Happy 72nd Anniversary Civil Air Patrol

[James Shaw]

Today marks the 72nd Anniversary of the founding  of Civil Air Patrol.  :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

[BillB]

Does it?  The order establishiong CAP by LaGuardia is dated December 4th. It's posted on Facebook.

[Luis R. Ramos]

Then reprint all CAP pamphlets that list 1 Dec 1941 as the date...

Start with CAPP 50-4v2 p. 5, the student manual for Level 1.

This is a hectic job. Other regulations also refer to CAP's establishment as 1 Dec 1941.

From CAP Officers Basic Course, Legal Basis:

Located in Washington D.C., the recently established Office of Civil Defense, headed by
Director Fiorello La Guardia received notice of the Civil Air Patrol concept. By the signing of
Administrative Order No. 9 on December 1, 1941 by Director La Guardia, the Civil Air Patrol
became a reality and was to be lead by Brig Gen John F. Curry, USAAC.

Flyer

[TexasCadet]

Happy anniversary (or is it birthday?)! I can't wait for the 100th one. Only 28 more years!

[NIN]

w00t!

I joined CAP about 8 months before the 40th Anniversary.

Never thought I'd be here to see the 72nd.

[Stonewall]

I've been a member for more than 1/3 of CAP's existence.  Very surprised there was no mention of it in CAP's site, and no anniversary message from the CC.  Unless I missed it.

[James Shaw]

I've been a member for more than 1/3 of CAP's existence.  Very surprised there was no mention of it in CAP's site, and no anniversary message from the CC.  Unless I missed it.

I am sure they thought about it. General Carr is pretty good about this type of stuff. It will more than likely be up tomorrow after the folks at NHQ return.

[Stonewall]

I've been a member for more than 1/3 of CAP's existence.  Very surprised there was no mention of it in CAP's site, and no anniversary message from the CC.  Unless I missed it.

I am sure they thought about it. General Carr is pretty good about this type of stuff. It will more than likely be up tomorrow after the folks at NHQ return.

Really?  So nothing was put out?  I figured I likely missed it.  What good will sending something out after the fact do?  If the anniversary fell on a holiday or weekend I would expect something be drafted ahead of time and released before or on the actual date.  I don't consider the 72nd anniversary something to celebrate with a parade, but all military branches as well as a lot of organizations and companies like to recognize their anniversary by a simple memo to its members or at the very least a small spot on the organizational website.

[James Shaw]

Interesting side note for my fellow CAP Historical Folks. Please take a look at page number 3 of the attached PDF.

[Eclipse]

CAP can't make up its own mind when it was actually created and then back-dates the paperwork.

The stage was set from day one (whenever that was).

[MisterCD]

The Civil Air Patrol's national office began as a division of the Office of Civilian Defense (OCD) on 1 December 1941, but Fiorello LaGuardia, national OCD director, did not formally announce the creation of the CAP organization until the ninth (with the administrative order establishing the organization signed the previous day). Granted, the argument can be made that the CAP dates back to 7 November 1941 (see attached files) or even October, or September. For the federal government, the file Jim Shaw posted references Executive Order no. 8757, which established the Office of Civilian Defense on 20 May 1941 ( http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=16117 ) when CAP existed as little more than rudimentary ideas. For the purposes of federal policy, however, this is a less nebulous date to establish boundaries of recognition.

Our observed birthday is 1 December 1941. As with many organizations, the selection of a set date is rarely perfect or without argument. The organization predates American entry into the war, and this above all else is without argument.

[SarDragon]

The first CAP birthday I celebrated was number 23.

[James Shaw]

The information I posted is intended as another historical document for members to view. It is not intended to try and challenge the date that CAP recognizes at its Charter Date. The vast majority of the historical documents I have seen all support our celebrated date. Just thought it was interesting to see and share.

[Private Investigator]

One year when I was a Group Commander we had a birthday cake. The oldest Senior Member and the youngest Cadet present got the first two pieces.

BTW, my Wing Commander sent a birthday greeting to our Wing. I am not sure about the others.   

[Mitchell 1969]

Our observed birthday is 1 December 1941. As with many organizations, the selection of a set date is rarely perfect or without argument.

USMC holds November 10 as sacred. But there were probably half a dozen guys who went to bed early on November 9, 1775, knowing that they'd be signing up new Marines the next day and who considered themselves as "the first." But that means nothing - November 10 is the official date and that's that.

