United states capitol. Thank you for being here to continue a great tradition, one that dates back to before our country was even a country. The congressional gold medal represents the highest expression of the peoples appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. The first recipient was general George Washington in march of 1776. Today, pursuant to set a bill 309, we will present a gold medal to the members of the Civil Air Patrol. Whose valor and dedication saved countless lives during world war ii. The Civil Air Patrol was organized six days before the bombing of pearl harbor. Its members flew for 24 million miles on Coastal Patrol. They summoned help for ships and survivors in distress. They spotted enemy submarines, dropped bombs, dropped depth charges, some 64 americans died during these operations. Those who lived have quite the stories to tell. Many of them were with us today. Please join me in welcoming these american heroes to our capitol. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the presentation of the colors by the United States armed force color guard and a singing of the National Anthem and retiring of the colors. Hut forward, march forward, halt. About. Present. Hut. [the starspangled banner playing] hut, right, forward. Halt. Hut. Hut. Hut. Please remain standing as the chaplain of the United States senate dr. Barry black, gives , the invitation. Let us pray. God and father of all, we praise you for your infinite love that provides us with help when we need it most. We thank you for this congressional gold medal ceremony. In honor of world war ii members of the Civil Air Patrol. We are grateful that this organization, as Speaker Boehner has pointed out, was created six days before the bombing of pearl harbor. It provided civilian air support that helped us win world war ii. Thank you for its members who more than self their country loved and died so that this nation might live. Inspire us, from this legacy of service and sacrifice, to give our lives for causes greater than ourselves, so that we shall leave this world better than we found it. We pray in your holy name. Amen. Please be seated. Ladies and gentlemen, the United States representative from the 10th district of texas, the honorable michael t. Mccall. [applause] thank you. What a great day. 73 years ago this week america was attacked at pearl harbor. Leading us into a war that would define who we are as a nation. Today, we honor the world war ii members of the Civil Air Patrol with the congressional gold medal, the highest expression of national appreciation. We remember the over 400,000 servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we might be free. Many of these brave americans were the unpaid volunteers of the Civil Air Patrol who provided extraordinary combat and humanitarian services during a critical time of need for the nation. As the son of a b17 bomber in europe and a world war ii veteran, i am especially proud to be here to honor the veterans that are with us here today. My dad was my hero, and so are you, too. Many of you flew dangerous missions, using your own aircraft to attack enemy submarines, nighttime tracking missions, cargo transport, search and rescue, fire patrols, disaster relief, and medevac. Notably, the Civil Air Patrol also served as a pioneering opportunity for our nations women to serve in uniform, including one i want to notice today, jane pace, a 92yearold Civil Air Patrol pilot who was is with us today and conducted surveillance flights over the gulf of mexico to spot enemy submarines. At this time, i would like to take a moment to recognize jane and ask her to please stand. [applause] jane actually went to high school with my father, believe it or not. While we were at the world war ii memorial, jane and i read a quote that said, women who stepped up were measured as citizens of the nation, not as women. This was a peoples war and everyone was in it. How true that is. Though it has been 70 years since the end of world war ii, the memory and sacrifice of the civil patrol volunteers has never been more enshrined in our hearts than this day. My friend and colleague were humble to led the effort in the house to bestow the nations top honor on these deserving patriots. It is an honor to stand here in the company of heroes past and present, and therefore we pause and are indebted forever to the greatest generation. May we honor them by carrying the torch of freedom they kept glowing. And may that light guide the future of this great country. You, the greatest generation handed down to mine a better america and a better world. As Winston Churchill said, let us embrace ourselves to our duties, so that for a thousand years men will say that this was their finest hour. So, on behalf of a grateful nation, we say thank you, well done, good and faithful servants. May god bless you, may god bless the United States of america and may he hold you in the palm of his hand. Thank you. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the United States air force band brass quintet. