THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER As we wind down the year and I reflect on the accomplishments of the past eleven months, I realize how fortunate I have been once again to have been supported by the fine members of our board, and I thank each of them for making this a most successful year. I sincerely hope that each of you have enjoyed the year as much as Tinka and I have, and I hope that you, too, will express your appreciation to both our retiring members and to those who have volunteered to stay and serve another year. We are thankful also to those not on the board who have helped to make this a successful and enjoyable year. Our Nominating Committee, chaired by Capt Jim Burrill with assistance from COL Leon Holland and Maj Stan Bullard, has given us a fine slate of officers and directors for the coming year. This is always a big job, but with good planning this mission was accomplished admirably. I am reminded of an actual analogy found in a high school essay. "The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law, Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work." It did. Placed in nomination are the following:

President, Capt James D. Brotherton, USN,  First Vice President, COL Seldon Graham, USA,  Second Vice President, COL Ben Meharg, USMC,  Third Vice President, MAJ Rylen Rudy, USMC Secretary, Mrs. Patricia Eagan, FMS  Treasurer, LtC Rogerio Rabago, USAF  USA. Rep., COL William DelVecchio, USA  USAF Rep., LtC Jerome Howard, USAF and  USN, USMC, USCG, USPHS, NOAA Rep.,          LCDR Joyce Hoover, USN      In accordance with the Constitution and By-laws, these members have been placed in nomination. There will be an opportunity to make nominations from the floor at this month's meeting. Nominations will then cease and an election will be held. A majority of members present will elect the new officers and directors who will be installed at the May meeting and take office on 1 June, 2005.      There is still much to do in these final two months. One important missions completion of the JROTC and ROTC Awards program, and COL OelVecchio could probably still use some help in that area. I can assure each of you that this is a most rewarding experience, so give Bill a call to see if you can help.      One final analogy reportedly taken from an actual high school essay alluded to my current status [lame duck): "He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck, that was actually lame. Maybe from stepping on a land mine or something." Bet that student got an A+. We look forward to seeing you on the 20th.          Maurice Quigley, COL., USA [Ret] President

 

TAX SAVINGS??? Reprinted from the April, 05 Affiliate-for action- In March, MOAA President Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN-Ret., spoke at a Capitol Hill press conference held by Sen. John Warner (R- Va.] and Rep. Tom Davis [R-Va.] to highlight the reintroduction of their bills (S.484 and H.R. 994] to allow active and retired service members and survivors to pay TRICARE enrollment fees, supplemental insurance premiums, and dental premiums with pre-tax dollars. This measure also would apply to federal retirees. The plan deducts premiums from pay checks before income taxes-saving anywhere from 25% to 40%. "This is an equity issue, not just between active and retired employees but between military and federal civilian workers and between Federal and private sector workers," Ryan said. "We are one team with the same mission-service to the nation ." MOAA and The Military Coalition strongly support this legislation. CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN AND SENATORS TO URGE CO-SPONSORSHIP..

The March Program was RENDEZVOUS WITH FREEDOM: A TRUE STORY OF ESCAPE AND EVASION    Romona Kelly , Communications Coordinator          Frederick Butler, USAF-Retired., a former Air Attaché to Belgium

