Volume XLI Number 5 May 2016 Published Monthly (Except July) PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE COL Boyd Nix CHOOSING A VICE PRESIDENT John Adams once wrote, "My country has in its wisdom contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived." At the time he was speaking of our Nation's vice presidency! That's right. Our first ever Vice President thought the position was useless. The United States Vice President is the Nation's secondhighest ranking public official. The office of vice president, along with the presidency, is created by the United States Constitution. The position and its responsibilities are listed in Article II. Recent Vice Presidents, like Dick Cheney and Joe Biden, are high-profile officials and play large government roles. Vice President Cheney was known for making important policy decisions, sometimes even without the knowledge of thenserving President George W. Bush. Vice President Biden serves more in an advisory PG role to President Barack Obama. Either way, John Adams' statement had some TABLE OF CONTENTS 1-2 truth to it. The role of vice president started as an insignificant position, but grew President’s Perspective over time. In Memory of E. Hinojosa 2 Today, presidential nominees choose their running mates. A running mate is a vice presidential candidate whose name will appear along with the presidential candidate's on the voting ballot. Together, the presidential candidate and the vice presidential candidate make up the political party's ticket. The vice president is then elected, along with the president, through the Electoral College. The Electoral College is a body of electors chosen by the voters in each state to elect the president and vice president of the U.S. Generally, each state is assigned a certain number of electors, based on the state's population. When a voter, like you or me, casts a vote, the vote is applied toward the electoral vote. The state then casts its electoral votes according to the number of popular votes each candidate received. Legislative Affairs Membership Scholarship/CS Program 3 4 5 Top Cadets Recognized April Dinner Photos 6 7 2016 Executive Board 8 Honor Flight Photos Surviving Spouses 9 10 June Event 11 However, this wasn't the original process. Prior to the 12th Amendment, which refined the process by which the president and the vice president were elected, our vice president was simply the runner-up. Electors used to only vote for the office of president. The candidate with the second greatest number of votes became vice president. This system may have contributed to Adams' and other early vice presidents' frustration! The Constitution tells us that the president serves as the head of the federal government's executive branch. Though the vice president is often considered to be the president's ceremonial assistant, the Constitution doesn't assign the vice president to a specific branch of government. Some experts believe the vice president serves in the executive branch, while others believe the vice president is part of the legislative branch. This is probably because the Constitution limits the role of the vice president to only two responsibilities. The first is executive. It is to fulfill the role of president should the president become unable to fulfill his or her duties. The second is legislative. It is to preside over the Senate. ~continued~ May 2016 VIPMOAA Newsletter Most people are familiar with the duty to succeed the president. The vice president steps into the presidency if the president dies, becomes disabled, resigns, or otherwise becomes unable to perform his or her duties while in office. This is known as presidential succession and is perhaps the vice president's most important role. Notably, it has occurred nine times in our history. Eight presidents died in office and one resigned. For this reason, selecting a capable vice presidential running mate can often bolster a presidential candidate's appeal. Dick Cheney was a former Secretary of Defense and widely viewed as a competent choice. Sarah Palin was a relatively unknown governor of Alaska and viewed as inexperienced. Her selection may have