AFA Chapters Rally Behind Deployed Chapter President With Care Package for Airmen

Friendships forged among AFA chapter presidents and a far-reaching network of aerospace educators inspired a care package that carried encouragement from home to a deployed colleague. A collaboration among East Georgia AFA and Charleston AFA, both part of AFA’s Southeast Region; the Statesboro Composite Squadron (GA-451) of Civil Air Patrol; and 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass, USAF (Ret.), brought heartfelt messages and meaningful recognition across the ocean to an AFA colleague serving on an overseas deployment.

The initiative began with a request to Capt. JoEllen Flannery, commander of Civil Air Patrol’s Statesboro Composite Squadron. For the third time, her CAP cadets enthusiastically created handwritten cards and messages of support for deployed service members. Along the way, they learned more than how to decorate a card or compose a kind note. They learned about the Air Force, the meaning of service to the country, and the sacrifices associated with deployment.

Their efforts and the strong partnership between the squadron and East Georgia AFA received national recognition. During the Civil Air Patrol national briefing at the recent AFA National Convention in Washington, D.C., Civil Air Patrol’s national commander, Maj. Gen. Regena M. Aye, included a photograph of the Statesboro cadets creating their letters and cards in her presentation to AFA staff and delegates. The image captured a powerful truth: support for the Air Force family can begin long before someone puts on a uniform.

East Georgia AFA Chapter President Laurie Orth gathered the cadets’ cards, along with candy and other morale-boosting items, to create a care package for Staff Sgt. Makenzie Guerra, Charleston AFA Chapter President. Guerra, an Active-duty Airman, was serving on a deployment overseas. During this time, she served as president of both Charleston AFA and South Carolina AFA.

The package also contained a particularly meaningful addition: two handwritten cards and two challenge coins from Bass, which she generously provided as special reminders of appreciation for Staff Sgt. Guerra and her colleague, Senior Airman Electra Knight.

After receiving the package, Staff Sgt. Guerra shared the Civil Air Patrol cadets’ cards with colleagues throughout her office. The notes of encouragement were warmly received, bringing smiles and connection to Airmen serving far from home. When Orth received photos from Staff Sgt. Guerra, she was especially touched to see Guerra holding one of the cards created by the cadets. Orth shared the photos with Bass, who said they absolutely brought a big smile to her face.

“It is always such a joy to put together these care packages,” Orth said. “It does take several weeks from the time that the invitations are sent out to the aerospace educators and Civil Air Patrol instructors in my network until the cards are mailed back to me, placed inside the boxes, and shipped overseas. Most of the time, I never get to see pictures of the recipients. This was such a delightful surprise and a gift of the heart seeing my friend and AFA colleague, Makenzie Guerra, smiling with one of the cards in her hand while she was on deployment.”

“The support from Laurie, the CAP cadets, and Chief Bass was truly felt, even from afar,” said Guerra. “So many deployed members expressed their gratitude, and I’m incredibly happy to have been able to contribute to these efforts. When you’re away from home for months at a time, even a simple thank-you can mean so much. Knowing that people back home are thinking of you and appreciate your service goes a long way.”

Even while serving on her own deployment, Guerra represented the heart of AFA, sharing the care package’s encouragement with fellow deployed Airmen and strengthening the connection among those serving far from home.

Operation Care Package demonstrates how a simple act of kindness can create a lasting impact, from cadets learning the value of service, to AFA members connecting across miles, to deployed Airmen receiving a tangible reminder that their service matters. Sending care packages to deployed Airmen is a meaningful way AFA puts its mission into action by providing support for Airmen, Guardians, and their Families.