Aviation Center Soldiers take care of their own

By Jeremy WiseJune 4, 2009

Aviation Center Soldiers take care of their own
U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Command Sgt. Maj. Tod L. Glidewell, right, presents a check to Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Felder and AER specialist Bobbie Moran. The $120,589.33 check was the total amount USAACE raised for AER during t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala.--Despite a tough economy, the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) raised $120,589.32 to help Soldiers and Families in need during the post's 2009 Army Emergency Relief (AER) fundraising campaign. The AER campaign here began March 1 and ended May 15.

In addition to Army campaigns, AER receives funding from other donations, investments and repayment of interest-free loans, according to the AER Web site, www.aerhq.org.

"(It is about) helping the Army take care of its own," Garrison Commander and AER campaign chair Col. Yvette Kelley said. "Those are the words that shaped our decisions throughout this AER campaign." During the campaign closing ceremony May 28 at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum, she said AER provided $489,511.60 in assistance to 435 Soldiers and Family members last year.

While rent deposits, vehicle payments/repairs and emergency travel accounted for most of the money spent, some special situations arose last year, Kelley added.

A Soldier and his wife died in an automobile accident, and while the Army paid for the Soldier to be sent back home, the service did not pay for his wife to be transported.

"AER helped, on behalf of the children, to get the mother transported home for the funeral," Kelley said.

AER also assisted with medical bills incurred for Soldiers' critically ill children who received treatment in Birmingham and Montgomery.

During the closing ceremony, officials recognized several units and individuals for their AER fundraising efforts this year.

Bill Williams from Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union (AACFCU) presented a $16,000 check to AER. AACFCU raised the money through their annual golf tournament. Kelley honored D Company, 1st Battalion, 145th Regiment for raising $10,487 - more money than any other USAACE unit. CW2 (P) Matthew Hansen received recognition for helping organize the Air Ambulance Detachment "Flatiron," Texas Hold'Em poker tournament which raised $6,500. The 6th Military Police Detachment was also honored for its annual Jail-A-Thon, which collected $4,491.

AER specialist Bobbie Moran received recognition for her efforts with the organization during the past 16 years. She will retire in October. Moran said she will miss the people she encountered while working at AER.

"I've met some really nice people here - retirees (and) widows. There's not a Soldier who (seeks aid) that you don't develop a special attachment for," she said.Moran added she has seen AER be more responsive with its assistance during her years with the organization.