Larry & Susan Meeks
    931 W San Martin Dr
    Tucson, AZ 85704

From Tucson
Take Interstate 10 West and exit onto Chandler Boulevard. Turn right and go east eight miles. Turn right onto Arizona Avenue and go south one block to Buffalo Street. Turn right and the resort will be on the left.

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1. To support all Arizona young people who receive appointments and attend the Academy or Prep School.
2. To support all Arizona families who have a Cadet at the Academy or Prep School.

   Here are some of the clubs activities.

   • Sends boxes of goodies twice a year to the AZ Cadets. This happens approaching finals before Christmas Break and again before May finals.
   • Participates in the annual Holiday All Academies Ball
   • Sends gifts to graduating seniors
   • Hosts the Doolie Send-off Dinner
   • Hosts the Parents Weekend Send-off Breakfast.

   Most importantly, Parents Club members are there to encourage and support cadets and parents when they encounter difficult times. The strength of the Club is solely dependent upon the strength of its MEMBERSHIP. The more members--the stronger the club will be.

   Regular Membership One-time charge all 4 yrs $100.00 One year $ 35.00 Prep School Membership One year $ 35.00 Associate Membership One year $ 25.00 Graduate Membership One year $ 20.00

   Cadet-Parent Guide This 40 page booklet entitled "Cadet Parent Guide" is available for you to purchase on the enclosed form, or at the Doolie Send-off Dinner. This is an excellent manual for parents of cadets to have, as it contains tips for parents, details of the Sponsor program for 4th Class cadets, details about cadet pay, squadron names and locations, important telephone numbers, insignia explanation, hotels and motels in the area, and much, much more. The Colorado Parents Club publishes this book and the cost is only $12.00 -- payable to USAFA AZ Club.

    

   Name Badges Parents Club name badges are available for $12.00 each. They are for you to wear proudly at Parents Weekend, and to all Parents Club functions. The badges are in the shape of the State of Arizona, or will be a square with the outline of AZ on it, depending on production. They are blue background, with white lettering. This is a good ID to wear, as on the badge is the first and last name of the parent, the year your cadet will graduate, and "USAFA." You have the option of customizing the badge to say "Father/ Mother/ Sister/ Aunt/ Grandparent/ Brother/ Parent etc. of Cadet ..." Badges may be ordered by completing the form enclosed with this newsletter, or on the night of the Doolie Send-Off Dinner. Badges will be at the Doolie Dinner for those ordering by May 31, 2005. Order with your membership!

   FamNet There is a list serve organization set up for support, information, announcements, events, issues, and news to be shared on the internet with all USAFA families across the United States. It is called FamNet and is managed by Bob & doni Hardy in Albuquerque, NM. They volunteer their time so that families of Cadets can stay informed. The Email address is: famnet@falconpride.com and the cost is $20 a year. doni has also set up a new list serve for incoming Appointees. Appointees may register on the Appointee Net and begin receiving valuable information. The email address for this is: arhardy@thuntek.net

   1st Night Housing For Unaccompanied 2009 Appointees If you will not be accompanying your Appointee for the In-processing, and they will need lodging the night before; the Association of Graduates will be glad to help. The AOG will arrange for your Appointee to be picked up at the airport on June 29, and provided with a place to stay overnight, which includes dinner and breakfast. Transportation to Doolittle Hall on June 30th is also provided by AOG. Once you have your reservation or ticket, call the AOG at (719) 472-0300 (no mail, fax, or email please). Your Appointee will be helped and made to feel more comfortable with this process.

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   2005 Doolie Day Out

   Sunday, August 7, 2005 is Doolie Day Out (tentative). This will be the first opportunity for you to talk with your Cadet after in-processes. Leave the whole day open for "the call."

   They are picked up for the day by their Sponsor family and can finally relax. They will be tired, but excited, and perhaps a little homesick. The Sponsor family will try to feed them a favorite dish. Usually, the Cadets prefer to chill and call their parents and friends. So it is a good idea to have sent a phone card for the Doolies to use, as these calls add up. Also, it's fun to send a one-time use camera with a self-addressed stamped envelope which the sponsor family can return so that all may enjoy this special day

   Some Doolies also would appreciate a care package from home waiting for them at their Sponsor's. Perhaps a favorite magazine, snacks, or goodies might brighten their day!

