THE LARIAT. President s Message MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA ALAMO CHAPTER. Inside This Edition: Save The Date

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1 MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA ALAMO CHAPTER THE LARIAT Volume 32, Number 3 Five Star Chapter March 2012 The Texas Veterans Commission just concluded the 14 th Annual Veterans Summit in Austin on January 30/February 1. The conference was a success with an attendance approaching 600 Veterans who represented various military and veteran service organizations in the state. A general conference kicked off the event on the first day with individual breakout sessions covering such areas of new legislation and how it affected the veterans and spouse population, development of community resources to help veterans and families, how to secure grants, women veterans issues, etc. The afternoon included the annual meeting of the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations (TCVO), which brings together over 38 different organizations that are interested in advocating before the Texas State Legislature for issues affecting the military, National Guard, Reserves, veterans and their families in the State. Colonel Jim Snow, our new TCC President represented the Texas Council of MOAA and I was there representing the State Legislative office of the TCC Inside This Edition: Pg 2 Chapter News & Notices Pg 3 Legislative Update As I See It Pg 5 Medical Minuter Pg 8 Thank you - Donations Pg 10 Scholarship Opportunities Pg 14 Chapter Events Calendar President s Message as well as acting as the Vice Chairman of the TCVO and Alamo Chapter of MOAA. The TCVO meeting held an election of officers and Officers re-elected were the Chairman, Captain Morgan Little, USNR (Ret); Vice Chairman, Major Jim Cunningham, USAR (Ret) and Legislative Liaison, Captain John Miterko, USA (Ret). The second major issue taken up was that of legislative goals for the 83 rd Texas Legislature. There are, at present, four primary issues that were discussed and will be pursued by the present membership. The issues are as follow: 1) Adjustment of the dollar amount that will be used to reduce the appraised value of the principal residence /homestead of a veteran who is disabled (less than 100%. The current maximum amount is $12,000 and the amounts have not been changed since Status: Senate Bill 540, introduced by Senator Leticia Van de Putte, passed by the House and Senate and signed by Governor Perry was put in place with the 82 nd Legislative session. This law defined the parameters for an Interim Study between the end of the 82 nd session and the beginning of the 83 rd to define the number of veterans who are disabled less than 100% and what the financial impact would be to the counties in which they reside if a cost of living increase were put in place. (Continued on Page 13) Save The Date Thu Mar 15 Chapter Luncheon 11:30am Air Force Village 1 (with optional Guided Tour See Page 6 to sign up) Speaker: General Utterback Thu April 19 Chapter Luncheon 11:30am Ft Sam Houston Golf Club Speaker: Mike Asmus Lamar Smith s District Director Thu May 17 Chapter Luncheon 11:30am Scholarship Awards Ft Sam Golf Club Thu June 14 Chapter Dinner 6:30pm Summer Celebration Petroleum Club Thu Aug 16 Chapter Luncheon Army Residence Community The Lariat March 2012

2 Chapter News & Notices Corporate Partners Cookie Angels Grateful thanks to those who either baked and or brought items to the wounded soldiers at Ft Sam Houston s Warrior and Family Support Center. TAPS We have received information that the following members have passed away. We wish to convey our sincere condolences and best wishes to their family and loved ones: Abby Consulting Air Force Federal Credit Union Air Force Villages If you were able to give this month on behalf of the Alamo Chapter please call Susie at (210) , so we may add your name to our list. Thank you. Maryada Artiglia Ruth Baliram Irene Collier Frank and Delores DeVille Nita Felder Susan Filipini Marge Fraley Joe and Adele Genualdi John Gibbs Mac and Lori McDonald Lolly Orlowski Lou Strong Susie Tolman Dot Wise Tom and Evelyn Woods Volunteer Opportunities The Alamo chapter has the following positions open that we would love to have some help! You can spend as much or as little time as you have available. Call the office at to volunteer. Want Ad CPT Thomas H. Fletcher USA (Ret) 1/21/2012 Advertising Coordinator Photographer for Social Functions Greeters at Social Functions Duty Officer - Floater Members for Calling Committee Members for Program Committee ROTC Awards Presenters Transportation Coordinator Website Coordinator (not webmaster!) The Officers Placement Service (TOPS) If you are an area employer who is interested in hiring career transitioning officers or their spouses... or if you are a MOAA member who is interested in helping a career transitioning officer or spouse as a San Antonio Networker... or if you are a MOAA member Job Seeker, please contact me David Patrick, Chapter TOPS Officer & MOAA Texas Networking Coordinator, , dwpatrick01@gmail.com. Army Residence Community Beldon Roofing Company CPS Energy Housing 1 Source Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union Republic of Texas Restaurant San Antonio Federal Credit Union Security Service Federal Credit Union Silverbridge Realty Spectrum Technologies, Inc See links to these companies on our website The Lariat March

