A SEAL BEACH COMMEMORATIVE CELEBRATION 7 DECEMBER 08

What: Freedom Is Not Free - We Will Not ForgetNot Free: A Commemorative Celebration

When: Sunday, December 7th, 10AM (1000hrs)

Where: The Lake Norconian Club Pavilion, United States Navy, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Detachment, 2300 Fifth Street, Norco, CA.92860-2300

Contact: 951-737-8025 (RSVPs also)

Please join the US Navy, the United State Navy Band and the Naval Surface Warfare Center on Sunday, 7 December to remember Pearl Harbor. The Navy invites invites Pearl Harbor Survivors, all veterans,former US Naval Hospital patients and / or employees and their loved ones to a day of honor and rememberence.

This free event is sponsored by The Lake Norconian Club Foundation, a Norco Regional Conservancy Action Committee. The United States Navy Band are the special guests and will perform during the event.

RSVPs required and photo I.D. required to enter the base.

Gregg Smith
Public Affairs Officer
Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach
(562) 626-7215, -7309 Fax

Submitted By: LTC Tom Lasser, USA (RET)

No Comments »

BOOK REVIEW - THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS

Hailed by The Economist as the “the most influential pastor in America,” and by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, the bestselling author of The Purpose Driven Life expounds on the profound origins of Christmas, describing it as an opportune time to welcome peace into our lives.

In his powerful yet compassionate voice, Pastor Rick Warren sounds the clarion call to “remember the reason for the season,” taking readers back in time to the most wonderful story of all — the birth of the baby Jesus. When he was just a small boy, young Rick asked his parents if they could celebrate Christmas with a birthday party for Jesus — and the tradition began that the Warrens have upheld for over fifty years. Now through stirring imagery and compelling personal insights, The Purpose of Christmas honors the significance and promise of this cherished holiday.

Pastor Warren encourages readers to identify and confront what drains peace from their lives. Warren explains that the way to respond to these peace-robbers is to learn how to surrender to God’s will and not feel defeated or discouraged when life does not go as planned. True peace of mind is found by having an unshakeable faith in God — knowing that his empowering Spirit will guide his children through life’s challenges.

Beautifully written, The Purpose of Christmas will stir readers to honor the true significance of Christmas and to nurture God’s gifts of love and peace in this world. (more…)

No Comments »

COL BILL REALS APPOINTED VICE PRESIDENT EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST

Col Bill Reals, AUS (RET), currently Director, Area 6 and a member of Orange County Chapter, has been appointed vice president effective January 1, 2009. He replaces BG Wayne Hoffman, AUS (RET), who resigned.

Much of his time in 2008 has been spent providing management consulting services to local chapters, particularly the San Gabriel Valley Chapter.

At an early January Orange County Chapter meeting, COL Reals will conduct the chapter’s installation of officers. Just prior to that, chapter president CAPT Al Ashurst, USN (RET), will administer the Council vice president oath of office and moments later COL Reals will administer the state director oath of office. The Council’s new Vice President and Director, Area 6, will begin active service.

Ordinarily the Council president or a past president would administer the oath of office; however, in this time of economic downturn and shortage of Council financial and other resources, the ceremony will be conducted concurrently with the Orange County Chapter installation.

It has been something of a tradition in the past that an area director move into the vice president role and perhaps later into the role of president, providing effective leadership succession. (more…)

No Comments »

CAPT AL ASHURST RETURNS TO DIRECTOR ROLE

CAPT Albert J. Ashurst, USN, (RET), currently President, Orange County Chapter, will become State Director, Area 6/South West Area, effective January 1, 2009.

He replaces COL Bill Reals, USA (RET) who has been appointed vice president.

CAPT Ashurst served as area director in past years and will be returning to the role. We very much appreciate his willingness to serve in this key position.