EVENTS FOR APRIL 20 APRIL-dinner meeting-1830 hours        -BAE systems (Tracer) 26 APRIL- Board Meeting-1330 hours       -CAMP MABRY NAVAL RESERVE BLDG. * * * NOTICE-PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF ACTIVITY FOR THE ROWC- THE REGULAR LUNCHEON WILL NOT BE HELD. SEE  DETAILS ABOUT THE SURPRISE TRIP-4TH FRIDAY-22 APRIL Update on ROTC-JROTC-AWARDS by Col William DelVecchio                                                         512-244-3248 or e-mail: colonelbd@sbcglobal.net The requirements for the Awards, found in Appendix H of the MOAA Chapter Handbook, have been extracted and are provided herewith to all presenters and members, to remind all of the purpose of these awards. The purpose of the MOAA ROTC medal/certificate is to recognize an outstanding ROTC cadet or midshipman or JROTC cadet, in his next-to-last year in the program, who shows exceptional potential for military leadership (exceptional academic achievement in the case of the Marine Corps JROTC program]. The medal cannot be used for any other purpose. The candidate must: 1. Be in the next-to last year of the ROTC or JROTC program (customarily in the junior year of college or high school). 2. Be in good academic standing. 3. Be of high moral character. 4. Evidence a high order of loyalty to his unit, school and country 5. Show exceptional potential for military leadership.  SCHOOL DATES PRESENTERS 1. Akins High School AF JROTC 05/04 LtC J R Howard. USAF 2. Bastrop High School N JROTC Capt Edward G. Marsyla, USN 3. James Bowie High School AF JROTC 04/29 COL Maurice Quigley, USA 4. Del Valley High School AF JROTC 04/28 LtC Louise N. Crowley, USAF 5. Jack C. Hays High School MC JROTC 05/05 LtC Vincent 0. OiLoreto, USMC 6. Leander High School AF JROTC 04/30 LtC Ray C. LaFleur, USAF 7. Lockhart High School AF JROTC 03/23 Maj Harry T. Kemp, USAF 8. McNeil High School AF JROTC 05/07 LtC Charles S. High, USA 9. John H. Reagan High School AF JROTC 04/29 Col Leon L Holland, USA 10. Round Rock High School MC JROTC COL James W. Orr, USMC 11. San Marcos Baptist Academy Army JROTC 05/14 LtC Ben Herr, USA 12. San Marcos High School AF JROTC 05/07 LtC Robert S. Sluter, USAF 13. Stony Point High School N JROTC 04/26 LCDR Walter R. Conley, USN 14. Travis High School N JROTC CDR. Joe W. Hopson, USN 15. Westwood High School AF JROTC 05/07 LtC Mary A. Kelso, USA 16. University of Texas Army ROTC COL William H. Throop, USA 17. University of Texas N ROTC Capt James D. Brotherton, USN 18. University of Texas AF ROTC 04/28 COL George 0. Lewis, USAF 19. Texas State University Army ROTC 04/21 COL Fred D. Bangasser, USA 20. Texas State University AF ROTC 04/13 COL Verne D. Philips, USAF Please note five schools had not reported dates as of this writing. Backup alternate: COL William P. DelVecchio, USA -The above information represents much effort and coordination on the part of Col DelVecchio             THE BULLETIN BOARD     DINNER MEETING -  Wednesday, 20 APRIL 2005     BAE Systems Dining Hall         6500 Tracor Lane (Highway 183, South of Webberville Overpass, Just off Ed Bluestein Blvd)                       1830 hours          Attire: Men: Business Casual, Uniform always appropriate                     Ladies: Dress or Pant Suit or Uniform                             Charge: $18.00 per person  [check payable to AMOAA ] Note: Reservations may be made with your assigned caller or with your service representative by calling before 2100 hours on the Sunday before the Wednesday dinner. Cancellations should also be made by the aforementioned time. Individuals who do not honor reservations will be billed. COME AND JOIN YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS - SUPPORT MOAA!  VOTE!!!!! -This is your chance to speak up-The nominating committee has proposed a slate of Officers for the coming year, but you can nominate anyone of your choice-just be sure to ask him/her first. Be an active member. You can't complain if you don't take part. NEW MEMBER Capt HOMER S. ARNOLD, MD., USN  LETS WELCOME HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!! AUSTIN CHAPTER WEBSITE You may have visited our web site when it was first put on the Internet, but it's not a static site. I have several sources of new material, including several items a week from Dale Christian. If you have items Co put on the website, send the information to jr99howard@austin.rr.com. The latest material includes: an emergence during a night carrier take off, a forward air controller story, pictures of the new city hall, and two humorous comparisons of pilots and of the military services. To keep up, please visit the chapter website about once a week. http://www.main.org/moaaaustin/ When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign: that all the dunces in the world are in confederation against him. Jonathon Swift Birthday List for the Month of April Mrs. Alice Blood , USAF MRS Nancy Kojzarek, USAF Capt William Brown, USN Capt Francis Koval, USN Mrs Iris Chronis, USAF RS Mercedes McPartland, USAF LCDR Walter Conlev, USN MRS Marjorie Molnar. USA Col David Conrad. USAF MRS Jean Richardson, USAF Maj Guy Daws, USAF LtCol Simon Rodriguez, USA LtC Vincent DILoreto, USMC MRS Janice Rogers, USA Col Henry Fouts, USA MRS Mabel Stubbs, USA Capt Robert Fowler. USNR MRS Audrey Wilson, USAF MRS Virginia Freda, USA LtC Paul Xiques. USAF MRS Marie Hester, USA MRS Bobbye Garth, USA LCDR Joyce Hoover, USN Col Seldon Graham. USA CDR Joe Hopson. USN CWO-4-Gery Walters. USA Maj Richard Keskinen. USAF Additions may be made at the meeting-drivers license may be presented as evidence. This is your chance to get at least one Birthday Present, but you have to be Present to win the Present.       