Civil Air Patrol

A lot of people have asked me what Civil Air Patrol is. I have never taken the time to explain it well. So here I go.

As some of you know, I am a member of Civil Air Patrol. I have been a member for 4 and half years. Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the official auxiliary of the Air Force. It is a volunteer organization and not part of the military. (We don't carry or use weapons). There are three mission which we perform: Cadet Programs, Aerospace Education and Emergency Services.

Cadet Programs:

The cadet program is the basic structure for cadets. Cadets are teenagers aged 12-20. Cadet programs offers many opportunities for leadership, promotions and awards and other opportunities that no one can find anywhere else. Cadets generally meet for 2-2.5 hours every week. There are many activities that we participate in including community service, emergency services training, etc. There are many summer activities which we can participate in, relating to cadet programs.

Aerospace Education:

CAP has a mission to advance the importance of aerospace and teach it to cadets. When a cadet joins the program, they automatically receive five free flights in a Cessna 172. In these flights, cadets can be allowed to control the airplane, take off, land and even recover from a stall. In fact, CAP is the largest fleet of Cessna 172s. Addtionally, cadets can learn about rocketry and take a model rocketry course. Also, cadets can take flying lessons in an airplane or glider for a lot less money than normal.

Emergency Services:

CAP participates in emergency services. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center may contact CAP to search for a missing person or aircraft. At the same time, the AFRCC is alerted whenever an airplane's emergency transmitter goes off. 95% of the time these transmitters go off, its a false alarm. This is mainly due to the batteries dying or it being an old transmitter. Cadets do participate on these missions, usually on the ground.

This is only a small brief explanation. There are so many other things I didn't cover. But this gives you the basic overview. Any questions or confusions, feel free to ask.

-Gabe Heffernan

Reflections on the Eucharist: Unworthy Hands

Many Catholics receive Christ in the Eucharist every day. Some people take for granted the amazing gift that it is. We are able to consume Christ's body, blood, soul and divinity 100%. Its not partly God, its the entire body of Christ, living and true.
The Traditions of the church have changed when pertaining to the reception of Christ. Since the early Christians, the host was received kneeling and on the tongue. Due to the watered down view of the Eucharist itself and of the mass, reverent reception of holy communion has died down significantly. After Vatican II, a large percentage of the church began customs such as receiving the body of Christ on the hands and standing.
 Let me put it this way. Are we worthy enough to even receive Christ? No. The majority of us are not. Better yet, since we consider ourselves worthy, do we deserve to hold God? To hold the almighty supreme being who created and fashioned us? Not even the Blessed Virgin Mary or the Seraphim, can hold the body of Jesus Christ.
The Priest who's hands were anointed, is the only person who can touch the sacred host. If any man or woman can hold and distribute communion, what is the point of the priest having his hands anointed? It degrades the importance of the sacrament of Holy Orders. We can all wait an extra five minutes for Mass to finish. Keep this is mind.  

Answers to Actor Quiz

1. Craig Parker
2. Christian Bale
3. Mel Gibson
4. Jeremy Irons
5. Robert De Niro
6. Brad Pitt
7. Mark Ruffalo
8. Terrence Howard; Don Cheadle
9. Chris Hemsworth
10. Jamie Bell

Actor Quiz

A quiz about actors. Some of these are well known actors. No looking up allowed.

 1. Who is the actor who plays Haldir?
2. Who voices the character of Thomas in Pocahontas?
3. Who voices the character of John Smith in Pocahontas?
4. Who voices the character of Scar in The Lion King?
5. Who played Frankenstein early in his career?
6. Who voices the character of Metroman in Megmind?
7. Who will play the Hulk in the upcoming Avengers movie?
8. Which two actors played Colonel Rhodes in the Iron Man movies?
9. Who is the actor who plays Thor?
10. Who voices the title character Tintin?

Answers to Star Wars Quiz

1. Mandalorian armor
2. Kamino
3. Order 66
4. Darth Tyranus
5. Mace Windu
6. Wedge Antilles, Zev Senesca
7. Slave I
8. Kashyyk
9. Watto
10. Sebastian Shaw

Answers to Movie Quote Quiz

1. Tombstone (Wyatt Earp--Kurt Russell)
2.The Dark Knight (The Joker--Heath Ledger)
3. The Patriot (Benjamin Martin--Mel Gibson
4. My Fair Lady (Henry Higgins--Rex Harrison)
5. Batman Begins (Scarecrow--Cillian Murphy)
6. Francis of Assisi (Count Paolo--Stuart Whitman)
7. Glory Road (Willie Worsley--Sam Jones III)
8. Beauty and the Beast (The Beast)
9. Iron Man 2 (Tony Stark--Robert Downey Jr.)
10. Groundhog Day (Phil Connors--Bill Murray)

For all you Star Wars fans...

Here is a mixed Star Wars Quiz (post answers on the bottom) no looking up allowed

1. The Bounty Hunter Jango Fett wears armor. What is the type of armor he wears?
2. The clones are made in what place? (not a factory)
3. Darth Sidious commands that all the Jedi be terminated. What is the name of the command?
4. All sith have a "Darth" name. What is Count Dooku's?
5. After Yoda, who is next in line for becoming the Jedi Grand Master?
6. Name one rebel pilot other than Luke.
7. What is the name of the Fett's star ship?
8. What is the name of the Wookie planet?
9. What was the name of Anakin's slave master?
10. David Prowse was the body of Darth Vader. When Luke unmasks him, which actor plays him?

Movie Quotes Quiz

Hey Everybody,

I decided to do something random and make a quiz of movies quotes. Most of you will know about 70% of these. (I hope).

1. Are you gonna do something or are you just gonna stand there and bleed?
2. I'm like a dog chasing cars. I don't know what I'd do with one if I..caught it!
3. Before this war is over...I will kill you.
4. Freddy?!!!?
5. Would you like to see my mask?
6. Who do you think you are? God?
7. If this is God's country, then the good Lord don't want any neighbors.
8. Then go ahead and starve!
9. The point is...uh...your welcome.
10. Do you sell life insurance?