CAB members recognized through Emeritus program

  • Published
  • By Donna Gindle
  • Alaskan Command Public Affairs
ANCHORAGE, Alaska-- --  Pioneers. Industry leaders. Alaska icons. Visionaries. Risk takers. And above all, patriots. 

These are a few of the words that describe the men and women who have served on the Civilian Advisory Board at various times under Alaska Command's commanders.

In 1962, Lt. Gen. George Mundy, commander of the Alaskan Air Command (predecessor to the Alaskan Command) organized the first CAB to act as personal advisors on matters affecting the relationship between military and civilian populations and organizations across Alaska.

The CAB, under Lt. Gen. Douglas Fraser, commander, Alaskan Command, was comprised of 44 members. Three of those members served since the board's inception -- 45 years. An additional nine members served at least 25 years.

In a salute to their years of service, General Fraser recently initiated the CAB Emeritus program and inducted the following members: Mr. Dan Cuddy, 45 years, Gov. Wally Hickel, 45 years, Mr. Frank Danner, 39 years, Mayor George Sullivan, 39 years, Mr. Al Fleetwood, 38 years, Mr. John Kelsey, 35 years, Mr. Tom Sweeney, 30 years, Mr. Bill Brooks, 29 years, Mr. Ed Rasmuson, 29 years, and Mr. Perry Eaton, 27 years. The following gentlemen were inducted posthumously: Mr. Augie Hiebert, 45 years, and Mr. Frank Chapados, 35 years.

The original CAB tackled problem areas where, according to records, "it is necessary for the military to work with the civilian communities to achieve an environment beneficial to both military personnel in Alaska and civilians in the communities where military personnel are based." These included:
-Proposed increase in housing allowance for military personnel
-Housing situation in Alaska
-Disciplinary Control Boards organized under the Alaskan Command

Highlights of additional projects that the CAB members became involved in included:
-Resident and non-resident hunting and fishing licenses
-Military resident status: members fought for legislation which would provide more favorable resident status for military personnel
-Command policy on travel of dependents into the Anchorage area
-Control of prices and rents vs. COLA and HOLA
-Arctic aeromedical laboratory
-Cable disputes and telephone rates
-Anchorage-Whittier pipeline
-Alaska strategy in a polar projection
-DoD Native Hire Program
-Arctic research lab and Atlantic Richfield Company operations at Prudhoe Bay
-Soviet arctic activities and northern sea route transfer
-Current construction and pollution abatement
-Modern volunteer Army
-Joint Army Alaska/Army Guard Alaska training
-Blair Lake Range project
-Fort Wainwright deactivation
-ALCOM HQ reduction
-801 housing project at Eielson
-Galena Power Plant 
-Kotzebue landfill
-Cope Thunder 
- Expansion and upgrade of Military Training Routes 

Besides their involvement in many areas that affected the military throughout the decades, CAB members have and continue their patriotic support and open their pocketbooks to assist Alaska's military members. Although no effort has ever been made to document their financial contributions and support, the following are just some examples of their generosity: 

- CAB donations poured into the Elmendorf AWACS Memorial Fund after the loss of 24 American and Canadian airmen on Yukla 27 
- Annual 11 AF awards banquet 
- Contributions to the Family Readiness Group, 4/25 Airborne Brigade 
- ASYMCA dedicated their Elmendorf Military Welcome Center to Dan Cuddy October 2007; recognizing First National Bank Alaska's extraordinary sponsorship throughout the years.

General Fraser recently told his CAB members, "Our nation is blessed to have such selfless individuals like [the CAB members] actively supporting those who defend our freedoms. I have been honored to witness firsthand your commitment and service to the CAB. In essence, you volunteered to serve the men and women who serve. On behalf of the more the 21,000 men and women of Alaskan Command, thank you."

"We've asked much of you: a desire to learn and stay up-to-date with the constantly changing complexities of the United States military and the many changes which have occurred in Alaska over the past decade. Former commanders and I have relied upon your business, civic, political and educational acumen", said General Fraser. "You've helped us accomplish our mission and we could not have achieved our successes without you."