A Commitment to Lifelong Learning

Voice
the
March 2008
Vol. 19, No. 3
for Military Families
A Commitment to Lifelong Learning
By Candace Wheeler, NMFA Deputy Director of Government Relations
T
he National Military Family
Association (NMFA) knows
education is important to
military families and consistently reinforces this issue with Members
of Congress and policymakers. Education
strengthens military families and helps
prepare them to meet the challenges of
military life.
In fact, most Americans today place a
high value on education and agree it is
vital to both our individual and national
well-being. Education levels the playing
field for all Americans by helping to
eliminate gender, race, religion, and
economic barriers. Education benefits
society as a whole by promoting the
health of our democracy and the
competitiveness of our Nation.
However, the pursuit of education should be considered a
way of life more than a means to an end. Each of us should
be dedicated to the pursuit of lifelong learning.
A strong educational foundation encourages people to
continue learning throughout their lives. According to the
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), educational
attainment is directly associated with increases in lifetime
learning, civic participation, and economic returns. The
percentage of adults taking classes, organized training,
and seminars increases with each level of educational
achievement. Data also confirms a direct link between one’s
education level and civic participation. For example, those
with higher levels of education are far more likely to vote.
College educated adults statistically earn more than those
with only a high school education.
A life of continued education also enhances one’s personal
health. According to the National Center for Health
Statistics, the better educated a person is, the more likely that
person is to report being in excellent or very good health,
regardless of income or age. In addition to impacting our
health, education also changes the way we view ourselves
and our outlook on life.
For education to positively affect our lives, it does not have
to be “one size fits all”! A commitment to lifelong learning
can involve formal education, advanced degrees, continuing
education, distance or online learning, home schooling,
correspondence courses, on-the-job-training, corporate
seminars, skill-based knowledge, or recreational activities.
For lifelong learning to occur, people need to be open to
new ideas, decisions, skills or behaviors and to realize it is
never too early or too late to learn.
cont’d on page 5 u
Serving the families of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and the Commissioned Corps
of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.
in this
issue
2 Chairman’s Message
3 Thinking About Going
Back to School
3 Begin Pursuing Your
Education Today
4 Financial Fellowship
Opportunity
4 Turbo Tax
5 A Commitment to Lifelong
Learning (continued from cover)
6 NMFA Earns an “A”
7 Contributor’s Corner
10Ski Colorado on a Dime
11In First Person
11Family of the Month
12Gift Membership Application
from the
chairman
By Nancy Alsheimer, NMFA Chairman of the Board
B
oth Republican and Democratic Parties are selecting
Presidential candidates. It is time to educate ourselves
so we can select the best person to serve as President and
Commander-in-Chief. Each candidate’s understanding of the
Constitution, the ideals of the Declaration of Independence
and the Bill of Rights is relevant to our consideration. We can
also look to the actions of past notable Presidents in order to
understand how significantly that passion for our Nation plays
in leading our country.
George Washington sought freedom from tyranny, worked with the Continental
Congress on the Constitution, and instilled his belief that no one person would
rule the Nation. Abraham Lincoln’s belief that all men are created equal propelled
him into the Civil War. Lincoln also made necessary concessions at the end of the
war to maintain a united Nation. Bearing witness to the devastating impact of the
Great Depression inspired Franklin D. Roosevelt to campaign for the presidency.
Roosevelt’s decisive actions in office (e.g. closing banks and instituting the National
Recovery Act, the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, the Securities Exchange Commission, the Tennessee Valley Authority
and Social Security) were fueled by the desire to lead our Nation’s economic
recovery. He also took the Nation to war to prevent domination by the Nazis. The
actions of these men showed that their desire to lead was based on the ideal later
expressed by John F. Kennedy of “what can I do for my country” and not “what can
my country do for me.”
A good leader possesses an intrinsic passion to serve and to commit to ideas that
are important to our Nation. We need to educate ourselves on the issues and the
passions of our candidates in order to cast informed votes. We should look for
the candidates to articulate issues of importance to the Nation and its values and
to ensure freedom so the rights fought and died for remain constant for future
generations of Americans.
Sincerely,
2500 North Van Dorn Street
Suite 102
Alexandria, VA 22302
(800) 260-0218
www.nmfa.org
Nancy Alsheimer
The National Military Family Association (NMFA) is
a national nonprofit organization focusing solely on
the families of the seven uniformed services; Army,
Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and the
Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service and
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
If credited to NMFA, portions of this newsletter may
be reproduced or reprinted.
