THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER  In 1992, near the end of my active duty in the Navy, I attended the decommissioning in Pearl Harbor of the USS WHIPPLE (FF 1052), a frigate that I had previously commanded from 1985 to 1988.  At the end of the ceremony I was presented with a plaque with a quote from President John F. Kennedy that follows me to this day: "Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think he can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction......I served in the UNITED STATES NAVY". Each of us carry the pride of our service to our country and I salute you for continuing to show that pride by your participation in AMOAA. I want to thank all of you for letting the Navy take a turn at presiding as your Chapter President for 2005- 2006. I have only been a member of this Chapter for two years but in that time, I have been impressed by the participation of the membership in the monthly Chapter dinners and by the great speakers. I have also personally participated in the ROTC awards program-l presented the AMOAA award at the Travis HS NJROTC Spring awards program last month-and found it a great opportunity to see first hand what our younger generation is achieving.

I hope we can continue the great participation by all of the services in our monthly dinners as well as in the ROTC awards program. My hat goes off to COL Maurice Quigley for his outstanding leadership of the Austin Chapter of AMOAA during 2004- 2005. I certainly appreciate that several of his team have returned so that we can maintain continuity. The new slate of officers was officially sworn in at the last Chapter dinner by Judge Lee Yeakel and includes some new faces as well as some familiar faces who have volunteered for another term. This is a great board of officers. We had our first board meeting on 27 May at the Naval Reserve Center to plan the next dinner and speaker as well as to start getting acquainted. Your new 1st VP, Col Sel Graham, brings some great enthusiasm and ideas to the Speaker Program. For this first meeting before we take our summer break, Sel will speak to us on Texas Military History, specifically a research paper he has done on Capt. Joseph Bonnell.  Bring your curiosity and a friend to our next meeting on 15 June, as I know you will benefit from and enjoy this talk.  Mark your calendars now for 15 June and also for 21 Sept [our first chapter dinner this fall after the summer break]. I look forward to talking to you on the 15th and serving as your Chapter President. CAPT. James Brotherton, USN [Ret]

 
 

MEET OUR SPEAKER          COL Seldon B. Graham, 1st Vice President and the person who will be in charge of finding interesting programs for our monthly meetings, has taken an unusual and novel approach to this duty. Saying that he hesitates to ask others to do something that he has not done himself, he has elected to become the first speaker of the 2005- 2006 season, himself. AND WHAT A PROGRAM HE IS PRESENTING!!'!!!!!!      Colonel "Sel" Graham was drafted in 1944 and went to the Infantry Replacement Training Center, Camp Wolters, Texas. He was soon selected for OCS at FT. Benning, had a tour of duty in Korea and was selected to attend West Point, Class of 1951. He served with the 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division in Germany.      Army Reserve Assignments: OOCSLOG. DA from 1964-68 and OOCSOPS, DA, 1971-79, 101st Airborne [Air Assault) Division 1979 , and OOCSPER. DA, 1979. He attended Army Command and Staff College, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Army War College and Air Force War College.     Along the way he became a Civilian Registered Professional Engineer in 1962 and an Attorney-at- Law in1971.    "Sel" Graham has lived in Austin on four separate time frames, the latest and present one for 20 years. In this time he has become interested in history of the area, and his presentation for us regards A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR A TEXAS HERO.

A Hero of the Texas Revolution is to receive full military honors on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The "Old Guard", the Army's ceremonial unit which guards the Tombs of the Unknowns in Arlington Cemetery, is honoring one of its own officers.    On April 7,1836, two weeks before the Battle of San Jacinto, US M. Gen. Edmund P. Gaines sent 1st Lt. Joseph Bonnell, 3rd US Infantry Regiment [the "Old Guard"), Fort Jessup, LA., to the Caddo villages of East Texas to persuade the Indians to remain at peace. An estimated 1,700 Indian warriors had gathered in East Texas, threatening Texans during the Texas Revolution. Lt. Bonnell's lone mission into Texas was successful. He convinced Caddo Chief Cortez to have the warriors return to their villages and live in peace.    This is the same Lt. Joseph Bonnell who Gen. Sam Houston selected to be his Aide-de-Camp. This is the same Joseph Bonnell whose name appears on the Texas Army's "List of Officers" along with well-known names such as Travis and Fannin.    The Texas State House of Representatives has issued a Resolution honoring Joseph Bonnell. A 26-star United States flag is being manufactured especially for this memorial dedication ceremony. Captain Joseph Bonnell was the only United States Army officer who could be considered a hero of the Texas Revolution.

-COME AND JOIN YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS - SUPPORT MOAA!" Be an active member-You can't complain if you don't take part. Besides, if you are on one of the birthday month lists you won't win if you aren't there. Last meeting until September. Let's have a good turnout. Some of you have been absent for a long time now.

