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November 2015

Volume 40, Issue 10

In This Issue:

President’s Message 1

Auxiliary Report 2

Pictures 2-4

Birthdays/Anniversaries 4

Dback Game Pictures 5

Chapter Dinner Information 5

Auxiliary Lunch Information 5

Chair Reports 6

Auxiliary Programs 6-7

For Your Information 8

Membership Application 10

Dinner Reservations 11

This newsletter is published

monthly September - May.

The Superstition Mountain

Chapter, Military Officers

Association of America Inc., is a

non-profit organization, IRS tax

ID# 23-7430856

http://www.smcmoaa.org/

Please remember to share the newsletter with your spouse!

President’s Comments

November of every year is special for many reasons. November is Veteran’s month, the 10th is the Marines birthday, and the 11th is the official Veteran’s Day. There are numerous activities and parades all month long. Everyone should try to participate in as many programs as possible.

November 11 – Both Phoenix and Mesa will be conducting their parades.

November 7 – 2nd Annual Veterans Retreat at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic

Parish, 13720 W. Thomas Rd, Avondale, AZ 85392 -- 9am-3pm, lunch will be provided.

RSVP: (850) 516-5053. MG John Scott, Deacon.

November 8 – 5th Annual Veterans Mass 10:45 am, St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish -

13720 W Thomas Rd, Avondale, AZ 85392

November 8 – Falcon Field. Commemorative AF, 10:00am. All Vietnam Vets enter for free with

a copy of their DD-214.

On November 15th, we will be celebrating our own Salute and Thank You to the Troops. Lt. Col

Steve Wood will be bringing at least 10 of his Campo Verde HS JROTC Cadets to conduct their

wonderful POW/MIA Program. In addition we will be having active duty service members from

the 5 military services along with their spouses/guests. The evening will start at 4:00pm with

our social hour. At 5:00pm the JROTC cadets will Post the Colors and begin their POW/MIA

program. Dinner begins right after the cadet’s presentation. Please join us. We generally have

60-70 members and guests at this dinner. The Cadets will be our guests for dinner and each

table will have at least one cadet joining them. If you would like to sponsor one of these Cadets,

contact Greg Moore or myself. Don’t forget, we will be officially attaching our newest 5-STAR

LOE streamer to our MOAA flag at this dinner/meeting.

President’s message continued on next page…..

President’s message continued …..

2015 OFFICERS

President, Cpt Ed Mangan 602-501-0128 emangan3@aol.com

1st VP, Lt Gregory Moore 480-814-0580 glmoore24@yahoo.com

2nd VP, Ms. Ann Schminke 480 893-8263 daannz@aol.com

VP Auxiliary, Mrs. Ann Ferguson

Secretary, Mrs. Peggy Allen

Treasurer, Col Thomas Ralph

Past President, CW4 Arlan Allen

2015 COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Programs Lt Gregory Moore

Membership Ms. Ann Schminke

Personal Affairs CW4 Arlan Allen

Legislative Lt Col Ed Fox

JROTC/Scholarship Col Karl Pfitzer

Newsletter Mrs. Marlene Fox

Website Mrs. Ann Ferguson

Transition Coordinator LtC James Austin

Director Maj Gen Dave Rataczak Director Mrs. Jackie Oddo

Director Capt George Meegan

Director CW4 Bob Delker

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Austin Foote has asked to be relieved of his duties and Tom Ralph has agreed to take over as Treasurer for the remainder

of this year. We appreciate the many years Austin has been our Treasurer.

Our October picnic was great. Tom Ralph, our chef, grilled our steaks and hamburgers to perfection. We could have had

a few more members attending, but those who did make it enjoyed the day.

As you know, this month we are identifying our newly nominated officers and board members to serve next year. If you still

would like to join our board, contact Arlan Allen, Karl Pfitzer, Bob Delker or Marti Pearce.

Central Arizona Satellite (CAS), our new satellite met on October 10th at the Olive Garden Restaurant, at I-10 and Florence

Hwy, Casa Grande. We had a great turn out. Ann Schminke has more details.

I’d like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving

Ed Mangan, Capt USAF (fmr); emangan3@aol.com, President, Superstition Mountain Chapter, MOAA 4537 E. Shomi St, Phoenix, AZ 85044; (602) 501-0128

AUXILIARY NEWS: from Ann Ferguson

The next meeting of the Auxiliary will be Friday, Nov 13, 2015, at Dobson's Restaurant, 2155 S. Dobson, Mesa. We will meet at 11 am to pack

boxes for Packages from Home with luncheon at 11:30 am.

