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April 2018Vol: 18 Issue 2
OFFICERSPresident - Ray Brown
(303) 519-4675 • [email protected] VP – Mike Sumida
(720) 606-9714 • [email protected] – Mary Ann Blair
(303) 887-6461 • [email protected] – Margaret Eichman
(719) 250-1275 • [email protected]
APPOINTED VP’S (Volunteer Positions)
Past President - Margaret Eichman
VP Aerospace Technology - Steve Janssen (719) 783-0610 • [email protected]
VP Aerospace Education Gene Vaerewyck • (719) 547-1682
VP Activities - Henry Eichmann (719) 547-3302 • [email protected]
VP Membership Mike Sumida
(720) 606-9714 • [email protected] Josephine Rasmussen
(719)225-8769 • [email protected]
VP Air Force Affairs Mark Maryak • [email protected]
VP Veterans’ Affairs - John Saenz (719) 821-6301 • [email protected]
VP Museum Affairs Shawn Kirscht • [email protected]
Dick Wood • [email protected]
STEM Curator - Cork Hayden [email protected]
VP Community Partners - Peter Juba [email protected]
Chapter Advisors Paul Maye • (719) 289-1721
[email protected] Jeff Chostner • [email protected]
MEL HARMON CHAPTER 128 31001 Magnuson Ave. • Pueblo, CO 81001-4822
www.afa.org
The AFA Mel Harmon Chapter Christmas Party happened on De-cember 9, 2017, at the Pueblo Weis-brod Aircraft Museum. It was great fun to watch all the young children in attendance enjoy receiving gifts from our favorite ‘Santa Eddie’. (San-ta Eddie can usually be found at the American Legion Post 2.) Everyone enjoyed the dinner, the live music and the environment experienced in the museum.
This year, the Pueblo Historical Aircraft Society members joined us and shared in the event. We enjoyed the presences of several City offi-cials and AFA members from other Chapters. Four of our local Commu-nity Partners were also our guests.
As is customary, we honored a disabled veteran and his family. Our wounded warrior’s young daugh-
ters were a pleasure to watch enjoying their Christmas gifts. The parents were given a laun-dry basket full of food and gift cards for additional shop-ping at Walmart. James is a student at CSU-P and states he enjoys the chal-lenges of being in college again. He had served several tours of duty in ‘the sand box’. Kayla has her hands full currently being a full-time Mother.
The eldest daughter had casually mentioned the desire to participate in the Soap Box Derby. When ‘Santa Ray’ (our Chapter President) had
Christmas came early for the Rentie family
On February 7, 2018, the Mel Har-mon Chapter was honored to hold their monthly meeting at the School of Engineering and BioMedical Science (SEBS) - the STEM program at Pueblo County High School. We were hosted by Mr. John Musso, our Chapter’s Teacher of the Year 2017, and students, some of which are members of the two StellarX-plorers teams our Chapter is sponsor-ing.
Following our meeting, many SEBS students took small groups of our mem-
bers and shared their enthusiasm for the programs offered at this school, guiding tours for nearly an hour. These young people were articulate and have an over-all understanding of the state of the art technology found within the walls of this school – 3D printers, 3D graphics computers, multi-media programs and more!
The students are encouraged to work in teams, and enter lots of com-petitions beyond that offered through
STEM tour of Pueblo County HS for Chapter Members
John Musso and Paul Maye• Continued on page 3
There were nearly 100 attendees having a great time and enjoying the dinner
attended the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs meeting the day before our party, he com-mented about Jaiden’s wish. A mem-ber of the staff of the Southern Colo-rado Derby Association was present and encouraged ‘Santa’ to stop by his ‘workshop’ after the meeting. Thus a certificate was born! For more info regarding the Soap Box Derby, check out www.socoderby.com, and put June 16 and 17 on your calendar! As part of the ‘full ride’, an associa-tion ‘car’ is being provided to Jaiden.
The framed picture presented to
From left to right, President Ray Brown, holding toddler Davina, honored guest, James Rentie, second oldest daughter Raine, oldest daughter Jaiden, Past President Margaret Eichman, Mrs. Kayla Rentie, middle daughter Azayah, and baby Ari-Islah held in Kayla’s arm.
