Newsletter - Lone Star Officers Club

Volume XXXI, Issue 10
OCTOBER 2016
President’s Report
MAJ Charles Lew, USAF (Ret) 817-989-1978
October Greetings Ladies and Gentlemen!
I would like to thank the Board and Committees and Edelweiss for a wonderful job on last months Oktoberfest dinner
meeting, and thanks to all the donors of the raffle and door prizes. Past Presidents in attendance were Thomas Spencer,
Norman Knofs, and Kelley Roberson. First time attendees were John and Michelle Mann, Jerry Fetter, Burt Yetman (guest
of Roger Mullins). It was good to see Joe Taylor after an absence of many years, and his son Larry.
This month we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. The LSOC is proud to join more than 10,000 local,
state and federal organizations that have come alongside the Department of Defense as Commemorative Partners with the
Vietnam War Commemoration. We are committed to assisting the nation in thanking and honoring our 7.2 million living
Vietnam veterans and the families of the 9 million who served. By presidential proclamation, the Commemoration extends
from May 28, 2012 through November 11, 2025. During this time, the nation will recognize the service and sacrifice of all
who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location. No
distinction is made between veterans who served in-country, in-theater, or who were stationed elsewhere during the
Vietnam War period. SECDEF Ashton Carter commented: “We honor our 7.2 million living Vietnam-era veterans, their fallen
comrades-in-arms, including those still unaccounted for, and the families of all who served….On behalf of President Obama
and the entire Department of Defense, I thank all of you for your service… for those sacrifices….for the lessons that you’ve
taught all of us…””
Closer to home we are saying goodbye to Lt Col James Boyd, our Secretary, Legislative Liaison, and PARADE co-editor,
who is moving to Florida this month. Jim has been a loyal member of our club for over 25 years, and a key contributing
officer/board member most of those 25. With this shortfall, we need help now to continue to run our club. With our club
elections coming up in December, you may get a call from the nominating committee. The next to last page lists the
positions of the club. Each one is important. The elected positions (President, 1 st VP, 2nd VP, and at least two Directors)
constitute the Board of Directors and can be filled by a regular or auxiliary member per the 2013 Bylaws. The rest are
appointed by the President/Board. Please prayerfully consider filling one of the elected positions for next year: President,
1stVP, 2ndVP, Director (We need two but can have more than 2. This allows other than officers to have a vote on the
board); or appointed: Secretary, Legislative Liaison, PARADE editor, Personal Affairs, Photographer, etc. We need you to
say ‘How can I help?’ The club is only as good as the people running it, who have a vision and passion. (Cont’ page 2)
Other notes: 1) Thanks to all who brought non-perishable food to our meeting last month for the Tarrant Area Food Bank. 2)
Please consider doing your part for the Veterans History Project (VHP) sponsored by the Library of Congress and executed
by the Mary Isham Keith DAR chapter. The VHP’s mission is to collect, preserve, and make accessible the personal
accounts of American wartime veterans so that future generations may hear directly from the veterans and better
understand the realities of war. See page 12 for more information. Contact Ms. Sally Allsup at [email protected] if
interested. 3) Bring your checkbook, Vickie will be accepting scholarship donations. 4) Stay tuned for E-Blast.
Warm Regards,
Charles Lew
NOTE THE EARLY START TIME 1745 and VENUE CHANGE TO DIAMOND OAKS COUNTRY CLUB.
We will resume club meetings at Diamond Oaks CC on 19 October 2016 where we will commemorate the 50th anniversary
of the Vietnam War and honor our Vietnam veterans. Save the date! If you are unable to attend the October meeting, an
alternate ceremony will be held at the Fort Worth Elks Lodge on 11 November 2016.
We will start the chapter meeting 15 minutes earlier at 1815 to allow time for all ceremonial proceedings.
