On Memorial Day, let's pause to remember the many who sacrificed life itself for our freedom and this great nation. For over 230 years, there have always been patriots who answered the country's call and gave their lives. Because of their dedication, millions of people worldwide today have the benefits of freedom. Their lives and heroic deaths are our heritage.

We have a special thought for those among us with family members, loved ones, neighbors and friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice. We can never repay or measure what they gave for all of us. We can only remember their gift to us, and live our lives with the same devotion to country and liberty.

AFA Urges Strengthening Montgomery GI Bill
The Air Force Association urged improvements to the Montgomery GI Bill, including those proposed in S. 22 by Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA). The Montgomery GI Bill has been an extraordinarily successful and useful benefit for members of the United States Armed Forces for years, but has not been updated recently to reflect current educational costs. Updating the bill to tie it to the current costs as proposed in S. 22 will help Airmen achieve a complete four-year education and thus a better quality of life after serving, while bolstering recruitment efforts throughout the military and helping lower post-military unemployment rates of veterans.

AFA also urges the more robust support for cost-of-living and books as proposed in S. 22 because it ensures that proceeding with a college education after service is a practical opportunity for Airmen. S. 22 allows more service members to access this benefit, and is more flexible, allowing them to use this benefit up to 15 years after leaving the service.

AFA urges that these benefits not be limited to service after September 11, 2001, because the Air Force has been in continuous combat for nearly 18 years, including Kosovo, Desert Shield/Storm, and Operations Southern/Northern Watch.

AFA also urges the following improvements to the Montgomery GI Bill:

• The benefit should be transferable to a spouse or child.
• The funds should be usable to pay off school loans.
• The bill should provide the full benefit to anyone who has served three years active duty or equivalent Guard and Reserve duty.
• The bill should include some benefits to Airmen who do not qualify for the new benefits as the Air Force is approaching 18 years continuous combat conditions.

Veteran's Peacetime Mission to Vietnam Reunites Him with Former Foe
Brig Gen Dan Cherry's last mission in Vietnam was a personal one. For 36 years, Cherry had carried a vivid memory of his brief but clear glimpse of an enemy pilot in his parachute. Cherry, then a major, had fought with a Soviet-built MiG-21F at 15,000 feet on April 16, 1972, finally taking it out with a Sparrow missile. There was a moment when Cherry saw the pilot in his parachute, and then flew on. Already an experienced pilot at the time, he went on to record 295 missions in two tours. Click here for the rest of the story.

Officials Extend Spouse Career Advancement Initiative
Career and training opportunities for military spouses just got better, as the Defense and Labor Departments' career advancement demonstration project has been expanded to include all active-duty military spouses, along with four additional career fields. Click here for American Forces Press Service Article.

Medal of Honor Recipient Receives Diploma
Don't let the education office fool you; there are some people out there who have become commissioned officers without having their bachelor's degrees. Retired Col. Bernard Francis Fisher, a Medal of Honor recipient, received his diploma in fine arts from the University of Utah during a commissioning ceremony of nine second lieutenants from ROTC Det. 850 on May 3, almost 57 years after he originally attended the university. Click here for Air Force story.

AFA/Grantham University Offer Full "Distance Education" Scholarship
The AFA mission includes promoting aerospace education, specifically the study of science, mathematics and technology. Through AFA's affiliation with Grantham University, AFA is pleased to provide a full 4-Year Online Degree Scholarship to an Active Duty Dependent, an AFA Member, or a dependent of an AFA Member. One (1) full four-year scholarship, bearing a total value of approximately $28,000, to Grantham University, also includes required books and software. To be eligible, candidates must have a high school diploma or GED. Deadline for applications is June 15. Click here for more information and an application.

Insurance Programs for AFA Members
AFA members are eligible for a variety of programs through the AFA Veteran Benefits Association. Here's a quick look at some of the insurance programs. For a complete list of all benefit programs, visit www.afavba.org .

Term Life Insurance
AFAVBA Life insurance programs are designed specifically for Veterans and their families ... to include children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents of Veterans! AFAVBA Life insurance policies have no war clause so deaths which are the result of an act of war or acts of terrorism are covered 100% ... and flying personnel are covered as well!

Decreasing Term Life Insurance

• Low monthly premiums of $10, $15, $20 or $30.
• Death benefit decreases as you age and require less insurance.
• Coverage can be continued until age 95.
• Apply for coverage for all eligible dependents for just $2.50 more per month.

Level Term Life Insurance

• Premiums are based on age and benefits remain level until age 65.
• Coverage can be continued until age 85.
• Purchase in $25,000 increments up to $300,000.
• Optional family plan covers spouse for one half of member's death benefit and eligible dependent children for $5,000.

Click here for full details and to download an application.

Multi-Benefit Accident Insurance

AFA Members are Pre-Approved - Regardless of Your Age or Health
According to a National Safety Council (NSC) June 2007 release, accidents are the leading cause of death in the nation for people up to age 41 ... and are the 5th leading cause of death overall. Accidents are increasing at a greater rate than that of any of the top four causes of death. One person dies from an accident every five minutes and, according to the NSC, accidents are one of the most serious public health issues facing the country.

If you thought you couldn't be covered for Accidental Death insurance because of your age or health ... don't worry. AFA Members are preapproved for up to $250,000 Accidental Death coverage, regardless of their age or health. Simply complete a short application - it contains no health questions and you will not be denied coverage because of your age.

Click here for full details and an application.

CancerCare
The AFAVBA CancerCare Plan was designed to provide members and their families with the extra benefits needed to help pay for cancer treatments ... at affordable group rates.

CancerCare benefits are paid in addition to benefits you may receive from any other insurance plan so you can use the benefits any way you choose - to help pay for deductibles, cover extra household expenses, replace lost income, etc.

If you are diagnosed with Cancer, the AFAVBA CancerCare pays:

• $1,000 paid one time directly to you upon diagnosis of cancer.
• Up to $75 a day for Hospital Room and Board
• Up to $5,000 per month for Extended Hospital Benefits
• Up to $500 per illness for Blood and Plasma
• Up to $1,000 per illness for Diagnostic Tests
• Up to $100 per session to remove skin cancer.
• Up to $1,000 per operative session for surgeon's charges.
• Also includes coverage for anesthesiologist care, ambulance transportation, hospice and outpatient treatment.

Click here for full details of the program and to download an application.

Hospital Indemnity Insurance
AFA Members are pre-approved for the AFAVBA Hospital Indemnity Plan which pays:

• Up to $125 each day that you're hospitalized - starting day one!
• Up to $375 for cancer treatment or when hospitalized in an ICU
• Up to $60 for each treatment in a hospital emergency room

The AFAVBA Hospital Indemnity Plan pays you directly ... even if you've been fully reimbursed for all expenses by another insurance plan! And especially for our Veterans - the AFAVBA Plan pays full benefits even if you incurred no expense because you were hospitalized in a U.S. Government facility.

Click here for full details and to download an application.

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Comments or questions about the AFA Update should be directed to Susan Rubel @ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .