General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAir Force Academy alumni board withdraws motions to honor Charlie Kirk
A board of U.S. Air Force Academy graduates that was expected to vote Friday on whether to extend an honorary degree and honorary membership into the academys alumni association to slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk withdrew both of the motions.
In a statement late Friday, the Association of Graduates, which serves as the academys nonprofit alumni group, said its board of directors dropped the motions after hearing the past two days from several hundred Air Force Academy graduates, parents and other family members about the idea to recognize Kirk.
Some academy graduates spoke out publicly against the notion to honor Kirk with a posthumous degree and alumni membership. Retired Brig. Gen. Marty France, a former board member with the alumni group and the former head of the academys Department of Astronautics, told Military Times that people previously inducted as honorary members each served USAFA for decades.
Whatever service [Kirk] provided to USAFA does not rise anywhere near what we should require as a minimum before even considering him for such mention, France added.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2025/10/17/air-force-academy-alumni-board-withdraws-motions-to-honor-charlie-kirk/

dalton99a
(90,854 posts)hibbing
(10,481 posts)Champp
(2,350 posts)The in-the-bag, and on-their knees media skips over that all the time, to parrot THE PARTY LINE
fuggin sellouts
underpants
(193,548 posts)Farmer-Rick
(12,166 posts)The murdering Republican had available.
GoCubsGo
(34,472 posts)Hopefully, there's more of it to come.
Vogon_Glory
(10,115 posts)As for the deceased Charlie Kirk himself, he NEVER served in any branch of the US military.
You know, there used to be a term for fellows like that not so long ago. They were called Chickenhawks. I suspect that calling life-long civilians who NEVER served in the military Chickenhawks is taboo in Trump-world and the rest of the Republican Party.
GiqueCee
(2,932 posts)... in with Republicans and other "chickenhawks" that dodged the draft. Dick Cheney said that he "had other priorities". Real physical infirmities prevented many from serving even if they wanted to. Hell, just having flat feet got you a 4-F! I got a 1-Y back in '66 because I was too light for my height. When they went to the lottery system, I got a high number and never got called up.
travelingthrulife
(3,552 posts)Paladin
(31,809 posts)Orrex
(66,241 posts)twodogsbarking
(16,277 posts)All the while pretending that the next security effort will cure it all. Everyone has tickets to the circus but Americans get the front row.
ColoringFool
(4 posts)But then, doesn't the Air Force Academy have a Right-Wing (no pun intended) reputation?
So the CK rescinding is a yuge decision.
underpants
(193,548 posts)RW Christian types.
JHB
(37,844 posts)The federal government funds the basics, but there's a substantial chunk of change involved from alumni donors.
https://www.usafa.org/why-and-how-to-give
Make a lasting impact through philanthropy
At the end of 2024, the Association & Foundation completed the seven-year Defining Our Future campaign in support of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Nearly 20,000 donors contributed more than $330 million to support the Academy, its programs and its cadets.
The Association & Foundation is committed to sustaining transformative support for the Academy, including increasing unrestricted funds for immediate priorities like cadet programs and operational needs.
Current fundraising priorities include:
Academics
Air Force Academy Fund
Athletics
Character and Leadership Development
Court of Inspiration
Hosmer Visitor Center
Hotel Polaris
Institute for Future Conflict
Kucera Legacy Center at Falcon Stadium
Checkpoints Alumni Magazine
Next-of-Kin Program
Additional Programs