Ft Riley Military Retiree

Council Newsletter

December 2017

Chair’s Corner (Call to Action!)

By Col (Ret) C. Kay Hutchinson

With Christmas music playing in the back-

ground as I write this column, I’m reminded that

this is a glorious time of the year for most

Americans and Christians around the world –

and whether or not they commemorate the rea-

son for this season with praises for the birth of

the Christ Child, most “main stream” religions

recognize the arrival of Jesus in some form.

More about Christmas later – and please note the several articles in

this publication regarding Christmas and the military – but, the fo-

cus of this writing is mostly about Retiree Appreciation Day 2017

(RAD 2017) conducted at Fort Riley, Friday, 20 October.

Thank you to the 375 retirees and family members participating in

RAD 2017 enjoying some significant speakers and carting home

over $3,000 in door prizes. Please make note and save the date for

a Saturday RAD 2018 – to be conducted on 20 October – so those

retirees with day jobs during the week may also enjoy RAD 2018.

I want to highlight the 26 members of the Fort Riley Retiree Coun-

cil who labored long and hard to make RAD 2017 the success it

was. It does “take a village” to produce a successful RAD and our

“village” of military retirees, members of the Retiree Council spent

extraordinary hours, days, weeks and months soliciting sponsors for

the dollars needed to produce this annual event and the door prizes

given away throughout the day last 20 October. (continued on page 2)

Contents:

Chair’s Corner 1

Operation “Santa’s Elves” 2

Retirees Celebrated at Ft Riley Event 3

Fort Riley Retiree Council 4

Another Successful RAD 4

Fort Riley Operation Santa Claus 5

The Day After Pearl Harbor Was Attached 5

Retiree Appreciation Day in Pictures 7, 9

The Man Who Helped Win WWI &

Change the World 8

Mailing Notice 8

Veterans Service Organizations

Legislative Meeting 11

Still Serving!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

From

Your Fort Riley Retiree Council

OPERATION “SANTA’S ELVES” ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP by Ms. Georgia Rucker, Fort Riley Retirement Services Officer

The holidays are fast approaching and the HHC USAG and the Director of Human Re-

sources are asking for donations to purchase items to fill Christmas stockings for those

Soldiers In-Processing Ft Riley and unable to be with family over the holidays.

This will be the 4th year for “Operation Santa’s Elves” Like every year, with the assis-

tance of organizations across post and the monetary donations from individuals, elves are

hoping to provide enough gifts for everyone. Events such as this helps to raise the spirts high so these new

soldiers don’t feel alone for the holidays. If you would like to donate, send your contribution to “THE HEAD

ELF” Mr. Fred Buckley 217 Custer Ave Ft Riley, KS 66442 Rm 113 or call 785-239-2128.

Soldiers just arriving to Fort Riley from Headquarters & Headquarters Company, US Army Garrison, receive their gifts from the 2016 Operation Santa’s Elves

Page 2 THE ROAD AHEAD Fort Riley Military Retiree Council Newsletter

Another thanks to our Council members who contacted speakers of note to bring updated information im-

portant to retirees, and to serve “moving target” positions throughout that day making certain everything

planned came off on schedule and as we envisioned it. To all Council members, a BIG THANK YOU for

another successful RAD.

In closing, I ask each of you to think about others this Christmas season – especially think about and keep in

your prayers all of our service members in CONUS, those in far, distant lands and especially those serving in

hostile environments. They won’t “be home for Christmas” so please include in your prayers recognition for

all military service members, in particular those noted above, and retirees that continue to serve this country

in various capacities conducive to keeping the peace and making America the

great nation that we know.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa and Happy New Year.