Parade 1
Program for our Dinner Meetings:
OCT 19: Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War
Guest Speakers: Commissioner Andy Nguyen and Lt Col John Yuill
NOV 16: Paul Paine, President of Fort Worth South
DEC 14: Annual Membership Meeting and Dance (NOTE CHANGE TO 2ND WEDNESDAY)
Birthday’s in October:
Thomas Spencer
Lucille Harris
Olive Felix
Walter Metscher
Shirley Kile
Ronald Mick
James Marx
Suzanne Whitsell
Lloyd Halliburton
Richard Crossley
Vera Dose
Charles Morrison
Keye McCulloch
Robert Cooper
Charles Lew
Nancy Bullock
Joanne Sirgo
Doris Lucas
2-Oct
5-Oct
7-Oct
10-Oct
10-Oct
10-Oct
11-Oct
11-Oct
13-Oct
16-Oct
16-Oct
17-Oct
18-Oct
22-Oct
23-Oct
26-Oct
28-Oct
31-Oct
Anniversaries in October:
Jim & Doris Lucas
Benge & Jackie Daniel
Edward & Judy McGee
Richmond & Dru Boykin
1-Oct
11-Oct
12-Oct
17-Oct
(Cont’ from page 1) Why do we do what we do? Our Bylaws
state in Article II: The purposes of the chapter shall be to:
(1) Promote the purposes and objectives of the Military
Officers Association of America (MOAA);
(2) Foster fraternal relations among retired, active duty,
and former officers of the uniformed services and their reserve
components;
(3) Protect the rights and interests of active duty,
retired and reserve component personnel of the uniformed
services and their dependents and survivors;
(4) Provide useful services for members and their
dependents and survivors;
(5) Serve the community and the nation; and
(6) Provide scholarships for students in various ROTC
units pursuant to qualifications as established, and in
accordance with, the regulations of the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS).
It takes a lot of people to run a club successfully. You know
about the 80/20 rule, where 20 % of the people cause 80% of
the results. In this club, it’s closer to 10%. We do understand
that people have other priorities, and that our club is aging. But
if you could find time to join the Board, jump in, or even sub for
a few days of the month it would be appreciated greatly.
Parade 2
Surviving Spouse Corner: Aging in Place
By Patricia Bergquist, Surviving Spouse Advisory Committee member (Reprinted from MOAA)
Statistics show 1 in 3 Americans now is over age 50, and by 2030, 1 in every 5 will be over 65. Nearly
90 percent of those over 45 want to age at home, referred to as aging in place. Often, home
modifications to improve accessibility and livability help to ensure a safe, independent, and actively
engaged lifestyle.
It is important to think proactively about the aging process rather than react once an event occurs.
Consider whether your home will work for you as you age. Ask yourself: What is your goal for your
house? How long do you want to live there?
Often this is a head, heart, and financial decision. Life is a journey of adaptation, and our homes tell us
what we need to do. The best living environment is safe, comfortable, fosters and preserves
independence, accommodates the potential need for assistance, supports the way you live, and will
continue to be affordable down the road.
Experts say the three most dangerous areas in a home are the kitchen, bathroom (the No. 1 place for
accidents in the home), and stairs. While individual needs vary, some home modifications to consider
include installing:
 ramps at home entrances to eliminate steps;
 handrails at existing steps and porches;
 remote-controlled blinds/shades;
 lever-style door handles;
 adequate indoor and outdoor lighting;
 lever-style handles on all faucets, including a pullout sprayer in the kitchen;
 a front-control cooktop;
 side-by-side refrigerator (with slide-out shelves and a water/ice dispenser);
 larger, user-friendly cabinet and drawer pulls;
 pullout shelves in cabinets;
 a raised dishwasher;
 a front-loading washer and dryer;
 a curbless shower (no step over and wheelchair-friendly, if necessary later) with grab bars, a
slide-bar-type handheld shower nozzle, tub and shower controls close to the entry point, antiscald devices, and entry doors at least 32-inches wide; and
 raised toilets.
Modifications can be made in all areas of your home, even in closets and garages. (Find more ideas in
the AARP Home Fit Guide here or copy and paste in your browser
http://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/livable-communities/documents2015/HomeFit2015/AARP%20HomeFit%20Guide%202015.pdf .)
As you begin to examine your home and its condition, ongoing maintenance needs, and necessary
changes, consider a variety of solutions and make informed decisions. Unbiased assessments by a
certified aging-in-place specialist (CAP) can be helpful ($300 average cost for home assessment).
