From: augusteyn@...
To: militaryvillage@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [MilitaryHop] From pepperd.com discussion - letter for surviving
spouses
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:11:06 +0000








Thank you so much for this letter and I definitely want to make use of this and
send it to the right person. I know this sounds ignorant - but how/where can I
find which congressman/senator would be the best person to send my letter to. I
am in San Diego, CA.Many thanks, Jennifer

To: militaryvillage@yahoogroups.com
From: michael.c.mitchell@...
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:44:28 +0000
Subject: [MilitaryHop] From pepperd.com discussion - letter for surviving
spouses





















Hello,



Given the fact that a victory for one is a victory for all, I'd like to
encourage all on the list to consider using the following letter put together by
"Cherry" of the Dirk Pepperd space-a board ( http://www.pepperd.com ). We MUST
remember that when the stats for one group prove no negative effect (and that
will be the result) for expansion to other groups, we are all strengthened.



For those that feel their group has priority, please feel free to adapt the
letter to your purposes. We are the "choir" and need not to be spurred on for
any particular group... rather all will win, the tactic will work!



THE LETTER:

Cherry C.

Senior Member Dirk Pepperd's Space-A Board

Username: Cherry



Post Number: 4988

Registered: 06-2003

Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 - 01:08 pm:



----------------------------------------------------------Okay, friends, I've
got it ready. As is usual with me, it's kinda wordy! And you may note that I've
cribbed a few good ideas from other people...



The best way is probably to send your letter via email, and most of us can copy
and paste this to our own representative's and senators' websites, making
whatever changes we wish in order to personalize it.



And please feel free to pass this on, without attribution, to any
military-related site you think might hop on the bandwagon.



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Dear Congressman/Senator [insert name],



The purpose of this letter is to suggest an official DoD policy enhancement that
would entail no cost to the government, while at the same time honoring and
assisting surviving widows or widowers of our military, as well as enhancing
morale among all our military personnel.



That is, to allow the unremarried widows or widowers of deceased active duty
military members, or of military retirees, to have "space-available" travel
privileges aboard military aircraft, as a way of recognizing and thanking them
for their sacrifices. And if that widow/widower has dependent children, the
change should include those youngsters in the same category but only when they
are accompanied by the surviving parent.



At present, the space-available travel privilege -- whereby otherwise unused
seats on military aircraft are made available at no charge to eligible personnel
-- is normally extended only to family members who are accompanying their active
duty military or retiree "sponsor," who is indicated on their military ID card
and/or in the DEERS system. (There are recently instituted and highly
commendable exceptions that allow family members of long-deployed personnel to
fly, and certain command-sponsored or non-command sponsored dependents are also
granted some space-a travel privileges, but in the great majority of situations
any family member must be escorted on such travel by his or her military
sponsor.)



This means that once the military sponsor dies, his or her spouse and also any
minor dependent family members are immediately cut off from any eligibility for
space-available travel -- at a time when they are also already suffering from
the loss of their loved one.



I believe that it is only right that such survivors be allowed space-available
travel, in Category VI (along with retirees and their accompanying dependents --
and thus in line behind anyone else, so that they would never prevent another
military member from flying). They would get a seat only if it otherwise would
be unoccupied, on a flight that is already budgeted so there is no additional
cost to taxpayers.



Current estimates are that only about 5% of persons eligible for space-available
travel actually use the privilege, so adding unremarried widows/widowers and
their minor dependents to the list would have no material effect on the program.



Because the status of unremarried widow/widower is already shown on such a
person's military ID card (form DD 1173), that card would easily serve as proof
that the person carrying it is entitled to space-available travel in Category VI
status.



While the actual number of newly eligible people who would actually avail
themselves of the space-available travel privilege would probably be very small,
nevertheless including them in eligibility would act as a public statement of
our nation's desire to honor our military, and thus also give additional
encouragement to those who are currently serving.



Will you please urge the Air Force's Air Mobility Command to modify DoD
Regulation 4545.13-R, at least on a trial basis, to add these deserving
surviving family members to the list of those eligible for space-available
travel in Category VI?



Such a change, cost-free to taxpayers but of inestimable morale-boosting value
to those who receive it (whether or not they ever actually use the privilege) is
a very simple way that our country can officially honor the brave men and women,
and their families, who sacrifice so much for all of us.



Sincerely yours,






















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