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Legislative/Chapter News>
AFSA Newsletter October 24, 2008
October 31, 2008
Congress Still Out – Get Ready to Vote.
American journalist George Jean Nathan once said, “Bad officials are elected by citizens who do not vote.” As Congress continues in its recess leading up to the November 4th elections, AFSA urges all current and past Airmen and their families to take the time to vote. Make your voice heard!
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SECAF Donley Sworn In.
Now the 22nd Air Force Secretary, during his formal swearing-in ceremony at the Air Force Memorial on October 17, Secretary Donley said, "It is my honor and privilege to accept this appointment as Secretary of the Air Force. I am grateful to once again be serving with the finest Air Force in the world."
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SECDEF’s Warrior Support.
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates recently assured participants in the first Wounded Warriors Family Summit that “other than winning the wars we are in, my highest priority is providing the best possible care for those who are wounded in combat.” Gates said, “[We] will do everything we can to set up the next leadership team for success . . . As long as there are wounded warriors in our care, we must—and we will—continue to fulfill our obligation to them.”
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Gen Schwartz in Southwest Asia.
General Norton A. Schwartz recently made his first visit to the U.S. Central Command AOR since being confirmed at Air Force Chief of Staff. While there, he addressed manning, service priorities, and fighting the war on terrorism. He explained why the recent large cuts in Air Force manpower did not save dollars for recapitalization.
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Etchberger MOH.
Last week we reported the FY 2009 NDAA (Public Law 110-417) authorized waiving the statute of limitations for the Medal of Honor for CMSgt (Ret.) Richard L. Etchberger. During the Vietnam War, Chief Etchberger was stationed at a secret radar site, Lima Site 85, in the neutral country of Laos. This covert base of operations was used to pinpoint hundreds of bombing targets in North Vietnam for the U.S. military. On March 11, 1968, North Vietnamese commandos stormed the radar station, and Etchberger led several men to a ledge where they fought off the Vietnamese commandos and awaited helicopter rescue. Etchberger saved the lives of two of his fellow men and was fatally shot in the helicopter as it carried him and his fellow servicemembers away. His commanding officer and colleagues recommended him for the Medal of Honor at the time. However, because it was illegal for Americans to be in Laos during the Vietnam War, President Johnson gave Etchberger the Air Force Cross instead. That Air Force Cross was presented in a secret Pentagon ceremony because of Etchberger’s classified mission. The covert mission—operating this secret radar site in a neutral country for the bombing campaign against Hanoi--remained classified until 1983. During the 110th Congress, this process to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Chief Etchberger was initiated as H.R. 766, sponsored by Rep. Tim Holden, D-PA. The House Armed Services Committee voted to include the measure in the FY 2009 NDAA, and the President signed it into law on October 14, 2008.
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Marine Museum Honors those Who Served, Died in Beirut.
October 23, 2008 marked the 25th anniversary of the terrorist bombing of the Marine Corps barracks in Beirut. The National Museum of the Marine Corps unveiled a temporary exhibit in memory of the 238 U.S. Marines who were killed that day. "This remains the single most deadly attack on Americans on foreign soil – ever. In this post-9/11 world ... this event should be remembered and studied by us all," said Lin Ezell, director of the museum located just outside of Quantico Marine Corps Base
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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Congressional Interest in Dormitories.
A two-person congressional team made up of staffers of the House Appropriations Committee recently visited Ramstein Air Base and Kapaun Air Station in Germany. They were there to inspect dormitories and speak with the Airmen who live in them. Prior to the visit, dorm residents compiled a list of “concerns” to be addressed. The top three ranking issues they brought to the attention of the congressional staffers were security, utilities/plumbing, and quality of life. ________________________________________
DoD Campaign Targets Parents.
Have you noticed recent television commercials that address “Mom” or “Dad”? These reflect the work of DoD’s Joint Advertising, Market Research and Studies program which has launched a series of nationwide advertisements focused on educating the parents of potential military recruits
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Air Force Demographics.
The Air Force Personnel Center has released the latest demographic breakdown of the Air Force total force
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USAF Stresses Disability Programs.
Air Force officials want every Airman to understand ongoing efforts to support people with disabilities
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Pentagon Library.
The Pentagon Library is in the process of digitizing documents to make more information available to its customers. Classified documents, of course, will not be included among those available to the public
National Guard Responds to Omar. As in the past, members of the National Guard have expertly responded to another challenge
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TRICARE Timeliness Standards.
Providing care at the right time is a priority of DoD healthcare officials.
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Tuskegee Historic Site.
The National Park Service has dedicated a historic site at Moton Field, Alabama, to memorialize the efforts of the first black pilots and their support crews—the famed Tuskegee Airmen, of the Army Air Corps. The recently opened site memorializes the achievements of the more than 10,000 men and women of the “Tuskegee Experience.”
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Veterans Salute Proudly!
The FY 2009 National Defense Authorization Act is now Public Law 110-417. As we approach Veterans Day (November 11), AFSA reminds veterans that one provision of the NDAA says that veterans and military members out of uniform may now render the hand salute during the playing of the National Anthem. An earlier law (the FY 2008 Defense Bill) okayed the hand salute for veterans and military members out of uniform when the flag is raised, lowered, or passing in review. So, veterans, salute proudly! This is a gesture of patriotism you have earned by making freedom possible, and this nation will be forever in your debt.