At the October meeting 15 additional boxes for Packages from Home were filled and sent. Thanks to all of you who donated items and funds in support of this effort. This month the Mesa Teachers sorority and Gethsemane Grade School also donated toiletries and funds to help fill and send our boxes. Thanks to Virginia Bresnahan for facilitating these donations. We have now sent 90 boxes to Packages from Home this year. We need to send 30 more boxes to reach our goal of 120 boxes in 2015. We can do it with your help.

So keep your donations coming, remember just one can of food or bar of soap can make a difference.

We are still collecting books for Operation Paperback and the Phoenix VAMC. Your used paperback books are sent to troops overseas and stateside as well as their families and children. Your used hardback books are donated to the Phoenix VAMC.

You can bring your donations for these projects to any of our chapter meetings or you can donate funds using the coupon printed on page 10 of this newsletter and sending it to our treasurer, Tom Ralph.

October Picnic at Kawanis Park

Kawanis Park is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon with friends. Chef Tom Ralph grilled the steaks to perfection, even if you wanted yours well done! The weather cooperated and it didn’t rain until the picnic was over. The food was great and everyone had a good time.

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Laura Wilson won over $50.00 in our 50/50 raffle!

November Congratulations

MEMBER BIRTHDAY SPOUSE BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARIES

Helen Benner 24 Ann Ferguson 7 Joseph & Jane Edstrom 2

John Enroth 19 Magdalen Kwak 12

Ed & Marlene Fox 29

Florence Gunderson 9 Laurel McClean 15

David & Laurel McClean 15

James Hill 2 Jo Meegan 14 Henry & Roberta Rawls 25 John Kwak 27 Norman Peters 11 Vivian Whalen 24 Wood Stephen 3

Our next picnic will be in

March of 2016. We hope

more of you will join us for

this casual day of

fellowship, fun, and just

enjoy a nice day out of

doors.

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September 13th MOAA Diamondbacks game

MOAA Multi-Chapter Color Guard Presents the Colors Front line: George Meegan, Greg Moore, Ed Mangan and John Horak.

Second line: Bob Covalucci, CC; Dennis DeFrain, LC; Mike Damiano, NAC

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Superstition Mountain Chapter MOAA Auxiliary Luncheon

at Dobson's Restaurant

November 13, 2015

Pack books and Packages from Home boxes at

11:00am -- Lunch at 11:30am

Order lunch off the menu

No reservation needed

Please come join us for lunch!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Superstition Mountain Chapter MOAA

Thanksgiving and Veterans

Recognition Dinner November 15, 2015

Dobson’s Restaurant at the golf course

2155 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, AZ

4:00pm Social – 5:00pm Dinner

Join us as we honor the troops who are serving and

protecting this great nation

Campo Verde High School JROTC will perform

A POW/MIA Ceremony

Our Thanksgiving Celebration Menu choices

Turkey or Ham

All meals include Green Salad, Vegetables,

Dinner Rolls, Dessert & Coffee or Tea

$25.00 per person

Reservations by Wednesday November 11th

Greg Moore 1581 W. Corona Dr.

Chandler, AZ 85224-8558

Or call 480-814-0580- email glmoore24@yahoo.com

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A message from

1st Vice President Greg Moore

The November dinner will feature a choice of ham or turkey with all the trimmings. Guests will be active duty servicemen/women representing the various branches of the uniformed services. We will again be honored by members of the Campo Verde JROTC as they Post the Colors then perform the POW/MIA Ceremony.

The Cadets will also be our guests for dinner. We will seat a Cadet at each table so all of you will get a chance to visit with them. If you would like to sponsor a Cadet for dinner let me know when you make your reservation.

December 13th is the election and installation of our 2016 Officers and Board of Directors. This is our formal dinner and is always fun to see everyone in their finest.

CHAIRMAN REPORTS

2st Vice President Ann Schminke Membership

We must stay vigilant with our new member recruitment. Please keep your eyes and ears open for any former military officer that you could invite to join us. Bring them along

with you to one of our functions. Our members are the best recruitment tool we have.

Legislative Ed Fox

Congress sent the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, which sets

budgets and policies for the military to the President but he vetoed it. Now it’s back to the drawing board and trying to come up with something both the House and Senate can agree on as well as the President. It’s not looking good for a budget real soon.

When you receive the Legislative Update from Bob

Delker, please read it and contact your local

congressman to let them know your feelings on the

issues.

Transition Coordinator James Austin

Need A Job?