ultimately hurt McCain's presidential bid. Fewer people understand the importance of the vice president's role in the Senate. The vice president serves as president of the Senate and casts the deciding vote if there is a tie. This important duty came into play during Bill Clinton's presidency. Vice President Al Gore cast the crucial vote to pass the president's budget proposal. Boyd IN MEMORIUM Col Ernest (Ernie) A. Hinojosa, Jr, USA-Ret Former chapter president, Col Ernest (Ernie) A. Hinojosa, Jr., USA-Ret, passed away on Friday, April 22nd at the age of 94. He proudly served in the U.S. Army for 36 years and, during his career, served in the European Theatre of Operations in WW II and in the Viet Nam War. Following his retirement in 1978, he continued his association with the military through his active participation with TROA/MOAA for almost 30 years. He initially became a chapter member of the Crescent City Chapter in 1984 when it was “re-chartered” and eventually served as a Director, Vice President, and President of the chapter. He also actively participated with the Louisiana Council of Chapters from 1989-1993 and served as the President of the Council from 1993-1997. He was also very active in other communityrelated activities in Louisiana following his retirement to include serving on the Ft. Polk Army Retiree Council representing Southeast Louisiana from 1994-2001, serving as a volunteer with the Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross from 1979-2002 and performed as the Director of Emergency Services and as the Chairman of the “Service to Military Families Committee.” He and his wife moved to Williamsburg, VA in 2002 to become closer to their family. After the move, he became a member of the VIPMOAA Chapter. During his affiliation with the chapter, he served as a Director, Hospitality Chairman, 2nd Vice President, and was the chapter President in 2007 and 2008. He agreed to serve as President of the chapter at a time when the chapter was struggling to fill its leadership position at the personal request of MOAA’s Director of Council and Chapter Affairs at the age of 83! His stewardship during his time as President contributed significantly to “reinvigorating” the chapter as reflected in the chapter’s receiving MOAA National’s ”5 Star Level of Excellence” awards during both of the years he served as President. He received the MOAA National “Chairman’s Award,” the highest award presented by them, in 2010 in recognition for his lengthy and dedicated service to MOAA and its members. Following his term of Presidency, Ernie continued to actively participate on the VIPMOAA Chapter Board of Directors as “Past President” until his health began deteriorating. He is survived by his wife, Pat, who faithfully supported him in his military and MOAA activities throughout the years, four children, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He will be buried at Arlington Cemetery at a time yet to be designated. 2 May 2016 VIPMOAA Newsletter LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COL Jim Pauls Congress is now in the process of developing a FY2017 Defense Bill. Last week, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) completed its actions on the Defense Bill and some of the most significant aspects of its deliberations include: Rejecting the Obama Administration’s proposal to “Cap” the proposed pay raise for active duty members in 2017 at 1.6% and proposes to provide service members a 2.1% pay raise instead. Rejecting the Obama Administration’s proposed military force reductions and raised proposed “force levels” by 20,000 for the Army, 15,000 for the Army National Guard, 4,000 for the Air Force, and 3.000 for the Marines. Agreed to reduce Naval forces by 4,600 which is 1700 less than DoD had requested. Extending the “Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance” for one year. The allowance of $310/month, was established in 2008 to provide some incremental relief to survivors negatively affected by the SBP-DIC offset problem known as the “Widows Tax.” It was scheduled to expire at the end of FY16. Approving some major changes to military Health Care: o Instituting