Air Force Women Officers Associated

Web Site: www.afwoa.org AUGUST 2006 President: Pat Murphy, Col, USAF Retired

From Pat’s Pen We hope you are enjoying our new newsletter format. As the Board decided in April, we will send the newsletter to you every other month during the rest of this year. Future edit		editions will depend on what you tell us. Is it what you want? Is the info interesting? What else could we do? Is it too much or too little? We look forward to hearing from you. In this issue are photos of the recent South Texas AFWOA Chapter luncheon, which was most enjoyable. If members are getting together in other areas of the country, we'd love to hear from you and publish your news and photos.  Pat P.S. If you would like to receive your newsletter electronically, please send an e-mail to VEStaley@peoplepc.com
Mentoring Initiatives
Air Force Cadet Mentor Action Program (AFCOMAP) Laura Torres-Reyes expressed her interest in this program, and asked for contact info to the Bessie Coleman Chapter of the AFCOMAP, which supports ROTC cadets in the D.C. area. Laura just PCSed to Bolling AFB to the Surgeon General’s office. Laura will look forward to working with AFWOA member Nichole King-Campbell once she settles in.		The “mentoring” photo (right) taken at the April 2006 reunion shows Col (retired) Diane Ordes, Col Lisa Firmin, and 1Lt Melissa Burton. As base commander of Clark Air Base, PI, Col Ordes was Col Firmin’s mentor when Col Firmin was a lieutenant. Now Col Firmin is Lt Burton’s mentor at Randolph. Lt Burton is a May 2003 ROTC/Baylor graduate. She presently works in AETC/protocol.

News from our Members
Wanda Seals regaled us with her tales of her trip to Ireland in June. Wanda graciously volunteered to set up the October South Texas Luncheon, and will double-duty as our “speaker”. She promises to give us the inside scoop on traveling Space-A.							Bonnie O’Leary went on a three week trip to Central Asia last year, and this year, is travelling in the USA. Bonnie & her dogs just got back from a 4500 mile trip to a family wedding in Newport RI. Her little Ford Focus got over 30 miles a gallon! She keeps busy with Colorado Veterans for America. Two of her veteran friends are running for Congress! See Bonnie’s Bio in the Denver Post: http://www.coloradoveteransforamerica.com/cvkarchives/2005_02_01_cvkarchive.htm
Thana Connell Ross reports it is a small world after all, and remarked that she knew Wanda way back when in Germany.							Merline Lovelace recently returned from a three-week trip touring Ireland and the British Isles. See her travel photos at http://www.merlinelovelace.com/
Jackie Collins is keeping busy, busy as owner of Cartridge World stores. She & her husband, Red Barron, just opened a second store. You can visit with her at the New Braunfels location on 606 S. Walnut, or in the new store in Schertz at 6018 FM 3009.			Doris Winter Walters aka Doris K Winter sends her greetings, and enjoys spending time with her Yacht Club. Her husband keeps busy, too—He has been a journalist for 47 years, writing a daily column published in 58 newspapers, and also puts out a newsletter each month for the yacht club.
Diane Ordes e-mailed us in June: “Last week, I went to Douglass College of Rutgers University, N.J. to celebrate the 50th anniversary of my college graduation. My class...the 50th..(1956 graduation) was the honored class. We marched into the chapel in cap-and-gown...to the tune of Pomp & Circumstances. (That is: those of us who could walk.) I was (as you can guess) the only class member who entered the military. In fact...very few grads in any year have entered the military. NOW it is a known thing/known career for a woman to do. But that is somewhat recent change in our society. Also, I think the military keeps you fit. You have to stay fit because during military service you have a physical every year and you get on a weight scale every year. It is a good habit to inculcate. Many of my classmates did not inculcate that habit. “Also in May, I went to New York City for a big musical gala at the Metropolitan Opera House. That was fine and I loved it. But, I did something else. I met my nephew for dinner. I have not seen him for 20 years. We went to a fancy place off Central Park. Ole Aunt Diane was impressed when the "young" nephew handled with smoothness the waiter, the wine master, the steward, the major-domo, (and all those other people who came to our table for something). Former Mayor Giuliani was dining there. So was tenor Placido Domingo. This young nephew threw up in my car on Loop 410 many, many years ago. Now...we are chatting within earshot of Mayor Giuliani. Life moves on...rather smoothly...doesn't it.”
