Austin, Texas Chapter
The Association for all Military Officers
Meeting.
MOWW Scripture and Commentary God, be merciful to us and bless us; look on us with kindness, Praise! Indeed, praise of God is our only true and acceptable response to
goodness shown us.
We have so much for which to be thankful. America is truly a land of
"milk and honey," an actual "promised land." Our land
provides more than enough for everyone to "have enough" to subsist at
an appropriately comfortable level. That is not the issue.
The issue is waste and greed. Our "more and bigger and faster"
attitude has led us into horrible imbalances in life styles. We are seeing
dramatically that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. This is not just
a quaint, old saying; it is very, very true; it is true today.
This Thanksgiving season is a proper time to reevaluate our decisions and
reorient our lifestyles. Is what we are doing or not doing adding to the
quality of life for all of God's people, not just folks like you and me? Can we
downsize the definitions of "enough" and "plenty?" Are we
willing to encounter God in faithful prayer and meditation to gain insight as
to God's plan for each of us? Can we can take action, even the smallest of
first steps to help lift up others?
Programs (continued)
1830-1900 - Social
Tricare User Fee Update The 2009Tricare Standard inpatient
co-payment for military retirees is $535 a day. DoD has announced an increase
of $110 a day to $645 per day or 25% of the total charge, whichever is less
effective 1 OCT which is more than a 20% jump. Additionally, inpatient
behavioral health service cost share at civilian hospitals has increased from
$193 to $197 per day or 25% of the billed charge, whichever is less. Unlike
the previous three years, neither the House nor the Senate bills included any
provisions prohibiting Tricare fee increases in the National Defense
Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY2010 that they passed and sent to the Joint
conference committee. They apparently also believed the Pentagon would follow
the President's lead. This increase would not affect beneficiaries of Tricare
Prime or Tricare for Life (TFL), but it may very well indicate what is to
come. ROA Bulletin
Hereafter Market (For your eyes only) It is not advertised, but Lowes and Home Depot
will give an ID carrying vet a 10% discount any time they ask.
DOD policy allows the individual services to specify the maximum age of
enlistment based upon their own unique requirements. The individual services
have set the following maximum ages for non-prior service enlistment: " Active Duty Non-Prior Service: Army - 42; Air Force - 27; Navy - 34;
Marines - 28; Coast Guard - Age 27. Note: up to age 32 for those selected to
attend A-school directly upon enlistment (this is mostly for prior service).
Companion Bulletin-November 2009
Two subjects kept coming up on my e-mail recently. The first concerns
the up-coming 2010 Census. The SCAM artists are already at work figuring
out how to con you out of information that they shouldn't have. Posing as
a Census worker is one way to do it. IF a Census worker knocks on your
door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas
bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their ID and badge BEFORE
answering their questions. DO NOT INVITE THEM IN. DO NOT give your SS
number, credit card or banking info to anyone even if they say they need
it. ALL that is necessary is your proper address and how many people live
here. No other info is required. A Census worker may contact you by phone
or mail, but never by e-mail. The info you provide is still the same.
Now - on to more pleasant subjects. Some of the local restaurants will be
honoring Active duty, Retired military and all Vets by providing some good
FREE food during the Veteran's day period.
McCormicks & Schmicks Sea Food Restaurants on Sunday 8 Nov. They
recommend reservations.
All the Applebees Restaurants on Veteran's Day, Nov 11th. The Golden Corral will have their 9th annual 'Appreciation Dinner' on
Monday Nov 16th from 5 - 9 pm. For more info about these restaurants go to
their websites.
Make all three, cut the food bill down, and make the wife happy.
And a final thought: The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to
deal with, watches you from the mirror every morning. Semper fi R. B. Rudy
Our next meeting will be November 12th at the
Holiday Inn Northwest (Mopac & Hwy 183)
Program
Recently, we have been fortunate to receive long
awaited and much needed rains. The vegetation is healthy and verdant and
our attention may be focused on our yards, plants and flowers. It is also
fortunate that this month our program will feature a topic along these
lines that some of our members suggested. We are privileged to have a very
knowledgeable representative from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
as our November guest speaker.
the program will be suited just for you. The program will include a
PowerPoint slide show, the Center's history, current projects, plans for
expansion, and Q&A. "The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a
nonprofit organization, dedicated to educating people about the beauty and
necessity of native plants.