a new TRICARE fee structure similar to what is being proposed by DoD which would apply to new military members beginning in 2018. Currently serving and retired service members and families would be “grandfathered” against the significantly larger fees proposed in the Obama Administration’s proposed FY2017 Defense Budget. o The HASC proposed Bill would make NO fee changes to “TRICARE For Life” or “TRICARE Prime” although the HASC is considering changing the current TRICARE “Standard” program to a “preferred provider system” with “flat-dollar” copays for most doctor visits. Fee increases in the future would be indexed by COLA rather than the (considerably higher) “Health Care Inflation Index” proposed by DoD. o Bill would direct placing ALL Military Treatment Facilities (“MTFs”) under the direction of the Defense Health Agency effective October 1, 2018, in order to achieve “unified policy, administration, and budgeting.” Authorizes DoD to implement “variable pricing strategies” and begin stocking “house brand” products at commissaries nationwide. It does require that current patron savings and satisfaction levels must be maintained, “benchmarks” for those measures must be established, and quarterly reports must be made to track progress. Opposition to requests by DoD officials and some Service leaders to consider another round of “Base Realignment and Closures (BRAC)” because of “excess infrastructure!” 3 May 2016 VIPMOAA Newsletter CURRENT MEMBERSHIP TOTAL MEMBERS: 309 REGULAR: 231 SURVIVING SPOUSES: 78 REPORT CHANGES TO MEMBERSHIP CHAIR Please report change(s) of address, rank, marital status, phone number, or email, as well as death of member or spouse to [email protected]. Colonel Thomas Russell, USA/Ret, Patriots Colony TAPS: Colonel Earnest Hinojosa, USA/Ret, 22 April 2016 4 May 2016 VIPMOAA Newsletter VIPMOAA SCHOLARSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Academic Year 2015/2016 As our Chapter membership knows, 1 July 2015 started a new subject outreach program. We were very successful last academic year and are now able to award $700.00 educational scholarships to all 11 high schools in our geographic area. Major contributors for 2014/2015 academic year: Bryce and Anita Hollingsworth Fred and Donna Malvin Tess Matteson --------------------------------------Academic Year 2015/2016------------------------------------- DIAMOND LEVEL ($1000.00 plus) Bryce & Anita Hollingsworth, Fred & Donna Malvin, Tess Matteson PLATINUM LEVEL ($500.00 to $999.99) GOLD LEVEL ($100.00 to $499.99) Joe Agee, William Beechel, R.D. Buchwald, John Corson, Stan & Frankie Gorrell (In Memory of Mary-Hunter Devlin), Elizabeth Hayes, Ernie Hinojosa, W.J. Jacoby, Jim Landrom, Norm Merski, Boyd & Sharon Nix, Jim O’Connell, Stanford Polonsky, Nita Ripple, Raymond Rosado, Helga Stouch, Charles Valliant, Ron & Anne Walker, Gloria & Robert Whitman, Allen Miller & Patricia Winterhalter VIPMOAA 2016 Military Community Service/Scholarship Fund Donations You may make a donation to the VIPMOAA Military Community Service/ Scholarship Fund when you send in your Reservation Coupon for the next VIPMOAA event. You may also submit a donation by sending a check directly to the VIPMOAA, Box 4305, Ft. Eustis, VA 236040305; ATTN: Military Community Service/Scholarship Fund Manager. SILVER LEVEL ($50.00 to $99.99) John Ancellotti, Jean Banks, Wivi Detlie, Frank Duckett, Ted & Gwen Fahrlender, Frederick Gemeinhardt, Raymond Holleran, Sally Lazorchak, Dudley Orr, Ann Propst, Larry Shoberg, Harold Story, Dorothy Wanke BRONZE LEVEL ($25.00 to $49.99) Sally Alberts, Gary Bill, Charles Burch, Ted Dupuy, Jim Edwards, Amy Moore, Patricia Meadow, James Meadows, Alphonso Mitchell, Donald Parks, Donald Ridenour, Roy Rogers, Clyde Spence, Lowell Stone, Harold Story, Joseph Swiney, Bill Turner, Dan Warren, William Young As of 6 May 2016 - Total $8,035.00 Special Donations given in Chapter Name: Fred & Donna Malvin – William & Mary Law School Puller Clinic Household Document Organization Margaret E. Mondul, CDR, USN (Ret.) Let Me Help YOU Organize, Understand and Prepare 757-220-9285 [email protected] National Association of Professional Organizers 5 May 