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First AFSA chapter in Afghanistan honors POW/MIA Day

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan --  While Americans throughout the U.S. observed National Prisoner of War/Missing In Action Day Sept. 19, Airmen halfway around the world at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan held their own recognition ceremony.

The POW/MIA recognition ceremony was put on by the Air Force Sergeants Association Expeditionary Chapter 1657. Just a week prior to the ceremony this chapter became the second expeditionary chapter, and the first in Afghanistan.

With more than 134,000 members and 200 chapters worldwide AFSA is a federally charted organization dedicated to improving benefits and quality of life for enlisted Airmen and their families.

"It's a private organization ran by us, for us," explained Senior Master Sgt. Melissa PerMar, the newly elected president for the expeditionary chapter. "AFSA reaches out to each Airman."

PerMar was instrumental in formation of the chapter here.

"When I first got here I noticed the Top 3, Network 5/6, (Airman's Committee of Excellence, and I thought 'what about AFSA," she said "We do the same thing as any other chapter - solicit ways to make a difference. We want to make things better for those who follow us."

As a new organization, AFSA Expeditionary Chapter 1657 is looking to support the local Afghan community and wounded warriors in addition to fellow Airmen. The POW/MIA recognition ceremony was its first official event.

"This is something AFSA sponsors world-wide," explained PerMar. "Since we just became official we had a week to put something together and Master Sgt. Denise Cournoyer did a fantastic job putting it all together."

"It was an honor to do this downrange," she added. "Seeing the Airmen make their own formation for the ceremony gave me goose bumps. It made me realize this is the right thing to do."

To the Airmen in attendance, PerMar said they should be proud to be part of the first AFSA sponsored POW/MIA Recognition Day in Afghanistan, as well as the first event for the new expeditionary chapter.