It is always a pleasure to me to be able to recount incidents that lend hope for the future custodians of our wonderful, one-of-a-kind, “representative republic” USA.  And there seems to be such despite the continuing stream of “news” – whether true or fake – coming forth from the sources on which we are reduced to rely.  One such just as recent as May 15 was the story that only 15 percent, in my memory, of the men of youngest military age can qualify due to health (overweight), education (no high school diploma), illicit drug use or criminal record.  If another major military need should arise, we might not have the necessary personnel to prevail.

In World War II there were over 16,000,000 (that is 16 million) men and women in uniform and while about 10 per cent were actually involved in combat in one way or other, the rest were essential for training, administration, supply or transportation.  While there were no more than half as many in the population then, even with the present population of over 300 million, 15 percent leaves a relatively 4 1/2 million to be used.  Some of those would be considered in essential civilian occupations and so exempt. However, a bright spot has come to my immediate attention in five or six recent years. Actually the Civil Air Patrol Cadet program has been knowledgeable to me since about 1976 when it became my privilege to become a member of a Senior Squadron in Colorado.

My realm of  knowledge was such that when a Boy Scout Troop became too small in 1972 to be effective and with no adult supervision other than a Scoutmaster, it was decided to disband.  Being familiar with the CAP program for 12- to 18-year-old children and knowing the location and adult personnel of a Cadet Squadron nearby, it was my decision to take the remaining scouts to visit one of that squadron’s meetings.  The result was that five of the six remaining scouts, except for my son, became members.  Eleven years later, one of the boys came into a reception where I happened to be and on seeing me rushed over and emotionally thanked me for introducing him to CAP.

The Civil Air Patrol is an official auxiliary of the United States Air Force and all members are authorized to wear USAF uniforms with CAP insignia.  Senior members are permitted admission to officers clubs on most military bases, especially, but not exclusively, in uniform.  Cadets receive military training and are permitted to participate in search missions, mostly in Mission Control and on the flight line, where they gain very useful experience and can become more involved as senior members.

Then about 2012 when involved in a veterans club we were visited by Major Mike Maguffee, U.S. Army (Retired).  He has been the senior training officer of the Junior ROTC program at Nathan Hale High School in Tulsa.  Since that time his cadets have participated in our functions and it has been my pleasure and  privilege to attend their annual Awards Ball to observe the level of self-confidence and courtesies these cadets have acquired. In addition it came to my attention that each year at the awards there was one donated by the Tulsa Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, but there had been no representative to present the award.  After the 2015 ball, the Major was approached by me with the offer to do that presentation, being a member in good standing, which was accepted and carried out in 2016, 2017 and 2019.  This year the recipient was an outstanding cadet, hoping to be an Air Force Academy cadet in September.  My presentation to her was the forth or fifth award she had received.  Previously she had demonstrated proficiency in “rifle twirling” and “flag folding.”

Back to the CAP, it had become known by me that the Broken Arrow Squadron of the Oklahoma Wing had learned to emulate, to perfection, the routine of the guards of the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, and they are the only unit in the nation permitted to perform those duties.  Each year they begin Memorial Day weekend on Saturday morning walking the 21 paces each direction, changing guard each half hour and 24 hours per day until Monday evening at Floral Haven Cemetery where there is a replica of the Tomb.  The cadets have been trained at Arlington and visit there about every three years.

And we wonder what is going to come of this nation.  With comers like these, it will be good.