aloha chapter christmas party a huge success!

Newsletter of the Aloha Chapter, An Affiliate of the Military Officers Association of America

Volume No. 7, Issue No. 1 Web Site: http://www.aloha-moaa.org January 2006

2004 Chapter Rating

(Voices of Warriors)

Chartered January 27, 2000

Aloha Chapter Christmas Party a Huge Success! By Tak Yoshihara

The Chapter Christmas party held at the Laulima Room of the Hale Koa Hotel on Saturday, 17 December, was a resounding success that exceeded all expectations!

Sponsored and organized by the Chapter Scholarship Fund and assisted by numerous volunteers too many to mention individually, those attending experienced a festive time of holiday cheer and good fellowship. The 81 who attended set a record for the largest turnout at a chapter event. Among the highlights of the eve-ning were inspirational messages from Dr. Kent Keith, former President of Chaminade University and now a full-time author and speaker, and Lt. Gen. Ono, Scholarship Fund Board Chair, who shared his vision for the future of the scholarship program, and then the singing of Christmas carols and the sharing of grab-bag gifts.

Most importantly, this fund-raising event resulted in donations of more than $4,000 for future Chapter- sponsored scholarships, ensuring the continued success of this annual program. Many, many thanks to all who contributed to this worthy purpose! Tak

Lt. General Ala Ono explain-ing the mission and accom-plishments of the Aloha Chapter’s Scholarship Fund.

————— Bottom Center: About a third of the Christmas party enjoying dinner at the Hale Koa Hotel on 17 December.

Marion Von, wife of our Aloha Chapter President, Vernon Von, bestowed a lei upon our inspirational guest speaker, Kent Keith.

————— Top Center: Serenade of Christmas carols after our chicken & fish dinner.

Na Leo O Na Koa No. 1, January 2006

President’s Message

By Vernon Von

REVOLUTION! Pardon me, I meant R E S O L U T I O N S . January 2006 is already here and now is the time for all our members to resolve to get more actively in-volved in Chapter activities. Most importantly, we need volunteers to serve on the ExComm. We need a Membership and Community Services Committee Chair and a Historian. Resolve now to get more in-volved in your Chapter and to contribute your talents to “get the ball rolling” for the coming year. December 2005 was a time for remembrances of the events of Dec 7, 1941. It was sixty four years ago that Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and that started a chain of events for our nation and many of our lo-cal people. With each passing year the living memo-ries of the events of that fateful day fade and we tend to forget the sacrifices and heroic acts of the men and women living through that time. The memorial cere-mony at Hickam Air Force Base on Dec 7, 2005 and the presentation of wreaths at the base of the flag pole by Senator Akaka and others were significant tributes to what happened 64 years ago.

Later that morning, December 7, 1941, at the Univer-sity of Hawaii Army ROTC auditorium, there was a gathering of ROTC alumni who were sworn in as members of the Territorial Army National Guard.

Notice This Newsletter is published monthly as an official publication of Aloha Chapter, MOAA, P.O. Box 19267, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96817-8267. Views ex-pressed herein are not necessarily chapter policy.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS January 15, 2006 — Bridge Group meets at Fahrni Realty; (Sunday) 1300

January 26, 2006 — Installation Banquet/Luncheon, Hale (Thursday) Ikena, Ft. Shafter; 1130

January 27, 2006 — Golf Outing, Barber’s Point GC; 0900 (Friday)

February 6, 2006 — Ladies’ Group gathering at Wai'oli (Monday) Tea Room in Manoa; 1030 to 1230

This handful of patriots, about 80 percent of them Americans of Japanese ancestry, worked as a secu-rity force at various strategic places on Oahu. A few months later, their American citizenship overlooked, they were discharged because of their ethnicity. Dis-appointed but undaunted, this small group of men re-grouped to form the Varsity Victory Volunteers and they volunteered as a labor force to the U. S. Army. Two of these survivors, Ted Tsukiyama, prominent local attorney, and Dr. George Ito, noted brain sur-geon (retired)

Finally, do you know who flew 30 sorties in a B17 over Germany? Also in that same outfit was an offi-cer by the name of Curtis LeMay. This same aviator flew 100 sorties in an F 84 G over Korea and served in the Vietnam war as an advisor to the Tha iland Air Force. His name . . . Curtis Kekoa. Furthermore, who is the Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Fi-nancial Officer for the Hawaii Health Systems Cor-poration of Hawaii. His name . . . Kelley Roberson.

Happy New Year to all! Don’t forget your resolve to get more involved in chapter activities in 2006. Vern

No. 1, January 2006 Na Leo O Na Koa

Community Services By Mark Webster

On Tuesday, December 13, Mark Webster, Community Services Chair, accompanied by his wife/photographer, Helene, presented our annual Aloha Chapter Christmas donations to two YMCA organizations and the USO. Each one received a charitable donation of $100.