 

The birthday list this month will be for June, July and august. There will be one drawing for each month for a birthday present. No names will be accepted for adding at the meeting-
June	July	August
Mrs. Patricia Allison, USAF Capt. Mary Conley USN LtC Louis Hale, USAF Col Hugh Hatley USAF Maj. Henry Kojzarek USAF Mrs. Virginia Mascot USAF Mrs. Betty Mathews USAF Mrs.. Elizabeth Maryland USAF Col Richard Moline USAF Col Bernard Pusin, USAF Mrs. Hallie JD Reesing USA Mrs. Nel Reinke USAF LtC John Sanders USAF Col Charles Seideman USA Mrs. Virginia Shotts USAF LtC Robert Sluter USAF Capt. Robert Snider USAF Mrs. Geri Stone USAF Col Mary Todd USAF Mrs. June Trussell USAF Maj. Ralph Trussell USAF	Maj Rodney Allison USAF Capt. Walter Alt USN Mrs. Gladys Blakeslee USA LtC Lawrence Cummings USAF Mrs. Karen Davis USAF Mrs. Carol Drew USAF Mrs. Dorothy Elliott USA Mrs. Alvina Friar USA Mrs. Franc1ne Fries USAF LtC Lloyd Fry USAF Mrs. Barbara Hampton USAF Mrs. Barbara Hays USAF Mrs. Ann Jacobs USN Mrs. Catherine Larson USAF Mrs. Donna Martin USAF Mrs. Julia McJunkin USAF Mrs. Brenda Meharg USMC Mrs. Mildred Musgrave USAF Col John Parrish USAF LCdr William Petticrew USNR LtC Ralph Pyle USAF BGen Andrew Rogers USA LCdr Marshall Smith USCG Capt. Anne Steinocher USN LtC Joseph Studak USAF	Mrs. Helene Alt USN LtC Bruce Barrett USAF Col Kenneth Barrett USAF Mrs. Frances Bowden USAF Lt Thomas Broyles USN Mrs. Lakki Brown USN Mrs. Mary Christian USAF LtC Dale Christians USAF Col George Chronis USAF Col Rodney Cox USAF LtC Louise Crowley USAF Col Raymond Crowley USAF Mrs. Shirley Dean USAF Maj Cesere Freda USA Mrs. Ruth Frederick USAF Mrs. Millie Gar1son USAF Mrs. Leota Heir USA Mrs. Lois Hellenga USAF Cdr Henry Henley USN Mrs. Marie Hester USA Col Wesley Lokken USMC LtC George McClure USA Mrs. Betty Pyhrr USA Cdr Jerome Rosplock USN Mrs. Lucille Russell USA Col Raymond Siebert USAF Mrs. Kathryn Slepr USAF Mrs. Hellen Snider USAF LtC Harold Susskind USAF Capt. Calvin Turner USA Mrs. Mary Wagnon USA

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS       It may be hard to find a 2006 calendar this soon, but your appointment book probably has one. These are the dates for the AMOAA dinner meetings in 2005 and 2006. With the exception of December when the dinner dance is always on the second Wednesday, the dinner meetings are always on the third Wednesday of the month, as follows; Wednesday, 15 June, 2005  Wednesday, 21 September, 2005  Wednesday, 19 October, 2005  Wednesday, 16 November, 2005  Wednesday, 14 December, 2005 (possibly)  Wednesday, 18 January, 2006  Wednesday, 15 February, 2006  Wednesday, 15 March, 2006  Wednesday, 19 April, 2006  Wednesday, 17 May, 2006  Wednesday, 21 June, 2006-first meeting of the next administrative year. REMINDER-THERE WILL NOT BE A DINNER MEETING IN JULY OR AUGUST. You do what you can for as long as you can, and when you finally can't, you do the next best thing. You back up, but you don't give up,        Chuck Yeager, Aviator,  from Bits & Pieces

VISIT THE AMOAA WEB SITE   Computer owners, parents of, and grandparents of computer owners-if you have not logged on to Austin MOAA's web site you have missed, not just a treat, but an educational experience. And an inspiring one, besides. This editor was looking for additional Bio information today and stopped to read a speech given by a retired Navy- Marine Corps General-read it twice-it inspired me on this Memorial Day to renewed pride in service to my country and pride and loyalty to those with whom I served. The Web site will also be a good way to keep up to date on our organization during the summer months. There will not be a Newsletter published in June, July or August. The next NL will be out the first of Sept for the September dinner meeting.- The greatest undeveloped territory in the world lies under your hat.    Author unknown from Bits & Pieces  EVENTS FOR JUNE 15 JUNE-dinner meeting-      1830 hours- BAE systems (Tracor) 21 JUNE- BOARD MEETING-      1330 hours Camp Mabry Naval Reserve Building ROWC-The next regular Luncheon will be in September. See page 4 for other activities. The biggest liar in the world is They Say. D. Mallock. Poet & Writer from Bits & Pieces

  

THE BULLETIN BOARD     DINNER MEETING -  Wednesday, 18 MAY 2005     BAE Systems Dining Hall         6500 Tracor Lane (Highway 183, South of Webberville Overpass, Just off Ed Bluestein Blvd)                       1830 hour Attire: Men: Casual, Uniform always appropriate Ladies: Casual LET'S NOT GO FOR SHORTS FOR EITHER ONE  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.

