The Art of Giving

That's a fascinating word, organization. Although rooted in organ, a part of the body, some look upon an organization as an impersonal and detached entity, an exploiter of souls and bodies, a concept born many centuries ago as a consequence of poor leadership when authoritarian government was the norm, not the exception. Gradually, absolute monarchies evolved into parliamentary reigns, bringing greater personal freedoms and rights. In an effort to shift the focus created by organization as a symbol of authoritarian rule, the body politic was coined, at first referring to the reigning monarch, but afterwards extended to embrace the just ruling and managing of cities and states, in that representatives of the people were doing this, individuals who had feelings, and emotions, and thoughts of their own, yet they willingly laid these down in the service of the community.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

All edits, big and small

Last month (June) was significant for this newsletter, and yet it passed without comment from me. June of 2008 marked the beginning of the third continuous year of this monthly Group III publication, which has been as faithful to us as its editor has been. June of 2008 also marked the ascension of Capt Arthur Woodgate, the aforementioned (I wonder if he'll edit out the word "aforementioned"?) editor, to the lofty heights of Southwest Region Staff.

Arthur, sir, this newsletter is your legacy. You had the vision, you had the talent, you had the commitment, and you have made this happen. The job of editor for the newsletter of an organization like Group III is a big one, and you knocked the ball out of the park. All edits, big and small. I want you always to consider Group III your home, and this newsletter your refuge. Thank you for your years of service, both to Group III and to America. They have been impactful, and you have made a positive difference for us. Tertia semper primoris. Oh... and don't think for a minute that your cushy new job up at SWR somehow means you can't or shouldn't keep coming around down here in the trenches anymore! We wish you the best of luck as SWR Director of Public Affairs.

June was also significant for another reason, because I personally learned a pretty good lesson about the spirit of volunteers, and about the incredible impact of morale on volunteer spirit. My advice to you as CAP members is to always be aware of the limits of what you can sustain in your work with CAP. If you have never considered where that threshold is then you need to do that. In my experience, I have found that when morale is high members are willing to do more and push themselves further, but when morale is low members tend to disengage. Set your threshold to something that is sustainable to you, and your CAP experiences will not only be more rewarding but will also be more lasting.

As July 4th comes up and we start to think about celebrating our nation's birthday, let that be a touchstone for you to remind yourself ultimately what you're volunteering for. One of us alone may only be able to effect small changes to make our community, state, and nation a better place. But together, the 762 members of Group III can really do significant things for America. And that's why we're here.

If you ever get to the point where you've had enough and just can't do any more, that's ok. Talk to your commander! Then step back and take a break. If you're in a leadership role as a commander or in a senior staff position, pay attention to the volunteers who have entrusted their time and energy to your leadership. Paying attention to the cues that your members give you about their morale and about how sustainable their workload is for them may be one of your most important responsibilities as a leader in a volunteer organization like CAP.

Together we really can make a difference.

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Lt. Col. Owen Younger, Commander

Tertia semper primoris

Flight Safety, 4 June

Below is an important safety message from the Region Commander.  Pay close attention to the requirement for all pilots, observers, and scanners to complete two online FAA safety courses.  It is especially important to note that all pilots must complete these courses before flying a CAP aircraft - effective immediately.

Please develop a tracking mechanism for 100% accountability of the certificates for both courses.  The mandatory safety briefing for all flying units must be documented in WMU prior to 4 July 2008.

Ensure this message is distributed to all unit commanders, safety officers, Flight Release Officers, pilots, observers, and scanners.

Thanks.

Col. Joseph Jensen, Southwest Region Commander

CAP 15-Passenger Van Reconfiguration, 11 June

From: Schneider, Gary [mailto:GSchneider@capnhq.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:17 AM
Subject: Reconfiguration of CAP 15-Passenger Vans

Ladies and gentlemen,

During the recent National Executive Committee meeting, members voted to remove the rear seat from all 15-passenger vans. Attached is General Courter's letter describing this initiative. Please relay questions concerning van configuration or the use of cargo nets to Mr. Duane Schultz, CAP/MXV or to me.

Best regards,

Gary Schneider, Deputy Director, Fleet Management

Cadet Officer School, 16-26 June

[6] The world is uncertainty, where the unexpected is the norm. [7] Lt Col Rob Smith was always there for us. [8] Our mascot, Wilson, having a bad hair day. [9] Every class was a challenge of the mind. (2nd from right, C/Capt Tiffany Hamm - Ed.) [10] Every evening we tested our volley ball skills. (Photo 9, unknown. All others, C/Capt Tiffany Hamm.)

