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

Newsletter to Members

Vol. XLIX No. 5 May 2012

NEXT MEETING SATURDAY, June 30, 2012 THE JUNIOR LEAGUE

President’s Message

The Armed Forces Day Military Ball is the

May meeting of MOAA-HA, and all

members are requested to participate. The

Ball will be held on May 19th at 6 p.m. at the

JW Marriott, 5150 Westheimer across from

the Galleria. Ordering information for ball

tickets is in this issue.

The principal military speaker is Lieutenant General Steven

Hummer, Commander, Marine Forces Reserve. The

Congressional speaker is Congressman Ted Poe, and our allied

speaker is Consul-General Suk-bum Park of South Korea. We

will also recognize enlisted servicemen of the year, and a Bronze

Star medal will be awarded to a Vietnam veteran. Each of us

need to be cognizant of Memorial Day, honoring all who have

served, those who gave the ultimate sacrifice (or last full

measure), and meaning so much to every American.

Included is a picture of General Douglas MacArthur in

acknowledgment of his service. Due to his successful endeavor,

Japan today is an ally–not an enemy.

Ervin Eggleston, President Captain, USNR ,Ret.

OfficersPresident Ervin L. Eggleston, CAPTUSN 281.494.6265 eegglst@ windstrea.net

1st Vice President ProgramJames W. Mehrmann, CAPT USN281.935.1559 captjimmehrmann@ yahoo.com

SecretaryVal G. Henneberg MAJ USA Ret.713.729.8217 valhenneberg@aol.com

Treasurer Martin J. Harris Maj USMC Ret.713.436.0429 martymc2@aol.com

2nd Vice President ArrangementsJeannette Evans, Aux 281.495.2202

3rd Vice President Stephen Vaughan, Capt USMC281.468.7229 stephen.a.vaughan.@ ampf.com

Legislative RepresentativeROTC Scholarship William Taylor Cpt. USA Ret.281.482.7315 waterbury3@ sbcglobal.net

Assistant Legislative Representative George McDowell Col USAF Ret.713.723.5166

LiaisonEugene Tulich CDR USCG281.376.0061 gene42@flash.net

ROTCWilbur E. “Mac” McConico LTC USA Ret 713.436.5912

ChaplainKerry Magee CAPT USN979.964.3236 h or 979.236.2415 cellusnr06ret@brazoriainet.com

Editor Carol Ann Wilson 8902 Sunnywood DriveHouston TX77088-3729281. 847.9754; 281.642.4050 cellcarolwilson@earthlink.net

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, May 2012, p. 1

MOAA Houston Area

Board Meeting

Tues. May 22, 11:30Rudi Lechner’s 2503 S. Gessner

Future Meetings

6/26 7/24 8/21 9/25 10/23 And possibly 11/13

All members are welcome.

MOAA

Houston AreaMonthly Meeting

and Luncheon

Monthly Meetingand Luncheons

Remaining 2012 Meetings will

be at The Junior League of

Houston (June, July, Aug.,

Sept., Oct.). May is Military

Ball and November is with

MOWA.

Saturday June 3011:30 fellowship

12 Noon Luncheon

Junior League of

Houston1811 Briar Oaks Lane

Houston TX 77027

713-622-4191

MenuTo Be

announced inJune newsletter

SPEAKERTo Be announcedin June newsletter

Reservations to JeannetteEvans, 281.495.2202

2012 MOAA-HA Meetings

7/28 8/25 9/29 10/23,

May is Military Ball;

November with MOWA .

Please Support Our Advertisers

Military Officers Wives Association

MOWA

May LuncheonThursday, May 17, 2012

11:30 a.m.

Junior League of

Houston1811 Briar Oaks Lane

Houston TX 77027

713-622-4191

MENU

APPETIZER

Cranberry Slush

ENTREE CHOICE

Paneed Pork Tenderloin Medallion

w/Mushroom Marsala Sauce,

served w/Brie Carrot Risotto

and Grilled Zucchini

OR

Mediterranean Grilled Salmon

w/Garlic, Olives, Parsley & Basil,

served

with Wild Rice & Asparagus

DESSERT

Strawberry Shortcake

with Vanilla Cream

Iced Tea and Coffee

Assorted Breads/Rolls

$24

RSVP TO: Bobbye Parsons,

713-541-3143, by noon Tuesday,

May 15 , 2012

MOWA DUES:

Send dues to Shirley Hooks

1023 Omar St.

Houston TX 77009-6534

MOAA-HA

Z Treasurer’s

ReportMay 1, 2012

Receipts $2,697.00

Expenses $2,261.79

Balance $5,606.47

Martin J. Harris, Treas.

Maj USMC Ret.

From Our Chaplain

SHALOM! PEACE BE

WITH YOU!

I saw this recently on the Net

and just had to share it with

all y'all.

The first day of school our

professor introduced himself

and challenged us to get to

know someone we didn’t

already know. I stood up to

look around when a gentle

hand touched my shoulder. I

turned around to find a

wrinkled, little old lady

beaming up at me with a

smile that lit up her entire

being. She said, “Hi

Handsome. My name is Rose.

I’m eighty-seven years old.

Can I give you a hug?” I

laughed and enthusiastically

responded, “Of course you

may!” and she gave me a

giant squeeze.

“Why are you in college at

such a young, innocent age?”

I asked. She jokingly replied,

“I’m here to meet a rich

husband, get married, and

have a couple of kids.”

CAPT Kerry Magee

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, May 2012, p. 2

Laughing, she added, “I

always dreamed of having a

college education and now

I’m getting one!” After class

we walked to the student

union and shared a chocolate

milkshake. We became

instant friends. Every day for

the next three months we

would leave class together

and talk nonstop. I was

always mesmerized listening

to this “time machine” as she

shared her wisdom and

experience with me.

