Military Officers Association of America -- One Powerful Voice -- - For every officer at every stage of life and career - ************* Heartland of America Chapter ***** September 2009 ***** September 22 nd Dinner Program will be at UNO Alumni Center! Who Earned the First Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War? Meet Him at Our September Dinner at the UNO Alumni Center! It is on Tuesday, NOT Wednesday! Check out our website at www.HeartlandMOAA.us or call (402) 557-6780
Transcript
Military Officers Association of America
-- One Powerful Voice -- - For every officer at every stage of life and career -
*************
Heartland of America Chapter * * * * *
S ep t e mb e r 2 0 09 * * * * *
September 22nd Dinner Program will be at UNO Alumni Center!
Who Earned the First Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War?
Meet Him at Our September Dinner at the UNO Alumni Center!
It is on Tuesday, NOT Wednesday!
Check out our website at
www.HeartlandMOAA.us or call (402) 557-6780
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The Bulletin Board Is the Newsletter of the Heartland of America Chapter
of the Military Officers Association of America. Content is from members, MOAA internet mail, MOAA’s Affiliate, and other military-oriented sources. Material used
is public domain or attributed as to source **********************
Lt Colonel Patrick Jones, USAF (Ret) Webmaster & Editor Colonel Quinn Smith, AUS (Ret), Contributing Editor Emeritus
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
The end of summer is near and a flurry of activities will be
happening in the coming months. For those of you who plan on attending the Offutt Air Show, please note the MOAA ad in the
program. I hope you have great weather for the show.
Unfortunately, Mimi and I will miss the air show this year. We
will be attending our son’s graduation from the ―Missile Defense
School‖ in Colorado Springs. Before you know it, we will also be participating in the annual Bellevue
―Veterans’ Day Parade. Hope to see you at
that one.
August’s program speaker, Joel Long, gave
our group an excellent presentation on the
founding, current operations, and future
prospects for the Omaha World-Herald. Throughout the program he interspersed tidbits of Omaha history. One of the most
interesting for me was the fact that back when the paper was
founded there were about 5 or 6 bars in Omaha for every church.
Most towns back then had the opposite with 3 or 4 churches for
every bar. The Wild West must have been alive and well here.
I continue to see heavy email traffic with regard to the health care proposals. It is
heartening to see both veterans and the general public continue to show concern
about what is being proposed. Unfortunately, with the number of bills that appear to be floating around along with the lack of specifics, many are receiving information
that may or may not be accurate. I encourage you to keep informed, express your
feelings, and pass them on if you feel they are important. Some of the best emails
that I have seen have provided the specific line in the bill and the subject. I attended one forum last week that had four Omaha-area physicians on the program.
The most interesting comments were from the two doctors who had actually worked
in the Canadian and British systems. One could only wish that all of Congress would
hear their words prior to rushing any legislation. The MOAA website continues to provide the latest on the healthcare debate and how it may or may not affect us. I
suggest you sign up for any email notifications they may have.
Volume XXIII Number 9 September 2009
Our speaker, Joel Long
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As you are aware, BG Cohen and I served on the Adjutant General Selection
Committee. Governor Heineman interviewed four of the applicants and selected BG
Judd Lyons to be the next Adjutant General. BG Lyons has extensive time in the National Guard. In fact, his wife and two of their sons also serve in the Guard. Mimi
& I had the opportunity to attend the Change of Command on a beautiful Sunday
morning. We enjoyed our time there. BG Lyons has agreed to be a speaker at one of
our future meetings.
Finally, our September meeting will be truly special. Col Roger Donlon, the first
recipient of the Medal of Honor in Vietnam, will be our featured speaker. We are
hosting this along with the University of Nebraska, Omaha. Please note that this event will take place on the UNO campus. Times, location, and meal information are
located on the event page in this newsletter. Please let your friends know about this
event and invite them.
