About: Seidel Chapter

The Air & Space Forces Association promotes a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and honors Airmen and our Air Force Heritage. To accomplish this, AFA:

EDUCATES the public on the critical need for unmatched aerospace power and a technically superior workforce to ensure U.S. national security.
ADVOCATES for aerospace power and STEM education.
SUPPORTS the total Air Force family and aerospace education.

The Seidel Chapter currently has approximately 700 members located in an area roughly defined by Dallas, Collin, and southeastern Denton counties. We are one of 12 chapters in the Texas AFA, which has more than 10,000 members.

The Seidel Chapter concentrates its efforts on supporting scientific, technical, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Specifically, the chapter supports the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) squadrons in the area, providing scholarships to deserving cadets as they learn to fly powered aircraft and gliders. In addition to CAP, the chapter annually awards a scholarship to the local winner of the Earle North Parker Essay Contest. The chapter also conducts a Teacher of the Year contest, seeking to find the elementary, middle or secondary school teacher who has "gone the extra mile" to interest his/her students in STEM subjects. Finally, the chapter is participating in a program, known as CyberPatriot, which involves high school students in teams to compete at the national level for awards in the field of cyber defense. For more information about the Seidel Chapter Education Programs click on Education Programs.

In addition to education programs, the chapter conducts quarterly membership meetings at which we typically have distinguished guest speakers from the military or civilian leadership of the Defense Department, or speakers from around the country to address topics of local interest. Membership meetings are almost always open to guests and non-members.

To learn more about our organization, and how you can become involved, please click on About Us.

The chapter is named in honor of Bob and Helen Seidel. Bob began serving his country during World War II. At the age of 17, Bob joined the Army Air Forces and trained to become a B-24 Flight Engineer/Turret Gunner. After training, Bob was deployed to the European Theater. He flew his first combat mission in July 1944, and continued to fly combat missions over Germany in hopes he would reach the magical 35th mission; unfortunately, on 16 November 1944, on his 32nd mission, Bob and his crew were shot down. Bob was captured and was incarcerated in a prison camp until liberated by the Russians on 19 April 1945.

Bob participated continuously in the Dallas Chapter 232 until his death on 23 May 2007. He served in many leadership roles for the Chapter and AFA Texas. Bob's wife, Helen, was "THE BEDROCK" of the chapter serving in Chapter and AFA Texas leadership roles until her death on 15 June 2015.