Greetings Eagle Chapter Members and Friends - Happy 2024 | |
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Happy New Year - Off and Running for 2024!
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First to our 2023 generous donors - THANK-YOU! If you gave to Eagle Chapter in 2023, you already have received your Eagle Chapter 2023 Record of Charitable Contribution Report that shows all of your donations for 2023. See the sample image. In a new service to our donors, I have provided a list of their donations for the year. So no searching for receipts sent throughout they year.
If you feel that you did give but you did not get our report, reach out to me and we can make it right. in the meantime, you can click on the image or click here to start your 2024 donations to one of your favorite non-profits.
Our new address - Please update your records.
Please mark your calendars - January 31st 56th Annual Reginald V. Maisey JR Observance and Battle of Bien Hoa AB Vietnam at the Maisey Building Joint Base Anacostia Bolling Washington DC. Time is TBD. Eagle Chapter will provide refreshments furnished by the club. We'll invite the Maisey family and extend the observance to AFDW and the HQ USAF Band on the 60th anniversary.
NLEOM Six - The largest number of applicants ever! This year, we aided Security Forces Commanders in submitting the largest number of our heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice. See the article below.
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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 on December 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. Email me for more information.
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The Vietnam War - 50 Years Later! | |
Saturday January 13, 2024 1600 Eastern | |
The Air & Space Forces Association and 40 supporting organizations invites all to join in person at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at 4 p.m. ET for a special commemoration of the service, courage, and legacy of Vietnam War Veterans and Gold Star Families, and a renewal of American commitment to account for those heroes who remain missing 50 years after the war’s end.
EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND! Registration in advance is required. See the links at the A and SF site for in person registration; live streaming, and the legacy reception that follows.
Can't attend in person? The event will be live streamed.
Following the ceremony at the cathedral, everyone is invited to attend a legacy reception (that sounds like it's for you Pete). The legacy reception will be held at the Washington Hilton. You may also reserve your ticket by also clicking the link.
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WOW - An UNPRECEDENTED - Four SF Heroes Submitted to the National LE Officers Memorial in December!
A Total of Six Applicants for 2023!
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SF Commanders nominated these six for 2023.
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Eagle Chapter aids Security Force Squadron commanders and staff from Hawaii to Ellsworth AFB SD, FE Warren AFB WY and Little Rock AFB Arkansas with submitting a total of six of our heroes for recognition by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC for calendar year 2023.
Distinguishing himself, Master Sergeant Dustin Silc, Project Manager for the Ellsworth Three (Huskey - Holmes - Heitkamp End of Watch: 5/29/1986) - overcame a huge obstacle - Time - almost 40 Years since the Huey UH-1 crash that took the lives of three SF plus two aircrew. One SF survived the crash - then Airman First Class Latania Huguley.
Dustin inherited a project that had failed under the previous PM who was overwhelmed by the pandemic and increasing duty requirements. He brought so much enthusiasm and as a Flight Chief tapped great talent to assist him and he really got the job done - seemingly single-handedly identifying family members for all three of the SF.
A small note of thanks to Bryan Merrill. Two years ago, he asked NLEOM why his buddy, SSgt Charles Huskey, had not been added to the memorial. NLEOM sent him to me. Bryan, it's been a long hard slog; but, thanks for hanging in there. I look forward to calling you with the great news next month.
Airman Trinity Reinhart (End of Watch: 9/16/2023) - Another one of our great Airmen performing heroic feats in a very compressed period of time - Tech Sergeant Kyler Jenkins - at first an alternate - quickly assumed leadership when duty requirements required the primary, Tech Sergeant Jordan Ragan, to move to other tasks. He was so well prepared that we didn't skip a beat. He quickly obtained the remaining artifacts needed in just weeks to have Airman Reinhart's nomination submitted in near record time.
At press time, there was an issue with Airman Ware's package as to whether he was on duty at the time of the incident. I've asked the unit to take another look and let me know.
My sincere thanks to these Airmen and the commanders who quickly responded, as needed. We now wait to hear results from the NLEOM committee's meeting in later January.
