From The
President’s Desk
By Nic Santangelo

One of the main items of interest that has not been receiving much attention of late is “Paid Up” SBP.  For those of us who were caught in the “dead zone” October 1, 2008 is the magic day.  Those personnel who were years of age and had completed 360 months of SBP and or RSFPP payments should have received their notification letter in May that SBP will no longer be deducted beginning November 1, 2008.  The Defense Finance and Accounting office and equivalent Naval and Marine Office are now mailing out notices to all retirees who reach paid up status in October 2008 or soon there after.  Under this law those retirees who reached this status in October, SBP premiums will no longer be deducted from their pay beginning November 1, 2008.  For those retirees who have not reached both eligibility criteria on October 1, the premiums will stop when the retiree has met both criteria.

The golf outing notice resulted in a good response.  17 members/spouses have shown interest in such an activity.  That is great.  If there are any more members that would like to join us please e-mail or call me.  Three more participants would result in a nice group of five foursomes. 

I did not receive any response to our Veteran’s Press Release.   However, there is still time.  I believe this is a worthy project and that we should participate in the parade. 

Our chapter sent out an e-mail regarding Michael Weaver’s Eagle Scout project to support the Fisher House at Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio which received a warm response.  Maj. Ira Richardson volunteered to support the project with a significant contribution and promote the Chapter’s effort to support Eagle Scout Weaver.  Checks for Contributions may be made payable to MOAA-GDC and sent to our MOAA-GDC address.  (It can be found in the front of the Directory.) 

I would also like to note in this space the outstanding performance of duty by the Legislative Affairs Committee.  Led by Col. Dave Briggs and ably assisted by Col. Paul Koeltzlow and  LTC. ED Tatge they have met with or will soon meet with every congressional office in Dallas.  They are working very hard to convey the MOAA message to your Senators and Representatives.   For the most part, the message seems to be getting through.  This is in addition to the postcard work they do at our meetings.

Special ARTICLES OF CONCERN

Chaplain's Corner
BY WALLY WILLIAMSON

WRITTEN BY A 15 yr. old SCHOOL KID IN ARIZONA :
 

Since the Pledge of Allegiance  and The Lord's Prayer
are not allowed in most public schools anymore because the word 'God ' is mentioned.... A kid in Arizona wrote the attached: 

NEW School prayer: -
Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's  name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments  are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen

If you aren't ashamed to do this,
please pass this on.
Jesus said,
'If you are ashamed of me,
I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'

Please keep the following MOAA-GDC members and friends in your prayers and concerns.  Please pass the word to Wally Williamson (972)771-7315 wallywmson@att.net or any other Personal Affairs Committee Member.

Minnie May Weiler  Auxillary Member and wife of Capt Norbert E. Weiler (Ret) USA passed on April 12 2008.

Marion Santangelo has recently been diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  Initial diagnosis indicates all is contained in the breast and is probably not life threatening.  Your  prayers are appreciated.

Clair Verner, wife of LTC William Verner, USAR (Ret) who continues treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

COL Thomas Walsh, USA (Ret), is home now from Veranda Rehab.  Lula Maye Walsh is recovering from the blood clots she had in her leg and lungs.

CAPT George (Bob) Rymal, USN (Ret) is still recovering.

Teresa Miller, wife of LTC Leonard Miller, USA (Ret), who had breast cancer 16 years ago and is now being treated for cancer else where, is making slow progress but has a long tough series of treatments to go. Teresa appreciates your thoughts and prayers.

Maxine Bockbrader, Auxiliary Member, has a diabetic ulcer of the bone which has reoccurred for the third time which is resisting treatment. Despite her many problems, she remains an inspiration.

Capt Marion “Joe” DiMaggio, USAF (Ret), and wife Helen. Joe is now legally blind from macula problems and must use a walker. Helen has serious problems with her back and neck which results in occasional migraine headaches.

CDR Rodney Orr, USN (Ret) and wife Marge. Rodney continues his quarterly treatments for cancer.