COL (Ret) C. Kay Hutchinson

Chairman

Fort Riley Retiree Council

Chair’s Corner (Call to Action!) (continued from page 1)

Retirees celebrated at fort riley event By Kalene Lozick, 1st Infantry Division Post (Oct 26, 2017)

Page 3 THE ROAD AHEAD Fort Riley Military Retiree Council Newsletter

The Fort Riley Retir-ee Council hosted Retiree Appreciation Day at Riley’s Con-ference Center Octo-ber 20 to honor all who have served in the military. “The retiree appreci-ation day is held every year in Octo-ber,” said retired Col C. Kay Hutchinson,

spokesman and chairman of the Fort Riley Retiree Council. Hutchinson, a Fort Riley retiree, said the event is to invite

retirees back to Fort Riley. The event included various speakers and presentations

given by Glen Suetter, a healthcare and TRICARE expert; COL John Melton, commander of the Irwin Army Community Hospital; Robert Smith, director of Fort Riley Museum Divi-sion, and Pam Maxwell, who spoke about long-term care and others.

“Representatives from the Commissary and Post Ex-change attended and there was entertaining and informative presentations about the 1st Infantry Division’s 100th Anniver-sary, put on by Dr. Robert Smith,” said COL John D. Law-rence, garrison commander. The Military Officers Associa-tion of America representative, Paul Frost, provided a federal legislative update, and the U.S. Army’s recruiting for the fu-ture was presented by the commander of the local recruiting company.

The day was to honor the men and women who retired from the military. In his words, Lawrence extended thanks to not only those who served, but also the families who support-ed their Soldier.

“Fort Riley’s annual retiree appreciation day is an excep-tional event for all of us on post,” Lawrence said. “We truly value what you and your families have done, and continue to do, for our community. No doubt about it, you all are the pil-lars on which today’s military is built. The work you have done during your many years of service lays the foundation for the work being done here today. You are a great example for our Soldiers, and who they should aspire to be like, and for that we thank you.”

After opening remarks, Lawrence introduced the “Big Red One’s” newest leader. BG Stephen G. Smith, deputy commanding general for support, who spoke on behalf of MG Joseph M. Martin, commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division.

As applause began, Smith stood and took his place at the podium for his remarks to the room of military retirees, mem-bers of the Fort Riley Military Council and their families.

“We definitely walk on the shoulder of giants as active-duty military and we strive every day to live up to the stand-ards you (military retirees) all set, both as officers and non-commissioned officers,” Smith Said. “So thank you for what you’ve done for our country and thank you for what you’ve done for those of us in uniform. I’m talking both the retirees, themselves and also to your families and your spouses that are here. So thank you very much.”

He asked the retirees and family members where they traveled from to attend the event. Most were from Kansas while a few traveled to Fort Riley from surrounding states like Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Missouri. He asked what wars the Soldiers served in. After every raised hand, there was a roar of applause.

Overall, Smith focused his remarks on a joint force per-spective. “What I am doing here is to tell you where we are as the Army and as a joint force, kind of what we are facing, so there’s no surprise to you,” Smith said. “But I want to do that by telling you how im-portant you still are to the active duty force, so that is my intent by covering this up front.” “Georgia Rucker, retirement services officer for the Fort Riley Retiree Council, said by

regulation all installations must have a Retiree Appreciation Day. “It’s our way to give back to our retirees and keep the connection going between the active duty community and the retired community,” she said.

Suetter had information that pertained to the retirees about he TRICARE and healthcare connection. He provided infor-mation of the various changes that will take effect Jan. 1, 2018.

Following Suetter was Melton who discussed what re-sources the IACH offers to retires.

With this demographic, there are things we can probably do better and make it more convenient for the (the retirees),” Melton said.

(continued on page 4)

Page 4 THE ROAD AHEAD Fort Riley Military Retiree Council Newsletter

Retirees celebrated at fort riley event

(continued from page 3)

Melton and his team informed the attendees on how they can still use the facilities for their medical needs. With each guest speaker, the retirees learned more about the installation’s past, present and future. “The retiree appreciation day is Fort Riley’s way of showing our appreciation of the sacrifice and service of the retiree popula-

tion within not only the Flint Hills area, but in the surrounding states,” Lawrence said. “We normally get a large turnout and we provide different services for the retirees as well as update them on changes that could affect them in the future.

