PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE ALAMO CHAPTER S 2 ND ANNUAL CRUISING INTO THE SUMMER PARTY. You don t have to be a MOAA or Alamo Chapter member to attend!!

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1 MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA ALAMO CHAPTER THE LARIAT Volume 33, Number 5 Five Star Chapter May 2013 PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE ALAMO CHAPTER S 2 ND ANNUAL CRUISING INTO THE SUMMER PARTY You don t have to be a MOAA or Alamo Chapter member to attend!! When: Thursday, June 27, 2013 Where: Time: Dinner: Dancing: Dress: Cost: Petroleum Club of San Antonio 8620 N New Braunfels, Suite 700 San Antonio, TX Phone: :30 7:30p Cocktails (Cash Bar) 7:30p Dinner & Dancing The Petroleum Club s wonderful, renowned and scrumptious cruise style buffet: Carved Steamship of Beef, Chicken Gratinee, Oven Roast Potatoes, Green Beans Almondine, Rolls/Butter, Dessert Selection of New York Cheesecake with Fresh Berries, Italian Cream Caked and Chocolate Raspberry Cake, Coffee & Tea Music by Two for the Road Ladies: Cruise casual, i.e. dresses, skirts and tops, or pants outfits Gentlemen: Cruise casual, i.e. Hawaiian shirt/slacks or business casual (No shorts or hats please) $34/person Visit and pay by credit card on our secured PayPal account This event was a huge success last year - be sure to make your reservation early to ensure your participation - only the first 100 can be honored! The Lariat May 2013

2 Chapter News & Notices Thank You!! TAPS Cookie Angels Grateful thanks to those who either baked and or took items to the wounded soldiers at Ft Sam Houston s Warrior and Family Support Center. 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 Nita Felder Susan Filipini John Gibbs Sue McCarthy Mac and Lori McDonald Goldie Monroe JC & Marilyn Newell Lolly Orlowski Lou Strong Susie Tolman Dot Wise Tom and Evelyn Woods Each of our members listed below have donated a little (or a lot) to either the Scholarship Fund, Chapter Operations or both! CPT Henry Bevil USA (Ret) LTC Randolph Meade USA (Ret) Hebe Milburn MAJ Eric Platzner USA (Ret) MG Charles Rodriguez USA (Ret) LTC (Chaplain) James Taylor USA (Ret) 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: Col Frank Deville, Jr USAF (Ret) 03/17/13 Elizabeth McDaniel 4/19/13 Col Robert F. Nikolewski USAF (Ret) 4/25/13 Inside This Edition: Pg 2 Chapter News & Notices Pg 3 President s Message Pg 4 Membership Stats Pg 5 Scholarship Winner Update Pg 10 Volunteer Of The Year Pg 10 May Speaker Bio Pg 14 Chapter Events Calendar Alamo Chapter members and MOAA national board members, Ed Mavin (LtCol USAF Ret) and Barbara Ramsey (COL USA Ret) meeting with Congressman Lamar Smith in Washington to debunk the myth on DoD s reports of high costs of military healthcare. The Lariat May