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Eagle's Officers Participate in Wreaths Across America | |
Photo at left shows Eagle Chapter Vice Chairman Tidewater Wing Kathy Wojciechowski, and Rachel Vis, Eagle Chapter Secretary at the Yorktown VA Natonal Cemetery. Photo at right, shows (from left) Mark Grapin – American Legion District 16 Chaplain VA, Lee Chambers Eagle Chairman with the American Legion Department of VA Commander, Sonnie Dickerson, and Don Norris (US Army veteran and American Legion Post 1799 Member). | |
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Eagle Chapter Officers participate in Wreaths Across America (WAA) events on December 16 at WAA Day. They volunteered to lay wreaths on the graves of veterans in two area cemeteries. Lee had an additional mission. He and his American Legion Post 1799 Haymarket Gainesville VA provided traffic enforcement on one to the local cemeteries. Due to a special event added to Wreath Across America Day at the Stonewall Memorial Gardens in Manassas VA organized by his post and a local VFW Post to mark the graves of unmarked veterans in civilian cemeteries, the activity attracted the attention of American Legion statewide officers.
For more information, see an upcoming edition of the AFSFA Security Forces Magazine.
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Eagle Chapter Co-Sponsors Trauma of LE Training in Fairfax VA | |
From top left - Eagle Member Col (Ret) John Salley, here's your daughter Jillian, Capitol Police Captain (She was so proud that her dad's association was a sponsor). Jillian led the Capitol Police contingent of attendees; Dr. Kay Bustos and her spouse, Javier Bustos (former SF and retired Austin PD) of the Warriors Rest Foundation with Eagle Chairman. Javier is the guest speaker for our January Eagle Chapter Board Meeting (See below); Second row left - DC-COPS President Cindy Carter (former FBI) presents me (it's ours) with their 25th anniversary coin, Julie Stecco, VP VA-COPS and Betty Walker President VA-COPS, Hector Dittamo former President DC-COPS. Julie and Betty are wife survivors of fallen VA COPS and Hector is the father of a DC fallen cop. Bottom row left - shows Eagle Chapter handouts on the COPS registration and information table. | | |
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130 Police Professionals sign up to attend Trauma of LE Training in Fairfax VA
At left another former SF attendee, James Corbett, now Supervisory Special Agent FBI, proudly introduces himself. Eagle Chapter sponsored the coffee/tea service, cookies and brownies for the three-day event.
Amazingly for me - every police department of 200 or more that I interviewed has a health and welfare division. That division is focused on helping police officers to manage stress, trauma and survivors of suicide.
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Thanks again to our sponsor! It was a great honor for me to attend this event and for us to be one of it's sponsors. This TLE training event is not scheduled back on the east coast at this time. I highly recommend it for SF Commanders, Deputy Commanders, SF True North Professionals, Senior Enlisted Leaders, chaplains especially those focused on Security Forces. | |
The Washington Capitols Hockey Team invites all Law Enforcement to their annual LE Appreciation Night February 13 at 1900 | |
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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, the post office box open, the web site operating, and this newsletter cost plus other expenses to enable us to serve. Plus, our members overwhelmingly donate to our SF Airman and their families.
Thanks for your kind consideration.
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Nice Christmas Gifts
Eagle Proud Warrior Coin/Eagle Chapter Coin Plenty Still Available
Your purchase of Eagle Proud Warrior Coin Aid Us to Support Ill and Wounded SF Airman Med-Evaced to Walter Reed Bethesda
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Our Eagle Proud Warrior Coin - a gold brass, 3-D finish and the Eagle Chapter Coin, 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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Your Eagle Chapter Board Has our First Board Meeting of the Year on Wednesday 10 January at 2000 - and you're invited!
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Guest Speaker Javier Bustos, Program Manager Warrior's Rest Foundation - former SF and Retired Austin TX PD speaks about trauma and the role he plays as a peer counselor. | |
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Our chapter board meetings are open to all members. Contact me and we'll send you the call-in information and send documents that the board will be reviewing on the call. YES - it's a conference call.
Our January meeting will have former SF Javier Bustos speak to us about peer trauma counselling - the role his organization, Warrior's Retreat Foundation, plays in that regard.
See more about Javier, whom I met at the Trauma of Law Enforcement Training, that Eagle Chapter co-sponsored with C.O.P.S in December - click here.
Your Eagle Chapter board meets the second Wednesdays of the month at 2000/8:00 PM. This will be our first board meeting for 2024.
After 6 years, our Rachel Vis Bids Farewell to the Board! At our December board meeting, Rachel Vis bid farewell as a member of the board. She served previously as the Vice Chairman Tidewater Wing (Langley area) and twice as Chapter Secretary. She will be very greatly missed!
She's been more than just a member of our board. She has put in the sweat equity needed when there is a requirement that needs a response to our SF Airmen and families. I can't thank her enough for al that she's done. She will be so greatly missed.
THANK-YOU THE VERY AWESOME RACHEL VIS!