Once you have a job there are some

things that managers agree on as precluding

advancement and/or retention:

1. Don’t whine if things aren’t to your liking

2. Don’t pout over something that didn’t go your

way

3. Don’t tattle on another worker

4. Don’t make a face behind someone’s back

5. Don’t form a clique

6. Don’t play a prank on another co-worker

7. Don’t start a rumor about a co-worker

8. Don’t storm out of the room

9. Don’t throw a tantrum

10. Don’t refuse to share resources with others.

In short, leave the drama for your favorite TV shows and

focus on your work and having professional relationships

-- your career will thank you!

.

12 28 43 60 60 60 60 60 75 90

0

100

200

300

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2015 Packages From Home Mailed

Our Ladies Auxiliary is trying to reach their goal

of 120 boxes this year, 30 more are needed. Let’s

help them reach that goal. Bring money or

material donations to our next event.

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Auxiliary Sponsored Programs

Packages from Home

Ann Ferguson

Bring your donations to any chapter function.

Requested items: hygiene items (baby wipes,

cotton swabs, tissues, tooth paste, deodorant, shampoo,

etc.), snack items (such as baby wipes, cotton swabs,

hygiene items and snack items such as jerky and Tootsie

Rolls. We also include current magazines, Sunday

comics, calendars, writing paper and greeting cards in our

boxes. We cannot send aerosol cans, chocolate, alcohol

or sexually oriented material. Monetary donations are

always appreciated. For more information contact: Ann

Ferguson 480-961-9634 or email vfergusonfnp@cox.net

Cell Phones for Soldiers / Helping Heroes Home

Ann Schminke

When you upgrade your phone, don’t throw those old phones away. Bring them to us. We’ll send them in to get phone time for our troops overseas. The phones don’t need to work. Monetary donations are great too! Five

dollars is equal to 2.5 hours of family talk-time for one deployed.

For more information contact: Ann Schminke 480-893-8263 - daannz@aol.com

Since 2011 over 345 phones have been sent! Thanks for your donations!

Operation Paperback Books

Ann Ferguson

We send paperbacks to the troops and hard

cover books are taken to the VA Hospital.

Requested books: action (includes westerns), bestsellers,

biographies and memoirs, fantasy, history, horror,

mysteries, science-fiction and true crime. We are also

sending books to the families of deployed troops. You can

now include children's books in your donations as well as

more women's literature. For more information contact Ann

Ferguson. 480-961-9634 or email vfergusonfnp@cox.net

7 Boxes mailed in 2015 (over 139 books)

Since 2012, Over 900 books taken to the VA Hospital!

Chapter Officers and Directors nominating Committee The Nominating Committee is continuing to seek out those Chapter members that would be willing to serve on our Board of

Directors. We have had a number of folks recently step up to offer their service and we are glad to have them on our

nominating slate. However, we still need folks interested in our leadership positions of President, First Vice-President and

Second Vice-President. The Board has restructured the two vice-president positions to even up the responsibilities of each

thus reducing the workload for each position. We also have at-large director positions open on the board for those interested

in serving and helping in any number of areas. Our chapter by-laws require the slate of next year’s candidates be presented

to chapter membership well before the general election. Our voting will be held during the December, 2015 general meeting

and the slate of candidates is typically announced in the December newsletter. As you can see we have about one month

to complete our slate for next year. If you have an interest in serving the chapter or in finding out additional information about

any specific position please contact any member of the Nominating Committee or any member of the board. The strength

and success of our chapter rests with those willing to serve and we hope you will consider serving your chapter in some

fashion.

The Nominating Committee: Arlan Allen Bob Delker Martha Pearce Karl Pfitzer

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MILITARY RETIREMENT REFORM…AND YOU (Taken from MOAA National website) By: Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF (Ret) Director, Government Relations If you think you’re “fully grandfathered,” think again. We’ve told you the FY 2016 Defense Authorization Act includes a dramatic overhaul of the military retirement system that reduces retired pay value by 20 percent and substitutes a lower-value savings match under a 401(k)-style system. We’ve also told you the new plan will be imposed only on new service entrants on or after Jan. 1, 2018. In other words, all currently in uniform and everyone already retired will be “grandfathered” under the current retirement system. But that’s definitely not the same thing as saying, “No currently serving or retired service member will experience any financial penalty from this change. ”Now that I have your attention, let’s look briefly at the new system.

Reduced retired pay: Instead of providing 2.5 percent of the highest three years’ average basic pay for each

year of service (50 percent at 20 years; 75 percent at 30), it provides 2 percent per year (40 percent at 20 years;

60 percent at 30).

