Fort Worth Air Force Association

On Sunday morning May 5, Col Sparky Adams, USAF Retired, and Fort Worth Air Force Association Chapter member went out to get the morning paper.  The World War II veteran has been flying the U.S. flag in support of the troops since the war in Iraq started four years ago, but someone stole the flag from in front of his Benbrook home.

He wondered at first if a bad storm had blown it away. “But when the pole and flag were gone, this bothered me real bad,” Adams said.  “And I flew it for 9½ years,” he said. Adams who also supervised Vietnam aircraft maintenance in Thailand, said “It makes me more than mad, disappointed,” he said about the theft.

The theft caused an uproar from fellow Air Force Association and Daedalians members and vets in general.  Marsha Krotky, president of AFA NE Chapter got a WWII Medallion from the Non Commissioned Officer Association.  Bill Lawson, a former Fort Worth AFA Chapter President said “I had the pleasure of presenting Col Adams with a flag and the medallion on Saturday, 12 May”.

Bob Slaughter, the AFA Texas State President said “I can’t believe the response. On a day when life was not the best, something outstanding happened with your support and generosity to a fellow Air Force retiree and WWII veteran.  It was hard to believe that someone would take an American Flag from someone that had devoted his life in support of this great nation.  He knew the odds for survival when he elected to enter the service, but the overwhelming desire to defend this great country came first.  As an American, Air Force retiree and AFA Member, I cannot thank you enough for your support and devotion.  I know that Colonel Sparky Adams feels the same way.  You have made a difference.”
 
After being presented the flag, Adams said “It’s going to stay there until (the war is) over.”

Written by Norm King
Vice President Communications

With the roar of race cars muffled in the background, months of planning, sweat, blood and tears (ok, maybe not blood) were triumphantly rewarded for the Fort Worth Chapter 272. On a beautiful spring evening in March at The Speedway Club, Texas Motor Speedway, the chapter hosted another successful “Evening in Fort Worth”. Although the chapter has hosted the annual fund raiser black tie event for over a decade it is really a weekend long event. This year was no exception. Key note speaker this year was the Commander of Air Force Material Command, General Bruce Carlson. The chapter was also honored to have AFA Chairman of the Board, Bob Largent, attend.

Events during the day on Friday included meetings arranged by recent National Director Dan Heth with top Air Force leaders based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (Carswell Field).  Mission briefings were presented by Major General Craig Collins, commander, 10th Air Force (AFRC); Colonel David McMinn, commander, 136th Airlift Wing (ANG):  Colonel Kevin Pottinger, commander, 301st Fighter Wing (AFRC).  Following the briefings, General Collins and Colonel Pottinger provided a flight line tour of the 301st Fighter Wing’s F-16 aircraft, where some of the aircrew and maintenance members shared their experiences from recent Iraq and Afghanistan deployments. Later that evening Chairman Largent hosted a casual dinner with the chapter officers not only from the Fort Worth chapter but those from Dallas as well. Also in attendance were former National Officers Dan Heth and Tom Kemp, and state Executive Vice President Dave Dietsch. This smaller group was able to interact with the chairman and he was able to give those in attendance a “State of AFA” and current activities and interest at the national level.

Saturday was a full day with the arrival of Gen and Mrs. Carlson and a tour of the OV-10 Bronco Association/Forward Air Controller and Vintage Flying Museums at Meacham Field, in Fort Worth.  Of course the big event was the black tie and mess dress function that evening. With Mike Snyder, a local TV news anchor as Master of Ceremonies and Chapter President Ross Wood at the podium, the evening’s events were kept running as well as the cars on the track. Although the muffled sounds of race cars practicing around the track could be heard in the background it was like a smooth melody not an annoyance. By the time supper was complete, awards presented and General Carlson had given the almost 200 military, civic leaders, community partners and ROTC cadets in attendance an update about Material Command, the sounds of Jazz by Crosswinds Jazz Band replaced the sound of race cars. Dancing and socializing concluded the weekend events. Comments were overheard being said about the elegance of the Speedway Club and what a pleasant change in venue from a downtown hotel in past years.

Our black tie event was held 10 March, 2007. We were honored to have General Bruce Carlson, Commander, Air Force Materiel Command as our guest speaker.

Officials at Walter Reed Army Medical Center are seeking donations for wounded troops who are forced to leave behind personal belongings when medically evacuated from war zones. Many of the troops arrive with nothing. Because of the speed with which the most seriously wounded are evacuated from Iraq or Afghanistan, their belongings are often left behind and don’t catch up. The center is looking for everything from shoes, gloves, winter jackets, postage stamps, prepaid phone cards, and razors.  The Family Assistance Center requests that no cash or used items be donated. Among some of the more specialized needs are weightlifting gloves (for use by wheelchair patients), trousers with snaps or zips along the legs, umbrellas, and prepaid gas or grocery cards. Donations can be sent to:

Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Medical Family Assistance Center
Bldg. 2, 3rd Floor, Room 3E01
6900 Georgia Ave, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20307-5001

It’s just around the corner!  On Saturday, 10 March the next “Evening in Fort Worth” will be held at a new location - the Speedway Club at Texas Motor Speedway.  Stay tuned for more information.