Memorial Day

Christopher Dion, MSgt, USAF (Retired)

On the last Monday in May, the bugle call is heard and the hearts of all Americans are called to formation, in order to render tokens of honor and appreciation to those who gave the last full measure. On this day we visit monuments of stone, metal, and marble that mark the final resting place of humans and furry warriors for whom the word hero was created. After the ceremonies are ended, the barbeques are then lit, families are gathered, and glasses are raised in order that we who live may honor their memory by clinging tighter to one another and tasting the sweetness of life that they can no longer enjoy.

This day is one of the most difficult of days for many. There are those that mourn the complacency that has infiltrated the life of America and led to her losing her sense of the sacredness of this day. There are those that mourn the dilution of American patriotism that these fallen warriors lived by, which has been caused by politics and protest. There are those that mourn the husband, wife, mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or child whose selfless service led them to be laid in ground hallowed by the blood they spilled. There is the living warrior who sheds tears that are seen and unseen, for the brother or sister that put on a uniform with them, but never returned to take it off again. For these and many more, Memorial Day carries with it a weight few can comprehend.

It falls upon us, who here remain, to stand for those who stood for us. It is imperative that we do not sit silent, but we must also not be vile in the volume of our sound. We must stand and speak and share their story. We must live a life that exemplifies the standard by which they lived and died. We must ensure that the next generation in our homes, schools, and communities are taught the price and value of their service. We must restore in America the patriotism we once held dear, the sense of history that we learned by, and we must renew a national knowledge of the documents and their basis upon which America was built.

We know that America, like the heroes for which Memorial Day exists, may be imperfect. However, no other nation has done as much to correct and rectify its errors. No other country has voluntarily spilt as much blood and treasure out on the altar of freedom and liberty. No other country has given as much in selfless service to lift all other ships to a higher level equal to their own. Finally, no other nation has as many heroes, buried in as many countries and territories, not owned by them and never intended to be owned by them, as this imperfect country. A country which began as an experiment based on principles of responsible freedom, equal opportunity, and individual liberty.

This Memorial Day, let us utilize the emotion raised by the memory of fallen warriors who never asked “Why me?”. Let us be inspired to do more, love more, live more, and serve more, that tomorrow our Nation will be one degree closer to the perfection we strive to achieve. May we ever remember that we are One Nation, Under God, indivisible and eternally indebted to those who sacrificed all.

LEOSA Credential Renewals Opened 1 May 2019

By April Hamilton

The DCS - LEOSA team has begun preparing for upcoming card renewals! They will begin accepting Service Requests for renewals on MAY 1^ST! Current card holders can begin applying for renewal up to SIX MONTHS before the expiration date with the Early Bird renewal program and discounted pricing! Early Bird pricing ($100) will be applied to renewals submitted 4-6 months before the expiration date. Applications received within 3 months and up to the expiration date will require the full renewal price ($125). Renewals will require updated personal information, a new passport-style photo, Endorsement letter for 926B cards, and new FBI Identity History Summary for Air Force 926C card holders.

NOTE: The issuance/expiration date of renewed cards will be the same month/day as the initial card unless the application is received AFTER the initial issuance date.

In addition to including online renewals, the automated LEOSAOnline.com website has been under major construction and has been relaunched! It is now open to all LEOSA applicants: Air Force, Army and Navy!

The new platform provides an updated workflow that is more efficient and user-friendly. All account information and application questions will be answered directly within a LEOSAOnline.com account, and digital uploading is required for all photos, application documents and service requests. The updated website will allow users to log in and out of the accounts without losing information, and the new ‘Status’ feature shows when the application is submitted to DCS, being reviewed and completed! DCS believes these new features will increase user-friendliness and greatly improve the application process for everyone!

AFSFA Dedicates its Headquarters

On the morning of 30 March 2019, during at the mid-year board meeting, President Scott Castillo and Executive Director John Probst unveiled a plaque which dedicated the AFSFA Headquarters in the memory of Col Nicholas A. Keck. Nick was a Founding and Life Member of AFSFA. He edited Tiger Flight for 15 years, served on the Board of Directors for two terms, was the AFSFA Secretary and the first inductee into the AFSFA Hall of Fame in 2008 and the only active duty member present at the founding of our Association. Nick’s contagious smile and laugh and candor will be sorely missed. Nick is survived by his wife Felice Hendrickson Keck, and their two children, Kristopher and Nicole.