Mary Daley retired from her job as Deputy Department Head in the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership at USAFA, effective 1 August, after 26+ yrs of active duty. She says “it's been quite a ‘ride’--for 30 yrs if you count the four years as a USAF Academy cadet.  :)  Thanks for each of you in my life!” She will probably enjoy more time with her fitness-activities: She walked a half-marathon on 4 Jun in Steamboat Springs, CO and she bicycles frequently, too.				Hope Benedict, who is very involved in veteran’s activities, sends her greetings from Arizona. She participated in a big event the 4th of July. Also, each last weekend in Oct is Phoenix's annual StandDown, in which she participated/volunteered for the past three years. It is a three-day event; one initiative: “Homeless Veterans get a Hands-Up at Stand-Down”. I'm working towards getting the county (Maricopa) to offer FREE pet licensing to the veterans who participate. http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/NEWSREL/ARCHIVE/2002/OCTOBER/A19_020266.html
Marianne Rogers and her husband, Mike, are traveling the mountains of Utah and Colorado to visit family and friends, and to seek cooler temperatures.						Bridget Duggan attended the South Texas Luncheon in July. She looked great in her black and white hat! Please keep her in your prayers; send her a card if you can.
Pat Sullivan writes about her “Supplies for Troops” initiative: “Two years ago I formed a group of women in my area to collect personal items for the Troops. I targeted the units that were not located near a large, well supplied base, but tried to concentrate on the remote units. I am always amazed at the generosity of our fellow citizens. So far we have shipped over a ton of books and other personal items. The big winners are cd's, beef jerky, sunscreen and toothbrushes. Also baby wipes!! The troops have very imaginative ways to use them, especially during the sandstorms. And I didn't forget the gals. Lots of personal items for them, including PERFUME. Another really appreciated item are calling cards. I can get international cards at the BX for a good price. I am close to VAFB, & the logistics folks let me know when a group is being deployed. We, along with the Girl Scouts, meet them on the apron & give them each of box of cookies & a "goodie" bag to take with them. Our biggest expense is postage. The gov won't ship for free, so we have to do some fund-raising to send the material. Any creative ideas out there? If any of you know of a person who is serving in the Mid-east now, send me a name and address and I will get some things to them. Let me know how many are in their unit so I can send enough.”
Dottie Moses has enjoyed having lunch with some of her AFWOA friends. If in Universal City, give her a call.					Linda Allen, our webmaster, has moved to San Antonio. Ellen Staley and her husband, Vic, will celebrate their Silver Wedding Anniversary with a trip to Hawaii. They’ll stay at the HaleKoa on Oahu, and at Barking Sands Navy Station on Kauai. Pat Murphy will also be in Hawaii the following month. She has not fully retired; she kept the “fun” trips!
Bev LaFond flew to NJ for the Glasser Conference on 7/12. There, she enjoyed some quality time with her daughter in Jersey City. Marie Killwey caught up with long-time friend Welda Smith.
Patsy Hughes attended a Family Reunion in Wichita Falls Texas. She especially enjoyed talking with her cousin, Aquilla Ballard Hughes Jr, who flew the plane that dropped the bomb on Nagasaki in August 1945. Patsy also was a top fundraiser for the Helotes TX Relay for Life May 12-13. http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=135001								Laura Nickerson Torres-Reyes just PCSed from Laughlin AFB in Del Rio TX (where she was the Medical Group Commander) to Bolling AFB, in D.C., where she is working in the Surgeon General’s office. She and husband, José, will be living in Falls Church VA.