PERSONAL AFFAIRS
BY DAVID BRIGGS

Developments in Hearing Aids (Full Version)

When serving in the armed services one’s hearing is frequently assaulted by loud noises, particularly by engine noises and weapons firing, or both.  The armed forces are presently very aware of noise induced hearing loss and have instituted protective measures.  Regrettably, for most of us presently retired, this awareness came much too late, so that  almost all presently retired military personnel suffer noise induced hearing loss to varying degrees.  In addition, this is compounded by the fact that most persons as they grow older suffer some natural hearing loss.  Both forms of hearing loss generally manifest themselves by increasing loss of hearing at higher sound frequencies.  This is particularly inconvenient because it results in an inability to distinguish between various spoken words, even though one hears most of the word.  This is especially true of words spoken by women, because their speech is at a higher sound frequency than that of men.  In addition high-frequency hearing loss interferes with full enjoyment of music and can make speaking with another on a telephone difficult.

Fortunately, hearing aid development has benefited enormously from developments in electronics and computers.  Such developments have allowed hearing aids to change from simple amplifiers, which increased the loudness of undesired noise as well as desired sounds, into sophisticated computers which almost restore one to the level of natural hearing.  Because hearing aids are so closely tied to electronics and computers, it is said that one should investigate the purchase of new hearing aids approximately every five years to consider taking advantage of significant strides in technology.

Regrettably, hearing aids are not normally covered by either Medicare or TRICARE.  Moreover, even if one qualifies for assistance from the VA, your author understands that the hearing aids provided by the VA tend to be the least expensive and least sophisticated products.  Accordingly, as one is left to one’s own resources, price becomes a significant consideration.  Price is affected by two variables — (1) the degree of technical sophistication of the product, and (2) the style of the hearing aid.  With respect to style, the price is related to hearing aid size, with the very small hearing aids which fit in the ear canal, and therefore are almost invisible, being the most expensive.

With respect to sophistication of  hearing-aid technology, a number of features are desireable.  First, the amplification of sound by the hearing aid needs to be divided into a number of individual channels, so that the hearing aid can be adjusted (by a technician) so that the hearing aid as nearly as practical compensates for varying hearing loss across different sound frequencies.  The more channels available, the more accurately the hearing aid can correct for hearing loss.  Recently, hearing aids with 15 channels were being offered. 

 In addition, it is desirable for the hearing aid to respond differently to speech, music and telephone conversations, because of their different sound frequency distributions.  Noise reduction, which consists of less amplification of unwanted frequencies, is essential.  However, what might be noise when listening to speech, may be essential sounds when listening to music.  Accordingly, the hearing aid must be able to “shift gears” to adjust for different needs.   On less expensive, behind-the-ear models this is done manually.  On more expensive models, it is automatic.  To assist in eliminating noise it is also desirable for hearing aids to have directional microphones, but to assist in hearing soft sounds from behind and on the sides, an all around microphone is also needed, with the hearing aid having a way to automatically switch between such microphones.  Furthermore, it is desirable for hearing aids to eliminate unwanted feedback, so that screeching or squealing sounds do not develop in response to loud noise.

With all this technology available, one wonders where one can go to get unbiased professional advice, good technical assistance, and reliable follow-on assistance.  With today’s technology the user needs a good audiometer test and then needs to have the hearing aid programmed with a computer to match the hearing aid response to audiometer results while the user is wearing the hearing aid in the ear.  Thereafter, the user needs to return to the seller as many times as necessary to have the hearing aid further adjusted by computer, based on the user’s own experience with the hearing aid, until such time as the user finds wearing the hearing aid is comfortable and trouble free.  Not quite two years ago, your author purchased a hearing aid from the Otolaryngology Clinic (at the Aston Ambulatory Care Center) of the Southwestern Medical School.  Not only does such clinic have top flight technicians and equipment, but very importantly, as part of the price of the hearing aids they are willing, without regard to profit motive, to spend as much time with one as needed to insure exactly correct adjustment of one’s hearing aid.  Their pricing is believed to be quite competitive.  Your author recommends them wholeheartedly.

