houston areamoaahoustonarea.com/library/newsltrdec17.pdf · 2017. 12. 6. · welcom new members!...

Daniel Gutierrez

HOUSTON AREA PO BOX 1082 HOUSTON TX 77251-1082 www.moaahoustonarea.com

Newsletter to MembersVol. LIV No. 12 December 2017

NEXT MEETING SATURDAY, January 27, 2017 BRAEBURN COUNTRY CLUB

Incoming President’sMessage

“December seventh, 1941, a date whichwill live in infamy.” These are theopening words of President FranklinRoosevelt’s address to the congress onDecember 8, 1941, the day after theUnited States was attacked by Japan atPearl Harbor and our country wasushered into the world wideconflagration of World War II seventy six years ago.

These days, the main emphasis of care and concern is placed onthe current and most recent conflicts in which our nation isengaged. That is how it should be. But from time to time I reflectupon the appalling lack of knowledge, and worst of all, interest,that recent generations demonstrate about past watershed eventsin the nation’s history. I am talking about college educatedpeople (indeed, even history majors) who have no clearunderstanding of from whence we came and to whence are wegoing. Is this bad? Is this how it should be? I find it unsettling.

Hello, everyone. I’m Dan Gutierrez, your 3d Vice President andPresident-elect for 2018. Our president, Eugene Vecera, askedme to write this month’s President’s Message. My apologies forthe somber opening words. Just as we should better know andremember our past, we also want to remember Eugene Vecera'sgreat contributions to our chapter.

Over the past three years, Eugene steered the chapter throughsome difficult times. The main challenge was and continues to befalling enrollment and membership. Each year the chapter’smembership has fallen dramatically. We lost significant fundingfrom our primary sponsor, USAA. We lost funding from MOAAnational for JROTC programs. And membership participation inour monthly meetings and special events has diminished.

(Message continued on p. 3)

Respectfully,Daniel M,. Gutierrez, MAJ USA (Ret.), President 2018

2017 OfficersPresident Eugene A. Vecera, LTC USA713.516.3459 [email protected]

1st Vice President ProgramVACANT

2nd Vice President ArrangementsVACANT

3rd Vice President MembershipDaniel M. Gutierrez, MAJ USA 281.543.1257

[email protected]

SecretaryRollins J. Collins, LTC USA Ret.704.213.2334 [email protected]

Treasurer Don L. Couch, LTC USA Ret.832.205.2009 [email protected]

Legislative RepresentativeROTC Scholarship VACANT

Assistant Legislative Representative VACANT

Liaison Eugene Tulich CDR USCG281.376.0061 [email protected]

ROTCWilbur E. “Mac” McConico LTC USA Ret [email protected]

ChaplainKerry Magee CAPT USN Ret979.964.3236h 979.236.2415 [email protected]

Editor Carol Ann Wilson 8902 Sunnywood DriveHouston TX77088-3729281. 847.9754; 281.642.4050 [email protected]

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, December 2017, p. 1

Kerry MageeCAPT USN (Ret.)

MOAA Houston AreaBoard Meetings for

2018

Tuesday before Monthly Luncheon Meeting

1/23/17 11:30Rudi Lechner’s 2503 S. Gessner

2018 Board Meetings 1/23 2/20 3/27 4/24 5/22 6/26

7/24 8/21 9/29 10/23 11/13? None in Dec

All members are welcome.

MOAA

Houston AreaMonthly Meeting

and Luncheon

Saturday Jan. 2711:30 fellowship

12 Noon LuncheonBraeBurn Country Club

8101 Bissonnet St Houston TX 77074

(713) 774-2586

MENU WILLAPPEAR IN JAN.NEWSLETTER

$30

ComplimentaryValet Parking

Reservations by Wed.1/24 to Don Couch,

832.205.2009

2018 MOAA-HA Monthly Meetings

1/27 2/24 3/31 4/28May is Military Ball

6/30 7/28 8/25 9/25 10/2711/15 (with MOWA)

12/?/18? Christmas Party

Military Officers Wives Association

MOWA

Thursday, January 1811:30 FellowshipLuncheon at Noon

Rudi Lechner’s 2503 S. Gessner

Order off the Menuand Pay Individually

RSVP to Phyllis Ottis, 713.774.2292,

by Mon. 7/15, 10 a.m.

See you there!

