Making A Difference Relief for Victims of Hurricane Matthew When Hurricane Matthew hit the East Coast of the United States during early October 2016, numerous disaster relief groups headed to the area to help. Among those groups was the Civil Air Patrol squadron based at Selfridge ANG, and squadron member Sam Aldea, a senior at De La Salle Collegiate.
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assessment, taking photos of flooded roads and downed trees. Sam’s duties also included serving as the mission radio operator and flight marshalling. The group lived in the college gym at the UNC Pembroke Campus. Sam returned home on October 21.
He said, “I am honored to have been able to serve on the only search and rescue/ Sam Aldea, ‘17 disaster relief ground unit Sam, with a passion for science and the military, from Michigan Wing deployed to North Carolina. This discovered the program in 2012, and has the current deployment was an enlightening experience in ways rank of Cadet Second Lieutenant. He is learning to that are greater than words. No television or newsfly with the squadron and hopes to earn his pilot’s paper can begin to accurately depict the immense license through the United States Air Force Academy. emotion of those affected. I listened to the stories of hardship from those affected and I could feel the emoHe has participated in numerous search and rescue missions in places such as Bad Axe and Marine City, tion and hurt in their voices. I remember every story, every hand that I shook, and every person who joined Michigan. in to help the relief effort.” The North Carolina Wing Civil Air Patrol, workAt De La Salle, Sam carries a 3.6 GPA. He is active ing closely with the National Guard, the Federal in the Music program, and plays trumpet and drums Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other in the Marching, Concert, and Jazz Bands. He also federal agencies put out the call for help on October participates in Science Olympiad. Sam is waiting for 16. Within two final approval for his hours, Sam and his Eagle Scout project to squadron headed to build dog houses for the the Burlington, NC Michigan Animal Care area. Network. He is applying The Michigan group to the United States Air worked closely with Force Academy to pursue disaster relief efa career in Nuclear and forts, passing out Theoretical Physics. Sam food, water, and says he will be pursuing other necessities, as a career with the USAF, well as participating regardless. Sam Aldea and his Civil Air Patrol Squadron in North Carolina in ground damage
