|
From the Curator
Following is an editorial from the Coastland
Times. It appeared in the paper just three
days after Civil Air Patrol Coastal Patrol
Base 16 ceased operations. It not only
tells the story of the Civil Air Patrol
during WWII, but also gives you a feel on
how the local folks felt about them. Before
CAP came to the Outer Banks the German subs
were sinking ships daily in site of the
shoreline. People along the Outer Banks
were witness to this and were afraid that at
any time the Germans may come ashore. With
the arrival of CAP, the locals were calmed
somewhat.
VOL.
IX
September 3,
1943 NO.9
"WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL"
Seldom, if ever, has a group of
people lived in this community
for a year or such a matter and
departed with the respect and
affection so widely manifested
as has fallen to the lot of the
Coastal Air Patrol, whose
members were honored Tuesday
night at a dinner dance at Nags
Head.
The people of Roanoke Island
have gained much in fellowship and
inspiration from the presence of this group,
and it can be truly said that beginning with
Major Allen Watkins and continuing through
the last man of the group, they will depart
Dare County carrying with them its best
esteem and affection and leaving a gap not
easily filled.
The Coastal Air Patrol came into
being in the early days of the war, the
spontaneous work of patriotism on the part
of many owners of airplanes, many of the old
crates unsuited to the war service. But it
was the best the country had at that time
and this patriotic group, partly with their
own funds and with the funds solicited from
philanthropic citizens, established the
nucleus of the great organization.
For long months through summer
sun and winter snows, and with a reckless
bravery unexpected in men who have reached
life's zenith, they flew up and down the
coast in what their friends affectionately
referred to as "crates", sometimes going far
to sea, but always on the alert for German
submarines and prompt to report any
suspicious signs, so that effective major
offense could be quickly mustered to the
scene. On a cold day during the past winter,
just before night, two of these men perished
in the service of their country and wrote a
new chapter in the glory of the Coastal Air
Patrol.
Many people will wonder why
service of this magnitude and value has been
discontinued. The answer is simple: When
they began their task the country was
deficient in aerial equipment and manpower.
These private owners of planes came into the
service to bridge a gap against the day when
America could produce enough planes and
train enough men to properly defend her.
Many of these flyers, because of age limits
or physical impairments, could not pass the
strenuous test required of younger men
qualified for combat duty. The submarine
menace to merchant shipping along the
eastern seaboard has been reduced to a
minimum. The Nation now has sufficient
planes of modern type and younger men, well
trained for this or any other task incident
to the war.
The many pleasant social
relations that have been established between
the members of the Civil Air Patrol and the
citizens of this community have created warm
friend- ships and the departure of this
group is like unto the "farewells" that come
when old friends have ended a visit. The
citizens of this community wish them
"Godspeed" and keep in mind the old Biblical
quotation, "Well done, good and faithful"
Return to Museum Home
|
