Northeast Region Profile
Region President: Eric P. Taylor
Region VP Aerospace Education: Sanford Way

The Northeast Region (NER) is comprised of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. There is a state organization for each state with seven chapters in both NJ and NY, and twelve chapters in PA. The total region’s membership is about 6,000. Chapter size ranges from a few small chapters of 40 to 60 members to the larges chapter #202, Long Island, with about 750 members.

The Region has a limited active military service presence near AFA chapters with JB McGuire in NJ, West Point in NY, and the Carlisle Barracks in PA, home to the Army War College. Chapters in each state actively support their respective ANG units where available. However, the majority of chapter activities are focused on support of cadets, veterans, aerospace education, Air Force heritage and Community activities. The following will just highlight some of the programs NER chapters are conducting:

New Jersey
State President: Lt. Jared Kleiman
State Vice President: Howard Leach (Acting President during Lt. Kleiman’s deployment)

At a recent meeting of the Shooting Star Chapter 195, speaker Jack Whitcomb of Basking Ridge, NJ, a WWII B-25 Navigator-Bombardier, historian, presidential scholar, and author of “Real Life at the White House,” gave a talk about Arthur Raymond Brooks, a WWI Ace based on the History Channel film “The First Dog Fighters” and on Smithsonian filmed interviews. Brooks was a long-time member of Chapter 195. At the end, Whitcomb revealed that he was the nephew of 1st Lt Phillip Hassinger, Brooks’ wingman, who was shot down and killed the day of the dogfight depicted in the film, September 14, 1918. The Chapter is named after the ‘Shooting Stars’ motto of the 22nd Aero Squadron commanded by then-1st Lt. Arthur Raymond Brooks. The Chapter sponsors STEM teachers, promoted High School CyberPatriot with the entry fees, and awards yearly Aerospace Education awards to two CAP squadrons.

The Sal Capriglione Chapter 190, led by President Martin Capriglione, recently visited the NJ Institute of Technology AFROTC Detachment 490 cadet lounge and noticed that the furniture was in poor condition and took action. They purchased and delivered a new leather sofa, love seat and club chair. Also, they plan on donating two 60-inch round work/study tables. They hope that this will raise the spirits of the cadets while they work and rest in the lounge. Further, during the holidays, chapter members set up a display table to honor and remember PWO/MIAs at a Home Depot store holiday party.

Members of the Mercer County Chapter 293, led by President Stewart Zitzner, presented over $400 worth of items for “Toys for Tots” to the Marine Battery G 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Base, West Trenton, NJ. They also periodically visit the Veterans Memorial Home, Vineland, NJ, and spend the day playing games, especially Bingo, and provide prizes for the winners. One vet received a leather bomber jacket that was sent to him by Steve LaPoint, Chapter VP.

The General Fred Castle Chapter 310, led by George Filer, is named after Brigadier General Frederick Walker Castle, a West Point graduate, who received the Medal of Honor for service in WWII. The chapter supports the Air Victory Museum, Medford, NJ, and is active in UFO sighting reports. They also have been active with local JRROTC and CAP units.

The High Point Chapter 374 meets at the American Legion, Branchville, NJ, where it conducts aerospace educational programs and an AFA briefing at the Young Eagles, Mt. Pocono Airport. The Chapter also visited the Lyons Veterans Hospital in November. Led by Chaplin Richard Ball, USA (Ret.) they are planning on a trip to the Intrepid, NYC, and a cruise from Weehawken, NJ, and working to get NJ AFA custom license plates.

The Hanger One Chapter 192, led by Nick Mullaney, speaks at the Brick High School AFJROTC monthly meetings, recruits at the VFW and American Legion posts meetings, and attended a ceremony to honor Veterans of Mid-East conflicts. They are considering a support request from the CyberPatriot finalist team at Red Bank Regional High School, Little Sliver, NJ, which will compete in the national final round at the Gaylord National Harbor Convention Center, from March 31st -April 2nd, 2011.

The Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. Chapter 360, until recently led by Gerry Jones, who suffered a stroke, hosted the NJ AFA Convention at the McGuire Joint Base Club in August. Col. Christopher Luedtke, 87th Mission Support Grp. Cmdr., gave a briefing on Afghanistan that had been given at the Pentagon as well as on his own deployment. Lt. Col. Jerry Updegraff, 817th Global Mobility Squadron Cmdr, spoke on his unit’s Haiti Relief Mission deployment. The Chapter sponsors seven Visions classrooms and presented four Pitsenbarger Awards to CCAF Graduates. It also supports the Warm Heart spouse program for active, ANG, and Reservist service members on deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.

