We will be faced with new challenges and some old ones this year both on the state and national level. Many of the issues that we lobbied for on the National level are still present. The recent issue of “Afterburner” (Air Force news letter) presented an article on the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). This will be our major lobbying topic when we ‘storm the hill’ on 27 March. Members can assist this lobbying effort by e-mailing, faxing or calling their respective congressman and the two senators.
The 17 January issue of MOAA Legislative Update presented the New Bills for the upcoming legislative session – Medicare, concurrent receipt, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), and others. These bills are a carry over from the previous legislative session. We need to let our legislators know our feelings on these issues. Become Involved!!! THESE ISSUES AFFECT YOU!
On the State level, at a recent meeting in Austin, the Texas Veteran Coalition presented the bills already filed for the Texas House/Senate that affect veterans. Four representatives, Corte, Hupp, Uresti and Berman and two Senators, Zaffarini and Wenworth addressed the subject of protecting the privacy of the DD214. The Veteran Coalition voted to support these representatives on this issue.
Many of you already know that two new Veteran’s Homes will be built -- one in El Paso the other in McAllen; the first two State Veteran Cemeteries will be located in Killeen and Mission. Many locales submitted a bid for these facilities, but financial constraints limited the selection.
Be sure and visit our web site for upcoming events. The three chapters in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area have planned an outstanding council meeting for 25-26 April. Adm. Ryan, President MOAA, will be our guest speaker. Col. Jim Pauls, council and chapter affairs, will talk to us during our council meeting.
Ginny Alloway
Pres. TCC
The Quarterly meeting of the Texas Council of Chapters was held at Huntsville and hosted by the East Texas Chapter, President Lt. Col. William Byrne.
The dinner was outstanding with a main course of prime rib. After dinner, we were treated to a talk and held spell bound by Mike Morrow, Superintendent of the Windham School District. I would whole-heartedly recommend you get him as a speaker. His E-mail is: superintendent@wsdtx.org
John Biggerstaff of the Texas Greenville chapter let it be known that he will be the incoming President as of Jan 03. Congratulations are in order and we wish him lots of success.
Also we have John Stephenson, presently VP, who announced that he would be the incoming President of Central Texas chapter. Congratulations John!!
Lt. Col. Spencer Smith is the out going President of Central Texas and has been to many of our meetings. We hope he will continue to come as a delegate.
Yours Truly, your Editor will be 2nd VP of the Lone star Chapter of Ft Worth as of Jan 2003.
Slowly but surely, the organization of the Coastal Bend Chapter (Rockport/ Fulton) continues. Their organizing committee has been laboring long and hard on this project; but these things take time. Now that their work is about to be completed, there is still coordination to be done between the proposed Chapter, the Council, and TROA for final approval and presentation of the Charter to the new chapter. We look forward to "welcoming aboard" the Coastal Bend Chapter.
Gilberto
LCDR Gilbert D. Rodriquez USN RET
2nd Vice Pres TCC
All members of the Texas chapters are encouraged to attend the Quarterly meetings of the Texas Council of Chapters. We have 26 chapters in Texas and it would be beneficial to every one if we had a larger attendance. Our president has made it very clear that she would like to see more of the delegates attend the meetings. Lets have a big turnout at our January meeting in Killeen.
Colonel Don Everett Karr, former member of the TROA TX Chapter 27, was honored at a Dedication ceremony to name the Texas A&M University-Kingsville military science building in his honor. The building is now the KARR-VETERANS MEMORIAL HALL, in Memory of all ROTC alumni who gave their lives for this nation.
Col. Karr was a lifetime member of TROA. He was active in Rio Grande Valley Chapter 27, as Treasurer, when he passed away in 1996.
During his tenure as Professor of Military Science at the university, he revamped the Recruiting system, and participation increased 390%. While there, he established the ROTC rifle range. Perhaps, the graduation of the program's first female cadet was the point of his greatest pride. He was a director of the University Alumni Association during this tour and after he retired, served as Vice Chairman. While there, he also was a member of the Kingsville Planning and Zoning Board.
Among his achievements was a $50 million microwave and voice system for the Spanish Army and Navy. He was also responsible for daily oversight of operations of 10-15 agencies handling the disposition of 25,000 Cuban 93Mariel Boatlift94 refugees at Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas, in 1980.
Don Karr was the recipient of the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Humanitarian Service Medal, the Bronze Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with four Battle Stars, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Unit Commendation with Oak Leaf Cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.
There are many who have received these medals and far more than he. It is not the awards that make a man; it is what is within that is given to his fellowman when that fellowman is in need. Don Karr did just that, throughout his military career and civilian life; even as his last act on earth.
To his tribute, nominations for this honor came from New York to North Carolina, from California to Mississippi, and from all corners of Texas. They came too, from all ages and walks of life, from his peers to his subordinates, from his college professors administrators and students long past, and to civilians of his retired years. All proved he was the only nominee to represent the requirements of dedication to the University, the community, and the country, as required by the Board of Regents of Texas A & M University.
The Central Texas Chapter is looking forward to hosting the TCC meeting on 17 & 18 January 2003 in Killeen.
The Plaza Hotel will be the single site for all of our activities.
The Plaza Hotel is located at the intersection of the Expressway (190) and W.S.Young Dr. Tel # (254) 634-1555 .
Best route from San Antonio is North on Hwy 183 to Lampasas, then East on Hwy 190 to WS Young exit into the turn around lane to the left, then right into the parking lot of the Plaza Hotel. Or, you might prefer more traffic and congestion and decide to come North on IH 35 and West on Hwy 190 to Killeen. Then exit on WS Young, cross it and the Plaza Hotel is on your right.
We have 20 dbl rooms blocked for TROA at a $70 rate.
President-Elect John Stephenson has matters well-in-hand. I am hopeful that we will have a good attendance by the chapters and our local membership. Our chapter will have its normal meeting at the Ft Hood O'Club at noon on Friday the 17th of January.
After the meeting, we can tour the facility, go to the BX or whatever.
For the evening, We were thinking dinner on your own or with your friends at wherever you prefer.
We plan to have a Hospitality Room with drinks and snacks for visiting and catching up afterward.
Mark you calendars.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1931, "Jack" called Texas "home" since 1945. He attended Texas Christian University until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy because of the "Korean Police Action". After twenty-two years naval duty, having advanced to the rank of Commander and earning a Master’s degree in management, he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service in financial positions in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio for twenty years.
He retired in 1992 and re-located to the Hill Country, where he was active in community affairs, serving on the Board of Directors for the Oak Ridge Property Owners Association, and serving in various stations at the local and state levels of the Retired Officers Association.
He is survived by his wife Bonnie; two Sons and their Families (John Jr. and wife Jeanne with their son Michael of Fairfax, VA and Joseph Michael and wife Kerrie with their daughter Brenna of Magnolia, Texas.
In accordance with article X of the by-laws of the Texas Council of Chapters, a chapters annual dues for a calendar year shall become due on Jan 1 of that year. Dues are determined by the chapters members as of the previous October 1. The Board of Directors at the July 1994 meeting, established a rate of (40 cents) for each dues paying member up to a maximum of 500 dues paying members. Dues are not collected for associate members.