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Military Officers Association of America -- One Powerful Voice --

For every officer at every stage of life and career

************

Heartland of America Chapter ***** July 2015 *****

"From Bunker Hill, Concord, and Valley Forge, … to Cornwallis’ defeat at Yorktown;

A new nation was born whose star-spangled banner forever shall wave o'er the land of the

free and the home of the brave!"

____________________Our Nation’s Birthday____________________ The 4th of July

(Dinner meeting at Anthony’s Steakhouse on 15 July)

(see inside back cover for details)

Check out our website at

www. HeartlandMOAA. us

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or call (402)339-7888

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 7 July 2015

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

With our pending trip to the Omaha

Community Playhouse to see Spamalot on

June 27th

, there was no Chapter dinner

meeting at Anthony’s Steakhouse this

month. Our next meeting there will be

Wednesday, July 15th

, and our speaker will

be Brig Gen Richard Evans, Mobilization

Assistant to the Deputy Commander of US

STRATCOM. He will discuss the

increasing role of the National Guard and

the Reserves in our strategic mission.

I did submit our nomination for the MOAA

Level of Excellence Award by the due date of June 1, 2015. Calendar year 2014

was a very good year for our Chapter and I appreciate all who submitted

information on their involvement with our veteran, military, and local

communities. We, collectively, possess a remarkable commitment to these

communities and definitely contribute to the “good life” in our communities. I

had the opportunity to see such a contribution on Memorial Day at the Bellevue

Cemetery. Led by VFW Post 10785, this ceremony is always solemn, somber, and

very professional. Two of our Board members, Lt Col Pat Jones with the Sarpy

Serenaders and Marty Didamo who represented the Gold Star Wives, participated.

Several other Chapter members and Gold Star Wives were also in attendance.

I received an email from the Deputy Director of Chapters, Col Brian Anderson,

USAF (Ret) with some information about MOAA’s partner, PenFed (Pentagon

Federal Credit Union). PenFed is hosting Omaha’s “Monday Night at the Movies”

on a 26-foot inflatable screen in Turner Park Blankets/chairs are welcome and the

first 3 hours of garage parking is free. Turner Park is at Midtown Crossing, 31st

Ave. and Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68131. This link has the movie schedule and

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other details: http://www.omaha.com/calendar/community_events/monday-night-

at-the-movies/event_ae13b772-e976-11e4-bf77-9feb08d82eaf.html. The PenFed

point of contact for Omaha is Derrick Gonzalez. He can be reached at 402-951-

5809 or at DerrickA.Gonzalez@penfed.org. PenFed is hosting 40 VIP seats for

military personnel, veterans. retired, etc. I spoke with Derrick and he

emphasized to me that any veteran or retiree who would like to request VIP seats

should contact him directly by email (DerrickA.Gonzalez@penfed.org) or by

telephone (402-951-5809).

I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th

of July and I hope to see many of you on July

15th

to hear General Evans. Also, please circle Thursday, August 27th

on your

calendar as that evening we will have our picnic buffet and watch Storm Chasers

baseball at Werner Park. Details will be coming soon.

Col Dan Donovan --- d.donovan1@cox.net -- 402-339-7888

The Legislative Situation (by Paul Cohen, B/Gen USAF (Ret))

We recently heard from Nebraska State Senator Sue

Crawford, detailing the passage and signing of bills

related to military members, veterans and their

families in the just concluded session. The list of the

nine new laws includes the five that the Chapter

championed.

Senator Crawford’s report also listed eleven

proposals of interest to the Chapter that will be

carried over to the next session, beginning in January

2016. That list includes the four proposals related to income tax exemption of

part or all of military retired pay. Those bills are still in the Revenue Committee.

We are formulating our strategy for passage of improved income tax legislation

for military retirees. We have been in discussion with several influential members

of the Nebraska corporate community and have been encouraged by their interest

in working with us. We have also been in conversation with an educational

institution for a project that would quantify the economic impact of several

military retired pay exemption plans. It has always been our contention that this

issue is economic and we are seeking information and corporate support to

continue the quest for a competitive statute.

The Chapter will also coordinate with the Department of Defense Liaison office to

identify issues of greatest concern to all military members and their families. Our

partnership with DOD has led to the passage of many bills and administrative

changes, all leading to making Nebraska a more military-friendly state.

