Greetings Eagle Chapter Members and Friends | |
I took these photos above at the May 15, 2014, Piazza Gate Dedication Ceremony at Tinker Air Force Base Oklahoma. Above, Senior Master Sergeant Retired William "Pete" Piazza and his wife Gloria "Glo" seated at the dedication. Click here to go to our website to see more photos of the dedication. | |
As I noted in my previous newsletter, we've lost Gloria "Glo" Piazza who succumbed while in rehab and heroically battling an illness. 21 years ago this month, July 22, 2003, I met Pete while figuring out how to create an Eagle Chapter AFSFA. He was then the Vice President of the then called the AF Security Police Association as we know as AF Security Forces Association. It was his role as VP to mentor forming and developed chapters. To this day, I think we were blessed that the Grand Architect of the Universe put him in our path, exactly where we needed him to be to provide the unique guidance that implemented the vision we had for our chapter. Pete quickly became a mentor that continues to this day. When his tenure at AFSFA was ending, it was Glo who convinced him (in spite of my begging) that he needed to start spending more time with his family. :-) No one really replaced him to me. As I would call, email or text him when needed and he always had time.
Pete recently sent us a very generous donation in honor of Glo. Below, I am sharing his words that he sent along with his check.
"Lee, this check is a donation in the name of my wife, Gloria, to help support the many projects that your chapter do over the year!
-Pete"
Every year at the annual Maisey Building observance that we host at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling Washington DC, we speak of the heroics of a then young Staff Sergeant Piazza who filled the gap after Captain Maisey (posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross) had fallen during the Battle at Bien Hoa Air Base Republic of Vietnam. The Air Force awarded Pete the Silver Star. Go to our website to see more information about the Pizza Gate Dedication, another one of our career field heroes and my good friend and fried to Eagle Chapter Pete Piazza.
In 2023, the State of Oklahoma inducted Pete into the Oklahoma Miliary Hall of Fame. See the link.
Again, Pete, Thanks, we will always remember Glo. Take care my friend.
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DONATIONS. Thanks to our generous donors. Everything you see here has been provided by your donations. we don't charge for membership. Your donations enable our enthusiastic support to our Defenders, their families, units and our military heritage. Click the QR Code to donate or click here.
I look forward to seeing you at a future 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 June 2024 click here or 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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Meet Our Newest Member!
Eagle Proud Warrior Senior Airman Sophia Gibbons
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Earlier this month, Marzetta Swain called. Marzetta is the Air Force Program Manager at the Warrior Care Center Walter Reed Bethesda MD. She never calls to shoot the breeze. I knew when I saw her number that there was in injured or ill Defender that had been Medevac'd to Walter Reed. |
Senior Airman Sophia Gibbons, currently at the Walter Reed Bethesda MD Medical Center assigned to Airman Medical Transition Unit at Walter Reed for her treatment, testing and further diagnosis. Her duty station was Robins Air Force Base, Georgia where she was a Response Force Member. While at Robins, she became deployed down range as an M2 Gunner. She would also spend time getting connected with K9 performing different training on the job.
While deployed, she began to experience breathing discomfort that worsened where she felt it was increasingly harder to breath. Then medevac'd to Walter Reed Bethesda where they discovered the genesis of her illness, and she is expected to be treated eight (8) to 12 months.
With the help of the AFSFA Oklahoma Heartland Chapter and the AFSFA Pete Magwood Chapter (Albuquerque NM) we've submitted her application for a three-year membership in the AF Security Forces Association. By the time you read this, we'll have a firm date on her treatment calendar to provide her with an Eagle Chapter Check for $500.00 (thanks to a generous donor) to aid her, as needed. Her family is nearby in Ocean View, DE.
Airman Gibbons - we are delighted to have you aboard! Thanks for accepting our offer of membership.
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Thanks to SMSgt (Retired) Thomas Sims, AFSFA Proud Island Warrior Chapter
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
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When we helped the 647 SFS Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam Hawaii submit the nomination package for Airman First Class Jerome C. Ware, Jr to the National LE Officers Memorial for consideration, we were not successful. Though Airman Ware was a line of duty death, he had died while off duty during his deployment from Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam to Iraq. The nature of his death did not meet NLEOM off-duty criteria.
Our Eagle Chapter NLEOM Committee decided that his project manager, Technical Sgt Chrisopher Brennan, due to his superior actions deserved recognition. With his commander's support (Lt Col Marc Stanco) Sergeant Brennan excelled at completing the required actions. Our board of officers agreed and approved $250.00 to be awarded to the unit's booster club. In the photos above, SMSgt (Ret) Sims, AFSFA Proud Island Warrior Chapter (with five of his core members and Lt Col Stanco) presented our Eagle Chapter Coin, letter of appreciation (attached) and a $250.00 check to the 647th SFS Defenders Association. Maybe that would mean a few less car washes.
