70th Anniversary of D-Day Commemorative Concert at the Air Force Memorial

The Air Force Memorial will host a day-long concert series, presented by Music Celebrations International (MCI), over Memorial Day weekend in commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Normandy, the Allied invasion during World War II that marked the beginning of the end of a tyrannical regime in Europe.

On Sunday, May 25, 2014, several musical ensembles from across the country will perform at the Air Force Memorial starting at 11:00am. Prior to the first performance, the Air Force Honor Guard will open the ceremony, followed by a wreath laying in honor of the many men and women who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to this nation.

To see the full line-up of performances for this event, click here.

Located in Arlington, Virginia, the Air Force Memorial honors the service of America’s airmen. The Memorial is the scene for more than 250 activities each year to include Honor Flight and student tours, wreath-laying ceremonies, and other special events.

This particular event is part of MCI’s D-Day 70 Concerts, a series of musical performances taking place throughout 2014 in France and Washington, D.C., to memorialize the anniversary. This exclusive concert series will also feature outstanding musical performances by choirs, concert bands, and orchestras at the National World War II Memorial, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and the United States Air Force Memorial.

To learn more about the Air Force Memorial, including parking and directions, visit www.airforcememorial.org or www.airforcememorial.org/visit/specialeventtransportation.

MCI aims to provide life-changing experiences that raise the level of musicianship and dedication to the performing arts around the globe. Learn more about their D-Day 70 Concerts at www.dday70concerts.org.

Hope to see you there!

Panel Discussion with Wounded Warriors

AFA's Wound Airman Program will host a panel discussion on June 6, 2014, featuring wounded airmen participating in the 2014 Air Force Association Cycling Classic (AFACC).

The AFACC, held in partnership with Arlington Sports, Inc., is the region’s premier cycling event, held June 7-8, throughout Arlington, Va.

The panel discussion will take place at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, Va., from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. The panel will include three airmen who will discuss their journey to recovery, from injury or illness to rehabilitation – and how cycling and other adaptive sports have been a part of it. Attendance and lunch is complimentary. Click here to register.

"I feel incredibly fortunate to be competing in this event (the Air Force Association Cycling Classic) with my fellow wounded, military, and community of supporters," said Capt. Mitch Kieffer, one of the panelists who also is a Purple Heart recipient for Traumatic Brain Injury. "Organizations like AFA's Wounded Airman Program and the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program have supported me and improved my quality of life in ways that modern medical treatment could not."

Additionally, a representative from the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program will participate on the panel, sharing with attendees how the U.S. Air Force is taking care of wounded, ill, and injured airmen.

Meet the Panelists

SSgt. Daniel Crane joined the Air Force in November 2007 and graduated from the Security Forces Tech School in April 2008. In 2011, he was assigned to the Contingency Response Group at Andersen AFB, Guam. Nine months after being stationed there, he was targeted by an anti-U.S. military local from Guam who shot him while off-duty. He was MEDEVAC’d off the island and has undergone numerous surgeries to save his arm. He medically retired from the military February 25, 2014, due to loss of function in his right arm and hand. In 2013 SouthWest Valor Games, Crane earned a gold medalist in both air pistol and archery and earned a silver medal in air rifle.


SSgt. Melissa Garcia is currently the Independent Duty Medical Technician (IDMT) at the Flight Medicine Clinic in Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. While assigned to Lackland AFB, Texas, she worked in the plastic and neurosurgery clinic, where she had the chance to work with breast cancer survivors during their reconstruction as well as with military members who were disfigured in combat. Sometime later, in February 2012, she was assigned to Davis-Monthan AFB. Since being stationed at Davis-Monthan she has deployed once and was diagnosed with breast cancer while on the deployment. For her work, she has been awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal in 2011 and 2013.

