Air Force Association Miami Chapter, The 317th Starts Off The New Year With General Fraser and U.S. Southern Command

Benny F. Benitez AFA greets the Mayor of Coral Gables, the Honorable Don Slesnick, II at the U.S. Southern Command event held at the Grand Ball Room at Doral Resort. Mayor Slenick is a Vietnam Veteran and served as an Advisor to NATO Countries and Forces

The AFA-317th extended a greeting to Mrs Jeannett Slesnick who shared in rivting conversation with AFA-317th President Benny F. Benitez about the history of the City of Coral Gables

Shown from left to right are Mr. Brain C. Dawson, Sr. Account Executive for IBC Airways, Ms. Arlene York, U.S. Southern Command Protocol Specialist and Benny F. Benitez, President of the Miami Chapter of the Air Force Association, the 317th

AFA-317th President meets with dignitaries of Caribbean and Latin American Nations that support and play a U.S. National Security role through and with U.S. Southern Command. Show here is Benny F. Benitez with the Honorary Consul of Guyana, the Honorable Ramzan Roshanali

AFA-317th President Benny F. Benitez greets and shares a conversation with U.S. Southern Command Chief of Staff United States Marine Corp. Brigadier General David C. Garza

AFA-317th President Benny F. Benitez and General Frazer the Commanding General of U.S. Southern Command based in Doral section of Miami, Florida

Air Force Association Miami Chapter, the 317th President Benny F. Benitez is greeted by General and Mrs Fraser at the Doral Golf Resort U.S. Southern Command event to kick off the New Year

Doral, Florida 9th January 2010: Despite the cold and frigged temperatures that has gripped and besieged the Miami area since the commencement of the New Year, all but the hardest of souls braved the elements to answer the invite call sent forth by the U.S. South Command Commanding General, General Fraser (USAF) to a post New Year gathering at the Doral Golf Resort.

Dignitaries from Foreign Allied Nations and Governments, as well as prominent local business leaders to include State, County and City officials were all in attendance to help General Fraser, his family and his Command celebrate the New Year! The Air Force Association Miami Chapter, the 317th had both and honorable mention and presences, as the Chapter President, Mr. Benny F. Benitez was in attendance and proudly representing the Air Force Association.

Seizing the opportunity, Mr. Benitez was able to hold side bar conferences with various ranking officers and visiting dignitaries. One such conversation was with U.S. Southern Command Chief of Staff, Brigadier General David C. Garza (USMC). Mr. Benitez explained to Brigadier General Garza the AFA-317th wiliness and ability to assit in morale and welfare of his troops through reorganization and the rendering of well earned awards. The General was delighted and extended an open door visitation to his office, so as to forge a stronger link between the community (AFA-317th) and the Command. Other such conversations and exposure of the AFA-317th were held withe Honorable Don Slesnick, the Mayor of Coral Gables and Honorary Consul of the Country of Guyana, the Honorable Mr. Ramzan Roshanali.

Other notable mentioned included Mr. Brain C. Dawson of IBC Airways a locally based Miami Airline which operates the SAAB 340 and Fairchild Merlin II Turboprop aircraft's often in support of U.S. Southern Command.

All in all the Air Force Association Miami Chapter, the 317th seized a tremendous opportunity to present itself to many and thus raising the awareness and value of the Air Force Association in Miami.