The Nine-0-Nine – a U.S. Army B-17G Flying Fortress bomber that was built in 1944 and had visited the Chesterfield airport several times – crashed Oct. 2 at Bradley International Airport near Hartford, Conn. The aircraft was destroyed by fire, with only a portion of a wing and the tail remaining. In the wake of accident, the Collings Foundation suspended its flight operations and the Wings of Freedom Tour for the remainder of the 2019 season.
A new headquarters building opened last year at Defense Supply Center Richmond, which is in Chesterfield County west of Jefferson Davis Highway. (Caleb M. Soptelean photo) Things are somewhat new at Defense Supply Center Richmond. The Defense Logistics Agency’s Aviation unit at the military base recently got a new commander and opened a new five-floor 252,000-square-foot headquarters building. Air Force Brig. Gen. David Sanford, 47, started as the base commander on July 9. The Atlanta native took time last week to explain some of what goes on at the 611-acre facility, which also houses National Guard and Army Reserve units,…
Kevin Rosenblum and Catherine Jones won the 9-11 Remembrance 5K Run/Walk at Defense Supply Center Richmond on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Rosenblum, DLA information Operations Richmond deputy business relationship manager, was the first man to cross the finish line with a time of 21:12. Jones, a DLA Disposition Services Richmond management assistant, came in with the fastest women’s time at 26:48. (Photo by Jackie Roberts)
Officials prepare to cut the ribbon for the opening of the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation Operations Center on June 25. From left, David Gibson, site director; Cathy Contreras, acquisition executive, DLA Aviation; Charlotte Hurd, military liaison for Sen. Mark Warner; Gordon Hackett, director, DLA Installation Management; Air Force Brig. Gen. Linda Hurry, commander, DLA Aviation; Charlie Lilli, deputy commander, DLA Aviation; and Army Col. Patrick Kinsman, commander, Norfolk, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Anahi Rivadeneira, 8, hugs her father, Carlos Rivadeneira, at the kitchen table of the family’s home as he speaks of losses the family has survived and reads through his military service records and awards. (Sarah Blanchard Photography)Rivadeneira in his younger days Carlos Rivadeneira Jr. grew up in the Bronx, a borough of New York. In October 1979, when he was in eleventh grade, he left school to join the military, shipping out to Fort Sill in Oklahoma. “Growing up in the Bronx is kind of difficult,” the 57-year-old said. “I had the option of: ruin my life or go into…
Saxophonist Paul Saunders attracted children’s attention. It was 91 degrees, and visitors to the Chester Village Green on June 6 were treated to some hot jazz from Fort Lee’s “First Class Jazz Band.” The seven-member group performed at the 17th annual event sponsored by the Chester Kiwanis Club and the Village News. However, it might be the last time a band from Fort Lee performs in Chester anytime soon. Staff Sgt. Michael Kiese, a Hawaii native, plays electric guitar for the jazz band. He noted that Fort Lee’s entire band, which also includes rock and marching bands and a brass…
Desert Storm veteran Kathy Tilbury and Koa. Chester resident Kathy Tilbury, U.S. Navy retired, recently received an assistance dog from Canine Companions for Independence. Tilbury was matched with Koa II, a 3-year-old lab/golden retriever cross who was trained to respond to over 40 commands. Koa can turn light switches on and off, open and close doors and retrieve dropped objects. However, one of his most important jobs will be to provide constant companionship. Tilbury and Koa recently returned to Chester after completing Canine Companions’ Team Training class, an intense, two-week course held at the organization’s Northeast Regional Center in Medford,…
Tonia Golden loves helping people. That’s why she became a nurse. Even though she’s retired, Golden continues to serve by facilitating a post-traumatic stress disorder group at Chester’s Disabled American Veterans chapter. The group, which meets at 11 a.m. Thursdays at 6221 Newbys Bridge Road, averages about 12 members at each meeting, said Golden, who grew up in Baltimore and served in Vietnam as a nurse in the Army Nurse Corps from 1966-70. Members come together to chat about life. “It’s very informal,” she said. “Some days we don’t even talk about PTSD. Sometimes they will approach it indirectly.” Sam…
Chesterfield County elementary school students made 450 clay poppies that were planted in the lawn of the old Chesterfield Courthouse for a special ceremony Sunday, Nov. 11, symbolizing the significance of this Veterans Day. One hundred years ago, on Nov. 11, 1918, the Armistice was signed to mark the end of World War I “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.” At the WWI Centennial and Veterans Day Commemoration, those who attended honored the 450 Chesterfield residents who served in WWI and also paid tribute to 19 of those residents who died in that war,…
ABOVE: DLA Aviation Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Linda Hurry presents Benjamin ‘Gil’ Perkins the Hall of Fame medal and award for his selection as DLA Aviation’s 2018 Hall of Fame member at Defense Supply Center Richmond. For his dedicated service and contributions to Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Benjamin “Gil” Perkins, former DLA Aviation chief counsel, was inducted into the 2018 DLA Aviation Hall of Fame Sept. 27. Perkins retired in 2015 after 34 years of service. Brig. Gen. Linda Hurry opened the ceremony, making note of Perkins’s many contributions during his time at DSCR. “There is no question that Gil’s…