Newsletter Editor: Hannah Pike
The Voice for Military Families • Volume 19, No. 3
privacy policy
The National Military Family Association (NMFA) is aware
of the need to keep private information secure and confidential.We consider this a top priority.We do not collect
any information about you that can identify you as an
individual except for the information collected to acquire
membership.We do not share any additional information
with any other group, and NMFA does not sell any names
or mailing lists to outside groups.
officers
Chairman of the Board
Nancy Alsheimer
Vice Chairman of the Board
Tom Sims
Corporate Secretary
Martha Bioty
Treasurer
Tom Stanners
Thinking About Going Back to School?
By Meg O’Grady, NMFA Volunteer, Alexandria, VA
A
s the wife of an active duty Army service member,
married for 17 years, I can empathize with the
difficulties of planning, executing, and finishing a
degree program while moving around the world. But as a
professional in the counseling and education field, I know
there are many creative solutions to find a way to get a
degree and surmount the challenges that come our way.
The best place to begin your preparation is your local
installation Education Center. You can find the center
nearest to you by going to www.dantes.doded.mil. An
education counselor at the Education Center will assist you
in determining what your educational goals are and what
programs fit your specific needs. Do you need education
to supplement the career you already have or are you
changing careers? Do you have credits that need to transfer
from a previous school? The counselor can also verify that
the school of your choice is accredited.
Often, military family members find themselves with dozens
of credits but still short of their degree requirements due
to transferability problems. Your education counselor can
provide information about Servicemembers Opportunity
Colleges (SOC), a consortium of more than 1,800
educational institutions that agree to accommodate
reasonable transfer of credit from other institutions and
limit residency requirements at the home college so that
students are not penalized when forced to move from
one duty location to another. Find out more about SOC
institutions at www.soc.aascu.org.
Prospective students often put off educational goals
because they are convinced they cannot afford the expense
of higher education. There are many forms of financial
assistance available, such as Federal Aid, grants, and
scholarships. Federal Aid is money loaned or granted by
the government to assist in paying for higher education.
Every student, regardless of their financial status, should
fill out the Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA)
at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
As a military family member, you also qualify to apply
for many scholarships given by military organizations.
Education Centers provide resources for researching and
applying for these scholarships. The National Military
Family Association offers Joanne Holbrook Patton Military
Spouse Scholarships to military spouses. Visit www.NMFA.org
for more information or to apply.
Although it takes some research and effort to prepare, there
are many ways to overcome the challenges of completing
your higher education as a military spouse if you take
advantage of the resources available to you.
For a more comprehensive guide on pursuing higher
education purchase the NMFA Military Spouse Education
Resource Guide at www.NMFA.org/store or visit www.NMFA.
org/SpouseEd.
Begin Pursuing Your EducationToday!
Complementing the National Military Family Association’s (NMFA) ongoing efforts to
make the pursuit of education easier for military spouses, NMFA has released a second
edition of its Military Spouse Education Resource Guide. In this newest version, NMFA
designed a comprehensive resource about higher education—military-spouse style.
Updated scholarship information, tips for beginning your education career, and helpful
education hints for those on the move are among the many resources gathered in this
guide.
If you are a military spouse beginning your higher education, or just thinking about
it, the NMFA Military Spouse Education Resource Guide is tailored to you and your
unique lifestyle. Visit the NMFA online store, www.NMFA.org/store, to purchase your
guide and begin your education journey!
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The Voice for Military Families • Volume 19, No. 3
Spouses—are you interested in an exciting career that
offers flexibility, upward mobility, and portability?
T
he Association for Financial Counseling and
Planning Education® (AFCPE®) in association with
the National Military Family Association (NMFA)
and the FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority)
Investor Education Foundation is pleased to announce
applications are being accepted for the Military Spouse
Fellowship for the Accredited Financial CounselorSM
Program. This program will provide 200 military spouses
with the education necessary to enter the financial
counseling career field.
The fellowship covers the costs associated with Accredited
Financial Counselor (AFC) training and testing. Upon
successful completion of the program and required
practicum, the participant will be awarded the Accredited
Financial Counselor designation from AFCPE.
Many employers such as credit unions, financial aid
offices, and community housing agencies need welltrained, ethical, and caring financial counselors to meet
the increasing demand for financial counseling services.
Military spouses can fill this need while building a
rewarding career. The AFC is a national certification so
it is flexible to the relocation demands of the military
family lifestyle.