3 As I write this month s message, I am in Washington, DC. The MOAA Storming of the Hill has been completed this week, and the messages that have been put forth to our Congressmen is one on holding the line and basically making no changes, whether it be with TriCare, TriCare for Life, military retirement or military pay increase caps. Most of the Congressional staff seems to be in an information gathering mode so that they will be in a position to make recommendations to the legislators that they assist. The big gorilla in the room is Sequestration and how DoD is going to make ends meet! Things such as increasing fees for TriCare Standard and Prime are still on the DoD wish list of planning, but using regular COLA to govern them as opposed to the Medical COLA that they had previously proposed. An enrollment fee is also going to be proposed for those on TFL and the idea of means testing for all of these is still bouncing around. MOAA is working hard to prevent these from coming to fruition, particularly the idea of means testing to determine fees for TriCare coverage. In the first place, there is no medical insurance program in existence in the United States today that uses means testing other than Medicare Part B. Many misleading statements have been coming out of DoD regarding the growth of TriCare since 2000/2001. Using this time frame as a baseline is inappropriate given that there was a health care spike in 2002/2003 after Tri- Care for Life was enacted, but the cost of TriCare has been steadily declining since that time (it was less than 1% in 2012). Statements have been made that the cost of military health care is exploding. Here are a few simple and documented facts regarding military health care: Combined personnel and health costs are less than 1/3 rd of DoD s budget the same as it has been for over 30 years. DoD has used its health account as a cash cow to fund other needs. There was a $700 million surplus in FY12 for TriCare. A total $2.5 million surplus over FY10-12, which DoD tried to redirect to weapons systems and equipment. FY12 reprogramming request from DoD to the Hill acknowledged retiree costs went down 2.5%. President s Message At 10% of DoD budget, DoD is getting a health cost bargain vs. a 16 % share of all National spending. There are two very important documents on the MOAA.org website, which you should read and then communicate to your representatives and Senators. One is Fact or Fiction, which talks specifically to health care costs and the other is A Bargain. Not a Liability which addresses and refutes the DoD claims regarding rising out of control military personnel and heath care costs and the fact that they are really a bargain given the quality and sacrifice of the people who have served. At the state level, there are 82 bills related to veterans that are moving through the legislature. All bills are moving at a remarkably slow pace; however there are areas that we should be interested in supporting. The Hazelwood act is coming under increased and subtle attack by various interests. Our institutions of higher education are being very (Continued on Page 8) 3 The Lariat May 2013

4 Membership Stats Alamo Chapter Membership As of: Apr 30, 2013 Active 388 Aux 227 Former 11 Retired 733 Total 1359 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Months Goal 2012 LtCol Kathleen Bowman-Estrada USAF (Ret) LTC Patrick Budjenska, USA LtCol James Leland USAF (Ret) LTC Randolph Meade USA (Ret) LTC (Chaplain) Lawrence Hayworth USA (Ret) LtCol Melvin Perez USAF (Ret) LtCol Elwood Storrs, Jr USAF (Ret) LTC (Chaplain) James Taylor USA (Ret) Maj Jesse Aguilar USAF (Ret) New Members - Welcome! CAPT Lori Frank USN Col Joy Ream USA (Ret) LTC Walter Cooper USA (Ret) LTC Dean Lansing USA (Ret) LTC Bob Moher USAR (Ret) LTC Francisco Portals USA MAJ James Anderson, Jr USA MAJ Juan Azzu USA Maj Bob Grant USAFR (Ret) MAJ Derrick Lewis USA MAJ Ivan Rocourt USA CPT Chad Gagnon USA CPT Lesley Jacobs USA CPT Robert Levesque USA LT Johnny Oliva USN 1LT Gary Wilson USA 1LT Andrew Monh USA Renewing Members - Thank You! MG Charles Rodriguez USA (Ret) COL William Coad USA (Ret) COL Mark Di Trolio USA COL Ruben Fechner USA (Ret) Col Thomas Giattino USAF (Ret) Col Kerry Green USAF (Ret) COL Stephen Markelz USA (Ret) COL Michael Rozsypal USA (Ret) COL Helen Schotz USA (Ret) Col Dale Vande Hey USAF (Ret) Col Arthur Victor USAF (Ret) LtCol Virginia Alloway USAF (Ret) MAJ E. Lynn Carter, Jr USA (Ret) MAJ Lynn Kite USA (Ret) Maj Sandra Magana USAF (Ret) MAJ Eric Platzner USA (Ret) Maj John Zibelin USAF (Ret) CPT Henry Bevil USA (Ret) Capt Byron Heisel USAF (Ret) CW3 Eudell Hannah USA (Ret) Hebe Milburn Dorothy Rogers Cynthia Semmes Elaine Ward Kip Wooldridge Patricia Wright The Lariat May