• Continued on page 6
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McCandless Pizza Party held on a lovely afternoonValentine’s Day at McCandless was held the afternoon of February 13
when Mel Harmon Chapter members Paul Maye provided pizza, and the Blair’s supplied decorated cupcakes and cookies to the veterans in residence.
Others in attendance that do not ap pear in the pictures include Marv Blair, Mary Ann Blair, Ray Brown, Bob Cancellieri, Henry Eichman, and Doug Rasmussen.
Ernie DeGraw and Paul Maye checking out the pizzas!
... And then the mayhem begins. From left to right, Margaret Eichman, Josephine Rasmussen (her beautiful hair), Ernie DeGraw (his back), Gene Vaerewyck, Mike Sumida (his blue shirt) and Bill Barrett – they all appear to be going in circles as the rest of the AFA team make requests of cheese, pepperoni or sausage pizza to serve the residents.
Paul Maye serving pizza and beverage to a resident.
Pueblo Community Living Center Valentine’s Day Party heldThe American Legion Post 2 joined us, providing drinks and decorated
cookies to go with the pizza provided by our Chapter’s Sandy Perkins. Other Mel Harmon Chapter members (not pictured) in attendance at this event
were Mary Ann Blair, Lucille Corsentino, Henry Eichman, Josephine Ras-mussen and Mike Sumida.
Bob Cancellieri and Marv Blair, ready for action. Ernie DeGraw is in the background.
The Quality Control Team – left to right, Ernie DeGraw, Bob Cancellieri, Gene Vaerewyck and Margaret Eichman check out the pizza!
Marv Blair and Ray Brown (seated) visit with a resident veteran prior to the pizza being served.
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Presidents Thoughts - Ray Brown
The Chapter is doing exceptionally well on the things that we do. We entertain our Veter-
ans in the Florence and Pueblo Assisted Living Facilities. We have held Cash Bingo and Valen-tine’s Day Pizza Parties. We’ve hosted sock hops at the veterans’ facilities, participated in fishing trips, and created our crowning summer event of the year, the Luau. Put June 8 on your calen-dar! The Luau features Polynesian dancers and a delicious lunch. This community event at City Park has been well received over the years. Add our annual Christmas Party to your calendar too – December 8, 2018. Check out the 2017 Christ-mas party article in this newsletter where we honored a local wounded warrior and his family.
The second role of the Chapter is in educa-tion. We have always taken an active part in school tours at Weisbrod Aircraft Museum. We provide financial aid in the form of paying the students’ admittance fees to the Air Museum, and we provide Docents to present stories sur-rounding Air History, Military History, Personal Historic Accounts, and STEM and Aerospace learning. Experts in our Chapter teach stu-dents about The Doolittle Raid, Vietnam Air
Power, African Americans in the Military, Living through the Battle of Britain, and more.
In 2017 we took on two local schools, Pueblo County and Central High Schools in the Stel-larXplorer Program. We were so pleased with the results of these teams that in 2018 we ex-panded to three teams. This AFA program is great and I believe we should encourage each lo-cal high school to become involved and develop teams to compete in 2019. We have assigned Paul Maye to spearhead our Chapter in this area.
The StellarXplorer and Cyber Patriot pro-grams are excellent extra-curricular Programs for our youth at our local schools. We have at-tempted to develop a Cyber Patriot program within the local Middle and High Schools. As yet that effort has not been successful. But, with our Executive Vice President, Mike Sumida encour-aging our membership, our Chapter will find ed-ucators interested in this AFA program. This will prove another avenue for our membership to participate in while furthering our mission. Ide-ally, this may attract corporate partners who are interested in giving their support to such efforts.
Mel Harmon will continue to work with L3-
Doss as they continue to ex-pand their Initial Flight Train-ing School for the Air Force and other branches of the military. Though there is little that we can do to actively support their mission, we’ll ‘be there’ for their students as they tour the Aircraft Museum. As a community partner we appreciate their many fly-overs at AFA and City events.
Sandy Perkins finally receives her 2017 State Medal of Merit award at the Chapter meeting on January 3, 2018.