3 The president s FY 2013 budget proposes tiering military health care fees based on retired pay levels, so retired E-6s and below would pay one rate, E-7s to O-4s would pay higher rates, and O-5s and above would pay the most. The Pentagon offers this proposal as if basing health care fees on retired-pay level is doing retirees a favor. In fact, it s an insidious attack on the very nature of serviceearned benefits. They may use terms like tiering all they want, but let s call it what it really is: means-testing. To start, let s recognize this proposal is uniquely discriminatory toward the military community. No other federal health care beneficiary pays income-based premiums. The president, the speaker of the house, and the secretary of defense all pay the same health care premiums as the lowestgrade federal civilian. Means-testing health care fees also is rare in the private sector. Why? Because it s a benefit that s earned by service to an employer or, in the military s case, to the country. What kinds of things are means-tested? Welfare programs, social insurance programs, and other unearned benefits that are provided as a government gift or safety net for those in need of assistance. I m sorry, but military health care benefits most emphatically are not a gift, and MOAA believes these proposals represent inappropriate increases for all grades, regardless of retired pay level. Generations of servicemembers were induced to serve a career by promises that their decades of arduous service and sacrifice would earn them these benefits. In other words, service and sacrifice constituted their (enormous) prepaid premium. The means-testing proposal throws that out the window and with it goes the very dignity of your service. It turns the whole meaning of service on its head. What you reap is no longer based on what you ve earned, but on what you need. So the longer and more successfully you serve, the less benefit you earn and deserve? How does that compute? Once you buy into establishing some kind of income threshold for means-testing, who s to say one threshold is more appropriate than another? The next time the government needs money, it can simply reduce the threshold to make you pay more. If this means-testing plan goes through, you re deluding yourself if you re thinking it will be limited to health care fees. There have been many past proposals (which MOAA successfully fought) to means-test retired pay COLAs, for example. In the 1990s, various plans offered by legislators and others would have reduced COLAs or delayed them until age 60 for servicemembers whose incomes exceeded a certain level. One plan would have limited COLAs for any military retiree with an income above the poverty level. And it wouldn t stop there. Many in the past have proposed limiting VA disability benefits based on income. Legislative Update - As I See It And don t think the logic trail ends with basing means-testing on retired pay alone. The 10th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation (QRMC) noted that retired pay often doesn t correlate with a retiree s true income, because many enlisted retirees have highpaying jobs or officers might be unable to work after retirement for disability, etcetera. So the QRMC proposed basing fees on adjusted gross income reported to the IRS, as is already the case with Medicare Part B premiums. Under that philosophy, your health care benefits (and then why not your COLAs and VA compensation?) would be cut back not only because you served your country long and successfully but also because your spouse has a good job, because you ve been a successful investor, because you inherited money from a relative, or any number of other reasons. So in the end, what means-testing really means is, You didn t earn squat. I don t care what grade you retired at, that philosophy will put the blocks to you and yours. Col Steve Strobridge (Ret) MOAA Director of Govt Relations 3 The Lariat March 2012

4 Welcome New Members: MAJ Samuel Bradford IV USA MAJ Michael Martinez USAR Maj Brian Strang USAF CPT Peter Flores USA Capt Michael McCollum USAF CPT John Matthews USA (Ret) CPT John Quiles USA MAJ James McNeely USA (Ret) Maj Scott Nickerson USAF (Ret) Year to Date Membership Stats Alamo Chapter Membership As of: February 20, 2012 Active 320 Aux 236 Former 3 Retired 650 Total Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Months 2011 Goal AND.Thank You, Renewing Members: MGEN Glenn Kothmann USA (Ret) MGEN Mike Lyle USA (Ret) Col Derwin Bohne USAF (Ret) COL Wayne Boyd USA (Ret) COL Thomas Brown USA (Ret) Col Watson Burnfield USAF (Ret) COL Michael Davis USA (Ret) COL Joe DePonte USA (Ret) Col Jesse Dominguez USAF (Ret) Col John Dunn USAF (Ret) COL Janice Edgerson USA (Ret) Col Donald Evans USAF (Ret) Col John Gerhart USAF (Ret) COL Douglas Groen USA (Ret) Col Alex Gozur USAF (Ret) Col Edward Herbold USAF (Ret) COL Darlow Inberg USA (Ret) Col Robert James USAFR (Ret) Col Francis Kapp USAF (Ret) Col Betty Knuth USAF (Ret) COL Charles Lalli USA (Ret) Col Harry Long USAF (Ret) COL James Long USA (Ret) Col Lawrence McCarthy USAF (Ret) Col Mac McDonald USAF (Ret) COL Edward Mora USA (Ret) Col Paul Parker USAF (Ret) Col James Payne USAF (Ret) Col Frank Rohrbough USAF (Ret) Col John Root USAF (Ret) Col Steve Senia USAF (Ret) Col Lloyd Tholen USAF (Ret) Col Talmadge Thomas USAF (Ret) COL Sid Trawick USA (Ret) Col Richard Wolff USAF (Ret) COL Steve Woods USA LtCol Scott Atkinson USAF (Ret) CDR Steven Bergeron USN (Ret) LtCol Kathleen Bowman-Estrada USAF (Ret) LtCol Mervin Buss USAF (Ret) LtCol Mark Carruthers USAF (Ret) LtCol Michael Cermele USAF (Ret) LTC Charles Coe USA (Ret) LTC William Cook, Jr USA (Ret) LTC John Corby USA (Rett) LtCol Eugene Culp USAF (Ret) LTC Dan Cummings USA (Ret) LTC Martha Dingey USA (Ret) LtCol Craig Erickson USAF (Ret) LTC James Finch USA (Ret) LtCol Carolyn Friedle USAF (Ret) LtCol Elizabeth Goetz USAF (Ret) LTC Vernon Gray USAR (Ret) LtCol Michael Harris USAF (Ret) LtCol Norm Harris USAF (Ret) LTC Randy Hoff USA (Ret) LTC Karl Kautz USA (Ret) LtCol Melvin Perez USAF (Ret) LtCol William Pollock USAF (Ret) LtCol Edith Reade USAF (Ret) LtCol William Render USAF (Ret) (Continued on Page 5) The Lariat March

