NATIONAL MILITARY FAMILY ASSOCIATION CONGRESSIONAL RECEPTION

AFSA CEO and the Director of Military and Government Relations had the opportunity to attend the National Military Family Association (NFMA) Congressional reception on Monday to recognize the 2010 Support of Military Families Award.  Awards were given to the following:

 ?         Senator Daniel K. Akaka (HI)

     Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee

 ?         Representative Susan A. Davis (CA)

     Chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee,

      House Armed Services Committee

 ?         Representative Michael H. Michaud (ME)

     Chairman of the Health Subcommittee,

     House Veterans’ Affairs Committee

 ?         American Bar Association

     Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (LAMP)

 This event was attended by many of the Military Services senior leaders to include CMSAF Roy and sister service senior enlisted leaders. 

AFSA ATTENDS MEDAL OF HONOR PRESENTATION AT THE WHITE HOUSE

AFSA CEO represented our Association members at the White House on Tuesday, as President Barack Obama awarded Chief Master Sergeant Richard L. Etchberger, U.S. Air Force, with the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry.  Chief Etchberger received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions in combat on March 11, 1968, in the country of Laos.  A photo of Chief Etchberger is proudly displayed on the 1^st floor of the Airmen Memorial Building, AFSA Headquarters.  Coincidentally, the Airmen Memorial Museum 2010 Calendar has his photo and text on the September page. 

Here is a link to view the presentation of the Medal of Honor:

http://www.af.mil/news/video/index.asp?cid=3&sid=15973 

ARE YOU BASED IN OR FROM ONE THE STATES LISTED BELOW?

The states of Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia, have NOT yet enacted the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.   

Remember:  State and local officials are up for reelection shortly, so now is the time to openly solicit their support for this Compact, and agreement between the states that affects the education of military children.  The Compact already enacted within 35 states has special and accommodating features for the education of military children. 

Background:  The Compact works to correct the inequalities that military children face, as they transfer from one school (system) to another due to deployments or permanent change of station moves by their servicemember parent. This Compact addresses important issues that arise between the sending and receiving schools:

?         Timely transferring of records

?         Extra time for immunizations

?         Appropriate course placement

?         Waiving minimum age requirements if already enrolled

?         Facilitating on-time graduation through alternative methods of education

?         Allowing students to participate in extracurricular activities and sports teams  

Schools are asked to exercise flexibility with military children and to understand their unique situations. With the average military student moving six to nine times during their school years (K-12), it is imperative that schools quickly and smoothly transition students into the school system, so that they can begin to settle into a familiar routine. Child education is a critical quality of life measure for Airmen and their families and directly impacts military recruitment, assignment satisfaction, retention, and readiness. 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES AND NEWS 

AFSA MEETS WITH CONGRESSMAN BILIRAKIS

AFSA staff met with Representative Gus Bilirakis, R-FL; the discussion was based around his attempts to amend the NDAA to authorize the VA to build new facilities to house and treat catastrophically wounded warriors.  The amendment failed; he has asked AFSA to help in getting this facility built, so wounded warriors can be housed and treated.  During that visit, other quality of life issues affecting our members were discussed. 

CONGRESS GOING ON ELECTION RECESS BREAK

Congress might pass a stop-gap spending measure to keep the government funded beyond Sept. 30, as Senators and Representatives go back to their home states to campaign.  The Senate is looking to go on recess starting October 1^st and return after the elections on November 2^nd in a lame duck session to complete appropriation bills before the 111^th congress adjourns and the 112^th congress starts in January 2011. 

DEFENSE BILL UPATE

As members of congress return to their respective districts to finish campaigning in their districts, it looks like we will have to wait till after the election for congress to complete pressing matters, not only on the defense bill, but many other major pieces of legislation for other government agencies alike. 

AFSA MEMBER BENEFITS 

AIR FORCE TIMES: AFSA SUBSCRIPTION DISCOUNT

Don’t miss this special subscription offer! Order the Air Force Times at $39.95 for the year. A savings of 76% off the cover price, and the Air Force Times will send $5 to AFSA on your behalf — and send to you – TWO FREE GIFTS! Order online HERE (http://www.airforcetimes.com/association/afsa) or call (800) 368-5718. [Please advise the AF Times that you are an AFSA member.] 

AFSA NEW MEMBER TERM LIFE INSURANCE BENEFIT

New AFSA members under the age of 40 receive $10,000 of Term Life Insurance provided at no-cost for 12 months. For more information click HERE (http://www.afsainsurance.com), or call Marsh Affinity Group Services toll-free at (800) 882-5541.  

OTHER INFO 

NATIONAL CEMETERY CONTACT INFORMATION

Do you have questions about eligibility for burial in a National Cemetery? 

Give them a call at 314-4166320.  For scheduling of a burial in a National Cemetery, call 1-800-5351117.  Good idea to have your relatives put these important phone numbers where they can locate them in the future. 

CHILD CARE FEES EXPANDED AND IMPLEMENTED

The Defense Department broadened child care fee ranges from six to nine categories, raised the income cap on each fee range, and established the top range at $125,000 for School Year 2010/2011. The new fee ranges were effective July 7, and must be implemented by the Services no later than the end of this month. 

The Department of Defense sets the policy for Child Development Program fee ranges.  Each Service will issue specific fee guidelines to the installations based on the DoD policy.  

 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. 

AFSA needs and welcomes your feedback, ideas, suggestions, and active participation.  Tell us what we should do! 

“I THINK AFSA SHOULD __________.”