Upcoming Events
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AF-Army Game Watch Party
Date: November 4, 2023 Time: 2:00 pm - show 2:30 pm - game starts Location: Beef ‘O' Brady’s 724 Patrick Drive, Satellite Beach, FL 32937 Cost: No admission fee, pay as you go for food and beverage This will be an all-academy event: all service academy graduates, their families, and parents of cadets on the Space Coast are welcome. USAFA, USCGA, USMA, USMMA, USNA (and VMI and Citadel) Please RSVP by October 28 to Ken, USAFA '71, by email to [email protected] Go Air Force! Beat Army! |
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AF-Navy Game Watch Party
Date: October 21, 2023 Time: 11:30 am - show 12:00 pm - game starts Location: Beef ‘O' Brady’s 724 Patrick Drive, Satellite Beach, FL 32937 Cost: No admission fee, pay as you go for food and beverage This will be an all-academy event: all service academy graduates, their families, and parents of cadets on the Space Coast are welcome. USAFA, USCGA, USMA, USMMA, USNA (and VMI and Citadel) Please RSVP by October 14 to Jeff, USAFA '69, by email to [email protected] Go Air Force! Beat Navy! |
Past Events
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Global Walk 25th Anniversary Celebration
Date: December 12, 2022 Location: Crowne Plaza Oceanfront Hosts: Jackie (USAFA '85) & Danny Garcia (USMC Vietnam Vet) Danny, the "Walking Man”, & Jackie Garcia held a Gala and Concert. It was a wonderful evening, especially with Jackie and Danny giving thanks and honoring God, veterans, first responders, and their families. |
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AF-Army Game Watch Party
Date: November 5, 2022 Location: Beef 'O' Brady's Space Coast Falcons and family members enjoyed the game watch party at Beef 'O' Brady's on Saturday, November 5. USAFA had a large turnout of grads and family members, all of whom enjoyed watching Air Force dominated the game and recaptured the CIC trophy. Our thanks to Kevin McKeown, USMA '77, and Army for setting up our joint event. Space Coast Falcons will host next year, 2023. |
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Falcon Heavy Launch Watch
Date: November 1, 2022 Location: Cape Canaveral At 0941 EDT on November 1, 2022, Space Coast Falcons watched the successful liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral on the USSF-44 mission. They then watched the two side boosters land at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as the sonic booms were heard throughout the Space Coast. The rocket took a satellite which carried multiple Space Force payloads up to a circular orbit 22,300 miles above the earth. The landings were the 24th and 25th at the Space Force station and SpaceX's 150th and 151st successful Falcon-family booster recoveries. |
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AF-Navy Game Watch Party
Date: October 1, 2022 Location: Beef 'O' Brady's Space Coast Falcons and family members attended a game watch party at Beef 'O' Brady's on Saturday, October 1. USAFA classes '61, '70, ' 71, and '03 we're represented. Attendees included Gary Baxter '70, the Falcons starting quarterback in the late '6os. All who attended enjoyed watching Air Force Beat Navy in a close, but well deserved 13-10 victory. |
What’s going on in Ukraine?
Hosted by: The West Point Society of the Space Coast
Date: July 9, 2022
Location: "At Ease Club" at Indian River Colony Club
1600 Old Glory Blvd, Viera, FL 3294
Space Coast Falcons, family, and friends joined the USMA Alumni for a Summer Luncheon hosted by the West Point Society of the Space Coast. The Guest Speaker was MG (RET) Mike Repass, USMA ’80 (former Commander, 10th Special Forces Group). Mike gave a fascinating talk on the current military situation in the Ukraine. Also, WPSSC member Chuck Allen, USMA '78, will gave an excellent presentation on his recent humanitarian efforts in the Ukraine!
Hosted by: The West Point Society of the Space Coast
Date: July 9, 2022
Location: "At Ease Club" at Indian River Colony Club
1600 Old Glory Blvd, Viera, FL 3294
Space Coast Falcons, family, and friends joined the USMA Alumni for a Summer Luncheon hosted by the West Point Society of the Space Coast. The Guest Speaker was MG (RET) Mike Repass, USMA ’80 (former Commander, 10th Special Forces Group). Mike gave a fascinating talk on the current military situation in the Ukraine. Also, WPSSC member Chuck Allen, USMA '78, will gave an excellent presentation on his recent humanitarian efforts in the Ukraine!