5 Renewing Mbrs (Continued from Page 4) LTC Joseph Rosentritt USA (Ret) LTC George San Miguel USA (Ret) LtCol Randy Smith USAF (Ret) LtCol Wade Taylor USAF (Ret) LTC John Thilman USAR (Ret) LtCol Monte Thompson Jr USAF (Ret) LTC John Tompson USA (Ret) LtCol Thomas Tullo USAF (Ret) LtCol David Walker USAF (Ret) CDR Maxine Wilcox USCG (Ret) LTC Glenn Wise USA (Ret) LTC Clyde Woods USA (Ret) LtCol Sharon Zimpher USAF (Ret) Maj Fritz Boedeker Jr USAF (Ret) MAJ Richard Brogan USA (Ret) Maj Dale Bryan USAF (Ret) Maj Lee Burner USAF (Ret) MAJ Charles Cook USA (Ret) MAJ Jim Cunningham USAR (Ret) MAJ James Hall USA (Ret) MAJ Frederick Maples USA (Ret) MAJ Catherine Oakley USA (Ret) MAJ Eric Platzner USA (Ret) LCDR Leslie Reynolds USN (Ret) Maj James Rosskopf USAF (Ret) Maj Richard Verner USAF (Ret) Maj Paul Winkler USAF (Ret) CPT Thomas Cahill USN (Ret) CPT John Woody USN (Ret) CW4 Keith Pregler USA (Ret) CW2 Clarence Nail USA (Ret) CWO Joe Drabek USA (Ret) Jacqueline Angert Shirley Ayers Betty Beck Celeste Cook June Cook Helen Devitt Mrs. Roger Diettrich Doweene Dillingham Dora Due Genie Edgar Anselma Falck Ann Furlow Ava Gaizauskas Gail Greene Helen Grizzard Alice Hegland Barbara Horvath Ruby Johnson Ena McClure Elizabeth McDaniel Hebe Milburn Mary Milburn Mary Miller Constance Oliver Lolly Orlowski Gertrude Palmer Elva Parks Lea Porter Pauline Reid Annabel Rivas Lois Rymill Janet Rund Betty Shelton-Mills Ingeborg Smith Eva Stanley Inez Strawn Margot Stryker Mrs. Luther Tarbox Paulette Thompson Susie Tolman Jeanette Wahl Ilse Wassell Mrs. William Wooldridge Patricia Wright Avoiding Kidney Stones Kidney stones are painful as they pass through the ureters, the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder. Once you get kidney stones a chance of recurrence is high. Prevention is the best policy. Here are a few pointers. 1) Keep the fluid intake up. Kidney stones form when certain minerals concentrate in the urine and form crystals Drink plenty of fluids (Water is the safest bet), Less oxalate in the intestine. 2) Eat calciuin-rich foods. This includes non-fat dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and some varieties of fish. Salmon is a good choice. 3) Reconsider calcium supplements Studies show that calcium in supplements reacts differently in the intestine than calcium in food. Most calcium stones are composed of a substance called oxalate and calcium. When calcium is consumed in food it is more likely to be present in the intestine at the same time as oxalate which can interfere with its absorption. 4) Moderate your sodium intake. Low sodium diets decrease excretion of calcium and oxalate. 5) Moderate your protein intake. Protein can increase calcium and oxalate excretion High protein diets may also reduce the levels of stone inhibiting substances in the urine. 6) Moderate your oxalate intake. Calcium intake and other dietary factors seem to be more important than oxalate intake in forming kidney stones, but high oxalate intake can occasionally be a factor. Oxalate rich foods include beets, chocolate, spinach, rhubarb and most nuts. Source: Harvard Health Letter Medical Minute Col Irene Collier (Ret) 5 The Lariat March 2012

6 AIR FORCE VILLAGE You are Personally Invited to a VIP Tour of our $66 Million Expansion at Air Force Village I Thursday, March 15, 2012 after the MOAA Alamo Chapter Luncheon 11:00 AM 1:00 PM MOAA Alamo Chapter Luncheon 1:00 PM 2:00 PM Tour of Air Force Village I Expansion We invite you to tour our newly completed expansion at Air Force Village I. After the MOAA Alamo Chapter Luncheon in our stylish Sky Lounge, tour the casual elegance of the new Hill Residences visit Cochran s Bistro, where everybody knows your name check out The Mission, an innovative health care facility changing the way we view skilled nursing care discover Arnold House assisted living residences and more. Open to retired and honorably served officers from all uniformed services, their spouses, widows/widowers, parents and grandparents. Please RSVP at (210) Ravenswood Drive San Antonio, Texas The Lariat March