Paul Cohen, B/Gen USAF (Ret)

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Very recently, the U. S. Senate passed its version of the FY 16 Defense bill,

defying a veto threat from the administration. The bill passed the senate with a

veto-proof majority, 71-25. The veto threat is about the legislation exceeding the

sequestration caps. The Senate bill by-passes those caps by funding some base

operations from special war accounts that are not subject to sequestration.

However, the Senate version caps

increases in military pay, again, below

the growth in the civilian market by

nearly half, cuts the housing allowance

by 5%, cuts subsidies to commissaries

and calls for increases in TriCare

prescription fees in excess of the COLA

percentage as in current law and in

addition to a 20% increase in most co-

pays enacted last year. It, like the

House proposal, calls for change in the

military retirement system to a mixed

defined benefit/defined contribution plan as reported on in these pages

previously.

The House and Senate lawmakers will

now meet in conference to work out the

differences between the two pieces of

legislation. They have announced that

they hope to have their work completed

before the August recess.

As the latest MOAA mailing indicated,

everyone’s help will be needed on very

short notice to contact our Congressional

Delegation in support of the House

version of the defense bill. Please watch

for calls to action from MOAA and respond

using the CAPWIZ system (except Senator

Fischer who is not enrolled in that communication system), direct phone and fax.

Detailed information about the two bills is available on the MOAA website.

As a recruiter told me just recently, “It’s becoming harder to attract good people

to uniformed service as the nation’s leadership seems to be asking more of them

and offering them less.” The budget driven message in the Senate bill reinforces

Nebraska Congressman Adrian Smith and Heartland Chapter President Dan Donovan

Nebraska Senator Sasse and

Chapter President Dan Donovan

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that perception. Your voice will be needed in the coming weeks to help reverse

the trend.

Programs for remainder of 2015

(from Ken McClure, Maj USA (Ret))

15 July, Brigadier General Richard J. Evans III,

Mobilization Assistant to the Deputy Commander, U.S.

Strategic Command, will be our guest. Expect to learn

more about active and reserve component integration

in support of strategic mission requirements.

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. This is the Storm Chasers' fifth season at Werner. We'll have a table set up

near the ball park entrance where we'll check-in much the same as we did last

year and gather at the Lincoln tent for a pre-game picnic. The game starts at

1905, so give yourself some extra time.

September's program is currently "under construction." But it should be well

worth the wait.

Looking back at JUNE 2015 .... So soon? While Spam has been around for about

78 years, thanks to Hormel Foods' introduction of a cooked spiced ham product in

1937, Spamalot was a relatively recent development. Eric Idle wrote the book

and lyrics, based on the popular 1975 movie called "Monty Python and the Holy

Grail." He joined John Du Prez in writing the music, which includes the song

"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" (erroneously referred to as "Always Look

at the Bright Side of Life" in last month's newsletter).

There's at least one Internet website that includes a Director's Script for

"Spamalot." It features both dialogue and stage direction. Follow this link (if it

works for you) to see what cleverness you may have missed:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0vTpr25OYn2UndRaE15RkYwSTA/edit

Our thanks to the Omaha Community Playhouse staff for offering not only an

amazing musical comedy but also an informative backstage tour. And to Catering

Creations goes our appreciation for staging a dinner before the show.

We needed at least a dozen Heartland of America Chapter members and their

guests to purchase tickets in order to qualify for a 25 percent discount. We were

Ken McClure, Program Chair

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thrilled to learn that nearly twice that number made the commitment. Total

headcount: 23. Thanks to all!

Your suggestions for future programs are appreciated. Please contact me, Ken

McClure, at (402) 215-3944 or send email to kgmcclure@gmail.com

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

Three Membership Levels

To Meet the Needs Of All

Officers BASIC

PREMIUM

LIFE

Features of each

Membership Level

No-cost electronic

membership

designed for today’s

junior officers.

Full access to MOAA’s career resources,

countless discounts on products and travel,

and access to all of MOAA-exclusive

publications and news updates. Full access

to a wide variety of member benefits for

today’s career officer.

Receive all the benefits

that PREMIUM

membership has plus

exclusive privileges and

benefits.

