veterans

Veterans Day – A Moment of Honor and Reflection

/ / Leave a comment

Today, we pause to recognize the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform and carried its responsibilities with courage, commitment, and sacrifice. Veterans Day is not simply a date on the calendar—it is a reminder that freedom has a cost, and that cost has been paid by generations who stepped forward when the country needed them most.

The image here was photographed yesterday at the Fields of Valor installation in Cathedral City. Among two thousand waving flags, each tribute tells a personal story. This one honors a Vietnam veteran who earned the Purple Heart—an unmistakable reminder of the human toll of service and the quiet strength that defines so many who return home carrying both visible and invisible wounds.

As we mark Veterans Day, AFA Palm Springs extends our gratitude to every veteran, from every era, and to the families who stood beside them. Whether you served overseas or stateside, in combat or in support, your service continues to shape the freedoms and security we depend upon today.

We invite our community to take a moment—today and every day—to reflect on that service, to thank a veteran, and to carry forward the respect they deserve.

Honoring Sacrifice on National Purple Heart Day

/ / Leave a comment

Today, August 7th, we pause to recognize the extraordinary bravery and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded or killed in combat.

The Purple Heart, originally established by General George Washington in 1782 as the Badge of Military Merit, stands as one of the oldest and most respected military decorations still in use. It is awarded to those who have shed blood in service to our nation — a symbol of courage, resilience, and dedication beyond self.

At AFA Palm Springs, we honor all Purple Heart recipients — past and present — for their service and their sacrifice. This solemn observance reminds us of the real cost of freedom and the enduring legacy of those who have borne that burden.

Let us never forget their stories, their names, and the values they stood for.

Johnny Cash was a “Ditty Bopper”

/ / Leave a comment

Johnny Cash is pictured in his Air Force uniform in the early 1950s.

Before he was the Man in Black, Johnny Cash wore Air Force blue. In 1950, at just 18, Cash enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, eventually serving as a Morse code operator—known as a “ditty bopper”—in the 12th Radio Squadron Mobile, stationed at Landsberg, West Germany.

His assignment? Intercepting Soviet transmissions and decoding them. It was during this duty on March 5, 1953, that Airman Johnny Cash became the first American to learn that Soviet leader Joseph Stalin had died, picking it up over his headphones in dots and dashes before the world knew. Not a bad claim to fame before your first gold record.

Cash later said the Air Force shaped him: the discipline, the long stretches of quiet time with a guitar, and the stories he carried home. It is a reminder that many who shape American culture first served in quiet, often unseen roles, supporting the mission of freedom in the tense days of the Cold War.

The next time you hear “I Walk the Line,” remember Johnny Cash walked a different line first, wearing his Air Force uniform, tuning into the world one dot and dash at a time. Read the DoD story April 17 2025 here… https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/4157671/singer-johnny-cash-served-in-the-air-force-during-the-cold-war/

AFA Air Commandos Lunch Recap – Maj. Lee Cohen Shares His Honor Flight Experience

/ / Leave a comment

On Wednesday, June 18, the Palm Springs Chapter of the Air Force Association hosted Maj. Lee Cohen, USAF (Ret.) as our featured speaker at our Air Commandos Luncheon at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert.

Maj. Cohen shared stories from his recent journey with Honor Flight Southland Mission 18, a trip to Washington, D.C., with fellow veterans. The Honor Flight experience included visits to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery—culminating in an emotional “Welcome Home” reception at LAX.

For Maj. Cohen, a veteran of 119½ combat missions in Vietnam, this trip served as both tribute and healing. For those in attendance, his presentation offered insight into what the Honor Flight means to veterans.

One of the touching moments shared was how each veteran received a bag filled with handmade cards and letters from local schoolchildren—many expressing gratitude, drawing American flags, and writing simple but powerful messages like “Thank you for your service.”

About Honor Flight
The Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit organization that honors America’s veterans by providing free trips to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials dedicated to their service. The program focuses on veterans from WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Honor Flight Southland, which coordinated Maj. Cohen’s flight, serves veterans from across Southern California and relies on volunteers and donations to make each mission possible. From airport send-offs to school letters, the experience is designed to give these veterans the tribute they never received.

Thank you to Maj. Lee Cohen for sharing this journey and for his decades of service to the United States Air Force.

For more information or to get involved, visit:
https://www.honorflightsouthland.org

Veterans Expo April 5th 2025

/ / Leave a comment

COME TO THE EXPO! Please visit us and over 40 organizations this coming Saturday, April 5th from 9am and 2pm, at the Salvation Army 30-400 Landau, Cathedral City.

As a veteran, you will have a full cadre of the providers in one place to help you sign up for benefits and introduce you to new services available to those who served in any branch of the military.

