Optional Event - Dinner Cruise

Approximately 30 convention goers enjoyed the optional Dinner Cruise on San Diego Bay. The group was able to sit together on the ship, which made for a great time. The food was excellent. We could hardly believe that the cruise was over after three great, fun-filled hours.

Barbara Avery Scholarship and Division 13 Convention Fundraiser

Thanks to the generosity of the members in attendance, a total of $2,730.00 was donated to AFSA's Four Worthy Charities. An additional $155.00 a donated to the Enlisted Widows' Home. Prize winner in the Barbara Avery Scholarship and Division 13 Convention Fundraiser donation drawings were:
 

Prize	Winner
First Place - $500.00	Teresa Higgins
Second Place - $300.00	Geno Piccoli
Third Place - $100.00	Robert Anderegg
Fourth Place - $50.00	Elmo Cash
Fifth Place - $50.00	Norman Baker

Training/Briefings

A number of briefings and training sessions were provided for members. Among them were:

1. Navigating the AFSA Headquarters Website. This informative slide show briefing was provided by Senior Advisor Claude Vogel. Particular emphasis was on how to complete new recruit and retention information in the appropriate places to ensure that the information is properly recorded.

2. Membership. This briefing was presented by Third Trustee Jorge Hinojos.

3. Legislative. This briefing was presented by Second Trustee Deanna Collins. She used a slide show briefing that was well received. A copy of the briefing is available on this site. Please go to the Legislative page for information on starting the online briefing. Once downloaded to your computer, the briefing may be saved on your computer for showing locally.

Elections 

Elections were held for the positions of Division 13 Vice President and Division 13 Second Trustee.

The incumbent Vice President, SMSgt Steve Diamond, was re-elected to the position of Division 13 Vice President for a two-year term.

MSgt (Ret) Christopher D. Sepulveda, Los Angeles AFB Chapter 1330, was elected to the position of Division 13 Second Trustee. He begins his two-year term effective at the end of the convention.

There is a change in the position of Division 13 Advisor, which is an appointed position. MSgt (Ret) Anthony C. "Tony" Rollis, Past Division 13 President (1995-2001) accepted appointment to the position of Division 13 Senior Advisor.

The former Division 13 Second Trustee, MSgt (Ret) Deanna Collins, Chapter 1356, Edwards AFB, vacated the position because she is preparing to move out of State. Her husband, CMSgt James Collins, has been reassigned to Dyess AFB, TX. MSgt (Ret) Collins was a "sparkplug" for this division as trustee and legislative committee chair. She will be greatly missed.

The former Division 13 Senior Advisor, MSgt (Ret) Claude Vogel, vacated the position because he is pursuing other activities. He has performed the job of Senior Advisor in addition to Division 13 Training Officer for the past three years. MSgt (Ret) Vogel will also be missed on the Division 13 Executive Council.

See the Division Officer listing  for information on committee assignments and field operations responsibilities for the new Division 13 Executive Council.

The members of the Division 13 Executive Council extend to both MSgt (Ret) Collins and MSgt (Ret) Vogel a heartfelt "thank you" for their long and faithful years of service to the division and wish them happiness and great success in whatever comes next in their lives.

Color/Honor Guards

Color/Honor Guard participation for this convention included members from the 147th Combat Communications Squadron, CA ANG and San Diego State University AF ROTC. The POW/MIA Honors during the Honors Banquet were precisely performed by the Honor Guard members under the direction of and narration by Division 13 First Trustee CMSgt (Ret) Norman Marous, who is a member of the Vandenberg AFB Honor Guard.

Guest Speaker

CMSgt Augustin Huerta, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 452nd Air Mobility Wing, AFRC, March ARB, gave a dynamic, interesting, and informative talk to the attendees of the Honors Banquet. Chief Huerta also performed as Board Manager for the First Term Airman and Junior NCO Selection Boards. We thank Chief Huerta for his service to this convention.

Sadly

During this past year we lost former Division 13 President (1983-1987) CMSgt (Ret) Marcel-Henri Claing. His photo and the names of all the other Division 13 members remember in their final fly-by were prominently paced on the Memory Table.