MOAA-HA

Z Treasurer’s Report,

December 1, 2017

Receipts $ 265.00 Expenses $ 0 Balance $4,478.84

Don L. Couch, Treasurer LTC USA Ret.

DUES ARE DUE NOW!

CHECK YOUR “Paid Through”date in the Membership Directory.

Please use form in this newsletter toreport current information

(Only Paid Members Included)

AD PRICES FORMEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY(TO BE PUBLISHED IN APRIL)

$300 for either inside cover; $100 forfull page inside; $50 for half pageinside; $25 quarter page inside; $25for Patron Ads.

Chaplain’sMessage

SHALOM!PEACE BEWITH YOU!

MERRYCHRISTMAS!HAPPY HANUKKAH!

My December column is quitedifferent from past years. Ithought I would share somequotes that I have foundcomforting; maybe you also!Here goes:“Go at life with abandon;give it all you got. And lifewill give all it has for you.” --Norman Vincent Peale.

“Recognize that true gifts oflife come from momentsshared and beauty witnessed–laughter with loved ones, aglorious sunrise, a rainbowafter a storm.” --Norman Vincent Peale

“Do all the good you can, byall the means you can, in allthe ways you can, in all theplaces you can, at all thetimes you can, to all thepeopleyou can, as long as ever youcan.” --John Wesley

“Sometimes the only means oftransportation is a leap ofFaith.” --Susan J. Decuir

“Open the windows of yoursoul and let a strong, freshcurrent of home come surgingthrough!” --Anonymous

“May God hold you in thepalm of His hand, and Angelswatch over you.” --Irish Blessing


“May you live as long as youwant, and never want as longas you live!” -Another Irish blessing“Performance of the smallestgood deed is better than thegrandest intention.” --Anonymous

“What is right is oftenforgotten by what isconvenient.” --Anonymous

“The best way to predictyour future is to create it.” --Abraham Lincoln

“Patience is a poultice forall wounds.” --Irish Proverb

And finally, “May yourneighbors respect you,Trouble neglect you, TheAngels protect you, andHeaven accept you.” --Irish Blessing

I pray that in this SEASONof LIGHT we stop and thinkabout what we believe in andrekindle the fight to keep ourbeliefs alive! I also pray theblessings of Heaven will beyours and your family’sduring this special SpiritualSeason. We all look forwardto a Happy New Year!

God bless you all!

CAPT Kerry B. MageeUSNR-RET

Chaplain/Past President

TAPS

Charles Siragusa, COL,USA (Ret.) (1928-2017)passed away November 19.He retired from 42 years ofmilitary service in 1988. Ourprayers are with his family.

2018 OFFICERS

President Daniel M. Gutierrez MAJ, USA (Ret.)

Vice President Dennis O’Driscoll LTC, USA (Ret.)

Secretary Rollins J. Collins LTC, USA (Ret.)

Treasurer Don L. Couch LTC, USA (Ret.)

2018 Board Appointments

Chaplain Kerry B. Magee CAPT, USN (Ret.)

Editor Carol Ann Wilson

Liaison Gene Tulich CDR, USCG (Ret.)

Reminder: The new list of officers isa result of the Bylaw Amendmentsunanimously adopted by themembers at the October 2017Monthly Meeting.

NEWS ABOUT MOWA

Phyllis Ottis, newmember of theAnxiliary ofMOAA-HA, hasannounced thatshe will continueto chair themonthly meetingsof the MilitaryOfficers Wives Association eachthird Thursday at Ridu Lechner’sRestaurant. Even they thsorganization no longer collects dues,they will continue to meet and allMOAA-HA members are welcome.

Welcome New Members!

Michael J. O’ConnorLTC, USA (Ret.)207 Pierce St. Unit 206Houston TX [email protected]

Glora DeValcourt, AUX214 Whispering Oaks Dr.Seabrook TX 77586-4622281.532.0209

Phyllis Ottis, AUXPO Box 36305Houston TX 77236-6305713.774.2282

INCOMINGPRESIDENT’S

MESSAGE (Cont’d from p. 1)

Yet, through all of thesetravails, Eugene alwaysmaintained a sense of goodcheer, buoyancy, and a “cando” attitude. Think of anyevent concerning veterans andtheir cause, and Eugene wasthere. Rounding up guestspeakers for monthlymeetings, rely on Eugene.Represent MOAA at a paradeor memorial observance, henever missed. Attend thefuneral of a member who hadpassed (even though he maynot have known them), that isEugene. You see, in my book,he has that vital quality; youcan count on him. Frankly, Idon’t know how we’ll getalong without his activeparticipation at the helm, butwe’ll try.

