OFFICERS CALL. ST. PETERSBURG AREA CHAPTER, Military Officers Association of America P. O Box 7054, St. Petersburg, FL 33734

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1 OFFICERS CALL ST. PETERSBURG AREA CHAPTER, Military Officers Association of America P. O Box 7054, St. Petersburg, FL VOL VII No. II Five Star Chapter: 2000, February 2009 Print Media Winner 2006; Also, 2003 Won: Print & Electronic Media & Web Site!! Life Member Emeritus: Colonel Albert R. Neville, Jr., USAF (Ret) Each year, the St. Petersburg Area Chapter Awards Committee meets to evaluate the membership and nominate any deserving member(s) for appropriate awards, which include Life Member Emeritus, Distinguished Member, and Exceptionally Distinguished Service, as spelled out in the Policy Book for St. Petersburg Area Chapter, Military Officers Association of America, Inc. Given the nature of the awards and the requirements for each, not every award has a nominee each year. 2008, though, saw the very fitting nomination of Colonel Albert R. Neville, Jr., USAF (Ret), for the award of Life Member Emeritus, with a unanimous vote for approval by the Executive Committee. Al's service to the Chapter includes many things, but exceptionally noteworthy is his editorship of the Officers Call for many years. While in this capacity, Al's efforts resulted in the Officers Call winning many awards from MOAA, including the 2006 Print Media Winner. For many years, Al was the database manager. During this effort, Al reorganized the database and built it into a meaningful resource which will provide the Chapter almost any information needed. From this database, Al created the member directories that we receive each year. The yearly dues renewal effort? Al is responsible for that and for logging and recording who pays dues and who contributes to the various charities that we support. Al produced the souvenir book for the 2006 FCOC Convention, which received raves and set a new standard for souvenir books. And, he is working on the 2009 book as well. Did I mention that Al did all of this while legally blind? And with a not very large field of vision? Suffice it to say, Al's devotion and dedication to the Chapter are worthy of the award of Life Member Emeritus. Congratulations, Al! Our February Speaker: Dr. Michael J. Deeb, Author and Civil War Historian Michael J. Deeb, the eldest of five boys was born in the state of Michigan and was educated in that state as well. He earned a Bachelor s degree from Aquinas College; a Masters degree from Michigan State University; and a Doctorate from Wayne State University. He spent twenty years in the field of education, teaching American History and other subjects. A university and school administrator as well, Dr. Deeb was elected to Michigan s State Board of Education in 1968, serving until August He also spent many years managing election campaigns and writing speeches and position papers for candidates. A businessman for the last 27 years, Dr. Deeb still works with clients, helping them manage their financial affairs. He and his wife Sally Dittman have five children, ten grand children and live in Sun City Florida. Duty and Honor was his first novel. INSIDE: Calendar and Contact List... Page 2 Resurrection... Page 3 Executive Committee Minutes... Page 4 Legislative Update... Page 5 Banquet Minutes and Photos... Page 6-7 President's Comments... Page 10 New Members... Page 10 TAPS... Page 11 December Financial Statement... Page 11

2 Page 2 OFFICERS CALL February 2009 Officers Call Print media winner Officers Call is published monthly by The St Petersburg Area Chapter, MOAA, Inc. P.O. Box 7054, St Petersburg, Fl Articles in Officers Call are the sole opinion of the authors and do not necessarily reflect policies or opinions of the publisher. Mailed as third class mail at the Manasota Post Office, Permit #1533. Printed by Creative Technology of Sarasota, Inc. Editor Lt Col Larry Fernald, USAF Reporter/Photos CWO4 Basil Burrell, USCG Consultant-- Col Al Neville, USAF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DIRECTORS President- Lt Col Larry Fernald, USAF st VP- MAJ Ed Lillich, USA nd VP- LTC Terry Carr, USA Secretary- Mrs. Chris Lillich Treasurer- Maj Pete Dawson, USAF EXECUTIVE ADVISORY BOARD 2009 COL Ron Merritt, USA CDR Maureen Conners, USN Mrs. Anita Harrow, AuxMember-N & 2010 CDR Bill Bolin, USN LT Ed Conners, USN Mrs. Barbara Walters, AuxMember-A Immediate Past President CAPT Don Freese, USN COMMITTEE CHAIRS Advertising... LTC Janice Mogan, USA Auxiliary Liaison.Mrs Anita Harrow, AuxMbr-N Bylaws/Policy Bk LtCol Fred Edwards, USMC Chaplain:...COL George Brown, USA Data Base... Lt Col Larry Fernald, USAF Electronic Info... Lt Col Larry Fernald USAF Historian:... LTC Marie Lorence, USA JROTC... MAJ Ed Lillich, USA Law:... Lt Col Alan Christner, USAF Legislative:... CAPT Don