President's Page
President’s Page
Storming the Hill in 2010
In April, I took part in the MOAA’s annual “Storming of the Hill”
session in Washington, DC. The event gave me the chance to visit
Maine’s congressional delegation on Capitol Hill, accompanied by an
MOAA staffer, Ron Quayle, Lt Col, USAF (Ret). Ron is a resident
of Harpswell and very knowledgeable of the Hill’s physical and
political terrain.
MOAA’s top issues for this year’s Storming were:
• Boost the active duty pay raise from the Department of Defense’s recommendation of 1.4 percent to 1.9 percent;
• Eliminate the offsets to retired and survivor pay from disability payments; and
• Grant early retirement credit to members of the reserve
component who were activated from September 11, 2001 through January
2008.
Maine’s congressional representatives were well informed on these issues, I'm happy to say, and supported the MOAA positions.
Our May Speaker, Mr. Ted Sharp Zeros In On China For Chapter
When the Southern Maine Chapter, MOAA, met in May at the Woodlands Club
for our first brunch meeting of the year, we were dazzled by our
speaker, Ted Sharp, as he fired off volley after volley of statistics
regarding China. After the introduction by Immediate Past
President, CPT Bob Wood, Ted began sharing his insights and
perspectives gleaned from many years of experience traveling to
China. He had grown to love China beginning at an early age in
school in Yarmouth. He did graduate work at Yale on the country
and has been working to increase his knowledge on the subject ever
since.
Ted gave us a geography lesson focusing on China to begin his talk,
identifying the major cities, population centers, and tourist
attractions. Growth is the single word that would describe what
is going on in China today. Every year China builds a new city
the size of Houston, TX. Every year! China has over 20
cities, each with over 15 million people.
To give you an idea of just how fast China is growing, review these
figures. In 1985 there were 1 million mobile phones in China; in
2002 the number had swelled to over 1.14 billion. In 1985
virtually no one was connected to the Internet in China; in 2003 840
million people in China used the Internet. In 1999 China recorded
about 5 billion e-mails per day; in 2006 that number grew to over 60
billion per day.
China is the world’s sixth largest economy by exchange rate or the 2nd largest
August Meeting Spotlight on Maine Veterans, Camp Kieve
Yep, it’s that time of the summer when the Southern Maine Chapter,
MOAA, gathers at the Woodlands Club for our Quarterly Meeting.
(Reservation form can be found on page 7.) Our speaker is Richard
C. Kennedy, founder of the Leadership Decisions Institute (now called
The Leadership School) and the Science Camp for Girls, and Camp Kieve’s
Director from 1959-1990. In 1973 he oversaw the process of Kieve
becoming a not-for-profit camp. Dick is a former member of the
Maine State Board of Education and the Governor’s Task Force on Teenage
Pregnancy and Parenting. He is an Emeritus Trustee of The
Artisans College, in Rockport, Maine, an Emeritus Trustee of Lincoln
Academy in Newcastle, Maine, and an Emeritus founding member of the
Board of Riley School in Rockport, Maine. Early in his career,
Dick was founding Assistant Headmaster of the Pingree School in South
Hamilton, MA. Dick remains very close to Camp Kieve, assisting in
development activities and program design. He and his wife,
Nancy, spend their winters on Sanibel Island in Florida. In the
spring of 2003 Dick was awarded the prestigious Jefferson Award for his
contributions to Maine education. He received a BA from Columbia
College and an MA from Stanford University. Do plan to join us
for an interesting and inspiring presentation. Reservations Form
Life Memberships Available from National MOAA
National MOAA reports that approximately 50 percent of national members
are Life Members of MOAA. Are you a Life Member? Have you
ever considered converting your membership to Life status? It’s a
simple process. Call (800) 234-MOAA (6622) and identify yourself
as a chapter member, give our chapter name, and indicate your desire to
convert to a Life Membership. The cost is based on your
age. Once you convert there are no more periodic membership
renewals at the national level. Chapter members who convert to a
Life Membership will receive a 10-percent discount as well.
Chapter Assists Maine Homeless Veterans
How many times when you were out driving have you noticed a shabbily
dressed man at an intersection along a main avenue in Portland,
Brunswick, or Augusta holding a sign, “Homeless Veteran, Please
Help”? It’s a national problem but one we also face here in
Maine. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 154,000
veterans are homeless in the United States on any given night.
