Military Officers Association
of America
-- One Powerful Voice --
For every officer at every stage of life and career
************
Heartland of America Chapter
***** August 2015 *****
Welcome
MOAA
Share a Great Meal and a Storm Chasers’ Ball Game
at our Annual Night Out at Werner Ball Park!
--Thursday, August 27th -(see inside back cover for details)
Check out our website at
www. HeartlandMOAA. us
or call (402)339-7888
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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 and copyright.
**********************
Lt Colonel Patrick L. Jones, USAF (Ret) Editor & Webmaster
Volume XXIX
Number 8
August 2015
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Our July meeting speaker was Major General Richard
Evans, Mobilization Assistant to the Deputy Commander,
US Strategic Command, at Offutt AFB. A life member of
MOAA and a member of our Chapter, he is the principal
adviser on reserve component matters related to the
command’s diverse missions. His excellent and interesting
presentation included his reasons for deciding to join the
Nebraska Guard rather than an active duty career. Early in
his career, Gen Evans was working for a major Omaha
business when a co-worker and chapter member, David
Heer, advised him how he could continue his civilian career
and have a career in the National Guard. Gen Evans
recognized David and Ruth Heer, frequent attendees at our meetings and present
for this one. I particularly enjoyed the early part of the presentation that focused
on Nebraska’s legacy in supporting our national defense. While many of us knew
that B-24s and B-29s were built at the Martin Bomber plant during World War II,
many of us were not aware that there were some ten bases in our State that
accommodated Army Air Force flying training in B-17s, B-24s, B-29s, and P-39s.
There were also major munitions plants during
the War. In fact the Hastings, Nebraska plant
provided 40 % of the US Navy’s World War II
munitions. In addition, there were six base POW
plants that housed 12,000 German and Italian
prisoners. Many worked on Nebraska farms.
Finally, I had crewed with pilots who had been
stationed at Lincoln AFB in the early days of the
Cold War. I had not realized how large that base
was—two large wings, over 100 B-47s, and
almost as many KC-97s. There were also
several Atlas missile sites in the early days of
the Cold War surrounding Omaha and today many
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MG Evans with David and Ruth Heer
of the Minuteman missile silos assigned to Francis E. Warren AFB are located in
Northwest Nebraska.
Gen Evans then discussed the missions of STRATCOM. Possessing the command
authority of Global Strike Command, the primary mission is to deter a strategic
attack. He noted the increasing age, and the need for replacing and upgrading
the components of the nuclear Triad—the Navy’s ballistic missile submarines and
the Air Force’s nuclear bombers and missiles.
Gen Evans described the three elements of the
TRIAD as being “interdependent and not
exclusive.” The importance of STRATCOM’s
missions is clear as the general stated “The
world is not getting safer.”
General Evans’s career with the Nebraska Guard
included the aircraft transition in Lincoln from
BG Don Bacon with Linda & Mark Olsen
the RF-4 to the KC-135, commander of the 170th
Group at Offutt, commander of the 155th Refueling Wing, senior positions at the
National Guard Bureau and of Director of Mobility in NATO and Air Mobility
Command Liaison to NATO. General Evans superb presentation concluded on his
vision that that there will be an increasing role in the future for our Reserve and
Guard components.
While we meet for our dinner gatherings ten times a year at Anthony’s
Steakhouse, we went to the Omaha Community Playhouse for our June meeting.
Our other gathering outside Anthony’s is August 27th, a picnic buffet (hamburgers
and hotdogs) and a Omaha Storm Chaser baseball game at Werner Park.
This year our choice of a play was Spamalot, a
musical and as the program states “lovingly
ripped off from the film ‘Monty Python and the
Holy Grail.’” As those of us who saw either the
film or the British television series “Monty
Python’s Flying Circus,” Spamalot is noted for its
very British and irreverent humor. Our group’s
host was Playhouse Sales & Community
Relations Manager, Jana Coburn. Many of us
Frank & Shirley Hartranft
remembered Jana who had hosted our group last
with Pat Holtmann
year. About half our group opted to take the
backstage tour where we saw some scenery and props that we would see again
in the play. We then went upstairs for our buffet. Our new caterer did a fine job
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as there was plenty of food and it was very tasty. We saw Jana again at curtain
time as she welcomed the audience to Spamalot. It was a most enjoyable
evening. Special thanks to Ken McClure for handling all the arrangements.