Applications are accepted only online at
www.NMFA.org/fellowship and may be
submitted only March 31st through April 30th.
The Easy Way To Do Taxes
NMFA members, you’re invited to discover
just how easy doing your taxes can be with
TurboTax®.
Do your taxes for free with TurboTax® OnlineSM Free
Edition, which includes:
u A step-by-step interview with easy-to-understand
questions
u Forms automatically filled out using your answers
u 100% accurate calculations guarantee
u FREE federal e-file, plus a faster refund
TurboTax has products to meet
all your tax needs.
TurboTax Online Deluxe makes it easy to maximize
deductions. TurboTax Online Premier also helps with
investments and rental properties. And TurboTax Online
Home & Business can simplify your Schedule C. These
TurboTax products are also available for purchase in
downloadable versions.
No matter which product you choose, you’ll quickly see
why TurboTax is rated #1 year after year and why it’s
trusted by millions of Americans.
NMFA is pleased to provide this great value to our
customers. Join NMFA today at www.NMFA.org and access
your TurboTax benefit.
Free Tax Software for Service Members
Military OneSource now offers the TaxCut Basic Online® Program by H&R Block free to active
duty and National Guard and Reserve service members and their families. Prepare your 2007
Federal and State income taxes with this easy-to-use program. Visit www.militaryonesource.com
for more information.
The Voice for Military Families • Volume 19, No. 3
A Commitment to Lifelong Learning t
cont’d from page 1
NMFA is a strong advocate of lifelong learning.
Beginning with our involvement in early childhood
development through the Zero to Three Coming
Together Around Military Families Initiative, advancing
education for school-aged children and children with
disabilities, offering educational scholarships for military
spouses, supporting the Montgomery GI Bill for service
members, and educating our retirees on their rights and
benefits are just some of the many ways NMFA supports
lifelong learning.
u NMFA advocates for early childhood development
through the ZERO TO THREE program:
NMFA is a member of the advisory team for the
Coming Together around Military Families Initiative,
which is designed to assist in meeting the healthy
development and well-being of infants, toddlers and
their families affected by deployment.
NMFA is committed to educating
our military families and to encouraging
lifelong learning. A commitment
to lifelong learning must reside
within each of us.
u NMFA supports the Montgomery GI Bill for both
active duty and Selected Reserve service members,
and equitable VA education benefits for survivors and
dependents of injured service members:
u NMFA advances education for school-aged children
and children with disabilities:
The Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Personnel
and Readiness and the Council of State Governments
(CSG) have drafted the new Interstate Compact on
Educational Opportunity for Military Children. NMFA
served on both the Advisory and Drafting committee for
this important initiative. In addition, NMFA participates
with the Department of Defense Education Activity
(DoDEA), the Military Child Education Coalition
(MCEC), the Military Impacted Schools Association
(MISA), and many others to strengthen education for
our military children. NMFA has also been instrumental
in championing the needs of military children with
disabilities, including those with autism spectrum
disorder.
u NMFA created the National Military Family
Association’s Joanne Holbrook Patton Military
Spouse Scholarship Program:
These scholarships are awarded to spouses of
Uniformed Services members (active duty, National
Guard and Reserve, retirees, and survivors) to obtain
professional certification or to attend post-secondary
or graduate school. In addition, NMFA also created the
Military Spouse Education Resource Guide to help spouses
pursue their education.
The Montgomery GI Bill provides education benefits
which may be used for degree and certificate programs,
flight training, apprenticeships, on-the-job-training,
and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and
refresher courses may also be approved under certain
circumstances. Survivors are eligible for education
benefits through the Veterans Administration. NMFA
would like to see an increase in the amount received by
the survivors. NMFA is heartened by the efforts of the
Executive branch and Congress to expand eligibility of
family members to qualify for the transfer of the service
member’s Montgomery GI Bill benefits.
u NMFA educates military retirees on their rights and
benefits:
Through our various publications, and Government &
You E-News, NMFA helps military retirees stay current
on the issues affecting them.
NMFA is committed to educating our military families
and to encouraging learning. A commitment to lifelong
learning must reside within each of us. By embracing the
opportunity to better ourselves, strengthen our families,
and improve our communities, we can make a lasting
difference in our lives while paving the way for future
generations.
The Voice for Military Families • Volume 19, No. 3
NMFA Earns an “A”!
