ARLINGTON, Va. –
At 75 years, the Air Force Aid Society continues its tradition of Airmen helping Airmen, and educating America’s future leaders.
March 1942, the United States had only been in World War II for a few months yet young Airmen were losing their lives at an alarming rate. What would happen to their families now that these men were no longer alive to support them? Who would ensure that their children would one day get the education they needed to become America’s future leaders?
When the world was consumed by war, Gen. Henry “Hap” Arnold, Army Air Forces commanding general, and his wife, Bee, chose to sow the seeds of optimism about America’s future March 9, 1942, 75 years ago, they created the Army Air Forces Aid Society. Now the Air Force Aid Society, the organization was chartered for “the establishment of a trust fund, the principal of which is to be invested to provide income for the continuing problem of Air Force needs, mainly after the war.”
The Army Air Corps’ motto during wartime was “Whatever, whenever and however necessary, the Air Force always takes care of its own.” So, since its earliest days, the Air Force Aid Society has been based on that noble ideal of “Airmen helping Airmen.”
When Airmen lost their lives, their wives and children could find the financial support they needed to stay in their homes and finish their education. Today, the Air Force Aid Society keeps that flame the Arnolds kindled burning brightly, with programs that include emergency grants and no-interest loans to help Airmen with unexpected financial needs, as well as scholarships to help dependent spouses and children of Airmen pay for college.
In 1942, the Air Force was not yet a separate military service, but part of the Army. In the first report of the new society created to benefit Airmen, Gen. Arnold noted that it was chartered “because the Army Relief Society, due to provisions of its constitution, was not able to meet the demand of all our Air Force personnel.” Funds provided by both the American Red Cross and Army Emergency Relief went into a “common pot,” but the Arnolds knew more funds needed to be raised and designated just for the needs of Airmen and their families.
Throughout its 75-year history, the Air Force Aid Society’s most dedicated fundraisers and donors have been Airmen and their families.
The Air Force Aid Society donates around $15-16 million each year. Funds are distributed for emergency assistance in the form of either no-interest loans or small grants. These dollars may pay for an Airman’s emergency car repair or a plane ticket to travel to a parent’s funeral, Gen. Hopper notes. In 1988, the society added an education grant. Grants and scholarships are awarded based on family financial needs and merit, and applicants must meet high academic standards.
Recent crises like Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, as well as the 2008 economic downturn when many Airmen’s finances and mortgages were in peril just like everyone else, highlight the continuing need for the Air Force Aid Society’s mission.
“On its 75th anniversary, what the Air Force Aid Society passes on as its legacy is the value of taking care of others. We always talk about ‘Airmen helping Airmen.’ If that continues in the future, we create this intergenerational set of values,” says Judge Moorman. “In a military organization, everything depends on trust. The Air Force Aid Society is Airmen helping Airmen and trusting each other. That is a powerful legacy.”
The Air Force Aid Society is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that receives the highest, four-star rating from Charity Navigator™, a benchmark for fiscal prudence among nonprofit organizations. That designation speaks to how well the organization is managed, with low overhead so a high percentage of dollars goes to the cause, not the effort to raise money.
Gen. Arnold had a bold vision in a time of war. At the war’s end, he gave a speech to “thank all those who fly and those who make flying possible.” He understood that no one soars to victory or achievement alone – we are all connected and must support each other as a family. In today’s environment, Airmen have many challenges still – and the Air Force Aid Society’s mission is as important as ever.
The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force and has been meeting the unique needs of Airmen and their families since 1942. AFAS works to support and enhance the USAF mission by providing emergency financial assistance, educational support and community programs. Last year alone, AFAS provided nearly $15 million in direct support. Visit http://www.afas.org to learn more.