May 2012 - Spokane Moaa

NOW
HEAR
THIS!
SPOKANE CHAPTER
MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
President
Ralph Shrigley, LTC, U.S. Army (Ret.)
208-623-2671 [email protected]
1st Vice President
Merl Gorton, COL, U.S. Army (Ret.)
509-467-6138 [email protected]
2nd Vice President & Mbrship. Chair
Clif Collier, Lt Col, USAF (Ret.)
509-443-6490 [email protected]
Secretary
Eddylou “Fred” Donovan, Lt Col, USAF
(Ret.) 509-922-4982
[email protected]
Treasurer
Rufus Hoefer, LTC, U.S. Army (Ret.)
509-443-6822 [email protected]
Auxiliary Liaison, Widows & Wives
Beth Ann Daigre 509-921-9581
[email protected]
Chief Recruiter, Newsltr. Ed. & IPP
Marilyn Hunt, CDR, USN (Ret.)
208-773-1074 [email protected]
Director & Legislative Chair
Chuck Latimer, Lt Col, USAF (Ret.)
509-326-2978 [email protected]
Director & Travel Point of Contact
Richard H. Oates, LTC, USMC (Ret.)
208-777-2671 [email protected]
Director & Program Chair
Robert Imle, Lt Col, USAF (Ret.)
509-924-3846
[email protected]
Director &Web Page Coordinator
Chuck Lund, CAPT, USN
509-951-8626 [email protected]
Director, Chaplain, Program Comm.
Betty Krafft, LCDR, USN (Ret.)
509-768-3183 [email protected]
Personal Affairs Chairman
Elaine Anderson (Aux.) 509-328-5556
[email protected]
Email Newsletter Coordinator
Dean Thie, LTjg, USN
[email protected], 208-777-9076
Program Committee Member
Barbara Thornbrugh, AUX
(509) 466-2108
[email protected]
Volume XXII Number 3
May 2012
5 Star Chapter President’s Message
By Ralph Shrigley
Please join us at the Cathay Inn on 10 June for our next social. It will be our
first time back there in several years. Our guest will be Mr. John Culton from
Senator Patty Murray’s staff. Don’t forget donation items for Support the Troops and the
Raffle. April’s winner of two free tickets to the next social was Ann Beaman
.
April was MOAA’s Storming the Hill month when Washington State Council of Chapters
(WSCOC) leadership including President COL Dave Slotwinski, US ARMY (Ret.), MG
Buck Marr, USAF (Ret.) and MOAA leaders met with senators and representatives in their
Washington, D.C. offices to discuss efforts to slash the defense budget, including personnel
benefits. In preparing for these calls, MOAA national prepared a brochure laying out their
reasoning for opposing the cuts. It was very nicely done and if you wish a copy, contact
CAPT Kathy Beasley, USN (Ret.) at [email protected] or 1 (800) 234-6622, ext. 164.
Join me in welcoming our newest Board Member, LCDR Betty Krafft, USN (Ret.). Betty is
our Chaplain and has been actively supporting our Program Committee. Look for Betty’s
bio in an upcoming issue of “Now Hear This.”
‘Tis the season for graduations and ROTC Awards. LtCol Bob Imle, USAF (Ret.) has
been busy presenting MOAA awards to outstanding cadets at the seven schools we support. And, the response to our COL Spady Koyama JROTC Scholarship program has
been tremendous! We’re presenting four $300 scholarships to the first recipients at
four high schools! Check out our website at www.spokanemoaa.org for photos that your
generous support has made possible. WELL DONE!
Bring Something
to the 10 June Social
for SUPPORT THE TROOPS
2012 Chapter Socials
18 Mar Northern Quest Casino
29 Apr FAFB Deel Center
18 May Valley Hosp. Special Ev.
10 Jun Cathay Inn
16 Sep TBD
21 Oct Coeur d’Alene Resort
8 Dec SATURDAY! Mukogawa
Ft. Wright
2012 Chapter Widows & Wives Club
Meeting Dates
3 Jan
7 Feb
6 Mar
3 Apr
1 May
5 Jun
3 Jul
7 Aug
4 Sep
2 Oct
6 Nov
4 Dec
Black Angus Steakhouse
Thai Bamboo
Ambrosia Bistro & Wine Bar
Beverly’s, CdA Resort
Chaps Coffee Company
Christ Kitchen
C. I. Shenanigans
Clinkerdagger Restaurant
Grille from Impanema, CdA
Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar
A Taste of Dome at Asian
Ripples, Red Lion River Inn
Now Hear This!
