On March 16, community members attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a new veterans museum in Costa Mesa, California, reported the Daily Pilot. An army barracks from World War II will serve as the main structure for the museum. Builders say it will be done by Nov. 11, 2016.

Preserving a piece of history
The Department of Defense, in 1941, constructed the Santa Ana Army Air Base on a swath of land that encompasses modern-day Costa Mesa, reported The Orange County Register. The site was a key training facility for more than 100,000 pilots during World War II, many of whom went on to serve in the Pacific Theater. Pilots who trained at the base spent most of their time in classrooms studying Morse code and solving the complex mathematics that go into operating combat aircraft.

"One of the most popular postcards at the [base] was a picture of a guy carrying a full pack saying, 'You have to walk a hell of a long way before you learn how to fly,'" Norman French, an Army veteran and former B-17 pilot, told the Daily Pilot.

After the war, SAAAB fell into disrepair and many of its 800 building were bulldozed to make way for the Orange County Fairgrounds.

In 2012, the OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors expressed interest in expanding the Pacific Amphitheatre, an 8,200-seat performance space that sits on the fairgrounds. As a result, the Memorial Gardens Building, an old barrack once part of the SAAAB campus, was targeted for demolition. However, after protests from community members and local veterans, fair officials chose to move the structure, instead. And, in September 2013, the 4,800-square-foot building was relocated to a new plot nearby.

"I still can't believe it. It's surreal," Bob Palazzola, former president of the Costa Mesa Historical Society and a key advocate for the building's survival, said in an interview with the Daily Pilot. "It's nice to see talk become action in something like this, really. I thought we were really against the odds."

Remembering the past with something new
The museum, called Heroes Hall, will encompass around 12,000 square feet and include an outdoor pavilion and garden. On opening day, the museum will feature two exhibits: one on "The Things They Carried," a Vietnam War novel by author Tim O'Brien and another that will cover the history of SAAAB.

"Here we are," Palazzola told the Daily Pilot. "We're right at the threshold of something really great."  

On March 17, 25 veterans from San Diego, California took to the waves at San Onofre Beach near Camp Pendleton for the first day of a weekend-long surfing clinic, reported The San Diego Union-Tribune. The Semper Fi Fund, a California-based nonprofit, is sponsoring the event, which runs through March 21. Instructors from the surf therapy organization Waves of Impact are leading the sessions.

The ex-servicemembers participating in the camp, called Surf Team Semper Fi, deal with a variety of deployment-related injuries.

Marine veteran Ryan Voltin, one of the participants, piloted an attack helicopter during the Iraq War and, in 2007, lost his left leg and sustained serious burns during a crash, reported Patch. When he returned home, a case officer from The Semper Fi Fund led him through recovery. Voltin has been devoted to the organization ever since.

Prior to the camp's kickoff, the Marine waited in anticipation, aching to get out on the water and take on a new challenge.

"If I leave here with a renewed desire to create these kinds of experiences for myself and my family then this camp will have accomplished its mission as far as I'm concerned," he told Patch. "And the mere anticipation of this event has motivated my wife and I to plan a beach camping trip with our kids this summer so, mission accomplished."

Like a lot of veterans dealing with injuries in life after service, Voltin embraces physical activity and often competes in events as a member of Team Semper Fi, the nonprofit's in-house athletics squad.

Throughout the year, the Semper Fi Fund hosts dozens of sporting events, all of which are designed to heal mental and physical war wounds. Surf Team Semper Fi is no different.

Group surf therapy is a widely used technique for individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome and other injuries, reported Outside Magazine. And, the team atmosphere is especially important for veterans who discharge out of combat teams into solitary civilian life. Plus, the challenge of learning a new skill excites many ex-servicemembers.

"Work was good, family was good, but I'm a Marine: I needed a challenge," Voltin said. "For me this surf camp offers a unique combination of three things: outdoor activity, physical and psychological challenge and, most importantly, quality time with our wounded warrior community."

Tattoos have long been part of military culture, and a group in North Carolina has begun using ink as a way for veterans to heal from the unseen wounds of combat. Operation Tattooing Freedom is a nonprofit organization that believes "right tattoo coupled with a willingness to share experiences can help create new emotional connections in the brain," according to its website. 

"I realized that getting the tattoo, and having the conversation with another veteran while I'm getting it, was extremely therapeutic for me, and I realized that if it worked for me, it could work for others," Lewis Hunt, Operation Tattooing Freedom founder and navy veteran, told KRQE News 13. 

