HOUSTON AREA PO BOX 1082 HOUSTON TX 77251-1082 www.moaahoustonarea.com Newsletter to Members Vol. LVI No. 3 March 2019 NEXT MEETING SATURDAY, March 30, 2019 BRAEBURN COUNTRY CLUB President s Message ADVOCACY IN AUSTIN! Yes, that is the rallying cry of the Texas Council of Chapters of MOAA. On March 26 27, members of the council (yours truly included) will descend on the capitol and try to pry open some doors in the legislature. Our state advocacy mission Daniel Gutierrez is to gain allies within the legislature for property tax relief for our severely disabled veterans. We will try to convince key legislators that those veterans who have suffered a service-related event that caused them to receive a VA disability rating of 80% to 90% should have their property taxes reduced by an equal amount. If we succeed we would have positively affected the lives of about 58,000 Texas veterans. I believe that is a noble cause. If any member of the chapter wishes to join in the effort, please contact me. We will be glad to put you into harness. If you read last month s newsletter (specifically, the President s Message ), you may recall that I wrote of this chapter s effort to save our Life Members as our first goal in the chapter s membership retention task. The first step is to contact these members first via direct and personal letters. This aspect of our chapter s efforts has been accomplished. Your Board of Directors will now follow up by email and telephone. We are determined to keep our Life Members on the active rolls. The chapter s advocacy does not stop at the state level. We are also a strong proponent of national s push to rescind the SBP/DIC offset (known euphemistically as the widows tax ). This abominable provision requires that any spouse who is awarded the VA s Dependents and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) allowance after the service-related death of their spouse, must surrender an equal amount of their Survivors Benefit Allowance (SBP). MOAA feels that these two provisions are separate. The SBP is like an insurance policy that has been paid for by the member and should not be rescinded for any reason. It should be looked upon as a life insurance policy anyone buys but then is denied the benefit. (Continued on p. 3) 2019 Officers President Daniel M. Gutierrez, MAJ USA (Ret.) 281.543.1257 danielgutierrez1751@gmail.com Vice President Joseph C. Willoughby, LtCOL USAF (Ret.) 713.569.6700 joe.willoughby@gmail.com Secretary (VACANT) Treasurer Judith A. DuBose, SS 832-656-8003 judithanndubose@gmail.com Liaison Eugene Tulich CDR USCG 281.376.0061 gene42@flash.net Chaplain Kerry Magee CAPT USN (Ret.) 979.964.3236h 979.236.2415c usnr06ret@brazoriainet.com ROTC Rollins J. Collins LTC USA (Ret.) 704.213.2334 rollins.collins93@gmail.com Editor Carol Ann Wilson Reservations 8902 Sunnywood Drive Houston TX77088-3729 281..642.4050 cell carolwilson@earthlink.net Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, March 2019, p. 1
MOAA Houston Area Board Meetings First Monday before the last Saturday of each month 12 Noon March 25, 2019 La Madeleine Restaurant 10001 Westheimer 77042 All members are welcome. MOAA Houston Area March 30, 2019 BraeBurn Country Club 8101 Bissonnet 713.774.2586 MENU Spinach Salad Chicken w/artichoke Hearts -OR- Trout Almandine, Pan-seared Mashed Potatoes Seasonal Vegetables Warm Rolls & Butter Tea, Coffee Carrot Cake $30 Complimentary Valet Parking Reservations by Wed. 3/27 to Carol Wilson, 281.642.4050 2019 Monthly Meetings Last Saturday each month (excluding May; 5/18 is Military Ball) at BraeBurn Country Club. Next 2019 meetings are: 3/30, 4/27, 6/29, 7/27, 8/31, 9/28, 10/26, 11/23?, and 12/14?. Military Officers Wives Association MOWA Thursday, March 15 11:30 Fellowship Luncheon at Noon Rudi Lechner s 2503 S. Gessner Order off the Menu and Pay Individually RSVP to Phyllis Ottis, 713.774.2282, by Mon. 3/11, 10 a.m. See you there! MOAA-HA Z Treasurer s Report, March 1, 2019 Receipts $ 730.00 Expenses $ 472.70 Balance $ 2,014.40 Don L. Couch, 2018 Treasurer LTC USA Ret. CONGRATULATIONS TO ELECTED OFFICERS FOR 2019 President MAJ Daniel Gutierrez Vice Pres. LtCol Joe Willoughby Treasurer SS Judith A. DuBose Office of Secretary to filled by presidential appointment. Do we have a volunteer? We need you! Thank you for serving! WE NEED YOUR HELP IN FULFILLING THE CHAPTER S GOALS AND PURPOSE. Chaplain s Message SHALOM! PEACE BE WITH YOU! Kerry