7 Solitaires Aging: Ageism Aging is the process of growing mature and old. It is the cycle of life that begins with birth and culminates in death. Anything that lives will die. It involves physical, social, gender and emotional factors. It has been said that every seven years we change physically. You might be the same weight as when you were 20, but your waist expands. Scientists have yet to find the cause of these changes. It has been attributed to genetics, hormones, environment, nutrition and gravity, No one knows. These things contribute but are not the cause. A 15 year old was asked to define what old was. He said anyone who was 30 was old. At 45 they were middle aged. At 60 they were seniors. At 75 they were mature. At 90 they were elderly. At 105 they were superannuated. People age at different times and degrees. Some appear to age faster than others. As people age their concept of themselves becomes less positive. But no matter how hard you try to hold back the signs, the ravages of time continue. Want a shock? Hold a mirror at waist level. Bend down and look at your face in the mirror. America is obsessed with the culture of youth. To delay the aging process they resort to facials, creams, Botox, oxygen facials, plastic surgery and fitness trainers. Dorthea Dix once gave a talk to young college girls. One asked her how old she was. She replied she never gave out her age. If she did they would immediately relegate her to lavender and old lace and not hear a word she was saying. Ageism is a concept based on chronological age, gender, physical appearance, societal concepts, and work place and intuitional practices which stereotype and discriminate against individuals or groups. Discrimination of people based on age was coined by Dr. Robert Neil Butler (1968). Physicians in the early 1900's spoke of aging as an "incurable disease". Individual characteristics vary from person to person and change with time placing them in different categories Factors involved in stereotypic impressions are gender, physical appearance, institutionalized practices, and concepts from early childhood. We give preferential treatment to the elderly from early bird dinners, less expensive tickets to entertainment events; give them our seats on transports. A set of beliefs, attitudes, norms and values are used to justify age based prejudice and discrimination. Ageism discrimination is prevalent in the work place. If an older person forgets something (Mild Cognitive Impairment MCI), he is "over the hill". Employment is hard to find after age 40. Insurance rates go up. Walkers and wheel chairs immediately make you unemployable. You seldom see older Hollywood female stars in leading roles. The older workers are the first fired even though job performance is good and they have not been late or sick a day: stereotype and discrimination without cause. Patronizing language is used. You are treated as though you were incompetent. The negative bias leaves a negative self-concept. You are too dependent on pills, assistance from others, your income has decreased with retirement, and socially you feel you are a pariah; it may be that your vision and hearing are faulty and could be corrected. Health is neglected leading to diabetes, heart disorders, and respiratory infections. Dental care--not covered by Medicare--leads to poor oral health and gum infections which can lead to the above illnesses. Ageism brings a fear of death. Putting distance between yourself and aging alleviates the fear of dying. A poor self concept is enhanced by a "looking glass self ; hence the self fulfilling prophecy. But the Bible refutes this. Job 12:12 says, "Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" Since people are living longer scientists are trying to disprove the philosophy of negativism. If you have a positive self concept you can dispel these harmful stereotypes. A lot depends upon how you progress through the various stages of aging. The March meetings of the Solitaires are 6 March at the Fort Sam Golf Club and 25 March at the Randolph Parr Club. Col Irene Collier (Ret) If you are a single man or lady and like to eat, chat, make new friends, experience or provide sometimes brief impromptu or scheduled interesting demonstrations, talks, or discussions, whether you are: visiting the area; active duty or retired; widowed or divorced; the SOLITAIRES is the group for you. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy camaraderie with other single men and ladies whose backgrounds and experiences are or have been with the military. So make that resolution to get out and about and come have some fun!! Call the office (210) for more details. 7 The Lariat March 2012

8 Thank You!! Each of our members listed here have donated a little (or a lot) to either the Scholarship Account, Chapter Operations or both Maryada Artiglia Capt John Kimmel USAF (Ret) LtCol John Bandy USAF (Ret) Helen Klitch Col Edd Barnes USAF (Ret) Pamela Kroyer Betty Beck LtCol Edward Lefebvre USAF (Ret) LTC Robert Benson USA (Ret) COL James Long USA (Ret) LtCol Dean Binkley USAF (Ret) MG J. Mike Lyle USA (Ret) Aina Blake LtCol Harvey Maahs USAF (Ret) Col Derwin Bohne USAF (Ret) Col Joseph Marchino II USAF (Ret) Col Claire Book USA (Ret) CWO-2 Barry Martin USN (Ret) MAJ Richard Brogan USA (Ret) LtCol Edward L. Marvin USAF (Ret) Col Watson Burnfield USAF (Ret) CDR David Marx USN (Ret) LtCol Emil Buran USAF (Ret) Col James McConnell, USAF (Ret) MAJ Clifton Cardwell USA (Ret) Col Mac McDonald USAF (Ret) Mavis Cleary Margaret Mickish Col Irene Collier USAF (Ret) Hebe Milburn June Cook Mary Miller Sharon Crowder COL William Muhlenfeld USA (Ret) LTC Dan Cummings USA (Ret) Mildred Munt Col Patrick Curoe USAF (Ret) CW2 Clarence Nail USA (Ret) Col Florence Deegan USAF (Ret) COL Ian Natkin USA (Ret) COL Kathryn Deuster USA (Ret) Maj Scott Nickerson USAF (Ret) Doweene Dillingham Lolly Orlowski Col Jesse Dominguez USAF (Ret) Jeanine Paule Neilond Genie Edgar LTC Joe Newell USA (Ret) BGen Charles Elia USA (Ret) LtCol Shane Ostrom USAF (Ret) Juanita Felder Helga Parks Eva Finch Col David Patrick USAF (Ret) Linda Gayer LCDR Joseph Perron USN (Ret) Elizabeth Goetz Col James Phifer, Jr USAF (Ret) Mary Jo Hammond Maj Eric T. Platzner USA (Ret) BG Robert Herring USA (Ret) Claire Radi Peggy Houck Lucette Ramsey LTC Karl Kautz USA (Ret) Joan Rawlings LtGen James Keck USAF (Ret) COL Charles Reding USA (Ret) Patsy Keene Pauline Reid The Lariat March COL Ted Reinsch USA (Ret) Alice Riggs Col Jim Roberts USAF (Ret) Col Sanford Richardson USAF (Ret) Elizabeth Ruda Janet Rund Col Steve Senia USAF (Ret) Betty Shelton-Mills LtCol Randy Smith USAF (Ret) LtCol Orange Steffey, Jr USAF (Ret) Barbara Steward Col Karen Stocks USAF (Ret) LTC Corinne Strong USA (Ret) Margot Stryker Priscilla Taylor LtCol Wade Taylor USAF (Ret) LTC John Thilman USAR (Ret) COL Erna Thompson USA (Ret) LtCol Montie Thompson USAF (Ret) Paulette Thompson Loretta Valenta Voncille Vordenbaum LTC Cecil E. Waggoner USAF (Ret) LtCol David Walker USAF (Ret) Phyllis Wallace Dorothy Walton CPT Thomas Ward USA (Ret) LTC James R. Webb III USA (Ret) Ilse Wassell Col John Whiting USAF (Ret) Maj Paul Winkler USAF (Ret) CAPT John Woody USNR (Ret) LTC Peter Zielenski USA (Ret) LtCol Sharon Zimpher USAF (Ret)

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10 Chapter Scholarship Opportunities Colonel Clarence T. Torrey Community Service Scholarship is named in memory of Colonel Clarence T. Torrey, USA (Ret), a past President of the Alamo Chapter. Upon his death, a donation to initially fund the scholarship was made to the chapter by his wife. The scholarship in the amount of $2,000 is awarded annually to a graduating high school senior whose parent, stepparent or grandparent served on active duty in any of the uniformed services represented in MOAA. All details of the scholarship selection process except for selection of the final recipient are handled by the Bexar County Scholarship Clearing House (BCSCH)/Minnie Piper Foundation. Scholarship applications are available from Bexar County school counselors in the fall. For students outside Bexar County, applications may be obtained from the MOAA AC Scholarship Committee. BCSCH receives the applications, makes preliminary evaluations and creates a recommended order of merit list. The MOAA AC Scholarship Committee receives the order of merit list in March or April, interviews the top 5 candidates and selects a winner. The winner is announced and the scholarship presented at the May luncheon. The General Herring ROTC Scholarship and Colonel McCarthy ROTC Scholarship. Two $2000 scholarships are available to a graduating high school senior ranked in the top half of his/her class, who has participated for at least three years in a ROTC Program supported by the Military Officers Association of America Alamo Chapter. Selection will be based on academic record, test scores, citizenship, leadership, community involvement and outstanding professional ability. Applications for this scholarship are currently available through the Senior Military Instructors, online at or from the Scholarship Chair. A maximum of one scholarship application will be accepted from each supported ROTC program. The deadline for application is April 30. The LtCol Edward & Ruby Marvin Scholarship. One $2000 scholarship is available to a graduating high school senior ranked in the top half of his/her class, who is a child, stepchild, and/or grandchild of a member in good standing of the Military Officers Association of America and the MOAA-Alamo Chapter. Selection will be based on academic record, test scores, citizenship, leadership, community involvement and outstanding professional ability. Applications for this scholarship are currently available online at or from the MOAA - AC Scholarship Chair. The deadline for application is April 30. Receiving The Lariat Online? If you would prefer to read your newsletter on-line rather than receive a printed copy, send us an with the subject line as OLLO and we ll gladly remove you from the printed version mailing list. We will notify you by when the new issue is available for viewing, and include a link that will take you directly to the designated website page. Save paper Save postage See it sooner AND see it in full color!! The Lariat March

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12 Benefits of Membership of MOAA and the local chapter Our monthly newsletter, The Lariat, which includes a calendar of events, is sent to each member (or made available on-line), and includes both MOAA and Alamo Chapter news. Stay informed! Monthly luncheons, which rotate between the Randolph, Fort Sam Houston, and Lackland service clubs, feature informative speakers and are also open to guests. Benefit information of all kinds is provided through the Alamo Chapter. We have an experienced Vice President of Personal Affairs who can give quick answers to your and family members questions, or who can research the more complex issues. The opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie of meeting fellow chapter members and their guests. We also plan for various social events, open to families and guests. In addition, our chapter features a singles group called the Solitaires, some of who are surviving spouses. The Solitaires have a busy social calendar. Make your voice heard on proposed state and national military legislation which may affect you and your family. Both the Alamo Chapter and MOAA national welcome your views! Enjoy many benefits, discounts, and services, to include career planning through TOPS (The Officer Placement Service). The Alamo Chapter also provides college scholarships to those who qualify. Referred by: The Give Me 10! Campaign Options: 1. Active D uty, National Gua rd and Reserve office rs of all service s, who are not past or present members of MO AA national are eligible for a one year free national and loca l M OAA ( MOAA- AC) membership. 