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATES AND NEWS
H.R. 4544, the “Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2007,” by Rep. Dan Boren, D-OK, was signed into law on October 15 as Public Law 110-420. This new law directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of gold medals to Native American code talkers of specified Indian tribes, defines "code talker" as a Native American who served in the Armed Forces during a foreign conflict and who participated in military communications using a native language, and requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and Indian tribes, to identify code talkers eligible for a gold medal.
S. 3197, the “National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008,” by Sen. Richard Durbin, D- IL, was signed into law on October 20. This act amends current bankruptcy law and applies to qualifying members of reserve components of the Armed Forces and members of the National Guard who, after September 11, 2001, are called to active duty or to perform a homeland defense activity for not less than 90 days. The 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act changed the U.S. bankruptcy code to make it significantly harder for individuals to receive protection from creditors via bankruptcy, by requiring filers to pass a means test based on an individual’s income and expenses for the 6 months preceding a bankruptcy filing. This new act would exempt affected Guardsmen and Reservists from the 6-month requirement, thus allowing them to file for bankruptcy protection more easily upon their return from activation. The primary House sponsor of this legislation was Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky, D-IL.
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GENERAL NEWS
Airman’s Roll Call. This week’s Roll Call focuses on participation in the political process and reminds Airmen what they may and may not do in accordance with DoD Directive 1344.10, Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces.
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Air Force Security Forces Take Charge. The 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Group recently took sole responsibility for base defense at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. In doing so, they deployed the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle on a large scale.
________________________________________Air Guard Deep Freeze. Airmen of the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing are getting ready, for the 20th year, to support the National Science Foundation in Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica.
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Kunsan Airman Responds. A dying South Korean woman desperately needed a transfusion of blood type AB Negative. ________________________________________
MTI in Iraq. Airmen are involved in Iraqi “force shaping” in some unique ways.
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Golden Corral Restaurants Salute America’s Heroes with Free Dinner on Military Appreciation Monday, November 17, 2008 from 5 to 9 pm. All 485 Golden Corral restaurants across America will offer any person who has served in the United States Military (including National Guard and Reserves) a free “thank you” dinner buffet and beverage - no identification required. This will be the eighth annual “thank you” dinner for our nation’s heroes from Golden Corral restaurants, who have provided over 1,835,000 complimentary meals to military personnel over the history of the event. Golden Corral with their local media partners, guests and the Disabled American Veterans’ organization have raised over $2,540,000 in contributions for the DAV state and local chapters. ________________________________________
Make a Difference Day. A unique program at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., challenged Airmen to look for voluntary ways to improve the appearance of facilities and programs on base for organizations that don’t have the manning or resources to get the job done themselves. ________________________________________
COMMENTARY
Don’t Let Cracks Turn Into Fractures. The Twelfth Air Force Commander from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Mont., comments about how focusing on small details can prevent much bigger, more-expensive, and more time-consuming challenges in the future.
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SCHOLARSHIP TIME APPROACHES. Scholarship applications for the upcoming academic year are available on our website at www.hqafsa.org. Completed application packages with all required documents are due to AFSA Headquarters between January 1 and March 31.
AFSA, AMF (including the CMSAF Scholarship Program), and AFSA International Auxiliary award scholarships valued from $500 to $3,000 to students attending an accredited academic institution. Please see our website for additional information or contact Member & Field Relations at 1-800-638-0594 ext 288.
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AFSA Member Services/Benefits
Your Air Force Sergeants Association has partnered with a wide range of service providers, retailers, and suppliers to create exclusive members-only specials and extended services. Take advantage of the benefits of your AFSA membership today! Log onto www.hqafsa.org for a complete list of "Exclusive Member Services"
Support the Airmen Memorial Foundation (AMF: #10517) and your Airmen Memorial Museum (AMM: #10518) in the Combined Federal Campaign
The AMF is committed to improving the quality of the life for our Total Air Force families through our AMF Scholarship Program which awards funds to the dependent youth of Air Force enlisted personnel who meet the eligibility criteria. The AMF also administers the Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force (CMSAF) Scholarship Program as a community service. Since 1987, the AMF and its managed funds have awarded $685,500 in scholarships/grants. Please support the Airmen Memorial Foundation (AMF) in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). National designation #10517.
Founded in 1988, the Airmen Memorial Museum (AMM) stands as a tribute to enlisted Airmen who have served in the US Air Force, US Army Air Corps, and the US Army Air Forces. The AMM is dedicated to collecting, documenting, preserving, and sharing the success stories of our Total Air Force Enlisted corps. Help us share the heroic stories and archives of our enlisted Airmen and preserve the memories for generations to come.
Support your Airmen Memorial Museum today. CFC National Designation #10518.
Employment/Career Opportunities: Landmark Infinity Co-brand Career Center Program
Landmark provides AFSA members with access to some of the best jobs, companies, transition advice, and content available. There are more than 141,000 jobs and access to more than 6,000 “Military Friendly” employers and 160+ franchisors available through our Career Center and web site. Visit www.hqafsa.org and click on "Member Benefits."
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