Anniversaries Matter – 20 Years and Counting

 

I am both honored and humbled to address you again this year as the President of the Airman Heritage Foundation. Success is measured in many ways, and I would be lying if I didn’t expect at this year’s 20-year anniversary of this organization to be standing inside the halls of our new Airmen Experience; but teammates we are not there, and it speaks to the work still yet to accomplish.  Our overall mission has not changed. Over the years we have made adjustments, but at our core the goal remains the same — to honor the past while creating a legacy that propels us into a future that highlights the men and women who do the work.

 

To that end, in October 2004 the Lackland Gateway Heritage Foundation was formed and over the years we have morphed into the Airman Heritage Foundation.  Throughout that time the vision set by General Lorenz and the fore-bearers, the men and women who have done the work, like Jaime Vazquez, Timmothy Dickens, Dale Armwood and the commitment of the late 5th CMSAF Bob Gaylor and Carol Poynor, has propelled us to continue to march.

 

This organization is rooted in service before self and that has never been more evident than that of our treasurer Chief Ray Cornish, Ray thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to “Building the Dream”.  Anytime you to talk about the Airman Heritage Foundation, it begins and ends with our secretary Joan Lopez. She is secretary on paper only as everyone knows she leads this group with an iron fist, a small fist, but it packs a powerful punch with word and deed.  Thanks, Ms. Joan!  I could go on and on about the members of the board because people is my business.  No board member personifies that first sergeant ethos “people is my business” than our resident first sergeant Rick Ramirez.  As an old supervisor once told me, “My job is to protect you from yourself,” and that’s the role I play with Rick Ramirez. Rick will try to do it all and be in all places at once! Rick, your commitment is unparalleled. Thanks for continuing to take care of our Airmen and Guardians — past, present and future!

 

As much as we celebrate this 20-year anniversary, this anniversary campaign must inspire action to realize our ultimate goal, to build the Airmen Experience of the future.  Our first step in that process was to formalize our agreement with the Journey of Flight Foundation. I can’t thank Dan Rogers enough for his work on making that agreement happen.  Next, we need to think outside the box or just eliminate the box, now that we have a solidified agreement. How do we raise the bar on financial contributions?  There has been lots of discussion on the capital campaign and how we are confusing potential donors. I submit to you in this President’s Message that we fix that by developing a capital campaign slogan, a title that identifies our joint venture.  This capital campaign slogan will identify to donors where their giving ends up. More of “eliminate the box” thinking conversations have been on-going with Mr. Rob Malone and most recently, Mr. Rich Hovey—two individuals who by their own acclaim believe they can raise the funds to build the dream.

 

Finally, we have struggled over the years with answering “what is our ask,” and simply put we need individuals committed to giving of their TIME, TALENT, AND RESOURCES! I invite each of you to continue to light the torch of this noble cause. Together, let us reach back into history, unearth those untold stories, and inspire a new era of Airmen and Guardians who are anxious to take their rightful place in the rich history of the true backbone of our service—The Enlisted Force.

 

Our Annual Meeting agenda is steeped in the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and honoring the legacy that has been bequeathed to us. I look forward to the enriching discussions, insightful deliberations, and the shared vision that will guide us as we soar to new heights.

 

Thank you for your continued support, dedication, and the boundless enthusiasm that you bring to the Airman Heritage Foundation!

 

Sincerely,

Alfred A. Herring

President, Airman Heritage FoundationÂ