Floods of praise for Civil Air Patrol

Capt. Richard Sprouse
Mission Information Officer
Minnesota Wing

MINNESOTA – “Give them some direction and they hop to it.”

That’s what Fargo, N.D., resident Kent Wanner had to say about members of the Minnesota and North Dakota wings of Civil Air Patrol responding to record flooding along the Red River separating Fargo and Moorhead, Minn.

Since early Monday, Wanner and his neighbors in the Riverwood Housing Development have been battling the rising river with sandbags almost round the clock.

“This is a disaster that’s affecting all of us, and the assistance of Civil Air Patrol is much appreciated,” he said. “I can tell you we’re all a little tired and nervous, but your assistance is much appreciated and has lifted our spirits.”

Phil McShane, who also lives in the development, had plenty of praise for CAP as well.

“Who are those marvelous young people? They’re polite, hardworking and their sense of community is amazing. What an example and inspiration to all of us.” McShane said.

Since Monday, approximately 200 CAP members from the two bordering states have been building dikes along the river, despite freezing temperatures and blowing snow.

Forecasters now predict the river will crest at 42 feet by midnight Saturday. That’s 2 feet above the record flooding that devastated the Red River Valley in 1997.

The scope of this year’s event and the reaction of the people is something Cadet Sr. Master Sgt. Hanna Olson of the Minnesota Wing’s Anoka Composite Squadron will always remember.

“It’s unbelievable how high the water is,” Olson said. “It’s also unbelievable how everyone is pulling together.”

2nd Lt. Al Trombley of the Minnesota Wing’s North Hennepin Composite Squadron said that despite the circumstances, there’s lots of positive interaction among CAP members.

“It’s been great socializing with members of both the Minnesota and North Dakota wing,” Trombley said.

There was even an extra benefit for Trombley.

“There’s a cadet in our squadron that I didn’t know very well, but after living in the same area for a few days we got to know each other pretty well,” he said. “It’s interesting how a common cause like this brings strangers together.”

North Dakota Wing Commander Col. Karl Altenburg said this is a situation where an area needs and appreciates CAP’s assistance.

“We will continue to support our citizens in their time of need,” Altenburg said. “Our members will work tirelessly to support our local responders and communities in the Red River Valley.”