Backchannels Army Spouses Club of the Greater Washington Area February 2019 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Photos 2 ASCGWA Board 3 February Luncheon 4 2019-20 Executive Board 5 Scholarships Tours 6 U.S. Army Museum 7 First Person 8 How We Met 9 Special Activities 10 Volunteer Corner 11 Community News 12-13 Special Activity Groups 14 JAFOWL 15 LUNCHEON DATES 2019 February 21 March 21 April 11* *Date changed to second Thursday May 16 PRESIDENT S PEN Happy February! Our January luncheon was another fabulous event thanks to the hard work of our First Vice President, Michelle Funkhouser. We also had many behind-the-scenes helpers, and we could not do what we do without their help! Thank you for serving our club and our members. I am so excited about our February luncheon. The International Showcase is always a favorite event for many of our members. I hope to see everyone at Spates Community Center on February 21. We have a few new board members! A big welcome to Joy Kovacevic and current board member Kerri Eldridge serving as Co-Second Vice Presidents, Sharise Spellmon and Kim Houston chairing Scholarships, and Kathy Fox is our new Vendor Chair. Also, a belated welcome to Amanda Foote as the International Co-Chair. Some of our current board members have shifted positions. Mandy Downey is now our Reservations Chair; and Jill Vaniman is our Special Activities Coordinator. Thanks ladies for being so flexible! Many hands make light work, and these ladies have lightened our load tremendously! There is still time to submit your name for next year s Executive Board. Amy Sutton, our Parliamentarian, is hard at work with our Advisor, Esther Howard, to set up the club for success. If you are interested in a committee position, Amy can pass your name on to next year s President for consideration as well. I ve loved the last 2.5 years on the board and hope to see the club continue to grow. As a friendly reminder, all of our Special Activity Groups are a benefit of club membership. This includes, but is not limited to, the Walking Group, Bridge Club, Great Discussions, Flick Chicks, the Happy Hour Group, AND all of our Zip Code Groups. Participants must be current club members to participate. Members may bring a guest one time to a special activity event; however, if the guest wishes to continue attending they must join the club. Please remember, the activities are sponsored under the umbrella of the Army Spouses Club; therefore, we are responsible for the events. We welcome new attendees to our groups, so please invite your friends to join our club! Fondly, Kelly
2 What a wonderful, fun luncheon we had as we celebrated our club s birthday and the Army s half birthday.thank you to Tammy Call, Susan Smullen, and Beth Schultz Seaman for the presentation on the National Museum of the United States Army. How lucky are we that this amazing museum will be in our area? Our club will have to arrange a tour and perhaps even hold one of our luncheons there once it opens. Our luncheons and events are a labor of love for you, our fantastic and fabulous members. Thank you to everyone who contributes to the success of our luncheons to include our vendors, volunteers, the Patton Club staff members, and last, but definitely not least, our board members. I am truly grateful for the support I receive from our board members and all they do (from putting up photo booths and tying bows on 100 bags of cookies). See you next month at the International Showcase! Michelle Funkhouser
3 ASCGWA 2018-2019 Honorary Presidents Hollyanne Milley Holly Dailey Honorary Vice President Maria McConville Advisor Esther Howard EXECUTIVE BOARD President Kelly Kreis First Vice President Michelle Funkhouser Second Vice President Joy Kovacevic & Kerri Eldridge Secretary LaDonna Cavanaugh Treasurer Deborah Kalisz Wehr Parliamentarian Amy Sutton STANDING COMMITTEES/SPECIAL COMMITTEES BACKCHANNELS SUBMISSIONS If you would like to submit an article, information about an upcoming club activity, movie or book review, restaurant recommendation, recipe, local event, or a must-see travel destination please let us know! We would love your input! All Backchannels submissions are due no later than the second Friday of each month. Backchannels Editor Charitable Causes Fundraising Historian Hospitality International Liaison JAFOWL Representative Membership & Directory Military Support Organizations Outreach New Member Table Publicity Social Media Reservations Scholarships Special Activities Tours Vendors Volunteer Coordinator Ways & Means Web Administrator Zip Code Groups Jackie Habel & Paula Ann Mancini Paula Ann Mancini Kerri Eldridge Maggie Hollinger Holly Scherer Melissa Pederson & Amanda Foote Connie Semonite Barb Patterson Patty Barron Jill Vaniman Jackie Habel Mandy Downey Sharise Spellmon & Kim Houston Jill Vaniman Michelle Zuniga Kathy Fox Kim Nykanen Christie Kehoe Diane Martinez Jennifer Stepetic Pictures from the monthly luncheon are due the following day on the third Friday of each month. We can be reached at: newsletter@ Fondly, Jackie Habel & Paula Ann Mancini Co-editors Do you have a military friend moving to the area? Joining ASCGWA at any point in the year is easy! Simply fill out our online membership form found at: /Join. New members are always welcome! The Army Wife Seal is a copyrighted property of the Army Spouses Club of the Greater Washington Area. No one may reproduce it in any manner, or for any reason, without the express permission of ASCGWA. For permission contact ASCGWA.
