On Dec. 1st, 2006, Civil Air Patrol will celebrate its 65th anniversary. This is a great time to reflect on how much our volunteers have achieved in their 65 years of national service.

The CAP members of 1941 were a heroic breed - men and women who served their country by sinking or chasing away German submarines off America's East and Gulf coasts. As a result of their bravery, patriotism and tenacity, CAP subchasers effectively thwarted German U-boat attacks and, in the process, saved countless lives.

Today, CAP handles 95 percent of inland search and rescue missions, with approximately 75 lives saved each year. Our members are generally the first on the scene transmitting satellite digital images of the damage within seconds around the world and providing disaster relief and emergency services following natural and manmade disasters, including such phenomena as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Texas and Oklahoma wildfires, tornadoes in the south and central U.S., North Dakota flash flooding and the October 2006 earthquake in Hawaii, as well as humanitarian missions along the U.S. and Mexican border.

In addition, CAP members are dedicated to counterdrug reconnaissance and to teaching a new generation about aerospace and its impact on our future. And our cadet programs ensure our youth receive some of the finest leadership training the nation has to offer.

Unlike our founding CAP fathers, many of whom flew their own airplanes and performed life-threatening missions without any formal training, our 56,000-plus members are now provided with top-notch, year-round professional development training opportunities and with aircraft equipped with the most advanced technologies available for search and rescue.

During our yearlong anniversary celebration, CAP will conduct grassroots observances in local communities designed to heighten public awareness of our Missions for America. As we launch this special marketing campaign, I extend congratulations to all of our volunteers - both past and present - for their vision, commitment and sacrifices that made these missions possible. I salute each of you - the heart and soul of Civil Air Patrol!

Semper vigilans!

Maj. Gen. Antonio J. Pineda
CAP National Commander