Sheppard member shares story, impact of AFAF

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Adawn Kelsey
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Erich Lofton, Sheppard Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness specialist, shares part of his Air Force story March 6, to spread the word of how the Air Force family and Air Force Assistance Fund helped him through his time of need.

In the spring of 1994, Lofton was a senior airman, a new member of Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., working two jobs to support his wife and child and was about to find out just how supportive his Air Force family could really be.

While working his second job at the base commissary, Lofton received a phone call from his wife letting him know his father had passed away.

"My father was the only person I was close to in my family, and it devastated me," Lofton said. "No one in my family would help pay for funeral costs, etcetera. The only thing we could afford was to have him cremated and he did not want that."

Lofton said he was totally unaware of the family support services offered by the Air Force at that time and was glad he had his supervisor there to point him in the right direction.

"My supervisor referred me to the Air Force Aid person, who was able to secure a grant to pay for funeral expenses," he said. "They worked hand in hand with Navy Aid, which was the Air Force Aid equivalent for the Navy. With the grant money I was able to take care of all of the funeral costs, all thanks to my Air Force family. "

Lofton, now retired from the Air Force and working for the A&FRC, said one of his duties is being the alternate for the Air Force Aid Officer.

"Here, I am able to assist our military personnel working closely with other branches to help provide emergency assistance during their time of need," he said.

For those who are hesitant to ask for help, Lofton said it is important for leadership to be as proactive as possible and provide their Airmen with the information and the tools they can use to get the help they need.

"We have seen many people who either didn't know they could come to us for help and some who actually felt ashamed to even ask," said Lofton. "I encourage supervisors, first sergeants and commanders to become aware of not only Air Force Aid, but all of the programs Airman and Family Readiness offers. That's why we are here and that's why I am here, to continue to take care of those in uniform, or who may have retired and their family members."

Each fund helps a part of the Air Force community, whether it is supporting active duty members with emergency grants and interest-free loans or providing financial help to widowed Air Force members.

Each unit has a person of contact who will be distributing and collecting AFAF campaign brochures and donation forms during the next four weeks. For more information please contact your Unit POC or visit www.afassistancefund.org.