5 2012 Scholarship Winner Update 2012 Col Clarence T. Torrey Scholarship Winner - Megan Chin Greetings from sunny California! I have just completed my second quarter here at Stanford. Having now experienced (just over) the amount of time semester students complete in one semester, I can only say one thing: the quarter system is an amazing thing. Although I ve had twenty weeks of rigorous course work, including a five WANTED! week period each quarter filled with midterms, I ve had more opportunities to take enriching classes than I would ever have had at another university. Within my time here, I ve managed to complete an entire year s worth of general chemistry and learn (ancient) Attic Greek. I ve taken statistics for my pre-med requirements and am planning to take linear algebra and vector calculus next quarter to complete my math pre-med requirements. I still intend to study both classics and sciences here, though I ve recently been giving serious consideration into switching my science focus Human Biology to Neurobiology. In the major-choosing dilemma that I have, I m so grateful to my professors whom I ve gotten to know so well over these two quarters. Beyond schoolwork, however, I am All (Active Duty or Retired) Job Seekers If you would like to be added to the regular blast that lists job opportunities in San Antonio and the surrounding area, please dwpatrick01@gmail.com Alamo Chapter 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. also a member of Stanford s Red Cross as well as a member of StEMS (Stanford EMS organization). Through those two groups and my dorm, I ve managed to meet quite a few interesting people. I live in an allfreshman dorm on the east side of campus, Otero. Although I was intimidated my first couple of weeks by the brilliance that surrounds me (e.g. there s a guy who lives down the hall from me who owns his own company and is on his way to having earned $1 million, a math genius, and a guy who s patented a few of his inventions), I ve come to view everyone as friends from whom I can learn so much outside of class. I really appreciate the supportive and humble atmosphere on this campus, even though amazing things happen every day. For example, NBC came to interview my residential fellow (i.e. professor who supervises the dorm) this week, and it s wonderful how nonchalant everyone was about it. My time here has been amazing so far and I can only hope to experience more. From awesome classes to San Francisco trips, to working with inspiring people, every day has been a remarkable gift. It s because of organizations such as yours that I ve been able to live my dream of attending Stanford. Thank you so much for your wonderful scholarship. I would not have been able to learn so much nor experience so much without it. In the words of the ancient Greeks: υμιν χαριν αυτη εχω. (I myself am grateful to you all.) Thank you, once again. All the best, Megan Chin 5 The Lariat May 2013

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7 Posture Stand up straight, You re bending over your mother rebuked you. Stand up Straight. You re bending over bellowed the drill sergeant. These admonishes were not meant to belittle you but improve your quality of life and appearance. Good posture and exercise affect all of your body systems. Exercise early in life seems to lessen the possibility of your developing Parkinsons later in life. Good posture improves balance and improves vascular and cardiac health. Keep your BMI (Body fat ratio) at safe levels. Deep breathing improves posture and decreases the likelihood of respiratory and allergy diseases. It increases emotional stability. Most of us are unaware that we are slouching. The next time you go by a mirror or large window check your posture. Here are several things to look for: Is your chin parallel to the floor. Are both shoulders even. Are your abdominal muscles tucked in. Pull in that gut! Surgeons, dentists nurses and musicians are prone to problems resulting from long hours of standing or sitting in abnormal positions (i.e. back, TM Joint, neck). Are your knees even Medical Minute Is your body weight evenly distributed on both feet. Don t be a Swashbuckler from the waist up you swash, and from the knees down you buckle. Source: Harvard Health Letter, March 2013 Col Irene Collier (Ret) Texas has many beautiful wild flowers that dot the hills and dales in the spring. This year the drought has minimized their profusion. No September rains-no spring flowers. There are over 50 varieties of wild flowers in Texas, but the three most common are the Blue bonnet, Indian Paint Brush and the Primrose (yellow, pink or white). Unfortunately advances of modern civilization, i.e. housing developments, infrastructure, shale production, have destroyed many of their natural locations. Bluebonnets: There are seven species of blue bonnets in Texas. The prettiest and bluest is the Lupinus Texensis which our legislators chose to be our state flower in Others in contention were the cactus flower and the cotton ball. The blue bonnet was so named because the petals resembled the bonnets worn by the pioneer women to shield them from the blistering sun. The early missionaries collected seeds and planted them around missions. It was once thought the priests brought them with them when they came to the West Indies in They were once thought to be the same as the Austrian Lupine but DNA studies have disproven this. Wind, rain, birds and Mrs. Lyndon Johnson's highway beautification project have scattered the seeds far and wide. Indian Paint Brush: Indian paint brush, also known as prairie fire, butterfly weed, hawkweed, are found mostly in the Northwest. The blooms are edible and contain selenium. However the leaves and roots may be toxic. A North American Indian legend says that a young brave tried to paint the sunset with war paints. Frustrated that he could not duplicate Solitaires the brilliance of nature, he asked for guidance from the Great Spirit. The Great Spirit gave him paint brushes with the colors he desired. With them he painted his masterpiece. Then he scattered his brushes across the fields. From these brushes sprouted the most beautiful Indian paint brush. Primrose: A third lovely flower is the buttercup or yellow primrose. It is also found in white and pink. This low growing perennial originates in the western areas of North America from Canada down to Mexico. Cattle and grazing animals tend to avoid them. The ancient Greeks called the primrose PRIMUS or first and early. It was the flower of the 12 gods. Most of Europe and Ireland have legends about the healing powers of this little yellow flower. It is also used in food, beverages and teas. One Greek legend says that as St. Peter was strolling in Heaven, he dropped his keys. They fell to earth. When he finally missed them and retrieved them, there were tiny yellow blossoms where the keys had lain. Because of the Texas drought we have not seen too much of nature's beauties. But since they are centuries old--maybe next year. The Solitaires are planning a field trip to the Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard in Elmendorf for Thursday, May 23 rd. This Olive Grove and Restaurant is located about 20 miles south of San Antonio. The outing will feature a tour of the facility, with information and display of products made from their trees, as well as a nursery of olive trees for sale. The tour has a charge of $ They carry Spa Products, Olive oils, Candy, and many other items. The group will (Continued on Page 11) Solitaires (Continued from Page 7) 7 The Lariat May 2013

