Greetings Eagle Chapter Members and Friends |
|
Fourteen family members and their loved ones' unit representatives attend reception at the Pentagon in their honor.
Above at left, Phyllis Nathan, Senior Airman Jason Nathan's mom, with Tech Sgt Stevie Thomas, RAF Lakenheath UK SFS Project Manager - while at right, the fallen defenders' families (TSgt Jason L. Norton, SSgt Brian S. McElroy, and SRA Jason D. Nathan) and their loved ones' units 48th SFS Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath United Kingdom (UK) (kneeling) and the 673d SFS Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson) Alaska initiate the tour of the Pentagon prior to the Eagle Chapter hosted reception in their honor.
Please note two-year old Cameron - out front - Tech Sergeant Jason Norton's grandson leading the tour.
|
|
I'm still in recovery trying to decompress from the excitement of having met the families and units of the three Security Forces Airmen whose names that are now dedicated at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. Tech Sergeant Riddick Atkins, project manager for SSgt Brian McElroy and Tech Sergeant Jason Norton names was in the process and as of today has retired from our Air Force and could not attend.
Wow! I cannot thank our member and other donors whose extremely gratifying generosity helped make the reception at the Pentagon and donations to the families and units possible without taking a huge hit of our budget. Please see more below.
In closing, your support makes events like this possible to show our fallen defenders families that we have not forgotten their loved ones and the sacrifice that they have through their loved ones' and their personal patriotism.
Very respectfully,
"Lee"
Elia C. (Lee) Chambers, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Eagle Chapter Air Force Security Forces Association
P. O. Box 10501
Burke, Virginia 22009-0501
Email: chairman@afspaeagle.com | C: 571-302-0992
We published our previous newsletter on April 24, 2023. Click here to go to our Resources page on our website to see all of 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. Contact Chairman for more information.
|
|
Fallen Defenders Families Special Appreciation Reception at the Pentagon |
|
Pentagon Event Precedes Candlelight Vigil
Thanks to Mr. Gerald and the HQ USAF Directorate of Security Forces Staff!
|
|
Above, Security Forces names at they have been dedicated in DC during Police Week 2023 at the memorial. |
|
With almost 50 total attendees including the HQ A4S staff, the 11th SFS Commander at Bolling, Major David Bruton, and 11th SFS Senior Enlisted Leader Chief Master Sergeant Anthony Chambers.
Thanks to Brig Gen (Retired) Al Jamerson and Police Chief (and SF CMSgt (Ret)) Woody Kusse, Chief of Police Pentagon Police Department for making this day special for the families.
|
|
Thanks to SES/Mr. Timothy Gerald Deputy Director Headquarters USAF Security Forces who keynotes reception held in honor of the families.
As a token of our appreciation, I asked the Project Managers to let the families know that we will provide them $500.00 to help offset their travel costs.
With the help of Mr. Gerald, I started this presentation with a "typo" that I was honored to provide thanks to many of you. We actually gave each family $750.00 in a cashier's check.
|
|
Following the presentation of a cashier's check to each family unit, I presented each family member with an Eagle Chapter coin - including two-year old Cameron, Tech Sgt Norton's grandson. Thanks again to our generous donors! |
|
In her own words - Ms. Phyllis Nathan, Senior Airman Jason Nathan, sent this email to Mr. Gerald, the Eagle Chairman, and Major Robinson the narrator at the reception.
Dear: Mr. Elia C. “Lee” Chambers
Mr. Timothy Gerald
Major Robinson and All Staff
My family and I are writing to express our heartfelt gratitude for the tribute you gave to my Son at a National Event. It meant the world to our family to see him honored for his service and sacrifice to Our Country.
My Son was a true Patriot who loved this country and was proud to serve in the military. He always spoke highly of the camaraderie and brotherhood he experienced while serving, and I know that his military service was one of the most important parts of his life.
Your recognition of his service has helped our family to heal and has given us a sense of pride and comfort in knowing that his sacrifice was not in vain. We are forever grateful to you for your support and for the sacrifices you make every day to protect our freedoms.
