Highlights of the Quarter

• $1K Family scholarship deadline extended
• First-ever Birdies for Charity event participation
• Tenth year of Flambeau Parade
• Resolution passed supporting NCOA DGs, Pitsenbarger winners

AFA News

Last chance to renew before dues increase

Air Force Association membership dues are set to increase July 1 for the first time in nine years.

Annual membership will increase from $36 to $45, three-year memberships from $90 to $110, and life memberships will increase from $500 to $600.

Members can lock-in the lower rates by renewing before the increase, even if their memberships are not due for renewal.

For the best value, members should renew for three years or consider converting to a life membership.

New rates will also apply to community partners. The community partner fee is increasing from $75 to $90 annually.

For more information on membership prices and re-enrollment, visit the national AFA website, www.afa.org and click “Join AFA.”

AFA members save big on Microsoft software

Through a special arrangement with Journey Edcuation, select Microsoft sotware is available at substantial discounts from retail pricing.

The discount program is for personal use only and members may only buy one copy of any particular software.

Members must provide proof of current AFA membership when placing the order. Send Journey Education a copy of your AFA membership card or e-mail Susan Rubel at srubel@afa.org to request for proof of your membership to be sent to Journey Education.

For a full list of the discounted software available and to place an order,  visit www.journeyed.com/usaf.

Chapter News

Pitsenbarger winners, DGs receive AFA membership

Alamo chapter members recently passed a motion that will provide one-year AFA memberships to winners of the bi-annual Pitsenbarger Awards and distinguished graduates of the NCO Academy.

The NCO Academy has seven or eight classes each year and typically has 15 distinguished graduates per class.

The Pitsenbarger Awards recognize graduates of the Community College of the Air Force who have excelled and there are usually about 30 annual winners.

This new policy will lead to about 150 new memberships annually and contributions to the chapter of over $6,000 per year.

New AFA license plate procedures

The Department of Motor Vehicles has replaced the Department of Transportation as the point of contact for ordering special AFA automobile license plates.

The special plates cost $30 over the price of the regular plates; $8 of this goes to the state and the remaining $22 goes into escrow for the AFA to draw on.

The plates can be ordered anytime from www.txdmv.gov/vehicles/licenses_plates.htm. You do not need to wait until your current plate expires to order.

Please support this program that benefits AFA scholarship programs in Texas.

Here is the process to order your plates:

1. Go to www.txdmv.gov/vehicles/license_plates.htm
2. Click on “Order Specialty Plates” from the menu.
3. Click on "Organizations"
4. Select “Air Force Association” and follow the prompts
5. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles will send the license plates to your county tax office for you to pick up

You can also call toll-free, 877-7MYPLATES 

Officials at the Alamo Chapter Aerospace Education Foundation are accepting applications for the 2010 Family Scholarship until July 28.

AEF officials will award $1,000 scholarships to Alamo Chapter members and their families who are pursuing an advanced education program.

Click here to download the application

Mail completed packages no later than July 28 to:

Dave Pope, president

AEROSPACE EDUCATION FOUNDATION

8514 Fairway Green Drive, Suite 101

Fair Oaks Ranch, TX 78015

Alamo Chapter #234 members may submit applications in three categories:

• Spouse of an Alamo Chapter member
• Children of Alamo Chapter member (not enrolled in college)-the student must have graduated or will graduate high school this spring or summer but must not be currently enrolled in college.
• Children of Alamo Chapter member (enrolled in college/university/technical school)

Applications must include the following:

• A resume that includes the applicant’s full name, student ID number, mailing address,  and contact information including telephone number and e-mail address
• A high school or college transcript with GPA and class rank
• A one-page personal statement that includes the applicant’s academic goals, community or church volunteer involvement, work experience (part-time or full-time), personal achievements, and additional information for the board to consider.

Only Alamo Chapter #234 members are eligible to submit applications. Applications must be 100 percent completed for board consideration. Members who recently moved to the area must ensure they align their memberships to the Alamo Chapter #234 before submitting applications.

The board will consider applications based on completeness, grammar, and how well the applicant followed directions.

Winners will be notified after board has concluded and will be announced in a future issue of the Defender.

Time to submit is running out. Get your packages completed and in the mail today.

Click here to download the application.

The AEF is a nonprofit organization that serves the Alamo Chapter #234 of the Air Force Association. The purpose of the foundation is to promote the AFA mission to advocate aerospace power and a strong national defense, support the U.S. Air Force and the Air Force family, and to promote aerospace education to the American people.

Link to the 2010 Family Scholarships page

Alamo AEF raises $750 in Birdies for Charity event

The Alamo Chapter AEF raised more than $750 in the recent Birdies for Charity® event, a fundraiser held in conjunction with the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio, May 10-16.

The funds raised from this event will go toward scholarships and support for local ROTC detachment programs at the University of Texas, San Antonio and Texas State University.

This is the first time the chapter has participated in this event. Chapter president Randy Coggins praised this year’s response from members and hopes AFA participation can grow in years to come.

“The 2010 Birdies for Charity® event was a new opportunity for the chapter and we are grateful to all who participated,” Coggins said. “And, a very special thanks to Dave Pope who pioneered this initiative.”

Birdies for Charity® is a fundraising program designed by Golf San Antonio to give participating organizations the opportunity to generate contributions through the Valero Texas Open. Funds are generated by soliciting pledges from individuals and corporations.

The pledge period was open from Nov. 13, 2009 through May 11, 2010. Individuals could pledge a guaranteed amount or pledge to pay a certain amount per birdie made in the tournament.

