AFA416 continues to support events as it can and working with the Knights of Columbus (KoC), Greenville, TX, is always a privilege. On June 14, the event, the 2025 Knights of Columbus, Assembly 2139, Flag Retirement Ceremony was held, and 683 flags turned in from the community were properly retired.
The Honorable Keith Self, U.S. House of Representatives, Texas Third Congressional District, came out and spoke on the importance of our flag and rendering proper homage to it. He thanked the KoC for its ongoing support of the community and nation in providing a respectful service for retiring flags.
Maj (ret) Richard Holsinger, an AFA life member, planner and emcee for the event, said he was humbled and honored by the Greenville community turn out. Many organizations supported the event. Hunt County Sheriff, Terry Jones, county Commissioner Mr. Garry Smith, Greenville Fire Department, Captain Wes Parsons of Rescue 4, and a big turnout of veterans from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and commanders of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.
AFA provided the color guard with AFA416 President MSgt Zach Hill leading the effort. He and SMSgt Ashley Whitmore and TSgt Andrew Burns, all active-duty Air Force members of the 645th AESS, provided color guard and flag folding ceremony support. Hill is the 645th AESS, Senior Enlisted Leader and the team provided additional history of our flag in the ceremony.
MSgt Hill represented AFA416, and there were several chapter members in the audience. Of note, Civil Air Patrol, TX-645, leadership, and cadets the chapter sponsors participated in the event.
Kudos to the KoC, Maj (ret) Rich Holsinger, Congressman Self, the 645th AESS team, Civil Air Patrol, and all the others who made this event a respectful and wonderful event. See photos below.