Some CAPs are remodelers, but a growing number are health care professionals, designers, architects,
or contractors who are trained to identify the unique needs of the older adult population, aging-in-place
home modifications, common remodeling projects, and solutions to common barriers. CAPs provide a
service, but eventually you’ll need a professional remodeler to modify your home. Visit
www.nahb.org/caps to find a CAP in your area.
Parade 3
Chaplain’s Corner
Father (Lt Col) Jerome Ward, USAF (Ret) 817-237-7087
A Honk from the Padre
Forty nine years ago today I celebrated my first Mass in the little town of Phoenix, NY near Syracuse.
The name of the church was and is today St. Stephens. It is a beautiful church located one block from
the Erie Canal. The sun was out in all its glory, a nice welcome to all the men, women and children
who had come to celebrate with me. The altar servers, the choir, the concelebrants were all very into
the celebration and the principal celebrant, Jerry Ward, was a very happy, grateful person.
Yesterday when I celebrated the morning Mass at St. Thomas was an awesome experience also.
Very different from my very first Mass and yet so much the same. The church here at St. Thomas is a
very beautiful church also. Even at 8 AM we had beautiful music, altar servers, an acolyte, myself
and Father Sushil Tudu as my concelebrant. I am very grateful for everything. Thanks to all of you
that celebrated with me on my 49th year of ordination.
Long before mass, several days in fact, I said to myself “what will I say in a few words because most
people that come to a weekday Mass are on a tight time crunch?” When I get a message across
clearly and quickly I think back to the things that my inmates said to me when I was a prison Chaplain.
My very first Christmas Mass was celebrated in one of our prisons here in Texas. After our Mass one
of the inmates came up to me and said “can I talk to you Chap?” (most of the inmates would call me
Chap). I said, “sure as soon as I put everything back in the Mass kit,” in fact he helped me put
everything away. So I said “talk to me”. The inmate said “first of all I want to thank you for bringing
our Mass to us on Christmas Eve. I noticed Chap that you were a little nervous.” I said “yes, I was
but you guys made me feel very much at home as our Mass went along.” The inmate said” I hope you
can come again, when you come next time just treat us like real people.”
So for the last 49 years my thoughts often go back to what a young inmate said to a young priest.
This is what I talked about in my homily at yesterday’s Mass. I told myself and my people that we
should all try to treat children, women and men as real people. This is what Our Lord, our Blessed
Mother, Mother Theresa and many other people have spent their whole lives treating people like real
people. Have a good fall season. May the Gentle Christ, Our Gentle Lord Bless You.
With thought and a prayer for you,
Padre Jerry
Suggested Scripture Readings: 1 Cor 9:16-27
Luke 6, 39-42
Parade 4
From The Personal Affairs Officer(s)
Mrs. Patricia E Kemper 817-633-5301 & Mrs. Janey Meek 817-299-8400
Nothing to report
From The Treasurer
Capt. Richard Curbello, CEC, USN (Ret) 817-614-6566
Your 2016 dues are now due.
If you have not paid your dues yet, please do so now.
We have only received about 84% of the dues for this year. Your dues provide for the basic costs
to operate to Chapter in a given year. Total funds controlled by LSOC is $27,279.53 of which
$15,136.00 are held in the scholarship fund and $12,143.53 are LSOC operating funds.
You should look on the mailing label for a PD-16 above and to the right of your name on this
Newsletter. It is the Treasurers way to let you know we have received your 2016 dues. If PD-16 is
not on the address label, it will tell you we do not have a record of your dues payment. It may
take a little time for updating mailing address label. Contact us if there is a discrepancy.
From Membership
Major Gary Howe 210-473-5961
Regular membership is open to active duty, former, retired, Reserve or National Guard
commissioned and warrant officer and cadets and midshipmen of the uniformed services (Army,
Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service and National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration). Auxiliary membership is available for survivors of former national
MOAA members who are deceased or survivors of deceased individuals, who would, if living, be
eligible for membership. To be a member of the Lone Star Officers Club (LSOC) you must also be a
member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). You can join MOAA as a Basic
member for free at www.MOAA.org . LSOC dues are $25 for regular members, $10 for auxiliary.
