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October 2008 |
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If this Newsletter isn't displaying properly, please visit our Online Version
A Note from our Chapter President Once again another quarter has passed, and unfortunately the vast majority of you have not found the time to join us in our AFA Chapter 118 activities. Hurt but undaunted by your absence, we have managed to represent the AFA pretty well in San Diego and contribute something back to both the men and women who currently serve our nation and the veterans who need our help. In the process, I hope we have managed to somehow, albeit marginally, help to meet the goals and objectives of the AFA and the USAF. In July we had our monthly meeting in conjunction with the California Air National Guard (CANG) 147th Combat Communications Squadron (CBCS) 2008 Family Day. We had pretty good participation from both regular and cadet members. A number of local AFA/Silver Wings members helped with the food preparation, setup, and cleanup. It was a great afternoon, and everyone had a lot of fun. There was food, music, awards, a watermelon eating contest, and a pie-in-the-face for the commander and senior NCOs. Also in July, we were represented at the California AFA (CAFA) State Convention at Because so many of our members belong to and participate in different veterans’ groups, we don’t usually do veterans’ appreciation events as a chapter. However, on 20 September we hosted, along with the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA), a cook out and party at the Chula Vista Veterans Home. This event was one of the best we have had this year. Thirty or so AFA and AFSA folks showed up to eat with and talk to the veterans who live at the home. Together, we celebrated the USAF birthday. Hopefully most of you check out the San Diego Chapter website every now and again to see what we are doing and what is coming up next. If not, you should. In addition, reading your monthly Air Force Magazine, and getting on the mailing list for Air Force Magazine Online Daily Report is a good way to keep up with what is going on with our Air Force during these difficult times so we can react appropriately when necessary. Besides this newsletter, our website, and our occasional general audience e-mails, I keep a short e-mail list of about 50 or so members who tend to be a little more active in chapter activities. I communicate with the folks on this short list concerning items that pop up during the month and might be of interest to the chapter. If you would like me to add your name to that list, just send me an e-mail at fran010106@yahoo.com. Fran Keenan Chapter 118 Salutes SMSgt Donna J. Goodno, an “Outstanding Airman” Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) Donna J. Goodno, Mission Support Flight Superintendent, 147th Combat Communications Squadron (CBCS), California Air National Guard, was selected as one of the 12 Outstanding Airman for 2008. The Air Force Personnel Center announced her selection in July. She was the most outstanding of nominees from the field operating agencies, direct reporting units, and the Air Staff agencies. Her impressive list of titles includes 147th CBCS Senior Noncommissioned Officer (SNCO) of the Year, California Air National SNCO of the Year, and Air National Guard SNCO of the Year. She is also one of the newer members of Chapter 118. Her outstanding leadership, technical knowledge, and initiative were instrumental in helping her squadron meet its commitments at home and in helping other units during multiple overseas and war-zone deployments. We offer SMSgt Goodno our warmest congratulations on this unique honor and wish her continued success in the future. We intend to have her as a guest speaker at a Chapter meeting. Please come out and congratulate her. 2008 Third Quarter Report. Following is our 2008 3rd Quarter Report – Activities and Financial. It provides a spotlight view of what we planned to do for 2008 and how we are progressing against the plan. It also includes the financial report so you can see what it is costing to execute our plan. We are currently building the plan for 2009, so if you have any ideas of things you would like to accomplish, send them to us right away. Get involved in your local AFA Chapter Your Chapter 118 Officers, invite you to come to one of our monthly Chapter meetings and get involved with your local San Diego Chapter. The meetings are a great way to meet your fellow AFA members and learn what's new, you may even discover a long lost friend, it happens all the time. We're involved in numerous activities in the community to promote Air Force issues and support educational initiatives. Your involvement can be as light or heavy as you want it to be, no pressure. From time to time, we schedule guest speakers to speak to the members on current issues or to provide a personal perspective of events in our military history. We also partner with local chapters of other military organizations to leverage our combined networks and talents. So, plan to attend one of our future meetings. Check our website or e-mail or call one of the officers for information. CAFA Education Foundation for Aerospace Scholarship Program The CAFA Education Foundation for Aerospace scholarship program for this coming year is underway. EFA expects to provide at least three $1,000 scholarships—one from each CAFA area. The Chapter must have the applications into the EFA Executive VP by the suspense postmark date of April 13, 2009. There are separate application for high school and college applicant.
Applications may be obtained through the California Air Force Association (CAFA) website:High School, College Applications can be emailed to you by contacting Gene Alfaro: gene_alfaro@cox.net.
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Edwards AFB by Lt Col Hire, Commander of the 147th CBCS, Senior Master Sergeant Donna Goodno from the 147th, and our own VP for Membership, 2nd Lt Leanne Babcock. Leanne sat through all the boring business meetings. Doug and Donna joined her for the banquet on Saturday, where Donna was recognized as one of the 12 Air Force Outstanding Airmen for 2008. Leanne was presented a Meritorious Service Award for all the great work she has done to support Chapter 118 and the AFA at large.