MARCH 2013 *** NEWSLETTER

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1 The Star Spangled Banner Chapter BALTIMORE MARCH 2013 *** NEWSLETTER Sunday Brunch with Dorothy at Toby s Dinner Theater Baltimore March 24, 2013 BRUNCH WITH THE YELLOW-BRICK ROAD WARRIORS Star Spangled Banner Chapter members enjoyed a spectacular Sunday brunch followed by a very entertaining, professional Broadway musical performance, for a fun-filled afternoon at Toby s on O Donnell Street. Members and cadre of the Warrior Transition Unit, Fort Meade, attended as guests of our chapter. Above are COL Randy Everett, Chapter Program Chair, and spouse Elva with Lion, Dorothy, Tin Man and Scare Crow. Left photo are SSG Eugenie Bryon-Griffin (WTU), Giuliana and MAJ Russell Allen, MAJ John Hood (WTU), MAJ Deborah Hood (WTU), and Judy DeHaemer. MORE ABOUT WARRIOR TRANSITION UNITS The U.S. Army established Warrior Transition Units (WTUs) at major military treatment facilities located around the world. WTUs provide personal support to wounded Soldiers who require at least six months of rehabilitative care and complex medical management. A WTU closely resembles a line Army unit, with a professional cadre and integrated Army processes that builds on the Army s strength of unit cohesion and teamwork so that wounded Soldiers can focus on healing to transition back to the Army or to civilian status. Learn more at

2 CHAPTER EVENT CALENDAR APRIL 23, 2013, Tuesday, 6.00 pm. Meeting and Program at Christopher Daniel Restaurant. Ramsey Flynn author Cry from the Deep. Details and reservation instructions on page 3. JUNE 17, 2013, Wednesday. Brief meeting and evening outing for the Aberdeen Iron Birds at Ripken Stadium. Details in the April newsletter. SEPTEMER 17, 2013, Tuesday 6.00 pm. Meeting and Program. Location TBD. Matthew Seybold, Atmospheric Scientist with NOAA Satellite Operations, will highlight NOAA operations of 17 environmental satellites. NOAA monitors environmental hazards around the globe --- hurricanes, severe weather, wildfire, volcanoes, space weather---threats to agriculture and human life. Matthew will also overview The NOAA Corps, seventh Uniformed Service of the United States, conducting ship, aircraft and diving operations, and serving throughout NOAA. NOVEMBER 19, Meeting and Veterans Day Program. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS CAPT Bud Wanner, USNPS (Ret.) Maryland Income Tax: Exemptions on Military Pensions Despite extremely inclement weather on March 12 th, the turnout to support House Bill 503 was greater than that for the Senate Bill 103 on February 6 th. Both Bills address raising the Maryland State Tax exemption on military retired pay from $5000 to $10,000. Chapter members Capt. Mike DeHaemer, Col. Tom Seybold and myself were in attendance. We were joined by many state veteran groups who testified. The groups included representatives of Maryland State MOAA, Marine Corps League, American Legion and The Retired Enlisted Association. Annie Brock, a spouse from the MOAA Susquehanna Chapter, addressed the important issues affecting spouses, dependents and survivors. The final speaker explained to the Committee that he and his business were moving to Delaware because of the Maryland State Tax burden he and his business incurred in Maryland compared to that of Delaware. Chairwoman Sheila E. Hixon displayed a high level of interest during the testimonies and asked pointed questions. However she forwarded a non-committal letter to Mike DeHaemer on March 13 th. We were hoping for more support. (Continued on page 4.)

3 Special Program Author Ramsey Flynn on The Sinking of the Russian Nuclear Submarine KURSK, with loss of all hands. Tuesday, April 23 rd, 2013, at 1800 Christopher Daniel Restaurant Forrester Room 106 W Padonia Rd Lutherville-Timonium, MD RESERVATIONS. The price, including a fixed menu dinner, is $36 per person. Make check out to BAMOA. Mail check along with your name and name(s) of your guest(s) to: COL Tom Seybold USA (Ret.) Gent Road Reistertown, MD For further information Tom may be reached at or tkseybold@hotmail.com FIXED PRICE MENU Classic Caesar Salad Wedge of Iceberg BLT STARTERS (Choice of) With Garlic Croutons and Fresh Parmesan Crispy Bacon, Bleu Cheese, Vine Green Onion and Blue Cheese Dressing ENTRÉE (Choice of) Chicken Dijon Grilled Bistro Steak Tempura Battered Cod Fish Broiled Jumbo Lump Crab Cake With Scallions and Light Cream Sauce With Crispy Onions & House Steak Sauce With Tartar Sauce Maryland Style

4 LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS (from page 2) All of the testimonies echoed the fact that this is the 13 th time these Bills, to raise the $5000 exemption for military retired pay to $10,000, have been brought before their respective committees. So far they have not made it to the Assembly for a vote. It would be a great idea to call, write or the sponsors of these 2 Bills to thank them and to ask them to do all they can to convince their colleagues that these Bills will not only attract retired military families but also keep them living and working in Maryland. The state will gain tax income from real estate taxes, taxes on income earned by retirees working after leaving the military and entrepreneurial taxes. This situation is a win-win for all the parties involved. The sponsors of these Bills are: Senate Bill 103-Senator J.J. Peters, District 23, and cosponsors of House Bill 503 Delegate James Proctor, District 27, Prince George County and Delegate Sonny Minnick of Baltimore County. In conclusion, I invite you to join me in contacting our Senators who are members of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and our Delegates who are members of the House Ways and Means Committee to request their support on Senate Bill 103 and House Bill 503. The contact points can be found at And bill status may be found at MARYLAND VETERANS BENEFITS Our state provides some specific benefits for veterans, including some assistance with housing, job finding, and welfare. Programs may be found at VETERANS DESIGNATION ON MARYLAND DRIVER S LICENSES is authorized beginning January 1, Obtaining the designation will register you with the state for notices that are important to circulate to veterans. So far I haven t found a use for this designation, which I received when I recently renewed my driver s license. If you want the designation at your next renewal, you DD 214 or other documentation will be required. See the link in paragraph just above for further information. ROTC ACTIVITIES The Star Spangled Banner Chapter supports ROTC at both the high school and university levels. COL Tom Seybold and other Board Members met with ROTC Unit Commanders of Johns Hopkins University, Loyola University, and McDaniel College, March 27, We learned that Army ROTC is flourishing and is competitive for and selective of entering cadets, and that requirements for officer ascensions are being met for regular service, reserves, and the National Guard. Our chapter will be awarding medals and certificates to recognize the outstanding cadets in the three units. We will also award a set of gold second lieutenant s bars to the newly commissioned officers in these units. The college level cadets are interested in leading and assisting community service projects. If you know of a need to take advantage of their hard charging efforts, make contact through COL Seybold, , or tkseybold@hotmail.com. At the high school level, we also be awarding medals to cadets to be recognized as outstanding leaders. Awards will be made at springtime formations at the Marine Corps ROTC Unit, Millbrook Academy; and Army ROTC Units at Woodlawn High School and Kenwood High School. The Star Spangled Banner Chapter Newsletter online: Newsletter Production President, CAPT Mike DeHaemer USN (Ret) Editor and Producer, CDR Wally Dann (Ret) Distribution, LtCol: Charles R. Meyer USAF (Ret)

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