MOAA is currently at 390,000+ members. Let’s get MOAA to the million mark. Suggest each
member recruit one new member. If we do this, we can double our membership. Consider inviting a
member prospect to one of our next meetings. Or, if you would like to help with writing letters to
prospective members let us know. Thanks to all who wrote letters and/or invited prospective
members to last months meeting.
Parade 5
From The Editor
Lt Col. Jim Boyd, USAF (Ret) 682-203-0238 and Maj Charles Lew, USAF (Ret) 817-989-1978
Maj Charles Lew and Lt Col Jim Boyd have prepared LSOC newsletters since March. We still have an
URGENT need for people to help with co-editorship of the PARADE newsletter once a quarter, as our treasurer
has stepped down. Secretary/Legislative Liaison/Co-editor Jim Boyd is stepping down this month to start his
new life in Florida. Your chapter needs you! We also need a photographer. Please contact me to help.
Over the next few months, you will get an E-Blast. If you don’t receive one we either don’t have your email or
the one we have is incorrect. Please let us know what your current email address is.
Editorial Policy: The PARADE Newsletter is published by the Lone Star Officers Club Chapter, which is an
affiliate of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). MOAA and its affiliated chapters and councils
are nonpartisan.
From The Scholarship Chair
Ms. Vickie Keehr 817-798-0174
In an effort to keep donations for the scholarship fund at a high
level, the board would like to recognize those who generously
give to support this program. It consists of a tier of levels
developed for amounts given over the period of a calendar year.
Those contributing at least $100 over the year will be designated at the Bronze Level (3).
Those contributing at least $250 over the year will be entitled to the Silver Level (2).
Those contributing at least $500 over the year will earn the Gold Level (1).
It is hoped that this will keep the LSOC Scholarship program viable in the future.
For your Information
We have dual flag pins available with your service flag and the MOAA flag. Help the club out with
your donation of $10 for one or $15 for two, postage included. Also, the challenge coins are $10
each or $13 by mail. Some coin notes on the Lone Star side: The longhorn represents Fort Worth,
TX, where the West begins; 1956 represents when the chapter was established; the circle of 60 stars
represent the 60th anniversary of the founding of our club; the saying “Together We Serve”
represents our aim to continue to serve our community and the nation as a diverse team of military
professionals; the roped edge rounds out its western flair. The flip side has the MOAA shield with the
represented services and date established. Not only is this a LSOC collectable, it is the calling card
of our club. Own a piece of our history, sixty years in the making! Pins and coins will be available at
all meetings and via mail order.
Parade 6
Legislative Update
LtCol. Jim Boyd, USAF (Ret) 682-203-0238 and Maj Charles Lew, USAF (Ret) 817-989-1978
The link to the Legislative Action Center is http://capwiz.com/moaa/home/
The Legislative Alerts MOAA are currently featuring are the following:
Raise SSIA for Military Widows
Both House and Senate versions of the FY17 Defense Authorization Bill prevent the $310 monthly
allowance (SSIA) for SBP-DIC widows from expiring. But neither bill would continue previously
intended increases in SSIA to make progress toward phasing out the SBP-DIC offset.
Stop Defense Bill Personnel/Compensation Cuts
Military people have a lot to lose as House and Senate negotiators meet to resolve big differences in
their respective defense bill drafts.
Prevent Steep Cuts in Military Housing Allowances
The Senate-passed version of the FY17 Defense Authorization Act would impose steep allowance
cuts for dual-military couples, roommates, and certain military homeowners.
Presidential candidates provide their views on issues of interest to the military and veterans'
community. The following is reprinted from MOAA article September 1, 2016 and does not reflect the
views of the Lone Star Officers Club.
Clinton, Johnson, Trump: Presidential Q & A
MOAA reached out to Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Gary Johnson, and Donald Trump for
their perspective on issues important to MOAA members. Each candidate received the opportunity to
provide responses to the same four questions.
Below, in alphabetical order, are the unedited comments provided by their respective campaigns, in
their entirety. The answers and their relative lengths reflect the views and choices of the candidates,
rather than MOAA's.
Question 1: Sequestration law requires the defense budget to absorb 50 percent of a nearly $1
trillion budget cut over a 10 year period. What is your view of that allocation and the share of
future budget cuts that should be taken from defense?