PROGRAMS
BY PAUL PFROMMER        
 

Plan to attend Thursday Night, Aug. 21^st, for a entertaining and mystifying evening “Magician Hal Hudgins” .

The entertainment program for the evening will feature “Old Doc Holliday” as performed by Magician Hal Hudgins. Mr. Hudgins is a member of the Ft. Worth Magicians Club, the TAOM, Texas Association of Magicians, the Society of American Magicians, International Brotherhood of Magicians and he has performed for years all over the Metroplex.

Hal Hudgins retired from the USAF in 1984 after 23 years of military service. His military career took him from Keesler AFB, MS for ECM Tng. (Electronic Counter Measure), and off to Turkey to a “listening post”, to eavesdrop on the Soviet Union during the cold war. Hal was then stationed at SAC HQ, Offutt AFB, Neb. During Vietnam he was stationed at Kadena AB, Okinawa with an ECM outfit, and then back to Lackland AFB, TX just to name a few of his many military duty locations.    Hal Hudgins and his wife Pamela live in Arlington, TX.

Call Marvin or Joyce Slater (214) 341-3803

Use the Reservation Coupon on this page  or go to www.moaagreaterdallas.org/meetingrsvp.html
to make  an online reservation. 

The most significant developments since the last legislative update are that (1) an excellent GI Bill for those who have defended the nation since September 11, 2001, was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President and (2) Congress enacted on July 15, 2008, over the President’s veto, a rollback of the 10.6% cut to Medicare payments to physicians scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2008, without imposing a reduction of either Medicare or TRICARE payments during the 15-day interim period.

The new GI Bill will reimburse veterans’ tuition for schooling up to the highest state college cost, pay a housing allowance based on the location of the school attended, and provide up to $1,000 annually for books.  Under certain conditions, it would provide extra money toward attending a private university.  Veterans will have up to 15 years after separation to use the benefits.  Service members who have completed six years of service and agree to serve an additional four years will be able to transfer part or all of the benefits to their spouses immediately.  Once they complete 10 years’ service they can transfer them to children.

As a result of the Veterans’ Disability Commission report last year highlighting disturbing inequitable inconsistencies in veterans disability ratings for wounded warriors, DoD has established a new Physical Disability Board of Review to review cases where service members were involuntarily dismissed from the service since September 11, 2001, as unfit for duty with disability ratings of 20% or less, as a result of which they were not entitled to medical retirement.  Although the Air Force has been tasked by DoD to manage the new board, and it has been one of the most reasonable of the services in disability matters, there is still a conflict of interest as DoD benefits from savings by reducing disability percentages.  Fundamental fairness dictates that the determination of disability percentages should be taken out of the hands of DoD altogether.

In June DoD began implementing a new law change which extended Combat Related Special Compensation to servicemembers with less than 20 years’ service who were retired for medical reasons or during the 1990’s force reduction.  Compensation amounts depend upon a number of factors, including rank, years of service, DoD and VA disability ratings and the fraction of disability due to combat.  MOAA advises all veterans with combat related disabilities to apply.

At the time this Legislative Update is being written, there is still no progress in the Senate to include needed amendments to the FY2009 National Defense Appropriations Act to address critical MOAA goals of (1) full concurrent receipt by disabled veterans of VA disability compensation and DoD retirement pay, (2) full concurrent receipt by survivors of Survivor Benefit Payments and VA Indemnity Compensation for service connected deaths, and (3) statutory provisions to the effect that military people pay large in-kind premiums of sacrifice for their lifetime health care in addition to cash fees in retirement, and that their fees shouldn’t rise in any year by a percentage that exceeds the percentage increase in their military compensation.

A major difficulty appears to be Congress’ rule that any committee proposing changes in “mandatory” programs must pay for it by cutting an equal amount from other “mandatory” programs under its jurisdiction.  Nevertheless, every year Congress ignores this rule when it finds such to be expedient by declaring an “emergency.” 

In this manner the new GI Bill was passed, as well as other non-military legislation desired by Congress. 