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VA Grand Military Band Concert
Saturday, January 27 at 2:45 pm
Rachel M. Schlesinger
Concert Hall and Arts Center
4915 East Campus Drive, Alexandria, VA
Tickets: Free - A $25 value - Contact Chairman for details.
"The Virginia Grand Military Band is known for its rousing concerts, its charismatic conductor, and the excellence of its performances. It is widely recognized as one of the finest bands of its kind. Musicians of the Virginia Grand Military Band are a veritable "Who's Who" in the concert band world and bring to each performance an artistry and professionalism which have earned them accolades and praise throughout the world."
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Law Enforcement Appreciation Day 2024 | |
Attaboy Dennis! Mission BBQ Dover donates 100 Sandwiches, So Far, to our 436th SFS at Dover! | |
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As of now, we only have the one event scheduled for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day January 9. Congratulations to Eagle Vice Chair DE Wing, Dennis Eberly, for obtaining this token of appreciation by one of our local businesses. Dennis and a few members will be joining the 436th SFS Commander and his staff on LEAD to hand out Mission BBQ coupons that are good for a sandwich at the local restaurant.
At the request of the commander to express their appreciation of the $500.00 Eagle Chapter donated back in November. I'll be back up at Dover later this month. Dennis - again thanks!
For our Delaware members or any other member who wants to be part of our January visit to Dover - Dennis will provide you information on mid-January visit. Hope you can join us. Let us (Dennis) know. Thanks.
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Eagle Chairman videos his Arlington Christmas Visit
Click on the image (or below) to start seeing videos.
| This past December's visit at Arlington, I recorded portions of my visits to SF Airmen and family buried at the Arlington National Cemetery. Click on the image above or the names below to see videos of my visit. I thought of the video idea midway through the visit. Click to see: Lt Gen (Ret) Leaf, the Group Burial TSgt Norton and SSgt McElroy, Airman First Class Leebernard Chavis, Ms. Marilyn Marcella Strones with view of the Pentagon, Captain Reginald V. Maisey, JR, Col (Ret) Ken Coolidge, Lt Col Oliver Clifton Carter (with view of the AF Memorial located in the city of Arlington), and MSgt Dilbri Aldrich. | Thanks to Kathy Wojciechowski, Eagle Vice Chair Tidewater Wing for remembering TJ, as always, at Phoebus National Cemetery in Hampton VA. See our Dec 2023 newsletter for more information on TJ who formerly served at Bolling at the time of the illness that led to his death. | Eagle Sponsors First Holiday Party Since the Pandemic - 633d SFS at Langley | |
Kathy, Eagle Chapter's Vice Chairman Tidewater Wing, had a conflict. I said "OK - I'll back you up. I'll be there." In the future, when the 633d parties - I'm going to be there!!!! Kathy you can't keep me away! :-)
What a really great bunch of Defenders. I'd serve anywhere with these guys! The commander could not attend. The SEL left after opening up the event. The commander's wife hung out longer than I could. :-)
Ever met a 12-year Master Sergeant Selectee? No, me neither. See the young lady at the top with the tats. Ever met a 10-year Master Sergeant Selectee? No me neither - not until last month. See her husband - second from the top. She's a flight chief. He's in charge of their tactical weapons training. Thanks again to the 633d SFS for a wonderful evening! It was an honor for us to be your sponsor.
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Christmas Day, my Parade Pilot and all-around good guy, Lt Col (Ret) Henry "Rocky" Colavita passed away at the age of 82. I met Rocky at a weekly IHOP Gainesville breakfast with my American Legion Post 1799. When you look at how Rocky autographed his book that he presented to me, you'll see the fondness we had for each other. I started riding in parades with Rocky and I very soon learned my job - keep Rocky from running over walkers in front of us. One of us had to drive and the other had to wave as we passed crowd. We'd both get so excited at waiving back at people along the parade route that Rock needed to be reminded to drive. :-)
A Silver Star recipient during the Vietnam War, my Army buddy, Rocky, was a constant at our weekly breakfasts and in our parades in Haymarket and Manassas VA. He will be greatly missed. His funeral service will be on January 15 at 1500. See Rocky's obituary by clicking here.
In closing, we need help on our board - Chapter Secretary, Chapter Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer, Deputy Vice Chair Tidewater Wing (Langley area) and NLEOM Committee Member. Just about everything can be done from the comfort of your living room via laptop, computer, and/or phone. Please contact me if you can spare a few minutes a week or so. I'll discuss all of our vacancies with you.
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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One of the best feedback statements that I received recently was "That was easy!" When a new donor used our PayPal app in our December Newsletter to donate to our chapter. Donors can click the image above or click here. If you are sending a check, please note our new address. | | | | |
