. Ed O'Brien
Denver, CO.
Black Sheep Squadron

Let me first welcome you to CAPTalk. Now let me let you know from a Historical perspective what I think about your comments about historians. We as historians do not wait for something to come our way. Just because you do not see us jumping around and screaming about history does not mean we do not work on it. There are about a dozen people who are spending their time scanning, archiving, and trying to share our history with the members. We run into problems just like everyone else. We as a group have a budget of $7000 for everything we do in a year. We fund most of the stuff ourselves. We buy and collect this stuff so that other CAP people can hopefully enjoy it as well. I have spent $5000 alone this year on my CAP related collection. I do not get to claim this on my taxes as a donation because I have it in my home. I pay for climate controlled storage of my own collection of historical documents I have saved from individuals who sold it to me and wanted to throw it away.

I have also made a committment to make over 200 CD's for Wing/Region/National people to help them share the information. Obviously you have not worked with many of our historians if you think we sit behind a desk collecting dust. I can assure you that is far from the truth. Please take a look at the projects I have worked on  in the past year and tell me where we as a group dont do any work.

Accomplishments of the Past Year! Major  James L. Shaw Jr. CAP

1)Purchased (at own expense) copy of Coastal Patrol Base 21 History Book. Scanned, cropped, and enhanced all 120 pages and then put into PDF format for Historical Archiving and Research. Sent copies to current Base 21 Commander both on CD and printed and bound copies for their use. They lost theirs about 20 years ago. Copies of CD sent to National Curator, National Historian, National Commander, CAP Historical Foundation, and other historians. Reprinted copies of book and offered for donation to CAP Historical Committee. Estimate about $500 raised to date from project.

2)    Arranged 1st GAWG Conference Historical Display. The display consisted of the national collection from Aberdeen MD and escorted by Lt. Col. Bill Schell the National Curator of over 2000+ items, private collection of Lt. Col. Todd Engelmen from Warner Robins GA with 3000+ pieces, and my private collection of 3000+ items for display. Raised over $500 dollars for the Historical Foundation through book "donations" of the book From Maine to Mexico.

3)   Led the effort to have Col. Ben Stone nominated for the GA Aviation Hall of Fame. He is on the voting list for inclusion. Compiled major oral and visual history of Ben from 1941 to 2005. Scanned all 220 pages of his records for Historical Archiving and Research. Did 8 hours of interviews and several stories about him.  Research has been used for several historical projects.

4)   Have contributed articles about CAP to the Company of Military Historians book and magazine. Articles are sent to all members as well as hundreds of college and university history professors.

5)   Submitting monthly news articles for SER news as well as a historical blog on several CAP related websites.

6)   Created a clipart CD of vintage and modern CAP clipart from 1941 to present. This CD has over 600MB of clipart and photos. CD was shared with regional historians and many squadrons.

7)   Created a series of posters for NHQ about the history and requirements of the many phases of cadet and senior CAP achievements. Also created safety poster that was shared through NHQ to Safety Officers all over the US.

8)   Contributed the second largest group of Photos and other Media Related items for use on the CAPhistory.org website. Have also continued to donate other items for use on the website. Listed as a major contributor on the patrons page.

9)   Collected all currently know copies of CAP music related items. Purchased original 45 and 33 1/3 RPM's. Took 26 CAP "Public Service Announcements" used in the 1960, 15 "Spot Announcements" celebrating the 25th Annv of CAP from the late 60's and, 6 CAP "Music Capsules" and converted them to digital. Compiled all of the music" designed and packaged for CAP Historical Committee" to be offered as a fund-raiser. Copies of CD sent to National Curator, National Historian, National Commander, CAP Historical Foundation, and other historians (around 47).

10)   Scanned and put into digital format the collectors catalogs of CAP insignias. Distributed to historians due to the non-availability of the books. Around 500 pages shared for easy access.

11)   Was squadron Commander of GA805 as additional duty until May of 2006. Spent 3 years as Squadron Commander of Merry Acres Cadet Squadron (DDR). Gave up command due to work constraints.

12)   Flew as Counter Drug Qualified Observer with Lt. Col. McCracken (GP4 Commander) for the GAWG.

13)   Currently serving as Assistant National Historian under Col. Len Blascovich. My duties with SER are considered additional duties.

14)   Designed    
Incident Commander badge (NB approved)
Drug Demand Reduction badge (NB approved)
CAP Achievement Medal (NB approved)

16   Completed audio-book version of the book Flying Minute Men by Neprud. Have recorded the entire book in digital format. Estimation of about 400 hours of record and editing time spent. The master recording is being shared with a publishing company to produce it. Took over a year to record. This was a MAJOR project for CAP history.

17   Project Leader for CAP Memorial dedicated to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Spent $1000 of own money to fund project. Did all custom glass panels myself at no cost to CAP saving $2000.

18   Have archived over 3GB of historical documents I have purchased.

19   Currently working on CAPHistorian website to become online document repository.

20   Currently working on converting the 1970's CAP movie "Accent on Youth" from 16MM film to DVD. To be donated to CAP for historical use and possibly fundraising.

21   Currently CO-President of the Medal of Valor Association.

Semper Vigilans
Proud to be a Historian!!

Disabled smileys - MIKE
Jim Shaw
USN: 1987-1992
GANG: 1996-1998
CAP:2000 - Current
USCGA:2018 - Current
SGAUS: 2017 - Current

Smithsonia

Major Shaw:
I'm happy to meet you too, sir.
I assume that your resume' is in response to my "Historians get off your butts" comment. That comment was/is not directed at you. You sir, are doing great work! WE all need help. We all pick our own pockets -- so we can do CAP History.

Currently many Wings have no/few/mostly untrained historians. No matter -- I think it's the greatest job in CAP... and hope to translate this enthusiam into similar minded
folks who'll join you and me and happily lose money with us. I think for all the right reasons listed in my previous post (see earlier pages) it is precisely the "most underappreciated" bang for the buck PD group in the CAP Cadre. There's only one way to promote it and that is to talk it up, rev it up, promote it up.

Please keep my number handy email {{{ed@e-obrien.com))) we're doing some nifty stuff and we're happy to share. That way we don't have to reinvent the wheel anew with each new administration/Wing Commander/Historian etc. Lack of contiinuity can be a "history buzz killer."

I'll have some things for you and Col. Blascovich soon. I've just finished a lengthy piece 4-5000 words article, 14 pictures, 6 maps, 25 accompanying articles, and 3 hours of video interviews, and a collection of TV News packages from the period. It's undergoing fact checking, editorial review, and I'm waiting for a few more pictures to come in. It should be ready within a month. "The Biggest Save" in CAP History. If you'd like a copy it's yours. I'm for the making history and Historians telling the stories. Good luck to you too.
With regards;
1Lt. Ed O'Brien
Denver, CO.
Black Sheep Squadron
With regards;
ED OBRIEN