Clinton:
As Commander-in-Chief, I would ensure that the United States military is the best-trained, bestequipped and best-supported fighting force in the world. This requires us to resource our military at a
level that ensures we can defeat any threat to our vital interests.
Sequestration has been damaging to our force and must be eliminated.
The budget roller coaster imposed by a Republican Congress has undermined our security, our ability
to plan for the future and our investment in our people and future capabilities. What the Department of
Defense needs - and deserves - is a stable and predictable defense budget set according to strategic
need rather than arbitrary budget caps. I will put a priority on reaching a sustainable budget deal that
balances our need for adequate defense spending with key domestic priorities. I support lifting the
Budget Control Act caps for defense and non-defense spending. I will commit to a smart, strategic,
and sustainable spending plan that maintains a truly unrivaled joint force.
Parade 7
At the same time, the American people deserve a defense program that demonstrates good
stewardship of taxpayer dollars. As President, I will prioritize smart reforms to both defense and nondefense spending. Now more than ever, the country cannot afford to waste precious defense dollars
on outdated systems, processes, or programs that poorly serve our men and women in uniform.
Johnson:
The sequester's across-the-board budget cuts show how dysfunctional Washington has become. Let's
remember how the sequester came about. The federal government had racked up nearly $3 trillion of
debt in just two years' time. Even the outdated political parties understood that that level of spending
couldn't continue, and so they pledged to work together to rein in debt. Predictably, Democrats and
Republicans refused to compromise and the automatic $1 trillion of cuts kicked in without regard to
any particular program's merits. That's not how to budget intelligently.
America should have the most powerful defense in the world. Our federal government tries to do too
much, spends too much, and wastes taxpayers' money. But clearly national defense is a core function
of our federal government, and as Commander-in-Chief, I'll ensure that our country will be protected
appropriately.
The Obama administration has overextended our military with unwise operations in Libya and Syria,
much like the Bush administration did in Iraq. We can save money by deploying our service members
only when America's security is seriously at risk. We must call on our allies to do their part in
responding to security threats and investing in their own defenses. And we must look seriously at
reforming procurement and benefits structures that under serve our military.
Trump:
Our first task after taking office is to restore robust growth in our economy. Without a strong economy,
we will not be able to begin the effort to modernize our military forces and restore combat readiness. I
will ask Congress to rescind sequestration and will present a budget that will begin the process of
recapitalizing our military. Our goal will be to reshape the armed forces to fight current and future
enemies while at the same time establishing fiscal responsibility in our budgeting and acquisition
processes.
Q2: In the past, large post-war force reductions have left insufficient forces to meet the next
unexpected contingency. Considering the extraordinary stresses on our military over the past
15 years of war and continuing threats from ISIS, Iran, North Korea, and others, what force
levels (relative to current forces) do you believe are needed to be prepared for potential future
contingencies?
Clinton:
The All-Volunteer Force has been stressed by 14 years of continuous combat and is endeavoring to
rebuild and reset, while facing growing instability and complexity around the world. As Commander-inChief, I will ensure our military is:
 Ready and Agile: The U.S. military must be trained, equipped, and led to operate on shortnotice across all domains. We must recruit and retain the best talent while investing in military
readiness, because we cannot send our men and women into danger unprepared.
 The World's Leader in Innovation: Our adversaries have increasing access to advanced
technology and a demonstrated willingness to employ a mix of approaches that challenge us.
We must invest in research and development, keep the defense industrial base vibrant, and
develop a military culture that nurtures experimentation and innovative approaches. We need a
military that's built for threats over the horizon - not fighting old wars or keeping defense
contractors happy.
Parade 8


Enabling Smart Power: Our military and diplomacy efforts should fit hand-in-glove. America is
most effective when our military, ambassadors, intelligence professionals, and development
experts operate together and work closely with allies and partners. A President has a sacred
responsibility to send our troops into battle only if we absolutely must, and only with a clear and
well-thought-out strategy. That is why we must first embrace all of the tools of American power,
including diplomacy and development, as it is often the only way to avoid a conflict that could
end up exacting a much greater cost.