Thanks again for your time and support. -- Rene Dreiling, 402-592-3902,
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army. Place and date: Near Nam Dong,
Republic of Vietnam, 6 July 1964. Entered service at: Fort Chaffee, Ark. Born: 30 January 1934, Saugerties, N.Y. G.O. No.: 41, 17 December 1964. Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call
of duty while defending a U.S. military installation against a fierce attack by hostile
forces. Capt. Donlon was serving as the commanding officer of the U.S. Army Special Forces Detachment A-726 at Camp Nam Dong when a reinforced Viet Cong battalion
suddenly launched a full-scale, predawn attack on the camp. During the violent
battle that ensued, lasting 5 hours and resulting in heavy casualties on both sides,
Capt. Donlon directed the defense operations in the midst of an enemy barrage of mortar shells, falling grenades, and extremely heavy gunfire. Upon the initial
onslaught, he swiftly marshaled his forces and ordered the removal of the needed
ammunition from a blazing building. He then dashed through a hail of small arms
and exploding hand grenades to abort a breach of the main gate. Enroute to this
position he detected an enemy demolition team of 3 in the proximity of the main gate and quickly annihilated them. Although exposed to the intense grenade attack,
he then succeeded in reaching a 60mm mortar position despite sustaining a severe
stomach wound as he was within 5 yards of the gun pit. When he discovered that
most of the men in this gun pit were also wounded, he completely disregarded his own injury, directed their withdrawal to a location 30 meters away, and again risked
his life by remaining behind and covering the movement with the utmost
effectiveness. Noticing that his team sergeant was unable to evacuate the gun pit he
crawled toward him and, while dragging the fallen soldier out of the gun pit, an enemy mortar exploded and inflicted a wound in Capt. Donlon's left shoulder.
Although suffering from multiple wounds, he carried the abandoned 60mm mortar
weapon to a new location 30 meters away where he found 3 wounded defenders.
After administering first aid and encouragement to these men, he left the weapon
with them, headed toward another position, and retrieved a 57mm recoilless rifle.
Then with great courage and coolness under fire, he returned to the abandoned gun
pit, evacuated ammunition for the 2 weapons, and while crawling and dragging the
urgently needed ammunition, received a third wound on his leg by an enemy hand grenade. Despite his critical physical condition, he again crawled 175 meters to an
81mm mortar position and directed firing operations which protected the seriously
threatened east sector of the camp. He then moved to an eastern 60mm mortar
position and upon determining that the vicious enemy assault had weakened, crawled back to the gun pit with the 60mm mortar, set it up for defensive
operations, and turned it over to 2 defenders with minor wounds. Without
hesitation, he left this sheltered position, and moved from position to position
around the beleaguered perimeter while hurling hand grenades at the enemy and inspiring his men to superhuman effort. As he bravely continued to move around the
perimeter, a mortar shell exploded, wounding him in the face and body. As the long
awaited daylight brought defeat to the enemy forces and their retreat back to the
jungle leaving behind 54 of their dead, many weapons, and grenades, Capt. Donlon immediately reorganized his defenses and administered first aid to the wounded. His
dynamic leadership, fortitude, and valiant efforts inspired not only the American
personnel but the friendly Vietnamese defenders as well and resulted in the
successful defense of the camp. Capt. Donlon's extraordinary heroism, at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
Welcome New MOAA Members (from Richard Doolittle, Col USAF Ret)
Here are the names ot new national members
recruited at the BX on August 12, 2009. We
welcome them to our chapter and hope all can meet them at a future event. There is
strength in numbers when dealing with
Congress. Those who serve, and their
families, deserve proper benefits, care, and reward for their service to our country. The
great majority of the nation’s citizens will
never wear a uniform and must be reminded
from time to time about the uniqueness of military service. The more members MOAA
and other service-related groups have, the
louder our voices are. So please welcome
these new members and perhaps ask others
to join.
