| Foreword to Crusade for Airpower
Jimmy Doolittle's Foreword to, Crusade
for Airpower - The Story of the Air Force Association
(by James H. Straubel, 1982)
“AFA…has contributed significantly to America’s
security through its work on behalf of the men and
women of all the armed forces. The Association has
fought for better pay, improved housing and health
care, a more equitable promotion system, retention
of the traditional benefits that have been
threatened more than once, and most important of
all, public recognition of and appreciation for the
men and women in uniform. One of the Association’s
proudest achievements was creating worldwide
awareness of the plight of our prisoners of war in
Vietnam that resulted in better treatment for them
and contributed to their eventual release.
All of this and a great deal more is recounted
in this book, and none of it was achieved easily.
In its early years, AFA struggled along on the
verge of financial insolvency, kept going only by
contributions from members, in addition to their
annual dues. During the late 1940s, the Association
faced public apathy toward all things military. At
various times in the years that followed, it had to
combat anti-military, anti-industry, and
anti-technology sentiments that were based largely
on misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the
military’s role in a democratic society. That the
need for military preparedness is better understood
today is due in no small part to the work of the
Air Force Association.
AFA has generally supported Air Force policies
but has remained independent of the Air Force by
mutual agreement of USAF’s leaders and those of the
Association. That is one reason why it has become a
respected voice in national affairs.
Another reason is the caliber of the
Association’s elected officials at every level.
Thousands of men and women who are recognized
leaders in their communities, in industry,
education, journalism, the arts and sciences, have
given of their time unstintingly – not for personal
gain but for the well being of the country. From
the start, it has been a grass-roots organization,
supported by a thoroughly professional and
dedicated staff in Washington.”
James H. Doolittle
Monterey, Calif.
February 1, 1982
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