• Chapter wins AFA award
• $6k presented in scholarships & awards
• Applications for $1,000 scholarships now being accepted
  
• AEF founder recognized
• Chapter meeting news
• Event updates
  

The AFA Awards committee selected the Alamo Chapter to receive the Association’s Exceptional Service Award for Best Single Program. This award recognizes the chapter’s accomplishments and is a fine tribute to the dedication and outstanding efforts of our chapter members on behalf of the AFA.

The awards will be presented during the 2009 National Convention at the Field Awards dinner, Saturday, September 12, 2009 in the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center.

The chapter would like to thank all of the chapter members who worked hard to make this award possible. The Alamo Chapter is grateful for the continued quality and passionate work put forth by its members. We look forward to celebrating this with all of you.

We are in need of a new Webmaster. Mike Nishimuta, our current Webmaster, has a wealth of knowledge to pass on to his successor. So please volunteer! Contact Gary Copsey at copseyg@hotmail.com or Mike Nishimuta at mike@nishimuta.net if you are interested.

The Aerospace Education Foundation (AEF) is happy to announce that once again, in 2009, the AEF will award family scholarships in the amount of $1,000. The AEF is a nonprofit organization that serves the Alamo Chapter #234 of the AFA. The purpose of our Foundation is to promote the AFA Mission:

• Advocate aerospace power and a strong national Defense
• Support the USAF and the AF family
• Promote AEROSPACE EDUCATION to the American people

AFA members may submit for consideration, the AEF Family Scholarship form in this Defender. The form requires specific information and must be 100% completed. Spouses, high school seniors and current college/university students are all eligible providing the sponsor is a current member in good standing of Alamo Chapter #234. Completed packages must be received not later than Aug 19, 2009. The winners will be notified directly by email/mail. The names of the winners will be announced in the next published Defender. Don’t procrastinate-get those packages in the mail today!

David Pope

President

Aerospace Education Foundation

This quarter the Alamo AEF presented ROTC scholarships to 22 high schools and two colleges amounting to over $6,000. Here are some of the highlights.

Mike Nishimuta presented the Alamo Education Foundation Bronze Medal Award to Cadet Heather Favaron, April 22 in Kerrville, Texas. The award included an official citation, a bronze medal, and a $250 scholarship.

Retired MSgt Robert Floyd presented the Bronze Medal award and a $250 scholarship to Cadet Colonel Erik Camarillo of Floresville High School JROTC. Cadet Camarillo received a four-year scholarship from Air Force ROTC and will attend Texas A&M where he will be in the Corps of Cadets and the Aggie Band.

(Photo on the left) Dave Pope presents the AFA Award for AFJROTC to Cadet Ramiro Ramirez of Tx 781st AFJROTC at Oliver Wendell Holmes High School, April 17, in the Homes HS auditorium. Cadet Ramirez's instructors selected this junior because he exhibited outstanding leadership qualities.

(Photo on the right) Ralph Chalfant presents cadet Ashley L. Brown an AFA ROTC award at a ceremony at Texas State University, April 22. Cadet Brown has demonstrated exceptional service and commitment to the 840th Cadet Wing and Texas State University through her involvement in various activities throughout the year. As a first year cadet she is a member of Arnold Air Society and has a 3.05 GPA. She is the epitome of our Air Force Core Values.

Cadet Ellsworth's previous leadership positions include Arnold Air Society Deputy Director of Training, Assistant Physical Fitness Officer, and General Military Course Advisor. He currently serves as the Lyndon Baines Johnson Squadron commander for Arnold Air Society where he strives to improve the retention and excellence of the Society. Cadet Ellsworth has won numerous awards and recognition including the AFROTC Meritorious Service Award and the College of Applied Arts Freshman Leadership Award.

Cadet Sepaugh has served as the Cadet Wing Recruiting Officer and currently serves as the Cadet Flight Commander where he strives to improve morale and instill discipline into Cadets. He is also a member of Texas State Veterans Alliance and has a 3.02 GPA. Cadet Sepaugh has won numerous awards and recognition including the Air Force Achievement Award, Air Force ROTC Commendation Award, Honors Ribbon, and Recruiting Ribbon.

Ralph Chalfant presents the General C. Robert "Bob" Kehler Scholarship to Cadet James A. Ramirez at a ceremony at Texas State University April 22.

Cadet Ramirez has demonstrated exceptional service to the 840th Cadet Wing and Texas State University through his involvement in various activities throughout the year. His previous leadership positions include Assistant Physical Fitness Officer and Project Warrior Officer. He currently serves as the vice commander of the Lyndon B. Johnson Squadron of Arnold Air Society where he strives to improve the retention and excellence of the Society. He is also a General Military Course Advisor in the detachment and works to enhance and embrace cadet life through his guidance and leadership. Cadet Ramirez has a 3.57 GPA and has won numerous awards and recognition including the AFROTC Commendation Award (2), AFROTC Achievement Award (2), and the Top Dog Award for passing the Physical Fitness Assessment with perfect score of 100 points.

Dave Pope represented the Alamo Chapter by presenting the Pitsenbarger Award winners with certificates and $400 scholarships at the Community College of the Air Force and Distance Learning Graduation at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, July 8.

The eight winners are MSgt Aldino J. Williams, TSgt Amy K. Touchette, TSgt Primus J. Skumatz, SSgt Shaun R. O'Dell, TSgt Jere M. Lazard, SSgt Monica T. Cox, SSgt. Zahi Y. Abi Chaker and SSgt. Sergio Garcia (not pictured).

Quick Calendar of Events

The Alamo Chapter participated in the Fort Sam Houston Cemetary Memorial Day Ceremony, May 25. Chapter member, Ed Addins, presented a wreath in rememberence of all who have fallen.

Special thanks to Eric Renth, Maj Francis Roberston, Maj Bob Howard, Lt Rojas, and SMSgt Annie Howell for your work in making this happen!!

The Texoma Region Convention will be held in Plano, Texas July 17-19 in the Southfork Hotel. AFA Chapters from Texas and Oklahoma will participate.

For more information and to register visit the Texas AFA Web site, www.texasafa.org.

We have enjoyed air supremacy since the Korean War…but it wasn’t cheap. We learned the hard way by not planning for the eventuality of US involvement in WWII. Leaders like Billy Mitchell had it right but no one at the top was listening.

Are we headed that way again?

Do we need to fight the battles on the Hill all over again to show the value of airpower and the need to maintain a service that is focused on that realm?

Freedom truly isn’t free; and if we don’t plan for the future it will be even costlier. We don’t have the ability to rapidly spin up as we did in the 1940’s. It is up to all of us who cherish our freedom to ensure we are not leaving it up to a future generation to figure it out. We need to plan and prepare now for the unknown future.

Freedom isn’t free, but it will be even more expensive in many ways if we fail to take a strategic view.

We wish to thank our Community Partners who continue to support the AFA
and make our programs possible...
We could not do it without you!
For information on our community partner program and how to join, see our
website at www.alamoafa.org. Our VP for Community Partners is John Dipiero

www.alamoafa.org