************

Captain A.J. Ashurst initially assumed duties as CAL-MOAA Area Director, Area 6 in November 2002 and was reelected in November 2004 for a second tour. He has been reappointed to this position in January 2009 as a replacement for Col. Bill Reals, USA (Ret) His area includes Orange and Los Angeles Counties and is made up of seven (7) chapters; i.e. Orange County, Golden West, South Coast, Los Alamitos, Long Beach, San Pedro/South Bay, and Rio Hondo. He was a member of the CAL-MOAA Strategic Planning Committee both in 1998 and 2005. His home chapter is Orange County where he has completed tours as 1st VP, President (2) and Legislative Chair. (more…)

No Comments »

MOAA’S TOP 8 GROUPS MOST DESERVING OF A GOVERNMENT BAILOUT
November 25, 2008

If our country can afford almost $1 trillion in bailouts for firms whose financial troubles were caused by their own mismanagement or recklessness, what about those in the uniformed services community suffering grievous circumstances imposed on them by the government through no fault of their own? Here are MOAA’s nominees for those most deserving a government bailout. Add your own views and nominations in the “rate this item” forum at the bottom of the list.

8. Currently serving uniformed services families – the only large group of employees denied use of Flexible Spending Accounts to deduct out-of-pocket health and dependent costs from income and payroll taxes. Who needs a child care tax break more than a family whose sponsor has been deployed?

7. Employers of Guard/Reserve personnel — who deserve tax breaks to help ease the burden of hiring temporary replacements for ever-more-frequently deployed staff members. The government that imposes these requirements on them, and expects them to keep hiring Guard/Reserve members, needs to do more to assist them. (more…)

No Comments »

THERE’S PLENTY TO BE THANKFUL FOR THIS HOLIDAY

This update is being sent to you early this week because MOAA’s headquarters office will be closed for Thanksgiving.

There’s plenty to be thankful for this holiday.

November is Military Family Month, so be sure to keep the hundreds of thousands of military families, who are enduring this holiday without their loved ones in your thoughts, and give thanks for all military people and families who have been and continue to be the saviors of our national well-being.

For MOAA’s part, we’re extremely grateful for the strong support of our members. You’re invaluable in helping ensure our government does the right thing by the uniformed services community. It’s because MOAA members like you have been willing to contact your elected representatives that we’ve been able to achieve our successes on Capitol Hill. (more…)

No Comments »

HELPING FAMILIES IN THEIR TIME OF NEED

My name is Lynn Terjan and I reside in West Palm Beach, FL. I am proud to serve as a Board of Director of The Murray Grey Foundation Organization, a non- profit organization which raises money to assist the families of our proud men and women serving in our armed forces during hard times. Please go to the website below to make a donation and receive a certificate for
free groceries and/or free gas, good at any grocery store or gas station in America. Those individuals who donate will not only help military families, but also help stimulate our economy as well.

I ask you to please take the time to check our website and read for yourselves the benefits of this worthy cause. Your donation and assistance in getting this information to as many people as possible would be greatly appreciated by these families in time of need.

Go to http://www.groceriesngas.com to donate and receive your certificate.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Lynn Terjan
Tel: 561-267-9432
http://www.themurraygreyfoundation.org
A 501-c-3 Public Charity- IRS Tax Exempt # 56-2614479

No Comments »

SAFE HARBOR FOR RUN-AWAY YOUTH

On August 5, 1999 Maj Gen Bob Butcher, USMC-Ret, presented a plaque to Myldred E. Jones, Lcdr, USN-Ret, founder of Casa Youth Shelter, on the occasion of her 90th birthday as “Personifying a living legacy of dedication and unselfish service throughout her lifetime.” General Butcher represented Lt. Gen. Michael Nelson, USAF-Ret, President, The Retired Officers Association, TROA, now known as The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).

Among the many other very special recognitions presented to Myldred on her 90th birthday were those received from the President George H.W. Bush, all four former living presidents and the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Also extending their special wishes and recognitions of an exemplary lifetime of service were those of numerous national and state political and social figures and included as well those from the military as represented by: Secretaries of Defense and the Navy, Generals Powell and Schwarzkopf and the presidents of both National and California TROA organizations (now MOAA, the Military Officers Association of America).

Among the many good people at the shelter are a number of individuals who are either retired or former military officers. In addition to bringing a shared military leadership background to their duties, they bring a deep commitment to helping troubled youth and their families regain stability in their lives. (more…)

1 Comment »