president’s message volume 51, issue 5 …huntsvillemoaa.org/may 2012 sentinel.pdftimes and to let...
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEDr. Bruce T. Robinson, MAJ, USA, Ret
HCMOAA Website:
http://huntsvillemoaa.org
In This Issue REMINDERS
Monthly Membership Meeting: Next meetingWednesday, 30 May 2012, 1100 hours (11:00a.m.) at the Summit Club. Guest Speaker isCity Councilman John Olsefski.
Auxiliary, WOW Support Group & MOAAWidow’s Luncheon are scheduled. See articlesinside for dates & times.
President’s Message 1Legislative Corner 2Concerns 3X/Commissary 3Fox Army Health Center 5Carrie’sNotes 5Chaplain’s Corner 6MOAA WidowsLuncheon 6New Members 6X/Commissary (continued) 9Treasurer’s Report 11Birthdays 11TAPS 11Legislative (continued) 12
Breakfast: Saturday, 26 May 2012, 0900 hoursat the Steak & Shake, University Drive
Governing Board: Next meeting Thursday, 10May 2012, 1100 hours at the Summit Club.
Hi everyone –
April was a busy month. Our Council brethren from Montgomery “Stormed theHill” and visited all of our elected officials to discuss three issues:
Civilianizing TRICARE Changing the retirement system Reductions in the force
They spoke with “One Powerful Voice” and were heard.
The Chapter supported the Alabama National Guard Conference and recruited over50 Give Me 10 members. It was a great event.
We gave out “gold bars” to 6 graduating ROTC cadets. Maj Gen Terry Feehanofficiated and gave a very motivational talk to our future leaders.
The results of our membership survey have been compiled and you can find themin this issue. The response rate was very low, but there are a few golden nuggetswithin.
Finally, we are having our summer party on June 2nd. The theme is a MexicanFiesta. Sign up form is in this issue. There will be a piñata, and prizes for bestcostume. We’ll also have some great live music, so make sure you send in thereservation form.
May is also the month of Memorial Day – take time to remember those who madethe ultimate sacrifice.
Bruce
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Volume 51, Issue 5May 2012
2010-2011 GOVERNING BOARD
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President: MAJBruceT.RobinsonUSA-Ret,256-450-2252,[email protected]
1stVice President: COL Norb Patla, USA-Ret, 256-890-3340,[email protected]
2nd Vice President: LTC Arno Hoerle, USA-Ret, 256-837-6253,[email protected]
Secretary: LTCDanCutshall,USA-Ret,256-262-4027,[email protected]
Treasurer: CDRRobertRolf,USN-Ret,256-206-6164,[email protected]
Army Representative: MAJ Robert C.Szeremi, USA-Ret, 256-883-5127, [email protected]
Navy Representative: LCDR Edward S. King, USN-Ret, 256-880-8473, [email protected]
AirForce Representative: ColMichael J.Vaccaro, USAF-Ret,256-534-6166, [email protected]
Immediate Past President: CW4 Brendon Despres,USA-Ret,256-776-7174, [email protected]
Second Past President: COL Harold J.Hicks,USA-Ret, 256-233-3548, [email protected]
Third Past President: Maj Glenn S. Crawley, USAF-Ret, 256-883-2323, [email protected]
STANDING COMMITTEES
Membership: LTCClaudeBaldwin,USMC-Ret,256-763-3808,[email protected]
Programs: Vacant
Legislative Affairs: LTC Stephen F. Torok, USA-Ret, 256-539-8032, [email protected]
Personal Affairs: COL Bill Stevenson, USA-Ret, 256-579-3777, [email protected]
Public Affairs (Publicity): CH (COL) Danny W. Burttram, USA-Ret, 256-651- 6378, [email protected]
Chapter Historian: Vacant
ChapterAuxiliary&Hospitality:Mrs.CarrieHightower,256-882-3992
Finance (Budget): : Maj Glenn S. Crawley, USAF-Ret, 256-883-2323, [email protected]
Constitution and By-Laws: Maj Glenn S.Crawley, USAF-Ret,256-883-2323, [email protected]
Audit: MAJ Robert C. Szeremi, USA-Ret, 256-883-5127,[email protected]
Chapter Chaplain:CH (LTC) Bert E. Wiggers,AUS-Ret, 256-617-0055, [email protected]
Commissary & PostExchange: CW4 William W.Wright, AUS-Ret, 256-883-4456, [email protected]
FAHCLiaison:ColEdwardL.Uher,USAF-Ret,256-882-6824,[email protected]
Golf: LTCClaudeBaldwin,USMC-Ret,256-763-3808,[email protected]
ROTC:LtColCharlesClements,USAF-Ret,256-450-3610,[email protected]
TOPS: MAJBruceT.Robinson,USA-Ret,256-450-2252,[email protected]
THE SENTINEL Editor: MAJ Bruce T. Robinson,USA-Ret, 256-450-2252, [email protected]
Life Membership Trust
MAJRobertC.Szeremi,USA-Ret,256-883-5127,[email protected] (June 2014)
CAPTWilliamL.Howard,USN-Ret,256-881-3168, [email protected] (March 2013)
CW3WilliamC.Billingsley,USA-Ret,881-0513,[email protected] (March 2013)
Legislative Corner
LTC Stephen F. Torok, USA-Ret.
