The following information pertains to past, present, and future members of the Airborne Mine Countermeasures Association.  For our Life and Honorary Life members the following does not apply but I feel I must remind everyone of the difference between Life and Honorary Life membership.

Life membership is granted to those that are eligible and apply for Life membership while submitting the fee of $100.00.  This means that all Life members are forever dues current.  Honorary Life membership is granted to those surviving family members of all AMCM shipmates that have passed, regardless if that shipmate was ever a member of this Association.  There is no membership fee and each is entitled to the same honors and priviledges which are given to a dues paying member.  In short, both Life members and Honorary Life members are the foundation and spirit of this Association

For those members that have been a part of this Association from the very beginning I'm sure you'll agree that this Association has never pressed anyone for not being dues current.  That may have been a mistake and if so then I hold myself responsible.  Many of you have paid the initial $20.00 when applying for membership but have not paid anything since.  In addition, this Association, in appreciation of continued membership reduced the dues from $20.00 annually to $20.00 for two (2) years.  Additionally, in appreciation for those still serving on active or reserve duty we offered the following dues structure: E-6 and below - $5.00 and E-7 and above - $10.00 for two (years). Only a very few active/reserve duty shipmates have taken advantage of the reduced fees.  The above dues structure is still available until August 15, 2009 for both Regular membership and reduced dues for active duty/reserve.  On August 15, 2009 dues will be $20.00 annually.  Life and Honorary Life membership will remain the same

Beginning August 15, 2009 those names that are on the Association Roster, Honorary Aircrew, and Honorary Aviator lists that are not dues current will be removed from each of the respective lists. On August 15, 2009 the following dues structure will be effective.  Life membership -  $100.00, Honorary Life - dues exempt, Regular membership - $20.00 annually on 15 July of each year.  Associate Membership - $20.00 annually on 15 July of each year.  The reduced dues for active/reserve duty is discontinued effective 15 August, 2009.

Over the years mailing addresses and e-mail addresses have not been updated.  This Association stopped sending out Newsletters by regular mail due to 50% or more were returned as being undeliverable.  Due to cost, man hours expended in putting together the newsletter, we began  using email as the method of delivery.

Effective immediately, this Association will not accept email addresses which are military or business email.  The reason being, when you either leave the service or job your email address becomes a dead address.  We are trying to improve communication between the Association and it's members.  It's necessary to update our membership data base.  In order to accomplish that we require everyone to register or reregister.  While registering or registering it would greatly benefit your Association if you would join soon.  Join or renew before August 15 and you'll save $20.00.  Due to the fact that there are many reasons why you may not receive your Email newsletter, we highly recommend that all AMCM members consider having a gmail.com email account.  It's free and you'll have over 6GB of storage.

Respectfully,

Barry Marple