PROGRAM-- LtC Edward Marvin, President of the Texas Council of Chapters of MOAA, will be here to tell us what the Council is and what it does. Our local chapter recently hosted a regional Council, and I heard many fine reports about the meeting, but I was out of town at the time so could not attend and I have heard nothing about what, if anything, was discussed or accomplished. And I venture to say the same is true for most of the members. This meeting will give us an opportunity to learn about our organization and maybe even to become involved.  --Please Note: If you are not being called each month concerning the dinner meeting on the third Wednesday, please call your service representative [listed elsewhere in the Bulletin] and ask that he/she add your name to the calling lists. Your Service Rep may have changed, and your caller may have, also.   lf you have not been called by Sunday Evening and wish to attend the dinner, and cannot reach your own Service Rep, please call one of the others. They will be glad to accommodate you and turn in your reservation. MOAA Name tags available-Members who wish permanent name tags should contact Col Ben A. Meharg at 280-2569. E-mail bmeharg@austin.rr.com .  The cost is 3.00, but they will last a lifetime-unless you lose them. ORDER OF THE EVENING SEATING CHARTS WILL BE PLACED ON TABLES AT 1830 HOURS 1830-1900: -Social Period - Bar Open--  Pay for Dinner, Check in with Service Representative, Select Seats (sign form at end of table)  1900-1910 : Invocation Pledge of Allegiance National Anthem  1910-2000: Dinner and Door Prizes 2000: Speaker MENUCaesar Salad   Citrus Grilled Ma hi Ma hi w/orange ginger glaze    White Rice      Roasted Zucchini & Tomatoes        Whole Wheat Rolls -Butter           Strawberry Labomba Pie             Coffee-Tea-Iced Tea ATTENTION SINGLES     We try to sit together at MOAA dinners. Look for the sign-SINGLES- and sign your name if you want to sit with us.    We are not guaranteeing a singles spot -You do not have to sit there.  Man does not live by words alone, despite the fact that sometimes he has to eat them. Adiai Stevenson                     EXERT  FROM THE APRIL AFFILIATE- FOR ACTION, NEW SBP BILLS INTRODUCED Rep. Henry Brown [R. S.C.] and 23 other original cosponsors have introduced H.R. 808, which would end the dollar-for-dollar deduction of Dependency and indemnity Compensation-(DIC)-paid by the VA when the servicemember's death is due to service caused conditions- -from the survivor's military Survivor Benefit Ran [SBP) annuity. Because most. SBP annuities are relatively low in such cases, the SBP-DIC offset often eliminates most or all of the SBP, leaving many surviving spouses with only the $993 monthly DIC annuity.      Rep. Jim Saxon (R-N.J.] has introduced H.R. 968, which would change the effective date of 30-year, paid- up SBP from Oct 1, 2008, to Oct. 1, 2005. Congress authorized paid-up SBP coverage in 1998 for any retiree who reaches age 70 and has paid at least 30 years of SBP premiums. But the effective date was delayed for 10 years to save money. In effect, this imposed a "greatest generation tax" on the oldest military retirees who enrolled when SBP first was enacted in 1972. Even before that, many paid premiums under the earlier Retired Servicemen's Family Protection Plan. By this fall, those 1972 enrollees already will have paid almost 20% more SBP premiums than a 1978 enrollee will ever have to pay. If they have to wait until 2008, they'll end up paying 34% more than 1978 retirees.     As MO reported last month, in the Senate. Sens. Bill Nelson [D La] and Jon Corzine (D-N.J.) have combined the SBP-DIC and paid-up SBP initiatives into a single bill, S. 185. Fixing these inequities is a top goal for MOAA this year.      