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Tee up for AFA

Annual Airmen Support Golf Tournament mixes fun, assistance

The Canadian team from the Western Air Defense Sector poses with Carlene Joseph, AFA McChord Field Chapter Treasurer. Photo credit: AFA Golf Tournament

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If you like to golf and you like to help someone in the military get a meal, or help a high school cadet go to college or help put a smile on an ill child's face, then Bill Striegel wants to talk to you.

He'll sign you up for the Airmen Support Golf Tournament July 29 at Eagles Pride Golf Course near DuPont. The annual event is a way of having a fun day of golf and helping someone. It's sponsored by the local chapter of the Air Force Association (AFA). Registration costs $90 per player, and the last day to register is July 26.

"(Money raised) goes to our airmen, or our future airmen," said Striegel, the tournament chairman. "It's our major fundraiser of the year."

Funds raised by the tournament also go to the Pilot for a Day Program.

"It's like (the) Make-a-Wish (Foundation)," Striegel explained.

Children who are critically ill, along with their family members, are treated to a fun day at Joint Base Lewis-McChord - McChord Field. It starts off with a pizza dinner for the family. Then, the next day, wearing a custom-fit flight suit, the child and his or her family goes to see the military police working dogs. They then visit the fire house, watch parachute training and have lunch. The day concludes with the child  experiencing a C-17 flight simulator for an hour. The event costs about $600.

Catching the day's events is a photographer who creates a photo album. "That's given to the family," Striegel said. "If they lose their child, they'll always have that memory."

In addition to the day of golf and helping others, participants at the annual Airmen Support Golf Tournament have a chance to win a day of free golf for four, a dinner out or a night's hotel lodging with raffle tickets.  There are 10 hotel and 10 golf course passes for four up for grabs, as well as some airline tickets.

"They're things that are donated by our community partners," Striegel said.

The local chapter of AFA also awards four $1,000 college scholarship grants to graduating high school ROTC cadets with funds raised during the tournament, and it hosts a variety of airmen support events throughout the year.

"We give out turkeys and hams for Christmas and Thanksgiving Day," Striegel said, "and also other airmen appreciation days."

To register, contact Striegel at 253.906.7369 or email whstriegel@comcast.net. Typically, between 100 and 144 golfers play. Prizes go to the top finishers. There are also prizes for longest drive, closest to the pin and putting contests.  For more info on AFA, visit afamcchordfield.com.

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