Scholarship Applications
LtCol Cindy Kepple
Scholarship Chairperson
The 129th Alumni & Heritage Association (AHA) provides Educational
Scholarships to unit members and their dependents each year. Applicants need
to be currently enrolled in an educational program. A current transcript, a
statement of work in progress from the educational facility or other
evidence of program participation is required for all applicants.
Wing Members applying for a scholarship are required to submit a letter of
recommendation from their squadron commander with the application. This
letter should describe the endorsement reason and brief description of the
individual’s future potential. Military dependent applicants are required to
submit a letter of recommendation with their application. Military dependent
applicants will also be interviewed by a Scholarship Committee member.
The deadline for submitting scholarship applications is the close of
business on Sunday of the November UTA. Applications for Wing members can be
obtained online at:
http://www.129aha.org/ScholarAppl.htm
and for Dependents at:
http://www.129aha.org/ScholarAppl2.htm
Completed applications can be submitted to the 129th Alumni & Heritage
Association Scholarship Chair, Lt Col Cynthia Kepple, by e-mail atcindy_kepple@yahoo.com or by mailing the application to her home at 2221
Walnut Grove Ave., San Jose, CA 95128-1241. Applications can also be
submitted to CCMSgt Liliana Ramos in the Headquarters Building. For more
information about the scholarships, please e-mail Lt Col Kepple or call her
at (408) 221-0060.
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Legislation Allows Veterans to Salute the
Flag
Ryan Cassin
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) praised the passage
by unanimous consent of his bill (S.1877) clarifying U.S. law to allow
veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the flag. Current law (US
Code Title 4, Chapter 1) states that veterans and servicemen not in uniform
should place their hand over their heart without clarifying whether they can
or should salute the flag.
"The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one's
military service," Senator Inhofe said. "Veterans and service members
continue representing the military services even when not in uniform.
"Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether veterans and
service members out of uniform can or should salute the flag. My legislation
will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and servicemen alike to
salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not.
"I look forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at baseball
games, parades, and formal events. I believe this is an appropriate way to
honor and recognize the 25 million veterans in the United States who have
served in the military and remain as role models to others citizens.
Those who are currently serving or have served in the military have earned
this right, and their recognition will be an inspiration to others."
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The Prez Sez
The President's Column
Lt Col Jesse Craddock (Ret.)
For many,
Labor Day marks summer’s end, the return to work routine, and the kids’
return to school. The Board enjoyed a summer break and is now back working
on several projects.
The Wing Commander has requested the Association undertake a project to
purchase a model of each aircraft the Wing has flown. The models would be
displayed in the Wing Headquarters foyer. The Board is reviewing several
model companies’ products and will select one to provide the model aircraft.
Association members who flew a particular aircraft or have a favorite Unit
aircraft will be given the opportunity to contribute to purchasing a model.
More information will be in the December Newsletter.
Board Director Lt Col Steve James is developing an internet notification
system intended to allow members to send information and notifications to
Association members. Watch for it towards year end.
The Association deployment bags have become a popular item with deploying
Wing members. The bags contain water, snacks, gum, and a deck of cards. We
have provided bags to the Operations, Support, and Medical Groups. Bags are
being prepared for the Security Forces Squadron, bringing this year’s total
to approximately 300 bags.
A $1,000 scholarship donation in Brigadier General Albert Santos’ memory was
received from Ronald VandenBerghe. Again this year, the Bay Area MOAA
Chapter pledged $500 which the Association will match for a 2007 scholarship
grant. The scholarships will be awarded at the 2008 annual Old-Timers’
lunch.
The Wing’s Annual Family Day will be held during the November UTA. This is a
great opportunity to tour the various Wing Units. A picnic will be held
after the annual awards ceremony. This year a number of special door prizes
are being awarded.
Since the last column, two Association members have passed away: CWO Eugene
Baker and SMSgt Wallace Glavor. The Newsletter contains an obituary for
SMSgt Glavor.
Enjoy the fall football season…. ‘Til the December column!
Jay
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Air Force Discontinues Use of Base Decals
by SMSgt Matt Proietti
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFRNS) -- Air Force officials are working with the other
services to allow its people to enter military installations without
requiring them to display a base decal on their vehicles.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley recently ended use of the
sticker, officially called a DD Form 2220, on Air Force installations
because of cost, a lack of utility and long-term threats facing bases. The
decal was developed in the 1970s as part of a vehicle registration and
traffic management system, not to bolster security, said Col. William
Sellers, the Air Force chief of force protection and operations for security
forces. "There was a clear and definable need for this system (then)," he
said. "A nationwide vehicle registration database did not exist, insurance
was not required by all states, and a process was needed to expedite vehicle
entry onto installations."
