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THE BULLETIN BOARD |
Stanley Bullard came through for us in grand style once again, arranging for a delightful evening of entertainment by members of the Austin Lite Opera. It was great hearing songs popular during the days of "the greatest generation." One can actually enjoy the melody and understand the words of that type of music. Though not privileged to be a member of that particular generation, I vividly remember the music, and I hope all of you enjoyed it as much as I did. With entertainment such as this and with a slate of great speakers, it is obvious that Austin MOAA has much to offer to those eligible to become members but have not taken advantage of this great opportunity. Remember that the name of the organization was changed because we are now open to both retired officers and current members of the active and reserve forces. Encourage your friends who fit these categories to attend one of our monthly meetings, and I am very certain that a large number will enjoy the special opportunity to meet and visit with a great bunch of people. Just the opportunity to be associated with the members of this group is enough for me. We know that some of our members are having difficulty making the meetings due to distance or the inability to drive at night. Along that line, interest in forming a chapter in Sun City has been expressed, so if you have any particular feeling regarding that matter, or if you know someone who does, please let us know. Ed Marvin, President of the Texas Council of Chapters, has talked about that possibility. We'd hate to lose any of our fine members, but we'll help in any way we can. Keep posted on all that MOAA is trying to do legislatively, and let's try to build membership. I look forward to seeing each of you at our November meeting, and I believe you and your guests will enjoy hearing General Marty's address. God bless each of you. Take care, and remember, if you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it. How'd that get in here???? Maurice Quigley, COL, USA, [Ret.] President VETERANS DAY-11 NOVEMBER FLY YOUR FLAG-ATTEND OR TAKE PART IN THE
LOCAL PARADE |
MEET OUR SPEAKER
Lieutenant General Wayne D. Marty, Adjutant General, Texas National Guard LtG Marty is the Adjutant General for the State of Texas. He assumed that position on 9 August 2002. He is stationed at Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas. As the Adjutant General, he is responsible for leading over 18,000 soldiers, airmen, and civilians of the Texas Military Forces, which include the Texas Army and Air National Guard, the State Guard, and the Adjutant General's Department. Units under his command include the 49th Armored Division, the 71st Troop Command, the 147th and 149th Fighter Wings and the 136th Airlift Wing. LtG Marty began his military career in 1965. Throughout his career,
he has held a variety of key command and staff positions in both the
active component and the Texas National Guard. As an active duty
Lieutenant, General Marty served in Vietnam with the 192nd Assault
Helicopter Company, the "Tiger Sharks," as an armed helicopter
platoon commander. He subsequently served with the 2nd Armored Division
Artillery and as a Troop Commander with 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry.
General Marty later left active duty and joined the Texas National Guard
in 1970. His assignments have included duty with the 36th Aviation
Company, the 149th Aviation Battalion, the 49th Armored Division and
Headquarters, State Area Command. General Marty commanded the 1st
Squadron, 124th Cavalry and the 49th Armored Division's Aviation
Brigade. In 1993, he was appointed to serve as the Assistant Adjutant
General, Army. General Marty additionally assumed command of the 71st
Troop Command in August 2000. On 9 August, 2002, he was appointed by the
Governor as the Adjutant General. 1965- St. Mary's Univ., San Antonio-BA-Music 1983-Command and General
Staff College
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| EVENTS FOR NOVEMBER
17 NOVEMBER-DINNER MEETING BOARD MEETING-TIME TO BE ANNOUNCED 12 NOVEMBER -PLEASE NOTE CHANGE- HEADS UP--- The Council of Chapters quarterly (winter) meeting will be held in Austin on the 11-12 Feb, 2005, with the Austin Chapter acting as Host for the occasion. More information and details will be forthcoming at a later date, but if you have an interest in the workings of MOAA, keep the dates in mind, and plan to attend the meetings. Nothing would be done at all if a man waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault with it. John Henry Newman 1801-1890--guideposts Volunteers needed-Col Del Vecchio is working on the ROTC-JROTC Program for the spring and needs volunteers to present awards. This is a very rewarding activity for the presenter. You gain a new perspective on today's youth. Our ROTC Cadets are proud of their organization , their uniforms and their achievements. AND ANOTHER HOUSEKEEPING NOTICE-Look at the label on your Bulletin. If it says 12-04, your dues are paid through December. Both the Membership Officer and the Treasurer would appreciate early payment of next year's dues. EXCERPTED FROM MOAA INFO update-NOV. CRSC Applicants Wanted The $22 billion Combat-Related Special Compensation [CRSC] program for disabled military retirees has paid out only $100 million so far. The Army estimates less then 12% of eligible army retirees have applied. The CRSC was implemented to reverse an old law that forced a retiree to forfeit a dollar of retired pay for each dollar of disability compensation received from the Vet. Admin. CRSC began in June 2003 for qualified retirees with at least 20 years of active duty or 7,200 RESERVE SERVICE POINTS that had a 10% or more VA disability resulting in a Purple Heart, or a 60% disability because of combat or | combat-related causes.
