THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER   It was great to see such an outstanding turnout for our September monthly meeting. Our thanks go to Col Sel Graham for stepping in at the last minute when our scheduled speaker had to cancel. Col. Graham enhanced our Texas history again with a great talk on the "First Battle of San Antonio".    Our October 19th monthly meeting speaker be MGEN Guy S. Meloy.lll. who will talk to us about Veteran's Day, (Nov. 11th). This will be a not-to- miss talk. Mark your calendars today and bring a friend. If you have any comments about changes you would like to see in our meetings or things you like about our meetings, feel free to drop me an e-mail at ibrotherton@austin.rp.com.    Navy History Trivia:  All of the Armed Services have great traditions and historical beginnings. This summer while we took our vacations, the U.S. Army celebrated its 230th birthday on June 14th. Last month the U.S. Air Force celebrated its 58th birthday on September 18th, and this month the U.S. Navy celebrates its 230th birthday on October 13th.

The United States Navy traces its origins to the Continental Navy, which the Continental Congress established on 13 October, 1775 by authorizing the procurement, fitting out, manning, and dispatch of two armed vessels to cruise in search of munitions ships supplying the British Army in America. The legislation also established a Naval Committee to supervise the work. All together, the Continental Navy numbered some 50 ships over the course of the war, with approximately twenty warships active at its maximum strength.    I know that Hurricane Rita impacted a number of your families and I hope that all of you came through safely. While not a major issue but one close to my heart, the USNA/Rice football game that was scheduled for Sept 14th at Houston has been rescheduled for Oct 22nd at Rice Stadium in Houston. If you have a Sept 14th ticket it is still good for October 22nd. Tickets may still be available on the USNA web site if you are interested.     This fall we are asking you to renew your membership for 2006 in the Austin Chapter of MOAA. Our dues for 2006 are going up slightly due to increases in costs to support our dinners, speakers and youth awards. Officer dues will be $17 and widows renewals will be $12. While renewal dues are not due until Dec. 31st we should plan to get our renewals in before the Christmas season. One of our objectives this year is to get 100% renewals and to grow our chapter with 10 new members.

 
 

Speaking of youth awards, your MOAA National dues support youth financial assistance and scholarship grants. For the 2005-2006 year our Austin Chapter has three recipients: Quentin Donnelian, -Lago Vista ($3500 interest-free loan and $500 grant], Jayne Langerock, -Austin [$4000 interest-free loan); William D. Jones, -Austin ($4000 interest-free loan].    EACH OF YOU CAN BE A RECRUITER. When you meet a fellow retired officer in the area invite him/her to our dinner meeting and to join AMOAA. Thank you very much for your interest and support of your chapter. See you on Oct. 19th.       James D. Brotherton, CAPT, USN., Ret President MEET OUR SPEAKER Major General [Ret] Guy S. Meloy, III. General Meloy and his wife, Hatsie, live in Sun City, Georgetown. He is a highly decorated military officer, having been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, three Bronze Stars for Valor, two Purple Hearts, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, thirty-one Air Medals, and other decorations. He is the former Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division. EVENTS FOR OCTOBER  19 OCTOBER- dinner meeting-1830 hours    BAE SYSTEMS-(TRACOR]  25 OCTOBER-Board Meeting-1330 hours-     Camp Mabry Naval Reserve Building 28 OCTOBER-ROWG- Luncheon-    Austin Woman's Club

Old age is an excellent time for outrage. My goal is to do or say at least one outrageous thing every week.. Maggie Kuhn Founder of the Gray Panthers     -Bits S Pieces AUXILIARIES.--For some reason, back in the origins of the Austin Chapter of  TROA, the Wives Club was established, but not as an Auxiliary to the regular organization. The following is a compilation of excerpts from The Affiliate for Sept., 2005, and thoughts from the Editor............... Regardless of what we are called, we are the surviving spouses of MOAA members and hopefully play an important role.    Now that our spouses are no longer with us, we must remember to look to MOAA for help, guidance and support. Our spouses believed in MOAA and your loved one probably made it possible for you to continue a life membership or an annual membership. MOAA at the National level is there to help you and so are the officers of your local chapter. Please remember that and call on them when you need answers................We would like you to feel as much a part of the chapter as the regular members.................You all have talent and skills-share them with us.......lf you have thoughts or concerns bring them to a local board member so they can be addressed. You can always call National MOAA with questions In most cases they can find an answer or solution for you.