8 President s Message (Continued from Page 3) vocal that the legacy portion of the act is causing them to lose millions in tuition because of the many dependants of veterans who are using the 150 hours that the veteran has benefit of to go to school. Representative Diane Patrick, for instance, has HB2555 pending, in the Higher Education Committee. This would reduce the 150 hours to 130. Many organizations, including MOAA, TCVO, Lone Star Veterans and many student veteran organizations have joined together to protest and testify against any reductions or changes to the Hazelwood. Many have stated that the losses supposedly suffered by the institutions are simply paper losses and don t really affect the institutions bottom line. There are also bills to adjust the dollar amount of Property Tax exemptions that can be taken by partially disabled veterans (HB97, HJR24); Modification of the passage of 100% exemption to surviving spouses of 100% disabled veterans to remove the starting date of January 1, This would have the effect of including all surviving spouses regardless of the date of death of their veteran. (HB113, HJR28); 100% exemption for the surviving spouse of a military member who died while on active duty and whose home of record was in Texas (HB229, HJR50); 100% exemption for the surviving spouse of an active duty service member who was killed in action or as the result of combat wounds and whose home of record was in Texas (HB548, HJR62); exemption of some portion of property tax for a veteran who has been honorably discharged. (HB3132, HJR134). There are also some miscellaneous bills having to do with taxes and veterans. (HB1217, HJR82, HB1008, HB1162, HB732). I would encourage you to follow the progress of these bills on the Texas Legislature Online website and also to talk with your Representatives and or Senators or their staff to support these bills. The Chapter is in the midst of trying to recruit new members for the Chapter and new members for MOAA National. We have three categories of membership now at the National level, Basic (which is free for three years, but with few services.); Premium (which is a paid membership and has all services.); and Life (which has all Premium services as well as a few extra. In addition, the membership passes to the spouse when the member passes on.) Any of these three memberships also come with a free one year membership to our Chapter. As present members of our Chapter, you are our best recruiters. Carry some membership forms with you and encourage officers and warrants that you know to become members of National or if they already are, get them into our Chapter. Membership forms are available at the Chapter office and in the Lariat. Alamo MOAA presently supports over 65 JROTC units across South Texas. Our Chapter offers several scholarships for deserving students who are going on to college. If you know of a senior in JROTC, please encourage them to apply for our 2014 scholarships. The scholarship information is on our website. (Continued on Page 11) Corporate Partners Abby Consulting Air Force Federal Credit Union Air Force Villages Army Residence Community Beldon Roofing Company The Beyer Boys CPS Energy Housing 1 Source Medical Services International, Inc Navy Federal Credit Union Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union Security Service Federal Credit Union Silverbridge Realty Spectrum Technologies, Inc See links to these companies on our website We encourage each of you to remember our Corporate Partners in your business and daily activities because we truly appreciate their support. If your business or organization would like to join us as a Corporate Partner, please contact us at (210) Thank you for your consideration. The Lariat May