2. Retired Officers or Auxiliary (surviving spouses), and lapsed members of MOAA national, can receive a 2 year membership for $30.00 (The usua l yearly membership rate is $31). You will then re ceive a one yea r local MO AA-AC membership fre e. 3. Those alre ady members of MOAA national ne ed to complete this applic ation to receive a 1 year free local membership to MOAA-AC. Normal Dues: MOAA national $31 per year, MOAA local $25.00 (Auxiliary & newsletter subscribers $15) Membership Application (Annual Membership) Are you a member of MOAA National? Military Officers Association of America Alamo Chapter Circle Status: Commissioned & Warrant Officers of all services - Active, Reserves, Former, Retired, National Guard, NOAA, PHS, Surviving Spouse. *Name (P rint) Last First MI Spouse Residence Address City State Zip Rank/Grade Service Date of Birth Home phone * May we have your permission to publish this information in the Chapter Membership Directory? (not dob). (*This directo ry and your address are exclusively for the use of the ch apter and will not be sold or used for any other purpo se than chapter communications and/or board approved activity.) Would you like to access our monthly newsletter (The Lariat) at our website versus having a hard copy mailed to you? (Dues reduce to $15 per year). Would you be interested in helping in chapter volunteer activity? Signature Payment by Credit Card Date Card Number: Exp Date: Billing Zipcode: Amount: CHARITABLE OUTREACH PROGRAM Please accept my tax-deductible donation of: $ to (check one) Outreach Fund* Operations *a fund for annual college scholarships and other charitable programs and services. Send applications to: MOAA-A C, P.O. Box , Ft Sam Houston, TX For questions please call (210) or moaa-ac@sbcglobal.net Also visit our chapter s website at Please feel free to copy and provide this form to prospective members The Lariat March

13 President s Message (Continued from Page 1) The bill requires the state comptroller of public accounts to study the fiscal impact to state and local governments that an adjustment of the exemption amounts under section 11.22, Tax Code would have created had the adjustment reflected the percentage change from the preceding tax year in the average market value of residence homesteads in the appraisal district in which the property subject to exemption is located. This study will allow the comptroller to show the total impact both over the last 10 years and from year to year, and will provide legislators with the necessary information to restore the altruistic intent of the original legislation by raising the exemption amount in the schedule set forth in Section 11.22, Tax Code. Based upon the information received, we will move forward toward finding legislative sponsors and creating appropriate bills to be introduced during the 83 rd Session. 2) Enhance revenue generation for the State by leveraging service disabled veteran owned business participation in state contracts through innovative, creative incentives or percentage specific set asides. After failing with a third session to get legislation passed relative to this issue, it was assigned as an interim study item of the Senate Veterans and Military Installations (VAMI) Committee. The committee is charged to report to the Lt. Governor, how the State can increase opportunities for businesses owned by disabled veterans or service disabled veteran owned businesses (SDVOBs) that run businesses and employ a large percentage of disabled veterans. It should offer recommendations that would illustrate the State s support of disabled veteran owned and operated businesses. During the upcoming interim study period TCVO has recommended that we bring the Veteran Owned Business- es and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business issue back yet again and address the solution to the conundrum we have faced in the past three Texas Legislative Sessions with a different approach: Focus on driving the legislation from the Senate side; we have been consistently stonewalled and therefore unsuccessful in pushing SDVOBs on the House side due to repeatedly being blocked in the Calendars Committee. Have several Senate Committees study the issue from their perspective and committee charter, and develop unique recommendations. Recommend Senate Committees to study SDVOBs; VAMI, Business and Commerce, Economic Development and Finance. 3) A new issue that we have taken up is that of 100% property tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a Texas Military member who is killed in action or dies as the result of wounds received in combat. The proposed legislation would entitle the surviving spouse to the 100% property tax exemption if: The property was the surviving spouses homestead when the veteran died; The property remains the surviving spouses homestead, and The surviving spouse has not remarried since the death of the Texas Military member. In addition, the spouse is not obligated to remain in the original home so long as the new home is designated a homestead and the spouse does not remarry. If the surviving spouse subsequently qualifies a different property as a residence homestead and has not remarried, the surviving spouse would be entitled to a property tax exemption. We recommend that the VAMI com- mittee study this issue as well as the State Comptrollers office. At present, there are some 550 +/- widows who would qualify for an exemption of this type from OEF/OIF in the state of Texas. Questions remain as to how far back in time this should be taken. Should it include widows of those from as far back as WWII, Vietnam, and Korea? We are soliciting input on this issue. 