The Fort Riley Retiree Council

LTC Buz Bruzina, CSM Dick Young, MSGT Larry Perea, BG Dayle Williamson, CSM Jim Mitchell, BG Phil Mattox, Ms. Mary Sue

Moore, LTC Stan Sutton, SSG Maslyn Prosper-Mayberry, CSM Terry Young, MAJ Michelle Sweeney, CW3 Roy Fowler, COL C. Kay

Hutchinson, MSGT William Vinyard, LTC Wayne Converse, 1SG Michael Gilmartin, CSM Walter Bembry III, SFC Shed Mayberry III,

LTC Raymond Rhodd, Ms. Georgia Rucker, ESO (Not pictured: CW4 Robert Boyd, LCDR Vernon Hay, COL Marion Manion, SGM Fred

Buckley, MSG Patrick Thein.

Another Successful RAD

by COL (Ret) C. Kay Hutchinson

Members of the Fort Riley Retiree Council are pleased to announce “Another Successful RAD (Retiree Ap-

preciation Day)” occurred on Friday, 20 October 2017, when more than 375 retirees and family members de-

scended on Riley’s Conference Center for a full day of enjoyable reminiscing with fellow retirees, learning

from subject-matter-experts and dining on fine food while being entertained by former US Navy Blue Angels

pilot, Steve Lambert.

Retirees took home door prizes valued at over $3,000 and 120 US flags, gifts from the Retiree Coun-

cil and the RAD 2017 sponsors. One-hundred-one retirees and spouses received their Flu shots given by the

Irwin Army Community Hospital health team and learned about future health needs from Irwin staffers at the

Health Fair information booths; taking away valued information regarding veterans’ organizations, recrea-

tional possibilities and other info from the area’s chambers of commerce and other organizations at the Coun-

ty Fair. (Continued on page 6)

Fort riley operation santa claus

by Fort Riley Public Affairs Office

The Fort Riley Operation Santa Claus program assists families who may be

facing financial difficulties this holiday season by providing toys or gift cards for children birth to age 18. Soldiers and their Family members may apply through their unit First Sergeants. In its 33rd year, Fort Ri-ley's Operation Santa 2017 goal is $120,000, which can be reached through a combination of toy, cash and gift card donations. We need more than 15,000 toys averaging $15-$20 value.

All new, unwrapped toys with a value ranging from $15 to $20 will be accepted. No stuffed animals will be accepted. To make a donation, visit the Santa's workshop between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Extended hours are available upon request.

Toy drop-off locations are located throughout Fort Riley, Manhattan, Junction City, and even Salina, Wamego, and Chapman. We request only new, unwrapped toys for ages birth-18 years. Toy donations will be accepted until December 19. Donations to can be dropped off at the headquarters, 2600 Trooper Dr. Cash donations may also be mailed to P.O. Box 2427, Fort Riley, Kansas 66442. Donations are tax deductible.

Page 5 THE ROAD AHEAD Fort Riley Military Retiree Council Newsletter

The Day AFTER Pearl Harbor was Attacked by LTC (Ret) Ray Rhodd)

The Japanese occupation of the Philippines occurred between 1942 and 1945, when Imperial Ja-pan occupied the Commonwealth of the Philippines during World War II.

The invasion of the Philippines started on 8 December 1941, ten hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor. As at Pearl Harbor, American aircraft were severely damaged in the initial Japanese attack. Lacking air cover, the American Asiatic Fleet in the Philippines withdrew to Java on 12 December 1941. General Douglas Mac-Arthur was ordered out, leaving his men at Corregidor on the night of 11 March 1942 for Australia, 2,500 mi away. The 76,000 starving and sick American and Filipino defenders on Bataan surrendered on 9 April 1942, and were forced to endure the infamous Bataan Death March on which 7,000–10,000 died or were mur-dered. The 13,000 survivors on Corregidor surrendered on 6 May.