This money was gratefully accepted for the many altruistic activities of each organization, such as providing meals & toys to lower-rated military personnel and their families who are in need at this time of the year. Mark

Presenting MOAA Donation to Nicole Presenting our Donation to David Gomez, Presenting $100 Aloha Chapter Donation Ferguson, Armed Services YMCA, MCBH Armed Serves YMCA, Pearl Harbor to George Villa, USO


MOAA Ladies' Group

The newly formed MOAA Ladies’ Group (who are still seeking a distinctive name) will be gathering on Monday, February 6, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, at the Wai'oli Tea Room in Manoa. The price for this event is $19.95 (plus tax) for tea and scones, etc. They will have a Valentine's Day motif and hope to have a great time visiting with each other. There will be a sign-up sheet at the regular January Aloha Chapter MOAA event. If you have any questions please call Mary Cho at 484-2400 or Shirley Ihara at 239-7947. Mary

Chapter Party Bridge Program

This month's bridge session kicked off a new year of party bridge with a new concept and point accumulation system which will deter-mine who the Aloha Chapter Bridge Player of the Year will be after the November 2006 session. On December 18th, after a Potluck dinner, there were 3 tables of bridge played at the residence of Les and Shirley Ihara. The bridge session in January will be held on Sunday, January 15th, at Fahrni Realty begin-ning at 1 pm. Interested players should con-tact the session coordinators, Marion and Vernon Von at 732-3908 or e-mail to: [email protected] as soon as possi-ble before January 9th. Shirley Ihara

The participants of Bridge Party on December 18th Sitting on front row: Trudy Ernst, Shirley Ihara, and Anna Blackwell Sitting behind them are: Sam Heard, Lillian Patterson, Helen Fahrni, and Les Ihara Standing are: Vernon Von, Bill Ernst, Len Fahrni, and Ken Patterson.

Top Scorers in December:

Add these Websites to your “Favorites” http://www.aloha-moaa.org

http://www.moaa.org


INSTALLATION BANQUET By Harold Kuwahara, Program Chair

The installation of newly-elected Directors, Officers and Committee Chairs will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2006, at Hale Ikena, Fort Shafter. The installing officer of our Aloha Chapter Directors, Officers and Committee Chairs will be Col. Howard J. Killian, Com-mander, U. S. Army Garrison, Hawaii. He will talk on what our troops are doing in the Middle East. He is a veteran of assignments in Kosovo and Bosnia and Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm and most recently Operation Enduring Freedom. Col Killian is a graduate of the U. S. Army War College, Command and General Staff College, Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Aviation Officer Advanced Course and the Armor Basic Officer Course. He is a command pilot and maintenance test pilot in the UH-60 Black Hawk. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf, the Air Medal with numeral 2 and the Army Commendation Medal with four oak leafs. He also wears the Army Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge and Senior Army Aviator Badge. His assignments include the 3rd Armored Division, Hanau, Germany; the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky; the 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; and the 21st Theater Support Command, Kaiserlautern, Germany. He has commanded D Company, 1-101st Aviation Regi-ment, F Company, 227th Aviation Company, and the 51st Maintenance Battalion and Avia-tion Center Logistic Command. Harold

CHRISTMAS CAROLING AT THE CENTER FOR AGING

On Thursday, December 8, a joyful group of carolers with hardy voices strolled down the halls of the Tripler Center for Aging and sang Christmas carols for the patients.

At each room that was occupied they left a small Christmas ornament as a remembrance of the Christmas season and the peace and good health we wish for all. Vern


DECEMBER GOLF REPORT

Friday, 16 December, was the Aloha Chapter's Aloha golf outing for the 2005 golf season. This month we hit the low of lows as far as participation by chapter members goes, we had a puny 12 players at Leilehua Golf course. I am not sure if it is the time of the year when members have so many activi-ties to tend to or, perhaps, I need to change by body deodorant? The weather was perfect and the golf course was in great shape. The group was small but they did not lack in enthu-siasm, they were playing their hearts out from the onset. We were in the third group of three groups and were able to monitor the other groups. As much as we say it is a social game for us the desire to re-main competitive never wanes. Now for the lineup: The first team was headed by Gordon Cho and consisted of Bob Kozuki, Ken

Fujiwaras score big with low scores! By Norm Fujiwara

Munechika and Dick Towne, the second group led by Joe Kuroda, with Yoshi Nakamura, Leroy Perry, Don Dismuke, and the third or last group led by your truly and Alice Fujiwara, and Nelson and Kerri Fuj i-wara— our son and daughter- in-law—our guests. The format for today was two player partners, blind draw play. Each player kept their own score then de-leted their handicap strokes and used their net score. After all the score cards were turned in each player picked numbered poker chips. The matching numbers on the chips determined the partners. The net scores of the partners were combined and totaled and the team with the lowest total was declared the winner. There was a tie in third place between the team of Joe Kuroda and Bob Kozuki with Gordon Cho and Ken Munechika, so there was a sudden death; we checked the score on the most difficult hole and compared scores. The winners were Gordon Cho and Ken Munechika, so they came in third in the mega jackpot. In second place, with a score of 150, was the team of Leroy Perry and Yoshi Nakamura. The big time winners were winning for the first time: Yours truly and my guest, my son Nelson Fuj i-wara. The also rans included Bob Kozuki, Joe Ku-roda, Dick Towne, Don Dismuke and Alice and Kerri Fujiwara (our daughter- in- law). As we close our 2005 Aloha chapter Golf season, I wish to thank all those who participated and sup-ported the program during the year. I hope that you all have a very joyous holiday season and hope that you will invite new members join our golf outings next year. Our first golf outing for the 2006 golf year will be at Barbers Point GC at 0900, Friday, 27 January.