In addition to everyday lectures, the flights held volley ball matches every day as well. We played three games a night. If one team won two out of three games, that was the winning team. My team, Flight One, lost only one game, which in turn shows how much teamwork and practice we put into our effort.

“COS is the premier professional education program for our cadets. We present high standards, and every year, our cadets always rise to the challenge,” said CAP Lieutenant Colonel Rob Smith, our flight's assigned CAP officer.

C/Capt. Tiffany Hamm, Waxahachie CS

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Marc Ben-Meir

Staff Call Notes, 11 June

In attendance for the staff call were:

• Flying

• Vehicle inspection

• Others?

• Stay ahead

   Discussion Notes:

• Maj Wilson will temporarily hand primary safety duties for Group III to George Mihalcik of the Kittinger-Phantom SS in Austin. Maj Wilson will return to his duties in September.

• The recent aircrew training mandate is an emphasis item. FAAST course completion should be tracked at the unit level. Certificates should not be sent to Group. Units should capture all pertinent data and send summary data to Group. Refer to the tracking spreadsheet and contact George Mihalcik with questions.

   Discussion Notes:

• Bob Mullen is going through the process of requesting approval from the North Texas Tollway Authority to permit CAP vehicles to use these tollways free of charge. This request will be for 6 DFW vans initially – Red Oak, Mesquite, Addison, and three from Group II.

• Compliance with the rear seat removal for 15 pax vans is an emphasis item. Units will report to Bob Mullen when they have complied.

• Please be wary of potential safety issues that could arise after the seat is removed. Cargo in the rear of the van should be secured to prevent it from moving, and there is a weight limit on the amount of cargo.

   Discussion Notes:

• Group III needs to continue this momentum. Lt Col Younger asked that Group III staff continue to assist the subordinate units in setting up SLS/CLC courses.

   Discussion Notes:

• The next CAC meeting will be at the 19 July face-to-face at DAL

• All unit CC's are expected to provide transport for their unit CAC representative. CAC participation is an emphasis item.

• Lt Opal McKinney has cadet uniforms available.

• The Group III Action Log was circulated to unit commanders & Group staff for review during the first week of June. Group will continue to do this going forward to ensure that all items have been captured. Unit CC's are expected to review this and advise Group III Admin of any missing items.

• There are several small changes to the Group III PA that will be corrected in the next version.

• Capt Medders continues to work on updating the staff roster.

Command

Next Commander's Call and Staff Meeting: 19 July at Dallas Love Field, Business Jet Center FBO:

• 1000 to 1130 Staff

• 1300 to 1430 CC

• The CAC meeting will occur during this time – CAC participation is an emphasis item

The award plaques are complete and will be presented at the face-to-face in July.

Quarterly Report, Quarterly FRO Letter, 5 July

Capt. David Medders, COS

Special Training Opportunity for Texas CAP Members

It is a fact that NIMS training is mandatory, but the ICS 300 and ICS 400 courses cannot be taken online. They must be taken in person at an approved location, taught by certified instructors. Many TXWG members who would otherwise be able to take these courses, at times cannot because of the cost, since they are taught in few places, mostly the large cities in Texas.

This is a Great Deal!

ICS training is available through the Governor's Division of Emergency Management. This program will reimburse CAP members for travel and living expenses incurred to attend mission-related training.

• Schedules and program details are available at www.preparingtexas.org

• Visit http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/dem/training/08trainingcal.pdf and read page 9 for information regarding reimbursement.

If in doubt, or if you have any other questions, please contact the Group III Emergency Services Officer.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

Group III Patch Available

Are you on Group III Staff? Wear the Group III Staff patch proudly. At $5.00 each, they are a bargain and show your commitment to Group III and the CAP program. (Click on the image for a larger view.)

