CONNECTION Air Force Families Forever Newsletter VOL. 1, ISSUE 1 For Air Force and Space Force Families Across the Department of the Air Force By listening to survivors, AF redefines long-term care INSIDE by Danielle Dennis Air Force Families Forever Program Analyst families to discuss their experiences AFFF support following the loss of their Airman. available worldwide Over the last 18 months, Air We asked difficult questions, Page 3 Force Families Forever, or AFFF, received candid feedback, and program analysts and the Air Force’s quickly realized that enduring Gold Star and Surviving Family survivor support was one part of a Survivor Advocacy Member Representative worked larger continuum of care. Council meets together to create opportunities for To redefine long-term survivor Page 5 dialogue with survivors. With care, Air Force Families Forever incredible support from the Air analysts needed to strengthen their Force’s most senior leaders, our communication and collaboration Gold Star son offices set forth on a mission to hear with Air Force mortuary affairs and reflects on life directly from the spouses, parents, casualty services -- the offices Page 6 siblings, and even children of our responsible for providing immediate deceased Airmen. survivor support. In November 2019, Gone, but never The first Air Force Survivor the Air Force officially stood up its Summit was held in Shalimar, forgotten Survivor Continuum of Care Working Page 9 Florida, on April 30, 2019. Surviving Group comprised of functional family members were invited to join experts from mortuary affairs, Air Force senior leaders; policy and casualty services, and the AFFF Moving forward vs. functional experts from the survivor program. moving on community; and Airman and Family Functional experts quickly went to Page 10 Readiness Center, or A&FRC, personnel who work directly with See CARE on Page 2 Veterans Day Nov. 11 Honoring All Who Served Privilege, honor caring for our families by Holly Fisher my duty and obligation, not only as the program Air Force Families Forever representative representative, but as a citizen of this great country, to What an esteemed privilege and honor to care for the connect with the families of the fallen, to ensure their 24 engaged family members of Keesler Air Force Base’s needs are met, and represent them in a way the (Mississippi) Air Force Families Forever program. It brings memories of their loved ones are accurately depicted; and a bittersweet sense of pride to welcome the families of the essence of their character and spirit are reveled for all fallen heroes into our program. We are humbled and who look at their photo and read their biography. It is vital grateful by their presence, and yet the reasoning behind for others to gain a solid understanding for who our their evolved membership is disheartening. heroes truly are. Our service members raised their right hand to defend Survivors are grateful for the opportunity to remain the freedoms of our nation and paid the ultimate sacrifice. engaged with the Air Force -- the ability to cling to a Working with the families has brought a realization that defining component of their loved one. The primary freedom isn’t free, and the tangible magnitude of the request from families in the AFFF program is to keep the Airman’s Creed, ”I am an American Airman, Guardian of military connection. The children of our fallen lost in Freedom and Justice, My Nation’s Sword and Shield, its Vietnam, all echo similar stories. Not only did they feel a Sentry and Avenger. I defend my country with my Life.” loss with their loved one, but as they aged, they lost the My efforts in the AFFF program are two-fold: to care for the family and keep the spirit of our fallen alive. It is See PRIVILEGE on Page 3 CARE on active duty, or in an inactive duty next of kin regardless of their Airman’s continued from Page 1 for training or annual training status, circumstance of death. and whose relationship was Use of morale, welfare and work analyzing survivor feedback, established before the Airman’s recreation activities approved by the reviewing current processes, and death. installation commander (services may evaluating the individual and Expanded support includes vary by installation). Commanders are collective delivery of survivor support. lifelong support and outreach to encouraged to invite surviving family As the working group delved into surviving family members defined as members in installation activities such problem statements and possible next of kin: as air shows, luncheons, VIP visits solutions, AFFF policy and operations — Widow or widower (remarried or and holiday events. offices moved forward by not) In June, A&FRC officials began a implementing 2019 National Defense — Each parent (mother, father, marketing campaign to inform past Authorization Act legislation into Air stepmother, stepfather, mother and present Air Force survivors of Force guidance. through adoption, father through