4 Presents the 22nd ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE Celebrations Across the World February 21, 2019 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. $25* Spates Community Club 214 McNair Rd Building 407 Fort Myer, VA 22211 *buffet included
5 CALL FOR NOMINATIONS THE ARMY SPOUSES CLUB OF THE GREATER WASHINGTON AREA IS NOW SEEKING FUN, ENERGETIC, AND HARDWORKING VOLUNTEERS WHO WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY FOR THE 2019-2020 EXECUTIVE BOARD. NOMINEES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE MARCH MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON, VOTED ON AT THE APRIL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON, AND INSTALLED AT THE MAY MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON. Nominations and questions may be submitted to Amy Sutton at: parliamentarian@ President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President Secretary Treasurer NAME: POSITION: EMAIL ADDRESS: PHONE NUMBER: SERVICE AFFILIATION: Tell us a little about yourself and why you would like to serve on the Executive Board. List any experience, talents, or special skills you would like to share. SIGNATURE OF VOLUNTEER:
6 The membership directories are in! While many of you have picked up your copy up at the last few luncheons, those of you who have not and are unable to attend the February luncheon, you can have a friend pick up the directory for you. IT S SCHOLARSHIP TIME! Check out the Scholarship Tab on our website for instructions and applications for the 2019-2020 school year. The deadline is March 30, 2019. We offer merit-based scholarships to High School Seniors and College Students (under 23 years of age) of current club members. We also have a Spouse Scholarship for current club members attending, or planning to attend college. Email our Scholarship team for more information: scholarships@. If anyone detects an error in the directory please contact Barb at membership@, so that she can correct the information in our database. There are a few extra copies of the director. If you would like a hard copy, but did not initially request one, please see Barb at the next luncheon. As always, directories may be accessed on our web page once you sign in to the special membership only section. Winks Photobooth Owner: Chris Agbalog Instagram: @WinksPhotobooth Email: winksphotobooth@gmail.com Cell: (808) 398-6066 Weddings Birthdays Corporate Events Retirements Celebrations Time to Travel Veteran owned and operated UPCOMING TOUR SCHEDULE February Franciscan Monastery Look for emails about upcoming tours! Questions should be sent to Michelle at tours@ ASCGWA Tour Group visits the Museum of the Bible on a blustery January day!
7 Out and About One of the many benefits of living in this area is the plethora of activities the VA, MD, and DC area has to offer. Each month we will spotlight one event that catches our eye! Get out and enjoy the day! The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage 2700 F St NW Washington, DC 20566 Kelly presenting Tammy Call, Beth Schultz Seaman, and Susan Smullen with artifacts from ASCGWA The below message is from Susan Smullen from the National Museum of the United States Army: It was wonderful to have the opportunity to share information about the Museum with your very special group and Army community. It was particularly nice to be a part of your Army Birthday celebration. Please feel welcome to share these contacts with your members for future questions and information: Susan Smullen Public Affairs Officer National Museum of the United States Army Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060 Susan.l.Fazakerley-Smullen.civ@mail.mil 703-704-4610 Beth Schultz Seaman Director, Outreach and Donor Relations Army Historical Foundation 2425 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, Virginia 22201 Beth.schultz@armyhistory.org 703-879-0006 Military Helping Military Sonya Anyanwu, MRP, CIPS, CNE Associate Broker Licensed in VA, NC, and CO Free concerts every day at 6 p.m. No tickets are needed unless otherwise noted. The February calendar includes performances by the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, Guangdong National Orchestra Ensemble, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, U.S. Navy Band Commodores, Deacon Izzy & The Congregation, CAAPA presents Cotton Field to Concert Hall, U.S. Army Band Pershing s Own, The Conservatory Project, El Niño y la Verdad, Youth Jazz Orchestra of North Rhine Westphalia, Donvonte McCoy & CP Time, Lena Hertzog: Last Whispers, Jasna Popovic, Utsav Lal, The Washington Ballet, Hometown Sounds, and more. Additional information and a full calendar may be found at: kennedy-center.org/video/upcoming M: 791.661.8190 O: 703.922.4010 E: Sonya.Anyanwu@C21NM.com USAA and NFCU Certified Agent Honest, Ethical and a Consummate Professional With Over 20 Years Experience Military Spouse Dedicated to giving YOU First-Class service!
