September 11th Anniversary at Sanford

 We will never forget…

American history has never followed a straight line. We take detours, we sometimes stall, but we always move forward. The terrible events of September 11, 2001, knocked us back and then put us on a different path, a 10-year journey that has affected much about our lives. A decade later, it feels as though we’ve settled into a kind of balance.

This month marks the 10 year anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, and to commemorate and pay tribute the lives lost, to those who survived, and to those who helped save lives, TSA SFB, airport personnel, and passengers  got together to remember and pay respect by holding a moment of silence in the Domestic Checkpoint.

LTSO Peter Lewandowski, a New York Police officer at the time of the attacks, presented the uniform shirt he wore at the time when performing search and rescue at the World Trade Center.

The red  flag with the pentagon was flown for Gowen  Loiacono on November 4, 2010. The 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron flew this flag on a KC-135R combat aerial refueling mission, call sign Python 57 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan on the 4^th of November 2010.This flag represents the United States dedication to the fight against terrorism and to ensure the events of 11 September 2001 are never repeated on American soil.

Certificate was signed by:
Joe Leeper, Maj, USAF – Aircraft  Commander
James A. Diroff, LLT, USAF – Pilot
Chris Cannon, AIC, USAF – Boom Operator

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We will never forget what happened on 9/11 and we thank all the heroes that helped on that day!

SFB Eagle Eyes and Sharpshooters

TSA’s “Eagle Eye” Award is recognition extended to a TSA Officer who discovered an IED or any other prohibited, dangerous or lethal item which performing security screening procedures requiring intervention by a Law Enforcement Officer.

We are honored to have “Eagle Eye” Awards presented to:

LTSO Daizey Paz

TSO Kimberly Sexton

TSO Constance Zell

Fostering model workplace:

TSO Gloria Macdonald

Situational Awareness:

TSO Marilyn Smith

TSA’s “Sharpshooter” Award is recognition for the discovery of an undeclared firearm in checked baggage or firearm discovered at the screening checkpoint requiring intervention by a Law Enforcement Officer.

We are honored to have “Sharpshooter” Awards presented to:

TSO Damian Bonacci

High Tip Scores:

TSO Damian Bonacci 
TSO Constance Zell
TSO Natasha Semidey
 TSO Briant Bracero
TSO Julio Rengel
TSO David Henderson
TSO Dennise Vargas
TSO Tony Hough
TSO Veronica Guadalupe
TSO Donald Selah
TSO David Woodruff
TSO Raul Vargas
TSO Jesus Caimares
TSO Jennifer Fullagar
TSO Leonard Grasso
TSO Cynthia Moore
TSO Karee Oliver

SFB July Employee of the Month

TSO Jeremy Lupa has been a “Role Model” for others in his responsiveness to passengers and fellow officers.  His dedication fosters teamwork and promotes a culture of achievement throughout the workforce.  He is always there to take on additional responsibilities from opening the International Checkpoint, performing safety checks, calibrating the equipment, and performing WTMD requirements.  He is truly a role model and has aided SFB to becoming a Model Workplace environment.

SFB collected 349 lbs for donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank

By STSO Mark McCormick

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a private, nonprofit organization that collects and distributes donated food to more than 500 nonprofit partner agencies in six Central Florida counties: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia. This year, Team Care was the responsible party at SFB for the Feds Feeds Families Campaign.  It was scheduled for June, July and August to collect non-perishable food items nationwide by federal employees for donation to our local approved food banks.  SFB collected a total of 349 pounds for donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank.  It was delivered on September 8th and STSO Louis Troche took photos of the donation with TSO Pamela Newcomer, TSM Yamille Feliciano-Aponte and Mindy Ortiz, Volunteer Services Coordinator, Second Harvest, and myself.  The amount would not have been possible without several people here at SFB. According to Second Harvest of Central Florida, the 349 pounds of food drive collected were equivalent to 233 meals. Thank you for all the people that donated food items, volunteered to help, and make this possible.

Puerto Rican Parade

Parade pictures by Louis Troche

On July 23, 2011, Osceola County celebrated its first Puerto Rico Day Parade with much success.
During the celebration, the Army 65^th Infantry were honored. They were the first all Puerto Rican infantry in the U.S. military history.
Many of these men who are still living were honored in a gala event the day prior to the parade. One of the honorees is Mr. Eddie Aviles who just celebrated his 82^nd birthday and is a relative of one of Sanford’s Color Guard member.
The Sanford Color Guard, as part of the community outreach, participated and escorted the float that was carrying all Infantry survivors. The event was a great success and the community participation was fantastic. We at TSA would like to thank all military members, past and present for the great job and service they have done for us and this country.