In This Issue:
- The Campaign to Connect Kicks Off in Texas
- Updated Assistance Guide is Ready
- No One Soars Alone
- CSU Scholarship Announcement
- Historical Feature: Bee Arnold
- Bee Arnold Spouse Tuition Program Reminder
Kicking Off the Campaign to Connect
Last month, AFAS CEO Maj Gen (Ret.) Ed Thomas launched the Campaign to Connect, designed to build stronger relationships between AFAS and those on the front lines with the people we serve.
General Thomas kicked off the campaign with a “listening tour” at bases around the country to see how AFAS can better serve our force. His first stop was at Joint Base San Antonio where he met with teams from across the area to learn more about the needs in their region and to make sure that our support programs are reaching the Airmen, Guardians, and their families who need us most.
General Thomas also stopped by Blue Skies of Texas, and visited USAA San Antonio Headquarters to thank them for their support of AFAS.
Get all the details about his trip and see photos on our website!
AFAS Assistance Guide for Referring Leaders is Updated and Ready for Distribution
Calling all Military & Family Readiness Centers, Commanders, First Sergeants and Supervisors: AFAS has updated our Assistance Guide for Referring Leaders.
This resource guide was designed to help key leaders counsel their Airmen and Guardians on support options, and outlines all of our programs and eligibility criteria.
Check out the updated version.
“No One Soars Alone”
Our founder General Hap Arnold said, “No one soars alone.”
With your help, AFAS is here for Airmen, Guardians, and their families when they need us most — to keep them soaring as part the greatest air and space forces in the world.
Too often a natural disaster, death in the family, uncovered medical expenses, or other unexpected events can create destabilizing financial burdens for military families who are called to lead uncommon lives for our nation.
Together we can make sure that our Airman and Guardians are cared for, even when confronted with their hardest days. But we can’t do it without you.
Please consider renewing your support of our Airmen and Guardians with a special gift to Air Force Aid Society.
Historical Feature: Bee Arnold
Proudly known as “Grandmother of the Air Force”, Eleanor Pool “Bee” Arnold was the wife of General of the Air Force Henry H. Arnold.
She met her husband when he was a cadet on a visit to West Point, and they married in 1912 and had four sons, one of whom made his career in the Army and two in the Air Force. Together they founded the organization known today as the Air Force Aid Society in 1942, where Mrs. Arnold served as vice president and eventually honorary vice president until her death in 1978.
The Arnolds envisioned an organization that embodied the ideal of Airmen helping Airmen, and now Guardians as well. More than 80 years later, we are still so thankful for their vision.
Bee Arnold Spouse Tuition Program and NEW Childcare Grant Opportunity
AFAS expanded our Bee Arnold Spouse Tuition Program this year to provide funding for Air Force and Space Force spouses to pursue entry-level job training through short term programs/certifications, or a part-time undergraduate degree.
Now we are piloting a NEW Education Childcare Grant. Spouses who are approved for the Bee Arnold Spouse Tuition Program will now also be eligible for an Education Childcare Grant to help supplement the cost of childcare needed to pursue a degree or certification. Instructions for how to apply for the childcare grant will be provided to all Bee Arnold Spouse Tuition Grant recipients.
The Bee Arnold Spouse Tuition Program is open for applications!
2024 CSU Scholarship Awarded
Air Force Aid Society is pleased to announce the 2024 Columbia Southern University (CSU) Scholarship Award Recipient is Mrs. Jade Freeman-Carrier.
AFAS CEO Maj Gen (Ret.) Ed Thomas presented Mrs. Freeman-Carrier with the scholarship during a virtual meeting on Friday, April 20, 2024 (pictured). Freeman-Carrier has been working as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher for the past 16 years, and plans to use the scholarship to pursue a MA in Education.
“At the Aid Society, we understand that Air Force and Space Force families live uncommon lives, including frequent relocations and the strain of deployments. Though vitally important to the nation, they can also be disruptive to the career and educational paths of our spouses. Our hope is that programs like our Columbia Southern University Scholarship can help,” says General Thomas.