CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- In times of disaster we count on selfless heroes to help, and Saturday the folks who do just that gathered to learn, and honor their own.

The Civil Air Patrol is made up of members of the public who step up and help during floods, and other emergencies.

Here in West Virginia all 12 units that make up the wing were recognized with special awards for the outstanding volunteer service they provide to the people of West Virginia.

Mark Guiney is a member from Harpers Ferry who says, "I can't even express how much I've benefited from the civil air patrol, as far as the experiences that it's given me and the amount of horizons it's expanded for me."

The Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary unit of the U.S. Air Force; it is a non-profit organization with about 60,000 members.