Greetings Eagle Chapter Members and Friends | |
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Why am I starting this newsletter showing Flash? As you may recall in a previous chapter newsletter, Kevin "Flash" Garcia is a pro bono (no cost, volunteer) genealogy research consultant to your Eagle Chapter NLEOM Committee. He's also Navy Retired. I met Flash who owns Flash of Heat business through my American Legion Post.
Kevin came through for us again! A few weeks ago, we had all but one of the five families being recognized this year at National Police Week coming to DC - the Holmes family. A1C Holmes' mom and dad (Charmaine and George) are both in their 90s and don't travel. So, I turned to Flash. Among the Holmes family relatives that he found, he discovered RaeAnn Rose Holmes (now Thompson). RaeAnn Rose was born shortly after Airman First Class Barry Holmes' death May 29, 1986 when the UH-1 helicopter that he, SSgt Huskey and SRA Heitkamp were aboard crashed while providing convoy security from Ellsworth Air Force Base SD. RaeAnn Rose, her husband, Justin, and their two pre-teenaged sons (Airman Holmes' grandsons) are coming to our reception at Bolling. She's also bringing her mom, "Pammy" Airman Holmes' widow, with her. Thanks again Flash. You can meet Flash at the reception. He and his wife will be joining us.
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Farewell Bryan. Almost three years ago, now an Eagle Chapter member, Bryan Merrill, contacted the National LE Officers Memorial to inquire why his buddy, SSgt Charles Huskey, who he had served with had not been added to the memorial. NLEOM referred him to me. Bryan served as a Security Policeman 1976-1980. Long story shortened, Bryan came on board as a member of the NLEOM Committee and helped us to obtain the recognition that he had sought. Bryan has now retired from our committee, not Eagle Chapter. I take this opportunity to thank Bryan for his passionate support not only for our Ellsworth Three but also to aid with other Defenders being added to the NLEOM. Also he served as an active member of our board of officers. We will miss you.
My thanks in advance to the HQ USAF Band (playing Taps), HQ USAF Color Guard (posting the colors), Singing Sergeants (singing the National Anthem), and the 11th Wing base chaplain's office (invocation) that have all graciously agreed to support us to provide the full spectrum of activities that these families deserve. Thanks to Lt Col Mercurio, 11th SFS Commander, and his team for their assistance with managing the access needed for the families.
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DONATIONS. We let the families know that we'll help offset their cost with $500.00. Last year, we were able to provide $750.00 to each family. What will that number be this year - we have a higher number attending - five instead of three - last year? You can help by donating what you can for us to offset our costs plus help these families. Use the QR Code or click here.
Thank-you all for your generous support and I look forward to seeing you at an Eagle Chapter event! We need more members on our NLEOM Committee. Please pass the word.
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Very respectfully,
//Lee//
Elia C. (Lee) Chambers, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Eagle Chapter Air Force Security Forces Association
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW ADDRESS BELOW
P. O. Box 334
Gainesville, Virginia 20156-0334
Email: chairman@afspaeagle.com | C: 571-302-0992
We published our previous newsletter March 2024. Click here to go to our Resources page on our website to see our previous newsletters.
Eagle Chapter AF Security Forces Association membership is FREE to all AF Security Forces Association members who work or live in DC, DE, MD, VA, and WV. Email me for more information.
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Above the 2023 McElroy, Nathan, and Norton Defender families along with the fallen Defender's units, the 48th SFS RAF Lakenheath UK and 673d SFS Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson AK, pose during the 2023 Pentagon Tour. | |
RSVP: PENTAGON TOUR - DEFENDERS FAMILIES/UNITS May 13, 2024 10AM/1000
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Thanks to Pentagon Police Chief (and Eagle Chapter AFSFA Member) Woody Kusse and his Special Events Division - we're again providing a custom tour of the Pentagon for the Defender Families and Units who are coming to DC for the recognition of their fallen Defender.
Your RSVP for the Pentagon Tour must be done by April 24, 2024, in order to participate.
REPEAT RSVP FOR PENTAGON TOUR CLOSES AT 4/24/2024.
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RSVP: Fallen Defenders Families Reception and Luncheon at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling Washington DC - 1330/1:30PM | |
RSVP - FALLEN DEFENDERS FAMILIES RECEPTION - Click here to join us May 13 at 1330/1:30 PM
The reception and luncheon will be held at the General Henry R. "Hap" Arnold Suite, at the Bolling Club, Joint Base Anacostia Bolling Washington DC. Hope to see you there to show our appreciation to these families.
Thanks to the Ellsworth PM, MSgt Dustin Silc, for extending our invitation to then A1C Latania Huguley. One of the heroes on the May 29, 1986 flight threw her from the UH-1 helicopter as it was crashing. She was the lone survivor. Latania sends her regrets. On May 13, she will be in Germany celebrating her 60th birthday with her son and his family.