The organization pairs tattoo artists who are comfortable and willing to talk with veterans and listen to their stories while giving them the tattoo of their choice at no cost. Hunt and his foundation hope that by allowing veterans to connect with someone and express themselves artistically, they will find outlets for combat-related illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and others. 

Though Operation Tattooing Freedom is only operating in North Carolina currently, it hopes to expand to a nationwide charity soon. 

Of the fifty states, Florida may be one of the most proactive in welcoming veterans to its region. In fact, the state has even launched a massive marketing campaign to attract former servicemembers, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Florida is already home to 1.58 million veterans, but state officials want to encourage even more to become residents.

"We want to show them Florida's great economy, the high quality of life here and our great schools," Bobby Carbonell, Veterans Florida executive director, told the news source. "There are a lot of benefits for veterans in our state, but many people don't know about them."

Carbonell and his agency, Veterans Florida, are using $4.3 million in state funding to reach veterans through various channels and encourage them to relocate to Florida. Their efforts began in January 2016 and have been steady since. 

The agency told the Orlando Sentinel the state is home to the largest VA Medical Center in the country, some of the nation's best beaches and a patriotic spirit, all of which make Florida a great place for veterans seeking a new place to call home. 

Chairman & President’s Message

Your Association is entering its 70th year of operation, and since our founding, we have never wavered in our support of those who serve this great nation. Our mission is to provide you and your family with the security and value of affordable life insurance without combat, terrorism, geographic, or hazardous occupation exclusions. In pursuit of this mission, we must maintain our financial strength and ability to grow, keeping our commitments to our current members and remaining relevant for each new generation to come. With that in mind, we are focusing our resources on our core and legacy benefit of life insurance. We are emphasizing growth in AFBA membership and leveraging the insurance operations with our affiliate, 5Star Life Insurance Company. Under the very capable leadership of Mark Singleton, 5Star Life’s President, the life company is achieving its primary objective of underwriting products for AFBA members while diversifying the enterprise risk profile and achieving operational scale. We will continue to work together with 5Star Life to provide a stronger association for your benefit.

 

Focusing on AFBA Membership Growth

I am pleased to report that our membership is growing and is more diverse and stronger than ever. We continue to serve the active duty military, have enhanced our position in the National Guard market by bringing The National Guard Association of South Carolina into the fold, and have seen impressive growth in the first responder market.

Appointing New Board of Directors Members

The appointment of Salvatore Cassano, former Fire Commissioner, Fire Department New York, and Vietnam era combat veteran, to the AFBA Board of Directors reflects the importance of our first responder members. In addition to Commissioner Cassano, Tom Walsh, previously an advisor to the Board, has been appointed as a director. Summaries of these new directors’ bios are included in this newsletter, and you may also view the bios of all Board members here. We are grateful for their leadership and oversight and encourage all members to complete the enclosed ballot card or cast your ballot online. Results of the balloting will be announced at the annual members meeting to be held June 30.

Offering Meaningful Benefits

We are dedicated to providing meaningful benefits to you. The Charles C. Blanton Scholarship is for families of insured AFBA members who die as a result of combat, terrorism or while involved in incident operations as a first responder. We continue to maintain alliances with like-minded organizations that provide you with additional valuable member benefits.

AFBA works diligently to remain abreast of the latest cyber threats that may impact the security of our members’ information and to bring the latest technology and best practices to bear against those threats. We also encourage you to remain vigilant in protecting your personal information on your home computers and other electronic devices. To assist you, we are launching the first in a series of cybersecurity tutorials that we believe you will find informative and helpful.

Providing Best in Class Claims Service

We never forget that we are here to serve you during your time of loss — the death of a loved one. Our dedication to fast, accurate and compassionate claims service is unparalleled and we value the feedback of our members on how we are doing. See comments from one of our member beneficiaries further in the newsletter.

We want to hear from you! We appreciate your feedback concerning any service or member benefit suggestions that might be of value to you. We are also interested in developing member profiles of service to this great nation and of your interactions with AFBA.

Thank you for your loyalty to AFBA and for your service to our nation. We reach out to support all the brave men and women of the uniformed services, first responders, government employees, and contractors and the families of each of these groups. Referrals are the greatest compliment and we would welcome the opportunity to assist your friends and family. Please send them to www.afba.com or ask them to call us at 1-800-776-2322.