ACTION-IF YOU HAVE COMPUTER ACCESS, GO TO THE MOAA WEBSITE TO FIND THE ACTION MESSAGES. IF NOT, GET OUT YOUR PEN AND PAPER. EXCERPT CONTINUED- - RED HERRINGS BLUR BUDGET ISSUES-......Some on Capitol Hill appear to be buying the idea that benefit improvements Congress approves should come at the expense of other DoD programs. During a....VA Subcommittee Rep Kirk R IL......asserted that spending on military dependents and retirees offers "no military value".............Kirk said the cost of...improvements...is coming at the expense of pay and equipment for active duty troops.      Other ...members...Edwards D, TX and Boyd D, Fla. took sharp exception. Edwards was quick to note that recruiting and retention is directly affected by how fairly the nation treats those who have served. Boyd added that. with a mostly married volunteer force, the government must protect the well being of family members and veterans to sustain retention and readiness...................................ls it expensive to upgrade Guard and Reserve...compensation to help offset the additional sacrifices being imposed on them? Yes. But ...........we simply can't triple their service requirements and then claim the government has no reciprocal obligation to help compensate for the huge, long-term disruptions imposed on their families and civilian careers. The mind is its own place, and in itself can make heaven of Hell, a hell of Heaven. John Milcon     CHAPTER OFFICERS 2004-2005 President Col. Maurice Quigley USA 327-0285 email Duties First VP Major Stanley Bullard USAF 926-8438 email Duties Second VP Col. Ben A. Meharg USMC 280-2569 email Duties Third VP LtC. Hal Hampton USAF 327-2378 email Duties Secretary   Patricia O. Eagan FMS 894-4036 email Duties Treasurer LtC. Rogerio Rabago USAF 345-8193 email Duties USA Representative Col. Bill Del Vecchio USA 244-3248 email Duties USAF Representative LtC. J. R. Howard USAF 996-4142 email Duties USN/USMC/USCG/USPHS/USNOAA LCdr. Joyce Hoover USN 452-9786 email Duties Appointed Board Members Chaplain LtC. Ernest S. Dean USAF 477-5390 email Duties Assistant Chaplain Col. Leon Holland USA 335-1224 email Duties Personal Affairs Officer Capt. William K. Brown USN 345-5420 email Duties Austin Military Coalition Representative Col. Bruce Conover USAF 282-1844 email Duties Legislative Affairs Officer LtC. Carlos W. Higgins USAF 258-3564 email Duties ROTC Awards Coordinator Col. Bill Del Vecchio USA 244-3248 email Duties Newsletter Editor LtC. Mary Kelso USA 346-7140 email Duties Webmaster LtC. J. R. Howard USAF 255-2206 email Duties RETIRED OFFICERS WIVES CLUB change---"A surprise spring overnight trip"     -Sure to bring back warm memories of your teenage, all-girl pajama parties-- DATE-22-23 APRIL, 2005. COST: $250.00 ALL INCLUSIVE-ALL MEALS, OVERNIGHT HOTEL, ALL ENTERTAINMENT, SNACKS TO AND FRO, GRATUITIES AND TAXES.  IN OTHER WORDS, YOU WON'T HAVE TO SPEND ANYTHING MORE UNLESS YOU WANT TO GO SHOPPING-AND THERE WILL BE TIME FOR SHOPPING. WHERE???? A MYSTERY-YOU WILL KNOW THE ANSWER AS YOU LEAVE THE PARKING LOT-PLENTY OF TIME TO CALL YOUR FAMILY TO LET THEM KNOW. PARKING LOT?? AT EITHER THE RIVERBEND CHURCH OR THE GREAT HILLS-CALL MARTHA PYLE AT 918-0477 FOR MORE INFO. AND FOR RESERVATIONS. May 27 will be the last meeting until September. Pay your dues if you want to be in the membership roster, which will be printed during the summer. Club Dues are Due-($13.00) to insure you are correctly listed in the 2005-06 Roster. Luncheon-     First Monday of each Month -1300 hours-that is 1:00 PM       Caring and sharing Widows Group-LUBY'S CAFETERIA ON STECK AVE            (OFF MESA OR MOPAC) Contact Genevieve Bruce (453-0871) BRIDGE      Second Friday of each Month- 0915 hours       Bridge - Cafeteria in the Headquarters building of CAMP MABRY          Contact-Shirley Bone (1-246-9829) or Eva Costello (458-9064) Life is not a right, full of freedoms. Life is a privilege, full of responsibilities. .... Author Unknown         DUES FORM Please fill in the form below, detach it, and mail it with your check (payable to AMOAA) to: Military Officers Association of America P.O. Box 1071 Austin TX 78767-1071 o New Member          o  Returning Member     o Current Active Member Dues for 1 Jan thru 31 Dec            are $ 15 for Officers and $ 10 for Widows and Widowers   Name, Rank, Service ___________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________ City ___________________________________________ State _______________Email________________________ Telephone no. _______________ Fax________________________