Membership Dues Free

1 year - $40

2 years - $75

3 years - $98

Dues are based on your

current age

Support of critical advocacy efforts

to protect the benefits of the entire

military community

Electronic access to several of

MOAA’s news updates

Discounts on products and travel

Career transition resources

1. MOAA helps by hosting career

fairs, résumé critiques, training

sessions, and much more.

Expert advice on your military pay

and benefits

1. MOAA's team of highly trained

professionals can help you receive

the military benefits you've earned

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through one-on-one counseling.

Financial planning and investment

advice

Military Officer magazine

Access to all MOAA-exclusive

publications

Scholarships, interest-free loans,

and grants

1. For children of MOAA members

seeking undergraduate degrees.

MOAA Chapters

1. Take advantage of the opportunity

to get involved and meet fellow

officers in your community. A

PREMIUM or LIFE Membership

makes it easy.

Dues vary by

chapter.

New chapter members receive a voucher

good for one year of chapter dues.

New chapter members

receive a voucher good

for two years of chapter

dues

Bonus travel rewards and

discounts

Initiation fee waived at Army and

Navy Club of Washington, D. C.

Protection for your spouse

1. membership benefits transfer to

your spouse should anything

happen to you

[ ] LIFE MEMBERSHIP ENROLLMENT

Method of Payment

[ ] Check (please make payable to MOAA)

[ ] Visa [ ] Discover [ ] MasterCard [ ] AMEX

Charge my card $ ____________________

Car d number _____________________________

Expiration date (mm/dd/year_____________

LIFE Membership Dues: based on your current age

50 & under $693 Age 66-70 $501 Age 86-

90

$191

Age 51-55 $654 Age 71-75 $431 Age 91-

95

$118

Age 56-60 $616 Age 76-80 $354 Age 95-

100

$72

Age 61-65 $564 Age 81-85 $270 Age101+ Free

Signature _______________________________________

EZ Pay with 10 convenient, interest free installments

You will receive monthly invoices and your balance will reflect credit of any unused dues paid on your current annual membership. [ ] Enclosed is my check (payable to MOAA) in the amount of $_______ (1/10

th of my dues)

[ ] Charge my card in the amount of $ ___________ (1/10 th of my dues) [ ] Visa [ ] Discover [ ] MasterCard [ ] AMEX Car d number ______________________________Expiration date (mm/dd/year_____________

[ ] Check here to have your credit card automatically charged monthly for the remaining installment payments

Signature _______________________________________

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Heartland of America Chapter

Military Officers Association of America P.O. Box 1756

Bellevue, NE 68005-1756

LOCAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION (Heartland Chapter members must also be a National MOAA Member)

Membership: _____Initial or _____Renewal

Annual local dues ___$20.00 ___$10.00(new ones after 1 July) ___Aux $5.00

___Benefactor Donor: $50, $100 or more___________________

Last Name ____________________ First Name _______________ MI_____

Nickname ___________________ e-mail _______________________________

Street Address ________________________City _________State___ Zip_______

Phone(H)__________________W________________Cell____________________

Rank ____________ Service __________ Retired___ NOAA___ USPHS___

___Active Duty ___Regular ___Reserve ___Nat'l Guard ___Former Officer

Spouse's Name___________________________

National MOAA Membership # ________________ Life Member? ___Yes ___No

Brief Bio: (entered service: branch: assignment summary: Interesting career anecdotes:

____________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Signature ____________________ Date______________________

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CHAPTER SPONSORS

Your Ad Could be here!

Call Dick Doolittle at

(402)557-6780

SELECT YOUR MEMBERSHIP After filling out some basic information below, select your membership level by checking one of the boxes and providing

your payment information

Name ________________________________

Branch of Service ____________ Rank _____

[ ] Retired [ ] Active [ ] Former

[ ] Reserve [ ] National Guard [ ] Surviving spouse

[ ] Graduation Year (Cadet/Midshipmen)_____

Email Address __ __________________

Address ______________________________

City ________________ State Zip _______

Phone Number ______________________________

To ensure deliverability of MOAA communications, please provide

a personal email without a ". mil" domain if available.

