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Spotlight an Altrusan
Col. Carolyn A. Guertin
The Foundation highlights the great work of Altrusans. This spotlight is on Col. Carolyn A. Guertin and her life of service. Carolyn was a longtime member of the Altrusa International of Capital City Club in Richmond, Virginia.
Carolyn Guertin was a longtime member of the Capital City Club. Carolyn volunteered 78 years in extraordinary service.
She served as a member of the squadron across eight decades and met more famous aviators than can be imagined. She danced with General Chuck Yeager and flew in Igor Sikorsky’s prototype helicopter. She spent time with General Jimmy Doolittle, commander of the famed World War II raids on Tokyo, and met astronauts and presidents.
As a young girl, Carolyn loved flying. She volunteered for the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) during World War II. She joined on December 1,1941, its founding date. Carolyn was thirteen when she joined the Virginia Wing –three years younger than what was then the minimum age of 16 prompting her to misstate her age.
She served the organization in multiple ground roles during World War II including tracking in-flight aircraft. In 1952, Guertin founded a Civil Air Patrol squadron in Richmond, Virginia and served as its commander for over ten years. The squadron was later renamed from “Richmond Cadet Squadron 2” to “The Carolyn A. Guertin Cadet Squadron” in her honor.
She had a treasured book full of signatures of many noteworthy people that she met during her career in CAP-pilots, astronauts, presidents, and congressmen. However, the thing that meant the most to her was the chance she had to be a positive influence in the lives of the young men and women that looked up to her as an inspiration. Carolyn was promoted on June 29, 2020, her 92nd birthday, to Colonel. “I never thought I’d make it to Colonel,” she said. “I always wanted to work with the cadets and not sit in an office.”
June 29 was also proclaimed Carolyn A. Guertin Day by Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia. “Civil Air Patrol’s Virginia Wing is fortunate to have such a valued member in our ranks,” said Col. Dean Gould, Wing Commander. “I’m particularly pleased that we were able to promote her to colonel, recognizing her significant contribution to the success of our wing.” “This birthday to go down in history,” Guertin said. “This is the most wonderful birthday I’ve ever had.”
Carolyn passed away August 20, 2020. Upon her death, her estate gave $25,000 to the Altrusa International Foundation. She wanted the members to know now and as a legacy for the future how much the Altrusa International Foundation meant to her. In addition, she donated $25,000 to the Ida Hill Scholarship held by the Altrusa International Capital City Club in Richmond, Virginia. Carolyn Guertin is an awesome example of a true Altrusan and what a legacy she left behind.
Guertin during her WWII service.
Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 90% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and is credited with saving an average of 82 lives annually.
CAP’s 66,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state, and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to over 28,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs.
Spotlight an Altrusan
Col. Carolyn A. Guertin
The Foundation highlights the great work of Altrusans. This spotlight is on Col. Carolyn A. Guertin and her life of service. Carolyn was a longtime member of the Altrusa International of Capital City Club in Richmond, Virginia.
Carolyn Guertin was a longtime member of the Capital City Club. Carolyn volunteered 78 years in extraordinary service.
She served as a member of the squadron across eight decades and met more famous aviators than can be imagined. She danced with General Chuck Yeager and flew in Igor Sikorsky’s prototype helicopter. She spent time with General Jimmy Doolittle, commander of the famed World War II raids on Tokyo, and met astronauts and presidents.
As a young girl, Carolyn loved flying. She volunteered for the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) during World War II. She joined on December 1,1941, its founding date. Carolyn was thirteen when she joined the Virginia Wing –three years younger than what was then the minimum age of 16 prompting her to misstate her age.
She served the organization in multiple ground roles during World War II including tracking in-flight aircraft. In 1952, Guertin founded a Civil Air Patrol squadron in Richmond, Virginia and served as its commander for over ten years. The squadron was later renamed from “Richmond Cadet Squadron 2” to “The Carolyn A. Guertin Cadet Squadron” in her honor.
She had a treasured book full of signatures of many noteworthy people that she met during her career in CAP-pilots, astronauts, presidents, and congressmen. However, the thing that meant the most to her was the chance she had to be a positive influence in the lives of the young men and women that looked up to her as an inspiration. Carolyn was promoted on June 29, 2020, her 92nd birthday, to Colonel. “I never thought I’d make it to Colonel,” she said. “I always wanted to work with the cadets and not sit in an office.”
June 29 was also proclaimed Carolyn A. Guertin Day by Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia. “Civil Air Patrol’s Virginia Wing is fortunate to have such a valued member in our ranks,” said Col. Dean Gould, Wing Commander. “I’m particularly pleased that we were able to promote her to colonel, recognizing her significant contribution to the success of our wing.” “This birthday to go down in history,” Guertin said. “This is the most wonderful birthday I’ve ever had.”
Carolyn passed away August 20, 2020. Upon her death, her estate gave $25,000 to the Altrusa International Foundation. She wanted the members to know now and as a legacy for the future how much the Altrusa International Foundation meant to her. In addition, she donated $25,000 to the Ida Hill Scholarship held by the Altrusa International Capital City Club in Richmond, Virginia. Carolyn Guertin is an awesome example of a true Altrusan and what a legacy she left behind.
Guertin during her WWII service.
Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 90% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, and is credited with saving an average of 82 lives annually.
CAP’s 66,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state, and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to over 28,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs.