Austin, Texas Chapter
The Association for all Military Officers
Companion Bulletin -February 2005
Kudos for Companion Bob Hefford for arranging for Mr. Tony Moore,
the Veteran Service Officer - .at the Montopolis VA Clinic to tell us of
the future plans for Austin's Veterans Administration Clinic, at our
January meeting. Mr. Moore |
If MAJ Norman Jefferson, USAF and/or LTC Joseph W. Studak, USAF is available, it will be our privilege to induct them into the Chapter at the February meeting. We should all be sensitive to the fact that new members are the sustainers of our Chapter's notable projects and should be sought by us all. We are very fortunate that our succession of outstanding speakers continues. Companion Stanley Bullard has arranged for Mr. J. Barto Arnold to speak at our February meeting on the recent archaeological research of the remains of the British blockade running paddle steamer Denbigh that sank near Galveston on 24 May 1865. We missed Norma Jean Anderson, Betty Bosserman and Joan Szendrey at the January meeting. All three wanted to attend, but were under the weather. Fortunately, they are currently in varying states of recovery. We should be aware that the junior and senior ROTC award program will be the Chapter's next patriotic outreach venture and each of us should give consideration to its support. We will again need 26 presenters and award sponsors. It is personally rewarding to support the outstanding youth in the greater Austin community. Did you know that it only costs $10.00 to sponsor each of our 26 ROTC recipients with medals, certificates and presentation folders? See Companion Mary Kelso for details. |
demonstrated
his knowledge of Veteran Administration policy during the candid question
and answer portion. Thanks to the efforts of Companions Tom Anderson and
Chuck Szendrey, our membership continues to grow.
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Meeting, 10 FEB. 2005 Holiday Inn Northwest (Mopac & Hwy 183) The cost for the evening is $18.00. If you are not called by 6 Feb., contact COL Szendrey (388- 1005). Schedule: Speaker Cuba | As American sanctions have increased, Cuban dissidents and religious authorities have increasingly voiced their opposition to the embargo and to policies that seek to isolate Cuba. Economic reforms in Cuba are still incipient, but small enterprise, foreign investment, incentive-based agriculture, and other changes have had important impacts: they helped the economy survive its post-Soviet crisis, and Cubans working in those sectors have gained experience with markets and augmented their earnings. Cuban Americans have increasingly joined this discussion, as a younger generation of exiles values contacts with the island and some first-generation exiles begin to question the effectiveness of the trade embargo. The Elian Gonzalez crisis fueled doubts about the embargo when the young boy's plight captured American attention and weakened the pro-embargo hard-line position in public and congressional opinion. The wide array of U.S. sanctions has failed to promote change in Cuba and has allowed Castro to reinforce his arguments that the United States promotes economic deprivation in Cuba and seeks to abridge Cuban sovereignty. It is time for the United States to turn to economic engagement. Whether or not the embargo is lifted completely, a policy that respects the rights of Americans to trade with, invest in, and travel to Cuba would more effectively serve U.S. interests in post- Soviet Cuba: defending human rights, helping the Cuban people, and connecting with the generation of Cubans that will govern that country in the early 21st century. - Excerpts, The Cato Institute~ - - - - |
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Legislation Items of Interest *To help improve the quality of life in communities near military installations and reduce the risk of base closures, Louisiana recently approved $65.7 million in bond allocations to provide affordable housing for military personnel and civilians in the military communities. This emphasis the importance of military installations to the state's economy and was sending a message to the DoD that the state values the military base communities and are working hard to make them excellent places to live, work and raise families. DoD has indicated that it will consider quality of life issues relating to military personnel and their families when considering which bases to close or realign in the upcoming Base Realignment and Closure process. -Excerpt, VFW Austin Chapter Website
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Chaplain's Selection The Chapter needs to remember Companion Mary Kelso in its prayers and help her cope with the recent loss of her sister. Chapter Officers Chapter Officers
Timeless Truism Staff Meeting
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