Aloha and Hauoli Makahiki Hou! Norm

Recruit A New Member in 2006! Your Aloha Chapter is always looking for new members—active duty, retirees, and auxiliary mem-bers, all are welcome and will enjoy the camaraderie of the Aloha Chapter. Make it your goal to recruit one new member in 2006. For more info, contact Gordon Cho, Vernon Von or any chapter officer.


Membership Application Name_____________________________________ Branch of Service __________________ Rank_____ Retired Active Former Reserve National Guard Auxiliary* Address____________________________________ City____________________ State____ Zip________ Date of Birth________________________________ Phone Number______________________________ E-Mail Address_____________________________ Chapter Name_ _Aloha Chapter, HI Chapter Recruiter____________________________ *Surviving spouse of eligible officer. Dues to MOAA are not deductible as charitable con-tributions for federal tax purposes. Annual member-ship dues include a $12 subscription to MILITARY OFFICER magazine.

Two Years for $24 SPECIAL HALF-PRICE OFFER: Method of Payment Check (please make payable to MOAA) VISA Discover MasterCard AMEX Card Number_____________________________ Expiration Date___________________________ Signature_________________________________ Note: Send completed forms with payment to: COL(Ret) Gordon W. Cho “Give Me 10 Campaign” 98-856 Laelua Place Aiea, HI 96701 (I will consolidate our applications and keep track of how many we have signed up. Any winnings will be donated to the Chapter Treasury.)

RESERVATION FORM

INSTALLATION BANQUET Buffet Lunch and Installation of Directors, Officers and Committee Chairs

Hale Ikena, Fort Shafter Thursday, January 26, 2006 at 11:30AM

Program: Speaker and Installing Officer: Col Howard J. Killian, Commander, U.S. Army Garrison, HI

Member’s Name:____________________ Tel No._______ Names of spouse/guests (for name tags):_______________________________ Need transportation ___ (check here, if needed) Enclosed is a check for lunch ($12.50) x ___ = Total $__________ Reservation may be made via e-mail to: [email protected] or phone: 373-4400 You may also Pay At The Door Please send in your reservation by Friday, January 20, 2006 Please make check payable to: Aloha Chapter, MOAA and mail to: P.O. Box 19267 Honolulu, HI 96817

Last Chance to Recruit A New Member For “Give Me 10!”

It’s easy—clip and use the form below! For more info, contact Gordon Cho.

Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid

Honolulu HI

Permit No. 930

Aloha Chapter Military Officers Association

Of America P.O. Box 19267

Honolulu HI 96817-8267

MOAA Seal

Aloha Chapter ? 2000 Outstanding Chapter Runner-Up ? 2000 3-Membership Recruiting Awards ? 2001 Outstanding Chapter ? 2001 Membership Recruiting Award ? 2002 5-Star Chapter ? 2002 Excellence in Recruiting Award ? 2003 Honorable Mention Newsletter ? 2003 4-Star Chapter ? 2004 Winner Best Website ? 2004 2nd Runner-Up Electronic Newsletter ? 2004 4-Star Chapter

Board of Directors Edward Hirata, USA, Chair 247-3138 [email protected] Jerry Lesperance, USCG, Vice 488-5205 [email protected] Clarence Agena, USA 677-4103 [email protected] Anna Blackwell, AUX 739-9164 [email protected] Jack Bohman, USA 235-8078 [email protected] Dell Epperson, USN 484-2057 [email protected] Joseph Magaldi, Jr., USMC 222-2013 [email protected] Charles Ota, USAF 486-9640 [email protected]

Officers/Executive Committee President-Vernon Von, USAF 732-3908 [email protected] Vice Pres.-Harold Kuwahara 373-4400 [email protected] Secretary-Gordon Cho 484-2400 [email protected] Treasurer-Art Yamamoto 833-3111 [email protected]

Committee Chairs Community Services: Mark Webster, 734-5994, [email protected]

Fundraising: Herbert Nakagawa Jr., 271-1172, [email protected]

Govt/Legislative Affairs: Kelley Roberson, 732-2988, [email protected]

Historical Activities: Nari Hamlin, 486-7150, [email protected]

Membership: Gordon Cho, 484-2400, [email protected]

Personal Affairs: Bob Kozuki, 693-8965, [email protected]

Program: Harold Kuwahara, 373-4400, [email protected]

Publications/Pub. Rel.: Mark Webster, 734-5994, [email protected]

ROTC/Veteran Affairs: Wes Fong, 595-6127, [email protected]

Awards

2006 Aloha Chapter Leadership

aloha chapter christmas party a huge success!

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