January, 2017 Pete Wilkinson Editor

Transcription

1 Military Officers Association of America CENTRAL OHIO CHAPTER Taking Care of the Troops * Supporting Positive Federal & State Military Legislation * Supporting Central Ohio Troops at Home & Deployed A Non-Partisan, Multi Service Organization Join Us Your Membership Helps Us Achieve the Mission Visit Our Website to Join and for Additional Information January, 2017 Pete Wilkinson Editor prwilkinson1@outlook.com Welcome New Members COL Walter P. Betley USA/RET CDR Frederick J. Eckfeld USNR/RET Major Samuel T. Jones JR USMC/RET LT Robert B. Morris USN/FMR Lt Colonel Darrell W. Sheets USMC/RET Lt Colonel Harold W. Wesley USAF/Ret President s Corner Bill Tate View from the Bridge Wing On Veterans Day, four Chapter Members George Williams, Glen Golden, Chris Curry, and Bill Tate - visited several area schools as representative veterans, relating their experiences and observations

2 for the students. George, Glen and Chris interacted with students at Heritage Middle School and Glen and Chris at Mark Twain Elementary School, both in Westerville. In this photo at Heritage MS taken by Dorothy Williams, Chris is 3rd from right, Glen is 5th from right and George is 6th from right: The students of Mark Twain Elementary School created this touching tribute wall for veterans: Bill visited and spoke at Genoa Middle School and also at Etna Elementary School in Pataskala, where he presented to a large group that included many veterans as well as students. Etna Elementary had a Walk of Honor in which the active military and veterans who were present walked in single file through the hallways while being applauded by students on both sides. Each of these four schools has a good, well-organized program that focuses students attention on what it means to be an active duty military service member or veteran. This helps the students understand how important the service of military and veterans is and what that has meant for the country. Needless to say, it is encouraging to see the tradition of honoring the military and veterans being sustained at these three schools, and there are many more schools in the Central Ohio Area that do likewise. Holiday Party We had a well-attended and enjoyable holiday luncheon at the 94 th Aero Squadron on December 9. We met four-year member Col Nora Noble, USAF (Ret) (a 1996 Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame inductee) and new member Maj Sam Jones, USMC (Ret). We recognized our WWII- and Korean War-era veterans and Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame members who were present. Our 2016 chapter scholarship winner Chloe Bedford, now attending OSU, gave an update on her career path. We celebrated our chapter s latest MOAA Five-Star Level of Excellence award and the two

3 communications awards that helped us with that win, and we displayed the streamer that the chapter earned. We recognized our Honorary Member Rick Isbell, who helped our chapter through his exceptional communication skills and networking ability while with the City of Columbus. Rick has started a new assignment at WPAFB with Lockheed-Martin Officers Slate The nominating committee earlier presented the names they recommend for our elected Board of Directors positions in All continuing from 2016, they are: President CAPT Bill Tate 1 st VP/membership LTC Cal Taylor 2 nd VP/Program no recommendation/not currently filled Secretary LCDR Nancy Rey Treasurer CDR Walter Rey We would like to fill the elected 2 nd VP position as well as our appointed Medals & Bars Coordinator position. If you re interested in either role, let us know. We will vote for our slate of nominated officers at the January 13 luncheon. What s on Your Mind Please let me know what s on your mind. If you have any concerns about our Chapter or suggestions to improve what we do, get in touch and I ll make certain we consider your suggestions and try to correct any problem. Call me at cell phone or me at tatew44@hotmail.com. Upcoming Events All are Welcome Board of Directors meeting at noon on Wednesday, January 4 at DSCC (Building 11, Section 9, Room 911). Ohio Council of Chapters meeting at 10:00 on Saturday, January 28 at DSCC (Building 11, Section 8, Room 801). Central Ohio News Honorary Member Rick Isbell Recognized The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) honored me today at their annual Christmas party at the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant. It was very nice to be thanked for my efforts and participation in organizations that helped veterans, military, and their families in our community. plus they're great group of people. Military Health Symposium Highlighted by Military Family Bereavement Coming together to understand and overcome mental health issues facing veterans and their families was focused upon my Major general Mark Graham (U.S. Army, Retired) and his spouse, Carol Graham on November 14 at The Ohio State University. They are a military family who have lost both sons in military service one to suicide and one to combat! Their mission is to heathen the awareness of military mental health issues and to honor the memory of their two sons Devin, a Senior Army ROTC cadet who died by suicide while studying to become an Army doctor; and subsequently his younger