Group III Coins Available      Our mint has delivered a batch of new Group III Commemorative Coins, and you may own as many as you wish, for $10.00 each. They make wonderful gifts for your loved ones ... or even yourself. (Click on the images for larger views of the obverse and reverse.) To purchase either Group III Patches or Group III Coins, please contact Maj Laurie Lancaster - laurielancaster@yahoo.com

Maj. Laurie Lancaster, FO

1st Lt. Don Gulliksen, HGO

Most Common Mistakes that Beginning Webmaster Make - The Kitchen Sink

Years ago, the first personal computer screens had a resolution of 200x150 pixels and were used for text only. The second generation doubled that, marking the beginning of "graphics" that, today, would be laughable. Then, "high resolution graphics" were designed for "advanced" screens with a "phenomenal" 800x600 pixel CRT. About the same time, people thought that a high-speed Internet connection was 2,400 Baud (that's 2.4 kilobits, by the way, not kilobytes - a great improvement over the original 600 Baud). At that time, the usual advice for website design was, If it's important, put it on the opening screen.

Oh, yes. Don't forget to take a good look at this website, of course. To get started, just click on the top-left Group III emblem on the masthead at the top of any page. If it weren't for hot links, the Internet wouldn't be what it is today.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, ITO

1st. Lt. Vanessa Smith, PDO
 tx438pdo@yahoo.com

From Apollo Composite Squadron, a New Young Leader

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

How to Give Your Money Away, 10 June

There is a cardinal rule of financial security: Never give out personal information to someone who calls you. It's OK to give it to someone you call. So if someone calls you and wants information from you, get that person's phone number, then call the headquarters of the company that person says to represent, and find out if the number you got actually belongs to that company or one of its offices.

As times get harder, the scams get slicker, and the accents ever so American. They are clever, too, and have caught many unaware. The credit card scam presented here is pretty slick, since the caller provides you with all the information, except the one piece that's missing.

These callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it, probably stolen from an online database. By understanding how the Visa and MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.

The scam works like this: The person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at Visa. My badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your Visa card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from XYZ Marketing, Inc. in Arizona?" When you say, "No,", the caller goes on, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching, and the chages range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most card.  Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?"

You say "yes." The caller then says, "I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security. When you do, please refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6-digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?"

Here's the important part on how the scam works. The caller then says, "I need to verify that you are in possession of your card,"  and ask you to, "turn your card over and look for some numbers."  There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the Security Numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet or phone purchases to prove that you have the card. The caller then asks for the 3 numbers and, when you do, will say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?"  After you say, "No," the caller thanks you and adds, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do," and hangs up.

You actually say very little, and the caller never asks for nor tells you the card number. If a few minutes later you smell a rat and call the real Visa Security Department, you'll learn that it was a scam, and that a new purchase of $497.99 has just been charged to your card.

Now you're best advised to make real fraud report and close the Visa account, asking for a new one with a different number. What the scammer wants is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Instead of giving it away, tell the caller that you're rather call Visa or Master card directly to straighten it all out. The fact is that neither Visa nor MasterCard will ever ask for anything on the card as they already know the information, because they issued the card.

What makes this more remarkable is that, "Jason Richardson of Master Card" is likely to produce a word-for-word repeat of the Visa scam. If you file a police report, they'll tell you that they are taking several of these reports daily. They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening.

Capt. Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

Reflections on Flag Day, 14 June

     DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – On 14 June, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the enlistment of riflemen to serve the United Colonies for one year. They were to form "the American continental army," that was directed to raise ten companies of riflemen. At least some members of Congress assumed that this would be the starting point for a force that, for obvious reasons, would need to grow.

It is purely coincidental that, on 14 June, 1777, exactly two years later, Congress adopted the first official flag of the republic. This was not the first flag to wave over American volunteers, though, nor did the fledgling republic fight its war of independence under the banner of the British monarchy. A very popular earlier American flag was the Grand Union, which combined the British "King's Colours" in the canton, accompanied by thirteen red and white stripes. In fact, George Washington liked it so much that he flew it on the formation of the Continental Army on 1 January, 1776. The flag officially adopted by Congress on the following year had all the elements of our modern American flag, with a field of blue on which were sewn 13 white stars, and 13 alternating red and white stripes. Nothing was said about the dimensions, proportions, or even alignment of any of the elements used in making the flag.

Variations on the original theme followed, one of them being the Star Spangled Banner (with 15 stars and 15 stripes) which became America's official flag on 1 May 1795. This was the only American flag to have had more than 13 stripes, and was the flag that flew over Fort McHenry and entered history in 1814 through Francis Scott Key's poem Defence of Fort McHenry. The poem was quickly set to the music of a 1780 popular drinking song by John Stafford Smith, and eventually became the American National Anthem. The U.S. Navy was the first to recognize the new song for official use in 1889, and the President in 1916. Finally, President Herbert Hoover signed into law a congressional resolution on 3 March 1931, adopting it as the National  Anthem.