2016 VIPMOAA Newsletter TOP VIRGINIA PENINSULA ROTC CADETS RECOGNIZED BY VIPMOAA On April 7th, junior year ROTC cadets at Hampton University and Christopher Newport U. were each presented the MOAA Leadership Medal and a VIPMOAA $100 check. Cadets Henry C. Fox of Christopher Newport University and Pierce Watson of Hampton University were recognized as the top Junior Year ROTC cadets on the VIRGINIA PENINSULA for 2016. Both cadets demonstrated exceptional potential for military leadership; a high order of loyalty to his unit, school and country; high moral character, and good academic standing. Our congratulations to these outstanding young leaders. VIPMOAA presenter Fred Malvin & CNU ROTC Leadership Award winner, Cadet Henry C. Fox. VIPMOAA presenter Norm Merski & Hampton U. ROTC Award winner, Cadet Pierce Watson. 6 May 2016 VIPMOAA Newsletter REAR ADMIRAL BRIAN K. ANTONIO SPEAKS AT OUR APRIL 28th DINNER AT PATIOT’S COLONY TABB JROTC Color Guard Admiral inspects & chit chats w/Tabb Cadet Honor Guard Member. Looking for the party room. All dinner tables were filled with about 88 attendees to include TABB color Guard. VIPMOAA MC Jim Pauls presents the Jefferson Cup to speaker Rear Admiral Antonio. Jim Pauls with Rear Admiral Antonio & his Mother & Father.. 7 May 2016 VIPMOAA Newsletter 2016 EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS (ELECTED) MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN: COL Don Klovstad, USAF (Ret) (Frances) [email protected] 757-728-0330 RECRUITING: CW2 Rich Bunger, USN (Ret) [email protected] 757-253-9118 PRESIDENT: COL Boyd Nix, USAF (Ret) (Sharon) [email protected] 757-221-8130 VICE PRESIDENT: CW3 Jim Flansburg, USA (Ret) (Jan) [email protected] 585-610-9519 SECRETARY: LTC Jay Harper, USA (Ret) (Ann Marie) [email protected] 757-867-9335 TREASURER: Mrs. Pat Farnsworth [email protected] 757-220-1853 IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: COL John Harms, USMC (Ret) (Bobbie) [email protected] 757-645-4771 COMMUNICATIONS CHAIRMAN: COL Dan Warren, USA (Ret) (Elaina) [email protected] 804-642-6597 ADVERTISING: CDR Margaret Mondul, USN (Ret) (Steve) [email protected] 757-220-9285 WEB MANAGER: LtCol Jeffrey Rowell, USAF (Ret) (Maureen) [email protected] 757-880-4078 PUBLICITY: COL Dan Warren, USA (Ret) NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Kathy Ridley [email protected] 203-415-7690 BOARD OFFICERS (APPOINTED) SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT: COL Ernie Hinojosa, USA (Ret) [email protected] VCOC REPRESENTATIVE: LTC Stan Gorrell USA (Ret) (Frankie) [email protected] 757-258-9442 SURVIVING SPOUSES LIAISON: Mrs. Kay Palko [email protected] 757-229-7231 ASST. TREASURER: CDR Fred Malvin, USN (Ret) (Donna) [email protected] 757-345-6548 LEGAL ADVISOR: COL Ron Smith, USA (Ret) (Barbara) [email protected] 757-345-5728 ROTC/JROTC CHAIRMAN: COL Norm Merski, USA (Ret) [email protected] 757-345-9352 CO-CHAIRMAN: COL Ron Corson USA (Ret) [email protected] 757-253-1311 PERSONAL AFFAIRS CHAIRMAN: LTC Jay Harper, USA (Ret) CHAPLAIN: CAPT Larry Shoberg, USN (Ret) (Karen) [email protected] 757-565-1264 COMMITTEES CHAPTER EVENTS CHAIRMAN: CW3 Jim Flansburg, USA (Ret) PROGRAMS/SPEAKERS: COL Calvin Hall, USAF (Ret) (Trinity) [email protected] 505-681-1288 FUND RAISING: COL Gloria Diggs, USA (Ret) 804-725-2305 VIPMOAA BOARD MEETINGS Thursday: June 9, August 11, September 8 10:00 A.M. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS CHAIRMAN: COL Jim Pauls, USAF (Ret) (Marvella) [email protected] 757-851-1141 VICE-CHAIRMAN: Dr. Bill Tunner (Sallie) [email protected] 804-824-2006 MEMBERS: LTC Charley Burch, USAF (Ret) (Nancy) [email protected] 804-776-0126 COL Joe Syslo, USAF (Ret) (Teri) [email protected] 804-925-6590 COL Ron Smith, USA (Ret) LTC Stan Gorrell, USA (Ret) COL John Harms, USMC (Ret) Rocco’s Smokehouse Grill 207 Bypass Road Williamsburg, VA 23185-2920 (757) 253-8550 www.mirabellasgrille.net Members are welcome to attend and may also submit proposed agenda items in advance to the President. 