The mission of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is to increase the
sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants, and
landscapes. [The vision is to] preserve and restore the natural beauty and
biological diversity of North America by inspiring people to love the
land."
Our speaker has a very diverse biography: he is a veteran fighter pilot, a
long time docent with the Wildflower Center, an inventor, a musician, an
adventurer, and an outdoorsman.
(Continued on page 2)
Scripture and Commentary
November 2009
(Chaplain Ernie Dean)
so that the whole world may know your will; so that all nations
may know your salvation. May the peoples praise you, O God,
may all the peoples praise you. (Psalm 67:1-3)
Praise is far more than uttering lofty words. The Biblical book of James
speaks of faith and action belonging together, neither one being satisfactory,
truly spiritual, without the other. Someone compared faith and action to the
two oars of a row boat. Using one oar proves futile as you get no where, simply
circling in place.
This year may we know a fulfilling time of Thanksgiving, a time of praise to
our loving God and a time of gratitude for the many who work in ways that allow
us to celebrate with abundance the good life God created us to know. May this
Thanksgiving also move us to appreciate a life that is more spiritual than
material, a life that turns thanksgiving into acts of kindness and mercy and
peace-for all of God's people.
Mr. John W. Irwin was born in rural Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the
United States Air Force in 1951 and subsequently entered the Aviation
Cadet program and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in 1953. He was assigned
to a Combat Crew Training Squadron at Perin AFB, Texas as instrument
instructor in the T-33 and F-86D aircraft. He left the Air Force in 1956
to join IBM. However, in 1961 he was activated for the Berlin Crisis and
served a year as a utility T-33 pilot with a fighter Squadron at Chambley,
France.
Irwin lives with his wife, Kay, and three cats on a hilltop southwest of
Austin, He has two daughters, five grandchildren and one
great-granddaughter…all TEXANS!
Chapter Officers
Commander Major Rylen Rudy 452-9923
1st Vice
CommanderCol
Leon Holland 335-1224
Treasurer Col Andrew McVeigh 261-6272
Adjutant Mrs.
Patricia Egan 750-1399
Chaplin LtCol
Ernest S. Dean 477-5390
Youth Leadership
ConferenceLtCol
Thomas W. Anderson 445-4480
ROTC Awards Col
Leon Holland 335-1224
Newsletter & Web Site LtCol
J. Robert Howard 848-0285 Schedule:
1900-1905 - Invocation & Salutes
1905-1945 - Dinner
1945-2000 - Break
2000-2045 - Program
2045-2100 - Adjourn.
Staff Meeting
The next staff meeting will be at the call of the Commander.
Wal-Mart has joined Costco to sell caskets and urns on the WEB. A
steel "Dad Remembered" casket sells for $895 and the most
expensive one is only $ 2,899. Wooden caskets are not available.
They ship within 48 hours and are delivered overnight. A Mother of Pearl
Keepsake Urn is only $ 35. It holds up to 3 cubic inches.
Stop Loss Current and former servicemembers who were involuntarily held
on active duty beyond an approved separation or retirement date as a direct
result of stop loss from Sept. 11, 2001 - Sept. 30, 2009, may be eligible for
a Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay compensation of $500 for each month they
were affected.
Veterans Day Deals
Lowes-- 10% off Nov 6 - 11
Home Depot-- 10% off Nov 6 -12th
From Scott Burns Sunday article in the Austin American Statesman
U-Haul Supply and Demand for 26' truck
Las Vegas to San Antonio $1808
San Antonio to Las Vegas $421
Seattle to San Antonio 2071
San Antonio to Seattle 858
Miami to Austin 1685
Austin to Miami 463
Phoenix to Austin 1533
Austin to Phoenix 471
THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR 1805
Nelson's plan for defeating the Combined
Fleet had been discussed with his captains days before the battle. He intended
to attempt to break the enemy line of battle with two or three columns in order
to cut the centre and rear of the fleet from its van, and to then concentrate
his forces on the ships in rear part of the line. Since the ships would be
sailing downwind, it would be difficult for those in the van to sail back upwind
and come to the aid of the rear. This is a similar tactic to that which Nelson
had already used successfully at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent (1797), but here
it was applied as a deliberate plan on a larger scale.
