The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-04-15
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THE CIVIL AIR PATROL

! IHE CIVIL AK PA ROl
The Civil Air Parol OF the State
OF Michigan held one OF the most
successful and best attended man
euyers at Capitol City Airport, Ian
sing, Sunday. since its organization.
Before giving you resume OF
this | have a pan for our local
group. Nearly all squadrOns OF the
state were well represented. We
OF the Ypsilanti unit were conspi-
cuous by our absence. What is
the percentage OF our patriotism
versus love to fly? Are we in
CAP. Just as a present means to
| fly? II everyone could have seen
and heard what transpired Sunday
| know the general public opinion
OF CAP. would be higher and that
you members, If not already. would
be proud to wear the uniform Of
the Civil Air Patrol, even it we
finish this war digging potatoes in
our run-ways.
The personnel arrived at Ian
sing by aircraft, train, bus and
car. And a better turn out for such
an event | have never seen. 4
marching review in the morning
was followed by lunch served by
the Red Cross. The group was
addressed by a number Of dis.
tinguished speakers. Major +.
Johnson OF the Army Air Corps
and national commander OF the
CAP, was the main speaker of
the day. II was in his honor
that the maneuver was held. A
marvellous job was done by the
Michigan State Troops in transport
ing CAP. members from the air
port to the Armory where the meet
ing was held.
We were welcomed by Mayor
Hughes of Lansing. Very interest
ing talks were given by Capt. Don
aid Leonard OF the Michigan State
Police, Gov. Kelly OF Michigan and
Major Buck" Steers formerly Of
Detroit.
Following are number of things
we learned that | am sure will
interest you;
We have $4,000 members in tho
United States. Fifteen thousand of
these are now in the Army or Navy
Corps. A great many CAP. mem
bers through CAP. training have
gone directly in the Army as of
fcers. NeR-eeWmissioned- of course
but | think that is great tribute
to CAP. In one case told OF Sun
day a CAP. second lieutenant just
entered the Army major!
During a certain period last year
the government spent on CAP.
$4,000. In the corresponding per.
iod this year over a million was
spent.
The entire coast from Mexico to
Canada is patroled by CAP. To
date 100000 miles have been
flown over this water. The re-
suits Of these miles Of patrol are
several hundred subs sunk, lives
and ships saved. BY ships saved
| mean ships actually being attack
by subs and being driven off when
our coastal patrol planes appeared.
In the past our planes had to sight
a sub and radio for an Army bomb
err. Now we carry our own bombs,
And these bombs have sunk subs.
Other CAP. duties are Border
Patrol Mississippi Levy Patrol and
what we think will someday be our
greatest service. Courier Service.
Courier Service was started tenn
porarily some time ago under sur
veyance by very skeptic Army
head. Thirty days were allowed
for its failure. II it had ! believe
the entire organization would have
failed. After the first II days the
Army went for II 100 per cent ana
it has expanded from coast to coast.
This service is open to any de-
tense firm, large or small The
plan in a nut she'll is, a plane and
pilot guaranteed on a coast basis
for any emergency flight anywhere
in the U.S.A. transporting any
thing from a lathe chuck to the
president OF the firm. VIII land
anyplace from an airport to the