8 May 2016 VIPMOAA Newsletter HONOR FLIGHT PROGRAM APRIL 23rd ATTENDED BY VIPMOAA MEMBERS & TABB JROTC CADETS Left to right, WWII & Korea war vets waiting to be honored, VIPMOAA Pres & VP w/wives at Honor Flight Program, & Korea war vet talks about his military service. On right, VIPMOAA Pres & VP w/wives visit w/ Congressman Rob Wittman (Main speaker at the Honor Flight Program). Above, TABB JROTC cadets join w/VIPMOAA attendees at Honor Flight Program. Cadets helped load water and supplies on veteran busses. TABB JROTC cadets receive annual awards from VIPMOAA. On right, WWII Vet walks through Coast Guard Honor Guard onto Honor Flight bus for D.C. visit 9 May 2016 VIPMOAA Newsletter THE SURVIVING SPOUSES OF MOAA, by Kay Palko, Surviving Spouses Liaison Today I am going to step outside the box, to relate the story of how two parts of history came together. The history involves the third artillery, its history and uniforms. I arrived in Okinawa in August 1967, as a guidance counselor for the Department of Defense overseas dependents school system. My future husband, Steve, was attached to the third artillery, 8th Battalion. They along with the 1st Artillery, the 61st Artillery, and the 65th Artillery shared joint responsibility for the air defense of Okinawa along with the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing of the 313th Air Division, US Air Force. The information to the right I recently found in the brochure for the Artillery Annual Hawk Missile Service Practice bulletin for 1969. I had saved it because my future husband, Major S. P. Palko, was the range safety officer. The next part of this story happened many years later when I was Mrs. Palko and a School Psychologist working in Chesapeake, Va. A Guidance Counselor in one of my schools had a beautiful calendar containing sketches of our military services uniforms. It also contained wonderful documented information on the uniforms. The calendar information was written and documented by H. Mc Barron, Jr. and John R. Elting. The second and third artillery regiments were authorized 11 January 1812; both were considered elements of the “additional military force.’’ In March of 1814 various foot artillery regiments were reorganized into the “Corps of Artillery.” The general style of the uniform shown here is based on regulations issued on 30 December 1812. It was noted that the artillery coat--originally lapelled and fastened with hooks and eyes--would "button from the chin.” Sometime during this period there was a major change in the style of the artillery coat, full yellow tape binding being added to its breast. The newer uniform required 18 yards of yellow binding and 50 buttons. In the above picture the artist, H. Charles McBarron, Jr., has shown soldiers of the third artillery Regiment in one of the forts along the southern shores of the Great Lakes. The Canon is a 24pounder, iron gun on a naval carriage. Though frequently assigned to such garrison duty, the regiment served largely as infantry throughout the war. I had never realized that my husband’s unit went so far back in history. The best part of the story was in 1970. Steve and I had come to Virginia Beach to visit my parents for New Years. My father was retired Navy. We were all at Breezy Point Officers Club, and Steve was wearing his Army mess dress uniform when a lady came up and asked him “what country are you from”? After approximately 158 years the Artillery uniforms still had lots of yellow binding and buttons. The Artillery Red collars became red lapels. I am not a historian so I will not swear that my husband’s 3 rd Artillery was the same one, but the history and dates do match. PS….I was not chubby, I was almost seven months pregnant. 