After another two week vacation Congress is back in session. This being anelection year we are likely to be treated to a further display of partisanship,infighting, and obstructionism as each party fights to push through theirparticular agenda. In the meantime legislation of critical importance to ourmilitary family will be put on the back burner or ignored completelyresulting in a two-edged sword hanging over our heads.
One is the impact of the FY2013 defense budget. Retiree health care benefitstake a significant hit – specific proposals include increasing TRICARE feesfor retirees under 65, which would roughly double annual health insurancepayments to $1,100.00 and higher. Another action would bar military retireesand their dependents from TRICARE Prime. DoD’s proposed changesinclude: new enrollment fees and additional fee increases for retirees enrolledin TRICARE by creating a ‘tiered” approach based on retired rank. Thismeans-testing will require senior grade retirees to pay more for their healthcare than junior retirees; an enrollment fee for TRICARE for Lifebeneficiaries 65 and older; and, additional increases in pharmacy co-payswith the goal of increasing the use of generics and the mail order pharmacy.The “tiered” approach to health care fees would make military retirees theonly group of government retirees subject to healthcare means-testing.
The other, if Congress cannot agree on a budget to satisfy mandatedconstraints, will be the impact of sequestration in 2013. This action wouldimplement draconian cuts across the entire budget. Such severe and short-sighted budget cuts will devastate readiness in ways that almost certainlywould prove even more costly to fix in the long run. The bottom line is thatas Congress resumes its session the military retirement system is under fire,reduced troop strengths are being studied, and increases in the cost ofmedical care for the military community is in the works. These are turbulenttimes and to let down our guard by jeopardizing the volunteer military with aless appealing retirement system and degradations in medical care are amongthe last things needed.
This past April more than 160 national, state, and local MOAArepresentatives “Stormed” the Hill to visit the offices of nearly every USsenator and representative. They attempted to make the case against bigDoD-proposed TRICARE fee hikes, excessive force cuts, and "fast-track"changes to the military retirement system.
(continued on page 12)
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PX
Brad Meares, manager of Charlie’s in the food court updated us ongoings on. Charlie’s Subs is/will be featuring Spicy Asian on the menuand they recently added a fish sandwich and a fish basket. The 10% Ihave been getting deducted from my bill each time I go to BK and usemy STAR card is a regular feature and is good at any food courtfranchise. Anthony’s Pizza now has Calzones on the menu. He alsosaid there are coupons good in “The Shopper” in the rack out front.Also, Fox Clinic is part of the Food Court and they now havesandwiches, and a new Espresso machine with Hot Chocolate,Cappuccino flavors, and Mocha! They also have fruit smoothies. TheAmerican Eatery in the Garrison Building on Martin Road has somegreat breakfast menu items like pancakes.
The furniture tent came back in April and may stay til June if thevendor gets the same great reception he did last time he was here. Mywife and I are afraid to look as we always buy something.
The Exchange will empty the warehouse in a sidewalk furniture sale thefirst weekend in May and may also have some toys there. Dr. Hartman,the eye doctor in the former furniture store which was also the formerClass Six store (Aw, you know! Up by the former gas station which isnow the Firestone Store), said he can give you a prescription for eithercontact lens of the most modern design or conventional glasses at theexchange store which is the other part of the building and the next doorover. Whew! I didn’t know how to make that sentence shorter! DrHartman trained in Birmingham and grew up in the same town (FortPayne) as my favorite singing group, Alabama. He is available at 256-882-8663.
Commissary
The commissary will have a tent sale 3, 4, and 5 May as their bannershave shown for about six weeks. Active Duty Military IN UNIFORMget first shot at this on 2 May from 1600 to 1800. The new electroniclabeled shelves were being installed as I type this. This will makepricing quicker and Murphy’s Law wouldn’t dare mess up something sospace-age (we hope). Old El Paso Foods will celebrate Cinco de Mayo(probably around the fifth of May).
