Now's the Time to Reflect
on CAP's Core Values
Our nation was justifiably shocked and angry over the violence that occurred at the U.S. Capitol this past week. Peaceful demonstrations and freedom of speech are certainly allowed by the U.S. Constitution, but violent acts that damage property and cause a loss of life or injuries are never acceptable. All the more so, an attack on Congress, a symbol of our democracy, has disturbed many of us deeply. A growing number of attackers have already been arrested and will be held accountable. What we all can find encouraging is that within hours of the riot, Congress reconvened and concluded its business as planned. The underlying tenets of our democracy may have been tested, but continue to function strongly.
What happened in Washington, D.C., may seem far away or outside of our control. More so, while we are most definitely neutral when it comes to politics, our membership and employees represent the complete spectrum of political views. With that in mind, I believe that a key opportunity is presenting itself. Civil Air Patrol is blessed to have an exceptional set of core values, which, in turn, help us to indeed be an ethical organization. For us in Civil Air Patrol, our core values help to guide our actions and interactions. Each of our core values are important; two I will single out. Integrity always, and always treat others with respect.
Maj. Gen. Mark Smith
National Commander/CEO
