VIEW: 19-21: Hopeful Signs For Future

VIEW FROM HERE
By Bob McDowell (Born Neil Carson) Number 19-21
HOPEFUL SIGNS FOR FUTURE Week of 201/05/27
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%, in my memory, of the men of youngest military
age can qualify due to health (over weight), education (no HS diploma), illicit drug use,
or criminal record. If another major military need should arise we might not have the
necessary personnel to prevail!!
In WW 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% leaves a relatively small four and one half 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 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, US 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, 17, and 19. 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 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.
END
Composed May 23, 2019
Robert W. McDowell, Jr. © 2019 841 Lynwood Lane
918-451-1051 Broken Arrow OK
74011-8608
Email: abdmcfpi@localnet.com