I’d like to tell you that our efforts to control matters with regard to our Attitude Adjustment Period were an outstanding success, but you know I don’t like to kid around, and that would be kidding in a big way. We ask once again, that our members not visit the bar until 1830 hours. We are trying to have a good time and control expenses at the same time, and I believe everyone will continue to enjoy the evening and we can stay within the budget if we will cooperate. You’re all great people, and I know you will understand. Now, come on out, bring your friends who are not members of the chapter but should be, and have a terrific evening.                Maurice Quigley, President COL., USA, (Ret)

AMENDMENT I to The Constitution of the United States Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

DID YOU SEND IN YOUR POSTCARDS REGARDING THE SBP LEGISLATION???           Eliminating the “military widows tax” is a top priority of TMC and MOAA legislative programs for this year. This program affects many of our auxiliary members now , and will possibly/probably affect many others in the future. Please keep in mind that military survivors are the only federal survivors who are required to accept a benefit reduction at any age. Federal CIVILIAN survivors receive 50 to 55% of retired pay for life, while MILITARY survivors receive as low as 35%. Government subsidizes the civilian annuity at nearly twice the rate of the military. DON’T FORGET that the military sponsor paid for this annuity by a reduction in retired pay over the years--which means that the survivor helped pay for it, too. CALL YOUR SENATORS--PASS THE HOUSE VERSION----IT IS STILL NOT TOO LATE. EXCERPT FROM LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FOR FRIDAY, 24 SEPT.------       This week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by just 0.1% in August.  We now have two of the three (July, August, and September) monthly CPI index values that are averaged and compared to last year’s 3-month average to determine the COLA increases for retired pay, VA

disability compensation, and survivor annuities on December 1 (payable in the January 3 checks).       If the September CPI (which will be released in late October) remains unchanged, we would see a December COLA of 2.6%. Our best guess is that the COLA will be 2.6% or 2.7%. It would take a pretty good inflation bump in September to reach 2.8%.  -------------------------------------  FROM LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FOR 09/03/04      Substantially extracted--MEDICARE PART B----A change in your Social Security check on 1 Sept may be good news but you should double check to make sure. It could mean a waiver of the Late Enrollment Penalty--if that could apply to you. A provision of the Prescription Drug Act waives late enrollment penalties (as of Jan, 2004) for TRICARE-For -Life beneficiaries who enrolled in Part B between Jan. 2001 and Dec. 2004. It also authorizes a special enrollment period in 2004 for TFL-eligibles who have not so far enrolled in Part B. JUST DON’T FORGET----Medicare eligibles must be enrolled in Part B to have TFL as a second payer to Medicare. The only exception is for family members who are eligible for Medicare because of disability. Social Security is sending letters NOW to the 48,000 military beneficiaries affected by the change. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER ON THIS SUBJECT, PLEASE READ AND HEED THE CONTENTS.

 

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-be sociable.  Move around.

 

Dr. Hans Mark was our guest speaker for the September dinner meeting.(more background). Normally your editor does not recap the activities of the prior meeting. This is a one time exception. Dr. Mark spoke on the Problem of Energy. His handout detailed the estimated worldwide energy resources, the consumption, the distribution by country, the U.S. production, the U.S. imports, U.S. consumption by sector, and some details on Nuclear energy. Since two thirds of the oil is located in Muslim countries, our relationship becomes very important. He posed that there are four differences in our culture. (1) They don’t have a separation of church and state which means conflicts are hard to resolve. (2) Half of their society isn’t involved. (3) There is no indigenous development of technology. (4) Muslims never fought a 30 years war. This was the catholic versus

protestant war which was fought until people could see no end.  The winners were the secular leaders, the “state”. There appears to be no answer to religious issues. People don’t compromise their religious beliefs. We can compromise on money, real estate and power. Saudi Arabia has 26% of the known oil reserves which is twice as much as the next country which is Iraq.  Dr. Mark discussed the possible succession of power which wasn’t a pretty picture----in either country. The time is coming when the oil will be shut off. We have limited resources while countries like Japan are totally dependent on imported oil. It is very hard to defend pipelines and refineries. Something needs to be done. We need about 10 years to develop alternatives. Solar power for home owners could supply maybe about 10% of our needs. It will be economical if the home owner takes the responsibility to maintain it. The only feasible alternate is nuclear. Oil resources are limited. Coal will increase global warming. Nuclear power generates hot waste, but so far it’s only about 6 box cars worth.                              Summary provided by J Howard --------------------------------------------- VOTE  -------------------- DON’T SIT ON THE SIDELINES--YOU HAVE TO BE A PLAYER TO GET INTO THE GAME. Katha Pollitt, Writer (Bits & Pieces)

 

THE BULLETIN BOARD     DINNER MEETING -   20 October, 2004     BAE Systems Dining Hall         6500 Tracor Lane (Highway 183, South of Webberville Overpass, Just off Ed Bluestein Blvd)                       1830 hours          Attire: Men: Business Suit or Uniform (always appropriate)                     Ladies: Business attire - Dress or Pant Suit                             Charge: $18.00 [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. Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important. Janet Lane---from Bits & Pieces

PROGRAM This month we have the privilege of hearing the Austin LITE Opera Ensemble, one of whose members is also one of our members. In addition to selections of their own choosing they will end their program with the songs of our military branches-songs we all know and the singing of which we can all be a part. Come out and join the chorus. One of the most striking differences between a cat and a lie is that a cat has only nine lives.                                                 Mark Twain- 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.