Capt. Mitchell Kieffer is currently Active Duty Air Force stationed at Langley AFB, Va., serving as an Operations Research Analyst for Air Combat Command. He started his career at Eglin AFB, Fla., serving as an Analytical Scientist, then later as a test engineer. He volunteered as a single augmentee and deployed to Iraq in a joint assignment in efforts to rebuild the country. His team came under attack in a complex ambush while returning from a site near Baghdad when he was wounded. Capt Kieffer is a Purple Heart recipient for Traumatic Brain Injury. Kieffer is a 2013 Warrior Games Ultimate Champion, the first-ever Air Force recipient of this award.


The Air Force Association Cycling Classic and Wounded Airman Program

The AFACC will take place June 7-8 throughout Arlington, Va. The event encourages cyclists of all abilities to participate in its various events, which include two days of riding and racing – from professionals and amateurs to enthusiastic adults and kids! AFA’s Wounded Airman Program (WAP) will be the sole official beneficiary and will receive a portion of the funds raised from the event. WAP supports the work of the Air Force Wounded Warrior office and directly helps seriously ill and injured airmen, and their caregivers, financially and with adapted equipment and lifestyle items.

To learn more about the AFA Cycling Classic, please visit www.cyclingclassic.org/.
To learn more about the Wounded Airman Program, and to donate, please visit www.afa.org/WAP.

Note from AFA: FY15 House Armed Services Committee National Defense Authorization Act

Last week the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and the bill will likely be taken up by the full House next week. In its current form HR 4435 (bill and report) would keep the Air Force from adapting to smaller future budgets in several ways. Broadly speaking the HASC bill does so by retaining force structure while cutting Operations and Maintenance accounts to pay for other committee priorities to the tune of approximately $1.5 billion in fiscal 2015. Here is a summary of top USAF issues in the bill: Personnel: The Committee rejected administration proposals to increase TRICARE fees, reduce the commissary subsidy and to reduce the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for active duty members. The Committee was silent on the President's Budget proposal to support a 1 percent pay raise, as opposed to the Employment Cost Index (ECI) rate of 1.8 percent. Current law allows the President to implement a pay raise alternative to ECI, an authority he exercised last year, to limit the raise to 1 percent. Other key personnel-related provisions include: a pay freeze for flag and general officers in FY 2015, improving sexual assault prevention and prosecution, $45 million for behavioral and mental health programs for Special Forces, a report on child custody for deployed service members and a study on suicide in the military.   A-10: Chairman Buck McKeon's (R-CA) original mark up proposed putting the 283 aircraft in the A-10 fleet in type 1000 storage, which would allow for later return to service. Congressman Ron Barber (D-AZ) offered an amendment prohibiting any A-10 retirements in FY15, and paid for the year's cost by redirecting $635 million from Overseas Contingency Operations accounts. Despite the Chairman and Ranking Member's opposition, the amendment passed 41-20.   U-2: The bill prohibits retirement of the U-2.   E-3 AWACS: Congressman Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) offered, and the committee adopted, an amendment prohibiting retiring more than four AWACS by taking $39 million from Operations and Maintenance accounts, and calling on the Air Force to certify how it will meet Command and Control requirements.   BRAC: The bill prohibits any activities for a future BRAC. Ranking member Adam Smith (D-WA) introduced and then withdrew an amendment allowing the Department of Defense to do a BRAC in 2017. That amendment will be considered when the bill goes to the House floor. Agreed upon priorities KC-10: Although there were no plans to cut KC-10s this year, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) pushed through an amendment prohibiting KC-10 retirements in FY15.   The HASC NDAA fully funds the administration's F-35 request at 26 aircraft for the Air Force; Long Range Strike is also fully funded at $916 million.   The bill cuts $226 million from the KC-46 tanker program for first production lot of 7 aircraft – down to 6. Several amendments attempted to restore tanker to full funding, but failed. Other items Cyber directives: The HASC states there is significant confusion about Air Force investment in cyber capabilities, and directs the service, in coordination with the Director of the NSA, to provide the defense and intelligence committees with a report "that captures the aggregate of Air Force investment in cyber, laying out where the various elements of Air Force cyber are nested, and how those elements are integrated within the overall Air Force and DoD cyber enterprise."   Space Launch: Directs the last of several old (1990s technology) weather satellites be put on the launch manifest for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle, and that an additional launch for a future, to-be-decided payload, be competed and acquired in FY15; adds $135 million for that launch.   Requires work to begin on finding a replacement for the Russian-made RD-180 rocket engine by adding $220 million. The Senate Armed Services Committee is scheduled to begin its own NDAA mark up deliberations next week, and as is often the case, it is expected to differ widely from the proposals and priorities put forward by the HASC bill. Stand by for further updates on these and other congressional developments.