8 Linda Henry First Person Linda working with a family member whose uncle is MIA from the Korean War, during the 50th anniversary of the war s end. Just over eight years ago I retired as a Casualty Mortuary Officer at the Army Repatriation Office in Alexandria, Virginia. Early in my twelve years in the position, my job quickly became my mission. When I first started, the office had three cardboard boxes making up the bulk of the files on MIA from the Korean War. We had paperwork with the soldier s name, hometown, service number, unit, and POW MIA KIA designation. As recovery missions to North Korea were undertaken, my office built a database by contacting surviving family members and asking for a blood sample to establish mitochondrial DNA. Searches started with the soldier s name and hometown, and involved using hometown phone books and many calls to try to locate a surviving family member. Once remains were recovered, the collected DNA was used as one form of the identification process. The best days were those when a soldier was sent home to his family. I still keep in touch with many of my families today. Do you have an interesting story or photo relating to one of your military posts or a job you have held? Is so, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Jackie or P.A. at newsletter@
9 Happy Valentine s Day We asked a few of our members to tell us how they met their spouse and their responses are listed below. Make sure you check out our club Facebook page each day from February 1-13 for photos that accompany these stories! 1. They met on a blind date while she was in grad school at Johns Hopkins and he was stationed at Fort Belvoir. 2. His cousin set them up on a blind date, and she stood him up the first time! 3. They met at a statewide high school student council summer camp. 4. He was in her brother s company at West Point and her brother brought him home for a family BBQ. 5. She was at the College of Charleston and he was at The Citadel and they met at a Citadel mixer. 6. They met as members of their college s choir. 7. They met in Clarksville, TN, when she was in college and he was stationed at Fort Campbell, KY, and eloped to Vegas! 8. They were both in Eastern NM University s ROTC Color Guard. She hit him on the head with her rifle, but it was not her fault! 9. They met in physics class at Cornell University. It wasn t chemistry, but they had physics! 10. They met in the eighth grade and started dating as juniors in high school. 11. Her brother s co-worker came to their home to pick him up for work and they met in her front yard. 12. They met in high school when she was dating his best friend! 13. Mutual friends introduced them in Wiesbaden, Germany. He gave her his mother s engagement ring and they married in Switzerland. 14. They met freshman year of high school when their homerooms were next to each other, and started dating their senior year. 15. Mutual friends introduced them back when she was 17 years old. 16. Ninth grade English class is where they met! 17. Both were in the Army Signal Corps Officer Advance Course at Fort Gordon, GA. 18. She was a Navy nurse and he was an Army ordinance officer when they went on a blind date, and they married in Hawaii when it was still a territory. 19. They met as nine year olds when they lived in the same neighborhood and swam on the neighborhood swim team. 20. During her second year of college, he helped move twins she was friends with into the dorm. 21. They met in high school homeroom, where they were seated next to each other because their last names fell at the end of the alphabet. 22. History class at West Point is where they met, and the rest is history! 23. A gym in Pensacola, FL, is where they met while he was there with the Navy Reserves. 24. They met at the Officers Club on Fort Leonard Wood, MO, at a post wide Hail and Farewell. 25. They met through mutual friends at a homecoming. He did not ask for her phone number and spent the next two months trying to track her down! 26. He came through the central inprocessing center where she worked in Ansbach, Germany, and they married in Denmark a year later. 27. They met in high school after his father transferred to the area. There were not many new boys in her school, and for her it was love at first sight. 28. A mutual friend suggested they meet when she moved to Twentynine Palms, CA. They lived in the same neighborhood on base and she would walk by his house every day until he happened to be outside. 1. Holly & Jack Scherer 2. Dawn & Joe Zagame 3. P.A. & George Mancini 4. Diane & Bill Martinez 5. LaDonna & Brian Cavanaugh 6. Jill Vaniman & Gary Cregan 7. Kelly & Paul Kreis 8. Edna & Les Towry 9. Christine & Andrew Nicklas 10. Linda & Steve Henry 11. Sonya & Lawrence Anyanwu 12. Maggie & Loren Hollinger 13. Ginny & Leo Brennan14. Margaret & Tom Nowak 15. Barbara & Bill Stubbs 16. Kerri & J.T. Eldridge 17. Allene & Tom Martin 18. Frances & James Thompson 19. Esther & Mike Howard 20. Linda & Mark Visbeck 21. Janis & Ed Waller 22. Elizabeth & Timothy Mahoney 23. Lisa & Douglas Clarke 24. Connie & Todd Semonite 25. Diedra & Jeremiah Stubbs 26. Jackie & Doug Habel 27. Lin & Tom Rhame 28. Michelle & Tony Funkhauser