Pueblo County STEM • Continued from page 1
Ray Brown, students Luke Hawkins and Jeremiah Garcia, Gene Vaerewyck and Mike Wright (his back) and student Jayden Kuhl.
Aaron Quizon and robot from the multi-media program.
Marv Blair, Pete Juba and student Tyler Jones with an in-motion project that did work.
Henry Eichman talking with students Jessica LoPresti, George James and Gianni Tucci. Pueblo County HS SEBS wing.
Our student leaders from left to right: Josh Zupan, Brendan White, Gianni Tucci, Luke Hawkins, George James, Jeremiah Garcia, Sadie Kovtynovich, Tori Martinez, Tyler Jones, Aaron Quizon and the back of AFA member Lucille Corsentino.
Pete Juba, Paul Maye with students Laura Niichel and Brandan White
AFA’s StellarXplorers program. During the tours, they shared many of their activities. One spoke of a program where they design and create an in-motion item…whatever comes forth from the imagination. These robots can be for entertainment or practical use. Our student leader laughed as she explained that her project did not ever become ‘in-motion’, but the chal-lenge had been great fun. Another student demonstrated his ‘mover’ that could pick up and transport an item. The tops of cabinets in the area are covered with unique projects from previous students.
Another area was dedicated to multi-media generation where every student in that study tract had to take their turn at being the co-anchor of the weekly program announcing up-coming events – the completed weekly program broadcast via Internet. They participate in interviews with students, fac-
ulty or community people of interest and generated program ‘shorts’. In this area they have a robot (he’s been around a few years) that is programmed each year to co-host with a human/instructor and make presentations at area middle schools. The goal is to encourage young students to attend County HS. We observed this robot talking and dancing, proudly showcased by his program creator of this year!
We are a proud Chapter to be associated with such a dedi-cated instructor and school district that offers such advanced opportunities for our young people. Mr. John Musso has de-signed, pursued funding for and created this environment, which has been accepted by higher education institutions in our area. Many of the students graduate from high school with college credits attained from classes taught in this program.
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544-8208
“Diamond Importers”(719) 544-0195
GREG ARMSTRONG 119 W. 4th Street [email protected] Pueblo, CO 81003
The Pueblo Historical Aircraft Museum ‘Black Gang’. These guys are the talent behind the restoration of aircraft in our museum. From left to right: Bill Grant, Shawn Kirscht, Rex Hefferan, Joe Musso, Dick Wood, Bob Dyleski and Rick Sandidge.
Executive VP Mike Sumida presenting print of Air Force sky diving team to State President Linda Aldrich. President Ray Brown is holding this picture and Treasurer Margaret Eichman looks on.
Getting in the spirit! From left to right, Ernie DeGraw, Margaret Eichman, Dorothy Keller, Josephine and Doug Rasmussen.
Christmas music provided by Tanya Quintana and Lupe Gutierrez. Tanya is the Gallery Coordinator at the Center for American Values. The musical talents of Lupe and Tanya were very much enjoyed throughout the evening.
Vietnam Helicopter Pilot and Crewmember Monument
Our National AFA President Larry O Spencer has brought to our attention a ceremony to be held at
Arlington National Cemetery on April 18, 2018 at 4pm. We are invited to join in the dedication of a memorial strictly honoring helicopter pilots and crewmembers who died serving in combat from
1961 to 1975 – the Vietnam Conflict. Join Vietnam veterans, Gold Star families and helicopter combat crewmembers as the honor those lost. Statistics: 5,000 of 12,000 helicopters were lost in that theater of operation; roughly 9% of the recorded fatalities (a conservative estimate of 58,307) died in military helicopters.
Christmas Memories Made
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AFA MISSION - The Air Force Association mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force Heritage. To accomplish this, we:• EDUCATE the public on the critical need for unmatched aerospace power and a technically superior workforce to ensure U.S. national security.• ADVOCATE for aerospace power and STEM education.• SUPPORT the total Air Force family, and promote aerospace education.
Middle daughter Azayah gave Santa a big hug before accepting one of her presents.
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Christmas Memories Made
Baby Ari-Islah was excited about her package.
Toddler Davina loved her butterfly wings, and every other package addressed to her.