Air Force officials began questioning the value of the vehicle registration
system in 2005 because of security concerns. Many people incorrectly viewed
the decal as being designed to bolster security, Colonel Sellers said. In
actuality, the decal lessens it by identifying vehicles of Airmen and
civilian workers as potential terror targets and may lure gate guards into
complacency.
Laws now require motorists to have a legal driver's license issued by a
state, proof of vehicle ownership/state registration, evidence of insurance,
and safety and emissions inspections. A national vehicle registration system
is used by all civilian and military police departments in the country.
If a vehicle from a Navy base is parked illegally on an Army installation,
the military police cannot use its DD Form 2220 to track the owner because
the two services do not share vehicle databases. Instead, the police will
use the license plate number or vehicle identification number to obtain
information via two national systems that provide comprehensive driver,
vehicle data and access to law enforcement agency information, the colonel
said. Security forces and gate guards now check the ID of each person
entering an Air Force installation, Colonel Sellers said. This provides
better security than a base decal ever did because:
The vehicle displaying it could have been sold with the decal on it.
Its owner may have left the service and not removed the decal.
The number on the decal could be duplicated.
The decal could be counterfeited.
The decal may have been removed from another vehicle.
The vehicle may have been stolen.
Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., has not seen an increase in gate traffic since
it stopped issuing base decals six months ago, said Master Sgt. James Osban,
the NCO in charge of the 509th Security Forces Squadron Police Services.
"We're identifying the people coming on base and not the vehicle," he said.
"We've done a 100 percent ID check for years."
Air Force officials have asked the other services to allow entry of its
people to their installations by honoring their common access cards,
appropriate identification or even by issuing them a DD Form 2220, which
would enter them in another branch's database. In many cases, Ai r Force
people visit other installations to shop. Colonel Sellers said, "Commanders
want Air Force personnel on their bases."
Some within the Defense Department feel the registration system still has
utility, regardless of inherent weaknesses. Colonel Sellers believes
installation commanders who worry about the time it takes to access bases
"need to face today's security challenges." Using the old system "puts the
military in serious danger of losing credibility with its own personnel and
the general public. The threat is here, it's real and we must continuously
improve our processes and procedures." The military branches have spent
millions on new entry points, but have failed to review the process of how
they allow entry onto an installation, Colonel Sellers said. "The strength
of a redesigned gate is defeated if the process to enter is flawed," he
said. "Our first line of defense becomes irrelevant. The priority is not
expediting entry, but knowing who is entering." (Courtesy of Air Force Print
News)
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SMSgt Wallace J Glavor
10 April 1922 – 18 May 2007
 A long time resident of Castro Valley, Wallace John Glavor passed away on
May 18, 2007.
Wally was born in Oakland on April 10, 1922, the son of John and Adelina
Glavor. He attended schools in Oakland, graduating from Castlemont High
School in 1941. Rather than pursue his desired career in medicine, he chose
to enlist in the Army and served in World War II in Fairford, England at the
186th General Hospital. He loved to share his memories of this time, both
humorous and heartrending, with his family who loved to listen. In July 1947
he became part of the Oakland Police Department and served for 26 years. For
12 years he also served in the Air National Guard’s144th Fighter Wing in
Hayward. After retiring from the Oakland Police Department, he served for 6
years with the BART Police.
He leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Phyllis, and their two children,
Carol Jean and Jeff; his daughter-in-law, Ineke; his grandchildren, Sarah
Schantz, Hannah and Tim Glavor; his brother, Robert; his sister-in-law,
Rosemary Glavor; his brother-in-law, Drago Golmac; his sister-in-law, Eva
Bueno; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Wally was a member of the Oakland Police Association, Veterans of Foreign
Wars, Native Sons of the Golden West and Camraderie. After full retirement,
he remained active, driving the train at the Oakland Zoo, working in the
rose gardens at both his church and his home, and mowing lawns in the court
where he resided for over 53 years. Both at home and in his car he enjoyed
swing and big band music, and always kept a well-supplied candy stash.