T
he Washington Post recently listed NMFA as
one of the top-rated military charities. A chart
accompanying the article, “Study Faults Charities
for Veterans,” showed the ratings given by a charity
watchdog organization, the American Institute of
Philanthropy, for 20 military- and veterans-related
charities, including NMFA. While 12 of the rated charities
earned an “F” grade, generally for managing their
resources poorly and paying high overhead costs and
direct-mail fundraising fees, NMFA received an “A.” The
importance of ensuring military and veterans charities
are directing their donated resources to the people they
claim to serve was emphasized at a Congressional hearing
the same day.
The achievement of these benchmarks
refflects our staff’s hard work and
attention to detail and the oversight
by our Board of Governors.
All of us who are associated with NMFA—employees, Board
members, Volunteers and Representatives, members, and
donors—should be proud of our Association’s stewardship
of the funds entrusted to us to support military families.
In addition to our “A” rating from the American Institute
of Philanthropy, NMFA also received a 4-star rating
(highest) from Charity Navigator for 5 consecutive years
for fiscal responsibility in applying donations toward our
mission, a distinction only attained by approximately 3%
of the charities it rates. NMFA also meets all 20 standards
for Charity Accountability by the Better Business Bureau’s
Wise Giving Alliance.
The achievement of these benchmarks reflects our staff’s
hard work and attention to detail and the oversight by our
Board of Governors. As we work together in the future to
maintain our integrity and the standards for which we have
been recognized, we hope that all of you will continue to
support our Association proudly and spread the word of
its good work. As Bob Rosen, a longtime NMFA volunteer
put it: “I think we can all stand tall for what we do and how
we do it.” (Thanks, Bob!)
Individuals and organizations who wish to donate to NMFA
or who want more information can go to our website:
www.NMFA.org/donate. If you have further questions,
please contact Kathleen Burke, NMFA’s Director of
Development (kathleen.burke@nmfa.org) or Executive
Director Joyce Raezer (joyce.raezer@nmfa.org).
Honor a Loved One…
Memorial Donations to NMFA are a great
way to remember and honor a loved one.
D onate toda y !
Visit www.NMFA.org/donate for more
information.
The Voice for Military Families • Volume 19, No. 3
Contributor ’ s
Corner
NMFA programs would not be possible without the generosity of the organizations,
clubs, and individuals that recognize the valuable contributions military families
make to our Nation. We thank last year’s donors for supporting our mission.
2007 NMFA Corporate Supporters
Family Champion $100,000+
California Community Foundation
(Iraq Afghanistan Deployment Impact Fund)
General Electric Company Foundation (GE)
John and Wauna Harman Foundation
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
Random House
Sierra Club Foundation
TriWest Healthcare Alliance
Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
Family Patron $50,000-$99,999
Nestlé, USA
United Concordia Companies, Inc.
Walman Optical
Family Guardian $20,000-$49,999
Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA)
Bose Corporation (in kind)
Defense Health Advisors, Inc.
Delta Dental of California
General Dynamics Corporation
Health Net Federal Services
H. J. Heinz Company
Humana Military Healthcare Services
The Kellogg Company
Morongo Casino Resort and Spa
The USAA Foundation
Family Advocate $10,000-$19,999
Ahern Family Charitable Foundation
Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP
Clark C.A.R.E.S. Foundation
The Clorox Sales Company
College Loan Corporation
E.A. Sween Company/Deli Express
FINRA Investor Education Foundation
Gypsum Supply Co.
Rockwell Collins
Williams & Connolly, LLP (in kind)
Family Supporter $5,000-$9,999
Association for Financial Counseling &
Planning Education
Brokerage Unlimited, Inc.
The Coca-Cola Company
Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC)
Flaherty Family Foundation
Frank M. Ewing Foundation, Inc.
H&R Block, Inc.
KANA Software, Inc.
Kikkoman Foods Foundation, Inc.
Navy Federal Credit Union
Overseas Service Corporation
SOFTRAX Corporation
University of Maryland University College
Valero Energy Foundation
Vanguard Advisors, LLC
Volt Telecom Group
Family Friend $1,000-$4,999
American BioSciences, Inc.
Anderson Auto Group
Aperture Technologies, Inc.
Arlington County Police 5K Run
Armed Forces Marketing Council
Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc.
- Pelican Chapter
Cajun Industries
Chicago Title Company
Clark Family Foundation
Coker & McCree, Inc.
East West Manufacturing, LLC
Elisa Ilana
First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union
Florida Institute of Technology
GEICO
Gibbs & Soell, Inc.