expanded support including eligibility In addition to legislative changes, adoption, foster parents who stood in to request installation access and survivor-driven feedback helped loco parentis) participate in commander-approved shape AFFF guidance as it stands — Each child (including step- morale, welfare and recreation today, expanding who is eligible for children, adopted) activities. Eligible survivors can services and how support is delivered — Each sibling (brother, sister, half contact their nearest A&FRC and by A&FRCs on active-duty -brother, half-sister and step- AFFF representative for more installations. siblings) information about expanded support. AFFF support is provided to family Installation access through For more information and to connect members of deceased regular and issuance of a Defense Biometric with the nearest representative, visit reserve component Airmen who died Identification System card to eligible the program’s webpage. CONNECTION The Connection is an authorized electronic publication for Air Force Families Forever and the contents are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance or mention of commercial products or services is not meant to imply endorsement by the Departments of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. Comments, concerns or submissions should be emailed to [email protected], or call 866-299-0596. Visit the Air Force Families Forever webpage or Facebook page. 2 THE CONNECTION AFFF support is available worldwide Air Force Families Forever is the Air Force’s long-term support program executed by the staff at 76 Airman and Family Readiness Centers, or A&FRCs, located on active -duty installations around the world. A&FRCs function as one-stop information and referral centers for active-duty, Guard, and Reserve service members, Department of Defense civilians, retirees and eligible family members. The goal is to enhance readiness, resilience and quality of life for Airmen, families and the community including family members of deceased active-duty Airmen. The Meadow of In addition to AFFF, the readiness center staff Memories Fallen members who serve as Community Readiness Heroes Trail was Consultants provide workshops, special events, and one- just one feature of on-one consultations in 12 other core service areas: Gold Star Families Remembrance Air Force Aid Society Week in late Air Force Warrior and Survivor Care September at Casualty Assistance Keesler AFB in Deployment Support Mississippi. (Photo by Holly Fisher) Employment Assistance Exceptional Family Member Program Personal Financial Readiness Services representatives partner with DoD- and Air Force- Personal and Work Life approved civilian and military agencies in support of Relocation Assistance military survivors. Based on eligibility and individual Survivor Benefits Plan preferences of the surviving family member, AFFF offers Transition Assistance Program on-going assistance, support, or referral to help resolve Volunteer Resources issues family members may have as it relates to the One of the major functions of A&FRCs is to death of an Airman. connect personnel and their families with appropriate Connect with your closest A&FRC to determine support services both on and off base. AFFF eligibility and make it part of your support network. PRIVILEGE continued from Page 2 connection with the Air Force -- the maintaining the connection with the Visit the Air Force only life they knew. It has provided Air Force. After discussing the Families Forever an overwhelming sense of pride to program benefits with the father of a bring that connection back for them. newly fallen service member, I webpage for program Since inception of the AFFF began closing the conversation. He program, survivors share their cried and stated, “Please don’t information, services, gratitude for the privileges now forget about me.” In an instant my and a listing of all offered. The benefits offer families heart fell. reassurance that the liberties gained I was deeply moved, and my Airman & Family through the sacrifice of their loved reply was simple, yet spoken from Readiness Centers one brings an insurmountable my core, “I will never forget about privilege to be an American. you. A promise was made to you -- worldwide. A recent conversation with a you are now and forever part of our newly engaged AFFF member Air Force.” We are Air Force reiterated just how valuable the Families Forever! program is and the importance of THE CONNECTION 3 Grief sucks! Nothing pretty about it, there’s no way around it by Lt. Col. Elisha Parkhill families has been one of my greatest Widow of Lt Col Travis Brownlow joys. Throughout this time, I have Grief sucks! There is no way poured my heart and soul into my Air around it, just through it, and at Force community, loving on those times it is not pretty. around me, building them up and As a nation, we do not typically providing a safe environment for talk about grief, and when we do it is them to grow.