(continued on page 9)
X / CommissaryCW4 William W. Wright, AUS-Ret
Need Addresses
John BuzacheroWendle Childs
John LarryGeorge LeachWilliam Little
We have lost track of theabove members. If you knowtheir whereabouts, please havethem contact Claude Baldwin
at 256-763-3808 to updatetheir addresses.
ConcernsThe following member
needs our support and prayers:
Please let us know when amember or family member is in thehospital, sick at home, recuperatingor in any situation that needs ourprayers and support. Persons tocontact are:
Army Representative:MAJ Robert C. Szeremi 256-
Navy/USMC Representative:LCDR Edward S. King 256-
Air Force Representative:Col Mike Vaccaro
3
Dr. James Ferrell1411 Weatherly PlazaHuntsville, AL 35803
(256) 880-3200
4
Carrie’s Notes
Mrs. Carrie Hightower, 256-882-3992
MOAA Auxiliary
Due to other commitments and confusion over the date, the Auxiliary members had a small turnout for our meeting on 17 April. Card winners for that day were Lee Newel (first) and yours truly(second). Our next meeting will be 15 May at 9:30 AM.
WOW Support Group
What a great turn out we had for our luncheon at the Summit Club on 19 April. There wereeighteen ladies present. Everyone unanimously agreed to return there for lunch on Thursday, 17May at 11:00 AM. Everyone will be called.
Fox has Open Enrollment Slots for TRICARE Prime
Redstone Arsenal, AL – Fox Army Health Center currently has over 2000 open enrollment slots forTRICARE Prime. Priority will be given to Active Duty and Active Duty Family members, butRetiree and Retiree Family members are welcome as well. Any beneficiaries over the age of 65 willbe considered on a case by case basis. Become a member of the Fox Family! For furtherinformation, please call 1-800-444-5445.
Fox Army Health CenterCol Edward L. Uher, USAF-Ret
5
Alabama National Guard AssociationAnnual Conference
20-21 April 2012
Huntsville Chapter MOAA was an exhibitor at theconference and recruited:
54 National MOAA members
6 Huntsville Chapter MOAA members
GREAT JOB!
That’s an Order!
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and Hedelights in his way.Psalm 37:23
There are many uses of the word “order” in the Englishlanguage. The waitress says, “May I have your order?” Thevending machine is out of order. The students line up inalphabetical order. The meeting was called to order, andlater the moderator rules the motion out of order. And thereare many more examples.
Our initial military training taught us well the meaning of theword “order”, but let us review. The root idea of this word isconforming to an authoritative standard, a command, aproper direction, an arrangement or regulation.
When the psalmist said that God orders our steps, the idea isthat He directs our right paths and arranges our lives. Underhis command we live a God-ordered life that is arranged byHis omniscience and all in order to please him.
The word “order” implies control. Our source of guidancemust remain the One, our creator, who understands us fromthe beginning to the end. Our instruction manual for ourlives is the Bible. The Holy Spirit is a presence with us, tellingus we or out of step or marching correctly. Are you under Hisorders today?
Chaplain’s CornerCH (LTC) Bert Wiggers, AUS-Ret
MOAA Widow’sLuncheon
Liz Townsend256-721-9762
MEMORIALS
If you would like to send a memorialcontribution to the Huntsville Chapter
MOAA, please send the followinginformation along with your check to:
Memorials, HCMOAA, P.O. Box 1301,Huntsville, AL 35807
In memory of: _________
By: __________________
6
11 May 2012
The MOAA Widow’s Luncheon willbe held on Friday, 11 May 2012, atVictoria’s Café, 7540 MemorialParkway, Huntsville, 256-881-0403.Liz Townsend will be your hostess.We will meet at 11:00 AM.
Please call the telephone committee:Fran Tyra, 256-881-6938 or Anne VanWert, 256-881-5866 for reservations.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS TOHUNTSVILLE CHAPTER MOAA
CDR John Dedon, USNCW4 Charles Green, USAR
COL Karl Kraus, USALTC Renee Lardent, USAR
LTC Clark Taylor, USALTC George Gore, USACW3 Tracy Dooley, USALTC Rachel Walker, USA
Upcoming JROTC Awards Ceremonies
Albertville HS 2 May 8:00 AMButler HS 2 May 1:40 PMHuntsville HS 3 May 7:15 PMBob Jones HS 7 May 5:00 PMJ.O. Johnson HS 9 May 1:30 PMHazel Green HS 15 May TBDAthens HS 17 May 1:30 PMMadison County HS 18 May 9:00 AM
Contact Arno Hoerle for additional information ifyou would like to attend and honor the awardees
HCMOAA is reporting time spent onvolunteer activities to Redstone Arsenal.Please keep track of your volunteer hours
throughout the month and report them to RayWeinberg at 256-885-0089.
