Fort Worth Air Force Association

Detachment 845 Air Force ROTC, TCU/Fort Worth, TX held their annual POW Recognition Ceremony at 3:30 PM in the University Campus Chapel and at the Campus Central Flagpole area at 4:30 PM September 16, 2010. The Fort Worth Chapter of the Air Force Association was represented by Colonel Dan Heth, USAF (Retired). The formal flagpole ceremony followed a very stirring speech by Lt Col Jerry A. Singleton, USAF (Retired), Vietnam POW, in the TCU Campus Chapel. As an Air Force pilot, (then) Major Singleton was assigned to a Royal Thai Air Base in northern Thailand flying rescue missions over North Vietnam. He was shot down November 6, 1965 while on such a mission over North Vietnam. After evading the enemy for five days, he was captured and held as a prisoner of war in what was known as the “Hanoi Hilton” for more than seven years. He was released on February 12, 1973. His military awards include: Vietnam Service Medal, 2 Silver Stars, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with 3 “V” devices, Purple Heart and the POW Medal. He retired from the U S Air Force, as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1985.

An equally stirring flag ceremony was performed by the Det 845 AFROTC Cadets at the TCU Campus Flagpole Area where the POW and the American flags had been hoisted. The entire AFROTC Unit formation stood at attention at the base of the flagpoles. Facing the AFROTC Unit formation, on the opposite side of the flagpoles, were the recognized dignitaries including the AFROTC staff and its Commander, Lt Col Jara N. Lang, Lt Col Singleton, his wife, son and grandson, Colonel Dan Heth and AFROTC Cadet Colonel Ryan Forrest, all standing at attention while the flags were being lowered by a team of four AFROTC Cadets. The POW flag was lowered and folded first, followed by the lowering of the American flag and the ceremonious folding by the Cadet team of four. The folded American flag was then presented to Colonel Singleton by the Cadet team leader as a memorial to him from AFROTC Detachment 845. The 26th Annual POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony hosted by the Cadets of Texas Christian University Air Force ROTC Detachment 845 and the members of General Samuel E. Anderson Arnold Air Society, led by AFROTC Cadet Colonel Ryan Forrest, was indeed a memorable event for the Air Force ROTC, the University and Fort Worth’s Chapter, Air Force Association.

Please reserve your seat for the Fort Worth Air Force Association Evening in Fort Worth, set to take place on the 7th day of March at the Renaissance Worthington.  Guests are welcome to arrive for the reception at 1830.  Dinner begins at 1930 and will feature mixed leaf salad with toasted walnuts, poached pears, blue cheese and port wine vinaigrette, pan seared salmon with balsamic vinegar and white bean ragout or peppered bacon wrapped filet mignon with roasted shallot sauce, and turtle cheesecake with caramel sauce or chocolate mousse dome.  The price is $60 for guests and $30 for cadets. Payment in advance is requested.  Please send your reservations to:

We are proud to announce that An Evening in Fort Worth, our black tie event, is set for the 7th of March. Our distinguished guest speaker will be General Stephen Lorenz, Commander, Air Education and Training Command.

Stay tuned for updates!

Your Fort Worth AFA Chapter has proudly sponsored the JROTC Trinity Trot.  It was a great event that proved the philosophy of being “Fit to Fight” is alive and well in our youngest Airmen.