AFROTC Awards at the University of Florida

What a great show of community support! Below is a picture of the Arnold Air Society (AAS) cadets at the University of Florida with the AFA Red Tail Memorial Chapter.

Pictured on the far left is Lt. Col. Kevin Crocco, Operations Officer for Det. 150 AFROTC at the University of Florida. On Crocco's left is Mike Emig, Red Tail Memorial Chapter 136 President. Pictured third from the right is Col. (Ret.) Michael Hare, Red Tail Memorial Chapter 136 Vice President of Aerospace Education.

The University of Florida’s Air Force ROTC Det. 150 hosted their annual AFROTC Awards Program lats month. At this event, the AFA Red Tail Memorial Chapter presents an AFA Award to a deserving cadet. This year’s award went to Cadet Richard Crumrine.

Many of UF’s AAS cadets attend the chapter’s monthly meetings and help with the chapter’s many veterans and Junior ROTC programs in the five-county community, said chapter president Mike Emig. This group has also been the recipient of the Lemay-Ohio Award, he added.

The LeMay-Ohio Award was established by the General Curtis E. LeMay Squadron of The Ohio State University. The award recognizes the squadron best displaying ability, effort, and enthusiasm in supporting their local AFA chapter(s). The award consists of a permanent plaque.

“This is a great bunch of cadets,” Emig said. “[They are] our leaders of tomorrow.”

Participate in the Annual Air Force Association Cycling Classic (AFACC)

Join us June 7-8 for the annual Air Force Association Cycling Classic, a weekend of community and cycling benefiting AFA's Wounded Airman Program! There are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

You can ...


RIDE

• General Registration: Open to riders of all ability for the Challenge Ride Sunday, June 8: http://cyclingclassic.org/general-registration.html 
• Corporate Challenge: Got a group of cycling enthusiasts at your company? Consider putting together a Corporate Challenge Team; and support the Air Force Association's Wounded Airman Program: http://cyclingclassic.org/challenge-ride-corporate-challenge.html 
• The USAA Congressional Challenge: New this year is the first annual USAA Congressional Cycling Challenge, pitting Republicans against Democrats! You must work on Capitol Hill to participate in this challenge. The party with the most laps wins! http://cyclingclassic.org/challenge-ride-congressional.html 
• Navy Federal Credit Union Armed Forces Challenge: If you are a member of one of the branches of service, make sure your laps get counted for this fun competition. Active Duty, Reserve, and Retired servicemembers' laps count toward your services totals. The branch with the most total laps wins! http://cyclingclassic.org/challenge-ride-armed-forces.html

VOLUNTEER

There are many opportunities to volunteer time, from registration to hydration stations and medal distribution. http://cyclingclassic.org/volunteer.html

DONATE

Our goal is to raise $25,000 for our Wounded Airman Program and we need your help! Donate or support a rider here: http://www.firstgiving.com/TeamSabre/2014-air-force-association-cycling-classic

[NOTE: Donations over $100 will receive a special Wounded Airman Program coin, to be picked up at the Air Force Memorial on Saturday night, June 7.]

