Fort George G. Meade Chapter Officers Call Mar/Apr 2015 Five Star Chapter Award 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013 President s Message As you know the March 5 th luncheon was cancelled due to weather. Normally we don t postpone or cancel meetings however, safety of our chapter membership is our first priority. The good news is Col Ken McCreedy has already confirmed his availability for Thursday May 7 th luncheon at the Conference Center. Make your reservations with Wayne Hobbs and mark your calendars. Enclosed in this newsletter you will find a chapter survey. I ask for your inputs in making your chapter more relevant and enjoyable. Please feel free to write in your suggestions if you don t see anything listed to your liking and then e-mail, mail, or bring your responses with you at the chapter luncheon. Some high points from the MOAA Leaders held at Dover Downs in February are also included in the newsletter and I will begin with recruitment. MOAA National is always ready to provide support to the health and vitality of the chapters. It is up to us as a chapter to determine the direction we want to take. I believe in the MOAA Chapter system as a tool to mobilize our members and get the attention of our Legislators in Congress and Annapolis. We are also Ambassadors in the Community and are always looking for ways to give back and support to the community in which we live. We bridge the gap between the civilian sector and the military community. My top priority as your President is to recruit new members and retain the ones we have. In fact we need to fill some key areas in the chapter, 2 nd Vice President and a newsletter editor are at the top of the list but there are many other opportunities to serve in your chapter. HB 482 and SB 592 need to a favorable recommendation from their respective committees. It is not too late to contact your legislators in Annapolis. Go to www.mdmoaa.org for the letters and write, call, or e- mail your Delegates and State Senator today. Don t forget to sign and mail in the attached post cards in your monthly magazine urging Congress not to support the proposed cuts to the military retirement system. ANDY Chapter Officers President Brig Gen Andrew Veronis, USAF-Ret 443-817-2557 f104pilot@earthlink.net 1 st Vice President Maj John Whitman, USAF-Retired 410-551-0528 jwhitmanth@verizon.net 2 nd Vice President VACANT-apply now Treasurer LTC T. Wayne Hobbs, USA-Ret 410-799-8331 Twaynehobbs1@verizon.net Secretary Rebecca Conover 410-964-3237 czech6@verizon.net Directors LTC Alfred Shehab, USA-Ret 410-674-7333 hotspur38@verizon.net LTC George Helwig, USA-Retired 410-573-1425 Helwig1922@gmail.com Col Gorham L. Black, III, USA- Ret 301-776-1807 glblackiii@aol.com Past President Maj Jim Shiffrin, USAF-Retired 410-766-5732 Jim.Shiffrin@gmail.com Personal Affairs Officer Mrs. Eleanor Layman, AUX 443-296-7024 eleanorlayman@comcast.net
In Memory Henry and Dolores Jeffers The chapter was saddened to learn that LTC Henry Alston Jeffers Jr., passed away on December 9, 2014. He and his wife Dolores A. Jeffers were married for 73 years. Surviving are his son Henry A. Jeffers III and his wife Elizabeth, Francis A. Jeffers, William G. Jeffers and his wife Margaret and Anna D. Jeffers and husband Thomas Gisriel. He was a Grandfather of eight and Great- Grandfather of six. He enjoyed his years traveling the world and his time spent in Severna Park prior to moving to the Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Our Lady of Angels Chapel at Charlestown in December and he is interned at the Loudon Park Cemetery. His loving wife Dolores passed away six weeks later on January 18, 2015. Photo provided by Anna Jeffers of and her husband Tom Gisriel of Anna s parents LTC Henry A. and Mrs. Dolores A. Jeffers. Memorial donations may be made to Charlestown Benevolent Care Foundation Inc, 719 Maiden Choice Lane, Catonsville, MD 21228. Lucy Coffey Nation s Oldest Female World War II Vet The nation s oldest woman veteran has died at the age of 108 on March 19 th. Lucy Coffey was found dead in her bed in San Antonio Thursday morning. The Indiana born farm girl was working at a Dallas A&P supermarket on the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. She quit her job in 1943 and joined the Women s Army Auxiliary Corps. During her service she was stationed around the Pacific and earned two Bronze stars. She continued to serve her country after the war as an Army civilian on Okinawa. She had visited the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C., Arlington National Cemetery, and the Women s in Military Service for America Memorial. She also met President Obama and Vice President Biden during her D.C. visit (courtesy of Honor Flight). Coffey had suffered a stroke in 2013