Magee CAPT USN (Ret.) For Christians this is the Lenten season; a time for reflection and repentance before Easter. In my readings recently, I ran across this story: Once there was a Rabbi who was asked, ' When should a man repent? And the wise old Rabbi answered, On the last day of his life. But, they said, None of us can be sure which day is the last day of our life. The rabbi smiled and said, Then repent now. Repentance is not a negative self-condemnation. Repentance is turning around to walk God s way. What else can you do now to change your life? May God bless and keep you! Humbly submitted by TAPS CAPT Kerry B. Magee USNR-RET Chaplain/Past President Erma Fennema passed away on February 15, in Albuquerque. She had been living in New Mexico for several years, but faithfully paid her MOAA-HA dues and loved reading our newsletter. Her daughter, Vicki McGill, reported that she would be happy to receive any communications by email, equus99x@gmail.com, or (545) 642-7305. Interment was in Houston. Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, March 2019, p. 2
PRESIDENT S MESSAGE (Cont d from p. 1) Last month we had as our guest speaker Mrs. Judith Thomas, surviving spouse of Lieutenant General Billy Thomas, USA. She spoke eloquently and personally of this matter in her address to us about her personal efforts to rescind the widows tax. I cannot think of a more worthy cause for MOAA to get involved in, and it is this chapter s determination to support MOAA National any way it can. In the March issue of Military Officer magazine, there are a couple of good articles about the SBP/DIC dichotomy. I refer these to you. Also in the magazine, are tear-out letters to key senators and representatives urging them to lead the way in repealing the widows tax. Please sign and send in these letters. Our monthly program of relevant and interesting guest speakers continues this month with a visit from MOAA National headquarters. The chapter will receive a visit from Colonel Terri Coles, USA (ret.), MOAA National s Senior Director of Council and Chapter Affairs. She will discuss relations between MOAA and its chapters and talk about national s outreach programs. She will also meet separately with the board of directors and establish a closer working relationship with us. In April we have the Honorable Vince Ryan, Harris County Attorney, set to tell us how some of his activities assist veterans in our community. May will see your chapter represented at Houston Military Affairs Committee s (HMAC) Annual Military Ball. Please seriously consider attending this year. The ball is being sponsored and organized by the United States Coast Guard. Our Commander Eugene Tulich, USCG (Ret.) is chairman of HMAC so let s get out and support the event. I hope you noticed the flyer I forwarded to each of you. Also, you can visit the Houston Military Affairs Committee (HMAC) Website, found at houstonmilitaryaffairscommittee.com and get more information and the reservation form. I hope to see you there. In June we are planning to present Colonel Matt Barker, USAF, Commander of the 147th Reconnaissance Wing at Ellington to inform us about his unit s purpose and mission. We urge all of you to put these dates on your calendar and come on out. As you know, the chapter is a strong supporter ROTC/JROTC programs in the greater Houston area. This encompasses about 110 high schools and seven universities. In past years the medals and certificates were provided by national, but that program has ended. We, as a chapter, must now procure the medals and certificates. The cost for one medal and its attendant certificate is $7.00. We are asking for your help so that we may provide as many awards as possible. Please, please contact our ROTC/JROTC Liaison, LTC Rollins Collins, USA (Ret.) and donate for as many schools you can. We are also asking for members who would like to present the awards in person to come forward. Let it be known to our young people who may be considering the service as a career that MOAA stands behind them and supports them. Let us not forget that another of the purposes of MOAA is to foster traditions of the service and keep in our memory and hearts past events in which our armed services provided the shield for the safety and survival of our nation. This month let us remember that on March 7, 1945, American Army forces daringly stormed over the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen and invaded Germany. On March 19, 2003, Operation Iraqi Freedom began. Finally, March 23 is Vietnam Veterans Day when we will pay tribute to the men and women who served in Vietnam during that time of war and turmoil. We offer our respect and salute to those of our brethren who participated in these mighty events. Fellow members, until we meet again, remember, Never stop serving. God bless. Respectfully, Daniel M. Gutierrez MAJ USA (Ret.), President DUES ARE DUE Check your listing in the Membership Directory for your Paid Through date. Endowment Fund & Houston Corps of Cadets We always need your help. Form in every newsletter. Bill William Taylor Cpt. USA Ret Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, March 2019, p. 3
HAVE YOU SENT YOUR 2019 DUES? Chapter dues are in addition to any dues you may pay to MOAA National. The due date for MOAA-HA Annual Dues for chapter membership was January 1 for 2019. We publish our membership directory in April, and your dues must be current to be included. Please use the form at the back of this newsletter, which is for both new members and renewals, so that we may have your current information for the directory. We need you! Won t you send your dues in now? Thank you. February 23 Meeting Report What a great meeting we had in February! We are sorry for those of you who couldn t make it. The meal was again, superb, and the beef short ribs were so tender we cut them with a fork! Plan now to be with us on March 30. as its objective: To repeal the Federal law that requires a $1 reduction in a Depart-ment of Defense (DoD) Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) insurance annuity for each $1 received in benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) program. Eligible surviving spouses should receive both SBP and DIC with no offset. SBP is an insurance annuity earned by years of service and/or paid for as income protection for surviving family members. It is not standard practice for insurance programs to deny payment because a beneficiary receives income from another source. How much more clear, fair, equitable, and sensible could it be? Why is this particular justice taking so long? Since 2005, the Senate has overwhelmingly supported repeal of the SPB/DIC offset. The provision, however, has yet to be included in the final bill! In the 111 th Congress, more than 60 senators co-sponsored this legislation. Ms. Thomas s excellent and thorough handout traced the congressional history since FY 2001, and it included several examples of the offset. (If you would like a copy, let Carol Wilson know.) This is a travesty! Compensation (DIC) paid to survivors of fallen servicemembers, also known as the widows tax. MOAA has long supported repeal of the widows tax, backing similar legislation from House Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and others. The change would mean that in cases where military service led to the death of a servicemember, DIC would be paid in addition to the SBP annuity. TAKE ACTION: Tell Your Representative to End the Widows Tax. About 67,000 military survivors would benefit from this legislation, with the current offset costing them about $12,000 annually. So that s how we can all help. Get on the phones to your legislators. MOAA has a link to find your legislators at http://takeaction.moaa.org/?0. More Photos From 2/23 What would we ever do with COL Andy Parsons? Thanks again for more great pix! Our great Air Force members dominated the meeting! Speaker Judith Thomas Our excellent speaker, Judith Thomas, educated us on the widows tax, which is one of the true deplorables. President Dan summarized it nicely in his message this month. HR 553 (Senate bill, S. 622, was introduced 2/28/19!) has President Dan presents certificate to Mrs. Thomas MOAA Website has this headline story: Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) introduced legislation Feb. 28 to end the deduction of Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities from Dependency and Indemnity Capt. Kevin Abreu, USAF Capt. Wild Bill Humphries, USAF Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, March 2019, p. 4
