By Peggy Howe| April 2004
- 1: Introduction
- 2: Cadet and Education Programs
- 3: First in Flight
- 4: My Time With the Civil Air Patrol
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First in Flight
The Rev. (Lt.Col.) Royce Beacham has served with the North Carolina Wing for more than 50 years. His father and he were instrumental in forming the first CAP squadron in Manteo in December 1941. He has served as chaplain for several North Carolina CAP squadrons. But his family goes back even further in the annals of American flight. His grandfather, William Thomas Beacham, was part of the U.S. Lifesaving Service crew helping the Wright Brothers as they worked getting their aircraft off the ground a century ago at Kitty Hawk. Among the records of that event is a photograph of a small boy and his dog running alongside the Wright flyer as it taxied across the dunes. That five-year-old was Col. Beacham’s father, who grew up to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard and saw combat in both World War I and II. Col. Beacham himself served in combat during World War II in the U.S. Navy.
During the December 2003 observance of the First Flight Centennial in Dare County, Col Beacham was among the CAP cadets and senior members who joined National Park Service rangers from all over the country to help with various duties, including greeting visitors, crowd control, visitor screening and security. While there, cadets, seniors and visitors had a first-hand demonstration when a live emergency locator transmitter (ELT) sounded, accidentally activated by a helicopter on the field. These transmitters are on aircraft and boats, and they emit a homing signal when activated. CAP missions often involve locating these ELTs. The ELT signal during the Centennial was located and turned off, said Lt. Col. Larry Ragland.
CAP’s First Flight anniversary duty was led by Col. Ragland, a longtime CAP member, now serving as deputy director of NC Wing’s Emergency Services. Another longtime CAP member is Brig. Gen. Dwight Wheless of Manteo, who as vice commander is the second-highest ranking officer of the Civil Air Patrol nationally.
The Civil Air Patrol welcomes new squadrons, cadets and senior members. For details, call 1-800-FLY-2338 or visit www.cap.gov. In North Carolina, call (877) 753-1590 or visit www.ncwg.cap.gov.
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