July 2, 2020

We hope you and your family have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day! Thank you to those who have fought for and continue to protect the freedoms that we celebrate.



Way of Life Video
On the day our nation celebrated Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, the Way of Life Alumni Group hosted an online gathering to facilitate a frank conversation about racial injustice in the nation and our Air Force. Click here for more information and link to the video.

Young Alumni Success and Engagement Virtual Event
The AOG and the Air Force Academy Foundation hosted a young alumni panel on June 30, 2020, with all 5 of our 2019 Young Alumni Excellence Awards winners. If you would like to hear from your fellow alums sharing their experiences, watch the replay online.

Colorado Springs Couple Includes AOG in Their Will
We are extremely grateful to the Ryan family for including the AOG in their estate plan. Their generosity will help support current and future cadets, as well as the graduate community, for years to come. Learn more.

Long Blue Line Guide
Learn more about the programs and efforts of the Association of Graduates and the Air Force Academy Foundation by reading the recently updated Long Blue Line Guide. We are here to serve, support and connect the USAFA graduate community, cadets, parents and friends.

New Episode — Heritage Minute
The latest episode of Heritage Minute with Steve Simon '77 explores the history behind the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Statue at the Academy's Honor Court.

Distinguished Graduate Videos
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Association of Graduates and the United States Air Force Academy were not able to hold the annual Founders Day Banquet on April 3. As a result, the graduate community was not able to fully recognize this year's five distinguished graduate honorees — Col. (Ret.) Leslie Denend '63, Mr. Fletcher "Flash" Wiley '65, Gen. (Ret.) Norton "Norty" Schwartz '73, Gen. (Ret.) Edward Rice Jr. '78 and Mr. John "Jack" Kucera '78. Over the next few weeks, the AOG will post videos highlighting the life stories of these five newest DGs. The AOG plans to further recognize these honorees at the 2021 Founders Day celebration. But in the meantime, be inspired by the stories these notable USAFA graduates share!

Welcome USAFA Class of 2024, Parents and Families — Open Enrollment Ends July 31
It's not too late to sign up. Don't miss all the action provided by our awesome WebGuy team! WebGuy is a 4-year program designed to provide a window into cadet life. For the family of a new cadet who is entering basic training, WebGuy becomes your new best friend and a great connection to your son or daughter as they take the first steps in their journey at the United States Air Force Academy. WebGuy photographers will keep you connected to the Academy life through blogs and pictures starting on Inprocessing Day all the way up until graduation week! Sign up today so you are ready to catch all the action! Please note: Your Family Plan membership can be paid in full instead of paid monthly — a savings of over $200!

Welcome Prep School Parents and Families — Open Enrollment Ends July 31
Want to catch an amazing glimpse into life at the Prep School? Watch as WebGuy tells the cadet candidate story and be on the lookout for your son or daughter as they experience this new chapter in their life. We have two membership options available for our Prep Parents: Husky Club is only good while your son or daughter is enrolled at the Prep School. Joining Family Plan will save you money and you will not have to upgrade your membership after prep school graduation. JOIN TODAY and have one fewer thing to worry about leading up to Inprocessing Day! The first 100 new Family Plan members will receive a drawstring AF Prep bag as a thank you for your membership and support of our programs!




Virtual March Back: July 18th-31st
Let's come together as a USAFA family and support the Class of 2024. Though the in-person Graduate March Back has been cancelled, USAFA is going virtual and expanding participation to our entire USAFA family! Between July 18-31, USAFA invites you to join the USAFA community and walk, run or march 6.2 miles in support of the Class of 2024 cadets returning from Basic Cadet Training in Jacks Valley. Learn more and get involved!

Save the date and order ahead to show your support with a replica cadet t-shirt!




Dakota Foundation Awards $95,000 to Colorado-Based Literacy Foundation
The Dakota Foundation was founded by Bart Holaday, a 1965 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. The Ian K. Helms Award is named in memory of Capt. Ian K. Helms, a 2008 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Capt. Helms was a Distinguished Graduate of the Academy and was wing commander (the highest-ranking cadet). He received a graduate degree from Oxford University while studying on an Alberta and Sidney Holaday Scholarship (established by the Dakota Foundation) at Exeter College. Capt. Helms flew a B-1 bomber in combat, supporting U.S. military efforts in the Middle East. He tragically succumbed to cancer in 2016. In honor of Helms' legacy of leadership, patriotism and devotion to service, the Dakota Foundation created the award in his name. Read about this year's recipient — Colorado-based Brink Literacy Project.

Check Out ZoomieLink
Try out ZoomieLink to connect with fellow graduates and cadets alike!




Challenge Extended
In the last couple of months, our daily routines and lives have been greatly impacted by the events around the world. Now more than ever we need to be a force for service and support our Air Force family and local communities. For this reason, we are extending our Service Before Self Challenge to July 31, 2020. For more information, ideas on how to serve and to log your minutes, please visit usafa.org/ServiceBeforeSelf.




Prep School Merchandise In Stock
USAFA Prep School merchandise is now fully stocked. Don't miss out on these exclusive items: Squadron A, B and C pins, patches, ornaments and stickers. Class of 2021 Inprocessing shirts are also available. Get yours here now!




Reading This Ad? So Are Your Customers!
Call Jeff MacLean today at 719-247-8767 or email him at jeff.maclean@aogusafa.org to find out how you can reach more than 55,000 people on every Air Force base worldwide, as often as every two weeks, for as little as $100 a month!

Military OneSource: Support for Airmen and Their Families
Military OneSource is free, 24/7 support for all things MilLife. This Department of Defense program can connect you and your dependents to info, answers and support like tax services, financial counseling, spouse job opportunities, relocation resources, confidential support and more. See all the ways we can help at MilitaryOneSource.mil. Our mission is you.

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.