New York
State President: Maxine Rauch
Staten VP Aerospace Education: Sanford Way

Remembering Pearl Harbor continues to be a major event for Long Island Chapter 202. President Fred Di Fabio organizes "The Dropping of the Roses" at Long Island's Airpower Museum in Farmingdale. On December 7, 2010, nearly 600 people gathered for the ceremony, which included a contingent of sailors blessing 69 red roses, one for each year since 1941. The roses were the loaded on an AT-6 and flown to the Statue of Liberty where the roses were dropped into the water at exactly 12:55 PM. This event was transmitted live to a TV news program in New York City.

Since the Airpower Museum houses WW II memorabilia and aircraft that still fly, it is also a fitting backdrop for the chapter's 22nd Jubilee of Liberty Medal Ceremony, which honors veterans who fought during the Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944. This is usually held in June in conjunction with the chapter’s Education Recognition and Awards Luncheon to honor the chapter's selection of a Long Island Teacher of the Year, a Community Leader, a Visions of Exploration Teacher, Visions of Exploration Student Essay Winners and a high school student for the $1,000 scholarship award in memory of WW II Ace Col. Francis S. Gabreski.

Iron Gate Chapter 275 will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year on July 28th. The chapter continues to meet at the renowned and prestigious Manhattan "21" Club where the AFA founders originally met. Chapter President Frank Hays stated that the celebration will be honoring Chief of Staff General Norton A. Schwartz, USAF and paying homage to Colonel Maxwell "Mac" Kriendler, Iron Gate's Founder. However with the recent demise of General J. Stanley Holtoner, who is becoming known as the "The Father of Edwards Air Force Base" for building Edwards into a premier flight test center, a sadness is marring the celebration, particularly since Iron Gate planned to honor General Holtoner with a $5,000 Hap Arnold Educational Fellowship. Yet celebrating where Iron Gate has been meeting since 1961, chances are the good times will overshadow the bad surrounded by such countless memories.

The chapter continues to excel in its commitment to aerospace education by granting three Jimmy Doolittle Education Fellowships at $1,000 each and supporting the Tuskegee Airmen Heritage Essay Contest, to name just a few programs.

Genesee Valley Chapter 308 in Rochester has been hosting the Air Force Academy Hockey Team for six consecutive years. The chapter coordinates a night of fun and fellowship with Air Force supporters, which includes Parents Group and other Air Force organizations in Western New York State. Chapter President Sanford Way says “We all go to watch the sold-out Hockey Game between RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) and the Air Force Academy. After the game the chapter hosts a social event with food and conversation with the AFA Hockey Team, their coaches, local Air Force organizations and family members." This is becoming a tradition that all Air Force related groups in the area look forward to with great enthusiasm.

Air Force Academy Hockey Team vs. RIT
Opening Ceremony – National Anthem

General Carl A. "Tooey" Spaatz Chapter 251 supports the CAP and maintains an Air Force presence at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. Ed Giampoli, Chapter President, has committed the chapter to maintaining communication with members of the Spaatz Family. Appearing as a guest speaker in June of last year, Edit Laver, a granddaughter of General Spaatz, spoke about a forthcoming book being written by Katherine Gresham, another granddaughter.

The Hudson Valley Chapter 197 sponsored a Homeland Security Symposium at the College of Nannascale Science and Engineering of the University of Albany in August of 2010. According to Chapter President Michael Szymczak, "A highlight of the symposium was the panel discussion about Homeland Security headlined by Brigadier General Verle L. Johnston of the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air Force Base." The chapter continues to pursue a series of activities with the AFROTC Det. 550 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Civil Air Patrol.

The L. D. Bell Niagara Frontier Chapter 204 continues to honor those who died on that Day of Infamy with its Pearl Harbor Remembrance Brunch. Keeping with tradition the chapter uses this event to recognize an outstanding high school student with a $1,000 scholarship.

Last, but not least is the smallest -- Chatauqua Chapter 338. President Steve Kockler is extremely proud of his troops for winning the Community Partner Membership Award at the 2010 AFA National Convention. The chapter has another unique distinction – its own, published author. Chapter Member Candy Kyler Brown just had a book published -- THINGS I NEVER TOLD YOU is about her father's life as a POW during WWII. After the death of her father, Candy discovered material he had compiled during WWII. This inspired her to do considerable research on the subject to include interviews with chapter members who had been B-17 crewmembers. The book describes her father’s experiences to include those of a POW who was finally liberated in May 1945 from Stalag Luft 1 by the Russians.