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: Program MENU Fresh Mozzarella, Basil, Cucumber &        Tomato Salad w/Raspberry Vinaigrette  Meatloaf with Hunter Sauce  Steamed Potato Green Beans & Onions  Dinner Roll and Butter  German Chocolate 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. -

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 Mrs. 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 Past President Col. Harry Smith Jr. USAF 926-8635 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

 

Editors Note---DON’T FORGET TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER OR SOONER. APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE NOW FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTS, AND YOU DON’T HAVE TO EXPECT TO BE ABSENT TO ASK FOR ONE. EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS AVAILABLE SOON.  -------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. You have already missed one wonderful Program-Don't miss another.                                 COME OUT AND BE COUNTED!!!!!!!

 

RETIRED OFFICERS WIVES CLUB LUNCHEON  -  Friday, 22 October  -  Austin Woman's Club                             Program-Protecting your Future  -    Federal Long Term Care                             Social time----10:45 a. m.          Luncheon---11:30                              Reservations:    Martha Kirby 259-0423     or    Jo Jean Gillespie 345-3069 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) TAPS  Lt Col. Ralph R. Ravenburg,       USAF, Retired        2 Sept., 2004 Eternal light shine upon him and may he rest in peace, amen. When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced.  Live your life in such a manner that when you die the world cries and you rejoice.                                                     Old Indian saying

 
 
 

Legislative Corner  With the permission of LTC Carlos Higgins, Legislative Affairs Officer     The following column, previously seen in November, 2002, prior to election time, is being slightly updated and reprinted.    The Best Government In The World-Ever But It Needs Our Help    What a Chore. As if we didn't have enough to do, dealing with the problems of daily living and just getting along. Here they come at us again, asking us to help decide, by the way we vote, what ought to be done about, well, you name it.     Yes, it is tough to sift through all the candidates who claim they will fix whatever, but won't say how, and try to win our votes by too often just painting the other candidates as scoundrels. (continued below)

MOAA Hqs. give us a steady stream of info on  current, relevant issues. Just take a look at any issue of the MOAA Magazine, or pull up their Web on your computer. See how many bills now in Congress MOAA is telling us about, and how many of those Bills affect us, our families, and many of our good friends.      That's at the federal level. We also have legislation affecting us at the state level. Information is available from the Texas Council of MOAA Chapters  for both federal and Texas issues or MOAA/legislation.. Another source of information is the Texas Silver-haired Legislature, created by the Texas Legislature to advocate on behalf of Senior citizens and made up of elected members from throughout the state.  (continued below)

 

But as we are often reminded, "Not voting doesn't help!" Whether we are talking about helping decide who gets elected, or helping them-once elected- to make the "right decisions", not many people are better equipped to do that job than MOAA members. But if we drop out because it is too much trouble or because "it doesn't do any good anyway", then just consider who's left to help make all those important decisions.      Trying to persuade those in office to make good decisions is a MOAA goal and one we should all actively and aggressively support. Our folks at

(I am in my 2nd TSHL term, representing Williamson County and the North half of Travis.) When you're ready to get involved in political efforts being made on our behalf, the information you'll need is available.      Here's a horse of a different color, though. When it comes to choosing candidates, MOAA does not endorse anyone, for at least three good reasons    To avoid jeopardizing its non-profit tax status    To avoid political rifts among the membership    To avoid endorsements "for the other guy" getting in the way of MOAA being able to work with all office-holders on legislative matters..

Members of MOAA can, of course, be as partisan as they choose, but as individuals-not as MOAA Officers. According to the General Counsel of MOAA in Washington, members are not entitled to use their affiliation with MOAA to add weight to political endorsements. The implication is that the member is speaking for MOAA in making an endorsement. That is a misrepresentation.     In sum, do vote, do get politically active (just don't use MOAA in your endorsements), and do "speak up" to help office holders do the right thing. The right thing certainly includes fair treatment for all of us. Carlos Higgins 512-258-3564 Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual-or at least that he ought not to do so: but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country. Samuel Adams, in the Boston Gazette, April, 1781

DUES-AGAIN Check your label - lf it says 12-2004 you have 2 more months paid up. Our Membership Officer, as well as the Treasurer, would appreciate members getting dues in early. Please remember that even if you elect to download the Newsletter from the Web-site, you should still maintain a paid up membership. HOLIDAY PARTY AND DANCE Col. DelVecchio has already booked the Band for our dancing pleasure at the Holiday-Christmas dinner dance meeting on the Second Wednesday in December. Please mark your calendars now, so as not to forget the change from the usual third Wednesday. TIME IS RUNNING OUT-- IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE FOR RESTORATION OF "DIC" BENEFITS -- COMPENSATION- HOME LOANS- EDUCATION- because of remarriage after age 57 and before Dec. 16, 2003-tell them to hurry. They have until Dec. 15, 2004 to apply for reinstatement of benefits. The VA will not accept application forms after that date and I've been told the forms are long.

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________________________