Geoffrey Mann Major, USAF, Tim McDowell Capt, USAF, Sam Allmond LTC USA,
Benjamin Walborn Lt, USN, Michael Walter Ensign, USN, Amanda Myers LtCol USAF,
Cody Porter Capt USAF, Alexa Quandt Capt USAF, and Eric Lewine 1Lt USAF.
John Williamson and Dan Donovan
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MOAA Scholarship Fund Recipients (by Rene Dreiling)
I recently received the list of recipients of MOAA Interest Free Loans and/or Designated Scholarships. Many of these students are from the local area. If you
know any of them, please give them you best wishes.
Bellevue: Rachel Beach, Christopher Trageser, Elizabeth Nicholson, Crystal Olson, Olivia Sather
Ft Calhoun: Lindsey Kethan, Matthew Roberts, Brian Kethan
Papillion: Andrea Tarrell, Ariel Tarrell, Leah Turner, Meghan Vilter
Offutt AFB: Ashleigh Herd Unadilla: Kirsten Lewis
Lincoln: Nicholas Brown
Loup City: Brett Kuhn
Scottsbluff: Morgan Weitzel
Persia IA: Taylor Dailey
Chapter Programs Through December 2009 (contributed by Director Larry Bradley, Program Chairman)
In August we were back at Anthony’s. Our speaker was Joel Long, the Public
Relations Director for the Omaha World Herald. His talk was titled, The Omaha World
Herald—Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. It was very informative for all us transient military folks who are not long term residents of the community.
On the evening of
September 22, in coordination with
UNO, our speaker
will be the first
Medal of Honor
recipient from the Vietnam War, COL
Roger Donlon. He
will be part of the
UNO lecture series. The meeting will
take place at the
Alumni Center on
the UNO campus. Please ask your
friends and
members of the
active and retired
military community to attendi if possible.
October’s program has not been set yet, but will be at Anthony’s. November’s
Some of our chapter members who attended the Night Out at the Ball Game July 29th.
L-R: Max Moore, Dora Bruck, Loretta Doolittle,Bonnie Comstock, Judy Onken,
BeverlyBrazda,Thelma (Myrt) Howard, Paula Muth, Larry Bradley
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program will be our usual event with the ROTC detachments locally and our
December program will be our Holiday Party and Officer Installation.
Your suggestions and recommendations for other meeting activities and speakers are very much encouraged and appreciated. Your suggestions and
recommendations for other meeting activities and speakers are encouraged and
appreciated. Call or email Larry Bradley. 402.321.4851 or [email protected].
TRICARE Contracts Under Protest (from MOAA Internet update 14 Aug)
Last month, the Defense Department announced that the TRICARE contract for the
North region (from North Carolina to Wisconsin and northeast) would be awarded to
Aetna Government Health Plans, and the contract for the South region (from Texas
to South Carolina) would be awarded to UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services. The contract changeover wasn't scheduled until next year, to allow for a 10-month
transition period.
But the current contractors for those regions (Health Net Federal Services for the
North region and Humana Military Healthcare Services for the South) have filed formal protests of DoD's decision.
As a result, a "stop work" order has been issued on the contract changeover until
the Government Accountability Office (GAO) rules on the validity of the protests. That ruling is supposed to come within 100 days.
What's the likelihood that the protest could nullify the award? It's possible, but our
non-insider guess is it's unlikely.
Barring that possibility, the practical effect for beneficiaries is a delay in the
effective date of the contract changeover until sometime next fall.
We'll provide more on the implications of the contract changes in future updates. It should be noted that the contract service for the Omaha area is not affected.
COLA Watch (from CPI info recently released)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics just announced the monthly consumer price index
for July. The CPI is the measure used to make adjustments to military retired pay,
survivor benefits, Social Security and other federal pensions.
The CPI-W for July is 210.526 which is down 0.2% from the June figure of 210.972.
The CPI-W July value of 210.526 is now down 2.3% from the 2008 COLA Base of 215.5.
