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FortGeorge G. Meade Chapter

Officers Call

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June 2008
Presidents Message:
Jim Pede, Chapter President
Recently, your chapter officers began to examine goals and objectives for our chapter. Part of our vision statement calls for us to “aid military families by providing insight and education” in matters affecting their lives. With this in mind…on May 15 at the Fort Meade Golf Course we will be honored to hear from Col Kenneth McCreedy, Fort Meade Installation Commander. We have asked Col McCreedy to talk with us about the most up-to-date information regarding BRAC and other significant programs affecting the FortMeade community at large. This is YOUR opportunity to hear from the guy in the know! Come hear how FortMeade will spend $1M in infrastructure support - awarded in large part to Col McCreedy’s leadership – won in a recent Army wide competition. I encourage everyone to attend and ask those tough questions about what future changes mean to those of us who live, work, and play on FortMeade. Additionally, this is an opportunity to say THANKS to Col McCreedy and his lovely wife LeAnn as they prepare to retire from active duty this summer. Please join us at the The Courses club house on May 15, 2008 at 1130AM for lunch.
We will hold our final food drive to support St Elizabeth’s in Laurel at the May 15 luncheon. Again, reaching out to the community is another goal of MOAA and we appreciate all you have done to support our efforts. We all know this is a tough time for many organizations supporting the needy whether with food or other needs. Please, bring a canned good or non-perishable food item (rice, pasta, cereal, etc) to donate. A food donation is not required to attend the luncheon. Our thanks to LTC Lou Feldman for his tireless efforts.
Finally, as we approach our summer break I ask everyone to remember our “Give Me 10!” program and recruitment goals for 2008. MOAA is a strong ‘voice’ in Washington in support of military interests, families, and veterans. As our numbers grow we provide a powerful tool in support of far reaching objectives and in light of the sobering statistics of wounded veterans I simply ask you to reach out to potential members you know. As we have heard so often, together we can make a difference!
Thanks for reading. I’ll see you May 15!
Jim Pede
Chapter President /

Chapter Officers

President

Maj Jim Pede, USAF-Ret
410-531-3794

1stVice President
CAPTAIN Norm Henry Taylor, USN-Retired
301-384-9173

2ndVice President
COL Gorham L. Black, III USA-Retired
301-776-1807

Secretary
Maj John Whitman
USAF-Retired
410-551-0528

Treasurer
Maj Jim Shiffrin, USAF-Retired
410-766-5732

Directors
LTC Alfred Shehab
USA-Retired
410-674-7333

LTC Louis Feldman
USA-Retired
301-490-8510
Past President
CWO2 Ricky Godbolt, USA-Retired
Immediate Past President
443-327-6762

Urgent - Newsletter Editor Position is still open

We still need a chapter member to volunteer for newsletter editor duties. Please contact Jim Pede or Norm Henry Taylor if interested.

USO Book Drive

The USO book drive at BWI airport continues. Over 850 paperback books and magazines have been donated as of 17 April. Donations of bulk-wrapped food items to the USO pantry for the troops total over $450. Please call Lou Feldman at 301-490-8510 to arrange a pickup date at your home or place of work for books magazines, or snack items. The rules of engagement have changed, please remember magazines must be recent, 3 months or less. Thank you for your continued support to the USO.

A Tip of the Hat

CDR Jim Huber, USN-Retired, along with other veteran and community volunteers who were at BWI airport bright and early Saturday April 19, 2008 to welcome incoming flights of World War II and Korean War Veterans as part of the Honor Flight visit to Washington, D.C. These veterans flew in from around the country and given a tour of the WW II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Vets Memorial, plus other sites in DC. They were treated to lunch in Washington and flew back home on afternoon/evening flights and were met and received the same warm reception/greetings they had in the AM. Outstanding job Jim, seeing that our “Greatest Generation” Vets are not forgotten. Honor Flight’s charter is to fly Vets to D.C. at no cost to them to visit memorials dedicated to honor their sacrifices.

Time to renew your annual dues

We still have approximately 28 members who have not renewed their annual dues for 2008. Renewal notices for annual chapter dues have been inserted in the newsletter for those whose membership expired. Dues are $12 per year or $30 for three years. Auxiliary member’s dues are $5.00. This will be your last notification and newsletter and regrettably we must delete your name from the membership rolls if you fail to renew by 30 May 2008.

Food Drive

The next food drive is scheduled for our Thursday May 15th, luncheon at the Golf Course. Since the April 17th luncheon was canceled, please bring a canned good or non-perishable food item (rice, pasta, cereal, etc) to donate. A food donation is not required to attend the luncheon. St Elizabeth’s house in Laurel, Maryland will be the benefactor of this food drive.

“Give Me Ten Membership Drive”

The chapter has recruited 5 new members to MOAA in 2008 and three new members to the chapter. We do not need to stop there, continue to recruit and grow both MOAA national and the chapter membership. Membership is our lifeblood and there is power in numbers both in Washington, DC and Annapolis. Active duty, Reservists, and Guard personnel can join MOAA free for one year. All others (retired, former officers, auxiliary) may join for 2 years for $24. Life memberships are also available. Applications can be downloaded at the web site or call John Whitman

Army Reserve Celebrates 100 Years

USA Today, April 23, 2008 , page. 3.

The Army Reserve marked its 100th birthday on April 23rd, 2008 with a re-enlistment ceremony for 100 soldiers at the Capitol in Washington. A wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns and a tree planting at ArlingtonNationalCemetery was also held.

Joint Service Open House 2008 at Andrews AFB

Vets Tax Bills in Senate and House Die as Maryland Legislature adjourns

House Bill 549, Senate Bill 315, and 625 which would exempt military retirement pay from Maryland State Income taxes failed again this year. None of the bills made it out of their respective committee’s: Ways and Means in the House and Budget and Taxation Committees in the Senate. Now that the legislative session is over you should call your Delegates and State Senator to let them know how disappointed you are with the Legislature’s inaction and advise them this issue will not go away next year until it is passed into law.

American Airlines Settles Military Pilot Leave Suit

Reuter.com, Apr 17, 2008

Washington (Reuters) American Airlines has agreed to settle a class-action suit brought by pilots who said they were unfairly denied benefits while on leave for military service, the U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday. Under the settlement, American has agreed to pay 353 pilots a total of $345,742 for the loss of vacation and sick leave, and provide another $215,000 in sick-leave credits for currently employed pilots.

Grace Chung Becker, acting assistant attorney general for civil rights, said the pilots affected by the settlement were those who had taken less than 16 days service leave per year, mostly for training. It is the first class-action suit brought under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, aimedat protecting the civilian employment rights of service members, the department said.

MOAA/MOWW Luncheon Meeting

Bring a friend or prospective member to the meeting!

Thursday May 15th, 2008, 1130 Social Hour and Noon Luncheon at the Golf Course Club House on Ft Meade. (Please note the change in venue for this meeting). Guest Speaker is Col Kenneth McCreedy, Installation Commander, Ft.Geo. G. Meade. Menu includes breast of chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, ice tea, lemonade, and coffee. Cost is $15.00 per person. Please make checks payable to FGGM/MOAA and send to:

Major Jim Shiffrin, USAF-Ret. (410-766-5732)

7605 Northwood Estates Court

Severn, MD21144

Name(s)______

Total Reservations______Check enclosed for total Amount______

Phone number:______e-mail: ______