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Central Florida Parents Club Annual Hail and Farewell
Date:June 4, 2022 Location: Seasons 52, Orlando The Central Florida Parents Club held their hail and farewell for the Class of 2022 Graduates, and Class of 2026 Appointees, and their parents. Space Coast Falcon members from '80, '85, and '88 met the newest USAFA grads from Central Florida and offered encouragement to new 2Lts, Class of 2026, Class of 2027 Preppies, and their parents. We are honored that our Space Coast Chapter President, Jackie Garcia '85, was the guest speaker. |
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Space Coast Falcons Cheer on Next Visit to
the Sun Date: May 25, 2022 Location: Cape Canaveral At 1435 EDT on May25, 2022, NASA and SpaceX launched a Falcon9 Rocket with multiple sun synchronous payloads. The acceleration burn was a flaming vertical arrow that was visible all the way thru the first stage burn. Then, the first stage reappeared, nearly overhead, with a dramatic landing burn returning to soft touchdown at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. As it touched down, we were hammered by the returning rocket’s double sonic boom. We have come a long ways from First Class year 60/61 and Astro 101/102! Attendees included: John ’78, Ken ’71, Rick ’70 and Carol, Ross ’66, and Pat ’61. Good Time had by all ! |
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Space Coast Chapter All Member Zoom Call Date: May 21, 2022 The Space Coast Chapter held an all-member Zoom call for the Space Coast Falcons Chapter of the USAFA AOG to discuss past and upcoming events. Future events will include our current plans, such as launch watch parties, football game watch parties, and new areas such as setting up networking opportunities for our members. Members who would like to participate in the planning, organization, and execution of current and future activities and who have new ideas are encouraged to contact us via the following link: |
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Founders Day on the Beach
April 2, 2022, 12:00 pm Patrick Space Force Base Beach House The Space Coast Falcons celebrated our combined USAFA heritage with fellow alumni and family on the beach; toes; in the sand. On display, our new Distinguished Chapter Flag, earned in 2021, our first year of existence as the Space Coast Falcons Chapter of the USAFA Association of Graduates. We are super proud of this Distinguished Chapter designation and the leadership cadre, AOG staff, Space Coast Alumni and family, and fellow alumni advisors that made it all come together... in a year no less. We thank our guest speaker Maj Gen Steve Lepper, Class of '79, and the many volunteers and participants (as well as those who showed on our inclement weather day (!) and we missed). Thanks to the AOG for delivering our flag and SWAG giveaways. Thanks to Gene Davis, Class of 1961, who gifted his book "Doolie". Thanks to John Winkopp '78 for the photos. Classes represented on both days: 59, 61, 65, 66, 70, 71, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 83, 84, 85, 88, 92, 2010, and 2021 Go Falcons! . |
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Central Florida Parents Club Events - Orlando
Lunch with USAFA Superintendent Lt Gen Clark March 5, 2022 Space Coast Falcons joined the Central Florida Parents Club who hosted a splendid luncheon with our USAFA Superintendent, his staff, and Admissions Team members. The group of alumni, family, and parents met at Seasons 52 in Orlando, FL. Lt Gen Clarke discussed his priorities, the National Character and Leadership Symposium, USAFA football, the AFA Spark Tank results (two of six nationwide invitees were from USAFA and got funded), the culture of innovation, the Chapel upgrade, and more. In his open and welcoming style, Lt Gen Clarke energized all with his pride and admiration for the cadets and had the whole room often in laughter. He commented on the robust attendance. That’s our Superintendent! Classes represented: ’71, ’76, ’80, '85, ’86 (Lt Gen Clark), ‘87, ’92, ’96, 2004, 2013 (Supt’s Exec Capt. Lawal), 2021, and Parents of 2022 (including Command Chief Hutcherson, daughter is 2022), 2023, 2024, 2025 Hats off to the President, USAFA Central Florida Parents Club, Cynthia Santiago-Guzman (2022 Parent) for a successful networking event. |
