A Legacy That Supports Future Airmen and Guardians
Creating a Lasting Legacy
Committed to Military Service
AFAS donor establishes a charitable gift annuity as a lasting legacy. Captain Paul Litteau was raised in an Air Force family. He was born in Chicago in 1942, during the early days of World War II, and remembers most of his upbringing having been impacted by the war. His stepfather, Ernest R. McDowell, had planned for a life of military service. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was training to be a bombardier before an injury prevented him from completing that program. He continued to serve throughout the war, but in light of his injury was discharged as a Sergeant as the military downsized. For many years thereafter he authored, co-authored, or otherwise contributed to several well-regarded histories of the development of airpower for Squadron Signal Publishing Company. “My family showed high regard and appreciation toward those who had served,” said Capt. Litteau. “For me, when my turn came, it was paying my dues. It was what I owed my country and those who had served before me.” Capt. Litteau enrolled in the ROTC program at Lane Technical College Preparatory High School in Chicago. He then continued in Air Force ROTC while attending Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), where he attained a degree in Mathematics, with a minor in Physics. After graduation, and upon completion of the summer
Returning an act of kindness
One donor pays it forward with endowed education grants Dr. David Tansik learned early on about the challenges of military life. He was born on Scott Air Force Base during WWII and lived on military bases until he left for college. Dr. Tansik’s father served in the Air Force and retired as an active duty Master Sergeant and reserve Major in 1961. As an Air Force “brat,” he remembers having a unique childhood because of numerous PCS moves. “I lived in many places and attended 15 different schools in the 12 years from kindergarten through high school,” says Dr. Tansik. Because of the moves, he attended three different high schools. When it was time to apply for college in 1960, finances were very tight, so his father told him about the Air Force Aid Society’s (AFAS) Gen. Henry “Hap” Arnold Education Program. “For a variety of reasons the support I received in the 1960s when I needed financial help, allowed me to attend the University of Illinois for my freshman and sophomore years,” said Dr. Tansik. “Then I transferred to the University of Texas where I completed my junior and senior years working in numerous jobs and with help from the Society.” He credits the support from AFAS for allowing him to attend college and graduate. “The loans and scholarships I received
A Legacy of Service and Honor
A scholarship fund will leave a lasting legacy for two U.S. Air Force officers Recently, a donor who wishes to remain anonymous established two endowed scholarships to support training opportunities and educational programs to help Airmen, the children of Airmen and their families through the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS). This donor’s career led her to work with Airmen in the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Because of this, she became a good friend and a trusted colleague of a USAF officer, and she has been a long-time friend of another general, both of whom are the named honorees of the scholarship funds. The two officers have been inspirational figures to the donor, and they set the example of how to serve selflessly with humility. It is out of her deep respect and admiration for the two officers that she set up the scholarships. The Society’s mission to provide educational support to Airmen and their families aligns with the donor’s professional background and personal philosophy and values, making AFAS a natural fit for her philanthropy. She hopes that the scholarships will allow current, retired and future Airmen and their families to pursue educational goals that will benefit themselves as well as the USAF. The endowment will have an intergenerational impact on the Society’s ability to continue its Airmen Helping Airmen mission.