September 27, 2019

This homecoming weekend we are welcoming the Classes of '79, '84, '99 and '09 back to the Academy for their reunions. Follow us on social media for coverage of Thursday's Memorial Ceremony and tonight's game against San Jose State at 6 p.m. MT (TV: CBS Sports Network).

Be a Mentor
The AOG is seeking mentors to sign up and assist USAFA graduates with the next steps in their careers. Help them to key in on the traits that will make them successful in their next phase. Whether they are newly transitioning or looking for a change in industries, your expertise can help a graduate to navigate toward their dream job. Sign up today!

It's More Than a Game
Before the Air Force at Boise State game, on behalf of the Air Force Academy family, AOG President Marty Marcolongo '88 delivered Air Force Academy teddy bears and mini footballs that play the Air Force song to the Pediatrics Ward at St. Luke's Children's Hospital in Boise.

Distinguished Graduate Award Nomination Period Ends October 1st
Don't miss your opportunity to nominate someone for the 2019 Distinguished Graduate Award. All nomination packages are due to the AOG no later than Oct. 1, 2019. For information on the award and the nominating process, please visit the AOG website.

Attention Reunion Classes
Membership in your Association of Graduates allows your alumni association to provide: support for our USAFA graduates, parents and Academy friends; services and assistance to current cadets; connection to the Long Blue Line; a solid professional network to support you through all stages of your career; and more. In return you will receive membership benefits such as: discounted event registration for you and your guest(s) — this includes reunion registration; a subscription to Checkpoints quarterly alumni magazine; 15% off merchandise at shop.usafa.org; and more. Life and Annual Memberships are available. Please see our website for pricing. We look forward to seeing you at your reunion this year!

The Classes of 1974 and 1979 are leading reunion classes in NEW Life Members!

2020 Trips — Plan Your Next Vacation!
Travel lovers, we are excited to announce that 2020 trips are being added to our website. Check back frequently in the upcoming months for more amazing opportunities to see the world with your fellow Air Force Academy alumni and friends!

Journal of Character and Leadership Development (JCLD)
Through a partnership between the USAFA Endowment and the Center for Character and Leadership Development, we would like to introduce you to the Journal of Character and Leadership Development. The JCLD is the premier publication focused on facilitating scholarship and dialogue around the development of character and leadership. We accomplish this through publishing scholarship and practical perspectives in order to inform, challenge and inspire all who are interested in the integrated development of character and leadership. The JCLD is published three times a year and can be found at the following link: usafa.edu/jcld/

USAA Survey — 2nd Week of October
In the coming weeks, you may receive an invitation to participate in a survey administered by Bellomy Research. We would appreciate if you could take 10 minutes out of your day to complete the survey when you get the invitation. Your opinions are very important to us and we want your voice to be heard. Please be assured that all responses will be kept anonymous and results will only be used on an aggregate level.




Tailgate Registration
Join the AOG, USAFA Endowment and ARDI as we gather Air Force fans from around the country at our tailgates this season!

Oct. 5 — AF at Navy (sold out!)
Oct. 19 — AF at Hawaii


Save the Date: 2019 Tailgates
Get ready for a packed tailgate schedule this upcoming football season. Check back soon for more information and registration links, but save these dates and make your plans now to join us at these additional games:

Nov. 9 — AF at New Mexico
Nov. 16 — AF at CSU

Book Acceptance Ceremony, Oct. 2nd
Michael T. Rose is presenting his book, "A Prayer for Relief: The Constitutional Infirmities of the Military Academies' Conduct, Honor and Ethics System" to the Center for Character and Leadership Development on Oct. 2, 2019. The event is taking place in Polaris Hall at the United States Air Force Academy with social hour starting at 1700. For more info and to RSVP, please visit: usafa.org/BookAcceptance.




USAFA Grad Competes for Ms. Veteran America Title
Lt. Col. Naviere (Hall) Walkewicz '99 wants to offer a helping hand to fellow female military veterans who have fallen on hard times. That's why she's excited to be one of 25 finalists in the Ms. Veteran America 2019 competition. The contest ultimately selects a spokesperson and advocate for homeless women veterans through the nonprofit organization First Salute Inc. Learn more.

ZoomieLink Alumni Network
Start making connections on ZoomieLink, our NEW online community exclusive to USAFA grads and alumni! Recently launched, this enhanced network features discussion topics, interest groups and a grad map to find Zoomies near you!

Back to Earth
Follow Nick Hague '98 from space on social media before he returns to Earth on Oct. 3, 2019.

Checkpoints Online
The September issue of Checkpoints Online features a popular aviation event with dozens of USAFA grad volunteers and participants (watch video). You'll also read about grads helping mentor children who have lost a parent while serving our country, the new adventure-based learning program at USAFA, and extra bonus articles online.




Clearance Item of the Month
September's CLEARANCE ITEM OF THE MONTH is our discontinued class gear! Did you miss out on an Inprocessing or graduation shirt? How about a lapel pin? We have reduced pricing on our limited quantities of class gear in stock! Get these great items at closeout prices to show your USAFA pride! Click here to shop now! While supplies last. (We do not have all previous class gear in stock.)

New Item of the Month
Every month in 7258' Newsletter the AOG Gift Shop will highlight one of the NEW items we have stocked. This month's highlight is our Long Sleeve Performance Shirt in royal blue! Great for exercise or lounging, you will be sure to love our durable performance shirt. This item can be purchased here and don't forget to use your AOG Member ID at checkout for 15% off this item! (While supplies last.)




Support Those Who Support Us!
You just proved that advertising with us works! If you have a business that can help our Air Force Academy community, consider advertising it here! Perhaps it's a restaurant, hotel, auto service or carpet cleaning service. Whether your business reaches the world or just our locals, I would like to speak with you about becoming a proud True Blue Business partner! Please contact Jeff MacLean at jeff.maclean@aogusafa.org or 719-247-8767 today to discuss how we can partner together!

Pond King
Pond King, Inc. is giving away 5 Patriot Two-Man Pontoon Fishing Boats, one to a patriot from each branch of the military. Please tell us about your favorite active duty or retired Air Force veteran in a short video and they could win a custom, 2-man fishing pontoon boat called the Patriot. Nominations must be in by Oct. 27! For more information or to make a nomination, please visit Patriots-for-Patriots.

We Salute Your Service
Piedmont Airlines values your military service and pilot training. Enjoy the benefits you've earned by letting them help you make the transition to a rewarding civilian career. They'll help you complete the training that puts you in an airline flight deck and custom design your program — with no obligation — to put you on the fastest career path to American Airlines. Click here for more information or check in with a recruiter: Laura.A.Bailey@aa.com

The Bremont USAFA Graduate Watch
The Bremont USAFA Graduate Watch is exclusively for USAFA graduates. Each design features the Academy Crest, Prop and Wings, and "The Long Blue Line." To learn more about this watch, go to: https://www.bremont.com/military-orders/usafa-graduate

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 — Your Castle Real Estate
-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 303-956-5955 or Roger.Hill1970@gmail.com.

AFA Creations
Rick Broome is one of the most notable aviation and space artists in the world today. His work captures the spirit and wonder of flight from commercial to military aircraft, and from the dawn of aviation to the most advanced aircraft today.

Tedx in Colorado Springs
If you have some spare time this weekend, Tedx is happening on Saturday. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to TedxColoradoSprings.com.