These photos speak for themselves.  Thanks to Karl Blinkinsop, Eagle Chapter Vice Chair Air Force District of Washington, and his daughters for laying the Eagle Chapter Wreath at the Veterans Day Ceremony at the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. This Veterans Day marked the 20th Anniversary Veterans Day Observance at the Women's Memorial.  We look forward to the opportunity to participate each year.   

With the Air Force District Of Washington assuming the operation of the Air Force Memorial from the Air Force Association, there is no formal Air Force level wreath laying program at the Air Force Memorial for Veterans Day.

This year with Trudy still being in recovery, we decided to only buy wreath for the one program where the chapter participates in formal wreath laying activities.  Trudy's cost for just buying the material only is just about what it costs for one wreath. It would have been cost prohibitive to place wreaths at the other memorials if we were to buy them commercially.  So this year we did not place wreaths at the Air Force Memorial, Vietnam War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam War Women Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and the World War II Veterans Memorial as we've done in the past.

Trudy is on the mend.  She needs help to make our wreaths by Police Week and Memorial Day.  If you live in the Tidewater area and you can help, please let me know.

Above, the winner of the Eagle Chapter 20th Anniversary USAF SF 9mm Raffle, Chief Jim Fullwood, of the Ron Blatman Evergreen Chapter! 

After the raffle drawing, I called Chief Fullwood to inform him that he had won and to thank him for his support.  I sent the Sig Sauer certificate that allows the Chief to claim his weapon through his local dealer in coordination with Sig Sauer.  The Chief has promised to send me one more photo when he obtains his weapon.  Congratulations Chief!

Above, Brigadier General (Retired) James Shamess and Chief Master Sergeant Tamala "Tammy" Hartz, Headquarters US Air Force Security Forces Manager and Senior Enlisted Advisor, cut the 20th Anniversary Celebration Cake at the Pentagon. Chief Master Sergeant (Retired) Daryl Janicki former career field manager participates.

By the way, Lt General Harris, who had agreed to be our keynote speaker, but fell ill and could not attend has recovered and received some very good news. 

Following the Eagle Chapter luncheon at the Pentagon, Police Chief Woodrow "Woody" Kusse hosted chapter attendees in his facility where he provided an overview of the police agency's activities at the Pentagon.

Chief Kusse is an Eagle Chapter member who moved up from the rank and file in PFPA to become the police chief of the agency. 

Chief Kusse retired from the Air Force in the frade of Chief Master Sergeant.  Thank-you Chief Kusse for your support!

 As you know, we have announced four events to help our Air Force celebrate the 20th  Anniversary of the US Air Force Security Forces. These included the three celebratory luncheons at Dover, Langley and the Pentagon, special mementoes (Defensor Fortis Flag, pen, and luncheon programs) plus the 20th Anniversary 9mm raffle. Known only to our board members, we had a fifth event. 

Back in May, I began our discussion with the White House to request the Commander in Chief provide his congratulations to our Security Forces.  At the time with the new administration being only a few months old, they told us that there was no process yet in place to provide the letter that we had requested. We were even told that it wouldn't happen.  But as you know, I don't give up plus we had great support from Gen Laster's office (HQ US Marine Corps Staff at the Pentagon) and the military liaison at the White House.

Late in October, I received a call from the White House expressing the President's regret that the letter could not be provided in time for our Pentagon Luncheon.  However the President would sign a letter and we'd get it as a digital file.  When the letter arrived it had so many restrictions on use that we could not use it in the manner that we had planned post luncheon.  Again, we persevered, continued our persistence and just last week, we obtained permission to place the President's letter in our newsletter.  On behalf of Eagle Chapter to our US Air Force Security Forces worldwide, please click here to see the Commander in Chief's congratulatory letter.

When Bill (Sarge) Garlitz informed me that he needed to move on, to me that translated into - "Lee I can't attend board meetings any more." I know the Sarge will continue to serve. 

He's been with us since the beginning. He was the association's state representative for Maryland back when the association had state reps for each state. He was part of the mentoring cadre of association leaders (like Pete Piazza then Vice President of AFSFA) that helped me form up the chapter in it's current structure.   

So when Sarge resigned, he's just saying he's not going to attend board meetings any more. He'll still be there and in fact we'll continue to ride his coat tails to help with sending CARE packages down range to deployed Security Forces Airmen who will be away from home during the holidays.  We look forward to your many years of support! We'll miss his contributions at our board meetings.  

Our next chapter board meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at 8:00PM. Eagle Chapter Board Meetings are open to members and significant others who would like to participate.

We hold our chapter board meetings on the first Wednesday of the month at 8PM via conference call.

Contact the Eagle Chapter Secretary, Chris Walker, for more information.