Pennsylvania
State President Robert Rutledge
State VP Aerospace Education Thomas G. Baker

The Buzz Wagner Chapter 221, lead by President William Burns, continues its tradition of conducting outstanding Community Relations events. On October 23, 2010, the recently identified remains of Lt. Col. Boyd D. “Buzz” Wagner, Johnstown’s native son and the first Army Air Corps ace of WWII, were interred at his gravesite during a Repatriation ceremony at Grandview Cemetery. The Chapter was responsible for the overall coordination and management of the ceremony that included various local veterans organizations, the US Army Reserve 458th Engineering Battalion Honor Guard that conducted the Military ritual while the Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic played ceremonial music, and the US Air Force 17th Weapons Squadron flew F-15 Jets Fighters overhead to honor the hometown hero. Colonel Wagner had been the Commander of the predecessor unit the 17th Pursuit Squadron. Flags were flying from the color guards of the Air Force JROTC Detachment from Ligonier HS and The Korean War Veterans Association while the Civil Air Patrol Squadron 1501 stood at attention. Plus the 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron (PAANG), helped support the awesome flyover. The 258th also had many airmen at the ceremony. The Blacklick Valley High School Marching Band did an outstanding job playing patriotic music before and after the service. The ceremony received significant media coverage in the greater Pittsburgh area. In addition to the Repatriation ceremony, a memorial luncheon was held at the Holiday Inn in downtown Johnstown. Local government leaders including Congressman Mark Critz, State Representative Bryan Barbin made comments during the luncheon.

Buzz’s Nephew Col. Boyd Gilbert and wife Sally

F-15 ‘s from 17th Weapons Squadron

A previous chapter project was related to the Johnstown Flood Memorial. The memorial’s eternal flame would not stay lit during severe weather. The chapter, working with the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and a local engineering company, developed and installed a new design for the flame holder. The engineering company, Air Management Inc. is now a community partner of the chapter. The eternal flame has already survived two extreme winters. The Buzz Wagner chapter also supports awards ceremonies at two local JROTC Detachments and one CAP Squadron.

The Lehigh Valley Chapter 274, President Gerald Still, participates and supports the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council along with Lehigh Valley Veterans Roundtable for recording WWII veterans’ histories. The chapter, with chapter member CAP Major Maurice Connor, plays a lead role at the Civil Air Patrol Hawk Mountain Training School near Allentown, PA.

Each year, in December, the Pocono North East Chapter 354, President Joe Sylvester and other chapter members, along with Santa Claus, visit The Gino Merli Veterans Center and the VA hospital and distribute gifts to the residents. Also at various times during the year, the chapter takes a number of residents of the VA home out to breakfast to a local restaurant. The chapter also participates in annual Veterans Day and Memorial Day parades and events in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area.

The Joe Walker Chapter 388 played an active role in the annual Wings over Pittsburgh Air Show at the 911th Airlift Wing, Greater Pittsburgh International Airport in 2010. Chapter president Doug May and other chapter members support an AFA information booth at the air show as well as providing support to the air show staff. The chapter also participates annually in the Veterans Day Parade in Charleroi, PA. According to past chapter president, Jim Cain, they march along with the TREA and their float. The chapter supplies a car with the AFA signs on it for the parade. The chapter also participates in the 4th of July parade in Latrobe, PA.

The Greater Pittsburgh Chapter 224 participates in an annual ceremony to Honor veterans at Pittsburgh South Hills Memorial Day parade. Chapter president Tillie Metzger serves as parade marshal and president of the South Hills Memorial Day Parade committee. The chapter also makes annual award presentations at two local AFJROTC Detachments and one CAP Squadron.

The Altoona Chapter 350, lead by President Tom Baker, is involved in Armed Forces Day activities at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center each year in May. The chapter, along with the Civil Air Patrol of Altoona, set up a booth to educate the public about the Air Force Association. Chapter members also serve on the Armed Forces Day Committee representing the Air Force. Each year the chapter conducts the Cadet of the Year Board for the Civil Air Patrol Squadron in Altoona and presents the outstanding cadet with a plaque. Last November, the chapter also conducted the board for Area 5 of the CAP in State College and presented two awards for squadrons in State College and Phillipsburg. The chapter has conducted programs for veterans in area nursing homes on Valentine’s Day and Veterans Day.

The Liberty Bell Chapter 223 lead by President Bud Hamman, is the largest chapter in the state and located in Philadelphia – naturally! Last year the chapter initiated a new program in support of AFJROTC in the Philadelphia School District. Each year the School District sponsors a City-wide Drill Competition for the 15 Junior ROTC units. The chapter now sponsors the Trophies for the top two AFJROTC units in the competition to provide an additional incentive since several of the Army units are Military Academies.

Chris Valle, Chapter Secretary (L) and Col. Elwood Hipple, Director of JROTC
(R) award 2nd Place Trophy to Cadet Colonel Kamara, Bartram HS at the 2011 Drill Competition

The chapter has also generously supported the expansion of the USO facility at the Philadelphia International Airport and been actively involved with support of the 111th TFW PA-ANG at Willow Grove NAS. However, BRAC has eliminated the flying mission and the last A-10 left the wing in June of 2010 and the unit does not yet have a new mission. In addition, the DOD has declared nearly 900 acres surplus – that includes the runways. The future of this unit and the air museum are in doubt and the chapter will be evaluating its future support efforts.

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