Hoops for Troops, Ursinus College
Hope for the Warriors
James C. and Donna W. Janning Charitable
Fund of the Greater Saint Louis
Community Foundation
Kash Family Fund at the Elkhart County
Community Foundation
Marine Memorial Chapel
McMaster-Carr Supply Company
Mortgage Research Center
Naval Station Great Lakes Forrestal Village
Chapel
PhotoWorks, Inc.
Qorvis Communications/Wilson Research
Strategies
R&R Partners
Royce Builders
Scituate Rotary Foundation
Martha R. & Susan I. Seger Foundation
Signal Perfection, LTD
Tyrrell Marxen Chevrolet Cadillac
University of Phoenix
ZC Sterling
cont’d on page 8 u
The Voice for Military Families • Volume 19, No. 3
Contributor ’ s
Corner
t
cont’d from page 7
2007 Individual Supporters
Family Champion $20,000+
Marshall Carter
Hans & Marie Ernst
Philip & Gayle Staton
Family Patron: $5,000-$9,999
Kenneth & Jill Brodkowitz
John Coffey & Anne Churchill
Coffey
Michael & Teresa Davis
Rudy & Anne de Leon
Justin Garak
David & Jane Hummel
David Johnson
Henry Krostich
Gene Manheim
Edward & Carol Meyer
Stephen Mullaney
Richard & Mary Jo Myers
Joanne Holbrook Patton
James Sheeler
Bonnie Thomson & Eugene Tillman
Frederick & Judith Triggs
Ed Vick
Linden & Judith Welch
Family Guardian: $1,000-$4,999
Ronald Anders
Lou Bell
Bruce Betters
Bryce & Sandra Bienko
Glen Bodman
Brent & Donna Boe
Steve & Michele Brenner
MaryAnne Brown
Robert & Iris Chenoweth
Frederic & Peggy Clark
Thomas & Amy Coiner
Dan & Sirena Conkright
Michael Conroy
D.E. Croft
Rodger & Donna Daniels
John & Deborah Darling
Gary Dean
Larry & Brenda Dorsett
Anne Dwane
Mark & Rochelle Effron
Stuart & Kathy Erdraughom
Susan Eyring
Thomas & Carole Fields
Eugene & Flora Frank
Andrea Gordon
Hillary Graves
James Hays
Dennis Hickey
Scott Holmes
Susanna Hung
Andrew & Marina Jacobson
Ted Johnson
Jay Judkowitz
Charles Kirksey
Lisa Kountoupes
Krieger Family
E. Laird Landon
Andrew Langdon
Mary Ann Lawlor
Clark Leornard
Harold & Pam Lord
Larry & Marge McAllister
Jo Ann Miller
Eugene Monkarsh
Michal Moskowitz
Carl Nelson
Craig Niiya
Dan & Norma Oliver
James & Angelica Porch
Herb & Bettye Prewitt
Andrew Puglia Levy
Timothy Raezer & Joyce Wessel
Raezer
Tim Ryan & Kathryn Records Ryan
Mark Remington
David Rensvold
Don & Michelle Richards
Louise Rinn
Kenneth Roberts
Claire Lyn Saxon
James & Elsa Sears
John & Joan Shalikashvili
Timothy Shine
William & Maria Smith
Toni & Emmet Stephenson
Jerry Syfert
John Templeton, Jr.