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the democratic leader of the United States house of representatives, the honorable nancy pelosi. Good afternoon. Thank you for that beautiful rendition of america the beautiful. My favorite verse is the one that begins, o beautiful for patriots dreams that survive beyond the years. Major vasquez, former Major General wolf, i am honored to be with everyone who made this possible. Leader reid, senator mcconnell. Thank you for introducing this legislation. Time and again a cross our history, at the darkest moments of national need, everyday citizens have stepped forward to confront the enemy and defend our country. Our nation faced harrowing months following our surprise entry into world war ii. Even after president roosevelt efforts to ready the nation, our military was not as prepared or equipped and unable to match the axis war machine. German uboats patrolled the coast with near impunity, taking a terrible toll on ships and tankers, even within the view of american cities. Yet once again, at this time of national emergency, thousands of americans from across the country took upon themselves to buy time for the cavalry. As the minutemen had rushed to arms in the revolutionary war to protect their towns and win our liberty, so too, did the civilians of the air patrol rush to our skies to drive back the forces of tyranny. Some were too young, some too old, some too infirm for the military. These men and women would not be denied the opportunity to use their aviation skills in the service of our country. Many of you and others who served with you then left jobs and shuttered businesses, travel to ramshackle air bases, slept in converted chicken coops, they tell me. They worked without pay on barebones each day just to risk their lives and climb in small civilian aircraft to scan the way for ships, survivors, and submarines. Civilian air patrol planes were the Guardian Angels of our ships. Flying even when the weather grounded the military. Your constant presence in the skies, spotting, harassing, and and attacking submarines gave the nation time to mobilize and play a Critical Role in restoring security to our coast in pushing the uboats back to sea. The then commanding general of the air force said, if it had done nothing beyond that, the Civil Air Patrol would have earned an honorable place in the history of american air power. But you did do much more, as representative mccall said. Patrolling the border, leading search and rescue missions delivering essential parts in medicine, testing air defenses towing targets in dangerous live fire antiaircraft exercises. At the end of the war, the civilian men and women of the Civil Air Patrol had flown 750,000 hours of missions. 65 volunteers had given their lives on active duty. The motto of the civil or patrol always vigilant, ever ready to rescue to rest of our country. Your service follows the honorable tradition of our military. Your legacy inspires the continuing commitment to our country. Your sacrifice embodies the indomitable spirit of americans that define our history. Today it is our honor in the heart of our democracy in this capitol of the United States, it is our honor and privilege to join with the house and Senate Leadership and so many people to present congressional gold medal to the world war ii veterans of the Civil Air Patrol and to recognize the flying minutemen and women of the 20th century. Thank you. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the republican leader of the United States senate, the honorable mitch mcconnell. [applause] we often think of world war ii as an over there war. The kind of conflict our soldiers deployed overseas to fight. Of course, millions of americans did do just that. Many of us know a veteran who served, and of course we honor them. But the reality is, the Second World War could have become more of a right here war. For a time, german uboats stalked our coast. We often forget it, but those submarines actually sank american ships. If left unchecked, they could have threatened more of europes conflict across the atlantic. The point is, world war ii could have turned out a lot differently if not for the men and women of the Civil Air Patrol. They served selflessly, often at their own expense. They used their own aircraft. First to spot german boats, and later to actually attack them. Some did so with little more than a compass and a radio. Emergency equipment, if they had any, might have consisted of a vest or an inner tube. Some were housed in chicken coops. Others laid their heads in a barn. They did all of this for their country. Not for riches, because they received few. And not for fame, because little was forthcoming. But out of a sense of duty and service. Yet today, few americans have even heard of the Civil Air Patrol. Its a shame. It continues now as an auxiliary of the air force with humanitarian missions. Its members deploy when the country has a need, performing a variety of reconnaissance and search and rescue operations. When Mount Saint Helens erected, erupted, the Civil Air Patrol was there. When katrina hit, the Civil Air Patrol was there. Sandy, too. And the Civil Air Patrol was on the same when terrorists attacked our country on 9 11. The good news is the patrol has advocates in high places. That is why we are here today. Members of Congress Worked hard to pass the legislation that made this possible and i was proud to join others in cosponsoring it. So todays gold medal may be long overdue, but its welldeserved. It is the highest civilian honor we can bestow, and we are all pleased to help bestow it. Thank you. