AFSA: Organization representative visits Warren

  • Published
  • By Capt. Nora Eyle
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  The Air Force Sergeants Association Deputy Director of Military and Government Relations visited Warren May 21 to educate base members about the organization and who the association represents. 

Robert Pierce's trip through the West will last 17 days and take him to nine bases in five states. 

AFSA is a federally chartered non-profit organization representing the professional and personal interests of 125,000 active, retired, veteran and total air force enlisted members. AFSA members and leaders write letters to and testify before Congress, help draft laws, lobby Congress, generate grassroot support for initiatives and engage coalition action. 

Mr. Pierce came to Warren with five topics: the Post 9-11 Veterans Education Bill, Montgomery GI Bill transferability, Veterans health care, Guard and Reserve recommendations, and active-duty retired pay. 

The one-hour briefing stressed government decision making, future matters regarding pay, education and healthcare benefits. 

He summarized his briefing by focusing on quality of life benefits. 

His reason for visiting Warren was to, "Let people see who their AFSA representative is, to really put a face to the name," Mr. Pierce said. The point was, "to show them what we're doing for them." 

"I think it is beneficial for Warren members to meet their AFSA HQ reps, like Mr. Price because he actually works on Capitol Hill, talks to Congressmen and Senators and helps push through legislation that benefits all past and present Air Force members," said Master Sgt. Philip Watson, 90th Space Wing and AFSA Cowboy Chapter 1178 president. 

AFSA's charity organizations include the Airmen Memorial Building Fund, the Auxiliary Furthering Education Grant, the AFSA Scholarship Fund and the Airmen Memorial Foundation. AFSA and the Airmen Memorial Foundation have raised and awarded $2.1 million in college aid to single, eligible, dependent children of Air Force active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members in active duty, retired or veteran status since its inception. 

"Involvement in our local chapter provides leadership opportunities and community involvement," said Master Sgt. Devereaux, career assistance advisor and AFSA Cowboy Chapter 1178 vice president. "The more active participants we have, the more involvement we as a chapter will be able to accommodate." 

AFSA meetings take place in the Wrangler Lounge the second Thursday of every month at 3:30 p.m. For more information call the local chapter president at 773-3434 or visit http://www.hqafsa.org.