Additionally, at the regular meeting of the Sacramento Valley Chapter on 23 February 2019 the chapter membership voted to change the name of the Chapter to the “Col Nicholas A. Keck/Sacramento Valley Chapter” in honor of their late member, Nick Keck. Nick’s contributions, support, and presence will be honored and remembered with the renaming of the chapter.

 2018 Security Forces Unit Award Winners:

- United States Air Force Outstanding Unit "Air Reserve Component" Award Winner: 165 SFS, ANG, Garden City, GA led by Maj Michelle Sabala and CMSgt Daniel B. Florin

- United States Air Force Outstanding Unit "Small Category" Award Winner: 11 SPTS, AFDW, Andrews AFB, MD led by Maj Alexander R. Ligget and SMSgt Christopher W. Young

- United States Air Force Outstanding Unit "Medium Category" Award Winner: 22 SFS, AMC, McConnell AFB, KS led by Lt Col John C. Farmer and CMSgt Rebecca F. McNelley

- United States Air Force Outstanding Unit "Large Category" Award Winner: 6 SFS, AMC, MacDill AFB, FL led by Lt Col Robert L. Moore and CMSgt Jason Q. Shaffer

2018 Security Forces Individual Awards Winners:

 - Colonel Billy Jack Carter Award: MSgt Thomas E. Kasten, AETC, 71 SFS, Vance AFB, OK

 - A1C Elizabeth Jacobson Award for Expeditionary Excellence: SRA Tristan B. Hernandez, AFSOC, 27 SOSFS, Cannon AFB, NM

 - SSgt 'TJ' Lobraico Award for Excellence: TSgt Charles B. McFall, AFSOC, 1 SOSFS, Hurlburt Field, FL

 - Air Reserve Component Company Grade Officer: Capt Andrew M. Stolten, AFRC, 11 SFS, Joint Base Andrews AFB, MD

 - Air Reserve Component Senior Noncommissioned Officer: MSgt Oscar Munoz, AFRC, 452 SFS, March ARB, CA

 - Air Reserve Component Noncommissioned Officer:   TSgt Brian A. Davies, Jr., ANG, 103 SFS, Bradley ANGB, CT

 - Air Reserve Component Airman: SSgt Marrisa K. Ayers, AFRC, 445 SFS, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

 - Air Reserve Component Civilian: Mr. Mark J. Long, ANG, 105 BDS, Stewart ANGB, NY

 - Company Grade Officer: Capt Jennifer M. Rockwell, ACC, 799 SFS, Creech AFB, NV

 - Flight Level Senior Noncommissioned Officer: MSgt Megan E. Thompson, USAFE, 31 SFS, Aviano AB, Italy

 - Flight Level Noncommissioned Officer: TSgt Juliane L. Breault, AFSOC, 1 SOSFS, Hurlburt Field, FL

 - Flight Level Airman:   SrA Travis S. Summers, USAFE, 52 SFS, Spangdahlem AB, Germany

 - Support Staff Senior Noncommissioned Officer: MSgt Shannon G. Hutto, PACAF, 35 SFS, Misawa AB, Japan

 - Support Staff Noncommissioned Officer: TSgt Samantha J. Padilla, PACAF, 673 SFS, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK

 - Support Staff Airman: SrA Brendon L. Ballew, ACC, 9 SFS, Beale AFB, CA

 - Support Staff Civilian: Mr. Jonathan A. Vance, AETC, 802 SFS, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX

 - Flight Level Civilian Employee (Supervisor): Mr. James L. Rackley, AETC, 14 SFS, Columbus AFB, MS

 - Flight Level Civilian Employee (Non-Supervisor): Mr. Jerald Turner, AFSOC, 1 SOSFS, Hurlburt Field, FL

 - Higher Headquarters Company Grade Officer:   Capt Robert A. Rice, HQ USAFE-AFAFRICA, Ramstein AB, Germany

 - Higher Headquarters Noncommissioned Officer:   SMSgt David J. Edwards, HQ ACC, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA

 - Higher Headquarters Civilian: Mr. Marc R. Huth, HQ AMC, Scott AFB, IL

 These awards bring much deserved credit to the units and individuals within the applicable units, installations and the United States Air Force. AFSFA sends our sincerest congratulations to all unit and individual nominees and winners for their significant achievements. HOOAH!