Freese, USN MacDill Liaison... Mrs Violet Smith, AuxMbr-A Master at Arms... CWO4 Basil Burrell, USCG Membership... LTC Janice Mogan, USA Memorial... Mrs Violet Smith, AuxMbr-A Newsletter... Lt Col Larry Fernald, USAF Nominating Cmte CAPT Bob Eynatten, USN Personal Affairs...Mrs Violet Smith, AuxMbr-A Programs...MAJ Ed Lillich, USA Publicity:...Mrs. D Kay Benson, AuxMbr-AF ROWC Liaison... Mrs Violet Smith, AuxMbr-A Scholarships:...Col Stew Palmer, USAF TOPS... COL Ron Merritt, USA VA Vol Svc... LCDR Hazel McGrath, USN Vet Liaison...LtCol Fred Edwards, USMC Visitation...LCDR Hazel McGrath, USN AND Life Members Emeritus AND Past Presidents Chapter Statistics Total Membership Regular Members Auxillary Members - 81 Inactive Members - (7) Military Services: Army - 75 USMC -16 USAF - 72 USCG - 10 Navy - 52 NOAA - 0 1/22/2009 Luncheon Meetings The 3 rd Friday mixer 11:00-11:45 luncheon; program 11:45-13:15; BanquetMasters, 8100 Park Blvd., Pinellas Pk. Visit our Chapter Web Site => CALENDAR February 20 th, Friday. Speaker: Dr. Michael Deeb, Author and Civil War Historian March 20 th, Friday. Speaker: Circuit Court Judge J. Thomas McGrady April 17 th. Friday. Speaker: CAPT Paul Becker, USN, CO of the Joint Intellingence Center, CENTCOM May 15 th, Friday ** Need a ride to the luncheon? Call: CAPT Bob Eynatten or Lt Col Larry Fernald Business Meetings are on the 1 st Monday of the month 11:30-12:30 at Perkins Restaurant on the NE corner of Starkey Rd. & Park Blvd., Seminole. February 2 nd Monday March 2 nd Monday April 6 th Monday May 4 th Monday ROWC Luncheon (2 nd Tuesday) 11:30, lunch 12:30 Reservations: LTC Rose Munchbach, , or Bobby Walters, (luncheons resume in October) Membership: Martha Willis Bridge (1 st Wednesday of the month) 10:00 AM Banquet Masters, 8100 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. Reservations: Evelyn Hamilton , or Margaret Infinity, Peck Celebrity's newest! Having trouble reading the Officers Call? Have a home computer? Did you know that if you were to subscribe to the Officers Call via that you could, using your computer, easily enlarge the pages and even selectively print out a page or more? Or, just read or print it all out in color! To subscribe to the electronic version of Officers Call, and save valuable funds for your Chapter, call me at

3 Editors Note: The following article appeared on the MineralWellsIndex.com website on 11 November The accompaning photo was by David May, MineralWellsIndex.com. COL Ron Merritt is a member of this Chapter. Resurrected Museum group unveils replica of soldiers memorial that once stood in South Vietnam s Camp Holloway By David May editor@mineralwellsindex.com Gloria Holloway maneuvered her electric wheelchair close to the block and stucco wall. With some help she stood, reached up and touched the brass plaque that bears her brother s name, one of 326 plaques containing the names of American soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving at Camp Holloway in Peiku, South Vietnam. She was one of six direct relatives of CWO Charles E. Holloway of the Army s 81st Transport Company to attend a dedication ceremony Saturday of the replica of the Camp Holloway Memorial Wall that now occupies a prominent place on the grounds of developing National Vietnam War Museum near Mineral Wells, Texas, located about 45 miles west of Fort Worth. Holloway was the first from the U.S. Army camp killed in action on Dec. 22, The camp, which was home to the 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion, was then named in his honor. A memorial wall was later constructed, and gradually the names of soldiers from the camp killed during the Vietnam War were added. It became known as the Camp Holloway Memorial Wall. After the war ended, the nameplates were removed by soldiers and kept, stowed away in footlockers or boxes, or who knows where. Those nameplates have not been found. It is largely assumed that once the Americans left, the Viet Cong blasted or tore the wall apart. But those soldiers names, their legacies and their acts of heroism are once again proudly displayed and remembered on the replica wall. It s just such an honor, said Gloria Holloway, of Winter Park, Fla., in the moments following an emotional family scene OFFICERS CALL February 2009 Page 3 at the new memorial. We are so honored to be invited here. It is sadness, but also joy. It s a beautiful wall. An estimated 700 people attended Saturday s dedication ceremony, which comes on the heels of August s big Hoist the Huey dedication in which a U.S. Army UH-1 Huey helicopter was mounted atop a pole. They Huey is considered the symbol of the Vietnam War, and Mineral Wells was home to the former Fort Wolters, a primary Army helicopter training base during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Before that it was Camp Wolters. It s a super honor