The Proud Island Warrior Chapter became our third AFSFA chapter sponsor earlier this year. Thanks again SMSgt Sims!
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Thanks to Senior Airman Brenden Walsh and Sergeant First Class Lance LaRue
Defender Volunteers at Bolling Provide Extraordinary Response to Fill a Logistics Gap to Support Fallen Defender Families Recognized at the Reception Luncheon During Police Week
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We knew we had an issue when we could not get the Pentagon this year for the Fallen Defenders Families Reception/Luncheon. Bolling, though more flexible, did not provide a convenient metro stop, as did the Pentagon, for the 14 Fallen Defenders Family Members who were in Washington DC for the recognition of their loved one by the National LE Officers Memorial. With so much going on that day with Pentagon Tour, the reception luncheon at Bolling and the Candlelight Vigil at the US Capitol later in the day, we had no means to provide transportation. We did the next best thing. We asked the Defenders at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling Washington DC.
Two outstanding volunteers came forward - SRA Brenden Walsh and SFC Lance LaRue volunteered to take the families, as needed, from the Pentagon, from the hotel in downtown DC to Bolling and return, as needed. Wow!
As a result. we are providing them the letter of appreciation (attached), Eagle Chapter coins, and a $100.00 each donation ($200.00 total) to the Thunder Cats Association Booster Club at Bolling. The commander, Lt Col Nicholas Mercurio, plans to recognize them with these tokens of our appreciation at a future Commander's Call.
"Lee, Thanks to you for your continued outstanding and generous support of our Defenders!"
Lt Col Nicholas Mercurio, Commander 11th SFS
As a result of the superior support at Bolling, we've decided Bolling will be the site of our 2025 Fallen Defenders Families Luncheon Reception. The May 13, 2025, date is available. I will start negotiations with the club in the days ahead.
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June 29 We had an Awesome Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Wall Washington DC
Two Groups Made It Extraordinary - Boy Scout Troop 1778 Waldorf MD and our Hero Vietnam War Defenders and all families - Thank-you!
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Our group photo taken at the end includes all that attended the wash. Col (Retired) Michael Lynch, (fifth from right) San Antonio TX, wins the long-distance award. He was in the area visiting family. Col Lynch (then Lt Col) was previously the SF Commander at Langley. | |
Above (left) my son, Daniel, holds down the reception/refreshments table. Right, four Vietnam War Defenders address the group.
After we completed the Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation, one of the vets asked that he be permitted to address the group. All five made statements. Rich Nucifora's wife, Eve, attending from Milford, Connecticut, was kind enough to record his remarks. She said 50 years in the making.
Click here to hear Rich Nucifora's video provided by his wife, Eve.
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You can join us at our next wash in DC next month, August 31 at 0630. Meet us at the flag pole at the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial.
At right, Chief Jones with his son and daughter. Thanks, Chief, for sharing your family values! :-)
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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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FE Warren Eagle Chapter Presentations
Thanks to AFSFA Member, Lt Col Robert Shaw, second from left, for making this and a number of presentations on our behalf.
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Thanks to Lt Colonel Robert Shaw, for making these presentations on our behalf. Thanks to AFSFA Executive Director, Colonel (Ret) John Probst for finding Colonel Shaw for us. In the photo above (at far left)) Col Justin Secrest, 90th SF Group Commander, attends the presentation who also attended our Fallen Defender Families Reception Luncheon at Bolling during National Police Week.
The project managers could not attend. So we sent all of our tokens of appreciation to them through Lt Col Shaw. Lt Col Shaw provided our check for $500.00 plus a plaque for each project manager and the unit plaque shown above. Receiving the plaque is TSgt Kyle Jenkins (who assumed overall project leadership when the initial PM, TSgt Jordan Ragan PCSed. Their new commander, Lt Col Tyler Hiatt is at far right. The approving commander, Major Bryan Tuttle had also PCSed. He attended the reception/luncheon that we had at Bolling in May and asked that we send the plaques to them.
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Click here for the image depicting the metal plate that is placed on the ebony piano-finished wooden plaque. The PM plaques, smaller, are of similar construction.
For FE Warren (Reinhart) and Ellsworth (Hietkamp, Holmes, and Huskey), our mission is now complete. We awarded the families $800.00 in May, each unit now has $500.00 for their booster clubs, the PMs each have their plaques and the unit has a plaque to continually reflect on this Airman and the service she provided.