Resourced for Success: Maintaining the best military in the world takes a dedicated
investment, but we should be much smarter in our defense spending. Every dollar in defense
must contribute to the safety and success of our service members, not to perpetuate wasteful
practices that prop-up industrial-age approaches. That is why I will advocate for budget reform
measures grounded in permanently ending the damaging sequester while making smart
reforms in both defense and non-defense spending.
I also recognize that military family readiness is a critical part of total force readiness and understand
that military families face unique concerns and challenges. Preparing for the future must mean
ensuring they have the support and resources they need not only helps our nation attract and retain
the most talented service members; it is also the right thing to do. As President, I will:
 Realign the demands of a military career in service to the nation to accommodate 21st century
family realities while maintaining a strong force
 Back military spouses as they pursue education, seek jobs, build careers, and secure their
finances
 Ensure military children receive a high-quality education and the resources to succeed
 Bring key resources for military families into the information age
 Champion efforts to care for our military members and families
 Continue and build on the Obama Administration's effort to elevate military families in the White
House and across the government
Johnson:
Politicians have asked too much of our service members over the last two administrations. We should
deploy our military force judiciously, and when the decision to engage is made, we owe it to our troops
to equip them with the most advanced tools.
Our force levels need to be mission-driven. Responding to emerging threats-ISIS, cyber warfare, and
nuclear proliferation among them-may mean a gradual reduction in total force levels along with new
investments in technology and training.
Trump:
Force levels must be determined on how we intend to defend our country and allies and on how we
intend to fight our enemies. We must consider the configuration of our armed forces as well as the
numbers of forces we intend to field. Our goal should be to blend technology into our force mix so
that we provide maximum lethality and situational awareness to our fighting men and women. As the
threats to this nation change, we must have an agile, and adaptable, and sufficient force to meet
those threats. In business, we organize to achieve our goals and objectives. We must have a military
that is organized, staffed, and equipped to meet our nation's threats.
Q3: Some studies have proposed making the military benefit package (retirement, healthcare,
etc.) substantially like that of civilian workers. In view of the dramatically different demands
and sacrifices entailed in military vs. civilian careers, to what extent do you believe the military
must maintain a unique benefit package to attract a high-quality career force?
Parade 9
Clinton:
I believe we always have to find a way to do better on behalf of our people and their loved ones. As a
senator and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I worked to preserve, protect, and
enhance critical compensation and benefits for our service members and their families. I worked
across the aisle to provide affordable health insurance for our members of the National Guard and
Reserve, prevent the closure of schools and commissaries in the height of war, expand benefits
afforded to surviving spouses, and broaden protections afforded by the Family and Medical Leave Act
to the family members of wounded service members.
As President, I will support smart compensation and benefits reform that attract the best and brightest
to our military. The new military retirement system, for example, must be carefully put in place, so that
our troops and their families make the most of the new opportunities it presents.
Similarly, military pay must continue to keep pace with the commercial sector, and we must keep our
military health system at the cutting-edge in quality and availability of care.
I will make the Joining Forces Initiative a permanent part of the White House to advocate for initiatives
that help veterans find jobs and improve support to military families.
The sacrifices our service members make are extremely important. There are also a great number of
civilians doing very critical jobs, deploying overseas, and sacrificing. We must meet our commitments
to our service members and their families, and we need to do more to recognize and support the
important work our civilians are doing as well.
Johnson:
Military compensation should be competitive with the private sector so that we can continue to recruit
the most skilled service members in the world. Benefits are one part of the compensation package. As
benefits programs have proliferated, we have to ask whether they serve all of our service members
most effectively. Congress should consider a simplification and consolidation of benefits programs to
encourage participation and recruitment.
There's growing recognition that reforms are needed to sustain and strengthen the largest military
benefits. The Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission's proposals, while
not without controversy, offer some ideas for reforms. Phasing in a 401(k)-style retirement plan for
military personnel could give them more choice and greater certainty than the traditional 20-year
retirement track. Similarly, it's possible that Tricare could provide better service at a lower cost if we
empowered military families with more healthcare options. Regardless of the particular reforms, it's
important that the government lives up to its obligations to current service members and ensures that
changes be made gradually and toward the goal of a competitive compensation package.