for us, said Charles Holloway s brother Franklin B. Holloway, a retired 20-year Army veteran who traveled from St. Cloud, Fla., to attend the dedication ceremony. It makes us all very proud. I m just sad mom and dad couldn t be here. They are gone. They d be so proud. Other Holloway family members attending included Chuck Holloway, son of Charles Holloway; two sisters, Ethelyne Ensor and Gwendolyn Finn; and a daughter, Carol Boust. Several other family members, including a nephew, were also present. Charles was so proud to be a member of the service and in Vietnam before it was declared a war zone, Ensor told the crowd in a prepared address. Our gratitude and respect goes to the 52nd. Charles Holloway was the first (from the camp) killed in action. This wall will remind us all of those who have fallen since Dec. 22, The dedication included a three-helicopter flyover and a 21- gun salute. A special ceremony by a group of Apache Native Americans made sacred the wall and ground on which it sits. Before the ceremony, the world s only traveling replica of the Liberty Bell was on hand and tolled once for each name on the memorial wall. The keynote speech was given by Ret. U.S. Army Col. Ronald Merritt, of Treasure Island, Fla. Merritt served three tours of Vietnam two full tours and a partial and was commander of Camp Holloway in Nothing good ever dies, he said of the military men and women who have died serving the country. It isn t life that matters, it s the courage you bring to it. Every man on that wall is a hero, and we have many heroes still walking among us. For those of you who have tears in your eyes today for the men on that wall, remember that tears are the scopes man uses to see Heaven. Camp Holloway was home to many units of the 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion serving in Vietnam. The original memorial wall was dedicated in February 1966, with Gen. William Westmoreland giving the memorial address. While the camp was named for Charles Holloway after his death in 1962, the memorial came about following two attacks within three days in February Seven members of the camp were killed and 109 wounded in a mortar and ground attack, then 24 were killed and another 22 injured in a bomb See Resurrected, Pg 8

4 Page 4 OFFICERS CALL February 2009 Executive Committee Meeting St Petersburg Area Chapter, MOAA; 5 January 2009 Reported by Chris Lillich, Secretary The meeting was called to order by President Larry Fernald at 11:30 a.m. Chaplain George Brown gave the invocation and Larry led the Pledge of Allegiance. There were twenty-two present including members and guests: George Brown, Basil Burrell, Terry Carr, Pete Dawson, Fred Edwards, Bob Eynatten, Larry Fernald, Paul Finley, Don Freese, Anita Harrow, Chris Lillich, Ed Lillich, H.B. Love, Hazel McGrath, Ron Merritt, Janice Mogan, Al Neville, Earl Peck, Violet Smith and new directors Bill Bolin, Edwin Conners and Maureen Conners. Motion was made by Ron Merritt, seconded by Anita Harrow to approve minutes of 12/1/08 as published in the Officers Call. Motion carried. Motion was made by Earl Peck, seconded by Violet Smith to approve the Treasurer s report as presented. Motion carried. First Vice President s Report: Ed Lillich reported that he had contacted Tom McGrady, a Circuit Judge, to be our installation banquet speaker. Astronaut Allen will be overseas and unable to speak at the banquet, but Ed will contact him again for a future meeting. Second Vice President s Report: Janice Mogan has called everyone on her assigned membership list and she has re-contacted all those on her sponsorship list. Janice received an announcement of the first annual golf tournament sponsored by the Armed Forces Military Museum. The museum is located at th Way N., Largo and Janice encouraged all who have not visited the museum to do so. There is no entrance fee for the military. Ed Conners will take some brochures, membership applications and copies of the O.C. to be displayed at the museum. Janice has invitations to attend the President Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial State Dinner which will be held at the Gulfport Casino on February 12, This is sponsored by the Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church and proceeds go to Youth Ministry at the church. Gen Earl Peck is the honored guest. Any member interested should see Janice for an invitation. Reservations needed by February 9. Officers Call: Larry has information for one or two more issues and is looking for someone to take over as Editor of the O.C. as he is going to take over managing the data base. The job requires some knowledge of Adobe Page Maker and Adobe Photo Shop, both of which he would make sure would be available. Larry will sit down with anyone interested to go over the programs and will help you learn the programs if you are