Thank you again for your kindness and for honoring my Son's legacy. We will never forget the contributions that he and all of our service members have made to our Great Nation.
Sincerely,
SRA JASON DORIAN NATHAN’S Mother
Phyllis Nathan and Family
|
|
Fallen Defenders Families Reception
-Project Manager and Unit Appreciation-
|
|
Unit Project Managers and Booster Club Appreciation |
|
It is an extraordinary accomplishment for every project manager to meet all requirements needed by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in a short period of time. These Project Managers at RAF Lakenheath UK and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson AK raised the bar in such a way that the families attended like none other previously. The Eagle Chapter Board agreed that they spirit and level of performance deserved special acknowledgement and our appreciation. |
After the unit provided certification that they were an approved private organization meeting all of their base requirements, Eagle Chapter awarded them $500.00 cashier's check for their booster clubs, respectively - the Defenders Council for RAF Lakenheath Defenders and the Defenders Association for JBER Defenders. Hopefully that means a couple less car washes a year.
|
Above Eagle Chairman awards $500.00 to Lt Colonel Ben Washburn 48th SFS Commander for the Defenders Council SFS Booster Club. We also presented a plaque to the Project Manager and an organizational award of excellence plaque to the commander to display in their heritage room should they choose to do so.
Below Eagle Chairman awards $500.00 to Lt Colonel Michael Kennedy 673d SFS for the Defenders Association SFS Booster Club. We also presented Tech Sgt Walker Martin, with the Project Manager award on behalf of Tech Sgt Riddick Atkins, the Project Manager who was retiring from the Air Force and could not attend. We also presented the organizational award of excellence plaque to the commander for both Staff Sergeant McElroy and Tech Sgt Norton to display in their SF heritage room should they choose to do so.
Thanks to our generous donors who made these awards possible. Plus I cannot over emphasize the extraordinary performance of the Project Managers who excelled above and beyond the call of duty to make these events possible. In the scriptures there is a term that says - "in the fullness of time..." The fullness of time made this the benchmark for all future NLEOM recognitions.
I thank HQ A4S for their support - especially Major Brad S. Robinson, the narrator, who pitched in to make sure we had the protocol assignments established in the best way possible. We owe him an Eagle Chapter coin the next time we have an event at the Pentagon.
|
|
|
|
On the rear, inner column of the program, there are two symbols that explain to the family members (1) why it took 17/16 years to recognize their loss and (2) how I reminded myself each year that we had work still to be done.
The program displays best on an 11x17 page as provided at the reception.
Thanks Mr. Gerald for standing tall to read the names of our fallen at the Candlelight Vigil at the US Capitol.
|
|
|
Freedom Musuem of Manassas |
|
Eagle Chapter Sponsors the Best Tee at the Annual Golf Tournament! |
|
But it doesn't come without a cost - a reminder - I've agreed to add two exhibits at the Freedom Museum. If you can volunteer for either of these, I need your help. Brig Gen (Retired) Frank Martin is already a resource for the first one. Please contact me ASAP to begin the process.
-
Mayaguez Incident - On the day of our reception for the Fallen Defenders Families on May 12 for the three SF Airmen whose names have been dedicated to the National LE Officers Memorial, 50 years ago (May 12) another memorial in DC has the names of 19 Security Police and 5 of their crew that crashed aboard Knife 13 in an ill-fated rescue attempt of the SS Mayaguez cargo ship in Southeast Asia a few days after Saigon had been lost to the north.
-
Security Forces Members added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial - The museum would like current content and would like the stories of our 30 SF Airmen added to the museum. Our stories here could aid other services in getting their military members recognized and added to the NLEOM memorial.
|
|
Letters of Appreciation - Catch Up |
|
Thanks again to Honorable Mayor of Manassas Michelle Davis-Younger and Ms. Kristin Perper, Manassas Freedom Museum Director of Director of Growth and Development for your assistance at our Pentagon Luncheon and Kristin for your support at both the Bolling and Pentagon events.
