Published: July 20, 2008 08:07 pm         

Air patrol cadets reach out to man in need

Whether soaring into the clouds or staying on the ground, the young men and women in Johnstown Squadron 1501, Civil Air Patrol, are eager to help others.

Whenever there is a missing person or a downed aircraft, the cadets help with the search via the air and ground.

And whenever they learn of a member of the community in need, they rush in.

The latest example of that is July 14, when the squadron delivered food, dog food, paper towels and other necessities to help a Prospect man.

Joe Morris reached out for assistance in The Tribune-Democrat’s Readers’ Forum just days earlier.

He wrote about the problems the elderly, including himself, are facing. Fighting cancer and having difficulty walking, Morris had trouble meeting basic needs as well difficulty in getting pet food for his dog, Bruiser.

Many folks in addition to the squadron came to his aid.

“It was nice of them (squadron) to bring food,” wrote Morris, who cannot speak.

Morris wrote that he is aware of the good deeds that the squadron has been performing. He wrote that he has known the squadron’s commander, Sam Allison, since Allison was a Johnstown police officer years ago. He wrote that Allison always has enjoyed helping people.

Morris wrote that he is appreciative of all the others who have to come to his aid as well.

Senior cadets Zachary Gualardo, Christopher Sanders and Nathan Hutsky, all recent graduates of Forest Hills High School, said the Civil Air Patrol is an organization that teaches youths not only about flight, but about the importance of community involvement.

“We try to get out as much as we can to help people,” Gualardo said. “We also do search-and-rescue missions, looking for downed aircraft and missing persons from both the ground and the air.”

Gualardo, who will be attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., this fall and is planning to be a commercial airplane pilot, said the cadets have learned much about flying.

Each cadet gets a chance to fly a CAP plane under the supervision of a certified pilot, the Salix resident said.

Sanders said he joined the squadron so that he could help during emergencies plus become involved in the community.

The squadron participates in events such as the Veterans Day parade in Johnstown; the East Hills Kiwanis Memorial Day ceremony and Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. In May, cadets volunteered to present medals to World War II veterans during the World War II recognition ceremony at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

“The CAP is very important,” Sanders said. “The CAP has helped many people.”

The CAP teaches the cadets values, integrity, respect and excellence, said Sanders, who is studying automotive technology at WyoTech technical school, Blairsville.

Hutsky, an Elton resident, said the CAP teaches cadets outdoors skills and how to fly and maintain an aircraft.

Because the CAP is an auxiliary to the Air Force, the military training the cadets receive locally will be beneficial should they join the military, he said.

All three said the other dozen cadets, who range in age from 12 to 18, plus the volunteer staff of 18 that includes Allison, are dedicated to the program.

Allison said the squadron will continue to make sure Morris has the basic necessities.

He said he and the staff try to impress on the cadets the importance of loving their country and their fellow man.

For their efforts with the squadron, Gualardo, Sanders and Hutsky are the Persons of the Week.

     

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