In keeping with Eugene’spractice of reviewing theyear’s past activities, I willrelate the chapter’s efforts thisyear. We continued to haveour monthly luncheons withfabulous guest speakers; we


continued our support forROTC in our local collegesand JROTC in more than 100schools; we attended theannual Military Ball; weparticipated in the RetireeAppreciation Day program atEllington; we attendedMemorial Day ceremonies atthe national cemetery inHouston, we helped fosterand attended the STEMsymposium in which Eugenewas intimately involved; andfinally, Eugene encouragedthe much-needed change tothe chapter by laws. Not badfor his third consecutive yearas president.

Eugene has informed us thathe will now continue hisactivism with otherorganizations and in otherspheres of endeavor. He willremain a chapter and MOAAmember and we willgratefully continue to carryhim on our rolls, but we willmiss his leadership.

Respectfully, Daniel M,. Gutierrez MAJ USA (Ret.),President 2018

PHOTOS FROMJOINT MEETING OFMOWA AND MOAA-

HA 11/16

We continued the tradition ofa joint meeting with theladies of MOWA onNovember 16, and chairPhyllis Ottis allowed us timeon the agenda to completethe business of geting our2018 officers elected.

Thanks to Col Andy Parsonsfor these pictures from thatjoint meeting.

.

A good time was had by all, and welook forward to continuing thistraditionl.

HAVE YOU SENT YOUR 2018 DUES?

Only those in good standing will belisted in and receive the 2018Membership Directory.

PHOTOS FROMDEDICATION OF“THE PRICE OF

LIBERTY”MONUMENT AT

TEXAS CAPITOL 12/2

Your editor traveled to Austinon a beautiful Saturday, 12/2,with Shirley Hooks andCarolyn Lanier for thebeautiful ceremony dedicatingthe Texas War Memorialmonument in honor of allthose who have served in theGlobal War on Terror andespecially the families leftbehind. We have covered thisoutstanding project in pastissues of the newsletter andare happy to bring you thesepictures of the event.

.

MG Joyce Stevens and herhusband COL James Strykerfinalizing plans for the event.

Gen. Stevens in front of themonument.

Big group of cycles andCombat Vets on hand.


36th Infantry Band of theTexas National Guard wasfantastic–especially theService Medley songs.!

The monument is at 12th &San Jacinto, a prime spot onthe capitol grounds.

The ceremony was wellattended, and the weathercould not have been morebeautiful, COL Stryker,Chair of the Texas WarMemorial Committee,welcomed all, followed bythe Presentation of Colors bya Joint Force Color Guard.The national anthem wasbeautifully sung by Sgt.Bonnie Rosensteel of theTexas Army National Guard.

Chaplain (MAJ) ScottCrosley delivered theInvocation, followed by theService Medley and aFlyover by the 149th FighterWing, Texas Air NationalGuard.

Moving and meaningfulremarks were delivered byCOL. Stryker, and SenatorBrian Birdwell (LtCOL,Ret.), was the KeynoteSpeaker. A specialperformance by Scott Brownand Benediction by SenatorLarry Taylor led up to theMonument Unveiling byCOL Stryker, MG JoyStevens, BG Constance

McNabb, and Joseph Beatty(USMC), who was our outstandingspeaker at the July meeting ofMOAA-HA.

The Ceremony ended with TAPS anda Tribute to Texas Fallen Soldiers.

The official photograph has postedall his pics, including the festivitiesfrom Friday night, at this Website:

https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsVhrJvrNCmVgdl1qC3UeDGuk1Sbqw

What a great day, what a great event,and our heartfelt thanks go out toGen. Stevens, COL Stryker, andJoe Beatty , pictures above at theFriday night Gala, for their hardwork and faith that got this done inonly 2 years, and not 40 years after!Well done!

“The Price of Liberty,” by sculptorSandra Van Zandt, on stage beforethe unveiling ceremony at the TexasCapitol grounds, 12th & San Jacinto.

A Special Poem byLance Corporal

James M. Schmidt

Thanks to Auxiliary MemberBillie Clarke for sharing thisbeautiful poem:

Twas the night beforeChristmas, he lived all alone,In a one-bedroom house madeof plaster and stone. I hadcome down the chimney withpresents to give; I looked allabout, a strange sight I didsee; no tinsel, no presents, noeven a tree.