10 SPECIAL ACTIVITIES Bridge Groups The Bridge Group meets the third Tuesday of every month at the Army Navy Country Club of Arlington. You must have knowledge of how to play. Please contact Henriette Gordon at hmg1776@sbcglobal.net Tours Throughout the year, various group tours are scheduled. One of the most popular is the yearly New York City bus ride with tickets to the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes show. Please contact Michelle Zuniga at tours@ Flick Chicks Movie Group Once a month, this group meets up to enjoy a movie together. Please contact Ellen Pirog at specialactivities@ Walk Around Washington Group Each month a walk is organized in and around the Washington, DC area. Please contact Nina O Shaughnessy at ninaspangos@gmail.com or Mary Pawlow at mlspawlow@aol.com Bible Study The Living Word Bible Study meets every Monday at 10 am at the Memorial Post Chapel on Fort Myer, across from the PX. Please contact Nancy Jackson at jacksonjn@verizon.net Happy Hour Group Meet new friends and catch up with other members at Happy Hour gatherings throughout the year in the DC/Northern Virginia area. Please contact Kim Farnsworth at jkfarns@comcast.net Great Decisions Do you enjoy talking about current events and exploring the rationale of our foreign policy decisions? Great Decisions is America s largest discussion program on world affairs. The program model involves reading the Great Decisions Briefing Book, watching a DVD, and meeting in a discussion group to discuss the most critical global issues facing America today. A National Opinion Ballot is compiled and presented to the Department of State, Congress, and the White House at the end of the year. Please contact Lori O Neill at meoneill@aol.com Zip Code Groups Zip Code Groups meet in one another s homes, at local restaurants, or visit places of interest and are a perfect opportunity to meet your ASCGWA neighbors in a smaller setting. Please contact Jennifer Stepetic at zipcodegroups@ You are invited ZIP CODE GROUPS Alexandria LaDonna Cavanaugh 678-464-7470 cavanaub@comcast.net Annandale, Fairfax, & Fairfax Station Mary Pawlow 703-764-9656 mlspawlow@aol.com Arlington Paige Kellogg 703-248-8313 Paigekell@aol.com Burke Jeanne Sander 703-426-2880 ebs17@verizon.net Falls Church/Fort Myer/McLean Lori Borgna-Strong 706-799-9308 borgnalori@gmail.com Fort Belvoir Fran Biggerstaff 973-997-8074 bignlittlestaff@gmail.com Chantilly, Clifton, Centerville, Herndon and Beyond Pat ONeill 703-378-3624 pponeill6@aol.com Prince William County and Beyond Paula Ann Mancini 703-346-4468 pa.mancini@comcast.net Springfield Jennifer Stepetic 910-263-2063 stepetic@yahoo.com Maryland-Howard County and Beyond Marie T. Corbett 410-418-4934 mtcre@aol.com Maryland-Montgomery and Beyond Deidra Stubbs 803-447-8700 dleestubbs@aol.com Washington D.C. Mary Dulany 240-644-2467 medulany@msn.com
11 A sincere THANK YOU goes out to our January luncheon volunteers: Kathy Fox, Maggie Speer, and Mary Pawen. You ladies are awesome! As always, please email Kim Nykanen at volunteer@ if you think you might have a few hours to spare every now and then. Also, look for sign-up sheets at the monthly luncheons for specific events we have coming up. We can always use help setting up and packing up at our monthly luncheons. If you think you may be able to come a little early or stay a little late (45 minutes or so) on those days, please email Kim. Be sure to check the ASCGWA website and the Volunteer Corner in Backchannels for updates on future events. For those already signed up to volunteer, Kim will email specific information and our needs for each event so be on the look out! The more people who get involved, the more fun we will have and the more ASCGWA can accomplish as an organization! Volunteer Corner You are Special Is there someone that needs a little cheer, a get well wish, a condolence, or a congratulations? If you know of a member in need, please let our secretary know. Email the member s name, address, and the type of card that should be sent to LaDonna Cavanaugh at secretary@. Kim Nykanen A SPECIAL EMAIL FROM A MEMBER TO VOLUNTEER Every