not familiar with them. Please see him if you are interested or can suggest someone who might be interested. H.O.T.: Anita has mailed sixty-one boxes since August for a cost of approximately $2,000. Anticipated spending is $4,000 if we continue to send the same amount of boxes this year. Anita received a response from the Army contact who included a letter to the 7th grade class that sent Christmas letters and cards to the troops. The residents of Paradise Island Towers have seen Anita with the boxes and have started contributing to the H.O.T. program. She received free will contributions of $300 from the residents of the Towers. Anita recommended that all those living in condominiums mention that MOAA is sending boxes to troops in case anyone would be interested in contributing to the project. Valentine boxes will go out at the end of January. JROTC: The 21st annual All Pinellas County JROTC Drill Meet will be held at Admiral Farragut Academy on January 30, A request was received for a $100 donation for the awards. Earl Peck moved that we support this program with a $100 donation, seconded by Fred Edwards. Motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Maureen Conners mentioned that used cell phones are needed for the troops overseas. Anita gave an update on her contacts with the Auxiliary members regarding continuing membership. Violet will be attending the Hospital Commander s meeting at the end of the month and she will tell him how much we enjoyed the program given by the pharmacy and hospital staff. Convention: The winter Florida Council meeting will be at the Sirata January Our convention planning meeting will be on Friday the 23rd in the Date Palm Room at 2:00 p.m. in order for some of the Chapter presidents and other officers to attend. This is a good opportunity for us to get the Chapters interested in signing up for the convention and to get their ads for the souvenir book. Sue Baxter, one of the hospitality suite hostesses will also be there. Convention registration forms have been modified and will be available at the meeting. Forty nine room nights have been reserved to date. All Chapter Presidents will receive a personal phone call to ask if they have received all the forms and to answer any questions they may have regarding the convention. Don passed along the brochure on the Hawaii Chapter s convention. This is the 50th anniversary of the State of Hawaii. Please see Don if you are interested in attending this convention. Proposed Policy Book Changes: There was discussion on amending two clauses in the policy book. Fred Edwards will present the proposals at the next meeting. Membership: Don Freese suggested that we should have a group outing to the Fantasy of Flight. He just recently was there and was very impressed. The planes displayed, one being a 1937 Storch, are actually flown. Florida residents get a discount of $ Don also is seeking a way to get recognition for life members by way of sew on patch or other means. See Minutes, Pg 8 Visit our Chapter Web Site =>

5 MOAA Legislative Update Edited by Don Freese from MOAA and other sources The Florida Veterans Council (FVC) consists of county, state and national veteran s service organizations (VSO), as well as military associations which exist in Florida that have banded together to address matters important to our military past, present and future. Don Freese as VP of the Florida Council of Chapters (FCOC) represents the FCOC and attends the monthly FVC meetings held at the Florida American Legion Headquarters in Orlando. One purpose of the FVC is to annually recommend legislative priorities in addition to those of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA) prior to the Florida Legislative session. This year s priorities are: (FDVA) Priorities: Campus Vet Rep Program An explosion of new military students (as much as 4 times normal) is expected to attend State campuses over the coming year due to the approval of the new GI Bill. We are requesting 39 new veteran claims examiners throughout the state. These individuals would take on a role similar to a County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO) and work closely with CVSOs in their areas. These individuals would also support education outreach efforts to help inform our veterans about their entitlements under the new GI Bill. Revise Law on License Plate Revenue Amend the current law on veteran based license plates so that the revenue is to be directly deposited into state veterans nursing homes. Exempt certain VA & DOD Forms from Public Records Requests Increase Cap on Legal Representation Fees Rewrite the veteran preference to increase the cap from $10,000 to $25,000 on legal representation fees and advertise all state jobs that are not exempt. Exemption on Permit Fees for Disabled Veterans All permanently disabled veterans