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the majority leader of the United States senate, the honorable harry reid. [applause] virgil was 20 years old when news came about the attacks on pearl harbor. At first he was not sure what he wanted to do, but he knew he wanted to do something. Many years later, he said i think we all just got mad. It changed everything. So, virgil joined the Civil Air Patrol, serving at a coastal base named 12. A fancy name, but that was what it was called. In brownsville, texas. He was an airplane mechanic and a good one. Sometimes if the patrol base was shorthanded, and it was lots of times, virgil went up in the aircraft he repaired as an observer, looking mainly for submarines. He spent that day scanning the waters of the gulf of mexico for uboats and other aircraft. Why would he do that . There was no compulsory service, no law stipulating he must volunteer his name in defense of this nation. There were no incentives likely see today. There is no promise of a College Tuition reimbursement, no chance to see the world. But the Civil Air Patrol provided these brave men and women with a chance to serve for , a chance to do something for the war effort. A short time later, virgil joined the Army Air Force as a b b26 mechanic, but not before spending a couple years the trolling the coast of texas. After the war, he sounded west Coast Airlines and settled in las vegas. Virgil sadly passed away three months ago. It is a shame that he and so many brave volunteers are not with us today to receive this honor. Alexander hamilton said, there is a certain enthusiasm in liberty that makes human nature rise above itself and act in acts of bravery and heroism. Thats true. The American People are thankful for the enthusiasm that drove the civil air volunteers to protect our homeland. For those of you are today thank you for your service. This honor is long overdue. To those no longer with us their acts of bravery and heroism will never be forgotten. Thank you very much. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the speaker of the United States house of representatives, the honorable john boehner. [applause] let me thank my colleagues for their words. Of course, all of their efforts have made this day possible. You know, listening to these stories, its easy to forget these were just private citizens who wanted to lend a hand. They also lent their planes, two way radios, even their own spare parts. They had no salary, only a stipend that came in fits and starts. They nearly lost their housing. It is easy to forget that back then flying 100 miles offshore was a pretty daunting task. These were brave pilots who braved the elements with only a 10 can to stay afloat should they go down. One pilot said, if we could see half the runway, we would fly. And they downright insisted on doing these things. They were not pressed into service. The government was pressed into letting them serve. Well, thank god it was. It is easy to forget, and someone someday skimming the manifest of gold medals may ask, just who were these men and women . Really, who worked werent they . They were bus drivers, doctors mechanics, salesmen. One was a plumber. They came from more than 1000 cities across the country. They flew with unbounded determination of america. And we were lucky to have them up there. And so, for world war ii members of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States mint has struck a congressional gold medal which we will present now with full hearts and no small amount of wonder. To receive the medal please join , me in welcoming the National Commander of the Civil Air Patrol and a former member of congress and a member of the Civil Air Patrol. [applause] [indiscernible] [applause] it is my distinct honor to be at the United States capitol this afternoon to recognize the Civil Air Patrol and the service of its world war ii members. As caps National Commander, i am mindful of these brave and heroic citizen volunteers from americas greatest generation. They served valiantly on the home front and along the coast helping save lives and preserve our nations freedom. I want to thank them and their families for their service along with the members of congress who honor them today, our event sponsors, and the many distinguished guests who are here for this historic occasion. To accept the award for the Civil Air Patrol and our veterans, it is my pleasure to present to you, one of our world war ii veterans who later served 16 years in the house of representatives. Please join me in welcoming the honorable lester wolfe. [applause] Speaker Boehner, leader reid, leader mcconnell speaker pelosi. Yes, my dear friend. I am honored today as a world war ii cap veteran to join Major General vasquez in accepting the congressional gold medal on behalf of the men and women of the Civil Air Patrol who gallantly served during world war ii. We accept this award, and particularly for those who did not come home. Our Service Began in the early dark days following pearl harbor, and you have heard a little bit about our exploits. The days when the nazi uboats prowling our east coast were threatening our Energy Lifeline and sinking Vulnerable Oil tankers at a very high rate, right within the site of land. We were a ragtag group of rejects of military