We value your privacy. MOAA does not rent or sell its members'

emails to third parties. If you include your email address, you will

receive e-communications from MOAA as a member benefit Visit

www. moaa. org/email for details.

Spouse Name _____________________________

Spouse email _____________________________

Your spouse has access to all of your MOAA member benefits.

Chapter Name __________________________

Dues to MOAA are not deductible as a charitable contribution for

federal tax purposes. Annual Membership dues include a $12

subscription to Military Officer Magazine.

[ ] PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP ENROLLMENT

Method of Payment

[ ] Check (please make payable to MOAA) [ ] Visa

[ ] Discover [ ] MasterCard [ ] AMEX

Charge my card $ _________________________

Card number _____________________________

Expiration date ____________________________

Signature ________________________________

[ ] For my convenience, please charge each year's dues, at the then-prevailing amount, to the credit card listed above.

[ ] One-Year Premium Membership

$40 – Surviving Spouse- $37)

[ ] Two-Year Premium Membership

$75 - Surviving Spouse - $68)

[ ] Three-Year Premium Membership

$98 - Surviving Spouse - $88)

*****************************************

[ ] BASIC MEMBERSHIP ENROLLMENT *email address required for Basic

Membership. Do not use “. mil” email

Send to:

MOAA, PO Box 1488

Merrifield,VA 22116-9820

For faster service, call (800) 234-MOAA (6622) or visit www. moaa. org/join.

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In Memory of

Ben F. Comstock

POW WWII 8 Dec 1941 ( taken prisoner at Wake Island )

Past National Director

AMERICAN EX-PRISONERS OF WAR

2806 Nottingham Drive

Bellevue NE 68123

BEARDMORE

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

418 Fort Crook Road North, Bellevue NE 68005 www. beardmorechevy. com�

Cell Phone: 402-598-7916

Email: ascohen51@gmail.com

Office: 402-778-1212

1405 California St. Omaha NE 68154

Protecting Your Future With Jay DiBacco

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Your Ad

Could be here! 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. That reduces 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 Federal Government did not print paper money until 1861?

With the Civil War on, people hoarded their coins. Soon there was virtually no money in circulation. Congress was forced to direct the Treasury to print

paper currency so the economy could function.

They were called “Greenbacks” due to the color of ink on one side.

Lincoln ,being President at the time, was pictured on one side

By law, each bill had to be signed by the Treasurer or his rep. So, beginning in 1862, two men and four women worked every day signing each $1 & $2

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 – Wednesday, July 15th, 2015

Anthony's Restaurant (72nd and F Streets) Registration and Social Hour Begins at 6 pm - Dinner at 7 pm

Reservations are for meal selections only, and should be e-mailed to our central e-mail address or phoned to Ron and Sharon Russell. Please specify names of attendees, meal choices and include a phone number in case we need to contact you. Reservations should be in by Monday night

before the dinner! If you must cancel your reservation, please call Ron or Sharon at 402-297-4244 prior to 4:00 pm on the day of the event; otherwise the chapter will be charged if you are a NO-SHOW and we will send you a bill for the cost.

E-mail: heartlandmoaa@hotmail.com Phone: 402-297-4244

Meal selections are as follows:

8 oz Sirloin w/Baked Potato & Roasted Vegetables $27.60

With Chocolate Ice Cream $30.50

Baked Salmon w/Pasta Alfredo & Roasted Vegetables $27.60

With Chocolate Ice Cream $30.50

Strawberry Pecan Spring Salad $17.05

With Chocolate Ice Cream $20.00

Payment will be collected in the party room. A pre-made-out check to Anthony's is preferred. Cash will be accepted but it slows down entry and causes lines. Thank you for your support of this procedure. Note: Prices include tax and gratuity.

Program Our guest is Brigadier General Richard J. Evans, III,

Mobilization Assistant to the Deputy Commander,

USSTRATCOM. While mobilization issues occupy much of

his time, General Evans maintains an active interest in all

Reserve Component missions, the Nebraska Air National

Guard and Nebraska Military Aviation History.

Remember the expression, “The more the merrier”? We ask

you to help make our monthly meetings even merrier with

your presence. We strive to provide three things,

camaraderie, a good meal and a stimulating program. We’ll

do our best to provide the last two, but only you can

increase the camaraderie we share. Please attend!

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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