are to be exempt from permit fees for upgrading their home for safety and access. VSO Priorities: American Flags Made in America Support bill that requires state and every political subdivision of the state to procure flags manufactured in the United States. West Virginia and Michigan have already passed this legislation. Revise State Statute on Veterans Preference OFFICERS CALL February 2009 Page 5 Revise the Statute on Veterans Preference to force state agencies to post all job openings so veterans will know about the available jobs. Amendment to the Post 9/11 GI Bill Chapter 33 of the new GI Bill needs to be modified to include non-college degree programs (NCD) such as trade schools, flight and correspondence schools, as well as apprenticeship and OJT. Other recommended improvements to the GI Bill include provisions for lifelong learning and additional financial support for educational institutions providing programs and services to veterans. Legislation Providing Repayment of Student Loans for Combat Veterans Legislation requiring the Department of Education to repay student loans outstanding after a waiver has been granted to combat veterans if the loan was certified by a post secondary institution before receipt of combat qualifying badge or ribbon. Cash Bonuses for GWOT, Iraqi, Afghanistan Veterans Legislation establishing a one-time cash bonus for veterans who entered active duty from Florida and received the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal or the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Equal Treatment for Wartime Veterans in State Retirement System Legislation is needed to delete the requirement that a Wartime Veteran must work for the State prior to January 1, 1987 to be eligible to purchase military time. Broader Eligibility Disabled Veterans Ad Valorem Discounts Legislation asking the people to amend Article VII, Section 6 (e) of the Florida Constitution eliminating the age and pre-service Florida residency requirement. Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions for Deployed Service Members Legislation asking the people to amend Article VII, Section 6 (e) of the Florida Constitution providing a 100% Ad Valorem tax exemption to members of the Armed Forces who are deployed in direct support of the Global War on Terror. VSO License Plates Legislation providing for the sale of Veterans Service Organization distinctive license plates with the proceeds being split between the VSO and FDVA. State contributions to the disabled veteran s memorial in Washington DC Complete revision of the Statute on Veterans Preference and Employment Supporting the DAV veteran transportation program See Legislative, Pg 8

6 Page 6 OFFICERS CALL February 2009 Installation Banquet; 17 January 2009 Reported by Basil Burrell Attended 86: (81 reservations), 36 Members, 5 Auxiliaries, 29 spouses, 11 Member Guests, 5 Chapter Guests [0 Walk-in, 0 No-show, 0 Cancellations] Editors Note: While Basil recovers from a medical procedure, I took the liberty of writing the minutes. The installation meeting was called to order precisely at 1830 hours by the master of Master of Ceremonies, Maj Gen Earl Peck, USAF (Ret). MAJ Ed Lillich, USA (Ret), led us in the invocation followed by the presentation of colors by the Admiral Farragut Academy Color Guard. Gen Peck led us in the pledge to our Nation's Flag. At that point, the meeting was officially underway, or as they say at various stadiums, "Play ball!" Gen Peck introduced the guests sitting at the head table, followed by introductions of Chapter Distinguished Members, Life Members Emeritus, and Past Presidents in attendance. Then came one of the highlights of the evening: the presentation of Life Member Emeritus status to Col Al Neville, a long standing member of the Chapter. If you haven't already, you can read all about that on the front page...and please do. Then the first shuffle of the evening occurred. Gen Peck took his seat, and Larry, putting on his FCOC hat, came up to the podium and presented the MOAA 5- Star Award, which the Chapter won, to Don Freese, who Don Freese accepts the 5-Star Award was president during the time the award covered. Don accepted the award for the Chapter and had some moving words to say about MOAA and what it stands for and how it impacts those around us. We should get Don to write those words down for a future issue of Officers Call. At that point, the preliminary business was complete and it was time for dinner. However, Larry failed to account for the efficiency of General officers since we were 20 minutes ahead of schedule. The Hilton staff covered nicely for this error, though, and the meal was served without much delay. What little delay we had allowed folks to mingle about and renew acquaintenances with Chapter members whom they had not seen for some time. After dinner, which