http://www.laughlin.af.mil/Border%20Eagle/Border%20Eagle%202005/March%202005/4%20Mar%202005.pdf#search='border%20eagle%20laughlin%20air%20force%20base%20march%202005'
Kim Olson recently retired from the AF and wrote a book on her experiences in Iraq and flying. Kim was part of the U.S. Air Force’s first generation of female pilots in 1979. Currently, she’s building a homeless teen outreach program in Weatherford Texas. She and her husband, Kent, have two children. Kim is teaching her teenage son to fly in their Cessna 150. Kim’s book, Iraq and Back, is a gripping, firsthand account of the issues our country faced in rebuilding Iraq, beginning in April 2003, soon after Operation Iraqi Freedom had been declared a success. Her account of what went wrong is seen from Olson’s unique point of view as a senior female military officer, pilot, wife, and mother. To order, call the Naval Institute Press at 800-233-8764 or iforland@usni.org
Beth Longnecker wrote in with her memories: It is been such a long time since I left the military.  I was commissioned in September 1951 (Class of 51C) and discharged in May 1956, after I learned I was pg. Back then if you became pregnant, you were automatically discharged, and when I learned I was pregnant, I cried. My first duty station was at McChord AFB, and after 6 months, received orders for Korea.   They soon learned I was not a male -- and was transferred to Johnson AFB in Japan, where I was assigned to an AC&W Group as a Personnel Officer -- the first WAF ever assigned.  I have some wonderful memories and also some very funny ones.   At the time there were only three other WAF officers at the Base.  The AC&W Gp had 11 outlying sites, and I went to everyone -- including a "tent city" where the First Sergeant had to loudly proclaim "Clear out, Lt Bock to the latrine" and where my shower time was scheduled for 5 AM when I was on site.   Took Japanese classes while there and could even make myself understood.   There were not many WAF at that time, so it was a novelty to the Japanese when this GI JoSan came through their area.  One time when the Payroll Officer was ill, as junior officer, I was asked to take the payroll to the northern post in Hokkaido,  the pilot flying through the corridor with a MIG visible at one side. -- At the time the pay was in scrip and no such thing as direct deposit.  Frightened me senseless.   lol On my rotation to the states, was assigned to Hamilton AFB (now defunct) and one of three Personnel Officers there at Division level.  Went to SOS and one month prior to being promoted to Captain I learned I was pregnant.  I enjoyed my few years serving our country - have wonderful memories - met lots of people, who sadly, I have lost contact.  My few years in service were put to good use via the GI Bill to achieve Masters and a PHD degrees.  I have done many things.  Have five children -- all of which made it to adulthood (lol).  I taught a kindergarten class half days when they were little (another teacher and I split a full time slot) ; I learned early on that no matter where my husband was assigned, there was a need for substitute teachers.  (I thought the extra money would be handy until I realized that having to purchase a second car, clothes suitable for teaching, and paying for a baby sitter exceeded the salary.)   I was an assistant professor in psych and statistics at university level; personnel officer at a hospital, --even dabbled in real estate for awhile--worked for the State of WA as Assistant Director of one of the agencies, and am now that I am retired, I volunteer at Madigan Army Hospital as a Grievance Counselor one morning a week.  This is a short boring bio, but a synopsis of my life.
You can find current addresses and phone numbers in our Website Directory: http://www.afwoa.org/members/ The AFWOA Member Directory is now on-line in a password-protected "Members Only" area. Contact the Webmaster (webmaster@afwoa.org) to receive the User ID and Password.
We were Invited… AFWOA received an invitation for a reception for Senators Lieberman and Hutchinson in Washington D.C. on 25 Jul. Pat forwarded the invitation to AFWOA military coalition representative Roz Knapp for her possible attendance.	Let’s Say Thanks In Support of Our Soldiers The mission of Let's Say Thanks is to provide a way for individuals across the country to recognize U.S. soldiers stationed overseas. By submitting a message through this site you will send a free personalized postcard greeting to a deployed soldier. http://www.letssaythanks.com/								More Reunion Feedback Norma Breedlove My favorite part of the reunion was the Saturday morning talk by the Colonel about her experiences in Iraq.

