Military and Civic Service

New Veterans Home has a Grand Opening

Texas’ newest State Veterans Home, located in Fort Worth, had its grand opening last month, complete with local and state dignitaries, relatives of Tuskegee Airmen and, of course, representatives of the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce.

The Black Chamber played an integral part in the home’s creation, location, development and in having it named for the Tuskegee Airmen.

In 2018 when then-Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush visited the FWMBCC offices, the late Chamber President and CEO Devoyd “Dee” Jennings first suggested that Fort Worth would be the perfect sight for the home that would house Texas veterans over 65, their spouses and Gold Star Parents.

Chamber Members, the Stoglin Group (Chaplain Rich Stoglin) and Trojan Commercial Real Estate (partners Tim Williams and Andre McEwing), went in search of property where the home could be located, finally settling on a county-owned plot near the Fort Worth Veterans Clinic and the Tarrant County Research Connection.

With the help of Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks and then-County Judge Glen Whitley, the county donated the land where the home now fits.

It was a major effort which included raising funds to design and build a replica of the P-51 aircraft (the plane flown by the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II) that is in front of the home. Special thanks to the Claude R. Platt chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen and Southwest Airlines for that.

It is an accomplishment we all can be proud of.

First Veteran Moves In

Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckinghim, M.D., was hand April 2 to welcome the first new resident of the Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home.

The first resident is Sgt. Robert Emmett O’Malley, the first U.S. Marine Corps recipient of the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War. The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office provided Sgt. O’Malley with a police escort to his new home.

The new Veterans home — the 10th in the state, is a 100,000-square feet facility that can serve 120 veterans.

Tuskegee Airmen Veterans State Home Grand Opening – Fort Worth, Texas

The Tuskegee Airmen Veterans State Home in Fort Worth, Texas, celebrated its Grand Opening on Saturday, March 22, 2025, with an estimated 300 guests in attendance. Distinguished guests included Texas Land Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham, family members of the Tuskegee Airmen, elected officials, and community leaders from across the Lone Star State.

Named in honor of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen of World War II—who earned distinction for never losing a bomber they escorted—this is the only Veterans State Home in the nation dedicated to honoring servicemembers of color.

A full-scale replica of the iconic P-51 Mustang, the aircraft flown by the Tuskegee Airmen in their courageous missions over Europe, stands proudly at the entrance of the new facility. Several historical artifacts, generously donated by the families of the Airmen, will be displayed throughout the home to help preserve and share their remarkable legacy. We are deeply grateful for these heartfelt contributions.

In the coming months, a mini museum exhibit dedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen is scheduled to open to the public. This display will offer visitors a unique opportunity to learn more about these trailblazing American heroes and their pivotal role in defending freedom and shaping history.

Commissioner Buckingham, VLB Celebrate Grand Opening of the Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home

2024 FDRSTC Holiday Party

Pictured: Chaplain Rich Stoglin with US Senator Tim Scott, US Congressman Wesley Hunt, Governor Greg Abbott, First Lady of Texas, Mrs. Cellia Abbott, and Lt Governor Dan Patrick.

Chamber Case Study: How Chaplain Rich Stoglin And The Stoglin Group Built Up Their Reputations In The Community

February 13, 2025

Through his active membership with the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Chaplain Rich Stoglin, owner of The Stoglin Group, developed valuable connections and became a known voice in the greater Arlington area.

“Because of the Greater Arlington Chamber, I’ve been able to build relationships and maintain them for many years,” Stoglin said. “Those relationships have allowed me to be a bridge builder and a community influence. It’s also given me the opportunity to help others gain economic footholds in the community.”

While on active duty recall for the United States Marines Corps, Stoglin served as a Department Head for the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons for 17 years before retiring in 2007. He later retired from the United States Navy Reserve Chaplain Corps in 2013 after serving his last assignment as the Command Chaplain of 39 nations. While he interacted with various chambers of commerce across the country, Stoglin, himself, had never been a member of one.

