Past Events

• April 2009

  Minnesota Military Month of the Child

  Apr 18, 2009 - AFSA / AFA Annual Awards Banquet

  The annual Air Force Sergeants Association / Air Force Association Awards Banquet is being held at the Ft. Snelling Officers Club on April 18, 2009 from 1800 to 2115. The registration form is due NLT April 11, 2009. Come for a grand time and support the local awardees. If you can't attend, you can also sponsor a cadet or junior airman to attend the event. If you have questions, contact Bob McGonigal at mcgonigal67@earthlink.net or 952.884.1625.

  Registration form

  Apr 30 to May 2, 2009 - 2009 Division 8/9 Professional Airman's Conference Information

  Division 8 and Chapter 872 are proud to host our combined Division 8/9 convention in O’Fallon, Illinois on April 30, May 1 & 2, 2009.

  More information

  Jun 13, 2009 - Minnesota Honors Vietnam Era Veterans

  Join the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and the Minnesota Veterans community on June 13, 2009 at the State Capitol grounds as Minnesota Honors Vietnam Era Veterans, an event to celebrate, remember and honor all Veterans who served during the Vietnam era.

  Vietnam Veterans served our nation with pride and dignity. This gathering will unite the Minnesota community in celebration of the brave men and women who served during the Vietnam War era. This event will also give Veterans and their families a chance to reconnect with other service members and learn about the latest in Veterans benefits.
   
  It is time to proudly celebrate these individuals and come together as a community in support and gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

  Watch www.mnhonorsvietnamvets.org for more information

• Oct 23/27, 2008 - Vietnam Moving Wall at Little Falls Cemetery

  The Vietnam Moving Wall is making a special stop at the Minnesota State Cemetery in Little Falls on October 23 to 27. The wall will be on display 24 hours a day.

  On Saturday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. there will be a special program. The event will include a special program honoring military men and women who have served.

  The cemetery is located at 15550 Highway 115, Little Falls, MN 56345. The wall is sponsored by the Sons of the American Legion, Post #46 in Little Falls,

  The Moving Wall is the half-size replica of the Washington, D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for more than twenty years. When John Devitt attended the 1982 dedication in Washington, D.C., he felt the positive power of“The Wall”. He vowed to share that experience with those who did not have the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C.

  John Devitt, Norris Shears, Gerry Haver and other Vietnam veteran volunteers built “The Moving Wall”. It went on display for the first time in Tyler, Texas in October 1984. Two structures of “The Moving Wall” now travel across the country from April through November, spending about a week at each site.

  • Flyer
  • Brochure
  • www.themovingwall.org

• 26 Apr 08 - Over the past few years AFSA and AFA has held a joint recognition banquet to recognize top performers in the local area for the Air Force Reserves, Air National Guard, JrROTC, ROTC, CAP, Recruiting and other local area programs. We need your help. AFSA Ch 858 and the General Rawlings Chapter of AFA is work together to plan this major event. To help offset the cost for the event, we are looking for “Sponsors” to buy tables. We are asking members to talk with their employers, and units, and ask them to sponsor a table. The cost for sponsorship is $250.00. The sponsorship gives the donor two free tickets to the banquet and table recognition. The money generated by the sponsorship helps to pay for the award winners and their guest and the plaques and certificates. You can also sponsor awardees with a donation of $25.00. Registration and Sponsor form.
  
  

  NOTE: Message from Michael Vosen:
  
  I’m sending out another reminder about our annual AFSA / AFA awards banquet coming up on April 26th. See the attached flyer / registration form.
  Please fill it out and send it in as soon as you can so we can budget the banquet.
  
  Our Chapter (AFSA CH 858) is the lead on the banquet this year. I want to see an excellent turn out from our membership at the banquet. The Legion Hall, in Forest Lake, can hold over 300 people. I would like to see at least 100 AFSA members come to the banquet. I will also need volunteers to help out at the banquet!
  
  This event is our one time each year to recognize our outstanding people in our area from the different organizations. i.e.: 934th Air Wing, Air Force Reserves, 133rd Air Wing, Air National Guard, CAP. ROTC and JrROTC. This is our chance to THANK these people for what they’ve done for their organizations. This year’s theme is a Birthday Party for the Air Force (and Air Force Reserves) Celebrating 60 years!
  
  I know not everyone will be able to attend, but you can still help. We are looking for people to sponsor awardees. ($25.00). (The awardees and a guest are free) Send us any donation to help with the event, it will be greatly appreciated! Please make copies of the attached flyer to give to out to promote the event.

• Sep 6/10 - The Moving Wall will be coming to the St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Medical Center on September 6 to 10, 2007. The Moving Wall is a half-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial located in Washington, D.C.
  