7
HCMOAA SUMMER PARTYA Mexican Fiesta
WHERE: The Summit ClubWHEN: Saturday, 2 June 2012 from 6:00- 9:30 PMPRICE: $22.00 per person (gratuity included)
Reservations are required no later than Monday, 28 May 2012Mail the form below with your check
Call Carrie Hightower for more info at 256-882-3992
Mexican (prizes for best costumes) or Casual Dress
MENU
CHEEESE ENCHILADAS, TACOS, FAJITAS, FLANK STEAK (thinly sliced),SHREDDED CHICKEN, MILD SPICY SHRIMP
Mexican Style Rice, Refried Beans,Tortilla Chips
Cheese Sauce, Shredded Lettuce,Diced Tomatoes
Shredded Cheese, Sour Cream, Salsa,Guacamole
Dessert: Sopapillas, Chocolate Sauce,Honey, Ice Cream
Coffee, Ice Tea
Please reserve ____ spaces for me (us)Enclosed is a check for $ ____ ($22.00 per person) payable to HCMOAAPlease mail to: HCMOAA, P.O. Box 1301, Huntsville, AL 35807
The people in my party will be:
1. ___________________________ 3. ____________________________
2. ___________________________ 4. ____________________________
8
(PX / Commissary – continued from page 3)
I don’t know if they do this in Old El Paso ‘cause when we were stationed at Fort Bliss we mostlywent over there for quarts of genuine Vanilla extract (for cooking, we bought Gold Label Rum for theother!) and dried peppers for cooking. During May there will be a DECA wide Milk Bone contest forassistance dogs. They will donate an assistance dog to some needy person somewhere in the US.Redstone Commissary will be looking for someone in the area who has an assistance dog to takepublicity pictures. (They want to take pictures of the dog. They do not want the dog to take pictureseven tho’ what I said sounds like that! Darn! I’m not going to retype this. The End!)
9
MembershipLTC Claude Baldwin, USMC-Ret
As many of you may have heard, we had a very successful at the Alabama National GuardConference. With the wonderful help of Ed Morfenski, Arno Hoerle, Chris Downing and BruceRobinson we were able to sign up 54 Give Me 10 new members for National MOAA and 6 newmembers for our chapter. Ed was awesome in his never ending efforts to identify and in some casesdrag new members to the table. Great job, Ed!
Membership status for the month of April: We recruited 5 new chapter members, and one of our lifetime members, Lt Col Frank Nash, passed away.
You will note that there are a number of members listed in the Sentinel that either have bad US Mailor e-mail addresses. If anyone has updated information for these folks, please send it to Claude orChris.
Chris and I could use a couple of individuals to help us with the membership committee. If you areinterested please contact Claude Baldwin at 256-763-3808 or send an e-mail to:[email protected]
In closing, we lost a large number of our chapter members this past month due to their failure torenew their memberships. We are working to contact them and encourage them to remain memeb rsin good standing with the Chapter. If you know anyone who has not decided to renew theirmembership, please contact them and ask them to reconsider. "We are all membership recruiters".
Thanks,
Claude and Chris
10
Membership Survey Results
The Sentinel, guest speakers at membership meetings, and parties are the favorites of are responders. Therewere a number of people who would like to have tours or cruises arranged for our members.
Regrettably, there were no volunteers to fill any of our vacant positions on the board or standingcommittees. We have a need for the following;
Programs: Plan Chapter events and arrange for interesting guest speakers for our membershipmeetings
Audit: Audit the Chapter’s financial records as required by regulations
Sentinel Editor: Continue delivering the high quality newsletter members have come to expect
If interested in stepping up to fill one of these positions, contact Bruce Robinson.
Personal Affairs
Everyone welcome COL Bill Stevenson,USA-Ret, as the Chapter’s chair forPersonal Affairs. This is a new position thatNational MOAA has recommended that allthe Chapters should have.
Bill will serve as the primary point ofcontact for issues associated with militaryrights and entitlements, with specialemphasis on survivor benefits information.
If Bill doesn’t have the answer, he’ll get it.
Bad E-mail Addresses
I use e-mail as my primary means ofcommunication with membership. Ourrecords indicate that the following folks havee-mail addresses that are no longer current.Please update your e-mail address withBruce Robinson at [email protected]
COL Dean BekkonLTC Richard CarzoliCOL Joe CentoLTC Robert ConnersCOL Herbert DixonCDR Kinley EittreimLTC Clifford FlaniganMrs Julianne GoodridgeCOL Henry MillerMrs Lucy MizeCOL Paul MullekLTC Edward MurphyCWO Howard RaymondCWO Bennie Robison
You don’t want to miss out on importantinformation.
