Air Force Officers' Wives' Club of Washington, D.C.

AFOWC Information

Standing Committees

The Air Force Charity Ball Committee would like to sincerely thank all who donated wine to support the much anticipated "Wall of Wine" component of the Silent Auction. Unfortunately, we were unable to include the Wall of Wine due unforeseen procedural constraints. As a result, we want to make a good faith effort to return the wine to its generous donors.

Please e-mail Marianne Tango Williams, 2012 Silent Auction Chair, at afcbauction@aol.com, with contact details and disposition instructions. Your generosity and understanding are appreciated.

Saturday

May222010

The Arlington Committee grew out of the conviction of General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Air Force Chief of Staff in 1948, that Air Force personnel should not be buried in an atmosphere that was bleak and friendless. Mrs. Vandenberg often walked Arlington Cemetery and noticed airmen being buried with only the Chaplain and Honor Guard in attendance. Greatly saddened by this, she began attending the Air Force services. As the Air Force grew, so did the number of services, requiring Mrs. Vandenberg to enlist the assistance of her friends. These Air Force wives were the first Arlington Ladies.

Mrs. Vandenberg eventually created the Arlington Committee within the Air Force Officers’ Wives’ Club as it continues today.

A Committee member attends each service of an active duty, retired or military veteran buried at Arlington Nation Cemetery. A sympathy card from the Chief of Staff and spouse is presented along with a personal note of condolence. If no family members are in attendance, a letter is written describing the service and sent along with the notes. These volunteers are spouses of active duty or retired Air Force Officers and exemplify the special dedication the Air Force Officers’ Wives’ Club has to our Air Force family.

Arlington Ladies on Fox News - Arlington Ladies Attend Every Funeral at National Cemetery Sep 6, 2011.

http://video.foxnews.com/v/1146040710001

Arlington National Cemetery: Ladies of Arlington Never Miss Final Salute; May 5, 2008

The American Spectator: "The Arlington Ladies"; May 27, 2005

NPR's All Things Considered: "Arlington Ladies Pay Tribute to Fallen Soldiers"; November 15, 2009

DCMilitary.com: "Arlington Ladies Celebrate 60 Years of Service"; May 7, 2009

Guideposts: "The Arlington Ladies"; June 25, 2009

Army Times: "Arlington Ladies Escort Fallen to Their Graves"; May 30, 2010

Membership is Open to Spouses of active, retired, or deceased officers, all branches of service. AFOWC offers many different levels of membership. To explore all the options, please click on the "Membership Form" tab Copyright & copy; 2011, Air Force Officers' Wives' Club. All rights reserved. * AFOWC P.O.Box 8490 Washington, DC 20032 * website@afowc.com * The AFOWC is a private, non-profit organization. It is not a part of the Department of Defense or any of its components and has no governmental status. This site does not represent the views of the United States Air Force.