Lajes officers set the pace becoming AFSA members

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  "I have been in the Air Force for 22 years, and I did not know officers can join the Air Force Sergeants Association."

These are the words of Col. Peggy Poore, 65th Air Base Wing commander, when she led a team of five officers here to sign up for the Air Force Sergeants Association membership during an unprecedented registration of new members at the wing conference room Jan. 8.

In addition to the wing commander, Cols. Paul Suarez, Roderick Dorsey, Amir Edward, Nicholas Demarco and Maj. Michael Coleman, after a one-time annual payment of $25, became pace setters as the first set of Lajes officers to become AFSA members under the present leadership of AFSA Chapter 1653.

"Everything AFSA does benefits the Air Force, and by joining the organization, we support the team that supports us," Colonel Poore said during an interview with an AFN reporter.

The registration, which began a new era of membership campaigning in the association, was designed to create awareness for others that officers are eligible to join the organization through the "Associated Membership" program.

Senior members of AFSA present at the registration said they were very excited about the new addition to the AFSA family. Moreover, they said it was a very good instance of "leadership by example."

"I believe that by the officers joining AFSA, it shows all military and civilian personnel that they truly care about their enlisted, and support our private organization," said Master Sgt. Melissa Haase, AFSA president assigned to the 65th Contracting Squadron.

The organization officials encourage more officers to join so they (officers) can be aware of everything that affects their enlisted force.

"We urge more officers to join the organization, and their membership will enable them to receive monthly information that affects the enlisted core," Sergeant Haase said. "By coming to meetings, reading the AFSA magazine and information on the web site it gives officers a bigger picture of the enlisted core."

AFSA is a non-profit organization that fights for the enlisted personnel's hard-earned benefits and provides them a strong voice on Capitol Hill. With the goal of recruiting more members, the organization represents the professional and personal interests of more than 125,000 total Air Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve Command active, retired, and veteran enlisted members and their families.

The organization benefits members by providing money-saving discount programs for members and their family. Under this benefit program, AFSA partners with services professionals, retailers and suppliers to create exclusive discounts on hotels, vacation packages, auto rentals and rental insurance. Also, more benefits include AFSA-related credit card programs, discounted health, life and dental insurance plans, and online banking.

"If there was a goal, I would say for every enlisted person to become an AFSA member," said Master Sgt. James Richardson, AFSA Membership Trustee, describing one of his goals for the organization.

Lajes AFSA currently boasts of about 140 members, and membership is open to all enlisted members, families and officers.

AFSA officials encourage every member--members and non-members, to endeavor to attend the club's monthly meetings in order to see what AFSA stands for and what it has to offer military members, their families and the 65th Air Base Wing.

AFSA meetings are held at 2 p.m. every first Tuesday of each month at the Top of the Rock Club, and attendance is open to everyone.

For more information on AFSA, call Sergeant Richardson at 535-1177.