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Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Tour
March 2, 2022 Alumni and family came from as far out as St. Peterburg on the FL Gulf Coast to join our Space Coast AOG Chapter tour. We caravanned via escort onto the base (pre-screened and vetted per base security protocols). Thanks to Gayle ’83 who coordinated all the details of this tour, as well as all the volunteer docents at the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, Hangar C, Air and Space Museum, and Sands Museum. We had Museum Director Jaime Draper, USSF, who briefed us on the history of the Eastern Test Range, space and missiles, US Space Force, and “Space Force Delta 45”. In our midst, Randy ’76 who flew Corona missions and gave us fascinating insights. Classes represented: ’60, ’70, ’71, ’73, ’76, ’78, ’79, ’81, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’88, ’93, ’97, 2004 (parents) This was a popular tour! We may do it again. |
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General Membership Meeting
February 22, 2022 Zoom The Space Coast Falcons held a general membership meeting to discuss past and upcoming events. Our Chapter President, Pat Buckley '61, announced the great news that, in our first year as a formal chapter, we earned Distinguished Chapter designation by the AOG. Thanks go to all who participated in this team effort with special kudos to Jackie (Charsagua '85) Garcia for her leadership and all of her outstanding contributions to the chapter. In addition to the upcoming events shown above, we are working planning future launch watch parties, another Jack's Valley Virtual March Back, football game watch parties, and setting up networking opportunities for our members. |
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USAFA vs. USMA: College Match Day
U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) February 19, 2022 Location: USTA National Campus’ Collegiate Center, Orlando A great day for the Space Coast Falcons as the AFA Athletics brought Tennis to us: camaraderie and festivities. The 1,417 attendees included USAFA and USMA alumni and family (s well as tennis enthusiasts) in big numbers. Highlights included: - AF men's tennis delivered a strong 4-0 victory over Army. West Point returned the favor with a come-from-behind 4-3 win on the women’s side. - The Alumni Match included service academy tennis alumni from across the country. - Tennis team Doubles teammates, Class of '71, played together again, some 30+ years later. - Our own Dr. Jim Kaltenbach '65 was honored on court as was Maj Gen "Torch" Williams '89, former USAFA Commandant. The USAFA Tennis Coaches, USAFA Athletics, AOG, Central FL Parents and South FL Parents, Space Coast Falcons, and of course, the cadets we're amazing. Next year: USAFA vs. USNA. Join us on February 18, 2023. |
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Launch Watch Party
Atlas V launch January 21, 2022 The Space Coast USAFA Falcons met at a Cape Canaveral Beach and watched the 2:00 pm launch of an Atlas V rocket carrying two Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites for the U.S. Space Systems Command into near geosynchronous Earth orbit. The get together provided a wonderful venue to watch the launch and party with fellow grads and their family, representing classes from 1959 to 1996. The launch was fully successful and everyone had a great time with fellow grads and their families. |
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27th Annual All Academy Ball
December 27, 2021 Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando The reception and dinner was hosted by West Point Parents this year and was a great opportunity to meet and honor the young men and women that have committed themselves to our country and to connect with cadets, midshipmen, alumni, and parents of the U.S. Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, Military, and Naval Academies. |
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Air Force - Army Game Watch Party
November 6, 2021 Nail-biter decided in overtime Serious football fans showed up, cheered for the Falcons, and were intensely focused on the game. Congratulations to our USMA friends for the win… this time.
USAFA Classes represented: ’59, ’61, ’62, ’65, ’69, ’70, ’71, ’77, ’78, ’80, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’95, and 2028 Candidate. USMA Classes represented: ’67, ’68, ’70, ’73, ’75, ’77, ‘81 |
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Community Service
October 9, 2021 Members of the Space Coast Chapter met and assembled 600 hand-made Christmas cards for deployed troops across the globe. The cards were sent to Operation Gratitude who will put them in the hands of deployed troops well in advance of Christmas so the troops can send greetings from afar to their loved ones. From the mind of an artist and art teacher, Anne (wife of Jeff '69) crafted the artwork and set up an efficient production line. Our thanks to hosts Ken '71 and Marsha and workerbee Jackie '85 and Danny. We are truly honored to make a contribution to the Operation Gratitude care packages to thank and honor active duty troops, veterans, first responders, and their families and caregivers. We have served, and now we serve you, our deployed troops! |
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Air Force - Navy Game Watch Party
September 11, 2021 A total of 39 USAFA Falcons, family, friends of USAFA, and one USAFA candidate attended the game watch party at the Tides Collocated Club on Saturday, 11 September. - USAFA Classes represented: '61, '62, '65, '71, '74, '75, '76, '84, '85, '97, 2013, 2015, 2023, 2027 Hopeful - USMA Classes represented '75, '77, '78, 2011 A couple It was an interacademy event, as Space Coast USMA grads & family also attended to support us and watch Air Force sink Navy. The game started a little rough when Navy scored first with a field goal, but Air Force ultimately prevailed 23-3. It was a good time of socializing, cheering Air Force, and doing push-ups (yes, a few dropped and got into the spirit). There was plenty of food to go around (although those great potato chips disappeared fairly quickly). Go Air Force! Beat Navy! |
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Jack’s Valley Virtual March Back
July 17, 2021 Each year, Basic Cadets march 6.2 miles to and from Jack’s Valley back to the Academy grounds. In support of the incoming USAFA Class of 2025, Space Coast USAFA Falcons accepted the challenge and virtually walked / ran / biked the 6.2 miles at the scenic Viera Wetlands. The event was a great success! Classes represented: ’61, ’69, ’71, ’74, ’75, '78, ’85, ’88, ’93, ‘25 We had 21 participants: USAFA Grads, a 2025 parent, a 2025 girlfriend, and multiple family/friends who met to celebrate the Class of 2025 and their return from Jack’s Valley. Alumni reunited, friendships were renewed, and new connections made! Fun was had by all, and wheels are already in motion for next year’s March Back. If you missed the March Back this year, PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR for next year. Congratulations to all who participated! |
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Launch Watch Party
June 17, 2021 The Space Coast USAFA Falcons met at a Cape Canaveral Beach and watched the 12:09 pm launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 with a GPS III-5 satellite for the U.S. Space Force. The get together provided a wonderful venue to watch the launch and party with fellow grads and their family, representing classes from 1959 to 2025! The launch was fully successful and everyone had a great time with fellow grads and their families. |
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Launch Watch Party
June 3, 2021 The Space Coast USAFA Falcons met at a Cape Canaveral Beach and watched the 1:29 PM SpaceX Falcon 9 CRS-22, the 22nd commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station, lift off on its way to a successful mission. The get together was equally successful as everyone had a good time watching the launch and enjoying each other’s company. |
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Founders Day on the Beach
April 10, 2021 The Space Coast Chapter of the AOG held our annual Founders Day celebration commemorating the establishment of the Air Force Academy on April 1st, 1954. Graduates, parents, and friends joined at the Patrick Space Force Base Beach House to celebrate our biggest event of the year. |
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Launch Watch Party
January 23, 2021 The Space Coast USAFA Falcons met at a Cape Canaveral Beach and watched the 0940 launch of the Falcon 9 Block 5 | Transporter-1 Rideshare Mission. We also met previously on Thursday and Friday mornings as well, but the launch was delayed twice due to technical issues. All three of the meetings provided an ideal opportunity for us to renew acquaintances and meet fellow graduates who live in the Space Coast area. The launch and the get-togethers were both a great success. Kudos to Gayle Johnson Denny '83 who suggested and hosted the gatherings, and to Pat Buckley ’61 and Jackie Charsagua Garcia ‘85 for organizing and getting the word out. |
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Jack's Valley Virtual Walk Back
July 25, 2020 On Saturday, 25 July 20, the Class of 2024 returned from Jack’s Valley. The AOG annually challenges Grads to join in the return. Given the Pandemic, the AOG challenged Grads to virtually participate by running/walking/biking/roller blading/wheel chairing/mobility scooting/skate boarding/etc, the 6.2 miles in a convenient location. Gloria Lorenzo-Luaces, ’93 got the local ball rolling by contacting Pat Buckley ‘61 and we sent out the invite to local Grads. We had 10 Space Coast Grads join up at Brevard Zoo Linear Trail to virtually join and honor the Class of 2024 return from Jack’s Valley. We ran/walked/biked/rollerbladed/wheel chaired/mobility scootered/skate boarded/etc the 6.2 miles to honor the Class of 2024. Kudos to Gloria Lorenzo-Luaces, ‘93 for initiating and organizing us, and to Jackie Charsagua Garcia ‘85 for collecting video and photos to send to the AOG to document our efforts. See your participating Space Coast Grads in the AOG video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9& v=o9napefK5t0 ) between time tags of 00:58 and 01:18. Congrats to our 10 participants! |