Japan occupied the Philippines for over three years, until the surrender of Japan. A highly effective guerilla campaign by Philippine resistance forces controlled sixty percent of the islands, mostly jungle and mountain areas. MacArthur supplied them by submarine, and sent reinforcements and officers. Filipinos remained loyal to the United States, partly because of the American guarantee of independence, and also because the Jap-anese had pressed large numbers of Filipinos into work details and even put young Filipino women into brothels. (continued on page 6)

Left-Japanese soldier by

US propaganda

Right-Tribune Front Page

Page 6 THE ROAD AHEAD Fort Riley Military Retiree Council Newsletter

The Day AFTER Pearl Harbor was Attacked (continued from page 5)

General MacArthur kept his promise to return to the Philip-pines on 20 October 1944. The landings on the island of Ley-te were accompanied by a force of 700 vessels and 174,000 men. Through December 1944, the islands of Leyte and Mindoro were cleared of Japanese soldiers. Dur-ing the campaign, the Imperial Japanese Army conducted a suicidal defense of the islands. Cities such as Manila (the sec-ond most destroyed Allied city in WWII) were reduced to rub-ble. Between 500,000 and 1,000,000 Filipinos died during the occupation.

Planes destroyed at Clark AB

Another Successful RAD (Continued from page 4)

Retirees were formally greeted by Fort Riley Garrison Commander, Colonel John Lawrence, and by

the First Infantry Division Deputy Commanding General, Brigadier General Stephen Smith. Attendees also

received a fact-filled presentation about America’s first combat unit to enter World War I – the First Infan-

try Division - from Dr. Robert Smith, Director of the Fort Riley Museums, this being the 100th Anniversary

of the formation of the 1st ID, the “Big Red One” in 1917, and its deployment to Europe to formulate the

ending of WWI.

The always-popular Glenn Suetter, considered the best informed individual about TRICARE, shared

important information regarding upcoming challenges in that health insurance program and what retirees

might expect in health care in the future. Colonel John Melton, Irwin Army Community Hospital Com-

mander, enlightened retirees on access to their health care at this ultra-modern healthcare facility.

Retirees also learned about Long-Term Care, received a Legislative Update and gained insight into

the challenges of recruiting for future military requirements. Attendees also heard about next year’s RAD

being on a Saturday – 20 October 2018 – to better serve all retirees including those with weekday job com-

mitments.

Retiree Council members received many accolades about this RAD and thanked all who helped in

making this another successful event – Retiree Appreciation Day 2017. We hope you enjoy the many pho-

tos of the RAD in this edition of the newsletter.

Page 7 THE ROAD AHEAD Fort Riley Military Retiree Council Newsletter

Retiree Appreciation Day in Pictures

The RAD crowd listening to COL (Ret) C. Kay

Hutchinson, Chairman of the Fort Riley Retiree Council

Part of the $3000 in raffle prizes given away through out the

day.

COL John Lawrence

Garrison Commander, Fort Riley

BG Stephen Smith

Deputy Commanding General for Support 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley

Mr. Glenn Suetter

TRICARE, United Healthcare

Display on the 100 year history of the 1st Infantry Division COL John Melton, Commander

Irwin Army Community Hospital

Page 8 THE ROAD AHEAD Fort Riley Military Retiree Council Newsletter

The Man Who Helped Win WWI & Change the World by BG (Ret) Dayle Williamson

“His name was John ‘Black Jack’ Pershing and his legacy ran deep in the 20th century

America. He commanded 2 million U.S. troops that helped win World War I and changed

the world.”

Those are the words introducing the new documentary about the noted U.S. military leader

General John J. Pershing for public television. Barney McCoy, a University of Nebraska-

Lincoln journalism professor led the five-year effort to develop the documentary. The film

looks at Pershing’s extensive military career, including his service in the Philippine-American

Wars, chasing Poncho Villa into Mexico and how he came by his nickname. It also brings in

personal items relating to his family life. The big part of course relates to commanding the

American Expeditionary Forces in WWI and becoming the only active duty six-star general in U.S. history.

Professor McCoy says he did not have much Pershing knowledge when he came to the request from the Nebraska

Foundation from a donor who wondered if anyone had an interest in making a Pershing documentary. He said he was

intrigued by the project and spent a year “poking around” to find out what resources were available. After that, along

with a team of other Journalism Department staff members, he launched the five-year research project to that result-

ed in the story entitled, “Black Jack Pershing: Love and War.”