The Chow Hall will be serving lunch for FREE to all attendees. We will also honor two distinguished veterans and two active duty Marines to round things out. Meet and talk with your local legislators, explore the Salvation Army facility, Mr. Willards Closet and the Gallery of Heroes. Also at no charge you can catch up on your shots.

Do you keep hearing about “AI” and not really sure what it is about? You will be able participate in an age-friendly AI demonstration, and to round things out, take a try at winning a cool door prize, meet puppies, and just enjoy your day. We look forward to seeing you! Thanks!

Mojave Desert Land Trust New Program For Veterans and Service Members

/ / Leave a comment

From the Mojave Desert Land Trust…

The Mojave Desert Land Trust and Mil-Tree are excited to partner on a new program connecting servicemembers to the desert landscape through relaxing and immersive outdoor activities. 

Attend our launch party on Saturday, February 22 at the Mojave Desert Land Trust headquarters (60124 Twentynine Palms Highway in Joshua Tree) from 10am-1pm to connect with fellow veterans and register for the program’s inaugural guided birdwatching hike at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve.

RSVP is required and space is limited.

Please reserve your spot on Eventbrite. For more information, contact ella@mdlt.org or call 760-366-5440 x243. 

Guest speakers Chris Proudfoot (retired USMC) and Barry Scanlan (retired USMC) will discuss the history of military engagement in the California desert and volunteering as a way of connecting with the environment. MDLT Public Policy Officer Krystian Lahage will share with us historic places of interest in Chuckwalla and Mojave Trails National Monuments, and Big Morongo Canyon Preserve staff will endear us to the rare riparian ecosystem found right here in the desert. We’d also love to hear your thoughts about how Force of Nature can best support you! Complimentary refreshments will be provided. 

Force of Nature is a partnership between Mojave Desert Land Trust and Mil-Tree, with support from Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. This project is made possible through the Veterans and Nature Grant Program, from the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) in partnership with the USDA Forest Service.

Veterans & 1st Responders Free for Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival

/ / Leave a comment

From Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor, V. Manuel Perez…

Dear Fourth District and Riverside County Veterans Community,

We have some great news to share for veterans regarding the upcoming Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival!

With sponsorship by Pickering Events, LLC, veterans and first responders can receive free admission to the 77th Annual Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival, including tickets to arena events like Monster Trucks, the Demolition Derby and the PRCA Rodeo, through Vet Tix and 1st Tix.

These are the steps to claim your tickets:

1. Visit www.VetTix.org (for veterans) or www.1stTix.org (for first responders)

2. Create an account (if you haven’t already) and verify your military or first responder status

3. Search for “Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival” under available events

4. Request your tickets for general admission and arena events (subject to availability)

5. Receive your tickets electronically or follow pickup instructions

I want to include a note of special thanks acknowledging Chris Pickering, a veteran and CEO of Pickering Events, LLC, for going above and beyond to make sure veterans have the opportunity to come out to the Fair.  This is Pickering Events’ third year in a partnership with Riverside County to operate the Fair and the Fairgrounds on a year-round basis.

Chris states, “By the very nature of their volunteer service, veterans have missed countless holidays, weekends, and birthdays.  The Fair & Date Fest provides an opportunity for veterans to celebrate, together with their family, friends, and community.”

The Fair runs from February 13 – March 2, offering plenty of opportunities to enjoy all the excitement.  Thank you, and enjoy the Fair!

Darin A. Schemmer
Supervisor Perez’s Communications Team

“Flight Path to Our Future” — A Gala for a Cause

/ / Leave a comment

Please join us for an unforgettable evening at the 2025 Red Kettle Gala — Flight Path to Our Future, hosted by The Salvation Army Cathedral City Corps. This inspiring event will take place at the Palm Springs Air Museum on Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 5 PM to 9 PM.

Event Highlights:

  • Host: Patrick Evans, KESQ Channel 3 News
  • Honoring: Tim Esser – 2024 Community Champion, Esser Air Conditioning, and Founder of Tour de Palm Springs.
  • Guest Speaker: Fred Bell – Vice Chair and CEO of the Palm Springs Air Museum.

This gala will blend community, aviation history, and purpose, all set in the iconic Air Museum surrounded by stunning aircraft. Your support benefits youth, veterans, and vital social service programs across the Coachella Valley.

🎟️ Tickets are $150 per person, with sponsorships available.

✨ Reserve your spot now by visiting: coachellavalley.salvationarmy.org or call (760) 324-2275.

Together, let’s create a flight path toward a brighter future! Thank You!

Armed Forces Day

/ / Leave a comment

The third Saturday in May established through the efforts of President Harry S. Truman in 1949 to Thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.