PHOTO: (Left to right) Roman Palomares, Jim Thomason, Dr. Don Shelton, Vic Weir and John Johnson pose in the Ronald Reagan Building before heading in to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Administrative Remarks by President George Bush. The six-man Fort Worth Airpower Council team recently conducted a three-day trip to Washington, D.C., to provide our lawmakers and military leadership awareness for programs that are of interest to us all and to discuss the possibility of an event to jointly celebrate the AFRC’s 60th Anniversary and the Council’s 50th. (Photo by John Kinnear)

The next meeting took the group to Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger’s office. Congresswoman Granger sits on the Appropriations Committee and serves on the Defense, Homeland Security and Military Construction/Veterans Affairs appropriations Subcommittees. She served as Mayor of Fort Worth for five years before coming to Congress. During this appointment Mr. Thomason and the group provided her with information about the Council and Foundation’s efforts and accomplishments to serve the needs of our troops and their families. Furthermore, they presented her with a press packet full of information on the 301st Fighter Wing and Air Force Reserve. At the end of the meeting, she was presented with a Skyball diamond.

PHOTO: Congresswoman Kay Granger and Fort Worth Airpower Council Chairman Jim Thomason pause during the APC team visit.

The group then moved on to the Pentagon, where they were met by Col. Melinda Carignan, special assistant to Lt. Gen. John Bradley. She escorted them to the office of Secretary of the Army Pete Geren. The meeting was used to remind the Secretary that we are all a DoD family and the packet he received would reflect the needs of the Air Force Reserve. He was then invited to the FWAPF’s Skyball and the Council’s 50th Anniversary.

PHOTO: (left to right) John Kinnear, Roman Palomares, Jim Thomason, Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, Dr. Don Shelton, John Johnson and Vic Weir pose outside the Secretary's office after their meeting. The meeting was used to remind the Secretary that we are all a DoD family and the press packet he received of information on the 301st Fighter Wing and Air Force Reserve would reflect the needs of the AFR. He was then invited to the FWAPF’s Skyball and the Council’s 50th Anniversary.

They continued on to the Pentagon office of Lieutenant General Bradley, Commander, Air Force Reserve Command, for the final meeting of the day. The team summarized the forthcoming events and discussed the possibility of an event to jointly celebrate the AFRC’s 60th Anniversary and the Council’s 50th. The day ended with a feeling of accomplishment and praise for the organizational skills of our team leader, Roman Palomares. The next day would begin very early.

PHOTO: (left to right) Roman Palomares, John Johnson, Dr. Don Shelton, Lt. Gen. John Bradley, Air Force Reserve Command Commander, Jim Thomason, Vic Weir, and John Kinnear share a moment during the Fort Worth Airpower Council's visit to Washington, D.C.

Day two started back at the Pentagon to visit with Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England. He was very personable and greeted the team with stories and memories of his time in Fort Worth. He is a former member of the Council and plans to return to the area someday. He received the details of the team’s visit and made note of the Foundation and Council’s events.

PHOTO: Dr. Don Shelton explains to Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England the importance of the 301st Fighter Wing and Air Force Reserve in Fort Worth, Texas. Other members of the six-man team who visited with various our lawmakers and military leadership were: (shown here second to left, Roman Palomares, Jim Thomason, Vic Weir and John Johnson in the background.

Before joining the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Administration Remarks by President George Bush, everyone took a moment to visit with one of the D.C. Metropolitan’s finest.

PHOTO: Jim Thomason smooth-talks his way on to the officer's cycle for a prime photo opportunity.

Then it was on to the see the President in the Ronald Reagan Building. USHCoC Chairman David C. Lizarraga introduced President Bush who then discussed trade with countries south of the border including Mexico and Columbia. “… if you are worried about America’s image in the world, it makes no sense to disappoint the nations that are counting on us most,” said President Bush.

PHOTO: U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Chairman David C. Lizarraga introduced President Bush who then discussed trade with countries south of the border including Mexico and Columbia during the President's Administrative Remarks.

After the remarks, the group joined Mr. Chatfield for a working lunch in his office. He conducted a briefing of his agency’s functions and the group followed up with information about the support the Foundation and Council gives the troops and extended an invitation to the upcoming events. He ended the meeting with a presentation to everyone of his personal coin.

The team then took some personal time to visit some memorial sites in the capital region and wrapped the second day’s events. There was only one more congressional leader to see the next day.

PHOTO: Jim Thomason, Fort Worth Airpower Council Chairman, shakes hands and accepts a coin from Bill Chatfield, honorary APC member and Director of the Selective Service System. The six-man APC team traveled to Washington D.C., to provide lawmakers and military leadership awareness for programs that are of interest to those linked with the 301st Fighter Wing and Air Force Reserve. The group joined up with Mr. Chatfield for a working lunch in his office. He conducted a briefing of his agency’s functions and the group followed up with information about the support the Foundation and Council gives the troops and extended an invitation to the upcoming events.