Holiday greetings sent from the Texas Council of Chapters/MOAA. What follows is a summary of the 4th quarter meeting that was recently hosted by the North East Texas chapter in Commerce, Texas. First and foremost, I want to express my sincere appreciation to that chapter for the absolutely outstanding job that they did in preparing and hosting the Texas Council meeting. The Friday night affair was world class. In my view that is one of the very important elements of being an active participant in the Texas Council. It literally brings people together to discuss common interests and love of country. Our guest speaker for the evening had spent 24 months in Iraq as a commander. He had us all very involved in his presentation of what was really going on in that world trouble spot.
The Saturday morning meeting was also extremely successful. The highlight, in my view, of the meeting was the momentum that is being gained to have the Texas Council more and more involved in State legislative issues. Perhaps you have heard that we are going to advocate for some good initiatives for the Guard and Reserve in the next upcoming state legislative session in Austin. Our venue for that will be the 1st quarter meeting hosted by the Austin chapter on 10,11,12 Feb, 2005. It will include a "storming the hill" type concept. Information will be forthcoming over the next few weeks regarding the meeting. I hope that every chapter can be represented.
As an after thought, we all owe our political friends a great debt of gratitude for passing the number one legislative priority by MOAA this year, namely the elimination of the SBP widow's tax. It makes me personally real proud to be a member of such a great organization that represents our veterans in such an important productive way. It seems like we are always asking for benefits. Now let's give! Please write to your representative or senator and thank them for the good work they have done on behalf of the veterans. Last year during my storming the hill episode in Washington it was very pointedly communicated to me that the national government can only do so much. It can't do everything for everybody. In that regard they have helped us immensely and we need to thank them for giving us the priority that I believe the veterans truly do deserve.
I would like to publicly acknowledge my excitement in the election of Virginia Alloway, our immediate past president of the Texas Council of Chapters to the position of Director of MOAA. Virginia, over the years, has worked extremely hard for our state council and has done a wonderful job. I'm confident she will continue to be a strong ally and supporter of our Council. We wish her the best. I would also like to acknowledge the other MOAA Directors from Texas, BGen Tim Boddie, BGen Karen Rankin and Col Jim Endicott. We certainly appreciate the support we receive from each and every one of them. Congratulations to Gen. Boddie for his election as Vice Chairman of the Board of MOAA. Also, the Texas Council of Chapters wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Col. Jim Anderson and his delightful wife, Lois, for their great service to the Council, and for the outstanding contributions to the MOAA Board of Directors, most recently as Vice Chairman of the Board. Jim and Lois have been (and, we feel certain, will continue to be) great supporters of our Texas Council. Sincere thanks from all of us to each of you for these outstanding volunteer efforts.
In retrospect, it has been an interesting year. I think the Texas council is moving forward but we are always excited about doing more. We would like to charter a new chapter in 2005. Spencer Smith, your 1st Vice President, is hard at work doing that. I know that he will make good progress.
As many of you know this was a different year in that we have had meetings in Waco, in El Paso, in Abilene and then recently in Commerce Texas. It was a conscious decision to geographically disperse our meetings throughout the state in an attempt to give every chapter a little better access to meetings over the course of the year. For your information our 2005 annual meetings have been programmed, the 1st quarter meeting in February will be in Austin, the 2nd quarter in April will be in Wichita Falls, the 3rd quarter in Fort Worth and 4th quarter meeting will be coincident with the annual business meeting of MOAA in San Antonio. Firm dates are being worked and will be communicated to the membership as soon as possible.
As I close, I would like to say that it is a distinct honor to serve on the Texas Council. It is a great privilege to work with such talented people that do so much for their chapters, the council and our national MOAA. I'd like to take this opportunity to express a sincere Holiday Greeting to each and all.
With respect,
Edward L. Marvin, TCC
President
Nov 19, 2004
Media Contact: (703) 697-5131
Public/Industry Contact: (703) 428-0711
The Department of Defense announced today the launch of "America Supports You," a nationwide program to showcase and communicate American support to the men and women of the Armed Forces. In announcing "America Supports You," Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for personnel and Readiness Charles Abell said that thousands of Americans, including individual citizens, businesses and organizations, have spearheaded activities and projects in their communities to show their support for America's Armed Forces, especially those serving in harm's way.
"These activities of support have a positive impact on the morale and spirit of those who serve," said Abell. He said the "America Supports You" program will showcase these community activities and projects on a new website http://www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil so that the American public and the U.S. military serving at home and overseas will know firsthand how much the American people appreciate their service and sacrifice.
Teenager Shauna Fleming of Los Angeles created one of the projects highlighted on the new "AmericaSupportsYou" web site. Fleming, a 15-year-old high school freshman, launched a campaign called "A Million Thanks," a year- round campaign to show U.S. military men and women, past and present, appreciation for their sacrifices, dedication and service through letters, emails, cards, prayers and thoughts.
Fleming's story is one of many that will be profiled on the "AmericaSupportsYou" website in the coming weeks and months. Americans are invited to log on to the website and share details of activities supporting the troops that are taking place in their communities. Everyone who shares their story will receive a dog tag with the "America Supports You" logo, while supplies last.
Representatives of veterans and service organizations also joined DoD at the launch, including Edward A. Powell Jr., USO, president and chief executive officer; Raymond Felsecker, American Legion, assistant director of the National Security Foreign Relations Commission; and James R. Mueller, Veterans of Foreign Wars, senior vice commander-in-chief.
They join other organizations and associations supporting the campaign through the distribution of promotional materials and development of community- based activities.
For more information about "America Supports You," please log on to
http://www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil .
[Web Version: http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20041119-1562.html]
-- News Releases: http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/
-- DoD News: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/dodnews.html
-- Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/dodnews.html#e-mail
-- Today in DoD: http://www.defenselink.mil/today/
-- U.S. Department of Defense Official Website - http://www.defenselink.mil-- U.S. Department of Defense News About the War on Terrorism -
Often, legislators only hear from their constituents when the constituents want something, or when the constituents are taking them to task for something that they did or didn't do. MOAA believes strongly that it's equally important for legislators to get positive feedback when they champion something of significant benefit to their constituents. Legislators (and their staffs) who feel that their good work is noticed and appreciated are that much more likely to go to bat for us in the future.
Texas legislators were instrumental in passage of the FY2005 National Defense Authorization Act that provides MOAA and the military community a number of important legislative victories i.e., a 3 1/2 year phase-out of the SBP "widows tax", significant strides on Guard and Reserve healthcare and permanent ID cards, and full concurrent receipt for 100% disabled retirees, starting in January. While plenty of challenges remain, it's important to show appreciation for our Senators and Representatives who helped generate these positive changes. Additionally, communication with out-of-state legislators, especially, "Representative Jeff Miller (R-FL) and Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), who spearheaded SBP revision, would also be greatly appreciated, and appropriate.
Please help let our deserving legislators know that MOAA members appreciate their efforts by taking a moment to send a "thank you". A personal letter, a telephone call, or a visit during the holiday season will most certainly ensure our legislators know how much we appreciate their support/efforts. Additionally, for those that use e-mail, the MOAA website http://capwiz.com/moaa/home/ will be of great help in your communication of thanks. A print option allows you to print a hard-copy letter rather than sending an e-mail. Hard-copy letters get more attention, especially if you add a hand-written "P.S."
Much has been accomplished by Congress in 2004 to support of active duty, Guard/Reserve, and retired military. However, much more needs to be done in 2005 to ensure success in MOAA's/ The Military Coalition's ongoing fight to preserve/enhance present entitlements and initiation of future entitlements.
I believe we can expect continued momentum in Congress to improve the lot of our active duty and reserve forces; unfortunately, some members of Congress and DoD in particular can't stop looking for ways to cut military retiree benefits. For example, some in government are already complaining that the costs to fund TRICARE for Life have far exceeded their original expectations. Recent testimony by a DoD official in testimony before the Subcommittee on Total Force Armed Services sounded much like the start of a new battle for our promised healthcare benefits. Additionally, undercurrent continues involving an earlier proposal to raise prescription copays and start copays on prescriptions at military pharmacies. Truth is the Iraqi War is "breaking the bank". Result: government and DoD in particular continue to look for ways to fund the war in addition to multitudes of other pet projects. And, when there's not enough in the budget to do so…such as now…they traditionally attempt to take an axe to the benefits of those no longer serving - to your benefits.
In the future we will list/address MOOA's 2005 agenda regarding important new legislation as well as preservation of our current benefits. I believe by now MOAA members are well aware of the importance of getting involved in the legislative process. 2005 will require your involvement….Big time. Stay tuned!!!!
Col. Mike Jordan, MOAA Deputy Director Government Relations, recently presented members a "real time" update regarding MOAA's progress on pertinent legislation during the June Lone Star Officers Club meeting. As advertised, SBP revision continued as MOAA's #1 legislative priority.As an addenda Col. Jordan reminded the membership that The Administration and Legislators continue to be greatly influenced by all our lobbying efforts. Case in point: recent Administration "balloons" floated regarding marked increases in retired military drug costs were vaporized by a virtual avalanche of Email, letters, calls, etc. One source indicates that the Administration received over 13,000 communications from irate retirees during one 72-hour period regarding latter initiative. Think grassroots efforts don't work?
This begs the question: How many of our chapters are devoting a portion of their meetings to inform their membership of legislation that directly affects them? Additionally, what kind of mechanism is in place to encourage members to actively support legislative initiatives? If the answer to either of latter is "little or none" then chapters need to rethink their priorities. Fact is, two principal reasons MOOA Chapters exist are: 1) to support MOOA's national legislative program, and 2) achieve beneficial legislation at the state and local level.
Chapter members should be reminded on a continuing basis of the impact their contact with Congress regarding "near and dear" issues has had and continues to have. Additionally, members should be informed of appropriate ways to contact their representatives and positively influence support of common legislative objectives. At a minimum, "tear out" letters in our MOAA magazines should be mailed to representatives. For increased impact personal letters, Emails, use of MOAA's Action Alert, telephone calls, visits to district offices, and attendance at Town Hall Meetings are highly recommended. And remember, communications should not be limited to our representatives.. When appropriate they may be addressed to any level or branch of government.
Your 2005 Texas Council of Chapter dues are due. Dues Are based on the number of regular members in your Chapter as of October 1, 2004. The dues are $.40 per Regular member.
Please send your check to:
We thank you for your support. We hope your club Will be represented at a future TCC quarterly meeting. Please view our Website
For additional information and dates.
Louraine Robertson
Treasurer, TCC
Lodging manager touts Arkansas for holiday season
Whether you're traveling through or just visiting the area, the Razorback Inn at Little Rock AFB, Ark., is the place for you to stay.
That's according to Jerry McCray, Razorback Inn manager, who says now is the perfect time to visit Arkansas. He explained that the Razorback Inn is close to great shopping, dining and the new Clinton Presidential Library. Little Rock Air Force Base boast a beautiful golf course, a brand new cosmic bowling alley, fishing, and great dining.
Reservations can be made 30 days in advance. "With low cost and excellent customer service," said Mr. McCray, "the Razorback Inn is the perfect place to spend your Christmas and New Year holidays."
For more information on the Razorback Inn, call 501-987-6652 or 501-987-6753.
A list of other Air Force lodging facilities is shown at http://www.afsv.af.mil/ and click on lodging directory.
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