Official Website of
The
Air Force association
Colonel H. M. “Bud” West Chapter
419
“AFA’s
Outstanding Medium Chapter of the Year for 2007” “AFA’s
Outstanding Medium Chapter of the Year for 2008” |
Contents
Mission of the Air Force
Association
Who was Colonel Herbert Madison West, Jr.?
How does “Bud” West fit
into the AFA Mission?
Profile of the “Bud” West
Chapter
Chapter Officers
2019-20: Contact Information
Chapter Newsletters – “The Tallahassee AFA Flyer”
Mission of the
Air Force Association
The mission of the Air Force Association (AFA) is to educate the public
about the critical role of aerospace power in the defense of our nation;
advocate aerospace power and a strong national defense; and support the United
States Air Force, the Air Force Family and aerospace education.
The AFA is an independent, nonprofit, civilian education organization promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. AFA publishes Air Force Magazine, conducts national symposia and disseminates information through outreach programs. It sponsors professional development seminars and recognizes excellence in the education and aerospace fields through national awards programs. AFA presents scholarships and grants to Air Force active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members and their dependents; and awards educator grants to promote science and math education at the elementary and secondary school level. Additionally, AFA publishes a wide range of materials on Air Force Association website.
In 2006, AFA celebrated its
60th Anniversary and consolidated its activities with those of the Aerospace
Education Foundation, formerly an affiliate. The consolidation allowed AFA to
become a tax-exempt charitable education institution. The combined organization
operates under the name ‘Air Force Association’ and has continued and expanded
the educational programs of the former Aerospace Education Foundation.
How does “Bud”
West fit into the AFA Mission
As the “Bud” West Chapter is over 100 miles from the nearest Air Force
installation, long ago the chapter’s executive council determined that our most
effective support of the AFA Mission could be best achieved by concentrating
our efforts and attention to education of the public about the critical role of
aerospace power in the defense of our nation.
Toward this end, “Bud” West has developed a multitude of initiatives
designed to support advancement of math and science curriculums in our schools,
and to support both senior and junior AFROTC programs in Tallahassee and
surrounding areas. In addition to our
support of the AFROTC program at Florida State University and the AFJROTC
program at Godby High School in Tallahassee, our outreach also provides support
to two AFJROTC programs in southwest Georgia.
More than a decade ago, after soliciting and receiving permission from
AFA (Georgia), “Bud” West began its uninterrupted support of the superb AFJROTC
programs at Bainbridge High School and Thomasville High School, which were not
in close proximity to any Georgia AFA chapter.
We are also proud of the excellent coordination and working relationship
that exists between the chapter and Tallahassee Composite Squadron 432 of the
Civil Air Patrol. Now, and throughout
our chapter’s history, many “Bud” West Chapter members have also been members
of that fine U. S. Air Force Auxiliary organization.
Also, “Bud” West has established working relationships with the Challenger Learning Center and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory here in Tallahassee. On separate occasions, “Bud” West has hosted very productive semi-annual meetings for the five Northwest Florida AFA Area chapters using the superb facilities of each organization. These meetings were very successful and showcased premier facilities that can be directly linked to the Air Force Association’s goal of advancing aerospace education through emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We are always looking for new members with new ideas, not only to build on and nurture these mutually beneficial relationships, but to seek out and develop new collaborative relationships.
Profile of the Colonel H. M. “Bud” West
Chapter
As of July 31, 2013 there were 264 members of the “Bud” West Chapter,
of which about 11 percent were Community Partners, 30 percent were life
members, and 13 percent were AFROTC Cadets from Florida State University. About 83 percent of our members reside in
Tallahassee, 16 percent reside in surrounding areas of Northwest Florida, and
the remainder live in adjacent states.
We have a good mix of civilians from around the community and retired
military – both officer and enlisted, mostly Air Force but several from the
other armed services. We also have a few
active Air Force, reservists, former service members, active Civil Air Patrol
members and Community Partners dedicated to supporting and working to achieve
the goals and objectives of the Air Force Association.
Chapter Officers 2018–20: Contact Information
This chapter is governed by an Executive Council. Together with the elected officers listed
below, a group of function-specific vice presidents and other chapter members
are annually appointed to serve on the “Bud” West Chapter Executive
Council.
|
Thomas S Carney 850-597-1639 |
Stephen Sullivan 1928 Saddlebrook Drive Tallahassee,
FL 32303 850-556-4578 |
|
Vacant |
3234 Salinger Way Tallahassee, FL 32311 850-405-8511 |
|
• VP Community Partnership/Membership Stephen Sullivan |
|
|
|
|
|
Lynn Damron |
How can I get involved?
When the Air Force
Association and the Aerospace Education Foundation (AEF), merged in 2006, all restrictions on membership in the
association were removed. The AFA of
today is open to all—a totally inclusive
organization. As such, we are always
seeking new members that share our beliefs that aerospace power provides for a
strong national defense. The easiest
and friendliest way to get involved with the “Bud” West Chapter is to contact
one of the officers
listed above. We always have a handful
of applications and would be happy to meet with you, tell you about our
chapter, and answer any questions you may have.
If you would prefer to quickly begin or renew your AFA membership,
please follow the appropriate link below – and be sure to designate AFA Chapter
419, Colonel H. M. “Bud” West as your chapter affiliation.
AFA Links
Peruse
Air Force Magazine Online
Community Partners
Businesses or any individual with interests in aerospace power and
national defense may wish to consider the Air Force Association Community
Partner Program. This program publicly
identifies a business or an individual as a supporter of the Air Force
Association and, consequently, of the Air Force and its people. The “Bud” West Chapter has consistently been
a national leader in the recruitment of dedicated men and women who wish to
contribute to America’s peace and security through affiliation with an
independent, nonprofit, national association, dedicated to promoting a strong
deterrent force. If you are interested,
or know of others who may be interested, please contact Stephen Sullivan, our
Vice President for Community Partners at 850-556-4578; he will be pleased to
meet or talk with you.
Chapter Dinner Meetings through 2020
Quarterly, “Bud” West convenes the Chapter dinner meetings in
Tallahassee at the new Holiday Inn, 2003 Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee. The social gathering prior to
the meeting provides an excellent opportunity to see old friends and to make
new ones. Generally, a brief business
meeting is followed by buffet dinner, which by all accounts, is always
excellent. The evening is topped off by
a distinguished guest speaker whom the chapter’s executive council has sought
out to speak on a subject of topical interest to our members. The dinner
meetings through May of 2020 are:
|
15 August 2019 |
|
21 November 2019 |
|
20 February 2020 |
|
21 May 2020 |
Social: 1830
hours
Dinner: 1915
hours
Holiday Inn Hotels & Suites
2003 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee
Chapter Newsletters: “The
Tallahassee AFA Flyer”
(PDF file formats must be viewed with Adobe Reader, click the Adobe Reader logo
to download a free version)
Last site revision was July 26, 2019.