by all accounts, was very good, the meeting resumed with Larry introducing LtCol Fred Edwards, USMC (Ret), a St. Petersburg Area Chapter Life Member Emeritus and former member of MOAA's national board of directors, who then performed the installation ceremony installing the officers and board members of the Chapter for Those installed are listed else- BG Paul and Connie Smith where, so I will not take up valuable photo space with the names. After the installation, Larry took the mike and had a few words of thanks for all of the Chapter members for supporting the chapter and encouraged all to continue to support and to become more involved. Larry then spoke about how difficult it was to find a speaker for this event when the best speaker was already here--gen Peck. Larry introduced Gen Peck and said that of all the decisions that Gen Peck had made, the best one was to go out on a blind date with Margaret Raymond in 1951 and to marry her the next year. Gen Peck then took the podium and spoke of the huge capitalization effort needed to replenish equipment for the military. Further, he suggested that the bailout effort underway by the new administration should be directed to the military as well as the private sector. Military equipment is wearing out with the use it is seeing in the Global War on Terror, and in Iraq and Afghanistan in particular. New Board member Bill and Lynn Bolin Larry Fernald and Maj Gen Earl Peck After Gen Peck's excellent talk, Larry thanked him and all who attended and called upon Ed Lillich to give the benedition. The meeting adjourned around Visit our Chapter Web Site =>

7 OFFICERS CALL February 2009 Page 7 Photos by Basil Burrell and John Milford New members, Dru and Creighton Trahan Basil's better half, Eleanor Burrell CDR Aylwyn Young, USCG, Vice Commander, Sector St. Petersburg and a Chapter member John and Margie Milford Kathi and Jim Patton Ed and Chris Lillich Linda and Pete Dawson Maggie and Bob Eynatten Mike and Susan Vision (do you think Mike is a Gator's fan?) Margaret Peck and Janice Mogan Pauline and Fred Edwards Right: Priscilla and Matt Poage. (Matt got back from a deployment to Afghanistan last year)

8 Page 8 OFFICERS CALL February 2009 Minutes, from Pg 4 Al Neville asked that everyone check the data for the new directory for any changes or additions and to let him know of any as soon as possible. He and Larry are closing out the year 2008 with 335 members and we will be starting 2009 with 302 members. Don reported that we received 30 new members which includes 4 auxiliary members mainly as a result of the recruiting mailings. We should be receiving a check in March for $520 from the Give Me Ten program. There are still about 120 chapter members who are not National Life Members. Hazel McGrath gave her report of those members who are ill. A full report is published elsewhere in the O.C. OLD BUSINESS: We have a speaker for the installation and everything is on track. If for any reason our speaker was not able to be at the installation Larry had in mind to call Central Command to get either the Australian or New Zealand Commodore, and we will plan on having one or the other later in the year. Admiral Branham, Coast Guard Commander in Miami has been asked to speak to us in February. Last year s table decorations will be used again this year. To date there are only 30 reservations for the installation dinner. We need seventy more to break even. The 2009 budget was presented. Larry suggested that the monthly luncheon costs to members be increased from $11.00 to $ A motion was made by Earl Peck to approve the budget to include the luncheon cost of $ Ed Lillich seconded the motion and motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: Larry reported there are seven members who, because of illness, are unable to attend monthly meetings. It requires board approval for these members to be placed on the inactive list. Al Neville made a motion, seconded by Pete Dawson to transfer these seven members to the inactive list. Motion passed. The financial audit will be conducted by Terry Carr and Pete Dawson. There being no further business Chaplain George Brown gave the benediction. The meeting was adjourned at 1:05 p.m. Resurrected, from Pg 3 attack on the barracks of the 117th Aviation Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion, in Qui Nhon. Those attacks are what reportedly led then-president Lyndon B. Johnson to send more troops into Vietnam to deal with the quickly escalating conflict, according to declassified reports. Gerry Sandlin, of Yuma, Ariz., who served at Camp Holloway in 1967 and 68 and today serves as the national director for the Camp Holloway Memorial Wall, said the wall was the only known monument honoring American servicemen ever constructed in Vietnam. He said the camp is now a Vietnamese military base. Today there is