After retiring in Arlington, he reached out to the Chamber CEO & President at the time, asking what the Greater Arlington Chamber did differently.

“From that point on, I became much more involved with the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce,” Stoglin said.

Over his nearly 11 years of membership with the Chamber, Stoglin gained invaluable opportunities, exposure and relationships. The Chamber connected him with community and state leaders and built his reputation at a community, state and national level. Stoglin served on one of Governor Greg Abbott’s boards in addition to countless other boards and committees. He also attended the inauguration of the 47th president by invitation.

All are opportunities he said the Chamber helped jumpstart for him.

“The mission of the Greater Arlington Chamber is to champion economic and community prosperity,” Stoglin said. “To be a part of something bigger … I’m here for others, on behalf of others, to work with others, so that each of us together through our collective contributions can make this city better.”

He’s seen firsthand how Chamber Members live out Together, We Succeed. – the Chamber’s tagline.

“If you come here, roll up your sleeves and you’re willing to find out what needs to be done, what the needs are and what are you willing to do to help improve the community, people will help you, not necessarily economically, but socially through networking,” he said.

Stoglin shared how the Chamber’s given him the opportunity to share his ideas and passion for creating a healthy diversity in Arlington through the creation of the Community Influence Leaders Roundtable (CILR).

Stoglin serves on the advisory council for the Veterans Business Council, one of the Chamber’s Member Groups. Joining this Member Group means a lot to him as a veteran, he said. During his time as a chaplain, he often found himself knocking on doors, delivering heartbreaking news and shouldering the pain of grieving families.

“That’s why I’m actively involved with the Veterans Business Council,” Stoglin said. “I served veterans. I served their families.”

Member Groups help you grow as an individual and allow you to meet people you might not see at the monthly Chamber-wide events, Stoglin said.

“You become a part of a group that’s larger than yourself, and you learn how the Chamber operates and what its purpose is, not only in verbiage but in action,” he said. “If you become a part of some or all of those groups, you have no way but to go up, direction-wise. You have no direction but to go up if you get involved, stay engaged and work with others. It gives us healthy diverse perspectives.”

Stoglin’s biggest advice to new members is to consistently attend events and actively build relationships by listening to others.

“Talk little, listen lot, learn much and be consistent,” Stoglin said. “That is how you will grow. If you talk, you can’t hear, and if you can’t listen, then you can’t learn. You learn much by doing those two, and consistency is what is required to grow at all.”

2024 FDRSTC Holiday Party

Pictured: Chaplain Rich Stoglin with US Senator Tim Scott, US Congressman Wesley Hunt, Governor Greg Abbott, First Lady of Texas, Mrs. Cellia Abbott, and Lt Governor Dan Patrick.

2024 Republican National Convention

Pictured: Chaplain Rich Stoglin with US Senator Tim Scott, US Congressman Wesley Hunt, Governor Greg Abbott, First Lady of Texas, Mrs. Cellia Abbott, and Lt Governor Dan Patrick.

Praying at the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce 12 November 2024 Business Over Breakfast (BOB).

The Stoglin Group has been the Coffee Sponsor for several years for the November BOB.

Veteran’s Business Council – Quarterly Prayer Breakfast

Another incredibly insightful and enriching prayer breakfast hosted by our very own Chaplain Stoglin. We were blessed to hear from a pillar of our community, Mayor Jeff Williams on the story of how the National Medal of Honor Museum came to Arlington.