Recruiting Our Challenge Chapter membership has remained stable but many of us are getting long in the tooth. Questions: How do we recruit the next generation of chapter members? How do we retain current chapter members? To answer the first question we need to determine our chapter mission and vision. Yes we are active in the community by supporting JROTC Awards at high schools, and making numerous donations to various charities. We have been active in lobbying in Annapolis and on Capitol Hill to protect our hard earned military benefits. However, in my short tenure as President I have noticed that the same people step up to volunteer and make the chapter work. It all comes back to recruiting new blood in the chapter and retaining chapter members by making our chapter more relevant. Make it a priority to recruit a new member, but not just the military member, recruit his or her entire family. Then treat every chapter member like family. Finally recruit across the spectrum to be inclusive: Second career retirees Fully retired Currently serving (active, Guard, and Reservists) Auxiliary In coming newsletters I will be discussing the results from Storming the Hill in Washington, D.C by MOAA on April 15th and Community Involvement. What can you do now? Get involved by asking any board member where help is needed and volunteer. Notable Quotes The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. Winston Churchill It is difficult to make predictions, especially about the future. Yogi Berra USO BWI Magazine/Book Drive The BWI USO magazine and food drive continues. So far in 2015 we are past last year s pace with a total of 398 magazines, 15 paperback books and $75 in snack food donations for the troops. Remember to save your gently used magazines (less than 3 months from current date), paperbacks and hard cover books for donations. As always you may leave them at the Thursday May 7 th luncheon at the Conference Center. Please remember to leave a business card or note so all donations may be recognized with a donation in kind form from the USO.
JROTC Awards Presenters Needed Jim Pede It s that time of year when we have an opportunity to recognize local JROTC students by presenting the MOAA academic medal at local high schoo award ceremonies. Schools in our coverage include Meade, Atholton and Howard County High School (joint ceremony), Oakland Mills, and Laurel High School. Please contact Jim Pede at 410-531-3794 to volunteer as a presenter. 2015 Maryland Legislative Session The current legislative session will adjourn on Monday April 13 th. Both HB 492 (heard in the House Ways and Means Committee) and SB 592 (Senate Budget and Taxation Committee) are still in play. It is not too late to write or call your legislators to urge their support. On March 30 th SB 592 was amended to increase the exemption of military retired pay to an additional $5000 but only for those 65 and older (similar to the last two years). It was given a favorable recommendation with these amendments and passed the Senate by a 47 to 0 vote. The bill has crossed over to the House Ways and Means Committee for action. Contact your legislators and the Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee Shelia Hixson and her committee members and urge them to her to also give the bill a favorable recommendation and pass it. Placing the bill in a drawer and ignoring it is unacceptable. While SB 592 is not everything we want it is a start. Also let your legislators know we will be back next year and every year until the bill is passed. Massing of the Colors on Fort Meade The 29 th Annual Massing of the colors will take place on Sunday 17 May 2015 at the Fort Meade Pavilion at 1430. The event is hosted by our compaions in the Ft Meade Chapter of the Military Order of World Wars (FGGM/MOWW). Baked goods and other finger food items are needed for the event to feed all the color guard units and guests. In addition, volunteers are needed to help marshal the color guards and assist in seating VIPs and guests at the ceremony. Please contact Major Jim Shiffrin at 410-766-3794 or LTC John Hollywood 301-261-3515 if you are interested.
