AFSA chapter takes Division 4 Chapter of the Year

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Katherine Holt
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 615, "The Leon Donnelly Chapter," took Chapter of the Year and five other awards during the annual AFSA Division 4 Convention in San Antonio.

Twenty of the 1,293 members in the chapter were present as their names were called six out of the nine possible times during the convention.

"We were surprised to hear our name said over and over," said Tech. Sgt. Joelle Silny, AFSA Chapter 615 president. "Our chapter members worked hard and put a lot of time into the community, and we were recognized for those efforts."

The Chapter of the Year award, given to chapters with 500 or more members, was presented to the top chapter whose overall management contributed to the association.

"This chapter is the most active AFSA chapter that I have been a part of," said Silny. "We are a tight-knit group that actively seeks ways to give back to our enlisted force. We have a large group of members who are retired, been in the local area for a while and have great networking tools."

Three of the awards were given to members of the chapter. The Veterans Administration Volunteer Services Award, for execeptional dedication and service in a volunteer status in a VA facility, went to Irene Heffernan. Auxiliary Member of the Year, for exceptionally meritorious service or achievement on behalf of AFSA, went to Debby Oesterreich.

Senior Master Sgt. Nathan Barnhart, 2nd Maintenance Squadron, took home Member of the Year.

"I was absolutely surprised, humbled and honored," said Barnhart. "I'm indebted to AFSA and to so many great folks who make Chapter 615 and Division 4 a continued success. It's a pleasure to be a part of such an incredible organization."

The chapter also took home the Website Award, for publication of web pages on the internet, and the Community Service Award, for exemplary achievement in the field of humanity.

AFSA Chapter 615 will travel back to San Antonio in August for the international convention.

"Hopefully we will be able to win awards at the next level," said Silny. "Either way we will continue to do great things for Barksdale AFB and the local community."