All of the contributions made are tax deductible.

The AEF will expand participation in the program next year with the help of ROTC cadets from both detachments joining the efforts to collect donations and pledges.

Alamo AEF announces new board members

Alamo Aerospace Education Foundation officials recently announced new board members.

The 2010 Aerospace Education Foundation board members are:

President: retired Col. Dave Pope

Vice President: Col. Terry Ross

Treasurer: retired Chief Master Sgt. John Shroyer

Secretary: retired Maj. Brent Boller

Vice President for Scholarships: retired Lt. Col. Angelo Haygood

Scholarship & Award Presentations

Chapter recognizes Pitsenbarger Award winners

Dave Pope, president of the AEF, presents the Pitsenbarger Award to Senior Airman David Montenegro at the Community College of the Air Force diploma recognition ceremony May 5.

The chapter recognized the 12 recent recipients of the Pitsenbarger Award at the Community College of the Air Force diploma recognition ceremony, May 5.

Dave Pope, the Aerospace Education Foundation president represented the Alamo Chapter at the event and presented the awards to the recipients.

The Pitsenbarger Awards provide a one-time grant of $400 to selected U.S. Air Force enlisted personnel graduating from the Community College of the Air Force who plan to pursue a baccalaureate degree. The grants coincide with the CCAF graduation ceremonies held each spring and fall.

Dave Pope, president of the AEF, presents the Pitsenbarger Award to Tech. Sgt. Amy Swindells at the Community College of the Air Force diploma recognition ceremony May 5.

Outstanding CAP cadet presented AFA award

Photo Courtesy 2nd Lt. Nancy Kerr: Gary Copsey presents the AFA award citation for Outstanding CAP Cadet of the Year to Cadet Captain Kristopher Kerr at a presentation May 3.

The Alamo AFA chapter recognized the top Civil Air Patrol cadet from the Lackland CAP Squadron at a ceremony May 3.

The 2010 CAP cadet of the year from the Lackland CAP squadron is Cadet Captain Kristopher Kerr, a junior at John Paul Stevens High School.

Chapter member Gary Copsey presented Kerr with the AFA citation and ribbon along with the a glass memento in honor of the 100^th anniversary of military aviation.

Since joining CAP in 2006, Kerr has participated in the Honor Guard/Color Guard, where he served as the commander, and has held positions as element leader, flight sergeant, first sergeant, deputy cadet commander, cadet commander and is currently serving as the cadet aerospace officer.

Kerr’s other accomplishments include the Wright Brothers’ Award, the Billy Mitchell Award,  the Amelia Earhart Award and being named the VFW Cadet Officer of the Year.

Kerr thanked Copsey and Maj. Bob Howard, the Lackland cadet squadron commander for the recognition in a squadron release. He also thanked the cadets and the families who support them.

Kerr is considering a major in electrical engineering and has applied for a high school Air Force ROTC scholarship with Detachment 842 at the University of Texas, San Antonio.

Nominees for this award are considered based on leadership, academic excellence, contributions to the squadron, and progress in the program, among other criteria.

Contributions for this article from 2nd Lt. Nancy Kerr, Lackland Cadet Squadron public affairs officer.

Chapter Events

Quick Calendar of Events

• NCO Academy Graduation, July 1, Omni Hotel
• Independence Day, July 4
• AFA Texas Summer Convention, July 9-11
• Alamo AFA Executive Committee Meeting, July 13, USO downtown
• Alamo AFA Executive Committee Meeting, Aug. 10, USO downtown

Link to the Online Calendar

Alamo Chapter participates in 10th Flambeau parade

Summer convention registration ends July 2

Registration ends July 2 for the AFA Texas Summer Convention July 9-11 at the Holiday Inn at the Falls in Witchita Falls, Texas.

The registration form and more information is available on the AFA Texas website, www.texasafa.org, under Resources.

President's Column...

AFA's Community Partners

These local firms go above and beyond for our members, providing support through sponsorship and assistance during our banquets and other events, such as the annual Air Education and Training Command/Alamo AFA Symposium and Exposition held each January. They contribute at the grass roots level and are the linchpin that helps hold our chapter together.

Our community partners support the AFA mission in many ways beyond their contributions. The membership plaque serves as a visible display of their support and helps educate the community about the presence of AFA. Their partnership helps AFA advocate the importance of the role of aerospace power in our national defense. And, by supporting our chapter and the military community we serve, our community partners are giving back to the community as well.

The AFA Community Partner Program was established in 1975 to offer chapters a method of stimulating community participation with their chapter while generating income for chapter-sponsored events and activities. When a chapter develops an outstanding community partner program, the chapter’s potential expands dramatically.

By supporting an association that supports the Unites States Air Force, its mission, and its personnel, our community partners are letting others know their organization also supports our Airmen.

I would like to thank all of our Community Partners for their commitment to AFA and our United States Air Force. We appreciate your support. You can view our Community Partners in this newsletter or at our website, www.alamoafa.org.

If you are interested in becoming a Community Partner use our online application or contact the Alamo Chapter Vice President for Community Partners, John DiPiero via e-mail or by phone at (210) 498-3294.

Alamo Chapter AFA Community Partners

We wish to thank our Community Partners who continue to support the AFA
and make our programs possible...
We could not do it without you!
For information on our community partner program and how to join, see our
website at www.alamoafa.org. Our VP for Community Partners is John Dipiero

Alamo Chapter Air Force Association

P.O. Box 34261
San Antonio, TX 78265-4261

www.alamoafa.org