Events

Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Thomas Mata is a lead investigator within the Rockford Resident Agency (RRA), which is a satellite office of the Chicago Division Field Office.  The office investigates a broad spectrum of criminal violations across the ten counties of the office’s area of responsibility.  

Agent Mata has been with the FBI for five years and was assigned to the Chicago Division after graduating from the FBI Academy.  He began his career working counterterrorism and national security matters at the Chicago Field Office, before transferring to the RRA in late 2024. Agent Mata currently investigates all federal crimes within the area, with a specialized focus on crimes against children and complex financial crimes. Agent Mata is a Rockford native and is married with two daughters.  

Samuel G. Miller, began his tenure as President and CEO on January 1, 2020. Previously, Sam served as Crusader Chief Financial Officer for 15 years. The Cosmo Club of Rockford has supported Crusader's diabetes support program by contributing over $700,000 since it's partnership began.

Crusader’s mission is to serve the Rock River Valley area with quality primary health care for all people in need. Crusader’s dedicated team of primary care providers will continue to treat patients with uncompromising care, dignity and respect.

Come drop off your Pointsetia's orders to get into the early bird drawing.  Win an entry into the Cosmo's March Madness event! 

Fellow Cosmos,

Join us for an after work social. 

Thursday, November 12th 
6:00 – 9:00 PM
Shattered  – Loves Park

Free pool, if folks are interested we can a dart, golden tee, and/ or pac man tournament going.

 If you are in the mood to belt out your favorite song, Karaoke starts at 8pm

This is a great opportunity to bring a prospective Cosmo and continue building strong relationships within the club. Please note this event is limited to current members and prospective members only.

If you’re planning to attend and haven’t already registered, please do so to help us with final numbers.

Looking forward to a great evening together!

Maj. General John Borling

The word Hero gets bantered about often, we have an actual  American Hero in Maj. General John Borling that has agreed to speak to the Cosmos! 

DON'T MISS THIS LUNCH!!

Major General John Borling (USAF-ret) is a published author, poet, (Taps on the Walls, foreword by John McCain) weekly Sunday columnist (The Third Degree) and speaker. Business board chairman of Synthonics, a drug development company, he is also chairman of a nascent, affordable, private-air and very high speed transport travel company. He founded SOSAmerica (Service over Self), which advocates a year of volunteer military service for America's youth.

General Borling served 33 years in high-level command and staff positions. A highly decorated fighter pilot, his awards include: The Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Bronze Stars with V for Valor, two Purple Hearts, six Air Medals, and the Prisoner of War (POW) Medal. He has piloted many aircraft, including the F-15, Eagle, F-16, Viper, F-4,  Phantom, SR-71 Blackbird, the TR1(U-2), B-52 and B-1 Bombers, Tankers and command and control aircraft.

Chicago born, the 1963 Air Force Academy graduate was shot down by ground fire deep in North Vietnam on his 97th combat mission in June 1966. Seriously injured and captured while trying to evade, he spent over six and a half years as a POW. Released in 1973, Borling reunited with his wife Myrna and daughter Lauren and soon re-qualified in fighter aircraft. A year later, daughter Megan was born. After national competition, he was selected as a White House Fellow serving in the Ford White House.

In 1976, he joined the historic First Fighter Wing, outfitting with the new F15. As an instructor pilot, operations and maintenance officer, he would command the famed “Hat-in-the-Ring” Squadron. Selected for National War College, and later, executive education at Harvard (Business and JFK Schools),  his Pentagon assignments included: Chief of CHECKMATE, a classified warfighting, analysis group; and Director of Air Force Operational Requirements, championing a new family of guided weapons.

He commanded at base and fighter group level in Germany, along with key duty at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters in Belgium. Posted to Strategic Air Command (SAC) Headquarters in Omaha, NE, he was an Air Division Commander (Missile, Bomber, and Tanker  Wings at Minot and Grand forks, ND and Spokane, WA). Promoted to lead all SAC operations, he had responsibilities, inter alia, for training, readiness, force projection, nuclear and conventional warfare, including the nation's nuclear war plan.

As architect and Chief of Staff for Headquarters North, an integrated NATO, National and Norwegian Command, he was the senior American military officer in Scandinavia.  Personally honored by King Harald V, General Borling is the only American officer to be inducted as a Commander in the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit.

After military retirement, he returned to Chicago as CEO of United Way, raising record revenue. He re-established Chicago’s Memorial Day ceremonies and helped create the first Chicago Military Academy. Life member of The Commercial Club of Chicago, he is also a Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois and recipient of The Order of Lincoln, the highest honor tendered by the state. His writing, narration and direction of the 2022, Memorial Day video "We are Americans" aired worldwide.  He remains involved with numerous civic and military organizations. 

Mary McNamara Bernsten is running for Mayor of Rockford, Illinois. She believes in the power of community, thoughtful leadership, and working together to build a stronger future for Rockford.

There is no meeting scheduled this week.  Merry Christmas!

There is no meeting this week.  Happy New Year!

Gents,

 More details to come soon! FREE to attend!!!

This is consistently one of our best events of the year — great food, great drinks, friendly competition, and outstanding camaraderie. It’s always a blast!

Most importantly: don’t come alone.

Bring a coworker, friend, family member, neighbor, or prospective Cosmo. This is a stag event, making it an easy, low-pressure invite for guests and first-timers.

💥 PRICING (Simple & Easy)

• Members / Prospective Members/ Guests: FREE ( Just come out and have fun!)

chili, food, drinks, games, and camaraderie.

🌶️ CHILI COOK-OFF – LAST CHANCE

Got a good receipe?? Show it off and win some money!!! Sign up today!

Cash prizes on the line:

• 🥇 $100

• 🥈 $75

• 🥉 $50

Chili is served at 6:30 PM, with sampling and voting to follow.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

• Chili Cook-Off

• Trap Shooting

• Poker, Dice & open games

• 50/50 Raffle

Schedule

• Trap shooting starts: 5:00 PM

• Chili served: 6:30 PM

No shooting or gambling required — come out, relax, bring a guest, and enjoy the night.

FINAL DETAILS

• Ammo: $11/box (cash) or bring your own

• Birds: $7/round (cash)

• Bring your own shotgun or borrow one

• Safety reminder: once you have a drink, you’re done shooting

📍 Kepotah Sportsman Club
9709 W Winslow Rd
Durand, IL 61024

Directions:
Take Highway 251 north to Rockton Road. Go west on Rockton Road, which turns into Shirland Road as you leave Rockton toward Shirland. About one mile past Shirland, the road makes a 90-degree turn north (right). Go approximately 100 yards to Winslow Road on the left. Turn left — Kepotah Sportsman Club will be on the right, about 100 yards ahead.

👉 BOTTOM LINE

• If you’re on the fence — come

• If your plans changed — come

• If you’re coming — bring a guest

This is a cornerstone Cosmo event and always a great night. It's a Great Day to be a Cosmo!