Council donates more than $50K, supports Selfridge

GIVING BACK

Steve Mrozek, director of the Selfridge Military Air Museum, left, accepts a donation from Selfridge Base Community Council president, John Stoltz, in Harrison Township, Michigan, Dec. 17, 2024. The mission of the 250-member Selfridge BCC is to bridge the relationship between servicemembers and the surrounding communities through a variety of support activities. U.S. AIR NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO BY TECH. SGT. DREW SCHUMANN

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general, Michigan National Guard, speaks to members of the Selfridge Base Community Council during its Dec. meeting, in Harrison Twp., Michigan, Dec. 17, 2024. The mission of the 250-member council is to bridge the relationship between members serving at Selfridge Air National Guard Base and the surrounding communities. U.S. AIR NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO BY TECH. SGT. DREW SCHUMANN

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By Bruce J. Huffman

127th Wing Public Affairs

The Selfridge Base Community Council met for the last time in 2024 on Dec. 17 at MacRay Harbor in Harrison Township. Known as the “Holiday Luncheon,” the December BCC meeting is always well attended because it is the organization’s last opportunity to show support for the men and women at Selfridge before the new year.

The giving officially began when participants entered the building where BCC members and their guests left new, unwrapped toys under the Christmas tree in the lobby for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program, coordinated by the 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, one of more than 40 mission partners who call Selfridge ANGB home.

According to U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Brandon M. Ward, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment commander, his unit led the region in toy collection in 2021 and the nation in 2022.

“Collections have been very good this year, so we’ll be able to provide a good Christmas for a lot of children,” Ward said.

Keeping with tradition, the guest speaker was U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard.

“It is always great to come in and share what we have going on with our almost 10,500 Army and Air National Guard members across the state,” Rogers said.

Rogers briefly outlined his top priorities for Selfridge ANGB, which include solving the encroachment issue at the south side of the runway, ensuring the construction of an aircraft “super” hangar and other infrastructure needed to support the KC-46 Pegasus aircraft mission, and the continued pursuit of an advanced fighter mission for the 127th Wing.

Selfridge BCC President Jonathan Vandenbossche and Vice President John Stolz presented monetary donations to the following organizations: the 127th Wing Chiefs Council, Selfridge Fire Department, Wreaths Across America New Baltimore, 127th Family Readiness Group, Team Selfridge Family Relief Fund, Border Patrol Detroit Sector, Morale, Welfare and Recreation fund, Hooves Vet Retreat, Michigan Freedom Centers, Wreaths Across America Resurrection Cemetery, Great Lakes Air & Marine Wing MWR, Selfridge Military Air Museum, Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation Scholarship Program, 127th Wing Commanders Fund, Coast Guard Air Station Detroit Morale Fund, Detroit Arsenal MWR Fund, Marine Corps Event Fund, Navy Support Center Detroit Association, Wertz Warriors, Special Olympics, Enlisted Heritage House, Starbase One, Vets Returning Home and Holbrook Farms.

According to Stolz, the BCC donated more than $50,000 to Selfridge and military-based support organizations in 2024.

“I always look forward to presenting the checks during the December meeting — an annual highlight of our organization,” Stolz said. “Giving funds directly to the military units and non-profit organizations extends the reach of the BCC and helps us better support our ‘Team Selfridge’ members.

The BCC meets once a month and is comprised of more than 250 local business and elected leaders with the sole mission of supporting Selfridge ANGB and its personnel.

“Monthly BCC meetings allow us to meet with Selfridge military personnel, network with like-minded business and community leaders, have a delicious lunch and hear from a wide range of guests who speak about various topics relevant to our mission, which is to support Selfridge,” Stolz said.

Some of the BCC monthly luncheon speakers in 2024 included representatives from Boeing, LIFT, the Selfridge Military Air Museum and U.S. Space Force, along with distinguished individuals such as Doug Slocum, a retired Air Force brigadier general and a former commander of the 127th Wing.

To learn more about the Selfridge BCC, visit selfridgecommunitycouncil.com.