10 May 2016 VIPMOAA Newsletter VIPMOAA MEETING INFORMATION RESERVATIONS & CANCELLATIONS: Mail your “Reservation Coupon” and check to arrive by the indicated date on the coupon. Contact the POC for additions or cancellations after that date. Late cancellations or changes are not guaranteed! THE LANGLEY CLUB DINNER 128 Benedict Avenue, Langley AFB, VA (Event will be held in the “Chief’s Room” on 2nd Floor) POC: COL Jim Pauls, USAF (Ret), [email protected] 757-851-1141 THURSDAY, JUNE 23rd, 2016 6:30 P.M. Sign-in/Social (“Pay-As-You-Go-Bar” Available) 7:00 P.M. Call to Order 7:15 P.M. Meal is served 8:00 P.M. Guest Speaker - MG Thomas K. Andersen 9:00 P.M. Fifty-Fifty Drawing & Adjourn CASUAL (NO TIE!) Hawaiian Theme!!! DATE: TIME: DRESS: (Award to be given to “best dressed” Male, Female, and “Couple”) MENU: PACIFIC REGIONAL BUFFET ASSORTED “DIM SUM”, ORIENTAL CHICKEN SALAD W/SESAME GINGER DRESSING, CHICKEN SATAY W/THAI-STYLE PEANUT SAUCSE, HUNAN BEEF W/BROCCOLI, HAWAIIAN-STYLE HULI HULI CHICKEN, STIR FRIED ASIAN VEGETABLES, SHRIMP FRIED RICE, SLICED FRESH SEASONAL FRUITS. COST: $25.00 per person VIPMOAA FUTURE MEETINGS 2016 AUGUST 25 - Ft. Eustis SEPTEMBER 22 - Patriot’s Colony OCTOBER 27 – Hampton Yacht Club VIPMOAA generally rotates chapter meetings between Langley AFB/Hampton, Williamsburg and Newport News. Meetings are usually the 4th Thursday except July (no meeting), November & December (scheduled not to conflict with holidays). We also plan an outing or outings each year. CLIP & MAIL RESERVATION COUPON for DINNER, JUNE 23, 2016, at THE LANGLEY CLUB Please write name and rank/title for each person who will attend: MEMBER____________________________________________________________________________ NON-MEMBER OFFICER________________________________________________________________ SPOUSE_____________________________________________________________________________ GUEST______________________________________________________________________________ TOTAL NUMBER ATTENDING __________ @ $25.00 PER PERSON $________________ VIPMOAA 2016 Military Community Service/Scholarship Fund Donations $________________ CHECK (payable to VIPMOAA) AMOUNT $________________ Member, if this is your first meeting, please check here______ Celebrating a special occasion? Check here and provide details with this Reservation Coupon_______ Member Address_____________________________________________________________________ Member Phone______________________________ MAIL TO: VIPMOAA HOSPITALITY–JUNE, BOX 4305, FT. EUSTIS, VA 23604-0305 TO ARRIVE BY FRIDAY, JUNE 17TH, 2016. NO CONFIRMATION IS SENT. 11 May 2016 VIPMOAA Newsletter VIPMOAA NEWSLETTER BOX 4305 FORT EUSTIS, VA 23604-0305 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED The VIPMOOA NEWSLETTER is published by the VIPMOAA Chapter, which is an Affiliate of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). MOAA and its Affiliated Chapters and councils are non-partisan. The advertisements that appear in this publication also do not reflect an endorsement by MOAA or this Affiliate. Maj. Gen. Thomas K. Andersen will be the guest speaker for our June dinner. He is Commander, Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, and Vice Commander, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. General Andersen entered the Air Force after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1980. He has commanded a flying training squadron and an operations group. He has also held key positions on the Air Staff, Joint Staff, Combat Command Staffs, and in NATO. The general has served as Director of Plans and Programs at Headquarters Air Combat Command, Chief of Staff and Director of Intelligence for U.S. Strategic Command, Vice Commander of 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern), and Deputy Commander, Combined Air Operations Center 6, Allied Air Forces Southern Europe, NATO, Eskisehir, Turkey. Prior to his current assignment, he was Director of Requirements, Headquarters Air Combat Command. The general is a master navigator with more than 3,500 hours in the B-52H, RC-135V/W, T-43, E-8C and EC-130 aircraft. For his complete bio, see http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/Display/tabid/225/Article/104828/major-generalthomas-k-andersen.aspx Would you like to receive your newsletter by email only? If you do wish to receive an email only copy, it will contain COLORFUL pictures of our monthly events, it will be more timely than our beloved post office and it will save our chapter about $1.50/month per member by not printing and mailing you a copy. To change your newsletter to email only, please contact Col Don Klovstad at [email protected] and provide your email address. 12
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