National Police Week Candlelight Vigil 13 May 2023 8PM

National Police Week 2023
35th Annual Candlelight Vigil,Saturday, 13 May, 8 PM

Each year, hundreds of names of officers killed in the line of duty are engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. These names are then read aloud during the annual Candlelight Vigil to memorialize those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 2023 will mark the 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil, on Saturday, May 13th on the National Mall (between 4th and 7th Streets and Madison and Jefferson Drives) in Washington, DC.

Thanks to the efforts of Lee Chambers and Eagle Chapter and project officers TSgt Atkins O. Riddick, 637 SFS SSF Elmendorf AFB, AK, and TSgt Stevie L. Thomas, 48 SFS, RAF Lakenheath, three fallen Defenders, TSgt Jason L. Norton, SSgt Brian McElroy, and A1C Jason Nathan will be added to the wall at this year’s ceremony on May 13, 2023.  They join 34 previously honored Defenders.

Mothers of the Mighty 97th Air Mobility Wing, Altus AFB, OK

Mothers of the Mighty 97th Air Mobility Wing, Altus AFB, OK
ALTUS, OK, UNITED STATES
9 May 2023, 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Maria Fox, 97th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, stands outside her patrol car with her daughter, Alina, at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, 9 May 2023. There are 120,618 active duty Air Force service members with children. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kayla Christenson)

What to Expect at Your 2023 AFSFA National Meeting

What to Expect at Your 2023 AFSFA National Meeting

Are you wondering how the Air Force Security Forces has evolved and what it is shaping into for the future? Then come join us at this year’s AFSFA National Meeting here in San Antonio! The 37th Annual AFSFA National Meeting is a great place to socialize with past and current Air Force Security Force leaders and members who are making an impact within your association. If that hasn’t piqued your interest, let me see if I can further entice you to join us this August with all the following events.

For the first time ever, the AFSFA National Meeting will be downtown on the San Antonio Riverwalk! The Holiday Inn Riverwalk, 217 N St Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78205 will host us 23-27 August 2023. Starting 1 April, you can make reservations by calling (210) 224-2500 Option #2 or (877) 424-2449 and be sure to identify yourself as being with the group rate “AFS” to get the meeting rate. You can also go online at: https://tinyurl.com/AFSFA-SA-Nat-Mtg The room rates are guaranteed up to 23 July 2023, after that they may not be available.

The room rate is $155 single, $165 double, $175 triple and $185 quad occupancy plus taxes. Same rates available three days prior to and three days post meeting (based on availability) and includes a full complimentary hot breakfast and free Wifi. Parking on property is $20 per day. There is no hotel shuttle to the airport, so Uber and Lyft are highly recommended.

2023 National Meeting registration documents are NOW available on this web site here Download the file, print it out, fill in the blanks and mail or email to AFSFA HQ at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The relatively new Wednesday small batch tour, for up to 52 registered attendees, will take us to Fredericksburg, TX to visit The Museum of the Pacific War, enjoy a gourmet box lunch on a winery patio followed by a behind the scenes winery production tour and tastings at two Texas Hill Country wineries.

Thursday morning options include: the early morning golf tournament or the three, free professional security training seminars worth continuing education credits. Certificates will be provided, and the seminars are free to members and Defenders in the San Antonio area. You will want to arrive Wednesday evening for either event.

Members will start picking up their registration packets in the hospitality room, Tango 1, on the 7th floor at 1600 and the Meet and Greet Social will start at 1800. All meetings, the social, dinner and hospitality room will be on the 7^th floor.

Both Friday and Saturday morning General Membership Meetings typically run from 0800 to 1200ish hours and are open to members, spouses and guests. Following the Friday morning session there will be a tour to Camp Bullis and the Security Forces Museum, and the buses will get folks back to the hotel around 1800. Friday evening and Saturday afternoon are open with no events planned.

Our Annual Banquet is on Saturday evening and starts at 1800 and is full of great food and unbeatable fellowship. At 0800 on Sunday, we gather and pause to remember our Fallen Defenders and then … we reluctantly say our goodbyes until the next year.

Throughout most of the weekend there is a hospitality room in the hotel for all to relax in and enjoy … also known as the “war story room” and you want to make sure you don’t leave home without your coin!  But just in case you did, or you want to start your Christmas shopping early or you need something new for your “I love me wall” …. the AFSFA Country Store and most of the chapters will have lots of memorabilia for sale.

AFSFA will mail detailed registration packets to all AFSFA members who get the magazine mailed to them in May. Members who get the magazine electronically will get their registration package emailed to them.

You will be in the heart of San Antonio and within walking distance of: Tower of the Americas, a seven-hundred-and-fifty-foot observation tower and sky-high restaurant in Hemisphere Park; Alamo Mission; Market Square; the renown Buckhorn Saloon; Briscoe Western Art Museum; San Fernando Cathedral; The Majestic Theater; Pearl Brewery; La Villita Historic Village and many shops and restaurants along the Riverwalk.  

Hope to see you’all there!