AFA Staff Visit the Air Force Memorial: Honoring Our Heritage
March 25, 2025 | By Juanita Henry
The Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) staff visited the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va., on March 25, to learn more about the memorial’s history, significance, and AFA’s central role in raising the funds to make the monument a reality.
AFA played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Air Force Memorial by leading fundraising efforts, securing legislative approval, and overseeing its development. The memorial was formally dedicated on Oct. 14, 2006, by former President George W. Bush. Designed by world-renowned architects I.M. Pei and James Ingo Freed, it features three soaring spires inspired by the Air Force Thunderbirds “bomb burst” maneuver.
“The Air Force Memorial proudly stands on Arlington Ridge in tribute to all Airmen and Guardians, past, present, and future. The ‘bomb burst’ design speaks across generations of Airmen,” Ken Goss said during the event. Goss served as AFA’s Director of Government Relations during the memorial’s creation and remains an active AFA member today. He was instrumental in helping authorize and pass the legislation that made its construction possible.
This staff outing coincided with the Air Force Memorial Lecture Series, which hosts three lectures annually to highlight key moments in the Air Force history. The event reinforced how the Air Force’s heritage connects to AFA’s mission pillars of advocacy, education, and support. Maj. Gen. Daniel Devoe, Commander of the Air Force District of Washington, attended the event alongside local leadership and wing commanders, underscoring its significance in strengthening connections between the Department of the Air Force and the AFA.
AFA staff reconnected with former AFA President & CEO Lt. Gen. Bruce “Orville” Wright, USAF (Ret.), who joined the event as a keynote speaker to honor the legacy of Medal of Honor recipients. Wright spoke about the importance of the Air Force Memorial in remembering the bravery and sacrifice of Airmen. He highlighted how its location at the southern entrance to Arlington National Cemetery places it alongside other military landmarks like the Marine Corps War Memorial.
Wright also shared the incredible stories of five Airmen who earned the Medal of Honor for acts of extraordinary courage in World War II, Vietnam, and Afghanistan:
Each displayed extraordinary heroism, putting their lives on the line to protect their fellow service members and complete their missions, Wright said. He emphasized that their bravery and sacrifice continue to inspire future generations of Airmen and Guardians.
“As we take a few minutes to embrace the enduring message of Arlington National Cemetery, we know our nation will never forget the sacrifice of the generations of American warfighters honored on this hallowed ground,” said Wright. “We will always remember the undaunted courage of Medal of Honor recipients like those we honor today…they will continue to inspire all of us to follow their lead.”
In addition to reflecting on AFA’s past contributions, the staff outing also highlighted a new era for the organization. AFA moved its headquarters building from Rosslyn to Pentagon City in summer 2024, now just a short walk from the Pentagon and across the street from the Air Force Memorial. The new location not only makes working closely with the DOD more efficient, but it reinforces AFA’s roles in strengthening connections between past and present Airmen and Guardians.