I had the opportunity to attend the premier showing of the documentary of the film shortly before Veterans Day 2017.

Barney McCoy and his great team were present to discuss the “ins and outs” of film making and the tremendous re-

search that goes into finding adequate film coverage of a war the U.S. entered a hundred years ago. Professor McCoy

also noted it was exciting to examine Pershing’s personal life – his marriage to Helen Francis “Frankie” Warren and her

tragic death in 1915. Followed by Micheline Resco, a Romanian artist who painted his portrait in 1917 while he was in

France during WWI. McCoy suggested, “These moments show the tender side of a grizzled war veteran.”

As we viewed the film, the 100-year-old battle scenes in the documentary are excellent. Barney told us that along with his assistants, he had viewed over 700 film archives to pick snippets. For a small part of the history, John Pershing was born in 1860 in Missouri and attended the U.S. Military Academy at

West Point from 1882 to 1886. Reviewing those dates, he was 22 when he entered the academy. Pershing along with

his brother had been operating the family farm at a young age and found that he could take a test to determine this

wonderful option to gain a higher education. His earlier goal was to seek an education to be an attorney, but the mili-

tary offer would get him away from the failing farm.

He made it, and the story unfolds. Pershing’s military career was a varied one. Soon after graduation he found himself

fighting with the 10th Cavalry in the last Indian campaigns. The 10th Cavalry was one of four African American regi-

ments in the Army. (Continued on page 10)

NO MORE MAILED NEWSLETTERS Due to increasing copy and postage costs, this will be the last Retiree Newsletter that will

be mailed to retirees who have not provided an email address. If you would like to con-

tinue receiving the newsletter, please provide your email address to Georgia Rucker, Ft

Riley ESO at georgia.a.rucker.civ@mail.mil or call her at 785-239-3320. We are sorry

for the inconvenience, but trust you understand.

Page 9 THE ROAD AHEAD Fort Riley Military Retiree Council Newsletter

Retiree Appreciation Day in Pictures (continued)

Robin Ayling, AAFES Exchange Manger William Rasco, Commissary Manger

Retiree Council members handing out the $3000 in raffle

donations for the RAD.

The large lunch crowd enjoyed the excellent buffet and

presentation by our guest speaker.

Mr. Steve Lambert, former Blue Angles lead pilot, provided an outstanding program to the lunchtime audience.

Paul Frost, Program Director (Financial & Benefits Education, Counseling, Veterans Services)

Military Officers Association of America

Dr. Robert Smith, Director of Fort Riley

Museums

Page 10 THE ROAD AHEAD Fort Riley Military Retiree Council Newsletter

The Man Who Helped Win WWI & Change the World (continued from page 8)

Nebraskan’s interest in Jack Pershing began well over a hundred years ago. Why do Nebraskan’s recognize the name – John J. Pershing? In 1891, he began a four-year stint as an instructor in military science at the University of Nebraska and earned a law degree on the side in 1893. He had such success with the university’s drill team that the students voted to change the name to the Pershing Rifles – a name that has stuck with scores of Reserve Officer Training Corps Units in University’s and high schools across the United States to this day. After his four-year experience at the University of Nebraska, Pershing went back to serve in a frontier unit for a time and then back to West Point as a tactical officer in 1897. He only served one year in that position as history notes, “He got off on the wrong foot with the cadets.” So, unpopular was he – mainly because of excessive strictness – that they derisively named him “Black Jack,” a reference to his service with black troops at the 10th Cav. That name stuck. Ne-braska students must have had a different view, they seemed to like his strictness! Or did they? At least they did not brand him with the name Black Jack and relished the improvements in the unit and the highly improved rifle drill. He distinguished himself in the Spanish-American War in 1898, winning praise for his bravery under fire in the Battle of San Juan Hill. He was there with Teddy Roosevelt to charge San Juan Hill. One of his commanding officers said, “he was cool as a bowl of cracked ice as the battle progressed.” Pershing had a lot of assignments after that, until his big one, starting in 1917. Europe had been at war for several years. America did not want any part of it. People were thanking Christopher Columbus for discovering America as we were isolated from going to war at a distance. But the military planners realized they needed to do some planning if in case the U.S. was called to battle. The isolationists did not get their way. On April 6, 1917, the U.S. Congress declared war. Prior to the declaration it was fully recognized that an American expeditionary force had to be sent overseas. The question, who should com-mand the force? At that time, the United States had only six high ranking officers of the line, all Major Generals. Out of the six, only two seemed to be qualified. General Leonard Wood and General Pershing. Pershing was selected to head the com-mand. He was fifty-seven years old at the time. The lack of high ranking line officers, followed through with the entire army. There were 127,588 officers and men in the army and the National Guard had 80,446, for a total of 208,034. Above all, the quality of the National Guard was dubious due to the lack of training and equipment. In short, the lack of training and equipment for the entire force was dubious. Most of the equipment had to come from allies in WWI and due to the lack of equipment, most of the training had to take place in Europe before anyone could go into battle. Pershing admitted, “We were literally beggars as to every important weapon, except the rifle.” Before the war ended, the Army would need 200,000 officers and some reports say up to 4,000,000 enlisted service

