May 12, 2017

The Long Blue Ladle: Send Us Your Favorite Summertime Recipe!
Summer is almost here and nothing beats enjoying a meal on your backyard patio. Checkpoints is looking for your favorite summertime recipes for our quarterly "Long Blue Ladle" feature. Submit your recipe by May 19, 2017, and it could be featured in the June edition of Checkpoints! Email your favorite recipe to editor@aogusafa.org today!

2017 All Academy Challenge
Mark your calendars for the annual All Academy Challenge, set for May 31-June 6, 2017. As an Air Force Academy graduate, you will have the chance to help USAFA beat the Military Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy and Merchant Marine Academy in a head-to-head participation competition. Last year, the Challenge raised over $3 million for the participating academies — money used to institute world-class educational programs, provide training facilities and so much more. Be on the lookout for more information in your email box and on social media as the Challenge approaches.

Celebrating Two Very Special Occasions!
This month we celebrate two very special occasions. One to pay tribute to the men and women who serve and the other to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country — Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day. Join your Association of Graduates and support the leaders of past, present and future. For just $60 a year — that's only $5 a month — you can connect with your Long Blue Line and in return enjoy the many benefits of membership. As a thank you for your service and support, we will send you a "Saluting American Heroes" lapel pin as a special gift with your membership enrollment. Sign up for membership today!

Class of 2017 Parents — One Thing Before They Leave
We are excited to welcome your soon-to-be second lieutenant to the Long Blue Line! We understand this is a very busy and stressful time for your cadet as they prepare for graduation and depart for their next assignment. As soon-to-be alumni parents, would you be willing to help us obtain and share some important information? A new officer's connection to his or her alumni association is crucial. Here are only a few of the important communications we will be sending out in the next several months: How to locate the local AOG chapter so your son or daughter can connect with fellow graduates near his or her first assignment; Information related to the Career Services and Mentoring Program; Invitations to events: including Founders Day celebrations and Michigan and Navy game tailgates that your son or daughter won't want to miss! In order for your cadet to receive the above-mentioned communications, would you please provide us with their contact information? We truly appreciate you taking the time to help your cadet connect to USAFA's alumni association!

Welcome Class of 2021 — Join Family Plan and Receive a FREE Gift!
Membership to the USAFA Association of Graduates allows our alumni association to continue to enrich the day-to-day cadet experience and remain your information source about Academy news and upcoming events. For future cadets, joining the AOG is one of the first steps toward finding their place in the prestigious Long Blue Line. For parents, membership reinforces your commitment and support of your cadet. Join the family today! An AOG Family Plan Membership provides access to WebGuy and other exclusive membership benefits. As part of your monthly dues, you also are permanently connecting your cadet to their alumni association with a lifetime membership. Join now and you will receive an exclusive "I Survived Inprocessing - Class of 2021 Parent" gift set which includes must haves as you count down to the big day!



Defenders of Freedom Concert
For 32 YEARS, the United States Air Force Academy Band has put on an annual Armed Forces Day concert in Colorado Springs, Colorado, during the month of May. Please come out next Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at 7:00 p.m., to experience our "Defenders of Freedom" Concert Band program, sure to entertain all ages! It is also FREE!

AFA Society of Washington Quarterly Event
The AF Academy Society of Washington, D.C. quarterly event on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, will be hosted by GE with a question-and-answer session with Tuskegee Airmen, Col. (Ret.) Charles McGee; Mr. Major Anderson; Mr. William Fauntroy; and Mr. Walter Robinson. Learn more and register online!

Ring Dining-Out and Dance
The Class of 2018 cordially invites its Legacy Class of 1968 and their spouses to attend the Ring Dining-Out and Dance on Friday, May 19, 2017. Register today! For more information, contact us.

First Stop on the USAFA 2017 Golf Tour — Dayton, OH
Please join your Association of Graduates and Dayton's Southwest Ohio Chapter of the AOG at the exclusive NCR Country Club on Monday, June 5, 2017. Graduates, parents and friends are welcome to play. Register here!

Service Academies Global Summit
Join graduates from all five service academies in Washington, D.C., June 14-16, 2017, for personal and professional development, networking and fellowship. The Association of Graduates also will be hosting a graduate reception in conjunction with this event on Thursday, June 15, at the Public House in National Harbor. Register today!