LtCol Joe Willoughby, USAF, Chapter VP Gail Bullion, guest of COL Andrew Parsons (USA) MAJ Dan Gutierrez, USA, Chapter President Sheree Brodak Col John Brodak, USAF, VietNam POW Survivor Phyllis Ottis, who helped with the raffle Plan now to be at our March 30 Meeting and hear COL Terri Coles from MOAA! LtCol Donavon Wallin, USAF Patricia Wallin Phyllis Ottis and the Brodaks SPEAKER FOR MARCH 30 MEETING COL Terri Coles, Deputy Director, Career Transition Services, MOAA, outlines the process for establishing a transition-assistance program to allow your chapter to attract working age members, forge ties with area employers and community leaders, and showcase the value of hiring Veterans. She will attend our March 30 meeting in person and speak to us. After the meeting, she will meet with the Board of Directors. You may see a relevant video at http://www.moaa.org/content/chapte rs-and-councils/council-and-chapter -Management/TOPS-Liaison/Networ king-coordinator.aspx. Let s make this March 30 meeting our biggest ever! Call Carol Wilson, 281-642-4050, to reserve your place. Texas Commandery of the Naval Order of the U.S. On Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, our chapter was well represented at the annual banquet and awards ceremony of the Texas Commandery of the Naval Order of the U.S. at the Lone Star Flight Museum. Col Eugene Vecera and wife Myrna, as well as MAJ Dan Gutierrez and Stancie, and CDR Eugene Tulich and wife Joan attended the event. At the banquet, Rear Admiral Paul Thomas was recognized and presented with a Navy award for his outstanding leadership during Hurricane Harvey, when he was in command of the Houston USCG sector. Our own Capt Kerry Magee is a past Commander of this organization! MAJ Dan Gutierrez and Stancie Chamberlain LTC Eugene Vecera and wife Myrna Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, March 2019, p. 5
We hope to be well represented at this year s Military Ball on May 18. Please visit the Website and fill out the form, send in your money, and let s fill at least one table for the event! houstonmilitaryaffairscommittee.com Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, March 2019, p. 6
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL FORM Military Officers Association of America, Houston Area Membership is available to Officers who have held a Federal Warrant or Commission in any of the seven uniformed services of the United States or to the surviving spouse of such a person. Please use this form for application for membership, renewal, or changes to the current directory of members. NAME: (Please print) Last First Initial Rank Branch Status MOAA Nat l ID * Spouse s First Name: Tel. For Directory Home Address: E-mail: Dues: Regular Membership $30 first year; annual renewal $30 (Discount for multiple years if paid with renewal: $20 for each addn l year pd w/renewal) Surviving Spouse $15 first year; annual renewal $10 (same discount for multiple years) Make check payable to MOAA,HA and send to MOAA,HA PO Box 1082 Houston TX 77251-1082 For more information, call MAJ Dan Gutierrez, 281.543.1257 *If not a MOAA national member, another benefit of chapter membership is the opportunity to become a national MOAA member at the BASIC LEVEL for free! If you would like to do so, please indicate here: G YES G No Signature: MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, HOUSTON AREA Houston Corps of Cadets ROTC Endowment Fund The University of Houston (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force) Please Print Donor name: Mailing Address Phone: Day Evening e-mail My pledge of $ should be designed to support MOAA,HA Houston Corps of Cadets My gift will be made with installments of $ to be paid monthly quarterly annually. Beginning date: The Office of Stewardship will send reminders.) Enclosed is a check (made payable to University of Houston) for the first pledge payable. Please charge my credit card for the amount of my gift, as scheduled above: Visa Mastercard American Express Discover Account Number Expiration date: Name as it appears on card: Signature: I would like to be contacted about fulfilling my pledge with a gift of appreciated securities. My pledge payment will be matched by: (P lease specify company for our records) Donor signature: date Donor Signature: date Thank you for your support of the MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, HOUSTON AREA, HOUSTON CORPS OF CADETS ROTC ENDOWMENT FUND, THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON University of Houston; Advancement Services; P.O. Box 867; Houston TX 77001-0867 Attn: Nancy V. Clark E-mail: uh.edu/giving Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, March 2019, p. 7