members were required. Conscription was necessary. The draft was underway!

As the saying goes – the rest is history! Part of that history is very important to those familiar with Fort Riley. The

First Infantry Division, was formed during WWI in 1917. The First Division has been in constant organization since that

time with the current home base at Fort Riley Kansas, along with the many proud traditions. A century of service is a

very proud tradition on its own.

And considering history pays dividends, A recent Twitter message simply started out with, “Wrong again.”

That’s what University of Nebraska-Lincoln Professor Barney McCoy told President Donald Trump after the president

referred to an oft-debunked tale about General John J. Pershing dipping bullets in pig’s blood before executing Muslim

insurgents in the Philippines in the early nineteen hundreds. (continued on page 11)

Page 11 THE ROAD AHEAD Fort Riley Military Retiree Council Newsletter

The Man Who Helped Win WWI & Change the World (continued from page 10)

The President used the tale in a Tweet responding to the apparent terrorist attack in Barcelona and had recited it on

at least one earlier occasion.

McCoy told Trump, “You do General John J. Pershing a disservice by misrepresenting history again.”

In Lincoln, Nebraska we do not tolerate a disservice as we have honored Pershing by naming buildings after him, we are very proud of the Pershing Rifles started in our city, and his memory is kept alive. In fact, my own Kiwanis Club, named John J. Pershing soon after WWI as a Distinguished Service Award Recipient. The club did it with two words – SOLDIER – EDUCATOR. What else should you say about a distinguished officer whose service number was O-1? That sort of tells the story itself. There are a lot more words in Professor McCoy’s, “Black Jack Pershing: Love and War”. It is a great part of history for the 100th year war anniversary. For ardent readers, “Pershing, General of the Armies” by Donald Smyth is excellent reading. The book is published by the Indiana University Press.

VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS LEGISLATIVE MEETING

by MAJ (Ret) Sheli Sweeney

On December 2, 2017, several Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) members and leaders met in Topeka at the Museum of the Kansas National Guard to share and discuss their legislative priorities for the up-coming 2018 Kansas Legislative Session.

Represented were the National Guard Association of Kansas, the Enlisted Association of Kansas, the Mili-tary Officers Association of America, the Fort Riley Retiree Council, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1650, and individuals from Topeka, Kansas City, Leavenworth, Man-hattan, Junction City, Lawrence, and more.

State Senator Steve Fitzgerald briefed the group on what he believes the top issues will be for the Kansas Legislature in 2018. He stated that since the Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that higher K-12 education funding must be gained, the state legislature is in the position of identifying where that funding must be found. Budget will be the biggest topic of discussion during the 2018 session, which begins Monday, Janu-ary 8, 2018. We will keep you updated in future newsletters.

Fort Riley Military Retiree Council

PO Box 2161

Fort Riley, KS 66442

PLACE STAMP

HERE