No stocking by mantle, justboots filled with sand, and onthe wall pictures of far distantlands. With medals andbadges, awards of all kinds, asobering thought came to mymind. For this house wasdifferent, so dark and sodreary; the home of a soldier,now I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping,silent, alone, curled up on thefloor in this one-bedroomhome. The face was so gentle,the room in such disorder, nothow I pictured a United Statesoldier. Was this the hero ofwhom I’d just read? Curled upon a poncho, the floor for abed?

I realized the families that Isaw this night, owed theirlives to these soldiers whowere willing to fight. Soonround the world, the childrenwould play, and grownupswould celebrate a brightChristmas day. They allenjoyed freedom each monthof the year, because of thesoldiers, like the one lyinghere.

I couldn’t help wonder howmany lay alone, on a coldChristmas eve in a land farfrom home. The very thought


brought a tear to my eye; Idropped to my knees andstarted to cry. The soldierawakened and I heard arough voice; “Santa, don’tcry, this life is my choice;

“I fight for freedom, I don’task for more; my life is myGod, my country, my corps.”The soldier rolled over andsoon drifted to sleep; Icouldn’t control it, Icontinued to weep. I keptwatch for hours, so silent andstill, and we both shiveredfrom the cold evening’s chill.

I didn’t want to leave on that cold,dark, night, this guardian of honor sowilling to fight. Then the soldierrolled over, with a voice soft andpure, whispered, “Carry on, Santa,it’s Christmas day, all is secure.” Onelook at my watch, and I knew he wasright. “Merry Christmas, my friend,and to all a good night.”

MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OFAMERICA

HOUSTON AREA CHAPTER

Wishes you a Very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah,and all the best for the Holiday Season

May You Have the Best Year Ever in 2018!

We look forward to seeing you at each of our meetings in 2018 as you join us for

the best speakers and the greatest fellowship.


MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, HOUSTON AREA Houston Corps of Cadets ROTC Endowment Fund–The University of Houston

(Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force)Please Print Donor name:_______________________________________________________Mailing Address______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Phone: Day_______________Evening_____________e-mail__________________________My pledge of $_________should be designed to support MOAA,HA Houston Corps of CadetsMy gift will be made with installments of $______to be paid monthly___quarterly___annually___. Beginning date:_______The Office of Stewardship will send reminders.) __Enclosed is a check (made payable to University of Houston) for the first pledge payable.Please charge my credit card for the amount of my gift, as scheduled above:

___Visa ___Mastercard ___American Express ___DiscoverAccount Number_________________________________ Expiration date:_______________ Name as it appears on card:_________________________________________________Signature:_____________________________________________________________________I would like to be contacted about fulfilling my pledge with a gift of appreciated securities.My pledge payment will be matched by: __________________________________________ (Please specify company for our records)Donor signature:___________________________________date_______________________Donor Signature:___________________________________date_______________________

Thank you for your support of the MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, HOUSTONAREA, HOUSTON CORPS OF CADETS ROTC ENDOWMENT FUND, THE UNIVERSITY OFHOUSTON____________________________________________________________________________

University of Houston; Advancement Services; P.O. Box 867; Houston TX 77001-0867 Attn: Nancy V. Clark E-mail: uh.edu/giving

NAME: ____________________________________________________________________________(Please print) Last First Initial Grade Service Branch_____________________________________________________________________________Spouse’s first name: ________________________Tel. For Directory___________________________Home address:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Civilian Occupation:_________________________________________________________________Business Firm ____________________________________Business phone_____________________E-mail: ___________________________________________________________________________ Dues: Regular Membership $30 first year; annual renewal $30 ($20 for each addn’l year pd w/renewal) Auxiliary (spouse of deceased officer) $15 ($10 for each addn’l year pdw/renewal)WOULD YOU SERVE ON A COMMITTEE? ____________________________Comments__________________________________________________________

Make check payable to MOAA,HA and send to MOAA,HA PO Box 1082 Houston TX 77251-1082

For more information, call Rollins Collins 704.213.2334

Military Officers Association of America, Houston AreaMembership is available to Officers who have held a Federal Warrant or Commission in any of the sevenuniformed services of the United States or to the surviving spouse of such a person. Please use this form forapplication for membership, renewal, or changes to the current directory of members.


houston areamoaahoustonarea.com/library/newsltrdec17.pdf · 2017. 12. 6. · welcom new members!...

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