no evidence that (Camp Holloway) ever existed, except for that red-dirt airstrip, Sandlin said. Sandlin was instrumental in working with the directors of the National Vietnam War Museum to reconstruct the memorial, based on photographs of the original wall. He said he thought the museum site and its location in North Central Texas along U.S. Highway 180 were perfect. Sandlin said he knew personally some of the men whose names are attached to the memorial. I knew some of them very close, he said. Others came and went at other times that I was there. But I have come to know each one of those brothers. The museum site now includes two gardens one of which was dedicated Saturday along with the mounted Huey helicopter and now the replica Camp Holloway Memorial Wall. Next May, the museum site plans to dedicate another replica that of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall. Organizers hope one day to construct an actual museum on the site that will tell the entire story of the Vietnam War, from all sides and perspectives. Legislative, from Pg 5 State level support for the American Legion Boys/Girls State program. Enforcement of disabled parking permits through doctor offices Free passes to state parks and state fairs for veterans Waiver for the cost of obtaining veteran documentation for veteran services Retro support on property tax exemptions Visit our Chapter Web Site =>

9 OFFICERS CALL February 2009 Page Scholarship Fund Donors (Includes donations to National MOAA) Gold ($100 & more); Silver ($50-99); Bronze ($1-49) GOLD Barton, Ann Mrs. Burrell, Basil CWO4 Fernald, Larry Lt Col Freese, Donald CAPT Gudmundson, Brent LTC Love, H. B. COL Neville, Albert Col Peck, Earl Maj Gen 2009 Help Our Troops Donors Gold ($50 & more); Silver ($25-49); Bronze ($1-24) GOLD Barton, Ann Mrs. Fernald, Larry Lt Col Freese, Donald CAPT Gudmundson, Brent LTC Misuraca A. J. 1 Lt Neville, Albert Col Peck, Earl Maj Gen SILVER Burrell, Basil CWO4 Bronze Pelszynski, Irene Mrs. Member donations ONLY: $445 as of 1/22/ Officers Call BOOSTER Donors Gold ($50 & more); Silver ($25-49); Bronze ($1-24) GOLD Freese, Donald CAPT Gudmundson, Brent LTC Love, H. B. COL Neville, Albert Col Peck, Earl Maj Gen SILVER Bronze Curren, Henry LT Member donations ONLY: $805 as of 1/22/2009 SILVER Burrell, Basil CWO4 BRONZE Lanier, Laurie Maj Member donations ONLY: $235 as of 1/22/2009 February Birthdays (38 to 91 years) Day L Name, F Name Rank SVC 14 Alpert Florence Mrs. AuxMbr-AF 29 Barnum Ralph CDR USN (Ret) 05 Berns Robert Col USMC (Ret) 15 Bricker Rodney Col USAF (Ret) 07 Carter Nelson WO3 USN (Ret) 15 Darling John LTC USA (Ret) 02 Fernald Laurance Lt Col USAF (Ret) 24 Fratarangelo Paul MajGen USMC (Ret) 23 Freese Marc Maj USMC (Res) 04 Funsch Richard CAPT USCG (Ret) 18 Garnhart George LTC USA (Ret) 06 Jessup John COL USA (Ret) 05 Kisbany Sara Mrs. AuxMbr-A 13 Matkovich Ludwig LTC USA (Ret) 07 Moore Frances Mrs. AuxMbr-AF 23 Mortensen Marilyn Mrs. AuxMbr-N 10 O Toole Charles CAPT USN (Ret) 19 Patton James CWO4 USCG (Ret) 25 Shine John Col USMCR (Ret) 19 Sipole Eva Mrs. AuxMbr-A 19 Steinhilber Marion LTC USA (Ret) 20 Tondreau Herbert CWO4 USA (Ret) 14 Vallario Rudolph LTC USA (Ret) Sick List Your cards, prayers, and thoughts are welcome. (Contact LCDR Hazel McGrath, ) * CWO4 Robert E. Hodgen, USAF (Ret) Page 27, 2008 Directory * LTC Richard H. Natzke, USA (Ret) Page 35, 2008 Directory * Col Rod Bricker, USAF (Ret) Page 18, 2008 Directory * Lt Col Ron Wildes, USAFR (Ret) Page 45, 2008 Directory * Louann Andrews, Spouse Page 15, 2008 Directory * Lt Col Ralph Myers, USAF (Ret) Page 35, 2008 Directory * Col Jack Shine, USMC (Ret) Page 41, 2008 Directory

10 Page 10 OFFICERS CALL February 2009 President's Comments: As I begin my second and final year as Chapter President, I want to thank each of you for your support and your confidence. I also want to thank the outgoing Board members who have helped guide the Chapter for the past year, Col Bill Eisenhart, Col Stew Palmer, and COL H. B. Love. Also, the Board members who are sticking around for another year, COL Ron Merritt, CDR Maureen Conners, and Mrs. Anita Harrow. I also want to thank Janice Mogan, our outgoing Second VP. All have been hard workers to better the Chapter. I'm looking forward to working with the incoming Board members (CDR Bill Bolin, LT Ed Conners, and Mrs. Bobbie Walters) and the new slate of officers (Maj Ed Lillich, LTC Terry Carr, Maj Pete Dawson, and Mrs. Chris Lillich). As a Chapter, we have been blessed by folks willing to step up and answer the call when needed. All too many chapters today struggle to find leadership and persons just to fill the essential positions of President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Such is not the case with our chapter. There is one "problem" though that I cannot find an answer to. That is "how