Page 1 - Davis-Monthan AFB Desert Lightning News 6-26-15

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More than just Ms. Congeniality: Airman competes
for homeless female veterans
Staff Sgt. Erich B. Smith
162nd Wing Public Affairs
For Tech. Sgt. Charmaine Pozo, the Ms. Veteran
America contest was not about glamourous pag-
eantry. It was about tireless advocacy - for a mini-
mally acknowledged segment of those who have
served in uniform: homeless female veterans.
“Currently, female veterans - an estimated 55,000
of them on a daily basis - are the fastest growing
homeless population in America,” said Pozo, a force
support specialist with the 162nd Wing.
So in the spirit of a “service before self” core val-
ue, Pozo, along with nearly 30 other female military
members and veterans, raised awareness of the is-
sue on May 30 in Las Vegas, Nev., where the west
coast portion of the Ms. Veteran America contest
was held.
Though legislative hearings, rallies, social media
and civilian news networks do their part to provide
an account of this unfortunate reality, Pozo believed
“the competition is a perfect opportunity to speak
about the current issues of what women veterans
are facing and to actually do something about it.”
While US Veteran Magazine and Combat Boots
to Makeup Brushes (CBMB) provided commercial
sponsorship for the contest, the non-profit organiza-
tion Final Salute Inc. served as its main beneficiary.
“After listening to Army reservist Capt. Jaspen
Boothe, who is the founder of Final Salute Inc.,
speak about her experiences of being homeless after
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Enlisted evaluation systems updated
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Becoming American: Living the dream
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June 26, 2015
battling cancer and losing her home to Hurricane Action speaking louder than words. Tech. Sgt. Charmaine
Katrina, I felt like I needed to help,” Pozo said. Pozo, a force support specialist for the 162nd Wing in Tucson,
Ariz., competed in the West Coast Regionals portion of the
Thus, Pozo committed to a second round of a dif- Ms. Veteran America contest on May 30 in Las Vegas, NV. The
ferent kind of basic training, building herself into a event, now in its 3rd year, aimed to raise awareness for home-
formidable contestant by engaging in the universally less female veterans. For Pozo, winning a traditional crown
appreciated military component of preparedness. and sash is secondary to the real purpose of the competition.
“It’s about getting a homeless female veteran off the street
“It was practice, practice, practice,” the Guard and into a safe and suitable home, and reminding her that
Airman said, referring to the interviewing portion this situation is temporary and she will overcome this and be
of the contest, which also comprised of a talent ex- a success,” she said.
hibition, a detailed questionnaire and a review of
fundraising efforts. Not even the bad timing of an ning the crown; it’s about getting a homeless
allergy attack during the interview diminished her female veteran off the street and into a safe and
drive and determination to assist those in need. suitable home, and reminding her that this situa-
tion is temporary and she will overcome this and
“No matter the outcome of the competition, this be a success,” Pozo said.
was a win-win moment in helping a great cause, and
my fellow sisters-in-arms competing for the title did
a great job,” said Pozo.
By means of a golf tournament, a fundraising page,
specialized headband sales and a Department of
Veterans Affairs’ event, the technical sergeant raised
$4,285.00, equating to 171 transitional housing days
for homeless women veterans and their children.
The east coast region of the contest was held in Ar-
lington, Va. on June 13. All contestants will be notified
of the results of the regional contests this month.
To show your support for her efforts and see all
the great things Pozo is doing, go to her Facebook
page at www.facebook.com/CharmaineP4M-
VA2015 . The final competition is tentatively sched-
uled in Las Vegas on Oct. 13.
“My own personal mission is not about win-
AFSOUTH Airmen visit orphans
Pg. 2 Staff Sgt. Katie Adams, Master Sgt. Roberto
Pg. 3 Vasquez and Capt. Sarah Hartenstein, all
Pg. 4 members of 12th Air Force (Air Forces South-
Pg. 5 ern), take a group photo with the children at
Pg. 7 Casa de Corderitos orphanage outside the city
Pg. 8 of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, June 18. The 12th Air
Pg. 9 Force (AFSOUTH) members spent some of their
downtime during a three-day assessment visit
to Honduras air bases to volunteer with the lo-
cal community and to deliver toys and candy
that were donated by businesses in Tucson, Ariz.
See page 11 for full story.
(U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Heather R. Redman)