Trump:
Military benefits, including health care, housing, commissaries, exchanges and retirement, need to be
structured to attract the best talent needed to our armed forces. I will use my private sector
experience to make sure that we are doing the best we can by our military members. We will certainly
not be reducing or cutting benefits for our members. More importantly, the best benefits package is of
little value if military personnel are over-extended by repeated deployments to frustrating combat
situations. As Commander in Chief, I will ask to put our forces in harm's way only when it is to protect
our national interests and only if we have a clear objective and plan for victory.
Q4: Recent VA budgets have been increased substantially, but many wartime veterans will
need continuing support for decades. What is your view on how this national obligation can be
met in the face of increasing budget constraints?
Parade 10
Clinton:
Supporting our veterans is a sacred responsibility. Fulfilling that responsibility ensures that veterans
receive the opportunity, care, and support they earned by serving our country.
The systemic failures of the VA to uphold its core mission underscore the need for fundamental
reforms and focused leadership. Long wait times for health care, crippling claims backlogs, and lack
of coordination among agencies represent government at its worst. I recognize the gravity of these
challenges, and as President, I will pursue a veteran-centric reform agenda that tackles problems
head-on and revitalizes the VA. I will end the excuses and ensure our veterans receive the timely
health care they deserve. I will also oppose the privatization of the VA system, which would
undermine our veterans' ability to get the unique care that only the VA can provide while leaving them
vulnerable to a health care market poorly suited to their needs. And I will lead a national effort to
invest in and empower veterans to apply their considerable skills in their communities.
To ensure the VA and other federal agencies have the resources they need to serve veterans, I will
advocate for permanently ending the sequester, and I will prioritize full funding of the VA, and
advance appropriations for the entire agency.
My administration will invest in the pillars of the VA to ensure it continues to serve veterans for
decades to come. To be prepared for the unique and growing needs of the twenty-first century, we
cannot simply throw more money at the problem or tell veterans to go get private care, as the VA's
implementation of the Veterans' Choice Act has shown. We also cannot throw our veterans at the
mercy of the private insurance system without any care coordination, or leave them to fend for
themselves with health care providers who have no expertise in the unique challenges facing
veterans. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) must embrace comprehensive process and
systems integration across its health care enterprise to ensure a fully-networked and financiallysustainable organization that is dedicated to best practices and continual improvement in everything it
does.
For more details, see Sec. Clinton's comprehensive veterans policy agenda at:
https://www.hillaryclinton.com/briefing/factsheets/2015/11/11/supporting-our-veterans-troops-andtheir-families/
Johnson:
We have a solemn duty to care for veterans injured in war. The types of care our veterans need,
especially for vets returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq, can last a lifetime. While I'm a critic of
the misguided strategies that resulted in some of the deployments over the last 15 years, there is no
doubt that we must provide world-class care for troops injured in those deployments. It will be a top
priority in my administration.
Trump:
The Donald J. Trump ten-step Veterans Reform Plan can be reviewed at
https://www.donaldjtrump.com/press-releases/icymi-trumps-ten-point-plan-to-reform-the-va. Or visit
https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions/veterans-administration-reforms for the full Donald J. Trump
Veterans Reform Plan.
The guiding principle of the Trump Veterans Plan is ensuring veterans have convenient and timely
access to top-quality care. The Veterans health system will remain a public system, because it is a
public trust. But never again will we allow any veteran to suffer or die waiting for care. That means
Veterans will have the right to go to a VA facility, or the right to see a private doctor or clinic of their
choice - whatever is fastest and best for the veteran. The Veteran will be in control.
Parade 11
Veterans History Project
Maj Charles Lew, USAF (Ret) 817-989-1978
The Library of Congress wants you! The Mary Isham Keith Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is ready to interview
you. If you are willing to contribute your story to this worthy cause, contact me or Ms. Sally Allsup at [email protected] .
Parade 12
Patriot PAWS Service Dogs
254 Ranch Trail
Rockwall, Texas 75032
Office: 972-772- 3282
Fax: 972-772-3284
http://patriotpaws.org/
KG TREASURES
The Best Antiques & Treasures
CLAYTON COOK, DMD
Kelley & Georgia Roberson
Treasure Hunters
6708 S HULEN STREET
FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76133
Montgomery Street Antique Mall
2601 Montgomery St. Fort Worth, TX 76107
(at the intersection of I-30 and Montgomery
St. next to the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens.)