 

BRIEFS FROM MAY 27 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE--      The House has passed its version of the 06 Def. Authorization Bill by a large margin. It includes numerous compensation improvements for active, Guard and Reserve forces: upgrades in death benefits and small relief for unemployable disabled retirees. Amendments adopted include proposals aimed at improving mental health services for returning combat soldiers and their families.................extension of eligibility for space- available travel to gray-area Reserve retirees.........A requirement that the Pentagon must provide Congress 60 days notice before changing any assignment policy regarding women in combat......and EXPRESSION OF THE "SENSE OF CONGRESS" THAT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES THAT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ROTC PROGRAMS AND MILITARY RECRUITERS SHOULDN'T GET DEFENSE FUNDING. (EMPHASES ADDED BY EDITOR).........................House leaders stripped a provision that would have authorized permanent, premium-based TRICARE coverage for all members of the Selected Reserve............MOAA is disappointed but hopes for favorable Senate action.      URGE YOUR SENATORS TO SUPPORT KEY AMENDMENTS......The full Senate will begin considering its version of the 06 Def. Auth. Bill [S. 1042) the week of June 6.

We need a barrage of grass-roots messages urging Senators to vote for expected amendments on these issues.........................      Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) will offer a SBP amendment to make paid-up SBP coverage effective this October, rather than waiting until October 2006, and end the "military widows tax" that deducts VA survivor payments from military SBP annuities.      Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) will offer an amendment to end the disability offset to military retired pay immediately for disabled retirees rated "unemployable" by the VA.      Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) will offer an amendment to extend permanent TRICARE eligibility to all members of the Selected Reserve.      Computer users can use the MOAA web site to send a message to both of your Senators. Everyone can use MOAA's tall-free Hot Line to Capitol Hill (1-8OO-762-8762) to ask your senators to vote FOR these three amendments.      Meanwhile-MOAA Pres. VAdm Ryan attended a press conference in support of Sen. Landrieu's Hope at Home Act -which would give tax incentives to employers who make up salary differences for employees who take pay cuts when called to active duty. It would also require the Feds to make up the salary difference for federal employees called up. DoD surveys indicate that as many as 51% of activated Guard and Reserve take pay cuts.

 

PROGRAM     All chapter members live in TEXAS. All members have been in the MILITARY. All members have participated in and are a part of HISTORY. For the June meeting Col. Sel Graham would like to expose the chapter to some TEXAS MILITARY HISTORY. He will have returned from attendance at the Memorial Dedication Ceremony on 29 May, at the grave site of Captain Joseph Bonnell, in Philadelphia, PA. Capt. Bonnell died in 1840 at the age of 38 and was buried in an unmarked grave, with a civil ceremony. He has now received the honorable recognition which he earned and deserved. Please join us to honor this Texas hero. -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 Has Not changed, but your caller may have. If you have not been called by Sunday Evening and you wish to attend the dinner but 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 Ben A. Meharg at 280-2569. E-mail bmeharg@austin.rr.com. The cost is $3.00, but they will last a life time-unless you lose them. The greater the consequence of one's mistake, the better the lesson is learned,       by Carrie L Sharp, Fairborn, Ohio in Bits & Pieces

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 on table)  1900-1910 : Invocation Pledge of Allegiance National Anthem  1910-2000: Dinner and Door Prizes 2000: Speaker MENU Tropical Fruit Salad    BBQ Brisket      Potato salad          Cole Slaw             Dinner Roll--butter               Mouse Tuxedo Truffle Cake                  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.

 

CHAPTER OFFICERS 2004-2005 President Capt. James D. Brotherton USN  394-9381 email Duties First VP Col Seldon P. Graham USA  452-4000 email Duties Second VP Col. Ben A. Meharg USMC 280-2569 email Duties Third VP Major Rylen B. Rudy USMC  452-9923 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 Immediate Past President Col. Maurice Quigley USA 327-0285 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

THESE BOARD MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT AND, 
AS OF THIS PRINTING THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHANGES.

RETIRED OFFICERS WIVES CLUB Friday,-27 May-Was the last regular Friday Luncheon for this season.       The following activities will continue throughout the summer.           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) NEW MEMBERS-may have been listed before, but let's welcome them and make them want to become active in our organization- CAPT Homer Arnold, USN  CAPT Robert Fowler, USN  CDR Laura Fowler, USN  COL Paul Howe, USA CWO-4 Leonard Snyder, USN  LTCOL Charles Buerschinger, USA  LTCOL SEAN Blaydon, USA  MAJ Norman Jefferson, USAF

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________________________