Effective January, 2004 CRSC was expanded to include retirees who have
combat or combat-related disabilities rated at 10% or higher, including
RESERVE COMPONENT retirees who qualified for retirement, no longer
requiring the 7200 points. For further info go to www.dfas.mil/money/retired/crscindex.htm or www.moaa.opg/Benefitsinfo/crsc/crsc.asp. or contact the VA for assistance. FROM THE AFFILIATE-OCT, 04-EXCERPT CRSC.....................Air Force and Navy officials reported that their backlogs of unprocessed claims had been reduced to less than 200 each. The Army, which had almost 30,000 CRSC applications (more than the other services combined), still had a backlog of more then 8,000 claims. (Edit note-if the two proceeding articles appear to be somewhat contradictory, take both at face value.) ............Army officials reported they had achieved a breakthrough agreement with the VA that should expedite the Army's receipt of archived information from the VA-the most time-consuming part of the process for older retirees. The Army expects this will have a substantial impact in reducing the backlog in coming months. ............................The services also shared some important tips for a successful application: Documentation is the key...............how the disability was incurred. Linkage of the disability to a combat or operations-related episode or incident is important. Repetitive exposure claims (hearing loss, degenerative conditions, etc.] are harder to approve. The applicant must show a clear pattern of the disability's onset during active service, or at least during exit physical or initial VA medical exam. GUARD AND RESERVE RETIREES must be eligible to receive retired pay (be at least age 60] to be eligible for CRSC payments. Because the purpose of CRSC, in effect, is to restore to restore lost retired pay value that has been offset by VA disability compensation, there's no value to restore if there's no lost retired pay. DON'T HESITATE TO REAPPLY IF YOUR APPLICATION IS NOT APPROVED AND YOU LATER OBTAIN ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION - Your integrity will affect your destiny; don't leave home without it. Clarence F Hodges from Bits and Pieces |
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THE BULLETIN BOARD DINNER MEETING - 17
November, 2004 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. |
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-------COME AND JOIN YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS - SUPPORT MOAA! If you don't participate in the activities, you have no standing to complain if you are unhappy. Put on your best smiling face and COME OUT AND BE COUNTED!!!!!!! |
| PROGRAM
This month we have the rare privilege of hearing from a Commander of National Guard Troops who is on active duty and has many units, not only on active duty, but deployed to the areas where the action is ongoing. Obviously, this editor can't tell you what General Marty is going to speak about but it will be interesting, informative and up-to-date. General Marty is the Adjutant General of the Texas National Guard and is stationed at Camp Mabry. LET'S TURN OUT IN FORCE TO WELCOME HIM TO AMOAA AND MAKE HIM WANT TO JOIN OUR LOCAL ORGANIZATION. 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. ATTENTION SINGLES | ORDER OF THE EVENING SEATING CHARTS WILL BE PLACED ON TABLES AT 1830 HOURS
MENU House Salad Baked Turkey Breast Roasted Garlic Potatoes Root Vegetable Medley Dinner Rolls and Butter Pumpkin Cheese Cake Coffee-Tea-Iced Tea MOAA name tags available - Members who wish permanent name tags should contact Col. Ben A. Meharg at 280-2569. E-mail . The cost is $3.00, but they will last a lifetime-unless you lose them. - |
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CHAPTER OFFICERS 2004-2005
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| Appointed Board Members | |||||
| Chaplain | LtC. Ernest S. Dean | USAF | 477-5390 | Duties | |
| Assistant Chaplain | Col. Leon Holland | USA | 335-1224 | Duties | |
| Personal Affairs Officer | Capt. William K. Brown | USN | 345-5420 | Duties | |
| Austin Military Coalition Representative | Col. Bruce Conover | USAF | 282-1844 | Duties | |
| Legislative Affairs Officer | LtC. Carlos W. Higgins | USAF | 258-3564 | Duties | |
| ROTC Awards Coordinator | Col. Bill Del Vecchio | USA | 244-3248 | Duties | |
| Newsletter Editor | LtC. Mary Kelso | USA | 346-7140 | Duties | |
| Webmaster | LtC. J. R. Howard | USAF | 255-2206 | Duties | |
 HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY
AND LET US ALL REMEMBER TO THANK OUR GOD FOR THE BLESSINGS WE HAVE RECEIVED THIS YEAR---AND THANK OUR MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE AND HAVE BEEN IN HARM'S WAY THIS YEAR. WE ALSO SHOULD THANK THOSE OF OUR LEGISLATORS WHO WORKED ON IMPROVING MILITARY BENEFITS-ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT IMPACT OUR ACTIVE DUTY TROOPS- INCLUDING NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE FORCES. |
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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 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
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