Welcome New Members
LCDR Aaron Bellar, CHC, USNR and wife Angela, Spokane
Capt Ken Phillips, USAF, and wife Marie, Spirit Lake, ID
TAPS
Dr. Harry Green, Jr., COL, USAF (Ret.) (4/9/2012)
Spokane Chapter, MOAA
2011 First Prize Winner
Best Legislative Coverage for
Website
Fourth Consecutive Year!
Newsletter 2011
1st Runner-up!
WIDOWS & WIVES CLUB
By Beth Ann Daigre, President
Our Hat Is Off To:
Member
Recruiters
Chapter 2012
GMT 2012
Clif Collier
1
1
Merl Gorton
1
1
Marilyn Hunt
5
9
Bob Imle
2
Dick Oates
1
Ralph Shrigley
1
TOTALS
9
2
15
Support the Troops
MAR: 2 boxes (17#) to 12M Arabian Sea (USN), 2 boxes (15#) to 7M &
1W in Afghanistan (USAF), 2 boxes (16#) to 40M & 20W in Afghanistan (Army), 2 boxes (18#) to 10M & 5W in Afghanistan (USMC).
2 boxes to 150M & 25W Afghanistan (USMC); 2 boxes to 37M & 8W
Afghanistan (USAF), 2 boxes to 10M & 2W on USS Abraham Lincoln
(USN), 2 boxes to 42M Afghanistan (US Army) - 79.5 pounds total.
2012 STT Summary: 16 boxes (145.5 lbs.) to 308M & 61W in USAF,
Army, USMC and Navy in the Arabian Sea and Afghanistan, and onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Legislative Letters, Postcards & Emails: 701 as of 12 May 2012.
Raffle Donations: MAR: $140 JROTC Units. APR: $160 Ladies &
Gentlemen of the WA State Cemetery
Widows & Wives: $87 & 36 lbs. food to Spokane Food Bank. Yarn,
knitting needles & crochet hooks to Spokane Veterans Home.
Washington Armed Forces License Plates initially cost $40
plus licensing fees. When renewing, you pay your fee plus $30,
and $28 of that is tax Deductible. It goes to the Veterans Stewardship Account which provides support services for homeless
veterans and maintenance of the WA State Veterans cemetery.
Page 2/May 2012
Our April 3rd luncheon at Beverly’s in the Coeur
d’Alene Resort Hotel was wonderful. One of our widows brought her daughter, a wife brought a friend, and
two new members made their first luncheon. Our May 1st luncheon at
Chaps brought us a first-time wife attendee and the return of a widow
we hadn’t seen in a long time.
Elaine Anderson handed out a new list of items wanted by the Veterans
Home on 5th Avenue. We have donated some of the things they are
asking for and Vicki Kelly has gone to the Dollar Tree Stores asking for
their assistance in fulfilling the dreams of our veterans and their spouses
who reside at the home. It looks very promising.
Pat Tolley continues to deliver items to the Homeless Veterans Program. Please call Pat if you have some furniture that is still in useable
shape. Their program has a delivery truck and can pick up whatever
furniture you donate.
The June 5th luncheon will be held at Christ Kitchen, 2410 North Monroe, Spokane. It’s a non-profit that helps women learn life skills, gives
them employment and self-esteem. Physicians, nurses and therapists
donate their time and skills to help the low income of our community.
When we visit this year, we will hand deliver another $50 to the clinic.
On July 3rd come and join us at Ci Shenanigans, 621 North Spokane
Falls Court, Spokane. We hope again to eat at the tables on the river.
This restaurant is going away because of the bond that passed to
enlarge the convention center. Come enjoy it while you still can.
August 7th we go to Clinkerdaggers, 621 West Mallon, Spokane.
