The Association for all Military Officers Companion Bulletin-October 2013
"Fall is in the air" and the Austin Chapter is off to an exciting operating year. Our opening meeting last month was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel where companions and guests were able to catch up on activities and events that transpired over the summer. Also, an overview of the national convention was provided by way of pictures, handouts and a few first-hand comments. By now, you have received your official copy of the national convention edition of the OFFICER REVIEW. This publication has a treasure of information and captures the detailed account of the proceedings and activities that occurred in Dallas. The returning chapter's Officers were acknowledged and thanked for agreeing to continue in their responsible roles for another year. There was one change to the board's composition, however. Companion Tom Anderson resigned after having faithfully served as our Youth Leadership Conference Coordinator since 2007. He was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for his loyal and dedicated commitment to his duties. Companion J. R. Howard graciously accepted the YLC coordinator role to add to his newsletter and web site responsibilities. Thank you, J.R., for accepting just in time to attend the Region VIII Annual Patriotic Education conference scheduled for October 12 in Waco. This is the meeting that the initial plans and instructions for the 2014 YLC Session are discussed. In the next column I reiterate the five CINC Goals for this year and I continue to ask each of you to do whatever you can to support the viability of the chapter by achieving these goals.
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There are 10 new stories on the web site. Military Appreciation Days
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will |
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MOWW SCRIPTURE AND COMMENTARY
(By Chaplain Ernie Dean) October 2013: You are the salt for all mankind. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it. You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead he puts it on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven. (Mt. 5:13-16) Do you ever see the TV, Magazine or newspaper advertisements for new neighborhoods, especially retirement neighborhoods? They appear regularly in our local news media. Perhaps you have "muted" them out of your consciousness. We need safe, clean neighborhoods, but there is more to the quality of life than what we see and hear emphasized so loudly. The appeal emphasized is over proximity to a golf course, water, or other diversions, and on exclusive dining, club and shopping opportunities. What are you and I anticipating as the most significant considerations for our "good life?" Are we looking forward to the life of leisure where everyone looks prosperous, healthy, dressed just right for jogging, golfing, boating or dining? Isn't there more? What is the place for the spiritual in our lives today and the lives we envision for the tomorrows that lie ahead? I look to role models who have it right. I look to the saints of the church who have paved the way for us today, who have made it possible for us to get on board established, vital, viable activities. They blazed spiritual trails (and some still do) of enormous consequences. The committed folks who fill the pews, teach the classes, sing in the choirs, cook the meals, repair the facilities, get out the newsletter, visit the ill and shut-ins, and offer a welcoming smile and handshake do not just happen to be there. | They were nurtured, fed, encouraged and they, themselves, are now able to nurture and feed as they reach out. I am encouraging us to remember the laity and pastors who said "yes" to an opportunity, who refused to give up on a "good life" cause. How many of us could enjoy the "good life" of our communities of worship if we had to start with nothing. Fortunately, we have been blessed with a foundation upon which to build-a truly solid foundation. Who are some folks you know who have planted seeds and cared for these emerging plants so we could enjoy the harvest? A ministry couple who comes first to mind is Roland and Julia Pantermuehl. What love and devotion! What brave and total commitment! They moved to Seguin, Texas, just out of seminary in 1939. They are both gone now, but are still loved, admired, respected as if it were yesterday. Back in the 1960's they stood up for what is right at a congregation in New Orleans, and integration won out over discrimination. Sit with Roland in a study of the Scriptures and you heard a man who is at home in God's word. Listen to his impassioned use of scripture after scripture to help define right from wrong. Look at the couple's history of service to God's people and be awed. They continued to their death to commit and act in ways to provide and protect a "good life." The "good life." Be very clear that it is not something that exists only in a congregation of worshiping church-goers! The "good life" exists where people commit to that concept. A congregation is one example with which we are familiar, but a family, a neighborhood, a business office, a social or service club are all opportunities and responsibilities for all of us to promote the good life of caring and loving, responsible and accountable, committed and active persons working toward a common goal of a just peace. No doubt diversions on the golf course or waterways are enjoyable, even helpful-but diversions and entertainments are all that they are. We are all God's people, brothers and sisters in one family of God. What image of God and the "good life" in God's family are we portraying? What trails are we blazing? What sort of role models are we for others? |
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Chapter Officers
| The things that come to those who
wait, may be the things left by those who got there first. Schedule: 1830-1900 - Social 1900-1905 - Invocation 1905-1945 - Dinner 2000-2045 - Program 2045-2100 - Adjourn. If the shoe fits, get another one just like it. |
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A recent announcement by the Social Security actuaries that
the Social Security Retirement Trust Fund will run out of money in 2034 has once
again given rise to a round of concerned citizens asking: Will Social Security
be there for me? The answer to the question depends on what "be there"
means. Will the benefits be there at their current levels of purchasing power?