The July value will be averaged with the August and September values to determine
the 2010 COLA. Since it is apparent that the CPI-W will be down from the 2008 COLA Base, it is expected that there will be no 2010 COLA.
(growing to $100 a month over five years) as a ―modest‖ first step toward resolving
the inequity.
Modest indeed; most affected widows deemed it a slap in the face, considering it
offset less than 5 percent of their financial loss.
Hill leaders’ rationale for not providing more was the difficulty of finding offsetting
cost savings to fund a larger amount within congressional budget rules.
While deeply disappointed, MOAA took heart that Congress finally had acknowledged
the inequity and pledged to do more.
But our disappointment deepened last year when the FY 2009 Defense Authorization
Act produced no further progress.
This spring, House Armed Services Chair Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) put a provision in a
tobacco bill that would have increased the allowance to $95 in 2010 and to $345 by
2013. But even that small adjustment was slashed and deferred in the final bill (to
$150 in FY 2014, growing to $310 in 2017).
There’s one more hope this year, because Sen. Bill Nelson’s (D-Fla.) amendment to
the Senate-passed Defense Authorization Act (S. 1390) would eliminate the offset.
But Nelson won a similar provision last year only to see it dropped during House-
Senate negotiations — again because of the lack of cost offsets.
So the stage is set for another disappointment for military widows this year.
MOAA can’t accept that.
We understand the Armed Services committees don’t have authority to waive budget
rules. When they do identify some possible cost offset, they face hard choices
between helping widows, disabled retirees, or some other deserving group.
But top Hill leaders have come through on other provisions of the GI Bill of Rights for
the 21st Century — including a dramatic VA funding hike and the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
They didn’t worry about cost offsets for the huge GI Bill price tag or the hundreds of
billions for stimulus/bailout legislation. And they’re talking about waiving cost offset
requirements for hundreds of billions more in Medicare payment reforms.
But they say they can’t waive those requirements for military widows’ relief costing
less than $7 billion over 10 years.
As of early August, a majority of U.S representatives (281) and 52 senators formally
have endorsed ending the ―widow’s tax.‖ So why isn’t it happening?
Hill leaders’ selective application of budget offset rules yields an ironic and
maddening situation.
The government that caused the service members’ deaths deducts $1,150 a month
from survivors’ SBP annuities and offers them a $50 rebate.
It’s a national embarrassment.
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Wounded Warrior Issues Forum (MOAA news release 2009/08/24)
Alexandria, Va., — The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and the U.S.
Naval Institute (USNI) will host a one-day Defense Forum Washington - ―Coping
With Unseen Injuries: From Battlefield to HomeFront‖ on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road in Alexandria, Va.
Admiral Mike Mullen, USN, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will kick off the
event as the keynote speaker. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Registration and the
schedule are available at www.defenseforumwashington.com.
Key uniformed service and Administration leaders, legislators, health care providers,
and wounded warriors and family members will join fellow concerned professionals
to discuss subjects such as suicide, the unseen injuries of war — especially traumatic brain injury (TBI), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) —and progress to date on
various pilot projects to improve programs and support for wounded warriors. MOAA
organizers say the symposium will measure progress to date, highlighting problems
encountered, and assessing additional options to sustain momentum and achieve
common objectives. Questions from the audience will be taken.
Panel topics include:
"Managing the Battlefield & Beyond – A Leadership View"
"Implications of Unseen Injuries: How Do We Respond on the Homefront?" and "Caring for Families & Caregivers: Facing the Truth"
―Response to this Forum in the past two years has been overwhelming and
extremely productive,‖ said retired Navy Vice Adm. Norb Ryan, MOAA’s president.
―It is clear that this Forum goes a long way toward promoting discussion and action as we tackle this set of issues that are so vitally important to military people, their
families, and our nation.‖
The Defense Forum, including lunch, is free to active duty, National Guard and Reserve military members; USNI-MOAA member’s cost is $40, MOAA spouses are
$40, non-members are $65, and students are $25. To learn more about ―Coping With
Unseen Injuries: From Battlefield to HomeFront‖ or to register, visit www.usni.org.
