NCOA lives up to its creed Published Nov. 8, 2006 By Senior Airman Matthew Edwards 90th Mission Support Squadron F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo -- It was one of the proudest moments of my life. There I stood behind a podium at my mother's funeral. I shuffled my papers organizing my thoughts and for some reason I looked up. What I saw took my breath away. As I panned the crowd from left to right, I saw that the pews were full of people sitting shoulder to shoulder from front to back. People lined the walls all the way around the sanctuary while others crowded in the foyer of the church. There was a line of people out the front door while others were packed in the hall leading to the foyer. The place was packed! I caught my breath and without thinking said, "WOW! There are a lot of people here." As I shared how the life of my mother had impacted mine my chest stuck out and my heart smiled from ear to ear. There was never another day I was more proud to be the son of my mother than that day. It was very clear that mine was not the only life that Dixie Edwards had impacted. The testimony of her life stood packed in a church that only fit 250 people in the sanctuary, yet it was overflowing. It was that day that inspired me to the core of who I am - that my life would count just like hers did. Years later sitting in the First Term Airman Center I heard a briefing from the Non-commissioned Officers Association that inspired me to try and make a difference and impact people's lives like my mother did. I heard this NCOA creed for the first time: "It is with the conception and full understanding that many things of great need and importance can be accomplished in unity and cooperation. Thus do the members of the Non Commissioned Officers Association of the United States of America agree to join their efforts and strength to work together for the benefit of the individual, the group, and for the greatest benefit of our beloved nation." It struck a chord in my heart. That's how my mom lived. I'm in! The more involved I became the more it became clear that these people were for real. The creed recited at every meeting wasn't just a show; it actually meant something to these folks. I had no idea just how much it meant till a fellow member of our local chapter came face to face with the near death of his daughter before she had a chance to really live. Master Sgt. Johnny Goldfuss, 90th Missile Maintenance Squadron, never expected his daughter's life to be threatened on the day of her birth. The doctor delivered the nerve-racking news that Sergeant Goldfuss's daughter's intestines had not fully developed and in order to save her life she would have to flown to Denver for immediate surgery. For several weeks he made the exhausting four-hour round trip to see his wife and daughter. It wasn't long before these extenuating circumstances started to take a toll on his finances. The response of the NCOA was mind blowing. The NCOA has set up benevolent programs to assist members of the enlisted core of all branches of the military when life hits the fan. One of those is the Medical Trust Fund. This fund was designed to assist the enlisted core with medically related incidental expenses associated with medical emergencies. For example Tri-Care doesn't cover the cost of gas for round trips to Denver, food expenses or childcare. The incredible thing about these benevolent programs is that membership isn't required. The only prerequisite is that you are a member of the enlisted core, active, reserve, Guard or retired of any branch of the military. To access the money available all that is needed is an application sent to national headquarters detailing the situation. Sergeant Goldfuss sent his application in with the expectation anyone would have about receiving money from a program like this: two maybe three hundred dollars tops, plus the thought that it would probably take quite a while to get to him. But hey, something is better than nothing right? It's been said, when it rains it pours. Such was the case for Sergeant Goldfuss. The phone call came and he found out all would be well with his daughter. A sigh of relief, but now what to do about the finances? Johnny checked the mail to find that a check from the NCOA had arrived much sooner than anticipated. He opened the envelope and upon seeing the dollar amount of the check his jaw hit the ground. He didn't get $200. He didn't get $300. The check was for $1,200! Now I knew for sure that the NCOA was an organization that really lived what they said they believed. Just like Mom. Again pride filled my heart. So I as look back and reflect on my past while looking forward to the future I know three things for sure. I'm proud to be the son of my mother, I am proud to be a member of the NCOA, and because I choose to get involved I'll follow the example of my mom. So how about you? Will the house be packed when your time comes? Make a difference.