PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS February is here; only six weeks until Spring!! I was born in February along with Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln but I find myself in the minority when singing February's praises. The days are getting longer, we've adjusted to the chilly weather and winter driving, and we enjoy the warmth of getting together with our WMMOA friends. Our social hour on Feb 10th will feature Holly Swartz discussing her experience with Family Read- iness Groups at Battery, Battalion and Brigade levels. Suc- cessful leaders know they must take care of soldiers and that includes their families. MAJ (USAF Ret) John McDonald will conclude his riveting story of his family's life as Japa- nese Prisoners of War in the Philippines during World War II at our February Luncheon on Friday, 17 February. Both events will be at the Doubletree. While February may be a quiet month, it opens the door to events such as the University of Montana ROTC Military Ball on Friday, March 10th and the UM ROTC Awards Cer- emony on Wednesday, March 29. Many of us are proud graduates of the UM ROTC program, both Army and Air Force, and enjoy our interaction with their leaders of to- morrow. Your WMMOA Board has instituted a new program where we will order your nametag when you first join as a member and it is going to be retroactive from September 2016. We'll ask how you want your name shown, such as a nickname, and we'll have it waiting for you at the next month’s social hour or luncheon. If you want your spouse to have a name tag you will have to pay for that one yourself or if you have to replace a lost one, the cost is $10.00. Many of us are at the age where we remember fac- es but sometimes can't recall the name. If you've recently joined or had a name tag on order in the past two months but have not received it, please let us know. You can con- tact Mike at [email protected], Cindy at babcin- [email protected], or any other board member. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH SOCIAL HOUR DOUBLETREE HOTEL 6:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M. $9.00 PER PERSON “AND THERE I WAS...” GUEST SPEAKER HOLLY SWARTZ “TAKING CARE OF THE FAMILY SIDE OF THE MILITARY” FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH LUNCHEON DOUBLETREE HOTEL 11:30 a.m.– 1:00 p.m. $15.00 PER PERSON BUFFET LUNCHEON GUEST SPEAKER Maj JOHN MCDONALD (USA/Ret) “ PART 2: HIDING FROM THE JAPANESE IN WWII” Website www.wmmoa.org FEBRUARY 2017
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PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS
February is here; only six weeks until Spring!! I was born in February along with Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln but I find myself in the minority when singing February's praises. The days are getting longer, we've adjusted to the chilly weather and winter driving, and we enjoy the warmth of getting together with our WMMOA friends. Our social hour on Feb 10th will feature
Holly Swartz discussing her experience with Family Read-iness Groups at Battery, Battalion and Brigade levels. Suc-cessful leaders know they must take care of soldiers and that includes their families. MAJ (USAF Ret) John McDonald
will conclude his riveting story of his family's life as Japa-nese Prisoners of War in the Philippines during World War II at our February Luncheon on Friday, 17 February. Both
events will be at the Doubletree. While February may be a quiet month, it opens the door to events such as the University of Montana ROTC Military Ball on Friday, March 10th and the UM ROTC Awards Cer-emony on Wednesday, March 29. Many of us are proud graduates of the UM ROTC program, both Army and Air Force, and enjoy our interaction with their leaders of to-morrow. Your WMMOA Board has instituted a new program where
we will order your nametag when you first join as a member and it is going to be retroactive from September 2016. We'll ask how you want your name shown, such as a nickname, and we'll have it waiting for you at the next month’s social hour or luncheon. If you want your spouse to have a name tag you will have to pay for that one yourself or if you have to replace a lost one, the cost is $10.00. Many of us are at the age where we remember fac-es but sometimes can't recall the name. If you've recently joined or had a name tag on order in the past two months but have not received it, please let us know. You can con-tact Mike at [email protected], Cindy at [email protected], or any other board member.
(President’s comments continued) Your WMMOA Board continues to work with the Valor House and the Missoula Housing Authority to ensure that our members have a clear understanding of the process for getting homeless Veterans into Valor House. Last but not least, be planning to attend this year's banquet on April 29 at 6:00 at the Doubletree. Brigadier General (US Army Ret) Colleen McGuire, a Missoula native, will be our speaker. The banquet is always a combination of great food, presentation, and camaraderie. There will be more information coming about the speaker and meal in the next newsletter. There is a RSVP form in this newsletter for those that really are organized and like to plan ahead. I hope to see you there. Gary Swartz, WMMOA President
Our Own WMMOA Challenge Coin
These are available for purchase by our membership for
$10.00. Please see Mike Schauf for more details.
March 10 Social Hour
March 17 Luncheon
April 14 Social Hour
Annual Banquet
Saturday, April 29th
ARE YOU MISSING MEDALS OR RIBBONS FROM YOUR MILITARY SERVICE?
As we begin preparations for the Annual WMMOA Banquet, the Board would like to encourage our
membership to “wear their colors”. Over the last few year, we have encouraged members to don their
uniform (assuming they still fit?!), or just wear your medals or ribbons. You earned the recognition, so
display the wear! It is of course not required, but we have seen an increase in members wearing them to
events...Good On You. Not everyone kept uniforms and ‘accoutrements’ when they separated or retired,
but these are several companies that can help in reassembling your awards. We have included the websites
below. Medals of America is a good source and one that also produces ‘mini ribbons’...a full set of your
ribbons with attachments that are much smaller and fit easily on a jacket lapel. The Ultra Thin company
also does an outstanding job on all ribbon, medal, and mini medal sets. It you have questions on any of
these or other organizations that can help in the process, please don’t hesitate to contact Mike Schauf or
any of the other Board members. Looking forward to seeing you all “sporting finery at the April Banquet.
http//www.ultrathin.com www.medalsofamerica.com
WMMOA ANNUAL BANQUET RSVP
SATURDAY, April 29th
6 pm Social ~ 7 pm Dinner
Doubletree Hotel
$35.00 per person
Name ________________________________________________________
Spouse name ___________________________________________________(if attending)