 

Just a reminder to all the spouses of our current members-if your spouse has not shared vital information with you regarding wills, bank accounts -and the like, please urge him or her to sit down with you and go over everything. This will make it so much easier for you if or when your spouse is no longer with you. Unfortunately, a sudden loss of either member becomes a true catastrophe when the survivor does not know where important papers are or what survivor benefits he/she is entitled to and whom to contact to find the information.        Talk now. SCHOLARSHIP FUND- Many of our members are not aware that our local chapter of TROA established a Designated Scholar fund with National several years ago. This. of course became a MOAA fund when the change was made. National administers all the scholarship money, selects the recipients of scholarships, based upon the money available and therefore the number of spaces open, verifies the application and makes certain that the child is the child of military parents. A parent's rank is not considered in the selection process. Any good, solid student has a chance, based on his/her own merit, whether his parent is officer or enlisted. Normally the Designated Scholar funds have only one recipient a year, each, because the fund is not large to begin with. Our three is very unusual. The bridges you cross before you come to them are over rivers that aren't there.          Gene Brown in Bits and Pieces

 

CONGRATULATIONS to the following members who will [or already have] celebrate their birthday during the month of October-----------
Mrs. Frances Bowden	USAF	Mrs. Ann Jacobs	USAF
Mrs. Nancy Brother-Con	USN	COL Ray Keenan	USAF
COL Eric Carlson	USAF	LTCOL Dave Kennedy	USA
COL Milton Carr	USA	LTC Elwin Kirby	USAF
COL Thomas Mike Cogburn	USAF	Mrs. Ethel Kunze	USA
Mrs. Mary Lou Conrad	USAF	LTCOL Fred Lord	USA
Mrs. Ida Davis	USAF	COL Albert Molnar	USA
COL Marion Davis	USAF	COL Thomas Munneriynn	USAF
BGEN Frank Drew	USAF	MAJ Jack Nelson	USAF
LTCOL Ashley Eledga	USAF	LTC John Patterson	USAF
Mrs. Hazel Forester	USN	Mrs. Lavon Philips	USAF
CAPT Russell Forester	ISM	Mrs. Martha Pyle	USAF
Mrs.. Gladys Fouts	USA	Mrs. Marilyn Reed	USAF
MAJ Jack Garison	USAF	Mrs. Janet Rehm	USAF
Mrs. Carol Hale	USAF	Mrs. Edith Robison	USAF
Mrs. Harris	USAF	Mrs. Gail Suttle	USAF
LTC Sterling Hays	USAF	Mrs. Lwana Underwood	USAF
LTCOL Loren (Ben) Herr	USA	Mrs. Jeri Xiques	USAF
Mrs. Judy Howe	USN

We wish you a Very Happy Birthday and hope you will be present at the October Dinner meeting where you will have a chance to receive a birthday present- But remember, you have to be present to win the present. ODDS ARE 1 IN 37 IF EVERYONE COMES TO DINNER.
  

THE BULLETIN BOARD     DINNER MEETING -  Wednesday, 19 October, 2005     BAE Systems Dining Hall         6500 Tracor Lane (Highway 183, South of Webberville Overpass, Just off Ed Bluestein Blvd)                       1830 hour Attire: Business Casual, Uniform always appropriate Ladies: Casual dress or paint suit  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!" Be an active member-You can't complain if you don't take part. If you do take part you won't want to complain-you will be part of the action. We are no longer a "retired" organization-we are a dynamic one. Let's get out and Live a little-Go, Go, Go-See you on the 19th.!!!!

 

PROGRAM MGen Meloy and his wife, Hatsie, were residents of Austin before moving to Sun City, Georgetown.  Sun City is generally thought of as a retirement center, but Gen. Meloy is far from retired. He is a much-in-demand, well known speaker, not just in Texas and not just on Military matters. He is a published writer, with stories in Army Magazine. He has more Air Medals than most Air Force Generals. He will speak about Veterans Day, OUR day of observation. COME, MEET AND GREET GEN. MELOY ON THE 19TH. --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. Too many of us are hung up on what. we don't: have, can't have, or won't ever have. We spend too much energy being down, when we could use that same energy-if not: less of it-doing...some of the things we really want to do.                Terry McMillan, Writer Bits and 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 Fresh Mozzarella, Basil, Cucumber & Tomato w/Raspberry Vinaigrette  Meatloaf with Hunter Sauce  Steamed Potato Green Beans and Onions Dinner Roll and Butter German Chocolate 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. ----- What you say tells other people what you are.                                                    Bits and Pieces

 

CHAPTER OFFICERS 2005-2006 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 716-4224 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	345-7140	email	Duties
Webmaster	LtC. J. R. Howard	USAF	255-2206	email	Duties

