ASFSC - About Us

OUR ENDURING HISTORY

Historian - Vacant

The Air and Space Force Spouses’ Club was formed in May 1923, making it the first Air Force club of its kind. Mrs. Mason Patrick, wife of the Chief of the Air Service invited fifty “flapper” wives of young pilots into her home, and they organized “The Air Service Club.”

The first Board of Governors consisted of three elected officers (President, Secretary, and Treasurer) and three committee chairmen (Membership, Hospitality and Entertainment).

May 16, 1923 Meeting Minutes

Click on each image to enlarge

They continued to act as a social club until 1940, when under the leadership of Mrs. “Hap” Arnold, they decided to invest more time volunteering to meet the needs of the “Air Corps Aid Society.” The club’s name was eventually changed to the Air Force Officers’ Wives’ Club of Washington, D.C. and, in 2014, was changed again to the Air Force Officers’ Spouses’ Club of Washington, DC to better reflect our more inclusive mission. In 2023, the name was changed to the Air and Space Forces Spouses' Club of Washington DC to reflect recent changes welcoming in Space Force spouses and spouses of enlisted members.

The ASFSC’s commitment to enrich the lives of not only those in our Air Force and Space Force Family, but also the lives of those from our sister services remains unchanged. It is evident in our past involvement helping establish the Air Force Village, Family Services and the Arlington Committee, and in our continued charitable endeavors today.

Check out an online version of ASFSC's original meeting minutes from 1923 through 1940: https://aul.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=01AUL_INST:AUL&docid=alma995882083006836

ASFSC through the years ...

ASFSC is rich in history. Past generations of our organization created annual scrap books and photo albums to detail almost every moment and event. In preparation for our centennial anniversary, members combed through these albums and helped to digitize as many as possible to preserve our history for future generations. We found so many amazing pictures that we just had to share a 'few.' Enjoy some of our favorites that were created into a slideshow which was previewed at our recent 100th anniversary celebration.

And, for all you nostalgia buffs, view a historical official publication of the Air Force Officers’ Wives’ Club of Washington DC dated November 1951. Somehow, it seems like times have really changed and on the other hand, much has remained the same. A must read for any Air Force or Space Force spouse!

Click on each image to enlarge

We also present the original AFOWC Coat of Arms and Emblem with their original meaning/interpretation reflecting the role of the military spouse during the time they were created. While some things have changed, the amazing support of military spouses remains the same.

AFOWC Coat of Arms, 1965

United States Air Force Spouse Emblem, 1989

AFOWC COAT OF ARMS

Design by: Mr. H Ellis Tomlinson, M.A.,F.H.S., 1965

It was on the cover of the December 1965 issue that Protocall presented for the first time that coat of arms of AFOWC. Mrs. John Tate Editor, served as project superintendent with Mrs. William S. Bean, an artist-member handling the artistic problems during the six months from idea to the printed cover. Armed with her idea, Marilyn Tate approached the USA Institute of Heraldry at Cameron Station, Alexandria, Virginia, for advice and guidance.

There are many rules and certain limitations that must be met in design of a coat of arms. Not only was the Institute most cooperative but one of the world’s foremost experts on heraldry, Mr. H, Ellis Tomlinson, of Lancashire, England, had arrived to lecture on the subject.

Description:
ARMS: Azure in front of a pair of wings argent, a distaff of the load argent attached by an amulet or gemmed argent, on a chief dancetty of three points as many gules.
CREST: On a wreath of the colours a firegate sable enflamed proper. Mantled azure dobled argent.
MOTTO: Sauviter et Fortiter

Interpretation:
SHIELD: The wings and blue background denote the Air Force and the distaff with the wedding ring symbolizes the wife’s domestic and family life. The zigzag line suggests house roofs, symbolizing the home and reciprocation of the hospitality. The scallops shells symbols of pilgrimage, represent the movements of homes necessitated by that of the officers in their careers.
CREST: Above the shield is the closed helmet proper to the impersonal arms, with its creat- wreath decorative mantling or cloak in the basic colours of the arms, blue and white. The crest is a blazing hearth, symbolic of home and Hospitality.
MOTTO: An abbreviation of the old saying, SUAVITER IN MODO FORTITER IN RE. It may be translated, “Gently but bravely,” referring to the wife’s double role as mistress of a hospitable house and supporter of her husband in times of difficulty.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE SPOUSE EMBLEM
Original Design by: Nancy Pittman, 1989

The SHAPE is the traditional Air Force organizational emblem- a shield with attached scroll.

The WINGS are symbolic of the Air Force’s flight, and its prominent role in the defense of our great nation.

The WEDDING RINGS are entwined side by side to show the equal and integral roles of the wife and husband have in their marriage and their home.

The ROSE woven through the rings represents the love, courage, and respect within the family. It also stands for Air Force Spouses as individuals; strong, unique, always offering steadfast support to our military members, yet taking time to pursue our own personal goals.

A portion of the WORLD is shown at the base to represent the many homes established and filled with love, comfort, and security for our families; wherever assignments may take us.

The BRANCH WITH LEAVES signifies the active life, growth, and service that Air Force Spouses share at each duty station and within each community. It also represents our children, who thrive under our care and guidance.

The LINES WITH THE STARS bring to mind the many travels of Air Force Spouses. The stars are the fond memories and dear friends we make at each assignment, and the lines are the heartstrings that continue to bind Air Force Spouses together.

Celebrating 100 Years

In May 2023, ASFSC celebrated the 100th anniversary of the formation of our organization. Current and past ASFSC members reunited at Patton Hall on Fort Myer, Virginia to enjoy a 'Champagne Brunch' and a trip down memory lane. We opened up scrapbooks, displaying our rich history of the past, present and future of our Air Force leadership, and we all relished a wonderful presentation from our guest speaker, Lisette Clemons, detailing the 100 years of our club's history. To add to the spirit of the celebration, many of us donned pearls, gloves, and hats in a nod to the founding era of our organization. Thank you to those attending our celebration! We can't wait to see what the future holds for ASFSC!

...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

The ASFSC is a private, non-profit organization. It is not a part of the Department of Defense or any of its components and has non-governmental status. This site does not represent the views of either the United States Air Force or the United States Space Force.