For the first time since COVID, there was a full house in attendance at the Colorado AFA State Banquet. In years past, AFA was able to recognize three nominees in each category of Airman of the Year, Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, First Sergeant of the Year, Cadet of the Year, Company Grade Officer of the Year and Civilian of the Year, Categories I and II. However, with COVID restrictions in place, the banquet narrowed down to just recognizing AFA volunteers and last year finally opened back up to one military winner in each active-duty category. Now, we’re back in business, able to welcome nominees in each category, plus adding Guardian of the Year, Space Force NCO of the Year, Space Force SNCO of the Year, and Space Force CGO of the Year. 

Our State event themed “Remembering Vietnam: 50 Years Later” took place at the Heritage Eagle Bend Club House, Aurora, Colorado, hosted by the Mile High Chapter 127. Guests were welcomed by music from the Serenade String Trio, courtesy of our sponsors. Each nominee received a red, white, and blue lanyard containing the AFA coin so they could be recognized and congratulated by all our guests. The formalities included posting of the colors by the Buckley Space Force Base Mile High Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance, remembrance and a toast for POWs and MIAs, introduction of distinguished visitors, and the invocation given by Jerry White.     

Colorado State President Cliff Klein welcomed guests, identified the Colorado AFA Chapters and introduced our emcee for the evening, Ms. Caty Rozema, who is now known as “Sparkles” due to her silver sequined tennis shoes. Caty is our State AFA Aerospace Education Vice President and is on the National Aerospace Education Committee. Caty was extremely witty as our emcee, bad jokes included, and kept the evening moving at a fun and efficient pace. With initial formalities completed, everyone headed for the scrumptious buffet line provided by the Chef and staff at Heritage Eagle Bend.  

In keeping with the theme of the evening we welcomed guest speaker, Mr. George Nolly, who served as a pilot in the US Air Force flying 315 combat missions on two successive tours of duty in Vietnam. Mr. Nolly earned three Distinguished Flying Crosses and 24 Air Medals, flying O-2A and F-4 aircraft. He was the last Air Force pilot to complete 100 missions over North Vietnam. Mr. Nolly received the Tactical Air Command Instructor Pilot of the Year Award and followed his AD flying for United Airlines, rising to the position of B-777 Check Captain. Subsequent to retirement from United, Mr. Nolly became a B-777 Captain with Jet Airways, operating throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Mr. Nolly shared his heartfelt appreciation for his comrades-in-arms, his heartbreak over those who would not return, and his faith in the current generation to continue the sacrifice necessary to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.

After thanking Mr. Nolly for sharing his inspiring story with us, we recognized our Teachers of the Year and the selfless volunteers that make the AFA a vital part of the Colorado communities. Read more about these extraordinary teachers and volunteers.

The next portion of the State Awards Banquet was all about recognizing the excellence of our Airmen and Guardians, so emcee Caty made sure that everyone knew that whooping and hollering from those who came to support their candidate was highly encouraged!! A few of the nominees were TDY or unable to attend so a representative from their unit received their award. We are thankful for the leadership and service to this great country by these warriors. Following are the top three nominees selected by the judging committee. The winner in each category is highlighted in BOLD.

• Outstanding Airman of the Year:
•      SrA Alexis L. Awkerman, Space Delta 4
•      SrA “KC” Bikas, Space Base Delta 1
•      SrA Samuel C. Weber, 140 MXG
• Outstanding Guardian of the Year:
•      Spec4 Alexandra R. Barnes, Space Delta 5
•      Spec3 Andres Mercado, Space Delta 6
•      Spec3 Taylor Morgan, Space Delta 7
• Outstanding Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year:
•      TSgt Brian T. Litney, Space Base Delta 1
•      TSgt Christopher Sturgeon, Space Delta 6
•      SSgt Dakota J. Swanger, Space Delta 4
• Outstanding Space Force Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year:
•      TSgt Daniel W. Pielak, Space Delta 3
•      TSgt Joe Vielma, Space Delta 6
•      Sgt Tyler C. Witzel, Space Delta 4
• Outstanding Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year: 
•      MSgt Eric Foster, 140 MXG
•      MSgt Alisha A. Johnson, Space Base Delta 1
•      MSgt Bryan A. Nelson, Space Base Delta 1 
• Outstanding Space Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year: 
•      MSgt Ana Afonso, Space Delta 2
•      MSgt Steven L. Edmon, Space Delta 3
•      MSgt Charles Robertson, Space Delta 6 
• Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year: 
•      SMSgt Stuart Chumney, Space Delta 6
•      MSgt Joseph T. Lepley, Space Base Delta 1
•      MSgt Christopher R. Schliesmann, Space Delta 4
• Outstanding Cadet of the Year
•     Cadet Jack Flynn, AFROTC Detachment 90, CSU
• Air Force Company Grade Officer of the Year:
•      1Lt Calvin M. Muramoto, STARCOM Delta 12
• Space Force Company Grade Officer of the Year:
•      Capt Jon H. Borah, Space Systems Command, Det 5
•      1Lt Selena Quintanilla, Space Delta 6
•      Capt Daniel C. Reynolds, STARCOM Delta 12
• Civilian of the Year (Category I)
•      Mr. Jesse Eichenlaub, Space Delta 4
•      Mr. Shawn Krumrei, Space Delta 6
•      Ms. Wynona Stephen, STARCOM Delta 12
• Civilian of the Year (Category II)
•      Ms. Sage Andorka, Space System Command, Det 5
•      Mr. Oscar Hernandez, STARCOM Delta 12
•      Mr. Kerry Winsel, Space Delta 6 O

The evening wrapped up with special thanks to Stephen Gourley, Caty Rozema, and Linda Aldrich for their many contributions to AFA over a long period of time. President Cliff Klein received an engraved flask as a reward for his leadership putting together the State Convention. Additional thanks were extended to Linda Aldrich and Felipe Rodriguez, Kenn and Terri Bowens, Mary Ann and Marv Blair, Henry and Margaret Eichman, Mel Harmon Chapter, Mile High Chapter, Rick Peterson, Caty Rozema, Emily Sawicki, and HQ SpOC Financial Ops for their generous donations to sponsor award winners. Also, the event would not have taken place without the Gold Level sponsorship of Denver Springs and the Silver Level Sponsorship of Bent Barley Brewing, CO Realty NOW, Kearney & Company, MAXAR and Tensley Consulting.

The State AFA Annual Awards Banquet is a labor of love to organize and represents only a portion of the thanks deserved by the volunteers who donate so much all year long, not for the recognition, but simply because they believe in giving back to our Air and Space Force and their families. Thank you to the Mile High Chapter for hosting the event this year. 

There is no doubt that the evening was a huge success from beginning to end—recognition for so many outstanding individuals, wonderful dinner and lots of good camaraderie and networking.  We’ll look forward to another great year of contributions from our AFA Chapters and continuing support of the Air and Space Forces mission to promote dominant U.S. Air and Space Forces as the foundation of a strong National Defense; to honor and support our Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and to remember and respect our enduring Heritage.