4 brother, Jeff, an Army 2 nd Lieutenant who was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device in Iraq. With the loss of his older brother, Jeff did not have to go to a combat area, but insisted he wanted to serve in the leadership capacity for which he had trained. The Graham s personal story was followed by a panel of three veterans who shared their military experience with mental health issues. Major General Graham is currently serving as the Senior Director for Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care Call Center and Director of the Vets4Warriors. The Graham story is featured in the award-winning book, The Invisible Front: Loss and Love in an Era of Endless War by Yochi Dreazan. The Grahams shared their heart-felt story and personal crusade for mental health at a symposium sponsored jointly by The Ohio State University Office of Military and Veterans Services, the College of Social Work, and the student group Run Down the Demons. There are other symposiums planned for Calvin Taylor, Lt Colonel USA/RET Chapter again in Veterans Day Parade The Central Ohio Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America was among the 110 units in the Columbus 2016 Veterans Day parade. The Chapter was represented by Chapter Vice President for Membership Services, Cal Taylor (Lt. Col., USA, Ret) with his classic 1969 Triumph Spitfire. Mr. Ron Rosser, Medal of Honor recipient of the Korean War was the Grand Marshall. Veterans of all wars, conflicts and times of conflict, and all branches of service were present. Columbus streets were lined with patriotic citizens, children, veterans, and corporate well-wishers waving and observing. The parade consisted of 110 units, including 13 marching bands, floats sponsored by supporting corporations, a university band, and a KC-130 fly over. Newscaster Gym Ganahl and Columbus Mayor, Andrew Ginther helped announce the units as they passed the reviewing stand of dignitaries. Calvin Taylor, Lt. Col., USA/RET OSU Shakespeare Program for Wounded Warriors An Ohio State University Department of Theatre associate professor invites Military/Veterans and family members/caregivers of wounded warriors to volunteer for ten-week Shakespeare acting workshops. Project goals are to explore reintegration into civilian life in a unique way, inform the civilian population about the challenges of military careers and cultivate mutual support. (Military and family member workshops are separate - family members need to be 15 years or older.) The commitment for each is only one hour per week and the project will be hosted in Columbus. This is a powerful and unique way for Military/Veterans and their families to learn, grow and bond. The free one hour Shakespeare workshops will be held 4:15 to 5:15 PM, location to be determined. Veterans will start 2/7/17 and end 4/11/17. Family/caregivers will start 2/9/17 and end 4/13/17. Registration deadline is January 6, For more information and to register contact Kevin McClatchy at or mcclatchy.1@osu.edu by 6 Jan There is no cost to participate. John McCoy, Colonel USAF(RET)

5 Adopt a Service Person I told you of a box that was sent to Capt. Evan Kelly, an Air Force pilot. The name was obtained through a church friend. This is the I received from him on the 14 th of December. Thank you so much for sending us the care package in the mail. It was much appreciated by all the guys. It makes our job much easier knowing we have so much support from back home. A Merry Christmas to all of you. Every two weeks, I get a report of military personnel coming home. Attached to it are always names of newly deployed service people. The replacement personnel may be individuals or entire units. One unit I just received donation requests for has 80 men in it and is stationed in Iraq. Everyone is asking for products to warm them as temperatures plunges in the higher elevations. In your name, I will gladly send out the January boxes. Dorothy Williams, zemzem1@aol.com ( Annual Meeting The Annual meeting will take place on January 13, 2017 at the Berwick Restaurant following the Luncheon which begins at 11:30 (Social Time) and Noon (The Repas) Luncheon Reservation/Donations Enclosed is my check, payable to MOAA/COC, in the amount of $ for meals at $12.00 each. Please Enter Code for Branch of Service (BOS) Army (A) Navy (N) Air Force (AF) Marines (M) Coast Guard (CG) Auxiliary (X) Rank BOS Name(s) Send Luncheon Reservations to: CDR Walter Rey, USN/RET 500 Tyler Station Drive Johnstown OH 43031

6 Donations: Consider donating to our following Take Care of the Troops Missions: Central Ohio Veterans Stand Down Fairfield County Veterans Stand Down Adopt a Service Member Program Honor Flight Columbus MOAA Scholarship Fund Program Amount Donated:$ Amount Donated: $ Amount Donated: $ Amount Donated: $ Amount Donated: $ 2017 Membership Renewal: Member Renewal $15 Member and Spouse Renewal $22 Auxiliary/Support Renewal $7 Check the Appropriate Category and enter the Amount Submitted: $ TOTAL Enclosed $ Send this form along with your check payable to MOAA/COC to: CDR Walter Rey, USN ret., 500 Tyler Station Drive, Johnstown OH 43031

7 MOAA Central Ohio Chapter P.O. Box Columbus, OH Mission: Taking Care of the Troops Supporting Positive Federal & State Military Legislation Supporting Central Ohio Troops At Home and Deployed