service. [laughter] too old. Some even served in world war i. I remember my Commanding Officer was a pilot in the lafayetteescadrille. We were volunteers in the true american tradition of wanting to serve our country in a time of need. In a sense, cap were flying minutemen. The situation was so dire at the time that neither the Army Air Corps nor the navy had resources. Organized as a Civil Defense group, led by gilrob wilson, cap volunteered to take on the job. Within the first 18 months, we had inner tubes as makeshift lifejackets, a simple compass, and a single engine primitive aircraft. Cap patrol the atlantic and gulf coasts searching for submarines that were destroying thousands of ships and searching for survivors in the water. Known as the Coastal Patrol these missions were a little , more hazardous than the name implies. We flew, as you heard, in all kinds of weather, of to 60 miles off our shore at low attitude in flimsy aircraft, not equipped with anything more than our derringdo and willingness to do the job. We started out as spotters volunteering our own planes, but the situation became so critical we were later armed with small bombs. The fact that we were armed at all indicates how serious the threat was. This was not a mission for the faint of heart. 24 million miles were flown. 173 submarines reported. 82 bombs were dropped. 90 aircraft were lost. Our efforts to push the submarine threat away from the critical shipping lanes protected essential cargo and lives, and located hundreds in distress. It was noted by one admiral that cap members performed this mission displaying all of the skill, energy, and resourcefulness, and disregard for danger that are in the highest tradition of the American Armed forces. After the war, a German Navy Commander gave us credit for being one of the reasons why they abandoned their task. Nationwide, we towed targets for air training. We conducted search and rescue missions, patrolled the southern border, and flew many critical missions. We also managed hundreds of airports, trained thousands to fly, and prepared tens of thousands in the military service. To say our service was unusual to our leaders. Cap members were unpaid civilians, many using their own aircraft. I must say cap members are still paying for their own way. [laughter] we could not serve in the military. Many of us served for the duration of the war. We flew armed missions for the military and we trained many who later became the First Female Army pilots. By 1943, we were the auxiliary of the Army Air Force. Today, we are the proud auxiliary of the United States air force and we are still performing a myriad of missions for the nation we love so much. 65 members of the cap died serving their country. 26 of them on Coastal Patrol. Every one of those lives was given to defend this great nation. Having served in congress for some eight terms, i fully appreciate the high honor the congressional gold medal bestows. From George Washington to the tuskegee airmen, congress has awarded this medal to those deserving the highest national distinction. Today is all air patrol and his veterans are so honored. I speak for all of us with deep respect. I think Speaker Boehner, leader reid, leader pelosi, senator harkin who could not be here with us today, representative john mccall, and colonel john swain, others in the Civil Air Patrol, as well as the bills cosponsors for this high honor and national recognition. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing as the chaplain, the reverend patrick conroy, gives the benediction. Let us pray. As we close this celebration of Great American ancestors and elders, we give you thanks, o god, for having made us and given to each of us and to us as a people the potential for greatness beyond our limitations. From the beginning of our shared consciousness, the citizen soldier has been integral to our existence as a nation. Militias of minutemen were organized for common defense. Farmers, millers, coopers merchants, neighbors, who were ready to drop what they were doing when danger approached and come to the defense of one another. At the time of the last attack on our nation by a belligerent state, it was the Civil Air Patrol that picked up that mantle and brought their personal talents and possessions to the task of defending america from a common, threatening enemy. May their great example of service communicate to all generations of americans the valor, generosity, and sacrifice of selfinterest for the common good that ennobles us as neighbors and countrymen. May we all be inspired to be ready to serve our respective communities and our nation if called upon by tragedy disaster, or danger. Bless all the women and men of the Civil Air Patrol and may their descendents know of our gratitude for their service and sacrifice. And dear god, bless america and grant us peace both in the present and with you forever. Amen. Ladies and gentlemen, please remain at your seat for the departure of the official party. [the u. S. Air force playing] [applause] youre watching American History tv, 48 hours of programming on American History every weekend on cspan three. Follow us on twitter at cspan history for information on our schedule, upcoming programs, and to keep up with the latest history news. 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