Our luncheons always start at 1 PM, so the lunch bunch is gone and
then we are ready to leave about 3 PM before the going-home traffic
starts. Our dues are $10 per year, our name badges are $5, we select
our meal off the menu, and we each get our own bill. If you have any
questions, please contact me (Beth Ann) at 509-921-9581.
If you would like to receive our 2012 calendar with all the luncheon locations and who to call to make your reservation, send an email to me at
[email protected] or call and I’ll get it out to you.
We are a 5 Star Chapter proudly serving northeast Washington and north Idaho for 38 years!
Now Hear This!
COL SPADY KOYAMA JUNIOR ROTC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Local Junior ROTC administrators have expressed great satisfaction over our new scholarship that the
Spokane Chapter is offering to their cadets. It will be awarded to recipients at the annual award ceremony
at each of the four high schools. Funds will be paid to the school where they are enrolled. The schools
that have Junior ROTC units are Rogers High School (Air Force), Wellpinit (Army), Medical Lake (Air
Force) and Kellogg High School (Marine). To date, we’ve received enough cash or pledges to support a
scholarship of $300 for each school. The deadline for donating to this year’s program is 1 September 2012.. To make a dona-
tion, write a check to Spokane Chapter MOAA and mail it to P.O. Box 466, Veradale WA 99037. Questions? Call
Merl Gorton at (509) 467-6138 or Bob Imle at (509) 924-3846.
WHAT’S A WANGY?
WANGY stands for Washington Air/Army National Guard Youth Program. COL Rich Kelly, CO, 141st ARW, discussed
this program during his briefing to us at the April social at Fairchild AFB. They are planning an exciting event for our
military kids 12-17 August at YMCA Camp Reed. Guard families face a special challenge when called on to serve our
great country. WANGY camp builds peer relationships for the guard youth to help them cope with the unique challenges of a guard family. They are expecting 150 attendees this summer. If you would like to donate money or learn
more about the program, please contact [email protected] or call at (509) 247-7009. Tell her you are from MOAA.
AUXILIARY CORNER: Financial Literacy
Money is power, some might say. Because of their increased longevity, women control the majority
of wealth in the country today. A lack of understanding of how your money is being managed by
you or others, however, is almost as debilitating as not having any money at all.
One of the most important things couples or surviving spouses can do is to become very familiar with their household finances, including military and other federal benefits. While specialization of responsibilities exists in many households, money crosses nearly
all boundaries. For example, do you know the best strategy to maximize your Social Security benefits? Do you know which institutions are holding your money? Do you read the statements that arrive regularly (including electronic statements), and understand the
information they contain? Do you know how to access your accounts, especially on-line accounts, since so much money management is done through the internet now? Are you invested appropriately for your age and risk tolerance?
If you can’t answer “yes” to those questions, what can you do to sharpen your understanding of finance? Well, reading will help. Libraries and book stores are filled with volumes about personal finance, and newspapers and magazines run regular articles about
managing money. Some specialize in it; financially-themed periodicals can often be had for yearly subscription rates of less than $20.
Colleges and adult learning centers hold regular courses about managing your finances for very modest fees.
There are also numerous web sites devoted to financial information. One site is www.mymoney.gov, which aggregates financial information from over twenty different federal web sites. Another is the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau web site at
www.consumerfinance.gov. Don’t forget the Social Security and Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS) web sites at
www.ssa.gov and www.dfas.mil, respectively. They contain extensive information about your benefits. Or check out www.fool.com for
a free commercial take on markets and finance. Becoming financially literate is one of the smartest things you can do. To maintain
your power, don’t ignore your financial health.
NOW HEAR THIS! Is published at least 6 times per year by the Spokane Chapter, Military Officers Association of America, P O Box 466, Veradale WA 99037. Editor: Marilyn Hunt [email protected] 208-773-1074. Advertising limited to
members/spouses only. No subject matter that would preclude non-profit mailing.
Page 3/May 2012
Now Hear This!
10 JUNE SPEAKER from SENATOR MURRAY’S OFFICE
Mr. John Culton from Senator Patty Murray's Spokane office will be the speaker at our
social on 10 June. Patty is the Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.
The majority of John’s time will be a "listening session." He wants to know the concerns
and issues of our members. He also plans to bring along 1-2 people to write down specific
problems anyone is having with the VA. These people can only address the specific concerns of our Washington members, but they should be able to refer our Idaho members to
appropriate contacts/agencies. This should be a very informative meeting.
