Greetings Eagle Chapter Members and Friends | |
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In my over twenty years as Eagle Chairman, I can think of no higher honor than to have this Warriors Medal of Valor from the Native American Nations of the USA presented to me by the Vietnam Security Police Association (VSPA) at their 28th Annual Reunion last month in Charleston SC. I was totally blown away as this award was one of three awards that VSPA presented to me.
As I'm at the banquet hearing about the hard work being done for our Security Forces Airmen and families in DC, DE, MD, VA and WV - I thought to myself "Hmm- that sounds like me." VSPA inducted me as an Associate Member of the Vietnam Security Police Association and then awarded me the VSPA Meritorious Service Award. For a moment, I was totally speechless! Thanks to Chief Nelson President Emeritus VSPA, Pete Piazza, Chief Jones, VSPA Chaplain, Jim Stastny, and Willie Squires plus others who may have helped make these awards possible.
As an Eagle Chapter Member, I feel that you are a part of this recognition. Had there been no Eagle Chapter, I would not have the foundation to serve that you provide through your membership, support and donations. Thanks to all for your continuing support.
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Veterans Day Wreath Laying - Military Women's Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. Every Veterans Day, we participate in a wreath to honor our women veterans. This year, we're honored to have as our guest wreath layer and Eagle Chapter member - former Senior Airman Jonvenette Suriel-Jackson, our Eagle Proud Warrior Airman. Jonvenette and her husband, Jacob, were our guests at our luncheon at the Pentagon for the Maisey Observance earlier this year. Again, Airman Suriel-Jackson - thank-you for stepping up to perform this presentation on our behalf. She came to us by way of Minot via a medical evacuation and she's our first Eagle Proud Warrior Airman to participate in this event.
Annual fundraiser has kicked off. So far, two chapter members, one supporter from the Pete Magwood Chapter of Albuquerque New Mexico, have thrown their support into our annual fundraiser. Go to any page of our website and scroll down and click the "Donate" button or send to your check or money order to our post office box.
Thanks again! I look forward to seeing you at an Eagle Chapter event.
TO ALL OF MY SISTER AND BROTHER VETERANS - HAPPY VETERANS DAY!
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 October 1, 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.
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Congratulations Major General (Select)Thomas P. Sherman - Air Force Top Cop
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General Officer Announcement
Oct. 27, 2023
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced today that the president has made the following nomination:
Air Force Brig. Gen. Thomas P. Sherman for appointment to the grade of major general. Sherman is currently serving as the Director, Security Forces, Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C
In the photo at left, Major General (Select) Sherman attends the AF 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Dinner where Eagle's Vice Chairman MD Wing, Ian Caldwell (at right), meets him just as he's handed out his last Eagle Chapter Coin to the five SF OAY Airmen.
Congratulations again Sir. Thanks to Dave, Pete Magwood Chapter, for the heads up.
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"I apologize for sending you a message like this late at night, could you put a note and a rose on my dad's grave? The first anniversary of his death is tomorrow." | |
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When I saw this text message from Leah, Hutch's daughter, I had only one response - "Yes. Send me what you want on the note, and I'll place it at Arlington." I write like a blacksmith. So my supporting cast at Staples helped me put her note with Hutch's photo together for placement on his grave at Arlington. Leah's dad, Colonel (Retired) Stephen L. Hutchens (Hutch), former Commander at Andrews, was our first Eagle Chapter AFDW Wing Vice Chairman. He died Oct 3, 2022. The driver of the Arlington shuttle bus was so patient to take me to the grave and wait for me that I gave him an Eagle Chapter coin. I sent photos of our results to Leah.
Leah's response: "So amazing, thank you times a million. I can't even describe how much that means to me."
Her mom, Amy's response: "This was so kind of you, Lee. This meant so much to Leah, you have no idea. She and Spencer [her brother] have struggled to find their way through grief, but support like this makes all the difference!"
I think I put a smile on Hutch's face. I had to share this with you. We take care of our own!
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Three So Far - of the Five SF Outstanding Airmen of the Year have said YES
Accepting our Offer 3 Year Membership in the AF Security Forces Association
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Thanks to the AFSFA Oklahoma Heartland Chapter and the Pete Magwood Chapter (Albuquerque) who partner with us each year to provide three-year memberships in our association. Two more to go and they have not said no - yet.
Starting at top left, the five are Master Sergeant Michael A. Galindo (yes he's one of the three), Tech Sergeant Jennel L. Edwards, Tech Sergeant Michelle A. Fernandez and her significant other, Senior Airman Jacob Tawasha, and finally Senior Airman Ryan G. Hospelhorn. Click here to see information about the 2023 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year.
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Eagle Chapter Board Plus Matching Member Donation Earns $500.00 to Eagle Proud Warrior Airman
For the better part of a year, Airman Jonvenette Suriel-Jackson (at right with husband, Jacob) has been healing at Walter Reed Bethesda Regional Medical Center after being med-evaced from Minot Air Force Base ND. She is now medically retired and works for the Disabled American Veterans HQ in Washington DC. Great Airmen always land on their feet.
Her husband Jacob, also SF, whom our Air Force transferred from Minot to Andrews to be near her, recently returned from TDY and Ian Caldwell, Eagle Chapter Vice Chairman Maryland Wing presented her with the token of our appreciation.
Again - ma'am thanks for helping us out at the Military Women's Memorial on Veterans Day.
