AFSA associates welcome newest members

  • Published
  • By Capt. Sheryll Klinkel
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Air Force Sergeants Association members welcomed Col. John Dolan, the 8th Fighter Wing commander, Col. Hugh Hanlon, the 8th Fighter Wing vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. James Sanders, the 8th Fighter Wing command chief, into Chapter 1554 July 28, here.

"AFSA voices the needs of Airmen to Capitol Hill, the White House and the Pentagon," said Colonel Dolan. "And coming from the Pentagon, I know Washington is listening. It is an honor to be a part of AFSA because (Airmen) wouldn't have what we have now without organizations like this."

The international non-profit organization has over 120,000 enlisted members. Officers and family members show their support by becoming associate and auxiliary members, respectively.

All of these people are dedicated to speaking on behalf of the people behind the stripes. The organization represents the professional and personal interests of active duty, retired and veteran enlisted members of the Air Force, National Guard and Reserves.

"Some issues the organization has raised include increasing tuition assistance, improving the quality of life, increasing retirement benefits for National Guardsmen and Reservists and more recently, making flag desecration a criminal offense," said Staff Sgt. Anthony Harmon, the AFSA Chapter 1554 activities coordinator.

Organization members also promote and give leadership opportunities to their enlisted members.

"Asking our leadership to join was Sergeant Harmon's idea," said Senior Master Sgt. Jerome Sydnor, the AFSA Chapter 1554 president. "As the senior noncommissioned officer, he put a plan together and made it happen. I let the junior enlisted take charge."

Once you become a member of AFSA, you are also able to transfer chapters.

"I have been a member since I was a staff sergeant," said Chief Sanders. "The more people we have, the more voices we have for support."

Chapter 1554 has approximately 100 members and they always welcome new members. For more information on AFSA, visit the national Web site at www.hqafsa.org.