He was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church of Hayward and served
on the Board of Deacons.
Donations can be made to the Heart Association, the Memorial Fund at First
Presbyterian Church of Hayward, or a favorite charity.
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129th
Members Carry on Tradition of Professionalism and Excellence
By
Colonel Amos Bagdasarian
129th RQW Commander
Recently there was news that brought pride and recognition to the 129th
Rescue Wing and the California Air National Guard. This news makes me proud
to serve here and it should make you proud too.
Three members from the 129th received national recognition, which
spotlighted their dedication to the 129th mission, professional development,
mentorship, and the improvement of their communities. One of our units and
an aircrew were also recognized for their outstanding work and dedication to
our motto, "That Others May Live."
Chief Master Sgt. Rodney E. Lockett of the 129th Security Forces Squadron
was awarded the 2007 Blacks in Government Meritorious Service Award. He has
been a role model for African Americans through his military leadership as
well as his community involvement. As the California Air National Guard's
first African American Chief Master Sergeant in the Security Forces career
field, his mentorship to minority troops has been invaluable.
Master Sgt. Gary A. Flossmann from the wing's Military Equal Opportunity
office was the 2007 Air National Guard winner of the League of United Latin
American Citizens Excellence in Military Service Award. Sergeant
Flossmann'spositive and professional attitude towards wing personnel
positively impacted unit morale. He also made immeasurable contributions to
the Hispanic community through the League of United Latin Americans and his
teaching position in the Stockton School District.
Master Sgt. Christopher Underwood, First Sergeant for the 129th Maintenance
Squadron, was awarded the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People Award in a ceremony held in Detroit, Mich. His passion for
people motivated him to perfect an outstanding accountability process for
the Operational Readiness Inspection as the Operations and Maintenance
Groups' First Sergeant. He is a talented motivational speaker who has spoken
across the country at functions for the Reach for Tomorrow Program.
Do you notice a pattern?
These outstanding Airmen are leaders in their units and in their
communities. They emulate the whole person concept.
But wait, there's even more great news!
The crew of 129th Rescue Squadron's Jolly 92 won the Air Force Association's
2007 Earl T. Ricks Award for outstanding airmanship for their response to a
major in-flight emergency in May of 2006. This distinction has been awarded
to 129th crews numerous times in the past.
Lastly, our Security Forces Squadron was the National Guard Bureau's
Outstanding Security Forces Squadron of the Year for 2006. This is the
second consecutive year the squadron was named best in the Air National
Guard.
All of this recognition has been awarded since June and it's been
overwhelming! Be sure to congratulate these stellar individuals and unit
members.
The award recipients have demonstrated that professional and community
efforts, whether big or small, reflect a tradition of professionalism and
excellence of 129th RQW members. Think about ways that you can positively
impact your unit and community and do your part to carry on the tradition.
Again, my hearty congratulations to all of the award recipients!
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New to the Gang
Our Newest Members
MSgt Sharon J. Dean
SSgt John Gordon
MSgt Lori A. Huntley
Welcome !
Do you know someone who has been affiliated with the 129th
RQW or its predecessor organizations - and is not a member of the
Association? Let's get them signed up!
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Final Flyby
In Memoriam
We bid farewell to our members who have departed on their
final journey.
CWO Eugene Baker
SMSgt Wallace Glavor
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DEFINITION OF A VETERAN
A veteran - whether Active Duty, Retired, National Guard,
or Reserve
is someone who, at one point in his/her life,
wrote a blank check made Payable to 'The United States of America',
for an amount of: ‘Up to and Including my life.'
That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country
Who no longer respect or understand it
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Are You
Missing in Action?
Dead Letter Department
Have you moved recently - or not so recently? Do we have your
correct mail and e-mail addresses & phone number? Please let us know when you move.
The newsletter is mailed out with a request for address correction.
The post office does not forward the newsletter to you. They return it to us - and charge
us 41¢. Then we update your file, put your newsletter in an envelope, put a
41¢ stamp on
the packet, and mail it out to you. Total additional cost to the association is nearly
$1.00 per returned newsletter.
Please take a moment to remember the
129th AHA when you notify your correspondents of your new address. A
member
information change form is included in every issue.
Col. John L.
Ruppel, Jr. (Ret.)
6718 Zerillo Drive
Riverbank, CA 95367-2122
E-mail: J-L.RUPPEL@WORLDNET.ATT.NET
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