New: Trail
Site Photo below - click here
Contact: Al Burrell, Class
Giving Officer
United States
Air Force Academy
Association of
Graduates
3116 Academy Drive
USAFA, CO 80840
719-472-0300
al.burrell@aogusafa.org
Account
Executive:
Heather Albrecht
Project
Manager:
Ginny Greene
Writer:
Erin Althoff
Class
of 1989 Heritage Trail Class Memorial
and
Support for Cadet Programs or Activities
Know
the project: There are two
distinct and separate elements to this project.
• First,
the Class of ’89 is establishing a Class Memorial which for all time
will visually honor the
Class and its members. The Class is adding further meaning by honoring classmate Lt
Col Kevin Shea (USMC) who is their first (and only) classmate lost to
hostile fire. This
Class Memorial will be established on The Heritage Trail. • Second,
the Class plans to donate any pledge balance which may exist to
specific Cadet programs or
activities then in need of financial assistance.
What is
the Heritage Trail? The Heritage
Trail is a 0.6 mile paved and lighted pathway under
construction adjacent to Doolittle Hall. It is situated in a forested
setting overlooking the
Eisenhower Golf Course and offers an excellent view of the Cadet Area.
Heritage Trail projects
create a permanent tribute to the vital contributions of the US Air
Force, and to USAFA
graduates who have done great things in service to the nation. The
Heritage Trail will
eventually create a memorial park to include statues, walls, plaques
and pavilions representing
graduate contributions from Vietnam through the current War on
Terrorism. Although a
new project, five classes are already involved with or planning direct participation
on the Heritage Trail.
What is
Doolittle Hall? Doolittle
Hall is the USAFA Association of Graduates building, located on
the US Air Force Academy.
The
Location and its advantages: Doolittle is
where the Academy-experience both begins and
ends. It is among the more heavily visited facilities on USAFA. Each
year’s Basics (new
cadets) and their families “in process” at Doolittle Hall before
entering into the Cadet
Area. Cadet training and social functions are hosted at Doolittle on a
regular basis.
Following graduation, Doolittle Hall becomes home to class reunions,
graduate services and
many USAFA related functions. This
location optimizes exposure to graduates,
cadet and others visiting the United States Air Force Academy.
Description
of the class memorial: Each Class
Memorial presents a distinct 20’x20’ area memorializing
that Class and its message. The memorial’s approach is marked by two bronze
plaques set on separate marble bases. One plaque presents the Class
Crest. The other
presents the date of USAFA entry, the numbers of those enrolled and
subsequently graduated,
those commissioned (by service branch), and the number of international
students
within the Class. This second plaque also presents the Class Motto to
each visitor. The memorial
will highlight a bronze bust of Lt Col Kevin Shea, and includes a
marble bench for
visitor comfort and contemplation. This Memorial also provides a
platform with which to
honor other classmates lost to hostile action should those losses be
sustained. Access to the
Memorial is along a paved and lighted pedestrian pathway is already sponsored by
the Class of 1960.
Does
Kevin Shea’s family support this effort? Yes. Aimilee
Shea, Kevin’s widow, fully supports the
project and currently plans to attend the 20th Reunion
and Class Memorial dedication in
2009.
Time
constraints/cash requirement:
Many classes begin fund raising five years before the reunion
at which they hope to dedicate their project. The Class of 1989 will
host their 20th Reunion
in only two years, during the Fall of 2009. They hope to “unveil” their
Class Memorial at
that reunion. The
Class cannot spend pledges, and must pay their project costs
before, or at the time of, completion. Please share this message and
encourage early
pledge payments - hoping all gifts are received by Fall 2009.
About
the Sculptor: A Class
Committee will select a sculptor based on concept sketches, bids and
other information received through an RFP (Request for Proposal)
process. A recent bronze
bust project RFP received 27 proposals to be considered by the Class involved.
| Flying Club |
$26,300 |
| Boxing Team
robes/trunks/jerseys |
$4,820 |
| Prep School
Character & Leadership Speakers |
$6,000 |
| Field House
entry way banners |
$5,500 |
| Cadet Model
Organization Conference |
$6,000 |
| Falcon Club
(Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program) |
$1,200 |
Who’s in control of Class money? The Class
controls how and when these class gifts may be used.
Specifically, the Class of 1989 leadership appoints a Gift Committee
Chair and that
Chairperson recruits the Giving Committee members. Only these people
have the authority to
make the decisions and commit the funds necessary to accomplish the
goals the Class has
established. Additionally, all gifts supporting this project are
restricted gifts and may only
be spent in support of this specific project. The Association of
Graduates assists by
providing the tax exempt status (AOG is an IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization)
and the staff support and expertise needed to help bring this project
to fruition.