Just as a child is born, grows in stature and accomplishment, reaches maturity and becomes productive, and finally leaves a heritage of memories and worldly deeds behind, many flags have captured the hearts of heroes. Each one has been "the flag" for someone, and they have all been valid emblems capable of inspiring many generations into building our great nation. Each has held true because, although different in shape and design, they have all represented the same thing, and the same idea. The concept of a united country, populated by equals, all working towards the common good, and governed by representatives of the people themselves. All these flags have represented the United States of America.

This official flag (including each unofficial earlier ensign), in its many guises, has been carried into battle first by the Army, the Navy soon afterwards, and all the service men and women who have defended the Constitution, territory and government of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. This official flag gained its fiftieth stars by Executive Order of President Dwight D. Eisenhower on 21 August, 1959, upon admission to statehood of Hawaii on that day.

Today, as we honor the American Flag on Flag Day, we also honor the American Army, the first armed service to serve the republic on its first hour of need after its birth. And, incidentally, that first Continental Army was composed entirely of infantry soldiers.

"What's in a name?" asks Juliet in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. "By any other name would smell as sweet." It is the same with a flag. It isn't the design, the colors, or the size that matters. It is what it represents that lends it weight and substance. It is in viewing it that the heart of the beholder gives rise to the intimate knowledge that that flag is the symbol of the cherished land, and thus honor, pride, comfort and reassurance are born and nurtured.

May our flag always wave in liberty and justice. (Photo: C/Capt Tiffany Hamm)

Lone Star Emergency Services Academy, 21-28 June

BIG SANDY, Texas – This year's Lone Star Emergency Services Academy (LESA) marks the start of a new Texas Wing tradition. Years from now, I'll be able to say that I was part of it from the beginning. With more than 150 participants, instructors and students, it was a smashing success. LESA was held in Big Sandy, Texas, a few miles north of Tyler, Texas, at the Air and Land Emergency Resources Training (ALERT) facility. To lower our costs, the LESA staff and students did some of the daily work, such as serving the food and cleaning the dining hall, and we were thankful to all the volunteers from ALERT that prepared the meals and helped serve them.

I was a student in the Public Affairs/Information Officer School, and had the honor of being taught by the Southwest Region Director of Public Affairs, Capt. Arthur Woodgate, along with my fellow students: Maj. Robert Brecount, 1st Lt. DeeAnna Adams-Gorman, 1st Lt. Johanna Augustine, 1st Lt. Mark Petrosky, SM Stefani Stephens, C/1st Lt Raphael Erie, and C/1st Lt Brandii Re-Ann Davis.

1st Lt. DeeAnna Adams-Gorman, the Oklahoma Wing Public Affairs Officer, participated actively in our class and, along with Maj. Robert Brecount, the Victoria Composite Squadron PAO, gave us samples of their very effective writing style. Although outnumbered 5-to-3, the three cadets in the class managed to keep up with the senior members and enjoyed the school very much. With a little help from Cdt Erie and this author, Cdt Davis summed up the week with an impressive slide-and-video-clips show set to lively music, showing all the wonderful things we had done during the week at LESA.

Mission Staff School spent much of their time practicing scenarios where they interacted with other agencies, as well as going through the needed academics. Communications School ensured superb radio coverage for the entire week, besides working very hard themselves. An additional burden placed on Comm School was a request from CAP National to take a comprehensive set of photographs and videos showing all that they did, to be posted as stock images on the CAP National website.

Chaplain (Maj.) Ron Whitt taught and graduated one very needed Mission Chaplain, Lt. Col. Alexander Alvarez, whom we will greatly appreciate. Flight Line School also turned out a single student, C/2d Lt. Michael Moody. According to his instructor, Maj. Richard Hunt, the student could have been the teacher. Mission Aircrew turned out several more qualified Mission Scanners, Mission Observers, and Mission Pilots.

I am proud to announce that GSARSS (Ground Search and Rescue Specialty School) graduated almost fifty new ground team members. These cadets and senior members are the backbone of Search and Rescue missions, and do all the crawling around in the boonies looking for lost persons or objects. Also,