RETIRED OFFICERS WIVES CLUB Friday,-28 October-Luncheon at the Austin Woman's Club 708 San Antonio Street  Social time-10:45 a.m. Luncheon-11:30 a.m.       Program-Haunted House Tours of Austin-with Jeanine Plumber         For Reservations Contact: Martha Kirby-259-0423  Jo Jean Gillespie-345-3069  Caring and Sharing Widows Group-first Monday of each month-1:00 PM. -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) The following, sent from the Internet, was forwarded by Bat Lang Re: USMA 1956: An Oliver Wendel Holmes Quote Oliver Wendell Holmes said it well in his famous Memorial Day address of 1884. 'Grief is not the end of all,' he said. 'I seem to hear the funeral march become a paean. I see beyond the forest the moving banners of a hidden column. Our dead brothers still live for us, and bid us think of life, not death-of life to which in their youth they lent the passion and joy of the spring. As I listen, the great chorus of life and joy begins again, and amid the awful orchestra of seen and unseen powers and destinies of good and evil our trumpets sound once more a note of daring, hope and will.' NOTE-This was written for Memorial Day-Is it not also appropriate for Veterans Day-the subject of discussion this evening. MISCELLANEOUS-     Did you send the postcards on the back cover of the latest "Military Officer" magazine?  These urged our congress members to end the "start and stop" nature of health coverage for National Guard and Reserve families.  Tricare Reserve Select is a premium based plan that is costly and only temporary.. A Reservist, activated and deployed in an enlisted grade, a man or woman with a family would be hard pressed to pay over $200 per month for health coverage unless he/she was being subsidized by his civilian employer. Health care for our military went the way of military hospitals. With the combining of the Defense Appropriations Bill and the Defense Authorization Bills and the subsequent limitation on the number of Amendments allowed, the fate of many of the issues of compelling interest to the military community is, at best, questionable. When you add the Authorization bill amendment filed by Senator Warner you don't have to question.  It would effectively end all efforts to end the SBC- DIC offset in favor of another STUDY of the matter that would not be complete until late 2006. Other amendments that may or not make the cutoff-the 30-year paid-up SBP coverage for this year, not 2008:-restore the concurrent pay for otherwise qualified members rated by the VA as "unemployable": -one that would allow certain National Guard and Reserve members to begin drawing retired pay before age 60;-one that would authorize payment of full housing allowances to NG/Res members mobilized more than 30 days. If you did not send in the post cards it is probably too late now to effect votes, but do it anyway. If they voted wrong maybe it will jab the conscience a little We all need to help ensure some fair treatment for those members who are bearing a disproportionate share of the national sacrifice. Some would say there isn't a national sacrifice, and that we should not be pushing for benefits for the military at this time. but the deck is stacked against us before we start. A GAO study spends more than 50 pages adding up every way that military people cost the government money, but less than one page is devoted to how much their service is worth. With no, intent to take away from the suffering of the "victims" of Katrina and Rita, in many instances their problems were and are of their own making, and they are being well cared for. Not so, for the Military. Erosion of promised benefits, temporary fixes, failure to comprehend the problems inherent in military service, with its family dislocations and frequent deployments. Even some of the benefit fixes are of dubious value-example, the open-season enrollment for SBP, which started on 1 Oct and will last 1 year.  Under the new law, the minimum age 62 annuity will rise from 35 to 40 percent of covered retired for some survivors, depending upon the percent of retired pay that was originally used for the annuity. But if those members still living who made less than maximum deals to begin with, now wish to make changes-   THAT will cost you a hefty sum.   It will be a different amount for everyone who does it and will require a bit of work on your part to come up with the total.  Send for an application if you are interested.  I understand that it will guide you through the process.     And now comes another committee-the Defense Advisory Committee on Military Compensation- DACMC. Staff briefings in July seemed to tilt towards more money in bonuses at the expense of annual pay raises (Bonuses don't translate into retired pay), and shifting more health care costs onto military beneficiaries. MOAA and TMC warn DACMC of the undesirable potential for    undermining long-standing all-volunteer retention principles such as military and civilian pay raise comparability.      Taking inappropriate financial advantage of service members naiveté about the value of deferred compensation programs..............        Negative long term consequences of reversing recent efforts to improve military health care benefits...................     Long term risks to Guard and Reserve retention ......if these members' compensation is not updated to reflect the huge increase in service and sacrifice imposed on them. TEXAS MILITARY HISTORY--GALVESTON      The seawall in Galveston which withstood Hurricane Rita was designed by Army Brigadier General Henry M. Robert after he retired as Chief of US Army Engineers. General Robert is the author of the famous "Robert's Rules of Order", the bible of parliamentary procedure. Robert rules the waves as well as meetings.     The Galveston emergency control center during the hurricane was in the bunker of the coast artillery gun turrets of old Fort Crockett. The St. Luis Resort Hotel is built on top of these old gun turrets. Contributed by COL Sel Graham               --------the end--------------- My daughter rode out Rita at home in Lake Charles

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 $ 17 for Officers and $ 12 for Widows and Widowers   Name, Rank, Service ___________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________ City ___________________________________________ State _______________Email________________________ Telephone no. _______________ Fax________________________