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647th Security Forces Squadron Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Hawaii submits nomination for SRA Jerome C. Ware, JR to the National LE Officers Memorial
A special thanks to Lt Col Mark Stanco, commander, and Tech Sgt Christopher Brennan for their patience and hard work to submit the artifacts needed for Airman Ware to be considered for having his name placed at the National LE Officers Memorial in Washington DC. Tech Sgt Brennan showed impressive skills to obtain the support of Airman Ware's family. So far, Airman Ware's mom, sister, widow, and both daughters have been identified and they will be notified when the NLEOM make their decision on this package.
We should know by the end of January 2024. In the meantime, a second package (SSgt John T. Self - End of Watch: May 14, 2007) is ready but I've asked them to consider some minor improvements. SSgt John T. Self's package will be ready to go soon.
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Eagle Chapter Co-Hosts Trauma of Law Enforcement Training | |
Registration has closed!
I may be able to get a seat added on the back-end if contacted soonest.
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One of our federal agencies asked COPS to host this event in the DC area. They responded and are making this training free. But they needed some more help.
Again, thanks to our very generous Eagle Chapter member who picked up the tab for this event.
The course pledges to provide the following benefits:
1. How an agency's response to tragedy directly affects the level of distress of their officers and surviving family members.
2. How an officer can successfully navigate the cumulative stress caused by experiencing critical incidents throughout a law enforcement career and how their agency can assist with this.
3. The warning signs and symptoms of police suicide.
4. How an individual officer's pre-planning may directly affect the public safety officer benefit (PSOB) their family may receive in the event of their line-of-duty death.
Seats are going fast! If you think you will attend, go ahead and register. I'll see you there.
Click here for the agenda.
Thanks to Julie Stecco, Vice President VA COPS and Amy Wendell, VA COPS Chapter Secretary, both survivors, for bringing this opportunity to our attention.
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Washington Commanders Partner with NLEOM to provide special ticket prices for Law Enforcement | |
Our Newest Corporate Sponsor - Matches Employee Donations | |
Thanks to Eagle's Karl Blinkinsop for obtaining this kind consideration through his employer. | |
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Thanks to Our
Military Service and Corporate Donors
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American Legion Synepuxent Post 166
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BlinkinCo
Program Mgmt - Vulnerability Assessments - Insider Threat
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Transaction Expert
Point of Sale/Merchant Services
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Micron Technology Inc.
Dr. Delbert Parks announced at the luncheon - "We're Hiring!" See their website for more information.
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Thanks to our member and supporter donors TOO! While I appreciate the corporate and military service organization donations, our chapter members and supporters keep the lights on (so to speak), the post office box open, the web site operating, and this newsletter cost plus other expenses to enable us to serve.
Thanks for your kind consideration.
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MWD Daryl Attacks Eagle Chairman
25 Years in the AF - 26 years since
Not once did I think - I'm going to let that dog take a bite. Somehow in Charleston with the VSPA Dog Handlers I had to do it.
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Kennel Master Tech Sergeant Steven Kamerer at the 628th Security Forces Squadron Charleston AFB SC runs an awesome shop! Very impressive were his team, their care of the dogs, and the facility. There was just something special about his shop that drove me to let MWD Daryl #C605 take a bite - with the very attentive care of his handler Staff Sgt Kenny B. Rodriguez-Sanchez. See the video above. | |
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Above the dog handlers and their dogs posed with VSPA dog handlers who handled MWD when they were in combat in the Vietnam War.
For me, this was very awesome to see how well the dogs are being cared for today in our modern Air Force. Especially of note is how the handlers took care of the dogs when they were no longer useful for Air Force operational purposes. They retire them and they still work at the kennels. As you can see the retired dogs have their own display. When the dogs actually pass away, they bury them at the memorial tree where each dog has a tombstone with their information.
My thanks to the VSPA Dog Handlers for adopting me on their visit to the kennels.
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Eagle Proud Warrior Coins are Still Available
Your purchase of Eagle Proud Warrior Coin Aid Us to Support Ill and Wounded SF Airman at Walter Reed Bethesda
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Our Eagle Proud Warrior Coin - has a gold brass, 3-D finish. The quality of the coin really speaks for itself. Proceeds from donations to acquire this coin help us respond to SF Airmen who are med-evaced to Walter Reed Bethesda Maryland.
The price of the coin is recommended $12.00 donation. Uncle Sam increased postage fees, so we have increased our overall price. See the examples below:
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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Your Eagle Chapter Board Meets Online December 13 at 2000 - and you're invited! | |
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Our chapter board meetings are open to all members. Contact Rachel, our Chapter Secretary if you want to attend. She will provide the meeting call in information and previous meeting minutes and documents we'll review for this meeting.
Your board meets the second Wednesdays of the month at 2000/800PM.
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In closing - VSPA- Thank-you again!
The awards that you presented to me totally exceeded my expectations. I am very honored.
The emblem at left is the VSPA Meritorious Service Award. Thanks for your consideration and I look forward to many years with my brothers of the Vietnam Security Police Association and their families.
Donation. Please click here to donate via our PayPal account. Your donations, in any amount, generate the fuel that allows us to serve our SF Airmen, families, and our military heritage. Click here to donate via PayPal.
Alternatively, you can send your checks or money order to our PO Box.
Take care of each other! I look forward to seeing you at an Eagle Chapter event.
Very respectfully,
//Lee//
E. C. Lee Chambers
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer
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