Army Ten Mile Run slated for Sunday October 11th The 31 st Annual Army Ten Mile run takes place at the Pentagon on Sunday October 11 th. The run takes you into D.C. and finishes at the Pentagon. Military and those runners who have run the race at least seven times have priority registering on May 5 th at 0630AM. General regristration takes place on May 19 th at 0630AM. There are 35,000 entries and the cost is $70. Go to the Army USA web site for more details. www.armytenmiler.com Sign up for the MOAA run team also. Ft Meade Community JOB FAIR Bryon Hartzog The next job on Ft Meade will be held on Wednesday 20 May 2015 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Club Meade 6600 Mapes Ave. Bring plenty of resumes with you. The job fair is open to all job seekers. Library of Congress Veterans History Project Are you a resident of Carrol County, Maryland and a Veteran? The Carrol County History Project in cooperation with the Library of Congress will be interviewing and recording Veterans from the county on Veteran Oral History Day on april 25, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.. The event takes place at: The Community Media Center 1301 Washington Road Westminster, MD To schedule an appointment please call 410-386-4145. Ft Meade Community Council Meeting Notes Rebecca Conover - Old AAFES store is gone and paving for parking lot is underway: lot will open in phases - Repaving on post will begin shortly Commissary lot is a high priority - AAFES outdoor store will open 23 April, AAFES Firstone store is now open - Commissary will have Case Lot Sale from 30 Apr to 3 May 0900-1900 each day - Farmers Market at Meade Pavillion from 10 Jun thru end of Aug each Wed. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - New Rockenback Access Control Point has been funded by MD in exchange for easement granted along route 175 estimated completion mid-2016 - Col Foley and the Garrison are fighting for additional $ attempting to secure money for new access control points at Mapes (both gates) and Reese Roads
(FGGM/MOAA) FORT GEORGE G. MEADE CHAPTER APPLICATION FORM FOR MEMBERSHIP/RENEWAL Date: I am applying as a new member in the FGGM/MOAA Chapter. I am renewing my membership in the FGGM/MOAA Chapter. I am /am not a member of MOAA national. If a MOAA national member, is it a lifetime membership? Yes No MOAA Member Number Member number may be found on magazine mailing label. NAME Date of Birth Rank Service Status Active, Retired, Former Officer, Reserve, National Guard or Widower MAILING ADDRESS NUMBER and STREET Apartment Number City State Zip Code Phone (Home: Work: E-Mail Address Spouses Name: DOB: Enclosed are my dues for: (Make check payable to FGGM/MOAA) 1 Year: $12 per year (2015) 3 Years: $30 (2015, 2016 and 2017)) Auxiliary $5 (2015) Sponsor s Name: Auxiliary member: Widow(er) of any individual who would if living, be eligible for membership to auxiliary member with full voting privilege. Mail application to: FGGM/MOAA C/O Rebecca Conover P.O. Box 743 Ft. Geo. G. Meade, MD 20755-0743 Data Base Mailing Label Dues Payments List Prepared (FGGM/MOAA Use Only)
The Fort George G. Meade Chapter of The Military Officers Association of America P.O. Box 743 Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755-0743 www.mdmoaa.org MOAA Luncheon Meeting Thursday May 7, 2015 at the Conference Center (old Golf Course Clubhouse) Speaker is Col Ken McCreedy, USA Retired, CEO of the Maryland Therapeutic Riding Stables (MTR) Bring a friend or prospective member to the meeting! Cost: $ 15.00 per person Join us at the Conference Center (old golf course club house) located behind the Defense Media Activity Bldg and across from the Cyber Command Construction Site at 11:30 AM. Menu: Garden Salad, Rolls and Butter, Chicken Parmesan, Linguine, Green Beans, German Chocolate Cake, Coffee and Tea. Name(s) Total Reservations Check enclosed for total amount Phone number: e-mail: Please mail reservations and checks payable to FGGM/MOAA to: LTC T. Wayne Hobbs, USA-Retired 7305 Brookview Road, Unit 302 Elkridge, MD 21075-6080 410-799-8331 (H) Reservations are required by close of business Monday May 4, 2015 If you make reservations but are a no-show for the luncheon payment will still be required to the chapter.