Online Registration closes at noon on Wednesday, 9 September 2009. To register by
phone please call: (800) 233-8764 or (410) 268-6110.
There will be two Hilton Alexandria Mark Center shuttles running all day to & from
the Pentagon Metrorail Station, & one to and from the King Street Metrorail Station.
MOAA is the United States' largest veteran’s organization for active duty, National Guard, Reserve, former and retired military officers, their families and surviving
spouses. The association promotes a strong national defense by lobbying for
equitable benefits for those who serve and have served their country in military,
including health care, pay, allowances, and family issues.
Founded in 1873, the U. S. Naval Institute is a non-profit, non-partisan professional
membership association whose threefold mission is to provide an independent forum
for thoughtful dialogue on issues of national security; to support the men & women
of the Armed Forces & their families; & to preserve and promote our Naval Heritage.
USNI publishes Proceedings and Naval History magazines; its Naval Institute Press
publishes more than 75 professional and mission-related books each year.
Death of a WWII Vet (from a friend on the internet)
I want a nationwide memorial service for Darrell "Shifty" Powers. Shifty
volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Infantry. If you've seen
Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel, you know Shifty. His character
appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them.
I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn't know who he was
at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket. I
offered to help, assured him that he was at the right gate, and noticed the
"Screaming Eagle", the symbol of the 101st Airborne, on his hat.
Making conversation, I asked him if he'd been in the 101st Airborne or if his son
was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many jumps he made.
Quietly and humbly, he said "Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so, and was in until sometime in 1945 . . . " at which point my heart skipped.
At that point, again, very humbly, he said "I made the 5 training jumps at Toccoa,
and then jumped into Normandy . . . . do you know where Normandy is? At this point my heart stopped.
I told him yes, I know exactly where Normandy was, and I know what D-Day was At that point he said "I also made a second jump into Holland, into Arnhem.
I was standing with a genuine war hero . . . . and then I realized that it was June,
just after the anniversary of D-Day.
I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France, and he said "Yes. And it's real
sad because these days so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them
can't make the trip." My heart was in my throat and I didn’t know what to say.
I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in Coach, while I
was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I
wanted him to have it, that I'd take his in coach.
He said "No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and still care is enough to make an old man very happy." His
eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming up now as I write this.
Shifty died on June 17 after fighting cancer. There was no parade. No big event in
Staples Center. No wall to wall back to back 24x7 news coverage. No weeping fans
on television. And that's not right. Let's give Shifty his own Memorial Service, in our
own quiet way.
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Special Membership Offer 1
2009
Paid Membership Enrollment
SPECIAL OFFER: Members/Auxiliary Members* Two Years for $28
*Surviving spouse of eligible officer.
Name ______________________________________
Branch of Service _____________________ Rank_______
□ Ret i r ed □ Act ive □ Former Officer
□ Reserve □ National Guard □ NOAA
□ USPHS □Auxiliary (Surviving spouse of eligible officer)
Address ____________________________________
City ___________________ State_____ Zip ________
Date of Birth ________________________________
Phone Number _______________________________
E-mail Address _______________________________
Chapter Name Heartland of America, Bellevue NE
Chapter Recruiter ____________________________
Are you currently an MOAA chapter member?
