INTRODUCTION
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Roanoke Chapter 285 - Air Force Association The Roanoke Chapter #285 is one of ten AFA chapters throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. The chapters area of responsibility is the area from Lynchburg west to the Virginia border and south to Bristol, Virginia. The chapter maintains active aerospace education programs with five high school AFJROTC units at EC Glass, Franklin County, Patrick Henry, William Byrd and William Fleming and college AFSROTC units at Virginia Military Institute and Virginia Tech. Currently, the chapter’s membership is approximately 325 and holding. The Air Force Association mission 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 and the Air Force Family and aerospace education. Locally, the Roanoke chapter accomplishes this mission through our major programs such as the Aerospace Education Teacher of the Year, AFJROTC Regional Drill Meet, AFJROTC Field Day, Annual Awards banquet and by sponsoring or supporting more than 30 different activities ranging from guest speaker engagements, recognition ceremonies and public/civic events. The chapter hosts a dinner meeting once each quarter at the Vinton War Memorial, although occasionally we will meet in the Blacksburg and Lexington areas. The typical agenda is: 6:30 pm – social time; 7:00 pm – welcome/president’s remarks; 7:15 pm – dinner; 8:10 pm – guest speaker; 9:00 pm – adjourn. Meals are catered by Teaberry’s in Vinton. Normal cost is $24 for members/guests and $19 for cadets/students/junior enlisted. The chapter attempts to have guest speakers that cover a broad range of Air Force topics which are relevant to our diverse audience of high school and college cadets, active duty and retired military members, teachers and administrators, political officials and concerned citizens. Past guest speakers have included Congressman Bob Goodlatte, General John Jumper, General Lance Smith, General Stephen Lorenz, and Dr Kip Muir to name a few. For 2008, the average attendance is 64. The chapter has a cadet sponsorship program where chapter members help offset part or all of the cost of a cadet to attend a chapter dinner. Through the generosity of our members, 20-30 high school and college cadets attend each dinner. Persons interested in supporting this program can contact the chapter Vice president, Jim Tubbs (see contact info on the Officers page). The chapter produces a newsletter, The Star, each quarter which can be accessed from this website. The newsletter is automatically forwarded to chapter members via email, but can be requested in hard copy by sending an email to the chapter VP for the Newsletter, Jay Thompson (see contact info on the Officers page). Chapter members participate in AFA activities at the state, regional and national levels. Several chapter members have served or are currently serving as members of the Virginia State AFA executive committee. Brigadier General (retired) Scott Van Cleef, the past state and chapter AFA president, was elected as a National Director at the National AFA Convention in September 2008. Lt Col (ret) John Ree serves the state AFA as the VP West and VP for Communications. Membership is open to everyone. For membership information, contact the chapter president, Jim Tubbs, WPhone: 540-946-7702or email jimtubbs@comcast.net .
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