CELEBRATE

Help celebrate our wounded warriors by attending the Salute to Wounded Warriors Concert! The concert will be held at the Air Force Memorial Saturday night, June 7! For more information: http://www.airforcememorial.org/AirForceMemorial/events/eventdescription/?CalendarEventKey=7a9736e7-99b8-489a-b7a5-48797f34a040&EventTypeKey=&Home=/events

AFA's Wounded Airman Program partners with the Air Force to help support more than 3,000 airmen who are seriously ill or injured. AFA helps where the DOD programs, TRICARE, and the VA fall short, providing direct financial assistance to wounded airmen and their caretakers. Our support isn't limited to financial assistance as AFA chapters around the country have visited airmen in hospitals, volunteered at adaptive sporting events like the Warrior Games, provided equipment and adapted lifestyle items, provided support for caregivers, and continue to look at ways to help wounded airmen and their families during transition.

Learn more at www.afa.org/WAP!

Memorial Day Remembrance Card

Participate in our 2014 Memorial Day Remembrance Card Campaign!

Sign our card and help honor our fallen heroes this Memorial Day.

Print the card, sign it, and return it by May 15, and we’ll place the card on display at the Air Force Memorial during our annual Wreath-laying Ceremony on Memorial Day, May 26, 2014. You can find the card here: http://secure.afa.org/cards/images/AFMF_%20Memorial_Day_Card.pdf

Two attendees view the display of Memorial Day cards
mailed in for the 2013 Memorial Day Celebration

Let your card serve as a tribute to the men and women who gave their lives defending our freedom. This is a tradition we began last year. Hundreds of cards were on display during our 2013 Memorial Day Ceremony – a powerful reminder to all present that as Americans – despite our differences – we are united as we pause to honor those patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our nation safe and free.

And when you return your card, we hope you will also include a special contribution of $25, $35, $50, $100, or more to the Air Force Memorial. Your gift will keep our Air Force Memorial programs going strong – programs that honor our airmen, preserve our heritage, and inspire our nation’s young people to serve in a cause greater than themselves.

Simply print out the card, sign your name, and please consider supporting Memorial programs with a donation. Please send the card and donation to:

Air Force Memorial Foundation
P.O. Box 97026
Washington, D.C. 20077-7193 


If you’re in the DC area on Memorial Day, please join us at our Wreath-laying Ceremony. It begins at 9:00 a.m., and is open to all! Please go to our Memorial website at www.airforcememorial.org for directions and parking information.

Letter to AFA from AAS/SW

Last month, the Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings (AAS/SW), professional honorary service organizations, held their National Conclave in Washington, DC. Many of the students were able to attend because AFA field chapters helped with financial support. Further, four AFA Chapters in the MD/DC/VA area supported by leading a fundraising effort that brought 1,170 cadets and members of Silver Wings to an exclusive mixer at the National Air and Space Museum. Dan Woodward, the executive director of AAS/SW, sent a heartfelt thanks to AFA Membership, recognizing them for their support.

Thank you AFA!

Recently, nearly 1,200 Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings members, all AFA members as well, assembled in Washington DC for our 66th annual National Conclave. Many AFA Chapters and individual AFA members around the country, along with the AFA National Staff, contributed funds or other support to make this event a tremendous success. Thank you!

If you ever doubt the impact you have in supporting Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings as members of the AFA, I suggest you visit the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum where you will be able to hear the echo's of 1,200 cadets and college students chanting "U.S.A." in unison. Or take a moment to walk into the great Ballroom at the Wardman Park where you will find the echos of 1,200 of our youngest AFA members singing all verses of the Air Force song following an address by the Chief. Or stroll through the reception area at the same hotel where you will feel the energy of every Conclave attendee as the Chief stood for nearly two hours with them until 1000 pictures were taken and 1,200 hands were shook. You made this happen!

Every AFA member helped make this year's Conclave a lifelong memory for some of America's very best and brightest. As Executive Director of Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings, I am truly grateful for your support. Thank you!