COMMANDER,

U.S. PACIFIC COMMAND
(USPACOM)
CAMP H.M. SMITH, HAWAII 96861-4028

27 August 2008

To all Military Families of Alaska,

The Pacific Command is committed to the support of quality education opportunities for the children of our military families attending the Alaska Public School System. From the implementation of educational programs, to the purchase of textbooks, funding is essential.

One very simple way that you, as a parent, can dramatically help to ensure a major source of funding is to complete and return the Federal Survey Card your children will bring home in the coming weeks. By investing a few minutes of your time to complete this card, you enable your school to accurately report the number of military dependents enrolled. This important data may qualify your child’s school for additional services and funding. Unfortunately, the past return rates, especially for middle and high schools, have been extremely low. We need your help to turn this around.

Everyone is aware of the fiscal challenges facing our nation’s schools and the negative affect these challenges have on our children’s education. By returning the card, your school district may receive reimbursement of up to a few thousand dollars per military child which will help defray the cost of over $10,000 to educate a child in Alaska’s public schools. Each year, hundreds of cards are not returned or are improperly completed. This results in a loss of millions of dollars to Alaska’s public schools.

During the next few weeks, your child will bring the Federal Survey Card home from school.  Please remember to carefully complete the Card and return it as quickly as possible.

Thank you in advance for your support and for playing a valuable part in the future of all military families.

JOSEPH E. PEDRONE III
Colonel, USA
Director for Manpower,
Personnel and Administration

Note: This letter was retyped to display properly on this website.