OLD MONROE, MISSOURI - More than thirty members of the Missouri Wing of the Civil Air Patrol began assisting with sandbagging efforts today in Old Monroe.  They joined a growing number of volunteers helping to save this town from the rising flood waters of both the Mississippi and Cuivre rivers.

Members from several local CAP units, as well as Missouri Wing Headquarters, arrived throughout the day.  In addition to sandbagging, CAP has also been asked to assist with communications and securing possible helicopter landing areas.  CAP aircrew are also on standby awaiting the call to fly aerial reconnaissance to check levees, the extent of the flooding, and the accessibility of roads throughout the area.

Among those volunteering their time are many CAP cadets, ages 12 through 18.  "It's been really cool being able to help the citizens of the town here," said cadet Chief Master Sergeant Rob Lass, a 17 year-old home schooled senior from St. Charles.  "It's hard work, but rewarding.  At least, I don't have to work out today."

Efforts in Old Monroe will continue over the next several days until CAP's assistance is no longer needed, or needed elsewhere in Lincoln County. 

The Missouri Wing of the Civil Air Patrol is composed of over 1,000 members organized in forty-three Squadrons located throughout the state.  

The Civil Air Patrol was founded on December 1, 1941, less than a week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the U.S. into World War II. CAP, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 56,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 95 percent of inland search and rescue missions, as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 103 lives in 2007. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the almost 22,000 young people currently participating in the CAP Cadet program.

Civil Air Patrol has been performing missions for America for over 66 years.

To learn more about the Civil Air Patrol, please visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com (CAP National Headquarters' website), or www.mowg.cap.gov (Missouri Wing website).

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