veterans

Happy 110th Birthday to the United States Marine Corps Reserve

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Today, August 29, marks the 110th birthday of the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

The Marine Corps Reserve was established on August 29, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Naval Appropriations Act of 1916. Created as the United States prepared for the possibility of entering World War I, the Reserve provided a trained force that could augment the active-duty Marine Corps when the nation needed it.

That mission has continued for 110 years. Reserve Marines have served alongside active-duty Marines in every major American conflict since World War I. During World War II alone, approximately 70 percent of the nearly 590,000 Marines who served were reservists.

Today, Marine Forces Reserve provides approximately 100,000 Reserve Marines who can support and augment the active component in times of war, national emergency and contingency operations, as well as in training, exercises, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and other missions.

The Air & Space Forces Association Palm Springs Chapter 134 recognizes the men and women of the United States Marine Corps Reserve, past and present, for 110 years of service to our nation.

Happy Birthday, Marine Corps Reserve. Semper Fidelis.

Three Great Reasons to Join Us at ROC’s Firehouse Grille

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 is growing in exciting new ways. We’re expanding our aviation activities, growing our Cyber Education programs, building new partnerships, and launching initiatives that will strengthen our Chapter while creating new opportunities for our members.

Now we need your participation. Everyone is welcome.

Whether you’ve been a member for years or have recently joined us, we encourage you to attend our events in person as often as possible. Meeting face-to-face builds friendships, generates new ideas, and helps all of us move the Chapter forward together.

We have three great opportunities coming up, all beginning at 11:30 a.m. in what has become our “Ready Room” at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert. It is now equipped with our new 65-inch big screen for presentations, along with an improving sound system and faster internet service to enhance our meetings and gatherings.

Wednesday, August 26 is our Air Commandos Lunch. These lunches are informal, friendly, and have no agenda. They’re simply an opportunity to enjoy good food, good conversation, and the company of fellow members and guests.

Wednesday, September 2 is our monthly Chapter Meeting and Lunch. In addition to Chapter business, we’ll present a review of our successful Summer Cyber Camp and discuss the continued expansion of our Cyber Education programs. If you’d like to learn more about the exciting direction our Chapter is heading and how we’re helping inspire the next generation through aviation and cybersecurity education, this is a meeting you won’t want to miss.

Then, on Wednesday, September 9, we’ll gather again for another Air Commandos Lunch. Every lunch brings new friendships, new stories, new ideas, and another opportunity to enjoy the company of fellow members and guests.

There is no charge to attend. Simply pay for your own lunch and beverage.

We hope you’ll join us for all three of these upcoming gatherings, or as many as you can. Your participation, ideas, and enthusiasm are what will help make AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 even stronger as we continue to grow.

Thank You!

Air Commandos Lunch Tomorrow – Join Us and Check Out Something New

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Just a reminder that our Air Commandos Lunch is tomorrow, Wednesday, August 12, at 11:30 a.m. at ROC’s Firehouse Grille, 36891 Cook Street in Palm Desert.

Tomorrow we’ll also be trying something new. We’ll be testing out our new 65-inch big screen in the back room, along with external speakers, and we’ll have aviation videos playing to do it. It’s another step toward making our gatherings even more enjoyable, so come check it out with us and have some fun.

The lunches are informal, friendly, and have no agenda. They’re simply a great opportunity to enjoy good food, good conversation, and the company of fellow members and guests. There is no charge to attend. Just pay for your own lunch and beverage. Whether you’re a long-time member, a veteran, currently serving, or simply interested in aviation, military history, or the Air and Space Forces, we’d be glad to have you join us.

If this will be your first time attending, you’re especially welcome.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

If you’d like to learn how these lunches began and why they have become such a popular tradition for us, read The Story Behind Our Air Commandos Lunch.

Thanks!

National Purple Heart Day Honoring Service and Sacrifice

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Every year on National Purple Heart Day we see photographs of the medal, lists of famous recipients, and the history behind its creation. All of that is important. But perhaps the most remarkable thing about the Purple Heart is that no one ever sets out to earn one.