to increase attendance at our monthly luncheons." We have over 300 members in the Chapter and the attendance at the luncheons averages in the 70 to 80 person range...roughly a fourth of our members attend. So, how do we increase attendance? I'm open to ideas. Part of the answer is good speakers, which we attempt to get. And, we attempt to vary the type of speaker to appeal to all interests. (If you have an idea for a speaker, please let me or our speaker guy, Ed Lillich, know.) Another part of the answer could well be varied activities, such as those done by some of the surrounding chapters. For instance, one chapter has a quarterly event such as a chapter outing to the horse races or dog track. They also have a summer picnic at a local park, and attend a fall concert at a the local high school. Several of us have discussed a chapter outing to Fantasy of Flight east of Tampa on I-4. And there are lots of other options in the area that would be enjoyable and entertaining. Once we get by the big hurdle of the Convention in June, with your help, we will see about ginning up a chapter outing to either replace or supplement a monthly meeting. After reading the preceding paragraph, you know where I am headed now, right? The convention, of course. The last time this Chapter hosted a Florida Council of Chapters (FCOC) convention, the FCOC lost money and the Chapter did not make any money--and probably lost some--due to some problems that did not surface in time to correct them. Welcome Our New Members! TRAHAN, Creighton, LTC (D.V.M.) USA (Ret) and Dru, East Queensway Drive, Temple Terrace, FL 33617; ; cjtdru@earthlink.net Grant Culverhouse Sales & Leasing Consultant 44 years at Dew 3333 Gandy Blvd., Pinellas Park, FL (727) Toll Free (888) WILL DEW Cell: (727) gculverhouse@dewcadillac.com Thru Feb 2009 That will not happen this time. Under Don Freese's leadership, there is a vibrant group of folks determined to make this the best convention ever. And, there is still room for more folks to join this group. Call Don if you would like to help. And, finally, come to the Convention 5-7 June at the Sirata Beach Resort. We are going to have some very interesting seminar speakers and events like the Military Ball and the All Hands Breakfast are outstanding. Also, there will be a Memorial Service to honor all the FCOC chapter members who left us in In summation, there is a lot going on within the Chapter, but there is plenty of room for more attendees and helpers. Join us! You won't regret it; I guarantee. Visit our Chapter Web Site =>

11 OFFICERS CALL February 2009 Page 11 TAPS JONES, John H., USAF (Ret), 10 Jan 2009, Pg 29, 2008 Directory MAZNEK, Nicholas, Former Member, 19 Jan 2009 Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends. Financial Report Summary for the Month of December 2008 Officers Call Booster... Balance, Beginning of Month... $ Donations... $ Printing Expenses... $ Postage Expenses... $ Balance, End of Month... $ For Fish, Steak Pasta & Chops We are Tops! Serving the beaches since 1992 Breakfast * Lunch * Dinner Beer Wine Cocktails Happy Hour 5-7 pm Early Bird Menu 4 6 pm Open 7 Days 7 am - 11 pm Voted Best Greek & Best Family Value 5799 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach Across Across Gulf Blvd. Gulf just Boulevard, North of the just Sirata North of the SIRATA HOT Fund... Balance, Beginning of Month... $ 4, Donations... $ /50 Income... $... Expenses... $ Balance, End of Month... $ 4, Scholarship Fund... Balance, Beginning of Month... $ 2, Donations and 50/50... $ Memorials... $ /50 Income... $ Balance, End of Month... $ 3, Operating Account... Balance, Beginning of Month... $ 3, Monthly Luncheon... $ 1, Dues/Give Me $ Miscellaneous Income... $ Luncheon Expense... $ 1, Supplies & Non-recurring... $ Postage Expense... $ Printing Expense... $... Memorials Expense... $... Balance, End of Month... $ 3, Found after the Christmas program on the 12th of December: Woman's earring (in this day and age, I suppose it could even be a man's). Call Larry to claim.

12 The St. Petersburg Area Chapter, MOAA P.O. Box 7054 St. Petersburg, FL NON PROFIT U.S.POSTAGE PAID MANASOTA FL PERMIT No. 802 Next Meeting WHEN: 20 FEBRUARY 2009 WHERE: Banquet Masters, 8100 Park Blvd, Pinellas Park TIME: Social "Hour" 11:00 to 11:45 Program begins at 11:45 LUNCHEON MEETING 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM, February 20 th Banquet Masters, 8100 Park Blvd. Reservations by Wednesday February 18 th Your name:. Each reservation $12: Prime Rib: Stuffed Flounder: Cobb Salad: Valentine's Day, February 14th Convention Shirts and hats--see Pauline Edwards to purchase *** CLIP and MAIL, with check to: SPAMOAA, CAPT Bob Eynatten, USN (Ret) 507 Plaza Seville Ct, # 16 Treasure Island, FL For late reservations &/or a RIDE, call either: CAPT Bob Eynatten or Lt Col Larry Fernald