Washington State Veterans Cemetery Events
By Beth Ann Daigre, Auxiliary Liaison
The cemetery holds a monthly Veterans Memorial Tribute the last Monday of each
month at 3 PM in the Committal Shelter, but May’s ceremony will be held on 21 May
due to the Memorial Day Celebration on 28 May. The Army National Guard Honor Guard
and Air Force Honor Guard perform the firing party and flag folding duties; the Ladies and
Gentlemen read the names and ring the bell. You are invited to attend these services.
The Memorial Day celebration will be held 28 May at 11:00 AM . Bus transportation
will be available from Northern Quest Casino and the Medical Lake High School parking
lot. Special parking is available for automobiles with handicap license plates. Golf carts
will transport guests from cemetery parking lots and bus stops to the ceremonial area
where seating will be available. Please come and remember our veterans.
An Honors Tribute for American Revolutionary Patriots will be held at 3 PM on Monday, 2 July in the Committal Shelter. It will be sponsored by the local chapters of the
Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution. The Sons
will wear their period uniforms and perform a firing volley. The Air Force Honor Guard will
also perform as a firing party and the Army National Guard Honor Guard will fold a Betsy
Ross flag. Refreshments will be provided and the public is invited to attend.
Spokane MOAA Chapter President and Treasurer
Return to Classroom
Ralph Shrigley and Rufus Hoefer, Chapter President and Treasurer,
volunteered to act as judges for Senior Theses of two students at Oaks Christian Academy
in Spokane. The theses are the culmination of the Academy’s senior rhetoric program.
Ralph judged Janson Card’s thesis on 5 April and Rufus assessed Catherine Roy-Ting’s
presentation on 3 April 2012. Both gentlemen did the same thing for last year’s students.
The students spent two quarters researching and writing their theses, which were 12-20
pages in length. They then gave a 20-25 minute oral presentation of each one, followed
by 20-25 minutes of answering questions. Both Ralph and Rufus said the experience was
tremendous, and they were both awed by the detailed preparation and professional quality
of the written and oral expression of the students. The presentations were held at the
Oxarc Conference Building on E. Broadway in Spokane. The teacher who led the students through this two-semester exercise is Mr. Kevin Kimball.
Page 4/May 2012
Legislative Contacts
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington DC 20500
Washington
Senator Patty Murray
United States Senate
10 North Post St, Suite 600
Spokane WA 99201
509-624-9515
Fax (509) 624-9561
Senator Maria Cantwell
United States Senate
920 W. Riverside,
Suite 697
Spokane WA 99201
509-353-2507
Fax (509) 353-2547
Representative Cathy
McMorris Rodgers
United States House of
Representatives
10 N. Post St, 6th floor
Spokane WA 99201
509-353-2374
Fax 509-352-2412
Idaho
Senator Mike Crapo
United States Senate
610 W. Hubbard
Suite 209
Coeur d’Alene ID 83814
208-664-5490
Fax (208) 664-0889
Senator Jim Risch
United States Senate
610 W. Hubbard, Suite 213
Coeur d’Alene ID 83814
208-667-6130
Fax (208) 765-1743
Representative Raul
Labrador, United States
House of Representatives
1250 Ironwood Dr.
Suite 243
Coeur d’Alene ID 83814
(208) 667-0127
Fax (208) 667-0310
Now Hear This!
Spokane Chapter of MOAA
PO Box 466
Veradale WA 99037
10 June at Cathay Inn
3714 N. Division, Spokane
1230 Social time, 1315 Luncheon begins
Please mail your reservation early, we must receive it by Saturday, 2 June .
MENU: Sweet & Sour Pork, Shrimp Vegetables, Chicken with Three Sauces, Fried Rice, White
Rice, tea & water. Served family style.
$17 per person, includes tax and gratuity.
Please reserve ____ places for the Sunday 10 June Cathay Inn social at $17 per person. My check in the
amount of $________ is enclosed ($17 x ___). Make check payable to “Spokane Chapter MOAA” mail to chapter mailbox above. Questions? Call Bob Imle at (509) 701-3342.
