Western New York Armed Forces Week

52nd Annual

Western New York Armed Forces Week

6 MAY 2011 - 14 MAY 2011

The members of the Western New York community have been celebrating the Western New York Armed Forces Week (WNYAFW) since May of 1960. The Western New York Armed Forces Week Committee schedules activities one week prior to the national Armed Forces Week (which is always celebrated on the third Saturday in May). Each year, one of the five military services takes on the duties of the host week’s events. This year, members of the United States Air Force has the honor of planning the program .

The main events of WNYAFW include the Opening Ceremony on May 6, 2012, at the Erie Canal Harbor, near the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park. This will be a free event, open to the public. It will feature a performance by the American Legion Band of the Tonawandas, Military Color Guards, a Flyover, and more.

On Thursday, May 10, 2011 the Armed Forces Week Luncheon will be held at the Connecticut Street Armory.

The final event of the week is the WNY Armed Forces Week Ball. The honorees include the Service Person of the Year from the US Marine Corps, US Marine Corps Reserve, US Army, US Army Reserve, New York National Guard, New York Guard, 174 Infantry, US Navy, US Navy Operational Support, New York Naval Militia, US Air Force, US Air Force Reserve, New York Air National Guard, US Coast Guard, and the US Coast Guard Reserve.

2012 Western New York

Armed Forces Week Committee

Civilian Chairman

Honorable John J. Gruber

General Chairman

Colonel Patricia Braun, United States Air Force Reserve (Retired)

Secretary

Senior Master Sergeant Stephan Kovacs, New York Air National Guard

Treasurer / Budget Director

Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Scotland, United States Air Force (Retired)

Luncheon Chairman

Captain Craig Smith, New York Air National Guard

Lieutenant Colonel Frank J. Sparacino, United States Army (Retired), Advisor

Ball Chairmen

Colonel James Germain, United States Air Force Reserve (Retired)

Capt Brande Newsome, United States Air Force Reserve (Retired)

Opening Ceremonies

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Bienvenue, United States Air Force (Retired)

Captain John Kasmer, United States Army (Retired)

Technical Sergeant Lisa Sveda, United States Air Force Reserve, Adjutant

Awards Ceremony

Chief Master Sergeant Scott Scharlau, United States Air Force Reserve

Chief Master Sergeant Robert Ward, New York Air National Guard

Ticket Chairmen

Technical Sergeant Jennifer Blamowski, New York Air National Guard

Major Jerome Privitera, United States Army (Retired)

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Caruso, United States Army (Retired)

Master Sergeant Richard Wieand, United States Army (Retired)

Tribute Book

Staff Sergeant Joseph J. McKee, United States Air Force Reserve

Commander Wayne Sorrentino, United States Naval Reserve (Retired)

Chief Marine Science Technician Ken Kobylanski, United States Coast Guard Reserve

Lynn Kobylanski

Public Affairs

Major Andrea Pitruzzella, United States Air Force Reserve

Master Sergeant Kevin L. Nicholas, United States Air Force Reserve

Senior Committee Advisors

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Patrick F. Morrow, United States Marine Corps Reserve (Retired)

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael Duggan, United States Army (Retired)

Ar Force Senior Committee Advisor

Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force (Retired)

Website

Chief Photographers Mate Tom Kelly, United States Naval Reserve (Retired)

2012 WNY Armed Forces General Committee Meeting Dates

21 February 2012 - General Meeting 1800 hours (dinner 1730 hours) - Father Justin Council K of C, 2735 Union Road, Cheektowaga - Submit Tribute Book page layout

20 March 2012 - General Meeting 1800 hours (dinner 1730 hours) - Father Justin Council K of C, 2735 Union Road, Cheektowaga - 1700 hours - photographs taken of awardees - submit Awardees’ Nomination Form

17 April 2012 - General Meeting 1800 hours (dinner 1730 hours) - Father Justin Council K of C, 2735 Union Road, Cheektowaga - Final Tickets Turn-in & Issue Parking Passes

08 May 2012 - Setup Armory for Luncheon - 0900 hours

11 May 2012 - Reset Armory for Ball - 0900 hours

14 May 2012 - Tear down @ Armory - 0900 hours

WNY Armed Forces Week 2012	Armed Forces Week 2011 Photographs - Opening	Contact for AFW Luncheon & Ball Tickets
WNY Armed Forces Week Poster 2012	Armed Forces Week 2011 Photographs - Luncheon	Contact for 2011 AFW Opening Ceremony
2012 WNYAFW Committee	Armed Forces Week 2010 Photographs - Ball	Contact for 2011 WNY AFW Ball
		Contact for 2011 WNY AFW Luncheon
Tribute Book Support (pdf)

Web Site Sponsors	http://wnyafn.com/afw/SPOY 2012.doc	Contact for WNY AFW Website
The United States Flag	http://wnyafn.com/afw/SPOY 2012.pdf	Contact for Other Information