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): To help offset the lost retired pay, service members will be expected to contribute

part of their pay to a 401(k)-like TSP.

Government TSP contributions: DoD will put 1 percent of basic pay in each service member’s TSP account

each year. Starting after two years of service, DoD also will match the service member’s contribution up to 4

percent of basic pay. Matching deposits will stop after 26 years of service.

Vesting: Unlike the current system, service members separating after one or more terms would be able to keep

the government contributions to their TSP.

Lump-sum retired-pay option: Retirement-eligible service members will be able, if they choose, to receive a

portion of their retired pay as a lump sum. The option is to take 25 percent or 50 percent of the total retired pay

they would draw between initial receipt of retired pay and age 67. But the amount would be steeply discounted for

every year before age 67.

The new system will save DoD more than $13 billion in the first 10 years alone. In effect, it makes people who serve 20-plus years substitute their own money for the governments. It also makes career service members foot the bill for new payouts to separatees. We’re also concerned the lump-sum payment will entice too many retiring service members to forfeit a very large amount of retired pay for a small fraction of the value in a lump sum. DoD and Congress bash payday lenders for doing essentially the same thing.

Some ask, “Why are you making a big deal about this, since it will be years and years before anyone retires under the new system, and it doesn’t affect anyone already serving or retired?” For one thing, wrong is wrong. If these changes were being inflicted on today’s retirees, we’d say the reduced pay is not commensurate with their sacrifice. We don’t think future service members’ sacrifices will be any less.

MOAA has no problems with a vesting provision, but the fact that the changes save billions even after adding this big new cost tells you this is a drill to save money at the expense of those who serve longest and sacrifice most. All the talk about rising personnel costs is simply code for “We don’t think your service and sacrifice is worth what we’re paying you.” MOAA disagrees. But what’s particularly wrong about this drill is it’s not just future retirees being made to foot the bill. Because of the technicalities of congressional budgeting, the changes “scored” as having some relatively near-term costs. And to solve that problem, Congress turned to … you.

The next time you pay more for your TRICARE-covered medications, you won’t have to wonder where the extra money went. It went to cover start-up costs for the new military retirement system that (mostly) grandfathered you.

Contact your local congressman to let them know your feelings on the issues.

Board meetings The board meets at Friendship Village in Tempe on the 2nd Monday of each month at 9am. As always, members are cordially invited to attend these meetings. Upcoming meetings: November 10th, December 14th and January 11, 2016.

Auxiliary Spouses Meetings

The Auxiliary meets on the 2nd Friday of each month at

11:30am. November’s meeting is on the 13th at Dobson’s

Restaurant. Contact Ann Ferguson 480-961-9634 or email

vfergusonfnp@cox.net if you have questions.

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They Did Their Share On Veteran's Day we honor Soldiers who protect our nation. For their service as our warriors, They deserve our admiration.

Some of them were drafted; Some were volunteers; For some it was just yesterday; For some it's been many years

In the jungle or the desert, On land or on the sea, They did whatever was assigned To produce a victory.

Some came back; some didn't. They defended us everywhere. Some saw combat; some rode a desk; All of them did their share.

No matter what the duty, For low pay and little glory, These soldiers gave up normal lives, For duties mundane and gory.

Let every veteran be honored; Don't let politics get in the way. Without them, freedom would have died; what they did, we can't repay.

We owe so much to them, Who kept us safe from terror, So when we see a uniform, Let's say "thank you" to every wearer.

By Joanna Fuchs

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MOAA’s Mission: The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is a non-profit veterans

association dedicated to maintaining a strong national defense and to preserving the earned entitlements of members of the uniformed services and their families and survivors.

MOAA National & Superstition Mountain Chapter Membership Application

Date __________________Member Name & Initial ___________________________________________________

Branch of Service__________________________ Rank__________________________________

Spouse First Name ____________________________ National MOAA Number ________________________

Street Address ___________________________________ __City _____________ State _____ZIP______-_________

Home Phone #__________________________Work or Cell#________________________________

Please Circle: ARMY--AIR FORCE-NAVY--MARINE CORPS- COAST GUARD--NOAA--PUBLIC HEALTH SVC

Circle All That Apply: REGULAR-RESERVE-NATIONAL GUARD-FORMER OFFICER-ACTIVE-RETIRED-

MALE___ FEMALE___ WIDOW-___ WIDOWER___

Member Date of Birth MM____/DD____/YYYY______ Spouse Date of Birth MM____/DD____/YYYY______

Anniversary Date ______________________E-mail Address _______________________________________

MOAA National membership for 2016 has 3 types to pick from. 1. Basic–free-electronic only. 2. Premium- $37.00 a year. 3.

