FORT MYER, VA–(Marketwired – May 20, 2014) – American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association (AAFMAA) has announced a dinner celebration on June 9, 2014 at the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA to commemorate the organization’s 135 years of longevity, values and legacy at an event that will bring together dignitaries, military leaders and service members of all ranks.
AAFMAA was formed on January 13, 1879, following the Battle of Little Bighorn — “Custer’s Last Stand” — when the 7th Cavalry suffered a severe defeat. During this time, it was common practice for surviving soldiers to take up a collection for families of fallen soldiers by “passing the hat” throughout the unit. Due to the mass fatalities of the battle, there were no surviving soldiers to pass the hat to, thus creating the void that AAFMAA has admirably filled for the last 135 years.
The organization, which maintains over 90,000 members spanning current and former Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, is the oldest private, non-profit organization exclusively serving the American Armed Forces community. The non-profit association has protected military families through multiple wars and times of crisis from the Spanish-American War to the present. AAFMAA is known for its member-focused approach of providing high quality and high value financial products and services to current and former military service members and their dependents, including life insurance, survivor assistance, investment management, military benefits coordination, and trust administration. With over $1 billion in assets, the organization’s solid financial foundation, nurtured through prudent investing, is the key to delivering on that promise.
On June 9, led by President and Treasurer Walt Lincoln, CFP®, MAJ, U.S. Army, Retired, a financial planning expert and published writer on personal finance, AAFMAA will celebrate its role in the military community and remember those who have fallen. The event will include a video montage capturing the history and spirit of the Association. Following brief remarks and dinner, guests will be invited to take docent-guided tours through the exhibits of the National Air and Space Museum and watch a short film in the Airbus IMAX Theater.
“We are honored and humbled to celebrate the 135th anniversary of AAFMAA by bringing together those who have supported and valued the organization’s efforts,” said MAJ Lincoln. “Since 1879, our goal has remained the same — to show compassion, engender trust, and provide protection to service members throughout all stages of life. They protect our country’s freedom, AAFMAA protects their families. We are proud to stand by our members and their survivors, and look forward to continuing to serve all branches of the military, as a strong financial institution.”
About AAFMAA
Founded in 1879, AAFMAA is the oldest private, non-profit organization exclusively serving the America Armed Forces community. The Association provides life insurance, wealth management, and member and survivor benefits to service members from all branches of the U.S. military and is operated solely for the benefit of its members and their survivors. Today AAFMAA membership exceeds 90,000 with more than $25 billion of insurance in force. For more information please contact AAFMAA at 800-522-5221 or email [email protected].