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Community Influence Leaders Roundtable – ArlingtonToday, January 2020

2024 Memorial Day Celebration – Arlington, TX

Anglican Diocese of Ft. Worth Inaugural Mass for MLK

On Jan 27 (rescheduled due to inclement weather,) the Inaugural Diocesan Mass for MLK Day was celebrated at the Cathedral by Bishop Keith L Ackerman. Fr. Rich Stoglin preached the sermon. In attendance were The Honorable Doug Cogan, Mayor of Bedford, Mr. James Dyer, Constituent Liaison for Texas State Senator Kelly Hancock, and Canon Joel Hampton, Canon to the Ordinary of Fort Worth. A proclamation was presented at the reception in recognition of the Inaugural Mass for MLK Day. A US Congressional Certificate was presented on behalf of US Congressman Roger Williams, by Mr. McCann Turner, Field Representative for Congressman Williams.

Fort Worth’s Last Tuskegee Airman Laid to Rest

Robert Tennerson McDaniel died at the age of 96

March 2019.

2023 FDRSTC Awards Recipients

Recipients received their awards at 9 November 2023 FDRSTC Holiday Party

BOB Coffee Sponsor for the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce

14 November 2023 Sponsor.

Mrs. Reecia Stoglin recognized as “Volunteer of the Year” by the City Boards and Commissions for the City of Arlington, Texas

Mr. Troy Williams, on Wednesday 30 August 2023; Chief Equity Officer for the City of Arlington, presented the award to Mrs. Stoglin at her home. Unfortunately Mrs. Reecia Stoglin, is recovering from knee surgery, and was unable to attend the ceremony.

March For America

On Behalf of Police, Fire Fighters, and First Responders
Oct 1, 2022
Fort Worth, TX

A group of around 30 marched from the Fort Worth Police and Firefighters Memorial to the steps of the Tarrant County Courthouse Saturday morning in the name of law enforcement and first responder support. The event was held by the Frederick Douglass Republicans of Tarrant County. From the get-go, those waiting to march down Fort Worth’s West Seventh Street Those making the walk to the courthouse arrived to the march with American flags. Expressing their commitment to working with law enforcement if elected.

Wheels for Wellness

Support for the eradication of Prostate Cancer
September 17, 2022
Fort Worth, TX

CHAPLAIN STOGLIN ORDAINED AS DEACON AT ST. PETER & PAUL ANGLICAN CHURCH

Chaplain Richmond Earl Stoglin, who served for 28 years in the U.S. Navy and who has been a prolific local community leader and civil rights activist, was recently ordained as a deacon during a service at St. Peter & Paul Anglican Church.

One More River | Psalms 23:1-6 | Revelation 22:1-11

Guest Sermon at St Paul First United Methodist Church of Abilene, January 16, 2022

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalms 23:1-6 ESV

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”“And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 9but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”
Revelations 22:1-11

Points to Consider
1) History is dangerous without a compass
2) The power of hope must never be taken away.
3) We are not there yet, but…

Frederick Douglass Republicans of Tarrant County Holiday Party

November 17, 2021

A Farewell Address: CILR, The Chamber & Chaplain Rich Stoglin

Monday, October 18, 2021

Farewell Address

Kick off campaign of Texas State Senator, Kelly Hancock.

Friday, September 17, 2021

Arlington Heritage Memorial Grounds Corporation

Arlington Heritage Memorial Grounds Fundraiser

August 20, 2021
J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill

Tuskeegee Airmen – Texas State Veterans Home Groundbreaking Ceremony

August 19, 2021

CILR Proclamation
June 8, 2021

The CILR was issued a Proclamation by Mayor Jeff Williams and the Arlington City Council at its Tuesday 8 June 2021 Council Meeting.

Chaplain Stoglin received the Proclamation on behalf of the CILR. After making remarks, Chaplain Stoglin presented the Proclamation to the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce via Ms. Alicia Butler requesting that the Chamber become its Curator.

In the photo left to right are: Arlington Deputy Police Chief, Dr. Tarrick McGuire, PhD, Mayor Jeff Williams, Chaplain Rich Stoglin, Alicia Butler if the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce and Staff Liasion to CILR, Eric Phillips of the Arlington of the ISD, Mrs. Sharon Croxton, and Mayor ProTem Dr. Victoria Farrah-Myers.