Please join us for our annual trip to Werner Park on Thursday, August 27th. We
will return to Anthony’s on September16th. We are finalizing plans for our
speaker. We will have a cybersecurity expert speak to us in either September or
October on the topic of “cybersecurity and people approaching, or in, retirement.”
Col Dan Donovan --- [email protected] -- 402-339-7888
The Legislative Situation
(by Paul Cohen, B/Gen USAF (Ret))
The following is a letter I received from Admiral Ryan, MOAA’s President. Please
read and seriously consider taking action to persuade our Senate to not take
action that significantly affect our military.
“Dear General Cohen,
July 22, 2015
MOAA members are some of the most engaged citizens in the country. We’ve
dedicated our lives to service before self, and we know what it means to never
stop serving.
I’m proud of how much we’ve accomplished this year. We’ve helped pass several
important pieces of legislation to help veterans and military families. To date,
MOAA members have sent over 240,000 messages to their elected officials this
year. That’s more than any other military or veterans service organization on
Capitol Hill.
But we need your help.
Over the next two weeks, members of Congress may leave Washington without
having completed an annual defense bill. Members of the Armed Services
committees were confident they could complete their work before returning to
their home districts.
Some of the proposals up for debate in the defense bill are a bad deal for the
military community, including:
 pay raises that fail to keep pace with the private sector;
 dramatic pharmacy fee increases;
 erosions to housing allowances; and
 continued cuts to commissaries.
These shortsighted decisions will have a long-term effect on the future of
America’s military.
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Fortunately, House lawmakers passed a defense bill that rejected these costcutting measures. But our friends in the Senate accepted them.
Some lawmakers operate under the faulty assumption that we need to cut
military pay and benefits to fund readiness programs. The fact is, we need both.
We have one last chance. It’s up to you to tell lawmakers we cannot afford to
erode the pay and benefits of the all-volunteer force.” – Adm Norb Ryan
Before Congress adjourns for the August recess, show your
support. Speak up and tell your elected officials you support
the House-passed provisions in this year’s defense bill.
click on box or type link into
browser:
http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/a
lert/?alertid=66956626
Programs for remainder of 2015
(from Ken McClure, Maj USA (Ret))
On August 27th (a Thursday) we'll see the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Kansas City Royals'
Triple-A affiliate, as they face off against Pacific Coast League rivals, the Fresno
Grizzlies, at Werner Park. National champions for the past two seasons, the Storm
Chasers battle back on the base path to glory by hosting their Triple-A Pacific Coast
League rivals. The price of admission and an "all-you-can-eat" ball park lunch is $26 per
person.
Payment: In order to reserve your tickets and meals, you'll need to pay by check -- $26
per person -- before August 17. Allow time for mail delivery. Please list the names of all
guests in your party. Your check for the total amount should cover them all.
Make your check payable to "Heartland of America Chapter,
Military Officers Association of America" and send it to our
Chapter mailbox at P.O. Box 1756, Bellevue, NE 68005-1756,
to arrive not later than ten days prior to the game. Our
Treasurer will collect all payments and write one check on
the August 17 deadline.
Game Night: We'll pick up our tickets near the front (west)
entrance and have our ballpark lunch in the Lincoln tent,
located conveniently on the southwest corner of the
stadium to the right of the ticket windows. (Go through the
front gate and turnstiles and turn right to enter the tent. It's
Ken McClure, Program Chair
a large tent offering overhead cover during a rain delay, and
its folding tables and chairs should offer a place to enjoy a relaxing, leisurely lunch
before the game begins.)
Lunch includes all the hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, potato chips and cookies you
can eat and all the lemonade and iced tea you can drink. While we can begin eating at
6:00 PM, we may want to finish by 7:00 PM in time for the first pitch at 7:05.