Second to oldest daughter, Raine gave a beautiful smile while accepting a present from Santa. PHAS President Mike Wright is seen in the background choosing the next present for Santa to give.
Joe Musso’s 2 year old grandson A.J. was a bit unsure.
Eldest daughter Jaiden was also gifted with a scholarship for a ”One Full Ride to the 2018 Joplin Hill Run” Soap Box Derby.
Elon, grandson of Rick Sandidge, smiling for his family.
our AFA State President Linda Aldrich is a print of an Air Force Academy “Wings of Blue” team from the mid-70’s. The program at the Academy has over 19,000 training parachute jumps each year for students who which to pass the Airmanship 490 Program. The teams participate in many competi-tions and demonstrations each year throughout the country. Our Executive Vice President Mike Sumida was a member of one of those teams during his cadet years at the Academy!
The next Christmas party is planned for December 8, 2018, again at the Air Museum!
• Continued from page 1
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Christmas Memories Made
Santa with Karen Ruth Carr’s grandson Aden…both guests of Ernie DeGraw.
A shy Vito Musso, son of Community Party Lisa and Rocky Musso, did stop for a picture with Santa.
Matt Albright, baby daughter stayed home with Mommy, but Matt was there to accept his baby’s Christmas presents! Matt was a guest from the Center for American Values where he serves as Program Director.
Bob Dyleski’s daughter JennaRay Brown’s grand-daughter Ysabelle Rosales
Joe Musso’s son Joey and grandson Cade.
The Pueblo Historical Aircraft Society members ‘merged’ with the Mel Harmon Chapter members of the AFA to celebrate the season at this Christmas party. Since so many members are members of both organizations…why not!?!! Everyone one enjoyed the joint event.
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The Air Force Association (AFA) non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. AFA publishes Air Force Magazine, conducts national symposia and disseminates information through outreach programs. It sponsors professional development seminars and recognizes excellence in the education and aerospace fields through national awards programs. AFA presents scholarships and grants to Air Force active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members and their dependents; and awards educator grants to promote science and math education at the elementary and secondary school level. Additionally, AFA publishes a wide range of materials on www.afa.org.
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Save the Date – June 2 – Military and First Responders Appreciation DayYou may have seen the Pueblo Chieftain’s ar-
ticle of February 19 announcing the arrival of an F-15 aircraft to the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Mu-seum (PWAM). The restoration of this aircraft, last flown by the Oregon Air National Guard (note the tail art), is on a fast-tract as the dedication is to take place on June 2. Retired Gen Looney has an-nounced he will attend, and nearly 20 members of the no-longer-active 22nd Fighter Squadron are planning a reunion in Pueblo around this dedica-tion.
This is the first modern day fighter aircraft to be on exhibit at our museum. All other aircraft at PWAM are Vietnam era and prior. The F15 has been operational for 42 years, and has an air-to-air combat kill record of 104 to zero…all encoun-ters (US, Israel and all other nations that fly this aircraft). In Desert Storm, the Iraqi’s sent their
aircraft to Iran rather than fly against us.We also have seen an F16 delivered, but it is
waiting for restoration due to a need for funding. The F16 has been in operation for 42 years, and has an air-to-air combat kill record of 76 to 1.
BTW, our Community Partner Wilcoxson
Buick-Cadillac-GMC-Truck provided a vehicle for the restoration crew to drive to Arizona to as-sist with the ‘packaging’ for transportation of all the pieces and parts that were removed from the fuselage and transported on the seconded truck. Thank you to Wilcoxson’s!
Lucille Corsentino celebrates with a vet as he accumulates his quarters/winnings.
Henry Eichman calls the numbers for the Bingo players.
Gene Vaerewyck carries the red money bag and dispenses the quarters to the winners.
Margaret Eichman gives a semi-hug to one of the vets. Margaret is a regular volunteer at this facility and knows all of the vets by first name.
Bill Barrett assists a vet to catch all the numbers on his card.
The AFA crew who participated with the bingo party: from left to right, Ray Brown, Henry Eichman, Gene and Janice Vaerewyck, Lucille Corsentino, Mary Ann Blair, Margaret Eichman and Bill Barrett.