Who is coordinating on behalf of the Class of 1989?
| Don Simpson,
Class President |
Alex
Gonzalez-Rojas, Giving Committee Chair
|
| Rondall Rice |
| Pete Smith |
| Steve Whiting |
| Mike Lesman |
| Paul Tibbets |
| Rich Eccher |
Class
of 1989 Candidate Heritage Trail Site
This is the view from the candidate site for the Class of 1989 class
memorial.
About the Call
Who
we are calling
• We
are calling members of the Class of 1989 from the USAFA.
• Some
members have also been contacted recently about giving to the Annual
Fund.
• We
are calling donors and non-donors.
• This
is a multi-year ask strategy based on the prospect’s largest gift.
• Credit
cards accepted are MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover.
• We
are verifying and capturing e-mail address.
• RuffaloCODY
is sending next day e-mails.
ADDRESSING
PROSPECTS PROPERLY IS IMPORTANT!! Below is a
list of the prefix abbreviations
you will see. USE THIS
LIST.
• 2Lt
= Second Lieutenant (Loo-ten-nent)
• 1Lt
= First Lieutenant
• Capt
= Captain
• Maj
= Major
• Lt
Col (LTC) = Lieutenant Colonel (Addressed as Colonel) (Ker-nal)
• Col
= Colonel (Addressed as Colonel)
• BGen
= Brigadier (Brig-a-deer) General (1-Star)
• MGen
= Major General (2-Star)
• LGen
= Lieutenant General (3-Star)
• Gen
= General (4-Star)
OTHER
RANKS
• CDR
= Commander
• CWO
= Chief Warrant Officer
Possible
Objections
Handling
Objections: DO NOT attempt to
discuss the following issues in depth. It is inappropriate for this call and
may cause significant issues. Use the objections below and direct
prospects to the contact information
for the Association of Graduates.
WHY
DOESN’T THE GOVERNMENT PAY FOR EVERYTHING?
The
government supplies the Academy with the things that allow for an
“adequate” experience. Dollars from private
donors allow the Academy to enhance the academic experience for its
cadets and fund special
projects. In this case, your support will help to honor your Class and
those classmates who have given all in
the defense of this nation.
I
HAVE PROBLEMS WITH HOW THE AOG OPERATES AND DON’T WANT TO SUPPORT THEIR
PROGRAMS
Sir/Ma’am,
your gift can only be used to support the Class of ’89 Heritage Trail
Memorial Project…nothing
else! The Class has restricted the project so that funds may only be
used for that purpose.
UPSET
WITH THE HANDLING OF THE SEXUAL HARRASSMENT ISSUE
Changes were
made to the way cadets and everyone at the Academy are trained in
regard to this issue. In fact, the
program now in place to educate, identify and handle harassment issues
is considered one of the best. If you
would like, you can contact the Association of Graduates for more
information. See
contact info.
Background
information: Approximately
four years ago, there was a significant problem identified with how the
Academy (and the Air Force) dealt with sexual harassment. The
investigations of this resulted in changing
senior leadership at the Academy as well as some significant changes to
how training was accomplished.
Many of these orders were direct orders for the Academy staff in the
Pentagon. Reviews of the program
to educate, identify, and handle harassment now in place has been
passed by investigative bodies and is
now considered one of the best.
UPSET
WITH THE RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE ISSUE
I am aware of
the religious intolerance issue the Academy is currently facing. The
issue is currently being handled by
the Air Force Academy through the appropriate channels. If you would
like, you can contact the
Association of Graduates for more information. See
contact info.
Background
information: Approximately
2 years ago, questions were raised about intolerance of different
religious organizations within the Academy. There is currently a
lawsuit in the court system on this issue.
The Air Force Academy has addressed the issue and is working diligently
to correct the misunderstanding.
UPSET
BY THE RECENT NEWS OF CHEATING AT THE ACADEMY
This issue
concerned a lot of graduates, and everyone is relieved that it is now
closed. It’s heartening to know that the
violations were reported by the cadets. The Honor Board recommendations
clearly show the Cadet
Wing is not tolerating such behavior. Those who needed to be removed
are now gone.
Background
information: This issue
has been in the news as of February 2007.
Graduates have been emailed a
press release regarding the issue.
UPSET
THAT “BRING ME MEN” WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACADEMY
These words
were changed at the direction of the Air Force Academy. As you know,
the words now reflect the
core values of the Air Force Academy. If you would like, you can
contact the Association of Graduates for
more information. See
contact info.
Background
information: On the
Academy campus there is a ramp that leads from the Academy grounds to
the Terrazzo (the large flat area between the dormitories and other
buildings in the cadet area). For almost 50
years, the ramp was referred to as the “Bring Me Men” ramp because the
words “Bring Me Men” were
above the ramp. They are a reference to a poem written by Samuel Walter
Foss. While not a direct
reference to men at the Academy, the words were changed to reflect the
core values of the Air Force
Academy. At the time this caused a great deal of consternation within
the graduate base due to the tradition of
the words. See
pictures below.
|
The words
“Bring Me Men” above the ramp prior to the change.
|
The new words
of the core values above the ramp.
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