4) Our fourth issue is to identify and make recommendations for legislation that would address the specific needs of our women veterans. The 82 nd Legislative session passed SB34 authored by Senators Zeffirini and Davis specifically addressing the establishment and operation of a women s veteran program. This program was placed with and is under the supervision of the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC). The Women s Veteran Coordinator will attend conferences, seminars, training sessions that will enrich their knowledge that can then be passed to women veterans. The Women s Veteran Coordinator will act as an advocate for all women of the military, whether active or retired. She will be responsible for recommending local, state and national legislative initiatives that would benefit our active women veterans and veterans of the military. TCVO wants to work with the Women s Veteran Coordinator in making recommendations to the legislature for legislation that would expand and enhance this program and also look at special needs of our women veterans that might require legislative action. We will be recommending that the Senate ask the VAMI committee and the higher Education and business and commerce committee s look at things which might enhance opportunities and assistance to (Continued on Page 15) 13 The Lariat March 2012

14 Chapter Events Calendar MARCH 1 Volunteer Hours Due 1 Staff Meeting 9am MOAA-AC Office 1 Veterans Administration Volunteers Mtg 1pm 6 Solitaire s Luncheon 11am Ft Sam Golf Club 15 Chapter Luncheon AFV I 20 Ft Sam Volunteer Advisory Council Mtg 1pm 25 Solitaire s Sunday Brunch 11 am Randolph Parr O Club 27 Extravaganza Sam Houston Club (Ft Sam Newcomers Welcome) APRIL 1 Volunteer Hours Due 3 Solitaire s Luncheon 11am Ft Sam Golf Club 5 Staff Meeting 9am MOAA-AC Office 8 Easter Sunday - Fly the Flag! 11 Board Meeting10am Chapter Office Storming The Hill Washington DC 19 Chapter Luncheon Ft Sam Golf Club 22 Solitaire s Sunday Brunch 11 am Randolph Parr O Club 24 Extravaganza Sam Houston Club (Ft Sam Newcomers Welcome) Note: Events bolded are for the general membership and italicized are for staff, though members are always welcome. Please call the office for details (210) Ongoing: Cookie Angels delivering items to Warrior & Family Support Center. Call Susie Tolman for details (210) MAY 1 Volunteer Hours Due 1 Solitaire s Luncheon 2 Ft Sam Houston Volunteer of the Year Recognition Ceremony 3 Staff Meeting 9am MOAA-AC Office 8 Victory Day in Europe 13 Mother s Day - Fly the Flag! 16 Ft Sam Volunteer Advisory Council Mtg 10am 17 Scholarship Luncheon Ft Sam Houston Golf Club 21 Armed Forces Day Fly the Flag! 27 Solitaire s Sunday Brunch 11 am Randolph Parr O Club 28 Memorial Day - Fly the Flag! 28 Ft Sam Houston Cemetery Memorial Day 29 Extravaganza Sam Houston Club (Ft Sam Newcomers Welcome) JUNE 1 Volunteer Hours Due 1 Submission Deadline for Levels of Excellence Award 5 Solitaire s Luncheon Ft Sam Golf Club 3 Veterans Administration Volunteers Mtg 1pm 7 Staff Meeting 9am MOAA-AC Office 14 FlagDay & US Army Birthday Fly the Flag! 14 Chapter Summer Celebration Petroleum Club 17 Father s Day - Fly the Flag! 24 Solitaire s Sunday Brunch 11 am Randolph Parr O Club 26 Extravaganza Sam Houston Club (Ft Sam Newcomers Welcome) The Lariat March

15 President s Message (Continued from Page 13) our women veterans and their special needs. In this area, I would ask that women veteran and active duty members of our Chapter give me input and make suggestions as to things which might need to be done legislatively. These can be sent to me via at jimbob48@sbcglobal.net. We will attend a meeting of the TCC in Austin in February 2013 to Advocate on the Hill with the Texas Legislature. Please put that in your calendar and plan on participating if you can. Our numbers and advocacy count a lot with the Senators and Representatives! Colonel Mac McDonald, Alamo Chapter Board Member; LtCol Ed Marvin, National MOAA Board Member; Lt. Col Virginia Alloway, past National MOAA Board Member and Alamo MOAA Staff Member and I attended the 1 st Quarter Texas Council of Chapters meeting in Tyler, TX on February 17/18. General TCC business was conducted and there was some discussion of the new TCC website. That evening, Ed Marvin, representing the National MOAA gave a talk to a gathering of the TCC Chapters and members of the Rose Capital Chapter, who was the host. After discussing current issues related to Tricare, retire- ment, benefits, manning, etc., LtCol Marvin swore in the new officers of the Texas Council. Those officers are, Jim Snow, President, Rose Capital Chapter; Wayne Keen, Vice President for Membership and Chapter Development, Huntsville Chapter; Larry Petrash, Secretary, Wichita Falls Chapter; Vince Tobola, Treasurer; Ed Stone, Executive Vice President, Federal Legislative Affairs and