For Little Rock (Self), plaques have been provided and the family received their donation. We are awaiting their booster club private organization authorization so we can send them the $500.00 to their booster club. More info to follow with them.
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NLEOM Invites You to NASCAR Cup Series Race at Richmond Raceway VA | |
The National LE Officers Memorial Fund invites all first responders to join the action at Richmond Raceway on Sunday, August 11 for the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400! The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund members, donors, family and friends are invited to reserve exclusive discounted tickets with proceeds from each adult ticket going back to NLEOMF.
Click on the link to buy tickets and for more information.
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Our August Board Meets Wednesday August 14th at 2000/8:00 PM | |
And You're Invited!
Our chapter board meetings are open to all members. Contact Lt Col Wruck, our Chapter Secretary, and she'll send you the call-in information and documents related to the August board meeting.
It's a Zoom-like conference call. Join us by contacting her for more information.
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2024 Air Force 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year includes One Defender! | |
Technical Sergeant Cory M. Green, 60th Security Forces Squadron, Travis Air Force Base CA appears to be the lone Defender recognized this year. TSgt Ian Caldwell, Eagle Chapter Vice Chair MD Wing will attend the Outstanding Airman of the Year Dinner in September to start our process of inviting TSgt Green to join the AFSFA where we provide a three year membership. The Oklahoma Heartland Chapter and the Pete Magwood Chapter all invest in a one year membership to give him a taste of the association.
Click here for the Air Force announcement.
For 2023, all five Defenders recognized among the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year, joined our association on our dimes. As I say to them, it means more to us than it could ever mean to them. Thanks again to Pete and Dave for your chapter's continuing support for 21 years since we started recognizing Defenders among the 12 in 2003! See our October 2023 newsletter for more information on the 2023 OAY SF Airmen.
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Baltimore Orioles Has Teamed up with NLEOM for Law Enforcement Nights August 13 and 14
In appreciation for the Men and Women who serve as Law Enforcement Officers, Corrections Officers, Public Safety, and First Responders. The Baltimore Orioles invite you, your friends, Family, Colleagues, and the General Public to join us on multiple dates this year for the annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Nights.
The birds will be playing the Washington Nationals at home.
– Tuesday, August 13th - 6:35pm
– Wednesday, August 14th - 6:35pm
Multiple Seating Options and Specially Discounted Tickets Start as Low as $15.00. Every ticket sold, $5.00 will be donated to NLEOMF. Click for more info and tickets.
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Air Force Selects Brigadier General (Select) Brian A. Filler as Director of Security Forces
Sir Welcome to Eagle Country!
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BG Select Filler provides his introductory note to career field Defenders below:
Defenders,
I am extremely excited to be the Air Force's Director of Security Forces.
Thanks for what you do to Defend our Nation each and every day. I know your duties are hard, but your work is noticed and it matters.
I am proud to serve alongside you.
I stand ready to support you and your leadership as you execute your missions around the globe.
Defensor Fortis
Brian A. Filler
Sir, welcome to Eagle Country. I look forward to working with you as we jointly engage to support out Defenders, their units and families. Click here to see his bio.
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Mr./SES Timothy Gerald - thank-you sir for forging the gap between Major General Serman's departure and reassignment to the Air Force Academy. We greatly appreciate your support.
In the photo, Mr./SES Timothy Gerald (center front) was the speaker at a Defender's Command leadership event.
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In closing, yesterday, I wrote a note to a grieving SF commander due to their unit's loss of a Defender in a Humvee accident. I introduced him to our process of helping SF units to recognize Defenders at the National LE Officers Memorial should he decide that the death is eligible. With that, we're now at nine (active) of 20 Defenders where we are helping units to submit their Defenders for recognition. 51% of all Defenders on the NLEO Memorial in DC and every Defender added since 2018 have been added with guidance from Eagle Chapter.
Our Chapter NLEOM Committee needs more helpers. We also need a Fallen Defender Families Reception/Luncheon and Pentagon Tour Event Project Manager that can help bring all of the moving parts together for Police Week 2025. We've documented our lessons learned from this year to help us get even better for the families and of our Fallen Defenders next year. We could have our largest number of invited families next year. I'll provide more updates as we get closer.
Again, Saturday August 31, we're back at the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial in Washington DC - Come on out and join us. See you at 0630 at the flagpole.
Everyone - keep taking care of each other. See you at a future Eagle Chapter event.
Very respectfully,
//Lee//
E. C. Lee Chambers
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer
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A direct and compelling headline | |
Donors can click the image above or click here. If you are sending a check, please note our new address. | | | | |