Paul & Gracie Terrill
Tracey Tomashpol & Farron
Brougher
Charles Walker
Clifford Warfield
Lawrence & Susan White
Michael & Barbara Williams
R.M. Wolfe
Family Advocate: $250-$999
Jeff Aardrup
Peter Abercrombie
Jeff Aldridge
Rosemarie Allaire
Janice Ashby
Kevin Atkeson
Jonathan & Michelle Aufzien
Joanne Avella
Judy Baker
J.S. & Christina Bane
Jackie Bargman
Glenn Barlow
Kevin & Roslyn Barry
William Bates
Lois Beck
John Bellew
Jeffery Belton
Iris Bishop
John & Kathleen Blackman
Lawrence & Susan Blount
Jim Bogardus
D.W. & Marilyn Bottom
Danny Bottoms
Joyce Bradshaw
Paul Bremer
Pat Brown
Theresa Buchanan
James Butt
The Voice for Military Families • Volume 19, No. 3
Patricia Carr
Jo Alice Casapulla
Michael Case
George & Sheila Casey
Debra Casey
RayMing Chang
Hope Childs
Hank Chiles
Dale & Carol Clarke
Helen Clements
Rachel Coleman
Sarah Cook
Gail Dash
Maureen Davis
Beth Debor
Michael Decoteau
Claude Denham
Mark Devlin
Richard & Dianne Di Cola
Mark Duchesne
Sharon Dudley
Jeff Dworetz
Lee Ebert
Norman Elder
George Emery
Rondald & Phyllis Ettinger
Boyce Fitzpatrick
David Francis
Jeremy Frase
John & Gloria Fritz
Tali Giveon
Stuart Goldberg
Burton Goldfield
Robert & Judi Greenwalt
Donald Haddad
Michael Hall
Beth Ann Harasimowicz
The Harm Family
William & Roberta Hartzog
Ed Hauck
John & Rose Heidrick
Carl & Patricia Hemmer
Kofi Hevi
James Hill
Bruce Hoffman
James Hohman
Michael Horansky
Rachael Hubbard
Wade Hudman
Ailsa Hudson
Cecilia Hung-Antonio
Gail Hurdis
George Indyke
George Ingraham
John Jackson
Kaz Jaslikowski
Fred John
John & Elfriede Johnson
Douglas Jung
Jeffrey Karp
Rosemarie Kimmerle
Mike Kirby
James Knight
Leroy Kopp
Ric & Sue Lassiter
Marina Levinson
Joan Lewis
Ken Livingston
John Luck
John & Nicole Maxwell
Mary Kate McCutcheon
Mike & Holly McFarland
James Melcher
Alvin & Patricia Middleton
Kendall Miller
Doris Morten
Karen Myers
Michael Naig
Robert Napoleon
Louis & Sheila Ogden
Daniel Pahl
Michael Pallaci
James Parkinson
Peter Pavlis
James & Claudia Peragine
Matthew Pfrommer
Diane Phillips
John & Karen Pickler
Christian Pollina
Richard Quick
Wynn Radford
Albert & Audrey Ratner
Ronald & Julie Roncadori
Stephen Rowley
David & Debra Ruether
Maureen Sadler
William Saltonstall
Barry Sanders
Marshall & Lila Sanger
Ed Schiffer
James Schwer
Karolyn Scott
Dennis & Joan Shears
Eric & Patty Shinseki
James Smigiel
Reed Smith
Caroline Smith
Cathy Snyder
Robert Soukup
Paul Sullivan
Donald Sussman
Roger Swain
Steven & Ronnie Tepp
Timothy & Denise Thomson
Eric Tindall
Brian Tracey
Sumanth Venugopal
John & Avis Vessey
Gary Von Colln
Cris Wagner
Edward & Sharon Waitman
Terry Watson
Neil & Kathleen Wehrman
Chris Westbrook
Ennis & Novella Whitehead
Michael Whitehouse
Robert Wiggins
Jack & Paula Winter
David Yaffe
Ronda Zillner
Contributor ’ s
Corner
t
cont’d from page 8
2007 Spouse Club and Thrift Shop Supporters
Family Champions: $1,000+
Ansbach Officer & Civilians’ Spouses’ Club
Cherry Point Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Daughters of the United States Army - West Point Chapter
Fort Myer Thrift Shop
Fort Polk Officers’ Spouses’ Club
GFWC Rotonda West Women’s Club
Grafenwoehr Community and Spouses’ Club
Heidelberg Community and Civilian Spouses’ Club
Naval Officers’ Spouses’ Club of San Diego
Naval Officers’ Spouses’ Club of Washington DC
Naval Station Great Lakes Forrestal Village Chapel
NOAA Officers’ Family Association
Pope AFB Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Redstone Arsenal Thrift Shop
Schofield Barracks Wives’ Club of Hui O’ Na Wahine
Selfridge Spouse Club
Stuttgart Community Spouses’ Club
Yokota Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Family Patrons: $500-$999
Air Force Officers’ Wives’ Club of Washington, DC
Bamberg Spouses’ and Civilians’ Club
Charleston AFB Officers’ Spouses’ Association
Darmstadt Military Spouse and Civilian Club
Enlisted Spouses’ Club of Lajes Field
Fort Campbell Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Fort Gordon Service Club
Fort Hood Officers’ Wives’ Club
Fort Shafter Hui O’ Wahine
Grand Forks AFB Enlisted Spouses’ Club
Grand Forks AFB Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Kaneohe Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Lackland Officers’ Spouses’ Club
MacDill Enlisted Spouses Club
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Marine Corps Officers’ Spouses’ Club, MCAS Miramar
Presbyterian Woman of Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church
RAF Mildenhall Enlisted Spouses’ Club
Randolph AFB Officers’ Wives’ Club
Robins AFB Officers’ Spouses’ Club
West Point Women’s Club (WPWC)
Family Advocates: $100-$499
Altus Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Andrews AFB Officers’ Spouses’ Club (AOSC)
Armed Forces Spouses Club Seoul South Korea/Chosun Gift Shop
Army Judge Advocates’ Women’s and Spouses’ Club of
Washington, D.C.