[Garibaldi]

I joined 8 JAN 1981. BG Boyd was the National Commander. My CAPSN was 796294. I had just turned 13.

[Eclipse]

http://capvolunteernow.com/todays-features/?carr_to_members_i_salute_each_of_you_on_caps_72nd_anniversary&show=news&newsID=17753

[TexasCadet]

I joined 8 JAN 1981. BG Boyd was the National Commander. My CAPSN was 796294. I had just turned 13.

I feel like a newbie. I joined on 4 Jan 2012.

[NIN]

I joined 8 JAN 1981. BG Boyd was the National Commander. My CAPSN was 796294. I had just turned 13.

I was just after you, May 1981. 798207

[Storm Chaser]

I joined 8 JAN 1981. BG Boyd was the National Commander. My CAPSN was 796294. I had just turned 13.

I feel like a newbie. I joined on 4 Jan 2012.

You are a newbie.

[ColonelJack]

I joined 1 Nov 1981 ... Gen. Boyd was the National CC ... Col. Lee McCormack was the SER CC ... Col. Phil McLendon was the GAWG CC.  Georgia Wing didn't even have groups, we had Sectors back then.

Oh, Gods, am I old.

Jack

[Storm Chaser]

I joined in 1987. Maj Gen Eugene E. Harwell was National Commander then. We still wore OD green fatigues, senior members could wear blue epaulet slide grade insignias and there was no eServices or WMIRS. Things were a bit different back then.

[BFreemanMA]

I joined 30 AUG 13. I'm right up there with you as a newbie! :-D

Semper vigilans to us all, regardless of our start date!

[a2capt]

My first meeting was 4-December, 2001, though officially hit the roster on 14-Feb, 2002.

They were making a huge bit about the 60th. anniversary. Blip... and now it's 72nd.

[NEBoom]

I joined 8 JAN 1981. BG Boyd was the National Commander. My CAPSN was 796294. I had just turned 13.

I was just after you, May 1981. 798207

August, 1979.  787260.  Funny how such things stick in the memory.

[SarDragon]

I joined on 19 Feb 1964, a week before I turned 15. I've had four different CAPSNs - C-22-10171, NJWG issued cadet #; 519522, NHQ issued cadet #; SSAN; and 106xxx. I did my first achievement under the olde cadet program, in the middle of the transition period, so I have a Mitchell, but no Curry. Sadly, there's a six year gap in my membership during the '80s, so I don't start my free ride next year as a 50-year member.

[Grumpy]

I joined in 1987. Maj Gen Eugene E. Harwell was National Commander then. We still wore OD green fatigues, senior members could wear blue epaulet slide grade insignias and there was no eServices or WMIRS. Things were a bit different back then.

How about 1959?

[SarDragon]

Grumpy, you are so olde. 

[Grumpy]

CAP was an adult (18 years old).  At that time you had to be 14 to join as a cadet.  Like Dave, I've had 3 ID numbers my cadet ID was C-9114950.

[PHall]

I joined 8 JAN 1981. BG Boyd was the National Commander. My CAPSN was 796294. I had just turned 13.

I was just after you, May 1981. 798207

August, 1979.  787260.  Funny how such things stick in the memory.

Dec 1969, 691508.  Can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday, but I can remember that and my BOLD FACE!

[Grumpy]

Funny how those ID numbers stay with you.

[BillB]

Joined as a cadet 1 Jan 1946 with an age waiver from the Wing CC. Have had five CAP SN including one cadet. C41-320. Hard to believe I was only the 320th cadet to join Florida Wing.

[Grumpy]

Wow!  Bill and to think you stuck it out for so many years.  Bless you sir.

[Pulsar]

I joined 7 days after the 70th anniversary. I've been in 2 years.

[XxJake114xX]

The only dates that are big and need to be remembered are the 50th, maybe the 60th, then the 80th and if a person or an organization lasts longer, every ten thereafter. I have never heard somebody excited about their 70th, more specifically the 72nd. True, a little note on the website would be good, but I mean it's the 72nd, when we start hitting the higher numbers then it will be big. Does anybody here celebrate a company or persons' 70th as much as they celebrated their 50th? Just saying... 😃

[a2capt]

They've been excited about every year, whats' the harm?