Jim Cunningham, Executive Vice President State Legislative Affairs. I want to remind everyone that we will be having our March 15 Luncheon at Air Force Village I. The speaker will be Lt. General Chip Utterback, USAF (Ret), President and CEO of the Air Force Villages. On 19 April, in a continuing effort to hear from our Representatives about legislation coming to and hopefully out of the Congress, we will be having Mr. Mike Asmus, from Congressman Lamar Smith s office speaking to us at the Ft. Sam Houston Golf Club. Later, on 17 May, we will have our annual Scholarship luncheon at the Ft. Sam Golf Club and you really need to plan ahead to attend our Summer Celebration gathering at the San Antonio Petroleum Club on 14 June where we will have no speaker, but instead an evening of dining, dancing and camaraderie. Thanks, Jim Cunningham USAR (Ret) Chapter Vision & Mission Statement Vision: To be the primary advocate for the military community Mission: To be a major source of information, support and social engagement for the membership; To provide programs and services for the common good of our military community; To be a powerful voice supporting MOAA at the local, state and national levels. VOLUNTEER STAFF: PRESIDENT MAJ James R. Cunningham jimbob48@sbcglobal.net EXEC VP Operations LTC Bill Goforth bagoforth@yahoo.com VP ADMINISTRATION LtCol Jim Webb VP PROGRAMS LTC Rodney Takahashi VP MEMBERSHIP LTC Randy Hoff randyhoff106@hotmail.com SECRETARY Col David Patrick dwpatrick01@gmail.com TREASURER Col Vaughn Caudill vaughn.caudill@us.army.mil SCHOLARSHIP LTC Dan Cummings VP PERSONAL AFFAIRS Col Stuart Myers DEPUTY PA LtCol Craig Erickson VP LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS Col Al Cote DEP LEG AFFAIRS LtCol Ed LeFebvre VP PUBLIC RELATIONS (Open) VP LOGISTICS LtCol Fred Koechley LEGAL COUNSEL Jacobson Law Firm SOLITAIRES Marge Fraley CONSULTANT Maj Len Mull CONSULTANT Lt George Frecsko EDITOR Col Kerry Green ASSISTANT EDITOR Col James Payne CHAPLAIN LTC James Taylor PX/VAV/VAC Rep Susie Tolman TOPS OFFICER Col David Patrick WEB MASTER Col Bill Hudson HISTORIAN Col Janice Edgerson VOLUNTEER COORD. Mavis Cleary ADVERTISING COORD. (Open) AFV SATELLITE COORD. LtCol Ginny Alloway DUTY OFFICERS: CONTRACTOR: Admin Support DIRECTORS: LTC John Gibbs Col Ed McCarthy Col Mac McDonald Col Frank Rohrbough Alamo Chapter Col Irene Collier Col Stuart Myers LtCol Jim Cuskey LtCol Bill Polasek LtCol Ed Waggoner Floaters: LtCol Jim Webb Trish Meserve LTC Jim Finch Col Lisa Skopal LtCol Ed Marvin Mrs. Susie Tolman DIRECTORS EMERITUS HONORARY DIRECTORS BG George Woodard Gen William McBride BG Robert Herring Statement of Publication The Lariat is the newsletter of the Military Officers Association of America Alamo Chapter. It is published once each month to inform the membership of issues and activities of interest to all. MOAA-AC is a non-profit organization within the state of Texas organized to represent the membership and to support the activities of the Texas Council of Chapters and MOAA National. Advertising contained in the newsletter is not endorsed by the Chapter and does not represent any recommendation to the membership. Opinions expressed in articles contained herein are not necessarily those of the membership as a whole or the Chapter. Questions should be directed to the Editor, at the Chapter office. MOAA-AC P.O. Box San Antonio, TX (210) moaa-ac@sbcglobal.net 15 The Lariat March 2012

16 THE LARIAT 2009 National Award Winning Newsletter U.S. Postage Paid San Antonio, Texas Permit No MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA ALAMO CHAPTER F OR INFORMATION REGARDING OUR BY-LAWS, STRATEGIC PLAN, EVENTS CALENDAR AND PAST ISSUES OF THE LARIAT PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW. ALAMOMOAA. ORG P.O. Box Ft Sam Houston, TX Phone: moaa-ac@sbcglobal.net Postmaster please deliver by March 2nd Time Sensitive Material Thursday March 15, 2012 Chapter Luncheon Speaker: General Utterback President & CEO Air Force Villages Air Force Village I - Skylounge Meet & Greet begins 11am - Lunch served approx 11:45am Optional Guided Tour at 1pm call (210) to sign up Menu (Indicate Choice) A) Pork Filet B) Chicken wrapped in bacon with Champagne Sauce Garden Salad, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Zuchinni Medley Butterflake Rolls & Butter Berry Scone Napoleans Water, Coffee & Tea Service and honor bar for wine Cost per person $20 Enclosed: $ RSVP by Noon Monday 12 March Reservations not cancelled by noon 13 Tuesday will be billed Non member Officers & guests are welcome with paid reservations Name Guest: Send reservation slip & check made payable to MOAA-AC to P.O. Box , Ft Sam Houston, TX The Lariat March Thursday April 19, 2012 Chapter Luncheon Speaker: Mike Asmus District Director for Congressman Lamar Smith Ft Sam Golf Club Meet & Greet begins 11am - Lunch served approx 11:45am Menu (Indicate Choice) A) Baked Pollock with lemon butter B) Monterrey Jack Chicken Garden Salad, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans Almondine Dinner Rolls & Butter Assorted Ice Cream Water, Coffee & Tea Service and $3.00 per small bottle wine Cost per person $20 Enclosed: $ RSVP by Noon Monday 16 April Reservations not cancelled by noon 17 Tuesday will be billed Non member Officers & guests are welcome with paid reservations Name Guest: Send reservation slip & check made payable to MOAA-AC to P.O. Box , Ft Sam Houston, TX Call (210) with any questions.