Above Karl Blinkinsop, Eagle Chapter Vice Chair AFDW Wing and Chairman/CEO Lee Chambers present letters of appreciation at the Mayor's office in Manassas.
|
|
Bolling Police Week Kick-Off |
|
Colonel Victor Moncrieffe II, Air National Guard Director of Security Forces provides keynote kick off of the Joint Base Anacostia Bolling Police Week activities. |
Photo at right shows Eagle Chairman with Colonel Moncrieffe, Major David Bruton 11th SFS Commander, and Colonel Kat Logan, 11th Wing Installation Commander. Col Logan was our keynote speaker at the Maisey Building Wreath Laying at JBAB earlier this year. |
|
|
|
Staff Sergeant Janear Davis
Eagle Country Loses a Great Servant Leader
|
|
|
|
Generous Eagle Chapter Donors Aid Langley Airmen to Travel to South Carolina for the celebration of life for this beloved Airmen. |
I want to thank Rachel in advance who had heard a rumor, followed up and within hours of our just donating to their booster club to buy beverages for SF detail working the Langley air show we were able to quickly donate $400.00 to aid the SF flight members to help offset their costs to travel to Janear's Celebration of Life Service. Rachel - again thanks. Eagle - Please see the words of the commander and senior enlisted leader below. |
|
|
|
Rachel and to the security forces association family, I echo the Chief's comment. Thank you for supporting the team.
LIDIA A. IYASSU, Lt Col, USAF
Commander, 633d Security Forces Squadron
Joint Base Langley Eustis, VA
Rachel,
Thank you and the team so much for your support of the squadron and the Davis family! Our sad news is the passing of SSgt Janear Davis this past Thursday night. He had an unknown medical condition that unfortunately none of us were aware of which caused his passing.
The unit is obviously taking his loss very hard as he became extremely well loved by his flight despite just 5 short months that he was a Gryphon. He was the epitome of a servant leader who connected on all levels with his airmen.
We have had the honor of immersing his mother, sisters, and wife with the unit during this weekend and showing them exactly what his passion in life was.
CODY M. GREEN, CMSgt, USAF
Senior Enlisted Leader
633d Security Forces Squadron
Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
|
|
Reminder: Eagle Chapter Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Wash Dates |
|
Please Join Us - June 24th and August 26th |
|
The National Park Service has confirmed both of our dates.
We start at 0630 on both days with a Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, and an observance of the date in the history of the memorial by Eagle AFSFA/VSPA member Chief (Ret) Gary Jones of Charleston SC.
Eagle AFSFA/VSPA member Willie Squires is our ceremonial Flight Chief. See you then.
A reminder of the information provided by the National Park Service:
• Water and snacks - I'll have plenty of bottled water. Since Covid, we don't supply fresh Krispy Kreme donuts any more.
• Closed toed shoes and appropriate clothing
• Signed volunteer agreement. - I'll have copies of all forms sent to you.
Weather Cancellation: There is none - unless severe thunder and lightning storms.
Boy Scout Troop 1778 - You guys and your siblings and parents really make this day a great day for all. It 's almost like a family reunion as we catch up from last year.
See you then.
|
|
Thanks to our newest sponsors!
Military Services Sponsors - AFSFA Chapter Sponsors
Military Services Sponsors
Corporate Sponsor
These new sponsors greatly added to our ability to provide a no cost reception for all attendees plus aided our ability to provide the $750.00 to help the fallen families offset their travel cost.
|
|
Thanks to Our
Military Service and Corporate Donors
|
|
American Legion Synepuxent Post 166
|
|
BlinkinCo
Program Mgmt - Vulnerability Assessments - Insider Threat
|
|
Transaction Expert
Point of Sale/Merchant Services
|
|
Micron Technology Inc.