Unlike many military decorations that recognize extraordinary achievement or acts of valor, the Purple Heart is different. It is awarded to those who were wounded or killed as a direct result of enemy action while serving our nation. It is not a medal earned through competition or nomination. It is a reminder of the cost of military service and the sacrifices made by those who answered the call.

Every Purple Heart represents a personal story. Some recipients returned home carrying lifelong physical or emotional wounds. Others never returned at all. Behind every medal is an individual who placed duty above personal safety, and behind every individual is a family whose life was changed forever.

The Air & Space Forces Association exists to support Airmen, Guardians, and their families while educating the public about aerospace power. National Purple Heart Day reminds us that behind every medal is a person, behind every person is a family, and behind every family is a story that deserves to be remembered.

Today we honor all Purple Heart recipients, many of whom are members and friends of AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134, with our gratitude, our respect, and our commitment to never forget the sacrifices they made in service to our nation.

Thank You!

Air Commandos Lunch Tomorrow July 29, 2026

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Just a reminder that our Air Commandos Lunch is tomorrow, Wednesday, July 29, at 11:30 a.m. at ROC’s Firehouse Grille, 36891 Cook Street in Palm Desert.

The lunches are informal, friendly, no agenda, and a great opportunity to meet fellow members and guests over good food. There is no charge to attend. Simply pay for your own lunch and beverage. Whether you’re a long-time member, a veteran, currently serving, or simply interested in aviation, military history, and the Air and Space Forces, we would enjoy having you join us.

If this will be your first time attending, you’re especially welcome.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

If you’d like to learn how these lunches began and why they have become such a popular tradition for us, read The Story Behind Our Air Commandos Lunch. Thanks!

Air Commandos Tomorrow Lunch July 15th

/ Ian L. Sitren / 1 Comment

Just a reminder that our Air Commandos Lunch is tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15, at 11:30 a.m. at ROC’s Firehouse Grille, 36891 Cook Street in Palm Desert.

The lunches are informal, friendly, no agenda, and a great opportunity to meet fellow members and guests over good food. There is no charge to attend. Simply pay for your own lunch and beverage. Whether you’re a long-time member, a veteran, currently serving, or simply interested in aviation, military history, and the Air and Space Forces, we would enjoy having you join us.

If this will be your first time attending, you’re especially welcome.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

If you’d like to learn how these lunches began and why they have become such a popular tradition for us, read The Story Behind Our Air Commandos Lunch. Thanks!

Air Commandos Lunch Tomorrow July 1st

/ Ian L. Sitren / 1 Comment

Just a reminder that our Air Commandos Lunch is tomorrow, Wednesday, July 1, at 11:30 a.m. at ROC’s Firehouse Grille, 36891 Cook Street in Palm Desert.

The lunches are informal, friendly, no agenda, and a great opportunity to meet fellow members and guests over good food. There is no charge to attend. Simply pay for your own lunch and beverage. Whether you’re a long-time member, a veteran, currently serving, or simply interested in aviation, military history, and the Air and Space Forces, we would enjoy having you join us.

If this will be your first time attending, you’re especially welcome.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

If you’d like to learn how these lunches began and why they have become such a popular tradition for us, read The Story Behind Our Air Commandos Lunch. Thanks!

The Story Behind Our Air Commandos Lunch

A New Way to Join the Air & Space Forces Association Free!

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

The Air & Space Forces Association has introduced something completely new.

For the first time, AFA now offers a free Mission Membership. This new membership makes it easier than ever for anyone with an interest in our Air Force, Space Force, aerospace, aviation, STEM education, or national security to become part of the AFA community. Again, membership is open to everyone.

Mission Membership provides access to AFA news, educational programs, webinars, research, national events, and local Chapter activities. Whether you have served in the military, work in aerospace, are a student, educator, or simply support the mission of the Air & Space Forces Association, there is now a place for you in AFA at absolutely no cost.

This is also a tremendous opportunity for AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

Every new member strengthens our Chapter and helps us expand our educational programs, CyberPatriot, community outreach, aerospace education, and partnerships throughout the Coachella Valley. The more members we have, the more we can accomplish.