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10 Chapter Volunteer of The Year The Alamo Chapter Volunteer Leadership team nominated their peer, Mavis Cleary, as the 2012 Chapter Volunteer of the Year. This nomination was submitted to JBSA, and to the United Way. Introduction: Mrs. Mavis Cleary is a volunteer staff member of the Military Officers Association of America Alamo Chapter. She is a great volunteer leader - she makes sure what needs to be done is completed. Volunteer impact on the organization: Mavis has impacted the Alamo Chapter of MOAA over the year by providing leadership in her activities with the Solitaires group within the Alamo Chapter. She has also stepped up to help develop a database of volunteers within the membership who can further serve. Volunteer impact on JBSA-FSH Community: Mavis's work at the Solitaires provide a means for widow volunteer the opportunity for both veterans and surviving spouses to communicate with one another and develop meaningful relationships. Mavis's work in developing our volunteer database helps our Chapter be better able to fulfill volunteer needs as they arise at JBSA. Volunteer contributions: Mavis's many hours spent in the leadership, development and successful activities of the Solitaires has helped her as a surviving spouse and many others in her same situation. Mavis has developed many excursions and entertaining activities which the Solitaires have been able to participate in over the year. In developing our volunteer database, Mavis has contacted members, identified volunteer preferences of members created an Excel database which is a dynamic and useful addition to our Chapters efforts to assist the JBSA. Volunteer time and initiative: Mavis's time and the quality of effort that she has made with the Solitaires has strengthened that organization within the Chapter to better serve that segment of the Chapter population who have lost a spouse. Mavis asked to take on the responsibility of identifying Chapter members who wished to volunteer their time, identify what activities they wished to participate in and to develop electronic files to dynamically hold this important information for present and future use. This greatly helps the Chapter in its effort to serve our military community. Personal characteristics of the volunteer: Mavis has been a sterling example of a true volunteer. She perhaps best described her commitment with the following statement, "I volunteer for the opportunity to develop new skills and meet new people both of which enhance my life. Additionally, I believe that volunteers enhance the organizations they serve." Mavis is a truly kind and caring individual whose efforts not only make her a better person, but bless the lives of those with whom she comes in contact with. May Speaker Bio MajGen (USAR, Ret.) Charles Rodriguez, Ph.D. Chuck Rodriguez is Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Military Affairs at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. As Chief of Staff, he is responsible for organizational coordination across the campus to improve efficiencies and for mission focus to assure unity of effort. He is also responsible for facilitating institutional strategic planning, providing liaison with the A&M System as the University's federal relations and strategic initiatives point of contact, and advancing a military-embracing environment at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Rodriguez has served for more than 23 years in progressively responsible positions in higher education at four colleges and universities, including a term as interim president with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). Rodriguez earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy (NY), and a Master of Arts from Wheaton College (IL). He also received an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management (IL) and a Ph.D. from the Union Institute and University (OH). He holds senior service college diplomas from the Inter- American Defense College and the (Continued on Page 11) The Lariat May

