2007 WEB LOG ACTIVITY DOUBLES SINCE 2006

Webmaster Gloria, referring to the current communications survey, reported the following:

“I’d be interested in knowing how many actually respond to this survey. I took a look at the logs for cal-moaa yesterday. In the last 10 months the blog has gotten consistently over 2,000+ hits per month. That is almost twice as much as 2006 averaged monthly. I’m sure it’s because of your dedication in supplying information on the blog and via email.”

Somebody out there is reading the web log!

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NEED TO RESOLVE SURVIVOR BENEFIT SITUATION NOW

As the Council approaches its upcoming Annual Meeting in San Luis Obispo, CDR Jerry Loeb, USN (RET) is making a continuing appeal for support for the DFAS issue.

He will be unable to attend the San Luis Obispo event and yet would like this matter brought up for discussion and action.

Perhaps a good place to start would be for someone to raise the issue under “Old Business” on the EXCOM meeting agenda.

In September 2006, in advance of Rally 2006, he wrote the following:

“I respectfully request that the CAL-MOAA Council and all CAL-MOAA Chapters — please include the Rally subject as to: DFAS/SBP/DIC/VA Survivor Benefits. The ongoing DFAS/SBP Survivor Benefit situation is not fully resolved. This open item of deep concern includes, among other matters, the discovered DFAS problems of “return of SBP premium et al” to all qualified surviving military spouses. continue reading

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ARMED FORCES SPEAKER BUREAUS

For those of you who need speakers from time to time here are some great contacts:

Army www.army.mil/-links/2007/07/11/4004-speakers/bureau

Coast Guard www.usscg.mil/art/speakers_bureau.htm

USMC www.marines.mil/comrel/120day,nsf/GenOfficerSupport

Navy www.navy.mil/navco/display.asp?page=speakers.html

The USAF apparently lets each base do its own thing.

Submitted By: CDR John Sammons

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WHY WE SERVE OUTREACH PROGRAM

Why We Serve is a speakers outreach program intended to re-connect the men and women of the United States Armed Forces with those they serve: The American people.

By hosting uniformed service members to speak about their individual experiences in the Long War, audiences around the country are offered a personal view on military service.

The Why We Serve speakers do not address issues of Department of Defense policy. Rather, each member relates his or her own experience in a manner that offers Americans a glimpse of military service as can only be seen through the eyes of our uniformed men and women. continue reading

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AMERICANS CAN TEXT “THANKS” TO TROOPS
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2007

For those seeking a quick way to show appreciation to troops serving far from home this holiday season, look no further than “Giving Thanks,” a new initiative from the Defense Department’s America Supports You program.

America Supports You connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.

“This is a simple way to connect our citizens to our soldiers using modern technology,” said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison.

Between 6 a.m. Nov. 17 and midnight Nov. 22, people wishing to express gratitude to the troops for their service can text a brief one- or two-line message to 89279. Each text message sent will receive a response from an active-duty servicemember. continue reading

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VA PROVIDING CARE FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VETERANS
Washington, D.C., October 23, 2007

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) continues to offer medical care and other important services to veterans even as wildfires burn across parts of Southern California.

“We are grateful no VA facilities have been damaged or directly threatened,” said Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon H. Mansfield. “Our first priority is the safety of our patients and staff.”

The San Diego VA Medical Center and clinics remain open for all urgent care, hemodialysis and chemotherapy. However, routine care including clinic appointments has been cancelled. Veterans who need prescription refills are being advised to call in their request, rather than travel to the medical center.

“I am impressed with the outstanding work our VA staff has been doing to provide excellent service to veterans during this disaster,” Mansfield added. “Many VA employees have been evacuated from their own homes, but continue to come to work to serve our veterans.”

Current information on this situation is available at the San Diego VAMC website at: http://www.san-diego.med.va.gov/wild_fire_info.htm continue reading

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SPAM FILTERS BLOCKING SOME E-MAIL MESSAGES

On two separate occasions a major Internet Service Provider (ISP) blocked the Council’s weblog alerts to certain members.

Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) as part of their anti-spam protocols routinely block e-mail messages originating from “.org” sources.

If members want to be sure they receive communications from cal-moaa.org they should check with their ISP about their policies.

A simple request to the ISP, such as Earthlink, Comcast, etc., to clear cal-moaa.org should help insure that Council messages get through.

If it doesn’t work, it might be necessary to change ISPs or provide an alternative e-mail address that will allow messages through.

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CHAPTER RESCUE PROCESS AN OPTION FOR CHAPTER IN DIFFICULTY

San Gabriel Valley Chapter members have been demonstrating two major problems faced by local chapters today, (1) recruitment and retention, and (2) inability to acquire interested and qualified leaders.

Over the past few months, these issues brought the chapter through a delicate process of assessing the current situation, identifying courses of action, conducting a membership vote, and now trying to determine the chapter’s future.

COL George J. Gliaudys, Jr., COL, AUS (RET), the chapter’s interim president, West Covina, CA, recently provided this update: continue reading

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