□ Yes □ No
Chapter Name Heartland of America Chapter, Bellevue NE
Spouse Name ________________________________
Spouse Day and Month of Birth ___________________
We value your privacy. MOAA does not rent or sell e-mails to third parties. You will You will receive e-communications from MOAA. See
In 2008, there were 41 donors who donated $891.00 for Projects support, and $173.00 for Operations support. Donor thank you letters included tax-exempt status amounts for tax filing. For 2009, the list so far has 31 donors with 2 anonymous: Frank A. Bianco, Larry R. Bradley, Wayne W. Brunz, Edward L Burchfield, Richard C. Carver, Elmador J. Castater, Paul G. Cohen, Thomas E. de Shazo, Jr., Martha M. Didamo, Daniel J. Donovan, William L. Doyle, Jr., Rene Dreiling, Norris N. Erickson, Robert L. Fuhr, John T. Hoffmann, Cynthia L. Keyes, William V. Kinch, Frederick G. Lagergren, Theresa A. Lehigh, Paula R. Muth, E. Gordon Pahre, Clifford L. Pratt, Audrey S. Reding, Lamont E. Rousseau, Betty A. Salistean, Quinn G. Smith, Carolyn Standerwick, Lewis M Weigand, Everett A. Wrage
In Memory of
Ben F. Comstock POW WWII 8 Dec 1941
Past National Director AMERICAN
EX-PRISONERS OF WAR 2806 Nottingham Drive
Bellevue NE 68123
Beardmore 1209
SAC 0610
14
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May they not be forgotten –
The men and women who have answered the call and paid the ultimate price so that we and future generations could have the freedoms so cherished by human beings. We must ever be vigilant and prepared to defend our way of life against those who would deny it. Callous politicians, power hungry egoists, corrupt individuals, adversarial religions, and even our latest self-oriented generations pose grave threat to the preservation of what many take for granted. Every citizen should take a few moments from time to time and reflect on the benefits we have in our country. They then should give thanks to those who have served to preserve it. Hopefully they will also pledge to do their part to keep it.
-- pj
Rick’s Rentals 0609
Peg Maloney
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9805 Giles Rd - Omaha NE 68128
Peg Maloney 0610
15
Heartland of America Chapter Military Officers Association of America, MOAA
SPECIAL Dinner Meeting - Tuesday, September 22, 2009 Thompson Alumni Center, UNO Campus, 6705 W. Dodge St.
PLEASE NOTE ALL THE CHANGES, ESPECIALLY THE DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS!
Reservations should be emailed to our central email address or phoned to Paula Muth. Please specify names of attendees and a phone number in case we need to contact you.
DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS - end of day, Thursday, 17 September. We cannot accept any cancellations or additions after that time.
Dinner by Brandeis Catering: $25.00 (includes gratuity and tax) Grilled Chicken served with Au Gratin Potatoes
Original Greek Salad
Seasonal Vegetable
Payment will be collected in the party room. MUST HAVE CORRECT MONEY OR CHECK (preferred). We will not have change available. Checks should be made out to : MOAA, Heartland Chapter.
Directions to Thompson Alumni Center, 6705 W. Dodge St., Omaha
---From the West: on Dodge St. going East, past 72nd St., the right hand lane forces a right turn into UNO. At that intersection, University Drive South, the Thompson
Alumni Center is on the right. Turn right, then turn right again into the parking lot.
---From the East: You cannot turn left from Dodge St. onto University Dr. South by
the Alumni Center, so you should turn left from Dodge St. onto Elmwood Park Rd. (a jughandle left turn is there, near the Memorial Park pedestrian overpass). After the
left turn, turn right onto University Drive North, parallel to Dodge St. for
approximately 3/4 mile, past the Durham Science Center, across the intersection
and into the Thompson Alumni Center parking lot.
Program September 22nd
Our speaker will be Col. Roger Donlon, the first Medal of Honor recipient in the Vietnam war.
Remember the expression, ―The more the merrier?‖ We encourage
you to help make our monthly meetings even merrier throughout the
coming year with your presence. We strive to provide three things with our meetings: camaraderie, a good meal and a stimulating
program. We’ll do our best to provide the last two, but only you can
increase the camaraderie we share. Please attend… we need you!
I intend to provide the best possible programs to make our meetings enjoyable and
a want to attend event. Please send me your suggestions and recommendations for
other meeting activities and speakers. Call or email Larry Bradley. 402.321.4851 or