From Veteran Centers in Bangor, Caribou, Lewiston, Portland and Sanford
to the Community Outpatient Clinics in Calais, Lincoln, Rumford and
Saco, the rates of homelessness among our state’s veterans, men and
women alike, are alarming. A large number of displaced and
at-risk veterans live with lingering effects of post-traumatic stress
disorder and substance abuse, compounded by a lack of family and social
support networks. To supplement government funding for homeless
veterans “…it is critical that individuals and community groups reach
out to provide the support, resources and opportunities most Americans
take for granted: housing, employment and health care.” (National
Coalition for Homeless Veterans) Professionals in the Health Care
for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program at the Togus VA Medical Center
strive to end homelessness among veterans through outreach efforts and
community partnerships statewide. At the community level the VA’s
Homeless Coordinator and social workers meet with homeless veterans to
determine what is needed to enable a veteran to obtain shelter or
prevent a veteran from becoming homeless. In our state the VA has
two initiatives ongoing: the “Stand-Down,” and the “Homeless
Veterans Assistance Fund.”
The “Stand-Down” is an annual daylong event in the fall (October), made
possible through a joint effort by the VA, community organizations, and
other government agencies. Medical, dental, housing, legal,
employment and chaplain
are some of the services offered during the Stand-Down. Many volunteers assist
2010 MFDA Wreaths Across America Tour
Last year Chapter Auxiliary member Barbara LaPrino-Porter participated
in the Maine Funeral Directors Association (MFDA) Wreaths Across
America Tour and reported that she had a very moving, memorable
experience (her husband, CDR Bob Porter, is buried at ANC). Plans
are under way for the 19th Annual Wreaths Across America Wreath Laying
Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). The dates are
December 9 – 12, 2010. The tour begins at the Portland Jetport
with a flight to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, a bus ride
to DC and a meeting with Senator Snowe at the Senate Gallery and on to
your hotel. There will be a formal Wreath Laying Ceremony at the
Tomb of
the Unknown Soldier on December 10th followed by a number of activities
and tours. On December 11th tour members will participate in the
actual 19th Annual Wreaths Across America Wreath Laying Project wherein
20,000 wreaths will be
New Membership Directory
We recently completed the new 2010-2011 Membership Directory. We do
the best we can to keep our database up to date. If you notice any
discrepancies with your current information, please let us know. The best way to do that is via
e-mail to Rob McAleer at: mcaleer1@gwi.net. Or you can send a quick note or
give me a call. My information is in the new directory.
Col Rob McAleer, Membership Chairman
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(President's page cont.)
Our
senators and representatives were also concerned about the coming
closure of the Navy exchange and commissary in Brunswick.
Although this was not a MOAA issue as such, I was impressed that both
the principals and staff were working hard to convince the Department
of the Navy that closing these facilities would be a mistake. Our
Washington politicians had initiated a congressional resolution that
would require the Navy to keep the exchange and commissary open long
enough to allow more time for a study of the projected economics of
keeping these retail operations. Senator Susan Collins was most
vehement, telling me that the active-duty and retired military
populations in Maine should have access to the same benefits they have
elsewhere.
In late May, the House passed a resolution included in the Defense
authorization bill keeping an exchange and commissary open at least
until September 2011.
The Storming of the Hill was very professionally managed by MOAA.
Participating gave me a new appreciation for our state’s excellent
representatives in Congress and for the important work of our national
association.
Bill Hall
Colonel, USAF (Ret.)
President
May Speaker (cont.)
economy
by Purchasing Power Parity. It is the third largest trading power
in the world. Fully 70 percent of China’s GDP is from
trade. Inflows of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into China in
1986 were $2 billion; in 2005 they reached a total of $72.4 billion (or
198 million a day for 365 days), making China the world’s third largest
recipient of FDI, after the UK and USA. After Japan, China is the
second largest buyer of U.S. Treasury Notes and Treasury Bonds, holding
about $250 billion. In 1979, China’s foreign currency reserves
were less that $1 billion. In 2006, China had the world’s largest
foreign currency reserves, totaling $1,000 billion. The U.S.
trade deficit with China is about $300 billion. In the last 15
years, China’s exports to the U.S. increased 1,600 percent; U.S.
exports to China increased 415 percent.
China is very interested in the United States and is determined to
become the number one nation in the world in economic might. More
cars were sold in China in 2009 than in the United States and this from
a country that was identified by their bicycles only 10 year ago.
