Positive attitude lifts N.C. member above, beyond challenges

 

 

(1)
Maj. Richard London prepares to take up a CAP Cessna 172 aircraft at Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport.

(2)
At his first Search and Rescue College at Fort Pickett in Blackstone, Va., then- 1st Lt. Richard London (left)  poses with South Piedmont Senior Squadron members (from second left) , then-1st Lt. Tom Schick, then-Maj. Jerry Langley, 1st Lt. John Roney, Senior Member Robert Webster and then-Maj. Ed Kale. Kale and Langley now hold the rank of lieutenant colonel, while Shick is a major.

(3)
Maj. Richard London with CAP cadets after an orientation ride.

(4)
Maj. Richard London with an elementary school class at Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport, where he told the children about CAP and engaged in a bit of aviation-related show-and-tell.

(5)
Maj. Richard London.

Photos courtesy of Maj. Richard London


Positive attitude lifts N.C. member above, beyond challenges


Janet Adams
Contributing writer

NORTH CAROLINA -- Adversity could have kept him down and out.

After all, Maj. Richard London has had to overcome injuries sustained in a severe car accident that led to nine surgeries, survive prostate cancer and live with Parkinson’s disease.

Through it all, though, he kept meeting head-on and then overcoming the challenges in his path.

So when the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks occurred, London already had in place a well-rehearsed philosophy for life: “Our attitudes determine our happiness. Accept that life has challenges, but you don’t need to focus on them. Strive to be the best person you can be every day and try to affect everyone you meet in a positive way.”

A few weeks afterward, he took his own advice and joined Civil Air Patrol.

“At that time I had my private instrument rating as a pilot, which I had earned in 1981 when I was 24, and I was well aware of CAP and its historical connection to the Air Force,” said London, a member of the South Piedmont Senior Squadron.

Today he continues to apply his philosophy to all aspects of own life. Besides continuing to serve with CAP, he is a successful businessman, author and motivational speaker, conducting seminars based on his book, A Handbook for Life: A Practical Guide to Success and Happiness — the first in a planned series.

“Rich's performance and dedication to CAP has been proven by his many achievements both at the squadron and wing levels,” said Lt. Col. Lewis E. Kale Jr., former commander of the South Piedmont squadron, citing such awards as Rookie of the Year, Crew Member of the Year, Above and Beyond Award and Cadet Orientation Pilot of the Year.

London has served as squadron finance officer and as the North Carolina Wing’s finance officer and Critical Incident Stress Management director. He has also participated in numerous wing search and rescue operations and weather-related missions for damage assessment and transport of materials to emergency personnel.

When he first joined CAP, he said, “I was one of only a few active mission pilots in the squadron at that time, and I was fortunate in being able to fly as mission pilot frequently very early in my CAP career.

“It is a tremendous feeling to be a part of a highly trained, multistate team working towards a common goal and to participate as a team of volunteers who take time away from their families to help others,” London said.

He highly recommends that fellow CAP members attend as many training events as possible. Again, he speaks from experienced.

As Kale put it, “Rich jumped in with both feet, getting all the required orientation done very quickly. He attended the Middle East Region's Search and Rescue College at Fort Pickett, Va., and shortly after that became a mission pilot. When CAP made it a requirement for pilots to have a commercial rating to fly Air Force ROTC cadets, Rich immediately made the decision to get his.”

Although he no longer flies search and rescue missions, London remains an active member of his squadron, daily demonstrating his can-do, positive attitude to his fellow members.
 
“I truly cherish my friendships with everyone I have come in contact with in CAP,” London said. “The professionalism and dedication of CAP members makes me proud to be part of the organization.”

Interviews with London and excerpts from his book can be found on his website..