AFSA HEADQUARTERS HAPPENINGS:
WINNERS OF AFDW ANNUAL AWARDS VISIT AFSA
This week AFSA hosted 57 Airmen and family members from the Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) for a continental breakfast, Airmen Memorial Museum tour, and legislative briefing. In attendance were the annual awards winners. Major General Jones, AFDW Commander, addressed these outstanding Airmen and their families along with the AFDW Command Chief, Chief Master Sergeant Battenberg. The Director of Military and Government (M&G) gave the group a tour of the museum and briefed them on AFSA’s top priorities on Capitol Hill. The highlights from this briefing included AFSA’s efforts to expand child development centers, upgrade fitness facilities, pay raises, the new health care law, protecting current TRICARE coverage, and our successes in adding transferability to the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
VIETNAM VETERANS ASSOCIATION HOSTS ROUNDTABLE ON VETERAN HOMELESSNESS
AFSA Deputy CEO and the Director of M&G attended a meeting hosted by Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans to discuss veteran homelessness and what each of the military service organizations is doing to combat this problem. AFSA’s focus areas include:
- Educating our AFSA membership to the plight of veteran homelessness
- Teaming efforts with The Military Coalition
- Advocating for funding and support from Congress
- Working closely with leaders in the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of the Air Force
- Soliciting AFSA Chapter and Division involvement
- Publishing periodic electronic newsletter announcements and updates
AFSA testified before the joint Senate and House Veterans Affairs Committees on veteran homelessness in March. The VA has estimated that 25% of all homeless individuals in the U.S. are veterans. AFSA will continue to support the efforts of Secretary Shinseki and his goal to end homelessness within the next five years. Many communities are assisting these efforts, and we must persistently ask Congress to support them with the appropriate funding and resources to resolve this issue.
SESAME STREET REACHES OUT TO MILITARY CHILDREN
AFSA Deputy CEO attended a Sesame Street Production, When Families Grieve, at the Pentagon Auditorium. The Deputy Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff hosted this SNEAK preview of the Sesame Street film that uses Elmo and the Sesame Street Muppets to provide support and resources for children and families who are coping with the death of a parent. The Sesame Workshop is reaching out by creating a primetime television special and bilingual resource kits – one for military families and one for the general public. Air Force leaders attended the SNEAK preview: Air Force Chief of Staff, General Norton Schwartz, along with his wife Suzie, and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, CMSAF James Roy, along with his wife Paula.
AFSA International Executive Council Member (Trustee) Makes News!
TYNDALL AIRMAN EXCEEDS THE ODDS
Out of the 264,000 Airmen enlisted in the United States Air Force, only 12 have a PhD. For one Tyndall Airman this is a feat he hopes to conquer. Master Sgt. Kent Kundert, Airey NCO Academy Superintendent of Plans and Programs, did not have the easiest start in life – he finally reached the point where he said, “I was tired of working dead-end jobs and knew I wanted to go to school because I had always been a thinker,” said Sgt. Kundert. “It was time to do something, so I joined the military.” He has since attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Studies, a Masters Degree in Information Technology Management, and is currently working on his PhD in Business Administration, with a focus on leadership.
MSgt Kundert is an AFSA member and serves as the AFSA International Active Duty Affairs Trustee.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES AND NEWS
CONGRESS RETURNS TO CAPITOL HILL
After spending two weeks in their home districts engaging with constituents, Congress returned to Washington this week with a renewed focus on what the pressing issues are. We hope that you were able to call, visit, or speak to your Congressional members at one of their town hall meetings over the last two weeks to express issues that are important to you and other active duty, Guard, Reserve, retirees, veterans, and family members. It is important to speak to our Congressional members to let them know what our needs are. Make it your new priority to call the Capitol Hill number, 1-888-762-8760. Just give the operator your zip code and they will connect you directly to your Congressional member’s office. Share with them what is important to our servicemembers and veterans today!
TRICARE UPDATE
The Senate passed H.R. 4887, the “TRICARE Affirmation Act,” by Rep. Ike Skelton, D-MO, which serves to clarify that TRICARE meets all of the requirements for adequate health coverage under the new health care law and beneficiaries are not required to purchase additional health coverage. This legislation passed the House 403-0 on March 20th and passed the Senate with unanimous consent on April 12th. It will now be sent to the President to be signed into law.
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
PRESIDENT THROWS PITCH, GREETS CHILDREN AT NATIONALS GAME
President Barack Obama threw the ceremonial opening pitch April 5, 2010, at the Washington Nationals home opener in Washington, DC, which also featured a special event in honor of the Month of the Military Child. The Washington Nationals honored military children, inviting nine children whose parents are deployed to step onto the infield with the starting players to see the president throw out the first pitch.