   Adopt a Doolie Parent

   The Adopt-A-Doolie parent program presents a fantastic opportunity for the parents of current Cadets to assist and support new Doolie parents through their first year. This assistance would include sharing of important information, answering questions, and offering support and encouragement.

   If you are interested in participating in this program, please indicate this on the application, call, or email the AZ Parents Club Secretaries:

   Art & Martha Sheffield

   480-905-3657

   AZ-Parents_Club_Sec@cox.net

   Cookie Packing

   Thanks to all of you who participated in Cookie-packing on Saturday May 7^th at 10am at the Awhatukee home of Stella & Mark Bigelow. For those who missed it, read on and get ready for next year.

   "Nothin' says lovin' like somethin' from the oven!" and our cadets love to receive the goodie boxes to munch on during exams! Each family is asked to bring eight dozen cookies or treats, already wrapped 4-6 per zip-locked bag. Extras are appreciated to help fill up the boxes.

   The Parents Club supplies the boxes, note paper, labels, and the shipping. Parents only need to show up with the cookies, a side dish, and an appetite for lunch after our work is done. The main dish will be supplied by the host family. Please bring a salad, side dish, dessert, or drinks to share. If for any reason you are unable to attend, please send your treats ahead of time or with someone who is coming. Monetary gifts are also welcomed to help defray the cost of postage.

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   Important Things/Activities

   For Parents Weekend

   If you have not done so already, be sure to book your accommodations for Parents Weekend, as they fill up quickly. There is a list of hotels in the back of the Cadet-Parent Guide, or call the Colorado Springs Visitor Bureau at: 1-800-368-4748. Also, check the Academy website for Parents Weekend information at www.usafa.af.mil.

    

   Parents Send-Off Breakfast

   This breakfast meeting gives Doolie parents information on what to expect, as well as suggestions to enhance your visit to the Academy for Parents Weekend and will be held Aug 13th from 9:30am to 11:30am at the Hometown Buffet on Scottsdale Road.

   USAFA Open House 2005

   This "Open House" type event at the AFA in CO will be over Labor Day Weekend beginning on Sept 2nd through Sept 5th. This is a wonderful weekend to spend with your Cadet, as well as tour the campus, partake of the meals and events planned by various organizations, attend class with your Cadet and meet the staff and instructors.

   You will be permitted to enter areas usually off-limits only on this weekend. It really gives you the "Academy Experience!"

   The AZ Parents Club will host a dinner buffet on Friday evening, Sept 2nd at 6:00pm until 8:00PM at Extreme Pizza on Academy Drive. This is a "drop-by" social event to provide an evening meal, rest and chat, for all AZ Parents and their families. Details TBA

   All the detail of this "Must Do" weekend will be published in the near future by our Club as well as by the AFA itself. Book your reservations for a room ASAP, as they fill up quickly.

   You will be so impressed with how much your Cadet has matured in just a couple of months. After this wonderful weekend, you will also have a better understanding, knowledge, and respect for your Cadet's life.

   AZ Parents Club Website

   Please visit our club web site at: http://www.usafaparents-arizona.org. It is upgraded and changed regularly by our volunteer webmasters John & Candi Prangley.

   Email

   Keep us updated with changes in names, addresses, email, etc by dropping our secretary a note with your updated info at: AZ-Parents_Club_Sec@cox.net

    

   Some Important 2005 Dates

   June 1 Class of 2005 Commissioning & Graduation

   June 4 Doolie Dinner

   June 30 Class of 2009 In-Processing

   July 16 Class of 2009 Field Day

   August 7 Doolie Day Out (Tentative)

   August 10 Classes Begin

   Aug. 16 Doolie Parents Send-Off Breakfast

   Sept 2 Parents Weekend Begins

   Sept 2 AZ Parents Club Buffet Dinner (Extreme Pizza)

   Sept. 5 Parents Weekend ends