month it does my heart good to see the picture of Rosie the Riveter asking for volunteers. I have a mug featuring the same picture, and I am proud to say that my mother Ruth was an actual Rosie. We called her Ruthie the Riveter, and she worked in the defense plant in Linden, New Jersey during the Second World War. For those who don't know, there is a Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park that honors all Rosies who participated during the war effort, to include my mother. The location is in Richmond, California. They also sponsor a Rosie the Riveter Trust which is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to building resources for the park. As their newsletter states - Seeds for some of the most important social changes in US history were sown on the Home Front. Sadly, my mother Ruth died at the age of 44 years, while her mother and my grandmother lived to be 102 years old. To know she is honored at the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park gives me tremendous pleasure. If any other members have a relative who was a "Rosie", I would love to hear from them. Sincerely, Lucille M. Griswold The Army Spouses Club of the Greater Washington Area (ASCGWA) is a non-profit organization seeking to enhance the quality of life of its members and the Military District of Washington community at large. We offer friendship, monthly luncheons, special activities and many volunteer opportunities. Additionally, there are zip code groups to make it easier to connect to the military spouses who live near you. Our volunteers organize fun activities and share information about unique opportunities available in the Washington, D.C. area. Printed for the Army Spouses Club of the Greater Washington Area at no cost to the U.S. Government. Materials contained herein are not to be considered any expression of the Department of the Army. Advertisements in this publication do not constitute an endorsement by the Department of the Army. Do you have a family member who was a Rosie? If so, we would love to hear from you at: newsletter@
12 Community News PRESENTED BY Nominate a Deserving Spouse! FOR THE 2019 MILITARY SPOUSE AWARDS NORTHERN VIRGINIA CENTRAL VIRGINIA HAMPTON ROADS Nomination Deadline 02.15.19 POST YOUR NOMINATION ONLINE HEROESATHOMEVA.COM Join us in recognizing our local military spouses for their unending strength, personal sacrifices, support for other military families and for their selfless commitment to our community. The Heroes at Home Military Spouse of the Year will be chosen from nominees provided by active duty personnel from all branches of the military, spouse support groups, charitable organizations, friends and family. The 10 finalists and winner will be announced at an awards luncheon. For event dates and details visit HeroesAtHomeVA.com. HOSTED BY MilitaryNews.com MILITARY NEWSPAPERS OF VIRGINIA
13 Military Spouse Scholarships NMFA awards can be used for a variety of educational and employment pursuits. Scholarship funds on average are $1,000 and can be used towards degrees, certifications, licensure, clinical supervision for mental health licensure, CEUs, business expenses and more! Any spouse with a valid military ID is eligible. Applications are now open at: scholarships.militaryfamily.org/offers/nmfa-spouse-scholarship You are eligible to apply for a spouse scholarship if you: are a spouse of a member of the seven Uniformed Services with a valid military ID are married to an active duty, reserve, guard, retired, medically retired, wounded or fallen service member (must be a service-related wound, illness, injury or death that took place after September 11, 2001) are a dual service military spouse are a divorced spouse, but ONLY if you receive 20/20/20 benefits Here s who is not eligible: Surviving spouses who are remarried, unless they are remarried to a service member Children (Check the Defense Commissary Agency Military Children Scholarships at www.fisherhouse.org) Spouses of former service members, unless they are retired or medically-retired The Scholarships for Military Children Program is now in its 18th year. Through the generosity of Defense Commissary Agency business partners and others, a total of 10,814 students, all sons or daughters of commissary patrons, have shared $18,130,000 in scholarship grants. They were selected from a pool of nearly 95,000 applicants. Program is open to sons and daughters of active duty, reserve/ guard, or retired military commissary customers. Recipient must be enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a four-year undergraduate college or university, accredited in the U.S. or a two-year community college. They