Below at the 2023 reception, Mr./SES Gerald joins Eagle Chairman, Lee Chambers, to present checks to the fallen Defenders families of 2023. Come join us on May 13 at JBAB to help us present tokens of our appreciation to the Fallen Defender Families who will be recognized this year by the National LE Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. We will also present checks to the units as tokens of our appreciation and their hard work to make this event possible. Click here to RSVP or the image above. Can't attend? Help by donating. Click here to donate.
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The treasurer of one of our AFSFA chapter donors, Pete Magwood Chapter (Albuquerque, NM) wrote a note with the check that they sent - sharing -
Lee - Thank-you for your time and effort in this most worthy cause. I was the Deputy Chief Security Police at HQ Strategic Air Command when we lost these troops in 1986. It was a terrific blow to all of us!
Col (Retired) Hart Guenther.
Thank-you Hart - We can always count on your chapter - along with the OK Heartland Chapter to pitch in. Thanks again!
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May 13, 2024 - 36th Annual Candlelight Vigil | |
Above from a previous vigil, this year will be unlike any other year. Then Attorney General Sessions was addressing the attendees. | In 2024, our Air Force Will Be the Only DOD Agency to Recognize It's Fallen Police Officers in 2024. | |
Mr./SES Timothy Gerald, HQ USAF Deputy Director of Security Forces, has accepted the NLEOM CEO William "Bill" Alexander's invitation to be on the stage at the US Capitol to read the names of the five Defenders that will be recognized this year. Unlike any other year, our Air Force will be the only DOD agency.
Our Five Defenders will be among the 282 names added to the memorial this year. Click here to see the 282 Roll Call of Heroes and their location at the memorial. This year, all of our Defenders have been added to the East Memorial Wall. I've added their memorial location below to identify their locations at the memorial.
Click on the names below to surf out to the NLEOM website to see the fallen Defender's names who will be formally recognized on May 13th at the US Capitol.
• Senior Airman David Heitkamp - Panel 16 East Line 34
• Airman Barry Holmes Panel - 16 East Line 34
(To Michelle Holmes (Barry's sister)) - Yes, they did correct the spelling of Airman Holmes' middle name though it has not been corrected on the website. Will stay on it.
• Staff Sergeant Charles Huskey - Panel 16 East Line 34
• Airman Trinity Reinhart - Panel 36 East Line 34
• Staff Sergeant John Self - Panel 38 East Line 34
Families - your hotel, the Washington Hilton, is located at the Metro's Red Line near the Dupont Circle Stop. To go the National LE Officers Memorial, you'll want to go to the Judiciary Square Metro Stop via the Red Line. See the videos below to find your loved one.
1. Video - The Judiciary Square Metro Stop
2. Video - Exiting the Judiciary Square Follow the Police Memorial Sign
3. Video - Red Line Train
4. Video - At the Memorial - East Side
Concerns Of Police Survivors (COPS) National will bus all registered families and survivors to the US Capitol for the Candlelight Vigil from the Hilton. See the schedule at the hotel.
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At the Printers! All 35 2024 Signs Are Now Being Printed.
You can find all 35 of our Defenders whose names have been inscribed on the National LE Officers Memorial by clicking here. At the start of Police Week, Eagle Chapter will place a 24" x18" sign by each Defender's name.to make it easier to find their names among the many at the memorial. Visit our 2024 Police Week web page as we upload images from National Police Week 2024.
Since 2012, Eagle Chapter has helped units add Defenders. 51% of all Defenders whose name are on the memorial have been added through Eagle Chapter. Since 2017, every Defender added has been added through Eagle Chapter helping SFS units. We have 19 pending Defenders now on our list. If you'd like to help is this labor of love, contact our Chairman.
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Other Than Police Week - In May - We Honor our Fallen Defenders and family. | |
At Arlington we Place Defensor Fortis Flags of our fallen.
Just after the Army's Old Guard with area volunteers place the US Flag at the 300,000 graves at Arlington, we visit the graves of our fallen at Arlington and Phoebes National Cemetery (Langley Area) to place DF flags and other mementoes.
The image below from Phoebes where Kathy placed tributes to Airman "TJ" Richardson's internment from a prior Memorial Day observance. Airman Richardson had been assigned at Bolling. CMSgt Paul Zidack, then the HQ USAF Director of Security Forces Career Field Manager, asked us to help the family and we raised $5,000.00 to help them travel to visit their son at Boston for a specialized heart cancer treatment. TJ bounded back but only briefly. He was able to come to a chapter luncheon at Langley before passing from his illness.
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Memorial Day - Women's Memorial
On Memorial Day, we will participate in the annual Military Women's Memorial Program as one of it's longest serving participants. At left, Eagle's Kathy Wojciehowski, Vice Chair Tidewater Wing (Langley Area) and Rachel Vis (who's done almost everything on our board) participate in one of our previous wreathlayings at the Military Women's Memorial. This year, Kathy will be leading our procession. If you'd like to join her, contact me for more information. The event starts at 1600 on Memorial Day.