FIRST LADY OBAMA AND SECOND LADY BIDEN TALK ABOUT MILITARY FAMILIES
In honor of the Month of the Military Child, April 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden talk about the important role military children play in the armed forces community. The Month of the Military Child is an opportunity for the Nation to recognize military children and youth for their heroism, character, strength, and sacrifices.
AIR FORCE SERVICES OFFICIALS LAUNCH MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD PROGRAMS
Air Force Services officials are highlighting a variety and scope of programs in partnership with base agencies for the Month of the Military Child and the Year of the Air Force Family (July 2009 – July 2010), in recognition of military children and their families. “Stay Connected” is among several Air Force-wide initiatives designed to help parents and children stay in touch during deployed members’ time away from home.
AFSA takes a leading role in advancing the opportunities available to military families. We continue to speak directly with many leading Air Force and DOD officials to make changes throughout the services which provide a better quality-of-life for military families. We are proud of our success rate in obtaining quality-of-life improvements for our Airmen and their families and “holding-the-line” by ensuring current benefits are not reduced or eliminated.
SHINSEKI VOWS TO REDUCE VA’S CLAIMS BACKLOG
Prioritizing the work ahead shortly after his first anniversary on the job, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said his focus for the year ahead is on reducing the disability claims backlog. He’s counting on four pilot programs under way to help VA officials identify and break long-standing obstacles in providing veterans the benefits they’ve earned. These pilot programs are:
- The VA provides a list of documents needed to file a claim and asks veterans to submit as many pieces of documentation as they can find with their claim for VA benefits. This will expedite the overall process.
- Research is being done to find ways to simplify the claims process and to improve communications between VA departments so that they are all working together instead of one at a time.
- Introducing new automated tools to make the process faster, more accurate, efficient, and secure.
- Creating the virtual VA regional office of the future by integrating this system with the new joint virtual electronic record to create a comprehensive veteran profile and paperless claims system.
AIRMEN IN ACTION
AIRMAN GIVES NEW TOUCH TO WAR MACHINE
A mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle towers near the height of an 18 wheeler. Weighing-in at more than 20 tons, MRAPs are designed to survive blasts from improvised explosive devices and small-arms fire. This near impenetrable MRAP can transport Airmen, Marines, Soldiers, and Sailors in and out of the battlefield, without hesitation at blazing speeds. Behind the wheel is Senior Airman Kayla Manning, from the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Det. 2. Since Airman Manning is in control of the vehicle and its occupants, she decided to add a few personal touches of her own.
COMMENTARY
CHILDREN DESERVE OUR FULL ATTENTION
Commentary by Paula Tracy, Family Advocacy Outreach Manager — April is the Month of the Military Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month. You probably know by now that 2009-2010 is also the Year of the Air Force Family. This recognition is “…because we realize the children of today are the parents, teachers and leaders of tomorrow.” We understand that when children are raised with love, safety and guidance, they flourish. Conversely, children who are neglected, abused or overly-indulged, but ignored, won’t. Some grandmotherly advice: Do the right thing. Put the cell phones down. Stop texting. Turn off the computer. Turn to your children and look at them, face to face. Be the parent who is “there” if and when you are needed. I promise, you don’t get a second chance.
AIRMEN’S FORUM
Note: AFSA reserves the right to edit all submissions but will never materially alter the author’s viewpoint.
Question
What’s the status of our Medical Care for Retirees that were promised free care after retirement from the service? Or is it still on the back burner like it has been the last 60 years and no one cares in Washington and doesn’t discuss it enough?
Lee Meadows
Matthews, NC
Answer
This issue is of paramount importance to AFSA and each year we have been working very hard to see this legislation passed.
Rep. Van Hollen, D-MD, introduced legislation giving retirees who entered the service prior to Dec. 7, 1956, a waiver for Medicare Part B premiums (which retirees are currently required to pay if they want to be enrolled in TRICARE for Life) because they were promised free healthcare for life. This legislation was introduced in the 110th Congress and did not pass. It was reintroduced in the 111th Congress and we are working very hard to get Congressional members to co-sponsor this legislation and bring it to the House floor for a vote. These bills, H.R. 4551 (with 32 co-sponsors) and H.R. 4593 (with 17 co-sponsors), are both in committee (House Armed Services and House Energy and Commerce committees respectively) and we are working to get them passed this year.
AFSA MEMBER BENEFITS
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FLOWERS FROM FTD.COM
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OTHER INFO
AFSA MEMBERS! ARE YOU MOVING? RECENTLY PROMOTED OR RETIRED?
Let AFSA know your new mailing address, email address, and contact number. Updating your member information will insure uninterrupted receipt of SERGEANTS as well as other important member benefits. Please call toll free, 1-800-638-0594.