10th Annual Commanders' Cup Tournament
The Commanders' Cup is a golf tournament among graduate teams from the Army, Navy and Air Force service academies held on Monday, July 17, 2017, at Westfields Golf Club in Clifton, VA. If you are interested in participating, please contact Jim East.

Jabara Award for Airmanship
The 2017 Jabara Award for Airmanship recipient has been chosen. Congratulations to Capt. Brian Guyette '08. The annual award dinner will be held on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, at Doolittle Hall. Registration for this event will open in early June.

Save the Date: Dine and Dunk
Join us as Air Force plays Wright State in Dayton, Ohio, on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017. More details to come!



Looking to Move To, From, or Within Colorado? Contact Roger Hill, the Realtor You Can Trust!
-USAFA Grad, Class of 1970
-More than 26 years of experience as a Licensed Realtor
-Ethical, professional, and always looking out for your best interest
-Specializing in the Front Range: Denver, Castle Rock, Monument, Colorado Springs
Contact Roger Hill at B737KID@aol.com.

Monument Computers
Monument Computers is offering Windows 10 classes for those interested. The classes are various weekday nights and Saturdays. They will consist of basic Windows 10 usage, commands, and examples of the changes from previous versions. The classes are designed to be about two hours long, class size is limited to no more than 10 people per session, and the cost is $15 per class. It is recommended that you bring your own laptop, however laptops will be available for rent during the class. To find out about class schedules and to get added to the interested list, contact Monument Computers at 719-488-2830 or email at contact@monument-computers.com.

Black-eyed Pea
This Mother's Day, do you want to eat the comfort food you love, but you don't want your mom to cook? If you said yes, then look no further than the Black-eyed Pea! This weekend, May 13 and 14, 2017, treat your mother to delicious entrees like grilled salmon or hand-carved prime rib. For dessert, try their fresh strawberry shortcake, and during the entire meal, help her to feel like she's on vacation while sipping her melon-cucumber-tini. We'll see you this weekend at the Black-eyed Pea!

Cockpit Craft Distillery
Come check out our veteran-owned distillery and have a drink on the tail of a C-45 Expeditor. We would like to congratulate our newest leaders and buy the first round of any USAFA 2017 graduate (valid May 2017). If you haven't yet checked out our aircraft-themed distillery, you can get a tasting, tour, classily crafted cocktail, and a whiskey glass for only $10/ person (valid until July 4th). Just a reminder: the Class of 2019 Straight Bourbon Whiskey barrel club slots are filling up fast, so reserve your custom class bottle today for only $60 each. Call Calder at 720-299-0071 for details.

JJ Beauvais
JJ Beauvais is a family-friendly entertainer providing clean DJ and professional singer/guitarist services. Playing your favorite songs and touching originals, he will connect with your guests and set the tone for a great event. Sit back, relax and let JJ entertain!

SEAKR Engineering
SEAKR Engineering is the leading-edge provider of advanced electronics for space applications. We are always searching for the next innovation and the next generation of technology for the future of satellite communications and space exploration.

Unique Gifts for Your Graduate and Guests
Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift for your Class of 2017 grad or family members? Check out Simplicity Press for beautiful, unique Air Force and USAFA creations! With various gift options — including a Class of 2017 Milestone Book with hand-drawn illustrations and meaningful messages, a USAFA-inspired perpetual calendar, and even a beautifully framed High Flight poem to display at home or at the office — Simplicity Press is sure to have just what you are looking for. Visit www.simplicity-press.com to learn more.

Support Those Who Support Us!
Will you be visiting the Academy soon and wondering where you will stay, what you will eat or what activities you might do while here? Is your son or daughter (or maybe you) getting married and needing a photographer or a caterer? When searching for these answers and others, please be sure to check out our True Blue Business Partners first. Support those who support us. Support our True Blue Businesses!

True Blue Business — Help Us Build a Stronger Community Together!
Do you or someone you know own a business whose products would be beneficial to our graduate community? Perhaps it's a restaurant, hotel, auto service or carpet cleaning service. Whether your business reaches the world or just our locals, if it's a service that can help our community, I would like to speak with you about becoming a True Blue Business! Please contact Jeff MacLean at jeff.maclean@aogusafa.org or 719-247-8767 today to discuss how we can partner together!



Hundreds of Photos
With graduation approaching, you can look forward to hundreds of photos online in the coming weeks leading up to the big day! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter to stay updated with the Academy and share your support online!