NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY, 2007
09/19/2007

Last week I was the flag bearer at a POW/MIA event on the Capitol steps and at the All Veterans Monument and Viet Nam Veterans Memorial in Capitol Park.

Phelps Hobart
Sacramento Chapter

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

America has been blessed by the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who have answered the call to defend our country and protect liberty around the world. On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor a special group of patriots: those who have been prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action. We remain forever in their debt, and we renew our commitment to them and to their families never to rest until we have accounted for every missing service member. continue reading

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CAL-MOAA PLANNING COAST GUARD SHIP COMMISSIONING ROLE

“As you may know, the new 418 foot Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf will be commissioned at Coast Guard Island sometime in summer 2008, probably in August,” reports CAPT Warren McDonald, USCG (RET) and Member, MOAA Board of Directors. “The commissioning committee, traditionally a Navy League function, is now in the planning stages.”

CAPT McDonald was contacted by the Navy League and given some of the early planning details.

“It occured to me that this may be something CAL-MOAA could get involved with,” he said. “I also think it would be good if MOAA could arrange some kind of presence at the event, for new member solicitation.” continue reading

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MONTEREY COUNTY CHAPTER’S SEPTEMBER DINNER MEETING

More than fifty members and guests of the Monterey Peninsula’s MOAA chapter gathered for its first post-summer meeting Thursday, September 20th, at the Monterey Elks Club, a facility high on a hill offering a spectacular view of Monterey Bay.

Honored guests included General Michael P.C. Carns, USAF-Ret, MOAA Chairman of the Board, and his wife Victoria, residents of the area. http://www.moaa.org/about/about_leadership/index.htm#chairman

Visiting from Silicon Valley Chapter in Sunnyvale and special guests of COL Russ Wiley, AUS (RET), were COL Warren Enos, AUS (RET), CAL-MOAA Interim Vice President, and his wife Elaine. continue reading

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MOFFETT FIELD’S NAVY EXCHANGE TO CLOSE 2 FEBRUARY 2008

It came as a simple prepared announcement, a memorandum, distributed at the Navy Exchange stores.

“As you know, the 2005 Base Alignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) recommended that the U.S. Air Force close Onizuka Air Station. Air Station Onizuka, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), provided Base Operations Support to the Navy Exchange facilities located a Moffett Air Field. The NEX operates several facilities on base including the Main Store, Home and Garden Store, and Barber/Beauty Shop.”

And with that, an era comes to a close, one where in the early 1990s P-3 patrol aircraft filled the skies and Naval officers and sailors could be seen in town. Onizuka, known locally as the “blue cube,” an Air Force satellite tracking center, is the last of the active duty organizations at Moffett. More recently, Guard and Reserve units have moved on base with personnel occupying brand new privately developed and managed quarters.

VADM Norb Ryan, Jr., USN-Ret, MOAA President, constantly warns us to be vigilant when it comes to our earned entitlements. An NEX at Moffett field might not be considered an “earned entitlement” but it’s just one more sign of our shrinking local military community. continue reading

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NATIONAL MOAA PERSONALITY SPEAKS IN WALNUT CREEK OCTOBER 16TH

Col Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret, Director, MOAA Councils and Chapters Affairs, will be the featured speaker at the upcoming Contra Costa Chapter membership luncheon set for Blakes’s in Walnut Creek, Tuesday, October 16, 2007, 11:00am to 2:00pm.

The luncheon meeting represents an extraordinary opportunity to find out what is going on at the national level as well as express interests, desires, needs, and wants. Col Lange will provide timely information and answer member questions.

In a special letter, MOAA President VADM Norbert R. Ryan, Jr., USN-Ret, explained the importance of protecting earned entitlements and how grass roots efforts make a difference, creating “One Powerful Voice.”

He said Col Lange’s visit was for the purpose of meeting with as many military officers as possible to discuss issues important to the membership. He encourages MOAA members and nonmembers alike from the greater area to attend this particular luncheon, and stressed that all are invited to attend and participate fully. continue reading

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HELP IDENTIFY PURPLE HEART VETERANS

A reporter for the Stockton Record saw the Sept 11 Purple Heart event flyer that I sent out. He is looking for some Purple Heart veterans from his newspaper’s area: San Joaquin County, Stanislaus, the Mother Lode, etc…

Purple Heart Veterans from these areas can contact Mr. Hank Shaw directly:
(contact info below) continue reading

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NAVY LEAGUE LUNCHEON 20 OCTOBER 2007 AT MCCLELLAN AFB

The Sacramento Council, Navy League of the United States requests the pleasure of the company of Military Officers Association of America members at the Sacramento Council 2007 SeaPower Luncheon Saturday, 20 October 2007.

1130 - Reception
1200 - Lunch

Lions Gate Hotel and Convention Center
3407 Westover Street, McClellan Park, North Highlands continue reading

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CHAPTER 148, CORNING, INVITE 6 OCTOBER 2007

MOAA members that appreciate fast aircraft may like to venture north for an interesting luncheon meeting with the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Corning Chapter, Saturday, October 6th. The guest speaker is Cdr. David Kindley, USN, Executive Officer of Strike Squadron 137, VFA-137.

He may get permission to fly a Super-Hornet (F/A18E) up to Red Bluff (the runway at Corning is too short with no catapults or arresters). He will be speaking at the EAA meeting at noon at the Corning airport’s hanger 9. Their will be a tri-tip barbecue just prior to his presentation. After the meeting there will be a tour the Super-Hornet (if he’s able to bring it up) at Red Bluff.

The Kestrels, VFA-137 have a simple mission statement: “Shooting people down and blowing up their stuff.” The squadron’s homeport is Naval Air Station Lemoore. It is assigned to Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2). The squadron deploys with the Carrier Strike Group Nine Battle Group onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). For more, visit - especially photos - visit http://www.lemoore.navy.mil/vfa-137/.

Touch base with Tim Huckabay, (530) 529-1611, tandphuckabay@yahoo.com, the president
of EAA 1148 if interested.

Submitted By: Phelps Hobart

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