AUXILIARIES ASK FOR MORE MILITARY OFFICER MAGAZINE COVERAGE

I would like to suggest you add an “In Memoriam” page for Auxiliary members, and perhaps the same for wives who predecease their husbands.

In California alone there are 9741 auxiliary members who belong to MOAA, according to your records. There are 1366 belonging to chapters, and 280 who belong to chapters but not to National.
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Mary Kalinyak
CAL-MOAA Auxiliary Liaison continue reading

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HOW YOUR COUNCIL ADDS VALUE

Out of a Chinese fortune cookie came a small slip of paper and the admonition, “It may be well to consult others before taking unusual action.”

So when it comes to chapter opportunities and challenges, whom do you consult?

Try your Area Director. This is an officer with full access to MOAA and CAL-MOAA information and resources who will work in general and direct support of you and your chapter.

The AD is an individual who will demonstrate the Council’s value when members choose to work together.

Lessons Learned
CAL-MOAA officers, directors, and affiliated chapter presidents are in a position to share their experiences. After meeting individually, in small groups, and in the larger Council meetings, it’s possible to provide a wide array of answers to the question, “What have each of you learned lately that’s of value to the rest of us?” Do you have concerns about recruitment and membership? Or leadership succession perhaps? Or even finding good speakers for chapter meetings? The Council has, by its various procedures, methods, and systems, put into place a formal organized approach to learning. Opportunities abound for members to meet regularly to discuss substantive matters of common interest. Out of such meetings come not only useful and practical information but a sense of community and a heightened sense of being engaged in a joint enterprise. It’s not necessary to reinvent the wheel! continue reading

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NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER MAY 1, 2008

Help me remember, God, that I can be reassigned, neutralized, or eliminated for a thousand different reasons at any moment.

My leadership is precarious, hanging by the silver thread of people’s trust in me. Countless things over which I have no control can break that thread, including your call elsewhere, and I will be gone.

But they need a leader, and when I am gone they must have others to turn to, others whom they trust, who can tell them the truth.

Show me those who can lead after me and better than me. Ruffle my spirit when they are near, quicken my heart when I feel their power, and open my eyes to see the special effect they have on people.

Protect me from preserving my own position or power or perspectives at the expense of future leaders. When they point out where I have not led well, shut my mouth and open my heart.

Help me to make it safe for them to try new things. Let me touch the spirit of those who possess the heart of a servant. continue reading

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HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO THIS VERY USEFUL NEWSLETTER

Lt. James “EMO” Tichacek, USN (Ret)
Director, Retiree Assistance Office, U.S. Embassy Warden & IRS VITA Baguio City RP
PSC 517 Box RCB, FPO AP 96517
Tel: (951) 238-1246 in U.S. or Cell: 0915-361-3503 in the Philippines.
Email: raoemo@sbcglobal.net Web:
http://post_119_gulfport_ms.tripod.com/rao1.html.
AL/AMVETS/DAV/FRA/NAUS/NCOA/MOAA/USDR/VFW/
VVA/CG33/DD890/AD37 member.

BULLETIN SUBSCRIPTION NOTES:
To subscribe first add the above RAO email addee to your address book and/or white list and then provide your full name plus either the post/branch/chapter number of the fraternal military/government organization you are currently affiliated with (if any) “AND/OR” the city and state/country you reside in so your addee can be properly positioned in the directory for future recovery. Subscription is open to all veterans, dependents, and military/veteran support organizations. This Bulletin sent to 65,637 subscribers.

To automatically change your email addee or remove yourself from Bulletin distribution click the below or send a message which includes your full name plus your old & new email.

Submitted By: Col Bill Gavitt, USAF-Ret

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AIR NATIONAL GUARDSMAN WINS RELIEF OVER LOST FEDERAL JOB

WASHINGTON, DC
April 8, 2008

An Air National Guardsman, who lost his federal job while on active military duty, waited more than seven years to get relief under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Only months after the Government agency where his case had languished for seven years referred it to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), a settlement was reached providing him with full back pay and restored benefits.

After his return from active duty in the Alaska Air National Guard in June 2000, Robert J. Traut’s employer, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service (IHS), refused to reemploy him. Mr. Traut filed a complaint under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) with the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS), in November 2000. continue reading

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TWO ARRESTED IN SEPARATE CASES

Gulfport, Miss
March 25, 2008

Christopher Billeaud, 52, of Biloxi, Mississippi, was arrested today on charges of false claims about receipt of military decorations and medals, U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton announced.

In a criminal complaint filed March 19, 2008, it is alleged that Billeaud did falsely represent himself, verbally and in writing, as having been awarded a Purple Heart medal for service in the United States Armed Forces, knowing in truth and in fact that he had never been awarded such military medal, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 704(b) and 704 (d) and that he did use, possess and exhibit a forged, counterfeit and falsely altered military discharge certificate in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 498. The complaint also alleges
that Billeaud used a false military discharge certificate (form DD-214) to obtain a State of Mississippi Purple Heart vehicle license plate at no cost for a vehicle registered to him. Purple Heart license plates are provided at no cost to military personnel who have earned the medal and the license plates never expire. Billeaud appeared before Chief United States Magistrate Judge John Roper in Gulfport today and was released on a $25,000.00 unsecured bond. continue reading

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IF YOUR CHAPTER IS LOOKING FOR A PROJECT….

My name is Craig Bergman and I am the National Recruiter for Veterans for the Joe Foss Institute.

As you know, in this time in our history, it is vitally important to reinforce to our youth the importance of our freedoms, where they came from and why it is so important to continue to defend them.

I have attached a letter of introduction to the Joe Foss Institute and our Veterans Inspiring Patriotism program. Our goal is to reach as many students as possible.

To accomplish this, we will need a core of veterans in key locales throughout California to present our program in the schools and to network with other Veterans. Our goal for California in calendar year 2008 is to present to 200,000 students.

I would like to set up meetings where we can present our program to Veterans and community leaders in these areas.

I would also like to invite you to visit our website at http://www.jfiweb.org/foss/ where you can see who we are and what we have accomplished to date. Any assistance you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,

Berg
Craig B. Bergman, CMSgt (RET) USAF
National Recruiter
Joe Foss Institute
cbergman@jfiweb.org
602-820-6625

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ACTION NEEDED TO STOP AB 2994 THIS WEEK

AB2994 (Lieber), which is opposed by the California State Commanders Veterans Council (CSCVC) on Tuesday, April 29, 4pm in Room 126. I would like as many veterans & representatives to show up to oppose this bill. We need to demonstrate that the veterans are opposed to this attempt to restrict military recruiters in their efforts field an all volunteer military force.

If you don’t show up the committee (which passed a similar bill 2 years ago) will believe you don’t care.

If you cannot make it, please pass along to those who can possibly attend. Those attending should wear your hats.

If you cannot attend, please call or write the legislators on the Assembly Veterans Committee asap. They are listed below.

Asm. Mary Salas (D) [Chair]/916-319-2079
Asm. Paul Cook (R) [Vice Chair]/916-319-2065
Asm. Jim Beall (D)/916-319-2024
Asm. Wilmer Amina Carter (D)/916-319-2062
Asm. Chuck DeVore (R)/916-319-2070
Asm. Ted W. Lieu (D)/916-319-2053
Asm. Sharon Runner (R)/916-319-2036
Asm. Lori Saldana (D)/916-319-2076
Asm. Lois Wolk (D)/916-319-2008

Pete Conaty
Pete Conaty & Associates

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