Our stadium seats face eastward toward third base, and at least two seats above each
section are reserved for people with mobility issues. This is a good location: it's close
to the entrance, not far from the Lincoln tent and faces away from the setting sun.
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Lead offs, base stealing and pick offs are common between second and third base. And
there's the ever-present opportunity for players on either team to score ... or go out
trying ... between third base and home plate. It should be an exciting evening.
Directions to Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion: On Hwy 370 West of Papillion.
http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?ymd=20110113&content_id=16431128&sid=t541&
vkey=team1
Park Map:
http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?sidhttp://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?sid=t541
&ymd=20101004&content_id=15409050&vkey=tickets=t541&ymd=20101004&content_id
=15409050&vkey=tickets
Prohibitions:
http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?ymd=20110329&content_id=17179132&sid=t541&
vkey=team1
16 September's program is currently "under construction." We are planning to have a
cybersecurity expert. Very pertinent to you if you have a credit card, computer, use the
internet, or even a cell phone.
21 October program is still pending.
18 November will be our meeting with the University ROTC cadets and cadre.
16 December will be our holiday meeting and we will have a musical program at 6:30
performed by the Sarpy Serenaders. Some of our members will sing with them.
Your suggestions for future programs are appreciated. Please contact me, Ken McClure,
at (402) 215-3944 or send email to [email protected]
MOAA’s New Membership Model
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is a nonprofit,
nonpartisan organization working to support military officers and their
families at every stage of life. MOAA plays an active role with
Congress on behalf of the military community on issues affecting the
career force, the retired community, and veterans of the uniformed
services. In addition to representing your interests before Congress,
MOAA offers a wide range of personal and financial services exclusive
to MOAA member. Whatever the stage of a career, MOAA membership
delivers benefits geared specifically to you – and your family. From
active-duty service through retirement, MOAA can help you make the
most of your career as an officer. When you join MOAA, you become
part of the strongest advocate for our military’s personnel and their
families. The stronger our membership is, the stronger our voice
becomes. Consider joining today because every voice counts!
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Selection of Membership
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Local Membership Form
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CHAPTER SPONSORS
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BEARDMORE
In Memory of
Ben F. Comstock
More and More…. It’s Beardmore
Brian Kucks
Chevrolet Sales Manager
Phone
402-734-2525
Toll Free 800-734-0271
Fax
402-738-7615
Email bkucks@beardmorechevy. com
POW WWII 8 Dec 1941
( taken prisoner at Wake Island )
Past National Director
AMERICAN
EX-PRISONERS OF WAR
2806 Nottingham Drive
Bellevue NE 68123
418 Fort Crook Road North, Bellevue NE 68005
www. beardmorechevy. com
Protecting Your Future With Jay DiBacco
YOUR AD COULD BE HERE!!
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Call Dick Doolittle at
(402)557-6780
Reserved Parking NOW Available !!
(no one thought it would ever happen…). Though many of us need to park closer to the door because
of medical limitations, handicapped parking is very limited at Anthony’s. (and there is no assurance
that those limited number of spaces are really being used by authorized drivers; This editor has
personally twice seen young apparently healthy drivers park in those slots with no handicap display)
BUT, our erstwhile dinner planners have done it!!! WE NOW HAVE TWO SPACES !!!
Read & heed the info below – pj
We have two "reserved parking" signs we'll be using at Anthony's from now on. The reserved parking
spaces are for our mobility- limited members, on a first come, first served basis. Use of these spaces will
be on the honor system to help our members who need to park as close to the entrance as possible due to
medically-related conditions. The MOAA reserved parking space locations will vary from month to
month due to the other events hosted by Anthony's. We will attempt to find spaces as close to the
Anthony's main entrance as possible but members will need to look for our reserved spaces. The signs
are mounted on orange cones and will be placed at the entrance of the parking space. The driver or
passenger must move the sign to the far end to allow the car entry. Please bring the reserved sign in
with you and give to Ron & Sharon. That12reduces the risk of thievery and misuse by
“others” . – Three cheers for Ron & Sharon Russell
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2015 Donations for Scholarships
Donald J. Bacon, Robert Bailey, Mary E. Bezy, Larry R. Bradley, Wayne W.