Alabama Veterans MemorialPark
Spring Step Stone Ceremony
Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 3:00 PM
Birmingham, ALExit 23 on I-459
TAPS
Lt Col Frank B Nash, USAFMrs Billie Krone
Our deepest sympathy to the familiesof our departed friends
Treasurer’s ReportCDR Robert P. Rolf, USN-Ret
April Treasurer’s Report
P.O. Box 1301, Huntsville, AL 35807-0301
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP (Please Print)____ Renewal ____ New Member____ Annual membership ($10/yr)____ Multi-year membership ($10/yr for up to 3 years)____ Life membership ($200 one-time payment)
_____________________ ____ _________________________ ___________First Name MI Last Name Grade
Branch of Service: ______________ E-mail Address: _____________________________
Status: ___Active ___Retired ___Former Officer ___Reserve ___NG ___ Surviving Spouse
_______________________________ ____________________ _______ _________Mailing Address City State Zip
________________________ ______________ ________________ _____________Telephone Number Birthday Preferred Name Name of Spouse
39 Birthdays in MayHappy Birthday!
LCDR Edward King, USN Lt Col Arthur DeLisle, USAFLTC James Carter, USA Lt Col Louis Davis, USAFLTC Hector New, USA COL James Bizer, USACol William Gibson, USAF MAJ James Powel, USACol John Morrison, USAF CW4 Jeffrey Sumners, USAMrs Mabel Byrd Mrs Claudia JerseyCOL Harold Hicks, USA Mrs Doris NewmanCOL Joseph Gibson, USA Col Robert Hovde, USAFLTC Randall Withrow, USA COL Karl Kraus, USACol Howard Camp, USAF LTC David Pray, USALTC Michael Measles, USA CAPT Lawrence Grimes, USNMrs Jakie St Germain LTC Allyn Griffiths, USACOL James Allred, USA MAJ Robert Rutledge, USALTC Paul Hays, USA MAJ Loran McKinley, USACOL David Mahlik, USA Lt Col Arthur Miller, USAFLTC Clark Taylor, USA COL James Treadway, USACDR John Dedon, USN CW4 Edward Trexler, USALTC Donnie Henley, USA CH (LTC) James Johnson, USACW4 Brendon Despres, USA COL Clayton Newton, USAMAJ Sonny Avichal, USA
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Beginning Balance $4524.93Credits 1861.00Debits 1521.74
Ending Balance $4864.19Remember them onMemorial Day
P.O. Box 1301Huntsville, AL 35807-0301
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
PRE-SORT STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
HUNTSVILLE, AL
PERMIT NO. 171
The Sentinel is published monthly primarily for themembership of the Huntsville Chapter of the
Military Officers Association of America(HCMOAA), P.O. Box 1301, Huntsville, AL
35807-0301. The views expressed are those of theauthors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions
of HCMOAA, its officers or its editor.
12
(Fox – continued from page 2)
This year, MOAA highlighted three major concerns:
Military Force Levels: the Fiscal year 2013 budget assumes a cut of 31,000 troops, with 124,000more to be cut by fiscal year 2017. There is concerned that budget pressures may lead toaccelerated force cuts that will only worsen conditions for military families already overstressedby excessive deployments.
Health Care: The budget proposal envisions raising healthcare fees by $1,000 to $2,000 per yearfor retired military families. This is an unfair “bait and switch” rule change after promises ofcurrent benefits induced generations of service members to pursue arduous careers in uniform.
Military Retirement: The budget proposes establishing a commission to recommend changes tomilitary retirement, with special “fast-track” legislative rules that would force Congress into a“yes or no” vote without any option for changes and only limited debate. This ignores thelessons of past, more modest retirement changes that had to be repealed after they underminedretention and readiness.
The MOAA Hill-stormers received very positive feedback from most legislators. Our hope is that thiswill translate to support for these goals as the House and Senate Armed Services Committees begindrafting the FY2013 Defense Authorization Bill in the coming weeks. In the meantime it is essential thatwe add our voices to let our elected representatives know our concerns and desires and remind them ofthe sacrifices already made in the service of our country.
Convert to the e-mail-only version of thisnewsletter and increase the funds we allocate for
charities. New members automatically receive thee-mail version unless a print copy is requested. To
convert to the e-mail version please contact:[email protected]
Web Page: huntsvillemoaa.org