Name: _____________________ ____member/assoc /guest Name: _____________________ _____member/assoc /guest
Circle one
Circle one
Name: _____________________ ____member/assoc /guest Name: _____________________ _____member/assoc /guest
[ ] Please write in your phone number if you can provide a ride to the luncheon ________________________
If you need a ride, please call Bob Imle (509) 701-3342 and we will find a ride for you.
[ ] Future Program suggestions (food, location, speakers, etc) _______________________________________
Cut here^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Cut here^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^Cut here^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Cut here
Sunday 10 June Cathay Inn social. Social time starts at 12:30, luncheon begins at 1:15 p.m.
Directions: Located at 3714 N. Division, Spokane. From I-90, go north on Division about 2.7 miles. It’s on the right, between
Kiernan and Providence Avenues. Meet in the far back right corner.
Questions? Call Bob Imle @ (509) 701-3342. Raffle will support the Fisher House.
Please bring:
 3 stamps and 6 return address labels per person for legislative letters
 Something for the raffle
 Something for our troops serving in harm’s way. (Postage fees also appreciated).
We’ll have John Culton from Senator Patty Murray’s office on Veteran’s Affairs – ASK QUESTIONS!!!
Membership Chair/Committee
EMAIL REQUEST, CHANGE OF ADDRESS or PHONE, or
Spokane Chapter, MOAA
TEMPORARILY AWAY:
P.O. Box 466
Clip and complete this form and send it to the
Veradale WA 99037
address on the left so we can update our database. Thank you.
NOTE: We do not send junk email or spam. Also, we do not give away, sell or trade your email address.
Member name: ________________________________________________________________________
(Please print clearly)
[ ] I would like to be added to the chapter email list. I specifically request to (check all that apply):
[ ] Receive the chapter newsletter by email instead of U.S. Mail.
[ ] Receive important information in a timely manner.
[ ] My email address is ________________________________________________________________
(Please print clearly)
[ ] My mailing address, email address, and/or phone number has changed to:
________________________________________________________________________________________
[ ] I will be temporarily away starting ___________ and returning _____________. I do / do not (circle one)
wish to receive the newsletter while I’m away. If “do” please send it to:
________________________________________________________________________________________
Signed: ______________________________
Page 5/FMay 2012
WE’RE ON THE WEB!
WWW.SPOKANEMOAA.ORG
Spokane Chapter
Military Officers Association of America
P.O. BOX 466
Veradale WA 99037
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 1221
Spokane WA
Need a Ride to a Chapter Social? Call Anyone Listed Below
IDAHO
WASHINGTON
Richard Oates 208-777-2671
Clif Collier 509-443-6490
Chuck Latimer 509-326-2978
Ralph Shrigley 208-623-2671
Floyd Geiger 509-328-4483
Clinton Piper 509-747-9305
See These Ladies? They belong to the Widows and Wives Club.
They’re the type of women who really appreciate it when a husband converts his Annual MOAA Membership to Life.
Why? If you predecease your wife, your Life membership will
become hers, and she won’t have to pay any additional dues to
MOAA national.
Convert to Life and Get these Benefits:
To Convert to Life, you MUST do EXACTLY this:
1. 10% discount from MOAA national
2. $20 rebate from the chapter
3. Be counted as a Give Me Ten “Paid Membership”
1. Call the MOAA Membership Service Center at (800) 234-6622
2. Say you’re a member of the Spokane Chapter & you want to
convert your annual membership to Life under Give Me Ten
3. Contact Marilyn Hunt at (208) 773-1074 or [email protected] and
tell her you did it. (Leave a message if she’s gone).
You must do all 3 things to get your 10% discount and the $20 refund.
Casualty Assistance Officer: Bernie Fritz is the casualty
assistance officer for Fairchild AFB and surrounding area.
He is in Bldg. 240 at 7 W. Arnold St., 509-247-4488. If
you leave a message, he will call you back.
Page 6/May 2012
FAFB Retiree Activities Office
Bldg. 240, 7 W. Arnold St.,509-247-4029
The Retired Affairs Office needs volunteers. Serving at the
RAO is a perfect excuse to travel out to the base and visit
the exchange/commissary at the same time. Call them!