AUSA PENN & FRANKLIN - GREATER PHILADELPHIA 

CHAPTER NEWSLETTER

MARCH 2026

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INFORM - CONNECT - EDUCATE - SERVE

 

Thank You to all our Chapter Members and Community Partners for your enduring support to your AUSA Chapter. Your support enables us to fulfill our mission of Inform, Educate, Connect, and Serve our local United States Army community.

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Friends,

Five years ago, you entrusted me with the privilege of serving as your Chapter President. I do not take that lightly. Thank you for your confidence, your support, and your willingness to walk together over these last five years. It has been a true honor to serve this chapter and our Army family.

As I reflect on this season, I do so with gratitude. We have shared meaningful moments together that reminded us who we are and why this chapter matters. We celebrated the Army’s 250th birthday with pride and appreciation for the men and women who have worn the uniform. We hosted multiple golf outings that gave us the chance to connect, encourage one another, and strengthen the bonds that make this chapter special. We honored our Vietnam Veterans with the respect they have long deserved. We gathered for Veteran’s Day celebrations to remember sacrifice, service, and legacy.

But if I had to point to the effort that best reflects the heart of this chapter, it would be Operation Holiday Cheer. More than any event, that work captures who we are at our best. It reminds us that our mission is not just to host programs. Our mission is to care for people. To serve our Army family well. To make sure others know they are seen, valued, and never forgotten.

I also want to express my sincere appreciation to the many men and women who served on the AUSA board during my time at the helm, and especially to my Vice President, David Gillespie. Their unwavering help, support, and faithful service made a real difference. Quite simply, they helped make both me and this chapter successful. No president leads alone, and I have been blessed to serve alongside people of such commitment, character, and heart.

As we look ahead, we will hold an election near future to select a new Chapter President. 

Thank you again for the trust you placed in me five years ago. Thank you for your encouragement, your partnership, and your commitment to this chapter. Serving as your Chapter President has been one of the great privileges of my life.

That has always been the strength of this chapter. Not just what we do, but how we do it. With heart. With service. With genuine care for one another.

I remain grateful for all we have accomplished together, and I am excited for what lies ahead. The mission continues. The need remains. And I believe the best days for this chapter are still in front of us.

I encourage each of you to stay connected, get involved, and make these events part of your calendar. Your participation is the heartbeat of our Chapter. 

On behalf of the Penn & Franklin Chapter of AUSA, thank you for your unwavering support. Together, we are building a community of strength, service, and pride in our Army family.

With gratitude and excitement,

Rev. Dr. Paul V. McCullough III

President, Penn & Franklin Chapter, AUSA

To see videos and pictures from our Army 250thBirthday celebration: please visit https://ausapennfranklin.org/galleries

PHILADELPHIA VIETNAM VETERANS DAY

March 29th, 2026

Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Front & Spruce Streets

Philadelphia, PA

Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony Invitation

The Penn & Franklin Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) invites you to join us for a solemn and meaningful observance of National Vietnam War Veterans Day at the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

On Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 11:00 AM, veterans, families, and community members will gather at Front & Spruce Streets in Philadelphia to honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who served during the Vietnam War—and to remember those who never returned home.

This annual ceremony serves as an important opportunity to reflect, pay tribute, and ensure that the legacy of our Vietnam veterans continues to be recognized and remembered. We are proud to share that Joe Daly, President of the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association, will be among the featured speakers, representing our regional veteran community.

The ceremony will also feature speakers from the City of Philadelphia, the Veterans Administration, Vietnam Veterans, and Chaplain Rev. COL Karen Meeker Office of the Chief of Chaplains, U.S. Army, offering perspectives that reflect the service, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of those who served.

We encourage all members, partners, and the public to attend and stand with us in gratitude and remembrance as we honor these American heroes.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

If you would like to volunteer for the Ceremony; please contact David J. Gillespie @

vppennfranklin@ausa.org

AMERICAN VETERANS MEDIA 

Friday, May 15th, 2026

National Constitution Center

525 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Our Chapter Board Member; Ralph Galati will be featured in a Feature Length Documentary

The Longest Yarn National Constitution Center Premiere Promo, May 15th at 6:30. 

American Veterans Media and The Longest Yarn Committee, Cape May New Jersey are presenting a day of Veterans Themed Documentary Film Screenings.

Edison 64, Remember 

The 27 Crusaders, 

The Ralph Galati Story a The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia from 11 A.M. until 9 P.M.  

Each film will be followed by a Q&A with production Crew members and people featured in the films.

Approximate start times are:

Edison 64 - 1:00 A.M. 

Remember The 27 Crusaders - 1:30 P.M.

The Ralph Galati Story - 4:00 P.M. 

The Longest Yarn - 6:30  P.M.

251stArmy Birthday

June 14th, 2026

Philadelphia Independence Mall Area

Please join us for our 251st Army Birthday and Stripes & Stars Flag Day Event.

Additional Information will be provided via email & posted on our website events page : https://ausapennfranklin.org/more-info-%26-events

BELLS ACROSS AMERICA

Chapter Board Member COL Joseph Kirlin who also serves as the Commander of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Military Order of World Wars (MOWW) is spearheading the Bells Across America initiative in Philadelphia in support of America 250.

13THARMY-NAVY SOCCER CUP

OCT, 2026

SUBARU PARK, CHESTER, PA

Additional Information will be provided via email & posted on our website events page : https://ausapennfranklin.org/more-info-%26-events

OPERATION HOLIDAY CHEER 2025

Through generous member donations and funds the chapter raised, we were able to assist three families in making their family Christmas wishes come true. The Chapter spent approximately $3,500 for two Veteran’s families and a PA National Guard officers family while he was deployed. This is a very important activity that our Chapter does annually to support our Military and Veteran Community.

Philadelphia Veterans Day Parade & Festival

November, 2025

Each year the chapter participates in the Philadelphia Veterans Day Parade & Festival. The Parade Marshal for the 2025 was Chapter Board Member Ralph Galati.