If you are already an AFA member, thank you for your continued support.

If you know someone who has ever thought about joining AFA, now is the perfect time. Invite your family, friends, neighbors, fellow veterans, active duty military, educators, students, pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and anyone interested in aerospace and our nation’s defense.

Joining is easy.

Simply visit:

Join AFA

When completing your registration, please be sure to select Palm Springs Chapter 134. That simple step helps strengthen our local Chapter and ensures you receive information about our activities, meetings, educational programs, and special events.

It costs nothing.

It only takes a few minutes.

We look forward to welcoming many new members to AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

Thank You!

Major Gary “Playboy-19” Lucas Shares His Story

/ / Leave a comment

Another full house gathered yesterday for our Air Commandos Lunch to hear from Major Gary Lucas, known by his Vietnam call sign “Playboy-19.” The “Playboys” were an Army helicopter squadron that flew Cobra gunships in Vietnam, and Gary’s presentation brought that history into the room with clarity, honesty, and a perspective only someone who lived it can provide.

Gary spoke about his years in the U.S. Army, his rise through the ranks, and his decorated combat service in Vietnam. He described missions in the Cobra, the reality of flying armed combat, and the day he was shot down and rescued—events that shaped not only his career but his understanding of the men he served with.

But perhaps the most striking part of the afternoon came when Gary talked about the weight of those memories. He noted how difficult it can be to speak about that time with people who were not there and who cannot fully understand what those experiences were like. That honesty resonated deeply throughout the room.

Gary also reminded us of something too often overlooked: the many service members who should have received medals or recognition but never did—lost paperwork, timing, or simple lack of follow-up. His point was clear and important: valor does not always come with documentation, and many acts of courage went unrecorded.

Our Air Commandos Lunch has always been a place where stories, service, and history are passed forward firsthand. Yesterday’s presentation reinforced exactly why these gatherings matter and why these voices need to be heard.

A sincere thank-you to Gary for sharing his experiences, and to everyone who joined us for another meaningful afternoon.

If you were unable to attend, we hope to see you at the next Air Commandos Lunch. Thanks!

Air Commandos Lunch Tomorrow; Special Guest Major Gary Lucas

/ / Leave a comment

AFA Palm Springs – Air Commandos Lunch
Special Guest Speaker: Major Gary Lucas, U.S. Army (Ret.)

The Air Commandos Lunch takes place Wednesday, December 10, 2025, and we are honored to welcome a guest speaker with a most distinguished military career: Major Gary Lucas, U.S. Army (Ret.).

Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM
Location: ROC’s Firehouse Grill
Address: 36891 Cook Street, Palm Desert, CA 92211

There is no charge to attend. Guests simply pay for their own lunch and beverage.

Major Lucas served 21 years on active duty, from 1960 to 1981, and built a career defined by courage, leadership, and technical excellence. A graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Professional Aeronautics and Business Management, his professional education was matched by extensive combat experience.

During his first Vietnam tour in 1966, Gary rose through the enlisted ranks to E-6. After returning to the United States, he completed Warrant Officer Flight Training, earning his pilot wings and promotion to W-1. On his second Vietnam tour in 1968, he was promoted to W-2 and later received a rare battlefield commission to Second Lieutenant, recognizing leadership under fire.

As a Cobra helicopter gunship pilot, Major Lucas flew in 675 combat engagements. His decorations include the Air Medal with 26 Oak-Leaf Clusters, three Bronze Stars for meritorious achievement in combat, the Purple Heart, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry for extraordinary heroism, awarded by the Government of South Vietnam.

Following his military service, Gary continued contributing to aviation as a post-maintenance test pilot, worked in Top Secret aviation research and development, and later applied his expertise to threat analysis and advanced security and surveillance systems.

This luncheon offers a rare opportunity to hear firsthand perspectives from a pilot whose service reflects some of the most demanding missions and technological transitions in modern military aviation.

We hope you’ll join us. Thanks!