All this growth has also come with problems. China struggles with
environmental issues of gigantic proportions. When you move from
an agricultural basis to an industrial power in just a few short years
there were bound to be major problems. But all the major powers
passed through this process; it is now China’s turn. They are
working hard to overcome the industrial pollution so prevalent in their
society today. There is no doubt that they are the fastest
growing culture in the world today. According to Ted, we had best
be paying attention!
4th Annual Military Scholarship Golf Tournament “Mr. T” Memorial
The Southern Maine Chapter, MOAA, and Martin’s Point Health Care are
pleased to announce the 4th Annual Military Scholarship Golf Tournament
(“Mr. T” Memorial) to be held at Sable Oaks Golf Club, South Portland,
on September 16, 2010.
Sign-in and Tee Assignments begin at 7:45. At 8:15 there will be
shot-gun start; four player scramble format; and putting contest
qualifier. There will be a buffet lunch and tournament awards at
1:00.
Cost: $65 individual; $260 (foursome). Registration fee
includes: greens fees with cart; golfer goody bag; lunch buffet,
beverages (beer and wine extra); putting contest cash prize;
hole-in-one prize; men’s closest to pin prize; ladies’ closest to pin
prize; men’s longest drive prize; ladies’ longest drive prize; team
first, second, and third prizes.
Sponsorship opportunities available:
Eagle sponsor ($460—company name on tee or green + four players)
Birdie sponsor ($330—company name on tee or green + 2 players)
Hole sponsor ($200—company name on tee or green, no players)
Contact Col Doug Scott for details or to volunteer to assist with the
tournament (222-2317). Make checks payable to Southern Maine
Chapter, MOAA and send to Doug Scott, 20 Cooper’s Way, Gorham, ME
04038.
Funds raised through the “Mr. T” Memorial are used to purchase
textbooks and professional references for senior ROTC students at the
University of Maine and the Maine Maritime Academy.
Homelss Veterans (cont.)
the veterans by driving them to
the event and guiding them to the different services. Donated
winter clothing and meals for the day are also provided.
The “Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund (HVAF)” provides additional
help. Veterans who are homeless have unpredictable and unique
problems. Help can be needed when other avenues have been
exhausted. This fund, used by the HCHV program, has been tapped
for deposits on an apartment, food, gas money to get to a hospital,
clinic or an emergency shelter, clothing or household items for a
veteran moving into an apartment, procuring copies of birth
certificates, utility bills and other necessities. This extra
assistance can make the difference in enabling a veteran to keep a
medical appointment, drive to a job, prevent utility disconnections or
move into an apartment. This fund is supported solely by
donations. Contributions to “VA Voluntary Service” are tax
deductible; 100 percent of donated funds go directly to eligible
veterans.
The Board of Directors for the Southern Maine Chapter recently donated
$500 to the Maine Stand-Down Fund and $500 to the Homeless Veterans
Assistance Fund. The need is great according to the VA Voluntary
Service Office at Togus. If Chapter members are interested in
also donating you can do so by making a check out to:
VA Voluntary Service (135)
Togus VA Medical Center
1 VA Center
Augusta, ME 04330
Please indicate on your check which fund(s) you wish support (Maine Stand-Down or HVAF)
Wreaths Across America (cont.)
placed on veterans’ graves in Arlington National Cemetery that
morning. The participants return to Maine on December 12th.
Last year 25,247 wreaths were donated by Worcester Wreaths and of this
number, 17,000+ went to Arlington National Cemetery. Across the
country, 164,000 wreaths were placed at 427 locations, as well s 24
off-shore locations. Some 40 state house ceremonies were carried
out. Nearly 139,000 wreaths were sponsored. Eighteen
trucking companies donated 32 trucks to help deliver the wreaths
nationwide. UPS shipped 1,000 packages of wreaths; FedEX donated
1,153 packages of wreaths. Over 860 groups signed up as fund
raisers. If you are interested, contact Barbara at 883-3596 for
details.
Barbara LaPrino-Porter, Auxiliary Member
Gold Bar Program
This year our Chapter participated in the National MOAA Gold Bar
Program. Gold Bars, provided by MOAA National, were presented to each
newly commissioned officer from the three Senior ROTC Units in the
state of Maine. Additionally, each new officer was presented with a
MOAA certificate, signed by Chapter President Bill Hall, wishing them
well as they embarked on their new military careers.
COL Frank
Toderico, 2nd Vice President
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Military Officers Association of America 