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FOREWORD
Born of crisis just six days before Pearl Harbor, the Civil Air Patrol performed a host of "Minuteman" missions during World War II. Then, after some shaky post-war months, when the organization came close to being consigned to the demobilization scrap-heap, the CAP won deserved support from the Congress and was made an official auxiliary of the Air Force.
"Hero Next Door" touches upon some of the incredible feats of the war years, but it is largely the peacetime, up-to-the-minute story of a uniquely American institution whose 60,000-plus members are dedicated to strengthening aviation and to making it safer and more understandable for fliers and the general public alike.
In tracking the story of the CAP down more than three exciting decades, the author has peppered his book with revealing anecdotes and has permitted many of the participants in his narrative to tell their own stories in their own words. And because he has been a part of CAP for so many years, he is able to relate the exploits of his huge "cast" incidents that range from the heroic to the off-beat and the very funny-with a knowing touch and a keen eye for detail.
Having experienced more than a passing acquaintanceship with dozens of first-generation CAP leaders and rank-and-file members while criss-crossing the country researching the wartime story of the Patrol, I am gratified to be able to pick up the peacetime progress of this unsinkable, "grass roots" outfit through this book-and happy to know that the CAP story will be continued for years to come.
For a long time there has been a need for a factual, readable, up-to- date account of the accomplishments, frustrations and sacrifices of the men and women of the Civil Air Patrol. 'Hero Next Door" fills that requirement.
Robert E. Neprud
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