See our booths on Aisle 7 and Aisle 9!
Check our website:
Call us (808-351-9669)
www.Polishedfamilydental.com
POLISHED
E- mail us at [email protected]
FAMILY DENTAL
Check our website: www.kgtreasures.com
Phone: 817.294.1090
Email: [email protected]
Parade 13
CARSWELL RETIRED OFFICERS WIVES
CLUB
nd
Meetings: 2 Tuesday of each month with a Social
Luncheon and Program.
Membership: All Active Duty Officer Wives, Retired
Officer Wives and GS7 and above both Active and
Retired.
Supporting:
CARSWELL FIELD THRIFT SHOP
LOCATED IN BLDG. 1840
(NEXT TO THE MOVIE THEATER)
817-782-5240
Open: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10am-2pm and
st
the 1 Saturday of each month from 10am-2pm
Consignments accepted: 10am-1pm, when the
Thrift Shop is open.
Thrift Shop Profits: Divided equally between the
Navy and Marine Corp Relief Society and the
Carswell Retired Officers Wives Club’s Charities.
The Thrift Shop always needs volunteers.
Consignments or donations are always welcome.
Call or stop by to visit.
Parade 14
Lone Star Officers Club Board Members
Elected Board (#)
Appointed Committee Members
President (#)
st
1 VP (#)
nd
2 VP (#)
Secretary
Treasurer (#)
Maj. Charles Lew 817-989-1978 Photographer
LCDR Van Cooper 817-292-4886 Scholarship(#)
LTC Kelley Roberson 682-224-6197 Council Delegate
LtCol Jim Boyd 682-203-0238
Advertising
CAPT Rich Curbello 817-614-6566 Membership
Past President
Maj Gary Howe 210-473-5961
Legislative Affairs LtCol Jim Boyd 682-203-0238
Personal Affairs
Website
Patricia Kemper 817-633-5301
Janey Meek 817-299-8400
Maj. Gary Howe 210-473-5961
COL Dan Kile 817-349-9345
Parade Editor
Capt Jim Lucas 817-277-0578
Vickie Keehr 817-798-0174
Col Barry Morrison 972-771-5118
Col Bob Cooper 817-292-4886
Maj. Gary Howe 210-473-5961
Lt Col Jim Boyd 682-203-0238
Maj Charles Lew 817-989-1978
Public Affairs
OPEN
Auxiliary Liaison
COL Dan Kile 817-349-9345
TOPS Liaison
Charlotte Regan 817-946-8823
Parade 15
POSTMASTER
TO:
POSTMASTER
TIME SENSITIVE
MATERIAL
TIME SENSITIVE
MATERIAL
PLEASE DELIVER
NO LATER THAN
12 October 2016
PLEASE DELIVER
NO LATER THAN
12 October 2016
October 2016 Dinner Meeting and Reservation
Information
Member’s Name
Make
reservations for member, spouse or guest at $30 (each)
_______ Honey Peppercorn Salmon with mushroom risotto & roasted mixed vegetables
Or
_______ Quarter Roasted Chicken with mushroom risotto & roasted mixed vegetables
My check is enclosed for $
Signed
-----------------------------------------------PLEASE CUT HERE--------------------------------------------------Chapter Meeting Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016
Diamond Oaks Country Club
5821 Diamond Oaks Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76117
Social: 5:45 PM
Meeting: 6:15 PM
Dress: Business Casual
Reservations: Deadline for placing or canceling reservations will be end of day, Saturday, Oct 15
Any cancellations after this date must be paid for.
By mail: send reservation form with Check Payable To: LONE STAR OFFICERS CLUB or LSOC.
MAIL AT LEAST A WEEK AHEAD TO ASSURE DELIVERY.
Mail: LSOC, Inc. P.O. Box 1642, Fort Worth, TX 76101-1642
Phone: Lt Col Kelley Roberson 682-224-6197 E-mail: [email protected]
Parade 16