ADJUTANT GENERAL OFFERS SOME HISTORY

Hey Sailors:

We all know that the United States Navy traces its origins to the Continental Navy, which the Continental Congress established on 13 October 1775 by authorizing the procurement, fitting out, manning, and dispatch of two armed vessels to cruise in search of munitions ships supplying the British Army in America. The legislation also established a Naval Committee to supervise the work. All together, the Continental Navy numbered some fifty ships over the course of the war, with approximately twenty warships active at its maximum strength.

Your rich history shows that after the American War for Independence, Congress sold the surviving ships of the Continental Navy and released the sailors and officers. The Constitution of the United States, ratified in 1789, empowered Congress “to provide and maintain a navy.” Acting on this authority, Congress ordered the construction and manning of six frigates in 1794, and the War Department administered naval affairs from that year until Congress established the Department of the Navy on 30 April 1798. In 1972, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt authorized recognition of 13 October as the Navy’s birthday. (more…)

No Comments »

UNITED STATES ARMY FIELD BAND “JAZZ AMBASSADORS”

You are cordially invited to attend a spectacular FREE concert presented by The United States Army Field Band’s “Jazz Ambassadors” on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at the Chabot College Performing Arts Center, Hayward , CA at 7:30pm.

The Jazz Ambassadors, America ’s Big Band, is the United States Army’s premier touring jazz orchestra. As a component of The United States Army Field Band of Washington, DC, this internationally-acclaimed organization travels thousands of miles each year to present jazz, America ’s national treasure, to enthusiastic audiences in every state in the nation around the
world!

For Tickets:
Contact the 191st Army Band at (925) 875-4124 and leave your first & last name and the number of tickets. Limit 4 per guest. Tickets will be available at Will-Call at Chabot College on the day of the concert beginning at 6:00p.m.

All Jazz Ambassador concerts are FREE (ticketed) events and open to the general public. Please visit the below links for detailed concert information. (more…)

No Comments »

GOLF TOURNAMENT PROCEEDS TO FUND GOLD STAR LICENSE PLATES

The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) today launched VetFund - Project: Gold Star in an effort to raise the necessary funds to cover the costs of producing Gold Star Family License Plates at no cost to the state’s General Fund.

Project: Gold Star will be operated through CalVet’s VetFund with the goal of collecting the $300,000 it will take to get the program underway.

SB 1455 (Cogdill), signed by the Governor in September, authorizes CalVet to sponsor Gold Star Family License Plates and solicit private donations to cover the costs of producing them.

“Gold Star families have endured a most painful sacrifice for the sake of our country; and CalVet would like to show them our gratitude and support by initiating this program without delay,” said Tom Johnson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “We know that the public will generously offer their support and gratitude.”VetFund will jump-start Project: Gold Star by donating half of the proceeds from its Annual VetFund Veterans Day Golf Tournament to the project. (more…)

No Comments »

CDVA SEMI-ANNUAL SECRETARY’S CONFERENCE

Secretary Tom Johnson, FACHE, California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA), convened a semi-annual meeting Friday, October 3rd, 2008, 8:00am to Noon, the Medal of Honor Hall, CDVA Headquarters Building, Sacramento, in order to update the veterans community about service and support achievements.

CAL-MOAA was properly represented at the formal sessions; in addition, networking opportunities were made available to participants. This is part of the continuing bylaws mandate to maintain close liaison with the other veterans organizations in California.

The conference was designed to bring together veteran advocates and leaders of veterans organizations from across California and the CDVA team to communicate and discuss veterans issues.

Later in the afternoon there was an opportunity for an ad hoc California State Commanders Veterans Council (CSCVC) meeting to discuss agenda items for the upcoming October 18th Fresno quarterly meeting, with specific emphasis on nominations and potential for a new officer slate which could over time lead the organization to high levels of success. Concern was expressed the the state legislative program; however Pete Conaty said he would continue to advocate for the group in Sacramento with the understanding his retainer requirements would be satisfied sooner than later.

