Congrats Maj Carrales

[jb512]

http://www.cap.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=display&nodeID=6192&newsID=4562&year=2008&month=8

[Pumbaa]

Sweet Action.. Congrats

[ColonelJack]

Way to go, Sparky!  Congratulations on getting your story (and your mug!) online!!

Nice stuff you got going there, my friend!

Jack

[FW]

Now, that's an opening!  Congratulations to you and your squadron.

[SDF_Specialist]

Congrats Major!! Well deserved!!

[Smithsonia]

Sparky now has a new headquarters to take over the world while petting a fat white cat and facing down
James Bond. I imagine he'll start his own space program soon. Stay tuned. Maj. Joe Carrales is an exquisitely effective example of CAP leadership.   

[addo1]

Stay tuned. Maj. Joe Carrales is an exquisitely effective example of CAP leadership.  

  I totally agree.  An outstanding job to you, Major.  Hooorah.

[jb512]

Sparky now has a new headquarters to take over the world while petting a fat white cat and facing down
James Bond. I imagine he'll start his own space program soon. Stay tuned. Maj. Joe Carrales is an exquisitely effective example of CAP leadership.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxCZF7HVrd4

[Smithsonia]

JayBird;
Very good for you. I love the fact and had completely forgotten, that Dr. Evil's assistant was head of the Militant Wing for the Salvation Army, perfect application of YouTube-ery.

Back to Sparky... You sir, are doing great work. My admiration and respects.

[Major Carrales]

Thank you Ed, (to maintain the illusion here of broadcast's best, to which Mr. O'Brien is a long time and well respected expert)

In all seriousness, I thank you all for the kind words.  However, I cannot and will not take credit for this accomplishment alone.  This is the result of three years of work from the staff of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron who have strived to make CAP in our area something special.

This all began with a great need.  An almost wish-like desire to serve CAP and insure that CAP would live on in our part of South Texas.  You know, the Cadet oath ends with words that totally represent the spirit that makes things like "CAP STATION CORPUS CHRISTI" possible... "to be of service to my Community, State and Nation."  That is where this comes from...the need to serve.

There is lots of work ahead en re these matters.  Our Unit has been entrusted with the stewardship of a facility at Corpus Christi International Airport.  That is a hardy responsibility that we will continue to uphold.

Most of all, never forget that CAP STATION CORPUS CHRISTI is not the sole "property" of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron...no, far from it.  It is for YOU ALL!  It is a resource for all of us, CAP, to use.  I hope to oneday see all of you here, in South Texas.  Not for storm relief work or some other catastrophie, but in the spirit of fraterity that will KEEP CAP FLYING well into the future.

Thanks, also, to all of you on CAPTALK who have been there with your advise, comments and friendship.  Nothing is impossible to those that have the power of friends that their counsel.  Also to those at the 2007 Public Affairs Academy, where the realization that all CAP is local and it is in our local implementation of CAP where the real driving force of CAP lies was made.

One CAP Officer who I would all like for you to know of and who has spent the last few years, at some great personal sacrifice and leg work, is Major Fidel Alvarado.  He has striven from the past 7 years to make this a reality.  Taking days off from is business and dedicating this time, skills (even as a master electician) and energy to make this happen.

Major Alvarado is very much the "heart" of the Unit, there were times when he was verbally battered in the quest to further CAP.  I am honored to serve in CAP with the like of this CAP Officer.  I am pleased that he and the other officers of the Unit got to experience this event.

I am not worthy to command such fine folks...I can only hope that I am not a disappointment to them.

Keep the Momentum going and Keep 'em Flying,
Sparky

[Major Carrales]

http://www.cap.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=display&nodeID=6192&newsID=4562&year=2008&month=8

Thank you very much for your kind gesture in posting this.  I will express these sentiments to the CAP Officers and Cadets of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron.

I was going to reply to all of you individually, however, I don't think MIKE would like it much in creating so many threads on the same matter...so, it is here that I will begin the commentary and "thank yous."

1st Lt Richard "Pumbaa" Fairchild, I want to thank you for your interest in our unit and for sharing some of your PAO experience.  I hope some day to be a photographer of your caliber.  Your work in your area is a testament to the spirit of CAP across the nation.

Colonel Jack Bagley, you ahev been a CAPTALK threadster of who's insight I greatly resepect.  On behalf of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron, I thank you for your kind words.

FW, most sincere thanks.  I hope that we can serve as good stewards of the facility we have been given charge of.  We will need advice and support, in the form of suggestions, to make that a reality.  I also hope that we can celebrate more opening of CAP STATIONs across the nation.

Ryan C. Valenjevick 1st Lt/CAP, like the others I thank you.  I will need more of your insight into CADET Programs in the upcoming months as we expand. 

Smithsonia, Ed, what can I say of such friends!  It will please you to know that CAP STATION CORPUS CHRISTI actually has hardwood stained and finished walls!!!   As for sinister feline friends, I am told there is a family of skunks living somewhere on, or near,  the grounds of the lesser used part of the Airport.  I hope someday to give you, and others, a tour.

The CAP STATION is a nice facility, still needs lots of work and is likely smaller than some CAP utilized facilities...but a home. 

[stratoflyer]

Wow! Outstanding! I hope the first of many more CAP stations to come!

[lordmonar]

Good Job Sparky!

[Smithsonia]

Regarding Maj. Coralles dominating the world and speaking from the historical perspective.

Although Sparky Anderson managed some World Champions, no one named Sparky has ever attempted to actually take over the world, at least that I am aware of. You would be the first. Although one Fidel (Castro, not Alvarado) and a Joe (Stalin, not Caralles) rose to prominence. White lap cats are more often used than skunks. Again, your lap would be breaking new ground here... the skunk has a modest quality which is not usually attributed to Texans. So it does touch, if not strike, a surprising element of the commonality. Nice choice.

So Sparky and friends should be watched closely as they seem destined to set new standards in CAP leadership, if not symbolic cliches of world domination. "

Act one, scene one -- apologetic character is thrown before a seated figure draped in shadow petting what appears to be a large black lap cat. He speaks; "Hale, Emperor Sparky. I see that your skunk is well and I trust that your lair provides you accommodations, and enough hand-tools, to keep your energies satisfactorily engaged. Hale too, to deputy Emperor Fidel. Hale to your skunk. All hale the skunks." Sparky moves into a shaft of light his face stern. He speaks, "Cadet 12, you have disappointed me..."

All the best to you all of you in "Corpus Christi"... which is a name that also certainly has iconic possibilities. I like it! Its going to make a remarkable and entertaining movie franchise. It's also going to be a great command. 

[aveighter]

Excellent work!  You are making a difference. 

Many of us have ragged you about that hat for several years but now I am going to start wearing one in your honor!  Where did you get it?  I want one just like it.

[Hawk200]

Where did you get it?  I want one just like it.

Vanguard 

(AAFES is cheaper if you have access)