Why we are giving to the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS)
Captain Evans trains navigation students
In the spirit of honoring my father’s memory, my family has always dreamed that we would donate any revenue from the sale of “Richard Eager” to a military charity. Today that dream is becoming a reality.
In the last chapter of this book, “Escape from Okinawa”, my father reflects on his survival. He was going home at the close of World War II, anxious to get home by Christmas to be with his family and new bride and baby daughter. But others were not so lucky. So many of Richard’s childhood friends, fellow Boy Scouts, fellow cadets-in-training and his own crew members, would not live to see the end of the war. It is clear in his words that this book, his story, is also a tribute to all those who didn’t live to tell their own stories. I can’t imagine a better way to honor this message than to ensure that all revenue from this book goes to a charity that supports the brave men and women of our Air Force.
The Air Force Aid Society is the Air Force non-profit corporation organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes in support of Air Force members and families. The selection of this charity is twofold. Firstly, Colonel Richard Evans recognized pilots would never have gotten off the ground or returned home safely without the help of their entire crew, the ground crew and a huge range of supporting staff. He also knew firsthand the dedication and sacrifice of Air Force families. He would be proud to know that his words are contributing to the aid of those helped by the Air Force Aid Society.
Secondly, Colonel Frank “Mick” J. McKeown, DMD, the brother-in-law of Barbara Evans Kinnear, has served on the Board of Trustees of the Air Force Aid Society for many terms. Mick’s support and guidance has been invaluable to the development of this book, and this charity selection is a token of the “Richard Eager” team’s gratitude to Mick and to all those veterans who continue to serve long after their active duty ends.
This book has been a labor of love; and many years of research, collaboration and editing contributed to its creation. It is our honor to bring this book to the public and to support the incredible work of the Air Force Aid Society. Every person who purchases a copy of “Richard Eager” on Amazon.com can be assured that 100% of the revenue from the sale (the book retail cost less the printing and Amazon fees) is going to the Air Force Aid Society. The money will be gifted on a quarterly basis to the AFAS fund created in memory of Colonel Richard Ernest Evans.
Thank you for your support and we hope you enjoy the book!
Barbara Evans Kinnear
Further Articles
Barbara (“Bobbie”) Evans Kinnear, daughter of Colonel Richard Ernest Evans, joins historian and author, James Holland, on his podcast, “We Have Ways of Making You Talk”