General Ralph E. “Ed” Eberhart, USAF (Ret.) Chairman & President

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• New Board of Directors
• Here When You Need Us
• National Guard Association of South Carolina
• How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
• Financial Planning Guide
• Cybersecurity Awareness
• Long-Term Care
• Auto Insurance
• Mortgages
• Auto Loans
• Emergency Travel Assistance
• Life Line Screening
• TRICARE

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New Board of Directors Appointments

AFBA is pleased to announce the appointments of Mr. Thomas W. Walsh and Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano, FDNY (Ret.) to the AFBA Board of Directors. The AFBA Board of Directors is currently comprised of eleven men and women who have served with distinction in the United States Armed Forces. General Eberhart and the AFBA Board believe that the subject matter expertise that Mr. Walsh and Commissioner Cassano bring from their respectivebackgrounds will strengthen AFBA’s mission to “serve those who serve this great nation.”Mr. Walsh has been associated with AFBA for over 35 years. As a senior managing partner with PricewaterhouseCooper, LLC (PwC), he served as AFBA’s external auditor from 1980 to 1994 and was involved as a client service partner until his retirement in 2007. Upon retirement from PwC, he served as Senior Advisor to the AFBA Board from 2010-2015. Mr. Walsh was appointed as a director in January 2016 and serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee and is a member of the Compensation and Personnel Committee.Commissioner Cassano is new to the AFBA family, but comes with vast experience in the First Responder market. Commissioner Cassano held every uniformed rank in his 44 year career with Fire Department New York and ended his career as Fire Commissioner. He also served in the U. S. Army, including a combat tour in Viet Nam. Commissioner Cassano’s appointment to the AFBA Board will be effective June 1, 2016.
For additional information on Mr. Walsh and Commissioner Cassano as well as all our other directors, we encourage you to view their bios here.

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Here When You Need Us

Ultimately, paying claims is the most important thing we do for our members and we make certain this is done in a timely, professional, and compassionate manner. It is very rewarding to receive confirmation of good service as expressed in a recent letter received.”I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the highly professional and compassionate way you handled this difficult situation. I know the emergency death benefit is not required, but is such a thoughtful provision. Also, the final disbursement, done quickly and in such a dignified manner is commendable. You have my kudos for a job nicely done and making this enormous transition in my life less difficult.” – March 2016Back to Menu

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AFBA is Proud to Welcome the
National Guard Association of
South Carolina

We are proud to announce that the National Guard Association of South Carolina (NGASC) Board of Directors voted to move their State Sponsored Life Insurance program from VOYA (formerly ING) to AFBA, effective July 1, 2016. AFBA and NGASC share a common legacy and rich heritage as not-for-profit associations providing outstanding service to their members.

On March 17, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved Senate Bill 802. This legislation approved $1 million for the First Responders Presumed Coverage Reimbursement Fund. This fund was first created in 2015 to "help first responders who developed cancers after years of exposure to hazardous materials," according to the Lansing State Journal.

Though the fund is over a year old, the committee had yet to make any deposits. However as of March 17, there was a unanimous vote to make the $1 million deposit.

"When firefighters get to the scene of a fire, they have to work as a team. I'm proud that we've worked as a team to get this done," Sen. Curtis Hertel told the Detroit Free Press. "Let's make sure that never again when someone who is injured in the line of duty is not taken care of."

The committee has plans to increase the deposit into the fund by $2 million in next year's budget, as reported by the Lansing State Journal. The fund will cover firefighters who develop lymphatic cancer and cancers of the respiratory tract, bladder, skin, brain, kidney, blood, thyroid, testicular or prostate because of exposure to hazardous materials on the job.

Deployment is a significant part of military service. Though it can be emotionally challenging, military families can make this time a little less stressful by getting their financials in order before the servicemember ships out. Take a look at AFBA's pre-deployment checklist below:

Prepare and safeguard records
Before your servicemember leaves, gather all the important family financial documents, such as insurance records, bank account information, personal identification documents and other important paperwork. It is a smart idea to make a copy of these documents and place them in a safety deposit box or fire resistant home safe. Knowing that this vital paperwork is secure can bring peace of mind to your deployed servicemember.

Set your accounts up for growth 
If you plan to try to save a little money while your spouse is deployed, look into savings deposit programs. These high interest accounts will help you grow your savings quickly and with little effort. If you or your loved one is about to be deployed, consider investing a chunk of your nest egg into the Department of Defense's savings deposit program. Once the servicemember in the family is overseas, you can take your predetermined amount of money, place it into one of these accounts, and watch as it grows at 10 percent interest. This will allow you and your spouse to have a sizeable savings to tap into when he or she returns home.