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Reminder: Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Washington DC Wall Wash June 29 | |
Above (top) CMSgt (Retired) Gary Jones Charleston SC starts our wash with historical facts, but before he begins, MSgt (Retired) Willie Squires leads Boy Scout Troop 1778, family and Eagle Friends in the Pledge of Allegiance facing the flag, before washing the wall in Washington DC. |
National Park Service Awards Eagle Chapter Two Days
- Join Us June 29th - August 31st •
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You can join Chief Jones, a Vietnam War Safe Side Veteran, who travels up from Charleston SC to join us with our awesome Boy Scout Troop 1778 Waldorf MD in our annual Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Wall Wash the last Saturday in June and August.
We start at 0630 on June 29 and August 31 with a Memorial Service to recognize the 111 Security Police/Defenders who are among the 58,000 fallen heroes whose names are inscribed on the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial in Washington DC.
Attendees: Be sure to wear closed toed shoes and appropriate clothing. Eagle Chapter will provide bottled water and snacks. We only cancel in the event of severe weather, electrical storm, etc. Otherwise - We'll see you then. We always make room for our active-duty members!
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Thanks Also to Our Other
Military Service and Corporate Donors
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American Legion Synepuxent Post 166 Ocean City MD - our longest serving sponsor.
Link
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BlinkinCo
Program Mgmt - Vulnerability Assessments - Insider Threat
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Chevo LLC.
A Washington Technology Fast 50 2023 Winner
Link
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Eagle Proud Warrior Coin/Eagle Chapter Coin
Your purchase of Eagle Proud Warrior Coin aid to offset our costs to Support ill or wounded Defenders who are med-evaced to Walter Reed Bethesda Maryland.
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Our Eagle Proud Warrior Coin - a gold brass, 3-D finish and the Eagle Chapter Coin (on back order), also gold brass finish (above), 'planted' on a Washington DC cherry tree during a Cherry Blossom Festival - both are available at the same price. Smaller Eagle Chapter coin image above shows the rear of the coin. The current Eagle Chapter Coin does show Air Force Security Forces Association.
The donation prices for both coins are $12.00 donation each plus shipping/handling. Can be shipped just in time for Christmas!
Example:
1 coin + shipping ($6.50) is $18.50.
2 coins + shipping is $30.50.
3 coins + shipping is $42.50.
4 coins + shipping is $56.50.
Contact Eric, our Eagle Exchange Manager, for more information.
Please send a check or money order to our PO Box. See below or go online and pay via secure PayPal. Click here to go there now. PayPal charges just under 4% fee. An example of an online donor sends $100.00, we pay the $3.38 cents PayPal fee, and the donor gets to expense the excess (less the coin(s) cost) for tax purposes should he/she chooses to do so. Our receipt provides the details. See your tax expert.
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Missing In America Project-Virginia
You Are Not Forgotten
Eagle Member, Larry Zilliox, Executive Chef Willing Warrior Retreat at Bull Run, shown at a previous Missing in America Project receiving the flag from the previously unclaimed cremains. The MIA Project locates, identifies and inters the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations.
See the video, Larry and I, plus many veterans and public supporters attended the MIAP ceremony on a cool windy April 12 morning for the internment of nine (9) veterans and four (4) spouses of veterans at Culpeper National Cemetery, Culpeper VA.
This video shows excerpts from the ceremony.
Pete Piazza - NO THIS IS NOT Vito playing Taps. :-)
Once the flags have been presented, they are then donated to the Willing Warrior Retreat at Bull Run where they are flown over the campus for the injured and ill veterans who are recovering at the retreat. Nice Job Larry!
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At left, I met recently with MSgt Li, Air Force Care Management Center at Walter Reed Bethesda MD, as he proudly holds Eagle Chapter handouts, as we talk about our mission of serving wounded and ill Defenders who are med-evaced to Walter Reed Bethesda. His manager, Marzetta Swain, was taking a "teleworking day." Our mission here is simple - You Call we Haul!
In closing, your membership, support and donations, especially, make it possible for us to serve. I look forward to seeing you at a future Eagle Chapter event. We have vacancies on our board.
Seats are still available. Come join us to honor the families of our fallen Defenders on May 13 - please click to RSVP:
• The Fallen Defenders Families Reception at 1330 Arnold Suite Bolling Club, JBAB Washington DC with Mr. SES Gerald as our Keynote speaker.
• The Pentagon Fallen Defenders Families Tour at 1000 - If you want to tour with the families, RSVP by Wednesday Apr 24.
See you at a future Eagle Chapter Event!!!
Very respectfully,
//Lee//
E. C. Lee Chambers
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer
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Donors can click the image above or click here. If you are sending a check, please note our new address. | | | | |