  
• Sep 9 - Automobile extravaganza to benefit MN troops deployed to the Middle East.  September 9 from 9am to 3pm at Veteran's Memorial Park, Richfield, MN, 64th and Portland.  Live auction at 1pm.  Silent auctions hourly. 300-500 classic cars on display.  FREE admission, donations encouraged.  All donations will be used to send care packages to troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait.  There will be live music, concessions, free items and live and silent auctions. www.victorydrive.org
  
  
• Sep 14 - The Minnesota Twins will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the U.S. Air Force on Friday, September 14 at the Twins vs. Dodgers game. A special pre-game ceremony will honor past and present Air Force members.
  
  
• Sep 14 - Small Business Development Centers sponsors a FREE training seminar at the Sheraton Hotel in Minneapolis on the topic of Small Business Training for Veterans and Service Members. Learn how to explore and expand your business opportunities. The training is open to National Guard, Veterans, Reservists and thier spouses/partnets. While the event is free, preregistration is required.
  
  
• Sep 21 - The POW / MIA Vigil program will be held on September 21, 2007 at the Minnesota State Capitol in the WWII Memorial. The program starts at 3:30 pm.
  
  
• Sep 21 - Small Business Development Centers sponsors a FREE training seminar at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Saint Paul on the topic of Small Business Training for Veterans and Service Members. Learn how to explore and expand your business opportunities. The training is open to National Guard, Veterans, Reservists and thier spouses/partnets. While the event is free, preregistration is required.
  
  
• Sep 28 - Small Business Development Centers sponsors a FREE training seminar at the Minnesota State University in Moorhead on the topic of Small Business Training for Veterans and Service Members. Learn how to explore and expand your business opportunities. The training is open to National Guard, Veterans, Reservists and thier spouses/partnets. While the event is free, preregistration is required.
  
  
• Oct 27 - Women Veterans of Minnesota to honor World War II Women Veterans. Come to a noon luncheon atht eh Minneapolis VA Medical Center Atrium to thank Minnesota's WWII Women Veterans who scrificed so much to preserve and advance freedom. Reservations must be made by Friday, October 5th.
  
  
• Nov 6 - The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is sponsoring a Veterans Job Fair on November 6, 2007 at the Earle Brown Centre in Brooklyn Center, MN from 11 am to 4:30 pm. DEED is expecting at least 90 employers to be present.
  
  
• 27 May - Armed Service Appreciation Day, Twins vs. Blue Jays. Up to 4 complimentary tickets for any current or former member of the US Armed Service or their families. Proof of military service required. Tickets available day-of-the-game only and may be picked up at the Gate H tent outside the Metrodome. Presented by Qwest.
• 9 Jun - Minnesota World War II Memorial Dedication. The MN WWII Memorial will be dedicated at the Minnesota State Capitol on June 9, 2007. The event will run from 10 am to 4:30 pm with the official dedication at 2 pm.

Planned events for the day will include:

• Capitol Building Events: static displays about the home front including legislation, information on the draft, labor shortages, rationing, black outs, civil defense, biographies of soldiers, and interviews of WII veterans by the historical society.
• Front Lawn of the Capitol: period re-actors, cantinas, military exhibits
• Red Cross Bloodmobile from 10 am to 3 pm. Call Pat at 651.296.0080 to schedule an appointment.
• Roll cal of Minnesota casualties of WWII by the monument
• First Aid tent
• Big tent: newsreels, networking, food, socializing
• Group picture of MN WWII veterans on the front steps of the capitol at 1:00 pm
• Flyover by WWII aircraft at 2:00 pm
• WWII era singers and orchestra perform popular period songs
• Program starts at 2:00 pm and includes color guard, speakers, music, and the dedication of the monument. Program ends with a 21 gun salute and Echo Taps.

Note: Volunteers are needed to make this event a success for our WWII Veterans. Go to the site below to find out how to volunteer.

For more information, view the information at the MN Dept. of Veterans Affairs: www.mdva.state.mn.us/WWIIMemorial.htm.