11 President s Message (Continued from Page 8) We will be announcing the winners of these scholarships during our May 18 luncheon at Ft. Sam Houston Golf Club. Major General Charles Rodriguez USAR (Ret) will be our speaker. Please reserve a space at this special luncheon either by calling our office or by making a reservation through our website, alamomoaa@sbcglobal.net. Mavis Cleary, the widow of an Air Force Chaplain and Alamo MOAA volunteer extraordinaire is our nominee for Volunteer of the Year in this year s VOYA competition. Mavis, for many years, has been involved with and been a leader in the Chapter s Solitaires program. In recent years, she has served as our Volunteer Coordinator and set up a volunteer database for us. She is now seriously ill and our thoughts and prayers go out to her, as I am sure do those of other members of the Chapter. I hope that all of you have a good month and can be with us during our May Scholarship luncheon. Don t forget our June Dinner Dance on 27th - last year s was very popular and spacing is limited to 100, so sign up early! Maj Jim Cunningham (Ret) Memorial Day Ceremony Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery order individually for lunch from the menu. Please contact Pat Shecter at (210) for sign up and any information regarding this trip. After the attendance is confirmed, we will try to arrange car-pooling according to the area where you live. Other plans include a Pot Luck at Susie Tolman's house on Saturday, May 4th. There will not be a Sunday Brunch in May due to Memorial Day weekend. Changes may be made at the Parr Club for the brunch, as they have recently changed the menu and the price. Please contact us by phone and we will try to have the information for you. 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 with the military. So make that resolution to get out and about and come have some fun!! Call the office (210) for more details. Speaker Bio (Continued from Page 10) joint general officer's CAPSTONE course, both in Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. He also completed executive education courses in leadership and security at the JFK School of Government at Harvard University. From , Rodriguez worked for Texas Governor Rick Perry and served four years as The Adjutant General (TAG) of Texas, the senior joint commander of more than 24,000 in the Texas Adjutant Generals Department, the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, and the Texas State Guard. In October 2006, the Governor of Texas appointed him with a State commission as a Lieutenant General (three stars). He provided senior military leadership during the deployment of 15,000 Texas Guardsmen around the world, during Operation Jump Start ( ) with 1,800 Texas Guardsmen deployed along the 2,000- mile state's border with Mexico, and for emergency response to Gulf of Mexico coastal communities during the busy hurricane seasons, including Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Humberto, Dolly, Gustav and Ike. In May 2009, he retired from the US Army and joined the Texas A&M University-San Antonio executive team. At the Assembly Area (back part) Monday, May 27, 2013 Music starts at 9:30am Service start at 10am Please support the Ft Sam Houston Red Cross Office. Send donations to: P.O. Box Ft Sam Houston, TX Save The Date 6th Annual Golf Tournament Friday 13 Sept, 2013 River Crossing Golf Club Spring Branch 11 The Lariat May 2013

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: Check preferred Membership: $25 Membership with hardcopy of newsletter $15 Membership with electronic copy of newsletter, or surviving spouse (auxiliary) membership 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 (Print) 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? (date of birth is not published). (*This directory and your address are exclusively for the use of the chapter and will not be sold or used for any other purpose 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-AC, 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 May

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14 Chapter Events Calendar MAY 1 Volunteer Hours Due 1 Marketing Yourself For Second Career Base Theatre RAFB 8:30am 1 JBSA Volunteer Of the Year Award Recognition Ceremony 1-3pm 2 Staff Meeting 9am MOAA-AC Office 4 Solitaire s Pot Luck at Susie Tolman s house 8 Victory Day in Europe 12 Mother s Day 16 Scholarship Luncheon Ft Sam Houston Golf Club 18 Armed Forces Day 23 Solitaire s Olive Orchard Field Trip 27 Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ft Sam Houston Cemetery 10am 28 Extravaganza Sam Houston Club (Ft Sam Newcomers Welcome) JULY (No Staff/Board Meeting or Chapter Luncheon) 1 Volunteer Hours Due 4 Independence Day Ceremony Ft Sam Houston 13 TVC/Texas Veterans Land Board Job Fair Norris Conference Center 10-1pm 30 Extravaganza Sam Houston Club (Ft Sam Newcomers Welcome) JUNE 1 Volunteer Hours Due 1 Submission Deadline for Levels of Excellence Award 4 Solitaire s Luncheon 11am Ft Sam Golf Club 6 Staff Meeting 9am MOAA-AC Office 6 Veterans Administration Volunteers Mtg 1pm 14 Flag Day & US Army Birthday 16 Father s Day 20 United Way Volunteer Of the Year Awards Banquet 7pm 23 Solitaire s Sunday Brunch 11 am RAFB Parr Club 25 Extravaganza Sam Houston Club (Ft Sam Newcomers Welcome) 27 Chapter Summer Celebration Petroleum Club Note: Events bolded are for the general membership and italicized are for the volunteer leadership team, and members are always welcome! Please call the office for details (210) AUGUST 1 Volunteer Hours Due 1 Staff Meeting 9am MOAA-AC Office 4 Coastguard Birthday 14 Victory in Japan Day 14 Board Meeting 10 am Chapter Office 22 Chapter Luncheon Army Residence Community 27 Extravaganza Sam Houston Club (Ft Sam Newcomers Welcome) Call the office for more details The Lariat May