must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 basis. Every dollar received is given out as a scholarship grant. Fisher House Foundation does not charge for its services, to include the cost of administration and the cost of the scholarship management contract. For school year 2018-19, there will be 700 recipients selected, and each will receive a $2,000 scholarship grant. For additional information go to: fisherhouse.org/news-media/articles/scholarships-for-military-children-2018/ The US Postal Service offers free shipping supplies to send military care packages. Each kit contains two APO/FPO flat rate boxes, four medium flat rate boxes, one roll Priority Mail tape, six address labels and six customs forms and envelopes, and will be shipped to you and arrive at your doorstep within 5-7 business days. Supplies are free, but you still have to cover the cost of shipping. To order go to: https://store.usps.com/store/product/shipping-sup- plies/military-care-kit-p_militarykit?fbclid=iwar091vbjqwt- Nxobv_OI_frBMccc-KDbo-U9x80nyMo6w0sej-kmS2-HNRjc Host A Nail Bar Party & Received 2 Sets for FREE Call Maggie to Book your Party 910-824-6520 code ASCGWA
14 ADVERTISING Are you looking for an opportunity to advertise your business? Showcase your company with an advertisement in the ASCGWA monthly newsletter and on our web page. We have four options to suit your advertising needs. Prince William County and Beyond Zip Code Group pretending it is warm outside at Blue Ridge Seafood For more information, please contact newsletter@ $40 package: 2 x 3.5 ad in the newsletter and on the web page with customer-provided graphics (October - May & a summer issue). $25 package: 2 x 3.5 ad in the newsletter and on the web page with customer-provided graphics (October - January or Febuary - May). Inaugural meeting of the Fort Belvoir Zip Code Group at Virtue Feed and Grain in Old Town Alexandria $60 package: 2 x 3.5 ad in the newsletter and on the web page includes design and graphics provided by ASCGWA (October - May & a summer issue). $35 package: 2 x 3.5 ad in the newsletter and on the web page includes design and graphics provided by ASCGWA (October - January or February - May). Arlington Zip Code Group enjoying lunch at Vim and Victor in Springfield. The DC United team was also enjoying lunch there! Weather permitting, the Walking Group has scheduled the following dates for upcoming walks. We hope to have a Cherry Blossom Walk again this year as well as walks to Georgetown and through Rock Creek Park. Tuesday, February 26 Wednesday, March 27 Thursday, April 25 Friday, May 31
15 JAFOWL 2019 You might have heard some of our members talking about JAFOWL and wondering what in the world they were referring to. Trust me, you want keep track of information for this event! The Joint Armed Forces of Washington Luncheon (JAFOWL) is held once a year and is just around the corner! In June of 1977 Art Buchwald, an American humorist and columnist for the Washington Post, was contacted to ask if he would speak at a spouses club luncheon. Answering the telephone himself, Mr. Buchwald declined, saying that he received too many requests from military wives clubs. When asked, What if all five of the services spouses clubs sponsored a joint luncheon? he was excited to accept the invitation. The club presidents were contacted and all agreed it was a great idea; they would work together to host the event. The Joint Armed Forces of Washington Luncheon is now an annual affair. Your JAFOWL Committee is comprised of representatives from each of the spouses clubs of the five military services: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Past speakers have included U.S. Presidents, First Ladies, well known military and political figures, and celebrities. Most importantly, the luncheon provides the opportunity to make new friends in other services, and to promote and celebrate the unity of military spouses. Because our speakers typically have such demanding schedules, the date and location of JAFOWL is not announced until everything is 100% confirmed. Do not worry, however, as our Army Spouses Club will make sure you are aware of all the details in a timely manner and have clear instructions on the registration process. JA- FOWL information will be distributed through Backchannels, our ASCGWA website and email. Plan on attending this very special event! Connie Semonite JAFOWL Representative Nancy Jackson & Paige Kellogg, Realtors Century 21 New Millennium 5990 Kingstowne Towne Center Alexandria, Virginia 22315 Nancy - 571-213-3284 (C) Paige - 703.598.2785 (C) 703.922.4010 (W) Would love to assist you in your home buying or selling!