• 21 Apr 2007 - Annual AFA / AFSA Awards Banquet
• 19 May 2007 - EchoTaps 2007
• 3 Feb 2007
  • Membership meeting / Elections
  • Sew Much Comfort benefit - Sew Much Comfort is a non-profit organization helping service members who have special clothing needs do to injuries from the battle field. (Flyer / Letter)
• 27 Jan 2007 - Winter Carnival Grand Day Parade: The Winter Carnival has setup a "military group" for the portion. Veterans and military units are encouraged to march. Family members are welcome to march. The units can be a drill team, marching soldiers, bands, etc. Units will march separately. The parade starts at 2 pm. and an inside staging area will be provided for the marchers.
• 11 Nov 2006 - Veterans Day
• 4 Nov 2006 - Membership Meeting - Saturday Nov 5th at 1645 hr (934th UTA)
• 5 Nov 2006 - GET YOUR BOOTS SHINED!!! We are doing a SHOE SHINE fund raiser and membership sign up on Sunday November 5th, at the BX from 1100 hrs to 1300 hrs. Let AFSA help you look sharp!
• 13 / 15 October - US Air Force Memorial Dedication
  • Powerpoint of the dedication
  • Air Force Link information
  • Air Force Memorial Foundation
• 6 May 06 - Annual BBQ Picnic and Quarterly meeting - 1645 @ 27 APS
• 16 Apr 04 - Dome Night at the MN Twins. Come out, have a good time and raise some money! Instructions for the event.
• 10 Jan 04 - Membership meeting and elections in the Enlisted Club at 1630.
• 14 Nov 03 - Annual Awards Banquet at the 934 AW Officers Club
• 25 Oct 03 - Membership meeting at the 133 AW Wing Commanders Conference Room starting at 1630.
• 12 July 03 - Membership meeting at the NCO Club starting at 1700
• 18 May 03 - MN Twins Dome Fundraiser
• 5 Apr 03 - Our next quarterly member meeting is going to be during the 934th UTA, this coming Saturday, April 5th. The NCO Club will be closed this UTA, so the meeting will be in Building 760 (Headquarters), Room 192, at 1630. I will be inducted as President and we will watch a new video that just came out entitled "Why AFSA for the Air Reserve Components?" (meeting flyer)
• 18 Jan 03 - Membership meeting at 133 AW.
• 20 Sep 02 - Annual POW/MIA Ceremony at the Court of Honor, Minnesota State Capitol Grounds
• 26 Sep 02 - Dome night. AFSA 858 fundraiser at a MN Twins game. (Instructions for participants)
• 1 Oct 02 - Employers Appreciation Breakfast at the 133 AW
• 5 Oct 02 - Membership meeting. 934 AW NCO Club at 1700. Refreshments provided.
• 19 Oct 02 - Oktoberfest at the 133 AW
• 2 Nov 02 - Annual Awards Dinner
• 27 May 02: It seems this is the year that people are putting the emphasis back into Decoration Day. You may know it more as Memorial Day. There will be the traditional services with your local VFW or American Legion. Also, there is the traditional service held at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Bloomington, MN. Besides these local events, services and ceremonies, there are places putting on bigger celebrations. Three we know of are:
• Melaleuca Freedom Celebration - Put the "memorial" back in Memorial Day. Plans are under way to have the largest fireworks display end a Memorial Day celebration at Harriet Island in downtown St. Paul. The FREE event will have a patriotic theme and end with the fireworks display. The event starts at 5:00 p.m. with a parade.
• Minneapolis Veterans Home (by Minnehaha Falls) - Volunteers are needed for pushing wheel chairs. Meet in the front lobby at about 1230. The ceremony begins at 1300. The Governor will be speaking at 1400 in the Auditorium of Bldg 15.
• Mall of America - In Defense of Freedom - A Memorial Day Celebration. Today, millions of Americans still serve with the same pride and dedication of those before them. They hope they are never needed, but stand ready for the call. Join us in recognizing those who have given their all for your freedom, and those who serve today, ready to answer the call of our nation. The Memorial Day celebration will include an Army Medal of Honor display, skills competitions, the Navy Rock Band and much more! 11:00am - 7:00pm, New enlistment swear-in ceremony at 3:00pm, Sam Goody Central and East Broadway.

• 1 Jun 02: General Membership meeting on Saturday at 1700, at the 934th Airlift Wing NCO Club.
• 10 Aug 02: First Annual Camp Ripley "Armed Forces Retiree Activity Day (AFRAD) sponsored by Retired Enlisted Association Chapter 115. For more information contact the chapter at trea115@aol.com.
• 2 Mar 02: Induction ceremony at the NCO club at 1200 for the new President. Division 8 President, CMSgt Carton will preside over the event.
• 2 Mar 02: Enlisted Call for 133 AW, 342nd RS, 934 AW at the NCO Club at 1500. 21 AF Command Chief will address the troops.
• 6 Feb 02: In memory of Maj Dan Anderson. To honor Maj Dan Anderson and his commitment to professional military organizations such as ours, we pass along word that there is a fundaiser coming up for the Freedom fund. The Freedom Fund is an educational fund for Reserve Officers Association (ROA) members and AFROTC cadets. To support the fund, people interested can help run a hotdog booth at the Metrodome on Saturday, 16 Feb 02. Each person working will earn $60 to the Freedom Fund. If you are interested, contact the webmaster for more information.
• 9 Feb 02: General Membership meeting, 10:00 a.m. at the American Legion Post 550 on Lyndale Ave and 94th St in Bloomington. See the Presidents message about this meeting!
• 12 Jan 02: Trustees meeting, 10:00 a.m. on at the American Legion Post 550 on Lyndale Ave and 94th St in Bloomington.

Page last updated: 22 September 2009