Atsugi Officers’ Spouses’ Association
Cape May Coast Guard Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Carlisle Barracks Spouses’ Club
Catholic War Veterans
Charlotte British Ladies Group
Davis-Monthan Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Dover AFB Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Edwards Officers’ Wives’ Club
Ellsworth AFB Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Elmendorf Officers’ Spouses’ Organization
Fairchild AFB Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Family Support Group, 133rd Maintenance Co.
Fort Dix Officers’ & Civilians’ Spouses’ Club
Fort Eustis Officers’ & Civilian Spouses’ Club
Fort Hood Area Thrift Shop
Fort Huachuca Community Spouses’ Club
Fort Jackson Thrift Shop
Fort Knox Officers’ & Civilians’ Spouses’ Club
Fort Leavenworth Spouses’ Club
Fort Lee Officers’ & Civilians’ Spouses’ Club
Fort Meade Enlisted Spouses’ Club
Fort Meade Officers’ Wives’ Club
Fort Monmouth Officers’ Wives’ Club
Fort Richardson Officers’ Spouses’ Club & Thrift Shop
Fort Sill Officers’ and Civilians’ Spouses Club
Fort Stewart Enlisted Spouses’ Club
Fort Stewart Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Fort Wainwright Officer Spouses’ Club
Ft. Benning Officers Spouses Club
Greek Ladies Philoptochos Society, Elpis
Hanscom AFB Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Hickam Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Hill Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Holloman AFB Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Incirlik Combined Spouses’ Club
Kodiak Officers’ Spouses’ Association
Laughlin Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Los Angeles Air Force Spouses’ Club
MacDill Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Maxwell/Gunter Officers’ Spouses’ Club
MCAS New River Officers’ Spouses’ Club
McChord Officers’ Spouses’ Club
McConnell Officers’ Spouses’ Club
McGuire Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Naval Officers’ Spouses’ Club of San Diego
Navy Officers’ Wives’ Oakleaf Club
Navy Wives’ Club - Jacksonville #86
Nellis Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Oakleaf Club of Greater Washington , D.C.
Officers’ Spouses’ Club of NAS Whidbey Island
Officers’ Wives’ Club of Camp Lejeune
Parris Island Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Picatinny Military & Civilians’ Club
RAF Mildenhall Officers’ & Civilians’ Spouses’ Club
Randolph AFB Enlisted Wives’ Club
Rock Island Arsenal Women’s Club
Royal Air Force Lakenheath Officers’ and Civilians’ Spouses’ Club
Schweinfurt Community Spouses’ Club
Scott Enlisted Spouses’ Club
Sheppard AFB Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Signal Officers’ Wives’ Club of the DC Area
The Treasure Shop of Norfolk
Tyndall Officers’ Spouses’ Club
USAF Academy Officers’ Spouses’ Club
Vilseck Community Club
The Voice for Military Families • Volume 19, No. 3
Ski Colorado on a Dime
By Laurie Meier, NMFA Volunteer, Tuscon, AZ
T
he words “ski vacation” and “good deal” don’t
usually appear together in the same sentence.
However, if you happen to have a government
or dependent ID card you’re in luck. Several agencies
affiliated with the Services and their Morale, Welfare and
Recreation (MWR) branches have made it possible for
you to ski without breaking the bank in the process. Good
deals are to be had with a little planning and time spent
with your computer.
If your heart is set on skiing in the Rockies, then contacting
the 10th Services Squadron at the Air Force Academy,
Colorado should be your first step. Their full-range MWR
travel office can arrange every part of your itinerary
from flights and accommodations to transportation,
equipment rental and lift tickets—all with an eye toward
getting the best deal possible for military families.
All active duty, reservists, National Guard, retirees,
survivors, DoD and Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF)
personnel, their immediate family and guests may use this
service. Travel specialists are available to help online at
www.coloradorandr.com or by calling (877) 517-3381.