Not necessarily. Will there be some benefits for workers who will retire in the
future? Almost certainly. Should you alter your decision about when to claim
Social Security benefits based on the actuaries' announcement? No.
All mail sent to Navy ships, squadrons and mobile units must now use nine-digit zip codes or it will be returned to sender, according to a Navy statement The VA claims backlog has dropped from 608,000 to 536,400 in 5 months and might be gone by 1015. |
Marines who label themselves modern-day heathens and wish to
mark their grave with Thor's hammer - their religion's version of a cross or
Star of David - now have Veterans Affairs approval to do so.
You may receive any of these vaccines: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Flu, and shingles for zero co-payment at participating retail network pharmacies.. To find a participating pharmacy, search online at http://www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE/pharmacy or call 1-877-363-1303 Failed attempts to identify deceased soldiers during and after the Civil War eventually lead to a 1913 Army regulation mandating identification tags, what we know today as "Dog Tags." Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. |
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Opening hostilities in the Mexican American War
The Siege of Fort Texas began on May 3. Mexican artillery at Matamoros opened
fire on Fort Texas, which replied with its own guns. The bombardment continued
for 160 hours and expanded as Mexican forces gradually surrounded the fort.
Thirteen U.S. soldiers were injured during the bombardment, and two were killed.
Among the dead was Jacob Brown, after whom the fort was later named. At the Battle of Resaca de la Palma, United States General Zachary Taylor engaged the retreating forces of the Mexican Ejército del Norte ("Army of the North") under General Mariano Arista on May 9, 1846. Background Further information: United States order of battle During the night of May 8, following disappointments at the Battle of Palo Alto, Arista chose to withdraw to the more defensible position of Resaca de la Palma, a dry riverbed (resaca is the Spanish term for a dry riverbed), and establish himself while waiting for Taylor's next move. On the morning of May 9, Taylor's 1,700 troops engaged a Mexican force which had increased to 4,000 with Arista's reinforcements. Mexican Order of Battle: Right Wing ( Zapadores Battalion,2d Light, 1st, 6th & 10th Infantry and one Artillery Battery Capt. J.D. Ramirez) Left Wing (Guarda Costa Tampico Battalion (cdr. J. Mateos)) Canales Ranchero cavalry and one Artillery Battery ), Rear ( 2d Light (lt. Col. M. Fernandez) 4th Infantry ( Lt. Col. Calatayud) ) Arista's carefully laid plans for engaging the Americans at Resaca were, however, somewhat diluted because of political infighting in the Mexican officer corps and the difficulty in communicating in the rough terrain of the battlefield. Battle Resistance on the part of the Mexicans was stiff, and the U.S. forces nearly suffered a reverse before a force of Dragoons commanded by Charles A. May surprised the flank of the Mexican lines and forced a retreat. Two counter-attacks on the American position were defeated, and the Mexican Army fled the field, leaving behind a number of artillery pieces, Arista's writing desk and silver service, the colors of Mexico's lauded Tampico Battalion, and other baggage. U.S. forces also captured several Mexican artillery pieces, including two 8 pounder iron guns, two 6 pounder bronze guns and four 4 pounder bronze guns. Aftermath The resulting embarrassment as a near victory turned into a defeat caused the removal of Arista as commander of the Army of the North and a serious reassessment of Mexican strategy. Corruption and infighting in the Mexican government failed to produce a cohesive strategy for much of the fighting, despite increased skill and success on the part of the Mexican Army. The battle site is now inside the city limits |