Maj. Chris Van Gorder gets Award / SAR Dog Demo
MAJ CHRIS VAN GORDER RECEIVES CAP CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR LIFESAVING &
SGT JENNIFER HENDRY, SAN DIEGO COUNTY SAR SHERIFF PROVIDES DOG SEARCH DEMO
On 26 May 2009, the squadron was honored with two visitors, former Squadron 144 Commander, Maj Christopher Van Gorder and Sgt Jennifer Hendry, both volunteer San Diego County Sheriffs.
“Semper Vigilans” is the motto of Civil Air Patrol which means in Latin: Always Vigilant. There are many stories about how someone who is called upon to administer CPR at a time when one least expects it. Maj Christopher Van Gorder, a former commander of Squadron 144 was one of those individuals on a February 2008 afternoon during memorial service for a prominent citizen of San Diego. As the individual started his eulogy speech, he fell to the floor suffering from a brain aneurysm. Maj Van Gorder immediately rushed to the victim and started CPR, assisted by two doctors. His wife quickly brought his ES gear from the car which included a small oxygen bottle. As he assisted the individual’s breathing, the EMT arrived about 25 minutes later and took over. The patient was immediately transported to a local hospital less than two miles away and fully recovered. The doctors stated that if not for the quick response and expertise of Maj Van Gorder the patient would have not made it because of the massive brain aneurysm. This squadron and CAP are fortunate to have Maj Van Gorder as a member who is also a prominent member of San Diego as the CEO of Scripps Medical Systems and a volunteer San Diego County Sheriff, SAR Division as a Captain specializing in tracking lost people. Maj Van Gorder was awarded the CAP Certificate of Recognition for Lifesaving, signed by BGen Amy Courter, Commander, Civil Air Patrol.
After the award presentation, Maj Van Gorder introduced Sgt Jennifer Hendry, also a volunteer with the San Diego County Sheriff SAR Division. Sgt Hendry visited the squadron four years ago and was accompanied by Foley a short haired German Shepherd. This year they returned with a new member of her team: Hudson an Alaskan Husky. Both are trained to track lost people utilizing their keen sense of smell. She explained the different types of search dogs Emergency Services (ES) utilize and their specialties, i.e., bomb, drug, cadaver, weapons, and lost people. She also explained how a canine’s sense of smell works and how it follows a trail. Everyone gathered outside in the parking lot with Sgt Hendry while C/Capt Joseph Connolly was asked to lay a trail and hide while Sgt Hendry demonstrated how her dogs work a trail. She asked Cadet Airman Naomi Shea to scream, wave her hands in the air, and run a short distance and hide. Sgt Hendry release Foley to find her which he did very quickly. After this demo, Cadet Connolly’s hat was sniffed by both dogs who immediately when into their respective tracking modes searching a ¼ mile trail he laid down. We saw the difference between asphalt and concrete compared to grass and dirt, as the latter was easier for the dogs to track. Soon Cadet Connolly was found and the dogs received their recognition by Jennifer who also rewarded them with doggy munchies.
These two presentations reinforce how important ES is to CAP and why ES is one of the three missions of CAP. We salute these two people who volunteer and assist the community so well finding lost souls and saving lives as a result.
Submitted by,
Maj Dennis Ammann
Commander, San Diego Cadet Sq. 144
