A GRAND FAREWELL

Events

More than 100 senior officers, senior NCOs, Airmen, citizen leaders, elected officials and their representatives turned out Friday for a tribute to outgoing 412th Test Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Matthew W. Higer, ranking officer and commander at Edwards Air Force Base. In turn, BG Higer expressed heartfelt thanks and gratitude for his wing commanders, and their chiefs and Airmen. He said, ultimately, service is an action of love and caring. The troops care for the mission and each other, and the leaders carry responsibility to care for and about the welfare and wellbeing of their troops while staying focused on the mission of supporting the warfighters. Higer took command of the 412th Test Wing, effectively serving as commander of Edwards AFB, just as the pandemic swept the nation in 2020. It became the base mission of the “Flight Test Center of the Universe” to protect the force during the pandemic and to maintain operational tempo. “We didn’t come through unscathed, but everyone worked together, Higer said at his farewell fete held at Club Muroc. “And I have you to Thank for that, all the people who made it happen.” Click on the images to view gallery.

GREAT AMERICAN SUMMER EVENING

Events

The Edwards Civilian Military Support Group, Civ-Mil, hosted its Annual Summer Barbecue at Lane Hacienda Ranch. Civ-Mil President Matthew Winheim introduced Brig. Gen. Matthew W. Higer, outgoing commander of 412th Test Wing. Higer lauded the group formed more than 30 years ago by the late local business leader Aida O’Connor. “You’re my people,” Higer said. “You never ask for anything. You never ask to have something or to do something on the base. You only ask ‘How can we help serve the Airmen of whatever rank or stripe on the base.” Later in the evening, the Civ-Mil Scholarship Committee awarded $3,000 in education support for Airmen serving at Edwards. Shared the enjoyment of the evening with friends from Coffee4Vets, Juan and Atherine Blanco, Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s assistant field deputy Charles Bostwick and Rep. Mike Garcia’s veteran services advocate Christine Ward, and EAFB Base protocol team MyNga Day and Brandon Roque. Click on the images to view gallery.

Battlefield Cross Reveal

Announcements, Events

Join us near the flagpole for a reveal of the Battlefield Cross, a statue to honor and respect soldiers killed on the battlefield. Battlefield Cross Reveal Thursday, July 27, 5 pm Poncitlán Square 38315 9th St. East The statue was selected with the feedback and support of local Veterans groups who assisted with the 2022 Healing and Honor Field: American Legion Post 348, Antelope Valley Community Action Coalition, Coffee 4 Vets, Point Man Antelope Valley, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3000 and 3552, and Vets 4 Veterans.

Coffee4VETS Morning Breakfast – July 4, 2023 

Announcements, Weekly Coffee Update

Coffee4VETS July 4, 2023 Announcements. Happy Independence Day and thank you for Celebrating your day with us at Crazy Otto’s, 1228 Ave I, Lancaster EVERY Tuesday from 7am – 9am… Reverence and respect to our departed brothers, Clifford Stump, 82nd Airborne From D-Day to VE-Day with glider infantry, and Leon Gautier, 100 years, D. 07-03-23, Commando Kieffer, both men Heroes of France of the United States and all the Allies who landed by sea, air, and fought on land not to conquer but to liberate. RIP also Stan Sanford USAF, WWII and Coffee4Vets brother. Everyone that came today received a Scarf or Bandanas as a gift. Enjoy your day and be safe & careful with Fire Works. Protect your Pets. Click on the images to view gallery.

Cooling Centers

Announcements, News

Veterans Community- due to the extreme HEAT today, the County of Los Angeles will open Lancaster Library, Quartz Hill Library and buildings at George Lane Park, Jackie Robinson Park, Stephen Sorensen Park, Pearblossom Park and Fox Field Airport as cooling centers on Sunday, when the weekend heat wave is expected to peak. The Palmdale City Library will also be open Sunday. Cooling centers will include all the locations open Sunday, plus the Acton-Agua Dulce Library, the Antelope Valley Senior Center and Legacy Commons for Active Seniors in Palmdale. Here are the list of sites available for you … Charles F. Bostwick Assistant Field Deputy KATHRYN BARGER Supervisor, Fifth District Office: (661) 726-3600 Fax: (661) 942-5069 Click on the images to view gallery of Cooling Centers Locations.

Coffee4VETS Morning Breakfast – June 27, 2023

Announcements, Weekly Coffee Update

Coffee4VETS June 27, 2023 Announcements. HONORS AND RECOGNITION – At Coffee4Vets today Army combat engineer veteran Darius Dear of Vets4veterans and Charles Rachell Army veteran of Vietnam War Era were recognized for their contributions to community. Recognition from City of Palmdale was conferred after recent Juneteenth ceremonies commemorating the day June 19, 1867, when U.S. Army entered Galveston Harbor to announce Emancipation from slavery two years after the end of the Civil War, ending chattel slavery in the United States. Click on the images to view gallery.