MOAA, of course, approves the use of a waiver for the GI Bill.  Thus, it appears that the rule applies unless the issue is really politically popular.  The lesson is that if one can generate enough political interest in any issue, the normal rule simply doesn’t apply.  Consequently, your Emails and postcards are critically important to achieving MOAA’s legislative goals.

As part of this process  your Chapter representatives have now completed visits to local offices of all eight local Congressional Representatives listed in your Chapter Directory and to the local office of Senator Cornyn.  (Senator Hutchison does not have a local office for military matters.)  In addition, we have spoken by conference call to the Washington legislative aides of all our local representatives and our two senators, except the aide of Congressman Marchant.  Congressman Sam Johnson has agreed to meet personally with your Chapter representatives in early August.

It is believed that all of us working together with Congress have the potential to accomplish enormous amounts of good for large numbers of highly-deserving military service members, active, reserve, and retired, and their families and survivors, to whom we owe a debt of gratitude for voluntarily subjecting themselves to hazardous and arduous service to defend their country and fellow citizens from their enemies.  This effort is well worth your time and commitment.

MEMBERSHIP
by iRA rICHARDSON

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our eighteen (18) new MOAA Greater Dallas Chapter Members in 2008. In my nine (9) years with the Chapter, this has been our best recruiting year ever! You are getting it done. 

I have dusted off and updated the 2009 Membership Application and the 2009 Membership Renewal Notices that will be inserted in the October (Go), November (Going), and December (Gone) 2008 The Reporter. I received some very good input from the Executive Committee and my goals for 2009 Membership Renewal are: 

1.  100% renewal before 31 December 2008

                    2.   25 new Members in 2008 net of Taps 

Please recall that National MOAA Membership (Life and Annual Dues) does not equal MOAA Greater Dallas Chapter Membership (Annual Dues).  If you are not sure of your status, please call or email me. 

Your Executive Committee has directed me to audit the 2008 Membership rolls. In accordance with our By-Laws, all Members and Auxiliary not renewed for 2008 will be dropped from the 2009 rolls on 31 December 2008, the discounted dues period end. This will be my last duty as your VP for Membership. I will not be able to help publish the 2009 Membership Directory. I request that a Member or Auxiliary step up, be nominated and acclaimed, and assume my duties for 2009.

COL Robin and I have set 15 Jan 09 as our PCS date from Dallas. The boys will be back in college/off to college by 21 August 2008. After Christmas break in Dallas, COL Robin and I will begin “life in addition to children”. We and they are excited. Thank you for your generous support and fellowship. Soldier Hard. Remember Members.

V.W.I.N.
BY NANCY RUTHFORD SODEMAN

That offset between the military’s and VA’s survivor annuity is still with us.  Last year Congress at least gave a tiny monthly payment of $50 for some survivors that may be increased slightly in coming years.  Keep at it.  It takes time.

Join Veterans’ Widows International Network.

Send $18 in a check to Joyce Spaulding

1935 Newark Way, Aurora, CO 89914

SAGE SURVIVOR
BY NANCY RUTHFORD SODEMAN

Traumatic brain injuries as well as other injuries, psychological and cognitive, afflict our warriors serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  A dramatic increase in these injuries is blatantly ignored by our Department of Defense and Veterans’ Administration. Non-military organizations have stepped into the void.  But the danger is that it’s a piecemeal answer to this serious problem.  According to a recent issue of Military Officer, Rand and Health, an independent non profit research group prepared a report outlining ideas related to the great cost to warriors, their families and taxpayers because DOD and VA are still not providing good treatment for warriors suffering from serious depression (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury.  The results of the government ignoring the problem are joblessness of our warriors, as well as their poverty and suicide, which affect all of society.  These maladies -PTSD and traumatic brain injury- cost the USA “up to $6.2 billion in two years after deployment.” 

High quality mental health care needs to be provided.  Some nonmilitary programs have been trying to fill in.  ETRIAD (East Texas Resources for Iraq/Afghanistan Deployment) is one non-military resource that has appeared.  It offers free counseling (individual, family, group) in anger management and substance abuse services (903 535 7476 or 800 374 6058 ext. 476). 