Dr. Delbert Parks announced at the luncheon - "We're Hiring!" See their website for more information.
|
|
|
Congratulations Colonel Doctor "Marty" Strones |
|
At left in the photo below our Colonel (Retired) Martin "Marty" Strones - our speaker for our Maisey 55th and 50th Luncheon receives his Doctorate Degree! Congratulations Sir!
|
|
|
|
On Memorial Day, Eagle Chapter will be participating in the annual wreath laying at the Military Women's Memorial. We will also place Defensor Fortis flags at the now the 25 graves at Arlington National Cemetery - adding former Eagle Chapter Vice Chair AFDW Wing who was the Andrews SF Group Commander, Colonel (Retired) Stephen Hutchens who was interred at Arlington earlier this year.
For attendees that came to the May 12 fallen defenders' families reception at the Pentagon, you'll recall that I had placed a yellow rose on each chair. As promised, I took the yellow roses for use at the Military Women's Memorial on Memorial Day to recognize. This year, they'll have a mix of red roses from the Congressional Women's Mothers Day event and our yellow roses from our reception.
For the McElroy and Norton families - my annual Memorial Day Week-end visit to the Arlington National Cemetery includes a visit to your loved ones' group burial. See the image below from my Memorial Day 2022 visit. I place a Defensor Fortis Flag on their gravesite - one for Brian and one for Jason alongside the US Flag that the Army's Old Guard places at all graves for Memorial Day.
You can see photos of the group burial on our website by clicking this link. I make a second visit at Christmas time to ensure that both Airman has a wreath placed in their honor.
|
|
|
|
2023 Chairman's Memorial Day Arlington Cemetery Drive |
Click on the image at left to view the starting point, Arlington hours of operations, map overview of the cemetery and the general drive order for the Eagle Chairman's annual Memorial Day route. This year adding Col (Ret) Stephen "Hutch" Hutchens to the drive.
|
|
Plenty Coins are Still Available
Purchase of Eagle Proud Warrior Coin Aid Us to Support Ill and Wounded SF Airman at Walter Reed
|
|
We've updated the Eagle Proud Warrior Coin. The new coin has a gold brass finish instead of the pewter finish as before. It still is a 3d coin based on the original design that we created in 2006 between a collaboration with Veronica Gonzales of KV Coins of San Antonio and Liz Jacobson's grandmother Sondra Millman. Veronica took out photo image and created the 3d image and the rest is history. We first offered the updated coin for donation at the Eagle Chapter Pentagon Luncheon in October where attendees paid $20.00 each in donations. The quality of the coin really speaks for itself.
We're charging the same amount that we've always charged - $12.00 donation - this legacy amount now incurs at a subsidized cost to Eagle Chapter. So, we ask that you add about $3.00 for shipping and handling (1-3 coins) and - consider donating more to our program. See the examples below:
Example:
1 coin + shipping is $15.
2 coins + shipping is $27.
3 coins + shipping is $39.
4 coins + shipping is $51.
5 Coins + shipping is $63.
Click here to see the Eagle Proud Warrior Coin page for a ready reference to these costs as well as an easy way to donate via credit card or PayPal.
|
|
Eagle Chapter June Monthly Board Meeting |
|
Our board meetings are open to all members and significant others. The board will meet at 2000/8:00 PM Eastern Thursday June 1, 2023.
|
|
Saturday May 27, the Virginia Grand Military Band is having a free Memorial Day Concert in Alexandria, VA. Yours truly has volunteered to help hand out poppies with my local American Legion Post. See you there. Click here for details.
A reminder to all fallen defender families that attended the May 12 event, I look forward to customize the message that you want the world to know of your loved one by sending me a couple of sentences that you'd like us to add to your loved ones' Eagle Chapter Memorial banner next year during Police Week 2024 at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sondra, Jackie, all fallen SF family member whose names are on the NLEOM. We know it was not how your loved one died that made them a hero. It was how they lived. We'd like to help pass along the passion of your loved ones for others to know. Send me a few words and I'll do the rest.
I look forward to seeing all of you at an Eagle Chapter event this year.
Very respectfully - Lee
|
|
P.O. Box 10501,
Burke, VA 22009-0501
(571) 302-0992
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
