Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings National Conclave
May 17, 2023
The 2023 Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings National Conclave (NATCON) was held at the Westgate Resort in Las Vegas, Nev., over Easter weekend. Maj. Gen. Al Flowers, Brig. Gen. Dick Bundy, Col. Lee Ellis, and Col. Chuck DeBellevue (members of the Air Warrior Courage Foundation (AWCF)) were on stage for panel discussion on the Vietnam War Monday morning, the day after Easter.
The Foundation provided $2,000 to the University of Oklahoma Arnold Air Society and $1,000 to the Oklahoma State University (OU) Arnold Air Society to help them with their expenses to attend NATCON. Two OU Arnold Air Society cadets received national awards at the National Conclave. Cadet Maj. Alfonso Ortiz received the Brig. Gen. Richard Bundy “Excellence” Award for being the most outstanding member of Arnold Air Society and Cadet Fourth Class Nathan Frasco received a National Level for Outstanding Service to the National Organization.
In addition, since July 1, 2022, the AWCF has provided $59,000.00 in Lorentzen Grants to 55 cadets of all Reserve Officer Training Corps at 22 different detachments.