To address PTSD or traumatic brain injury or psychological issues on one’s own is impossible.  According to Military Officer, one NCO in a VA Medical Center in Tampa, FLA still suffers severe traumatic brain injury.  Some charities are pitching in to help the NCO’s mother who has given up her job, lost her home, spent all her savings, including her IRA to assist her son every hour of each day.  Granted, she was allotted a small per diem from the Army until that service handed him a medical retirement.  Now son and mother are on their own. 

Is it right that DOD and VA ignore this serious problem of our warriors?  Thank God for the individual and civilian help wherever it pops up.  But a strong central service in DOD and VA need to be constructed for the growing problem. Let’s suggest:

1. 1. Work hard to attract fully qualified mental health providers to work in the military.

2. 2. Make sure Medicare and Tricare maintain their excellence so that civilian providers will see to mental health issues of our warriors.

3. 3. Attract members of service to enter mental health and counseling education in order to better assist our wounded.

4.  Determine how to keep records out of reach of any outside agency because ignorant individuals assume the worst; this attitude results in our warriors being kept out of the work force.

M.O.W.C
BY PAT McMORMICK

Pat O'Neal McCormick - President, Brit Harper - Vice President and Year Book Chairman, Margaret Hensley - Treasurer, Committee Chairmen are:  Courtesy & Hospitality - Rocky Ford & Opal Lord, Membership - Lula Mae Walsh, Reservations & Telephone - Pat Gregory, Historian - Margaret Huber.

The Board was immediately challenged with changes Oak Ridge Country Club elected to make.  This necessitated our changing our meeting date to the 3rd Friday of each month and our meeting place to The Hilton Hotel at Campbell and North Central Expressway..   Our first meeting there will be the 3rd Friday in September.   Our bridge group has already started playing there during July and August.  

Our September meeting with welcome Rosemary Rumbley, PHD, noted reviewer, will review the book by Jim Dent, "TWELVE MIGHTY ORPHANS".  A wonderful story, in it's second printing...on two Best Seller lists.  The Masonic Orphan's Home in Arlington, Texas, produced some wonderful graduates.   Included in them are our own Opal and Doug Lord.  Doug was a member of the football team that won District and State Titles.  The school had no money for even a football, must less pads and uniforms.   From this team and this home and school there emerged a scientist who worked with Albert Einstein on the Manhattan Project, an oil multimillionaire, an inventor who holds several patents, a President of Baylor University, a boxing promotor, a successful business woman.  It is a truly inspiring story that has put new life into the old property in Arlington (it was going to be destroyed). The screen play is written and will soon be a MOVIE.   JOIN US FOR THE REVIEW OF THIS WONDERFUL, TRUE STORY.

We are  finalizing our programs and anticipate increased attendance and participation at this new  location.  We will advise MOAA of our full agenda in the coming weeks.

Several of our members bring their husbands to our meetings and we encourage MOAA attendance as well as other guests.  Our social time starts at 11:30 AM and the meeting and lunch starts at 12:15 PM, followed by our program.

SERVICE PROJECT
BY GLENN WAMBLE

Every 4th Tuesday August 26th and September 23rd

            
Call Glenn Wamble (972)437-2345 home

 or (214)796-6327 cell

On the prior  Monday before we go out to greet the troops, after 2100 call (972)574-0392  for a recorded announcement stating the expected arrival time,  the arrival terminal and gate area.  Usually it is the new international terminal “'D”'.  Call the number again early on Tuesday morning and before you leave for the airport to re-confirm arrival time and gate area.   

Plan to arrive at D/FW a half hour before the troops do.   Usually just before the troops come out of the customs doors a USO coordinator will identify family members who are meeting  an arriving ''trooper'' and place the family at the front of the line;  and behind them the veterans are invited to move up behind the families. 

Enter D/FW through a public [not a tolltag] gate!!   You will be given a free parking pass at the military aircraft arrival area.   Exit through a public gate.   Park on the arrival level, in the parking 'lot' across from the terminal gate area.  Security does not ticket cars even in the one or two hour parking areas.  Bring along the kids!