New service dress prototypes pique AFWOA’s interest AFWOA Members sent in their comments!		THIS MONTH IN the HISTORY of Air Force Women Officers (August and September)
§ Reminds me of the 60’s –when Jackie Kennedy popularized the box jacket, and the Uniform Board decided to adopt it. By that time, it was out of style.		1943 – Aug WASP Barbara Erickson flew 8000 miles in 40+ hours; General Hap Arnold awarded her the Air Medal, the only one awarded to a WASP during WWII.
§ I personally think the new proposal is terminally ugly. What is wrong with the Chief? Why don't they concentrate on real issues and forego the uniform changes? § This shouldn’t be about making a fashion statement. § I think we should get the “Queer Eyes for the Straight Guys”. § We’re becoming Madison Avenue. § A uniform needs to look good on any body type. § The belt has got to go! § I hated the old polyester uniforms. § Ridiculous!		1971 – Aug 1. Jeanne M. Holm became the first female general officer in the Air Force when she was promoted to brigadier general.
		1972 – Sept 21 The WAC Detachment at Long Binh was closed. Army and Air Force women cadre moved to Saigon.  By the end of March 1973, most of the women were out of the country.  A few Air Force and Army women returned later to help in Operation Baby Lift in 1975.
		1976 – Sept 29. The first Air Force women pilots entered undergraduate pilot training.
		1978 -- Sept 16 First Lt. Patricia M. Fornes became the first female officer to perform Titan II missile alert duty.
		1990 – Aug 2 The conflict in the Persian Gulf began, leading to Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Mobilization for the Gulf war included an unprecedented proportion of women from the active forces (7%) as well as the Reserve and National Guard (17%). It was the largest female deployment in U.S. history. Over 40,000 US military women served in key combat-support positions throughout the Persian Gulf Region. Women in Desert Storm did everything the male troops did except engage in ground combat - they could essentially get fired upon - they just weren't, by existing regulations, theoretically allowed to shoot back!

Address Corrections			New Members
Karen Raichlen P O Box 25105 Scott AFB, IL		Nancy Pierce 5962 Ranch Road 32 Blanco, TX 78606-5051	Brooke Marie Percival 5416 Arnette Rd Hope Mills, NC 28348
Patricia Sullivan High Meadow Ranch 2020 High Meadow Dr Solvang, CA 93463
Wild Blue Yonder
	Long-time member Michele Kirk, a Retired AF Reserve Nurse, wrote in July. She noticed we had listed Anne Noggle as missing. Anne went to the Wild Blue Yonder in August 2005. She was 93 years old, and had been a WWII WASP. Ms. Noggle graduated with a Master's Degree in Art from the University of New Mexico in 1969. She taught at UNM as an adjunct professor of Art from 1970 - 1984. At age 68, she traveled to the Soviet Union to photograph and record the stories of women Soviet Army veterans, and wrote a book, A Dance with Death: Soviet Airwomen in World WarII. http://obits.abqjournal.com//results?obit_id=70949 http://www.wasp-wwii.org/web/noggle_anne.htm

South Texas Chapter Quarterly Luncheon
Mary Tener Hall & Marianne Rogers		Kathy Rafferty & Mary Abbott		Carol Habgood
Wanda Seals, Bev LaFond, Patsy Hughes		We had our summer Luncheon at Circa 1900 in San Antonio on Friday 28 July. Marianne Rogers was our hostess. Dr Mary Abbott was our featured speaker, and she spoke about current Animal Welfare Issues. Her talk generated a lot of interest and concern. Mary suggested some ideas for ways individuals could support animal welfare initiatives.		Norma Breedlove
Pat Murphy, Ann Lewis, Terri Slone-Baker				Bill Hall & Tom Baker
	AFWOA Board
	President: Patricia Murphy Executive Vice President: Carol Habgood Vice President, Recruiting: Karen Rankin Treasurer: Patsy Hughes Executive Secretary: Wanda Seals Newsletter Editor: Ellen Staley Webmaster: Linda Allen		Director: Beverly LaFond Director: Gina M. McGuiness Director: Marianne Rogers Director: Clara "Chris" Johnson Air Force Academy Liaison: Bonnie O'Leary		The Military Coalition Representatives:  Elizabeth Bustamante Rosalyn Knapp Anne Farrer