15 DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE THIS LARIAT FASTER AND IN FULL COLOR ON-LINE? Just send your address to with the subject line OLLO. We ll gladly remove you from this printed version mailing list and notify you each month by when the new issue is available for viewing. Saves the chapter paper and postage and you get to see it sooner! VOLUNTEER STAFF: PRESIDENT Alamo Chapter MAJ James R. Cunningham EXEC VP Operations LTC Bill Goforth VP ADMINISTRATION LtCol Jim Webb VP PROGRAMS (Open) VP MEMBERSHIP LTC Randy Hoff SECRETARY Col David Patrick TREASURER Col Vaughn Caudill SCHOLARSHIP LTC Dan Cummings/COL Art Jackson 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 Pat Shecter CONSULTANT Maj Len Mull CONSULTANT Lt George Frecsko EDITOR Col Kerry Green ASST 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. (Open) ADVERTISING COORD. (Open) AFV SATELLITE COORD. (Open) ARC SATELLITE COORD. MG Charles Honore DUTY OFFICERS: LtCol Bill Polasek, Col Irene Collier (Coordinator) LtCol Jim Cuskey, LtCol Ed Waggoner, Col Stuart Myers, CDR Brenda Tobey, LtCol Jim Webb CONTRACTOR: Admin Support Trish Meserve DIRECTORS: Chairman: MAJ Jim Cunningham LTC John Gibbs LTC Jim Finch Col Lisa Skopal Mrs. Susie Tolman Col Mac McDonald LtCol Ed Marvin Col Frank Rohrbough 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 May 2013

16 THE LARIAT 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 May 5th Time Sensitive Material Thursday May 16, 2013 Chapter Scholarship Luncheon Spkr: MG Chuck Rodriguez USA (Ret) Ft Sam Golf Club Meet & Greet begins 11am - Lunch served approx 11:45am Menu A) BBQ Brisket B) Chicken Mornay Spring Mix Salad, Oven Roasted Potatoes, Green Peas w/mushrooms Dinner Rolls with butter Apple Cobbler Coffee, tea or water, Honor wine bar Cost per person $20 Enclosed: $ RSVP by Noon Monday 13 May Reservations not cancelled by noon 19 Tuesday will be billed Non member Officers & guests are welcome with paid reservations Name Guest: Send check made payable to MOAA-AC to P.O. Box , Ft Sam Houston, TX Or contact us by moaa-ac@sbcglobal.net to hold a reservation or pay via PayPal on line at Friday June 27, 2013 Chapter Dinner Dance Cruising Into The Summer The Petroleum Club Cocktails 6:30-7:30pm Dinner & Dancing at 7:30pm Buffet Carved Steamship of Beef, Chicken Gratinee, Oven Roasted Potatoes, Green Beans Almandine, Rolls Dessert selections of NY Cheesecake, Italian Cream Cake & Chocolate Raspberry Cake Cost per person $34 Enclosed: $ RSVP by Noon Monday 24 June Please send in payment with reservation - max 100 guests You don t have to be a MOAA or Chapter member to attend! Name Guest: Send reservation slip & check made payable to MOAA-AC to P.O. Box , Ft Sam Houston, TX or pay via PayPal on line at The Lariat May