Life membership-fee is age dependent. As a BASIC Member you will receive electronic newsletters and have opportunities

to participate in grassroots activism effort. You get Military Officer Magazine via our mobile app. You’ll also have the opportunity

to attend our career fairs, networking events, and classes and to take advantage of valuable discounts on products and services. As

a PREMIUM Member you get full access to everything MOAA has to offer, including our full spectrum of our career resources (one-on-one career counseling, résumé reviews, and interviewing advice and critiques), countless discounts on products and travel, and access to all MOAA exclusive publications and news updates. You’ll be able to tap into MOAA’s staff of experts for financial and investment advice, college scholarships for dependents, and much more. That’s on top of all the benefits you receive at the BASIC Membership level.

Superstition Mountain Chapter membership fee is $25 per year. Spouses of current members may participate in Chapter Auxiliary

luncheons and activities with no fee. Chapter bylaws require Chapter members and Chapter Auxiliary members to be members of

MOAA National.

Enclose check for: MOAA National $______$25.00 For Chapter $______$12.50 For Auxiliary (SSAC)____

Makes checks payable to: Superstition Mountain Chapter MOAA

Mail Application and Check to: Superstition Mountain Chapter MOAA, Tom Ralph, Treasurer

20444 N 22nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85024 - Phone 602-569-2130

For More Information Contact, Membership Committee Chairman Ann Schminke: 480-893-8263 - daannz@aol.com

Name tags are available for $10.00 each. Name tags are durable hard plastic, white background with MOAA logo and

your name engraved in black. To place your order, please fill out the form below and send your check made out to

Superstition Mountain Chapter MOAA to the above address.

Print first and last name Select nametag type pin on or magnetic

1. ______________________________________________________ _____ _____

2. ______________________________________________________ _____ _____

3. ______________________________________________________ _____ _____

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CLIP AND MAIL

Chapter Community Grant Donation

Enclosed is our donation of $ _____________ for this program

The Chapter MAY___MAY NOT __ publish our names in the newsletter

Signed __________________________________________________

Please make check payable to Superstition Mountain Chapter, MOAA

Please check one ROTC____ Packages From Home____ Other________________________

Mail to: Tom Ralph, Treasurer 20444 N 22nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85024

Family Assistance Fund Donation

Enclosed is our tax-deductible donation of $ _____________

Signed __________________________________________________

Please make check payable to AZ National Guard Family Assistance Fund

Mail to: Tom Ralph, Treasurer 20444 N 22nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85024

2016 Chapter Dues Renewal Form

Annual Dues: $25 Regular Members $12.50 Auxiliary (SSAC) Members

Please make check payable to Superstition Mountain Chapter, MOAA

- - - Write MOAA Chapter Dues on Memo line of the check

Mail to: Tom Ralph, Treasurer 20444 N 22nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85024

Check enclosed; renew my membership for 2016

Signed _____________________________ My National MOAA Number_________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________________________________

Phone number_____________________ Email ___________________________________________________ ____

November Dinner Meeting Reservation

Sunday, November 15, 2015 - Dobson’s Restaurant

Social Hour 4:00pm Dinner 5:00pm

Meal Choices: Turkey_____ Ham _____

$25.00 per meal – Name(s) _________________________________________________

Reservations must be in by Wednesday, November 11th Make checks payable to: Superstition Mountain Chapter, MOAA

CLIP AND MAIL TO: GREG MOORE 1581 W. Corona Dr. Chandler, AZ 85224-8558

Or call 480-814-0580- email glmoore24@yahoo.com –

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Superstition Mountain Chapter

Military Officers Association of America

1151 N Joshua Tree Lane

Gilbert, AZ 85234

2015 2016 Chapter Activity schedule - (Dates and times are subject to change)

Chapter Board Meetings Chapter Auxiliary Luncheons Chapter Dinner/Picnic Meetings

November 9th - 9:00am November 13th – 11:30am November 15th – 4:00pm Social – 5:00pm dinner

December 14th - 9:00am December 11th - 11:30am December 13th – 5:00pm social – 6:00pm dinner

2016

January 10th – 9:00am January 8th – 11:30am January 17th - 4:00pm social – 5:00pm dinner

February 14th – 9:00am February 12th – 11:30am February 21st - 4:00pm social – 5:00pm dinner

Happy Thanksgiving