Expect the unexpected
Though unfortunate, the reality is that some servicemembers do not return home from deployment. You and your spouse should prepare your finances for these circumstances. Make an appointment to talk with financial advisor to ensure that all of your end-of-life insurance is finalized and in good standing. You should also consult with a legal professional to draft a will that clearly outlines inheritance and Power of Attorney. 

Ask questions
You may feel overwhelmed with all the things you have to do to prepare your finances for a deployment. Know that this is completely normal. Use your military resources, professional advisors, and trusted family and friends who have experienced deployment before you as sounding boards for your plans. These individuals may have the answers to the questions plaguing you. 

Deployment is something every servicemember can expect to experience at some point during his or her service. Being financially prepared for the event, can take a significant deal of stress and worry off the loved one's left behind. 

Service dogs have repeatedly proven themselves to be very effective in helping veterans with a variety of disabilities, but access to them hasn't always been easy. To that end, the U.S. House of Representatives is now moving to address the issue with a new bill.

The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act would create a five-year pilot program, according from a report from political news site The Hill. With $10 million in funding, the VA would pair veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and service dogs to help them cope. The bill would allocate a maximum of $27,000 per dog, meaning thousands of veterans could be helped over the five-year pilot.

"The PAWS Act is a simple bill that could have a dramatic – and potentially life-saving – effect on the lives of many," said Rep. Ron DeSantis, a Florida Republican, according to the site. "As we face an epidemic of veteran suicides, we must make sure that all of our returning servicemembers are honored and taken care of, no matter the wounds they bear."

This kind of help should provide many veterans with the assistance they need, especially if the program is so successful that it gets broadened after the pilot ends.

In recent months, the quality of veterans benefits as it relates to health care has come into question, but as is often the case in these situations, lawmakers are moving quickly to remediate these issues. Already, a bill is being hustled through the U.S. Senate to address the problem.

Specifically, Senate bill 2633 would create a new single entity for dealing with a number of health care initiatives that previously existed under the VA, according to a report from the Military Times. Additionally, the new Veterans Choice program will use third-party administration to help streamline the way in which it schedules appointments and bills veterans, hopefully easing some of the issues that have plagued the VA for some time. A similar bill was sponsored by Sen. Richard Burr, a North Carolina Republican, and would further reform payment systems so veterans have an easier time dealing with the cost of care.

"We must get it right for our veterans," Burr told the newspaper. "In North Carolina, we have seen hospitals stop taking veterans under the Choice program because VA has consistently failed to pay veterans."

However, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee chairman Johnny Isakson said that this bill will likely be folded into a broader omnibus bill that the Senate hopes to pass before Memorial Day, the report said. Specifically, it would also join legislation to help get more assistance to people who were wounded in combat prior to 9/11, which many current aspects of VA health care does not.

The more that can be done to help veterans get all the care they need, not only for physical scars but mental ones as well, the better off veterans will be going forward thanks to a growing number of choices for quality treatment.

Home Base is an organization created in 2009 and has been providing service to over 8,000 post 9/11 veterans ever since, according to The News-Press. This national organization helps families and veterans deal with serious problems like post traumatic stress disorder, after serving in the U.S. military through clinical care. Home Base offers veterans a chance to recover. Home Base has raised awareness for the organization as a whole and for the Warrior Health and Fitness Program, which helps veterans address their struggles and issues through physically and mental activities. 

This year, Home Base hopes to raise enough money for veterans to enjoy the fitness program in Southwest Florida, according to The News-Press. It's not only offered to veterans for free, but it gives them a chance at improving their overall lifestyles. From knowledge about a healthy diet to managing stress and providing guidance on proper exercise, this program aims to create a positive experience for these men and women who are in need.

"(The program) makes a big difference because we know from all the newest research that we have to stop separating mind and body," said Armando Hernandez, the Warrior Health and Fitness program manager for Southwest Florida."Once we have them doing fitness, we can help them with the mental skills, diet and sleep."

In previous years, a golf tournament and gala have been held to raise awareness and raise funds, The News-Press stated. This year there will be an additional golf outing held. The proceeds of each ticket sold will go to the Warrior and Health Fitness program to make a difference in the lives of veterans.