DEAR SUN SPOTS: There is legislation pending in Congress to honor Civil Air Patrol’s earliest members with a Congressional Gold Medal for their contributions during World War II, when many used their own aircraft to conduct volunteer combat operations and other wartime missions.

Our 18-month CAP Coastal Patrols flew rescue missions, border patrol, CAP anti-submarine and many other missions. Their vigilance helped discourage and eventually halt U-boat attacks. That was just a few of the missions that CAP participated in. Until now, the role they played in establishing that legacy has been their only reward.

We have found two Maine CAP members locally, but I believe there are still some that were in the CAP during 1942 to 1944 with us today. Auburn-Lewiston and two Coastal Patrol units plus other Squadrons in Maine were active during this time frame.

We would like to add more names for those that served in CAP in this time frame so that they can be presented with the Congressional Gold Medal that they so deserve. The CAP candidates for the medal can show pictures or documents for us to send to CAP NHQ for verification.

If you have a family member that is qualified for this award, it will be my pleasure to present the documents and interview the former CAP member. — Maj. M. Story, chairman of Public Affairs of the Northeast Region Civil Air Patrol, mstoryking@gmail.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am possibly the guilty party who left their American flag out in rain and snow and dark of night (March 25). But I love my country and served it in the Korean War. I love that flag.

After reading this article I took it down, and it will stay down. I looked at this way, our national anthem says “the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”

I only wanted to show my love for my country by displaying my flag.

I know better than to leave it out after dark. I served on the honor guard in the military in 1954 and under Admiral Halsey in New York City.

Sorry for offending you. God bless America. — D.G., Greene

ANSWER: You are the second person to write and apologize for your oversight but, like the first person, you are from a different town than the lady who fussed. So don’t feel too guilty.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Anyone out there available to transfer my home videos from VCR to DVD? I have about 25 tapes that need transferring. Help! Thanks. — CindyLee Thurston, sindeelee@hotmail.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots knows of two:

* Al Ibarguen, Wilton, nascar810@earthlink.net, 645-4250: transfers VHS and camcorder tapes to DVDs.

* Francis Gagnon, Via-Vision, 18 College St., Lewiston, 783-2550, www.viavisionproductions.com; transfers old videos, 8-mm to DVDs, also now owns Photo Finish, 550 Center St., in Auburn, 783-3354, and you can drop stuff off there as well.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for publishing Market Square Health Care Center’s request for a craft volunteer. We are already getting calls.

On April 1 our facility became for-profit under new owners, and we will not be accepting any donations from the community. You can remove galloma@wmhcc.org from your not-for-profit facilities accepting donations of sewing and craft items (April 24). Thank you so much! — Marianne Harlow, director of social services, mharlow@ncahcf.com

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