Secretary Johnson suggested state initiatives were moving forward with more veterans being served. (more…)

No Comments »

BACK TO THE BEGINNING
by Fred Edwards
Oct. 3, 2008

In a July report to the U.S. Military Academy (USMA), retired Army Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey made a bleak assessment of Afghanistan. First, he noted that “Afghanistan is in misery,” with citizens who have a life expectancy of 44 years, 68 percent of whom have never known peace. They have suffered a 34 percent increase in violence so far this year, while battle casualty counts for U.S. troops have surged beyond those in Iraq. In addition, the following facts are predicted to worsen in the next 24 months: 2.8 million refugees, unemployment at 40 percent, poverty at 41 percent, acute food shortages, inflation at 12 percent, an illicit $4-billion opium and heroin industry, and mostly corrupt governments at province and district level.

McCaffrey, adjunct professor of international affairs at USMA, added that the Afghanis reject the Taliban but have no faith that their government will protect them or provide basic services. Although they trust U.S. military forces, they have less confidence in America’s NATO allies. The employable NATO forces, however, and the Afghan National Army are undefeatable in battle. Consequently, the Taliban will commit more terrorism against the people and the Afghan National Police. This means that military force must be strongly augmented by economic and political support from the United States and other nations. And the time is now because 2009 promises to be a year of decision. (more…)

No Comments »

Posted to call to your attention to the Shasta County October issue of their chapter newsletter Sentinel, edited by Colonel William Nichol, USAFR. MC (Ret). It has great color pictures and terrific member input filling 18 pages i.e. if you’re interested in understanding about Reverse Mortgages you’ll find it on page 1. Without financial cost Chapter Newsletters posted on the Cal-MOAA Website are available for widespread computer Internet viewing. Thus this valuable posting allows family members and friends the capability to view, read and even save for posterity. Certainly making interesting information, they most likely would not otherwise be aware of, available.

Look for this item in the issue ” I wrote it because I figured I have nothing else Toulouse”.

No Comments »

NEW LEGISLATION PROVIDES HEALTH SERVICES AND MORE
September 30, 2008

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced he has signed SB 1401 by Senator Joe
Simitian (D- Palo Alto) and AB 3083 by the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs; measures that will extend mental health services to veterans and assist veterans in getting screened for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. The Governor also announced he has signed six additional bills that will benefit California veterans, military personnel and their families.

“I know I speak for all Californians when I say the state has tremendous respect for its veterans and the sacrifices they have made for our freedom - and the bills I have signed demonstrate California’s commitment to our veterans, active duty personnel and the families who support them,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “These measures recognize that current veterans returning from a combat zone should be screened for Post Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injuries as soon as they get home, and that they should have access to timely and appropriate mental health services whether through the VA or the County mental health system.”

SB 1401 by Senator Joe Simitian (D- Palo Alto) requires the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Military Department to develop plans to reach out to Guard members or veterans returning to California from combat and assist them in obtaining a screening for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. (more…)

No Comments »

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION KEY TO COUNCIL AND CHAPTER SUCCESS

In late September 2008 CDR Allan Thompson, USN (RET), President, Golden West Chapter, issued a desperate plea for members to serve on the chapter’s nominating committee.

There were no takers.

“Unfortunately all requests for members to serve on the nominating committee have been declined by the members we contacted,” he said. “I will be out of town until October 1 so I am requesting that interested members contact Tim Richards or any board member with positions you will desire to hold.”

He explained that, “We are a volunteer organization run by volunteers; so, without volunteers for board positions it will be necessary to either fold or merge. This is your choice. By failing to volunteer for a board position, you are voting to terminate our chapter of MOAA. I hope that the choice to volunteer is made by enough members to fill vacant board positions.”

This same situation currently exists with any number of California chapters. In many cases, leaders are trying to lead but followers won’t follow. And the consequences are now being seen across the state–in 2007 San Gabriel Chapter failed and in 2008 more than a dozen chapters are in serious trouble. (more…)

No Comments »