Brunz, Edward L. Burchfield, Richard C. Carver, Paul G. Cohen, Trudy
Conley, Richard P.Connell, Michael J. Cook, Charles W. Davis, Thomas E.
deShazo, Jr., Martha M. Didamo, Daniel J. Donovan, Richard N. Doolittle,
James P. Drake, Rene’ F. Dreiling, Mark Dreiling, Norris N. Erickson,
William H. Ernst, Douglas A. Frost, John S. Graham, Gloria A. Harvey, David
L. Heer, John L. Hinton, James E. Holland, Shirley A. Hoover, Benjamin C.
Hull, Terrance J. Hummel, Cynthia L. Keyes, Terri A.Lehigh, Roger P.
Lempke, Warren D. Lynn, Paula R. Muth, Sandra Wees Nieto, Owen L.
O’Saunders, E.Gordon Pahre, Dick L. Parcher, Sheree L. Patterson, Doran G.
Post, Clifford L. Pratt, Earl D. Rogers, Lamont E. Rousseau, Betty A.
Salistean, Rita J. Salucci, Francis Sewell, Mary M. Shaw, David Sidwell,
Beverly A. Snowden, Mark A. Spadaro, Ann Carolyn Standerwick, Lyle H.
Walker, Lewis M. Weigand, Everett A. Wrage, 1 Anonymous
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _
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 should give thanks to
those who have served and preserved our way of life.
Hopefully, they will also pledge to do their part to keep it so. – pj
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wandering Mind of An Old Retired Guy
Did you know the government prints about 12 billion dollars every year? More than $10 million a day!
About two-thirds of printed money is $1 bills and they last about a year and a half.
The average bill exchanges hands 400 times in its lifetime.
It costs about 8 cents to print a new one.
Modern currency is printed on special paper, a blend of rag bond, cotton, and linen.
Our currency is printed 3 times, once on each side, and then with an overlay of green ink.
The dollar bill is 1/3 smaller now than it was in 1929.
Wonder why a dollar measures 2.61 inches by 6.14 inches?
Vital Stats: 233 bills will stack 1 inch high; 490 bills will weigh 1 pound; a million bills weigh almost a ton
TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE, SO
ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.
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Heartland of America Chapter
Military Officers Association of America, MOAA
Dinner Meeting – 1800 Hours (6 pm for those retired a long time)
Thursday, August 27th, 2015
Werner Baseball Park
Hwy 370 & 126th
Cost is $26 per person and includes a ticket to the game and a meal
that includes Omaha Steak Burgers, Grilled Hebrew National Hot
Dogs, Cowboy Beans, Homemade Seasoned Potato Chips, Gourmet
Cookie tray, Lemonade and Iced Tea. If beer or cocktails are
desired, the concessions are very close and easy to get to. We are
in the Lincoln Tent picnic area behind home plate (this is different
from the last two years). Our seats are in the shade on the third
base line. Golf carts will provide transport from parking lot.
Make your check payable to "Heartland of America Chapter, Military
Officers Association of America" and send it to our Chapter mailbox
at P.O. Box 1756, Bellevue, NE 68005-1756, to arrive not later than
ten days prior to the game.
and our treasurer will pay with one check from our chapter.
Feel free to invite friends and family members.
Early sign-up enables us to create a list of ticket holders and you
will be able to pick up your tickets at the our table near the will-call
window the night of the game. Again, gates open at 5:45 pm, the
meal will start at 6:00pm & run until 7:30pm but he game starts at
7:05pm so come early.
Program
August 27th, Thursday evening is MOAA’s Annual Day
at the Ball Park. An evening for good camaraderie,
good food, good socializing, and a good ball game,
Could this be Rene Dreiling in
watching our exciting Storm Chasers as they
disguise? Hmm,m, maybe
near play-offs. They won it all last year
it’s the mustach?
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Nonprofit Org
Heartland of America Chapter, MOAA
P.O. Box 1756
Bellevue NE 68005
Nonprofit Org
US Postage Paid
Omaha NE
Permit No.1448
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