At Cádiz, in Spain, Admiral
Pierre de Villeneuve, hearing that Napoleon had sent a replacement who was on
his way to take over Villeneuve's command, the combined French and Spanish
fleet finally set sail. It took two days, October 19 and October 20, for the
combined fleet to clear the harbour at Cádiz, and on the morning of October
21, the British approached as the Spanish and French ships were still
struggling to form up south of Cádiz in light and contrary winds.
The French had 18 ships of the line: Bucentaure, Formidable,
Neptune, Indomptable, Algesiras, Pluton, Mont-Blanc, Intrepide, Swiftsure,
Aigle, Scipion, Duguay-Trouin, Berwick, Argonaut, Achille, Redoutable, Fougueux,
and Heros.
The Spanish had 15: Santissima Trinidad, Principe de
Asturias, Santa Anna, Rayo, Neptuno, Argonauta, Bahama, Montanez, San Augustin,
San Ildefonso, San Juan Nepomuceno, Monarca, San Francisco de Asis, San Justo,
and San Leandro.
Nelson had 27 ships of the line: Britannia, Royal Sovereign,
Victory, Dreadnought, Neptune, Prince, Temeraire, Tonnant, Achilles, Ajax,
Belleisle, Bellerophon, Colossus, Conqueror, Defence, Defiance, Leviathan,
Mars, Minotaur, Orion, Revenge, Spartiate, Swiftsure, Thunderer, Africa,
Agamemnon, and Polyphemus.
The battle progressed largely according to Nelson's plan. At
11:35, Nelson sent throughout the fleet the famous flag signal, "England
expects that every man will do his duty". He then attacked the French line
in two columns, leading one column in Victory; while Admiral Collingwood in
Royal Sovereign led the other column.
As the battle opened, the French and Spanish were in a
ragged line headed north as the two British columns approached from the west at
almost a right angle. Nelson himself led the north column from Victory, while
one of his subordinates, Collingwood, led the south column, flying his flag on
Royal Sovereign. Just before the South column engaged the allied forces,
Collingwood said to his officers "Now, gentlemen, let us do something
today which the world may talk of hereafter." Because the winds were very
light during the battle, all the ships were moving extremely slowly and the
lead British ships were under fire from several of the enemy for almost an hour
before their own guns would bear. At 12:45, Victory cut the enemy line between
Villeneuve's flagship Bucentaure and Redoutable. Meanwhile, Royal Sovereign had
already engaged the Spanish Santa Anna.
A general mêlée ensued, and during that fight, Victory
locked masts with the French Redoutable. The captain of Redoutable had trained
his crew to use their muskets to fire on enemy officers on the quarterdeck. A
musket bullet fired from the mizzentop of the Redoubtable struck Nelson in the
left shoulder, and passed through his body lodging in his spine. Nelson was
carried below decks and died at about 16:30, as the battle that would make him
a legend was ending in favour of the British.
The British captured 22 vessels of the Franco-Spanish fleet and lost not one.
As Nelson lay dying, he ordered the fleet to anchor as a storm was predicted.
However, when the storm blew up many of the severely damaged ships sank or ran
aground and a few were recaptured by the French and Spanish prisoners
overcoming the small prize crews or by ships sallying out from Cádiz.
Repeated exposures to allergens can sensitize the nasal mucosa in a phenomenon
called "priming." This causes progressively lower levels of allergens
to spark a reaction. It can also make you sensitive to nonspecific irritants in
the air. This hypersensitivity is similar to a primed pump that is ready for
action. As allergy season progresses, your innate immune system response becomes
primed and ready to set in motion an allergic reaction. Here are some ways to
minimize your pollen exposure:
" Stay indoors when the pollen count is high, especially on dry, windy
days.
" Stay indoors between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., when airborne pollen is likely
to be at its highest each day.
" Keep home windows closed at night, and turn on the air conditioner.
" Keep car windows closed when driving.
" Vacation at the coast during high pollen season.
" Don't cut your grass; have someone else do it.
" Don't hang clothing and bedding out to dry.
[Source: Harvard Health Publications HealthBeat Oct 09 ++]