United Airlines has extended its military
fares for domestic travel through July 31,
2008.The discounted fares for active duty
military, spouses and dependent children
have few restrictions. Call (800) 241-6522
and request discount code MIL.
Visit www.united.com
for more information.
10 The Voice for Military Families • Volume 19, No. 3
Rocky Mountain Blue (RMB) at Keystone Resort is
another USAF Academy Services program for the military
community. It was created specifically to offer affordable
skiing in the winter and golf in the summer at the yearround resort in Keystone, CO. RMB offers discounts on
lodging, lift tickets, ski and ride school, equipment rental,
transportation, golf, recreation, and meals. Vacations
can be booked online and tickets picked up when
you arrive. Contact RMB at www.rockymountainblue.com or
its toll-free number: (866) RMT-BLUE (866-768-2583) for
more information.
The Information, Ticket, and Tours (ITT) office at your
local military installation is your best ally in finding
discounted tickets and travel packages for area attractions
as well as for resorts and cruises. The installations along
the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies (United
States Air Force Academy, Peterson AFB, Buckley AFB,
Schriever AFB, F.E. Warren AFB, and Ft. Carson) all
offer discounted lift tickets, season passes and equipment
rental. Substantial discounts are available for active
duty members and their immediate family and it is
also worth checking for retirees, survivors, and civilian
base employees. ID cardholders must pick these tickets
up themselves and be ready to show their ID cards.
Links to local ITT offices may be found on the installation’s
web page.
With all of the resources that have been made available
to military ID card holders, planning a ski trip has never
been easier or more affordable. Probably the hardest part
will be figuring out how to go again—soon.
First
“
“Person
In
By CPT Arthur Rizer, USAR, Alexandria, VA
A
friend of mine is heading off for his second year-long tour
in Iraq. I was amazed by his attitude of acceptance that
he would be leaving his wife and two young daughters
again. Being home for a little more than 18 months from my
own tour in Iraq, I felt a wave of nausea at even the possibility
of a second deployment. When I asked my friend about our
different reactions he responded, “I am active duty—this is
what we do.”
As a reservist, deployments aren’t the norm for me, they’re
an exception—one our family accepts as a great honor and,
sometimes, with a great fear. When facing my 15-month
deployment I could not comprehend how much time that
meant away from my wife and boys. Prior to that deployment,
the longest I was regularly away from home was two weeks
during annual training.
Every service member, whether active or reserve, longs to be with
their loved ones. However, there appears to be a “deployment
culture” (even before 9-11) where active duty members accept
long periods of time away from their family as routine. They
carry out their duty with honor—I salute them and their families
for their constant sacrifices for our country.
NMFA Family of the Month
SPC Craig Fricke, USARNG; his wife, Melissa Fricke; and their children,
Nathaniel, Samuel, Joel, and Kelsey
Mar ch
“Because of being a military family, our children respect their father and they have
learned the importance of volunteering their time to help others who are less fortunate.”
- Melissa Fricke
C
raig and Melissa Fricke are raising their family of six with an
incredibly-positive, can-do attitude that enables them to learn
and grow together, help less-fortunate families, and make the
best of the time during Craig’s deployment. In Kentwood State, MI,
the Fricke’s can be found helping out at the Red Cross, Habitat for
Humanity, and military family support groups.
Melissa teaches her children that time is better spent focusing on positive
change by making an impact and having an open mind, than it would
be by complaining about the hurdles of military life. The optimism of
this family is contagious!
Visit www.nmfa.org/familyaward to learn how to nominate a family you believe exemplifies the best of the
military family lifestyle.
The Voice for Military Families • Volume 19, No. 3
11
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2500 North Van Dorn Street, Suite 102
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Tell a Friend to Join NMFA Today!
Tell a friend or loved one about NMFA! Please complete the following form
with your family’s or friend’s mailing information and we will send them a
brochure, newsletter and NMFA application today! Introduce your loved
ones to the work NMFA does every day on behalf of military families.
Mail this completed form to:
National Military Family Association
2500 N Van Dorn Street, Ste. 102
Alexandria, VA 22302-1601
My Name___________________________________________________
Apply for NMFA’s
Joanne Holbrook Patton Military
Spouse Scholarship Program today.
q Yes! I would like to invite a friend to join NMFA!
Friend’s Name_______________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________________
City___________________State_____Zip_________________________
Deadline March 15th—
visit www.NMFA.org/scholarship
to apply now!
Phone (
)_ ________________________________________________
E-mail______________________________________________________