...Lots of fun at Oakshire for everyone!
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TAKE OUTCATERINGDINE INNDELIVERY
J.E. (Jeff) Chostner District Attorney
Office of the District Attorney Tenth Judicial District, Colorado (719) 583-6030 701 Court Street, First Floor Fax (719) 583-6666 Pueblo, CO 81003 [email protected]
1706 Roselawn Rd. Pueblo, CO 81006
Kevin F. McCarthy Executive Director
W. (719) 542-2934 E. [email protected] C. (719) 251-4334 www.roselawnpueblo.org
Centennial High School dedicates Veterans Wall in school’s courtyardOn December 7, 2017, Centennial High School Alumni Association dedicated
a Veterans Wall in the school’s courtyard. Graduates of Centennial HS, com-munity leaders, members of area Veteran Associations, family and friends joined for the dedication, which was followed by a social hour in the School’s Museum – a hid-den gem that is unknown to many Puebloans. (You’ll find it opening off the court yard.)
Jeff Chostner and John Saenz, AFA Mel Harmon Chapter members, were among honored school graduates who were presented with personalized tiles. Mr. Chostner was the key note speaker, and John and he also participated as ribbon cutters. Numer-ous Chapter members were also present. (BTW, did you know that David Packard, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard Company, was a Centennial HS graduate?!)
Anyone may purchase a tile for a veteran to be placed on the wall, whether or not he/she attended Centennial HS. Different color tiles will represent the different Pueblo schools and areas outside Pueblo County. Visit www.CentennialAlumni.org or call 719-671-1852 for more information. 3-by-6-inch ceramic tiles cost $25.00.
John Saenz and Jeff Chostner with their personalized tiles.Jeff Chostner (4th from left) and John Saenz (6th from left) among others at the ribbon cutting ceremony. Behind is ‘the wall’.
A partial picture of all the veterans attending the ceremony. Gene Vaerewyck, Bruce Elson, Jeff Chostner and John Saenz are Chapter members.
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MUSSO’S RESTAURANT 35250 Hwy 50 East • Pueblo, Colorado 81006 (719) 948-9733
Mel Harmon Chapter 128Air Force Association31001 Magnuson AvenuePueblo, CO 81001-4822
Calendar of Events
Chapter Membership meeting is held the first Wednesday of each
month at 10 a.m. at PWAM.
May 19 is changed to June 2. “Military and First Responders Appreciation Day” Museum Free Day
May 28 - Memorial Day at Vet-erans Bridge/River Walk
June 8 – Luau at City Park, Ro-tary 43 Pavilion
July 11 – Chapter monthly meeting will be the second Wednesday.
December 8 – Christmas Party
Community Partner NewsOn January 17, 2018, a plaque
denoting the proclamation that Roselawn Cemetery is now listed on the National Register of Histor-ic Places was unveiled. This desig-nation will allow the cemetery to apply for grants which will help in the maintenance of the grounds, among other cemetery needs.
Lucille Corsentino (President of the Roselawn Foundation Board and AFA member) thanked Vic Keen, her Central High School classmate, for donating substan-
tially to the fund which paid for the two-year study required to earn the designation. Mr. Keen has never forgotten his Pueblo roots even though his life took him to Philadelphia, PA, where he has had a successful career as a corporate tax attorney.
The Roselawn Foundation is creating a book of stories regard-ing the lives of some of the folks who are buried at this cemetery - in existence since 1891. Civil War and veterans from all wars since
are buried here, as well as citi-zens whose lives tell the historical events of this community. Of spe-cific interest in military history is the story of Mary Babnik Brown whose ‘perfect hair’ was donated to become the cross lines in the Nor-den Bomb Site. This instrument was used in numerous WWII and Korean aircraft. Her story can also be found at the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum. This book is scheduled to be available for pur-chase in later 2018.
(L to R) Kevin McCarthy (Executive Director), Lucille Corsentino and Vic Keen with the plaque that graces the entry hall of the cemetery’s business offices.
The plaque setting outside the entrance to the Roselawn’s business office.
Brian McCain spoke on behalf of Scott Tipton.