Over the course of the year,

Rose became a campus icon

and she easily made friends

wherever she went. She

loved to dress up, and she

reveled in the attention from

the other students. She was

living it up.

At the end of the semester

we invited Rose to speak at

our football banquet. I’ll

never forget what she taught

us. She was introduced and

stepped up to the podium. As

she began to deliver her

prepared speech, she dropped

her 3x5 cards on the floor.

Frustrated and embarrassed,

she leaned into the

microphone and simply said,

“I’m sorry I’m so jittery. I

gave up beer for Lent and the

whiskey is killing me! I’ll

never get my speech back in

order, so let me just tell you

what I know.”

As we laughed she cleared

her throat and began: “We do

not stop playing because we

are old; we grow old because

we stop playing. There are

only four secrets to staying

young, being happy, and

achieving success. You have

to laugh and find humor

every day. You’ve got to

have a dream. When you lose

your dreams, you die. We

have so many people

walking around who are dead and

don’t even know it!

“There is a huge difference between

growing older and growing up. If you

are 19 years old and lie in bed for

one full year and don’t do one

productive thing, you will turn 20. If

I am 87 years old and if I stay in bed

for a year and never do anything, I

will turn 88. Anybody can grow

older. That doesn’t take talent or

ability. The idea is to grow up by

always finding opportunity in

change. Have no regrets. We elderly

usually don’t have regrets for what

we did, but rather for things we did

not do. The people with regrets fear

death.” She concluded her speech by

singing The Rose. She challenged us

to study the lyrics and live them out

in our daily lives.

At year’s end Rose finished her

college degree. One week after

graduation Rose died peacefully in

her sleep. More than 2000 college

students attended her funeral in

tribute to the wonderful woman who

taught by example that it’s never too

late to be all you can possibly be.

These words are passed along in

loving memory of Rose.

REMEMBER: Growing older is

mandatory. Growing up is optional.

We make a Living by what we get.

We make a Life by what we give.

God promises a safe landing, not a

calm passage. If God brings you to it,

He will bring you through it. And

Good Friends are like stars–You

don’t always see them, but you know

they are always there.

GOD BLESS Y’ALL!

Kerry B. Magee

CAPT USNR-RET

Report on April Speaker

CDR Eric Gleason

Another great speaker at our April

luncheon! We’re sorry for our absent

members.

CDR Gleason

serves as

Commander

of the US

Coast Guard

at Ellington

Field.

Commander

Master Chief

Craig Potts came with him

and helped with his

PowerPoint presentation.

The Tariff Act of 1790

created the Coast Guard, and

the Ellington facility was built

about 25 years ago. The

budget for the USCG is $10B

a year, which is only ONE

PERCENT of the total Dept.

of Defense Budget!

The Port of Houston is #2 in

the country based on tonnage.

The Houston Ship Channel

measures 54 miles from the

Gulf of Mexico to the Turning

Basin. Our port is #1 in the

USA for ship arrivals, and

Houston is home to the

second largest petrochemical

area in the world.

We were impressed with

CMDR Gleason’s area of

responsibility, which covers

255 miles of shoreline from

the Colorado River to White

Lake LA. He is in charge of

82 active duty personnel at

Ellington, officers and

enlisted, 10 of whom are on

board 24/7. They are airborne

in less than 30 minutes when

called to help–whether for

someone in trouble in the

water or in cases of illegal

drugs or aliens. His unit saves

about 50 lives per year, and

they are aided by 90

volunteers in the USCG

Auxiliary. We are proud of all

of them. They are law

enforcement officers under

both Title 10 and Title 14 of

the United States Code.

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, May 2012, p. 3

At work are 3700 oil rigs in

the Gulf,with 35,000

personnel, and Gleason’s

3MH-65C armed helicopters

can refuel aboard these

platforms if necessary. They

have a new 256-foot Fast

Response Cutter among their

operational assets.

The Galena Park and

Galveston units of the Coast

Guard will soon be moving

to Ellington.

Endowment Fund

and

Houston Corps of

Cadets

We are going to shift our

emphasis from trying to

have you alone support our

Endowment Fund for the

Houston Corps of Cadets.

Yes, we are still taking

donations on an opportunity

to win the October Cruise

from Galveston. If you wish,

you may pay a little extra

and join in all of the Elvis

Tribute festivities on the

cruise. Ticket sales are

ongoing, but we need more

purchases from you, your

family, and friends.

We are expanding our efforts

and are going after the BIG

fish, and we are sending a

letter with the approval of the

University of Houston to

reach potential donors to the

Endowment Fund. UH will

help us with some of the

costs and help us select potential

donors. The letter is included in this

newsletter.

Remember to make your cruise ticket

purchase and send the check to

Martin Harris. The form is on page 5

of this newsletter.

William Taylor

Cpt. USA Ret.

More Photos From

Our April 28 Meeting

Thanks to the ever-faithful Andy

Parsons for more great photos!

We were so glad

to see Don

Standiford

(Army) at the

meeting!

Jim

Markwell

Navy

Doug

Eggleston,

son of

Erv and

Jean

Eggleston

And one little P.S. from your

editor: Seconds before the

drawing, CMC Potts said,

“It’s mine; I won!” And then

the number was drawn from

the hat. And it was HIS!!! I

wanted to take him to Vegas

that moment, but alas . . . .

Pres. Erv Eggleston presenting

certificate to CMDR Gleason

Jean Eggleston with Mary Lee

Lanik Lear, widow of former

MOAA_HA president

Ann & Luke Vandiver, Navy

CMC Craig Potts, USCG, with Sisy

& Ed Fitz, USAF

David & Lesa Doyle, Navy

WINNER CMC Craig

Potts, USCG, with Martin

Harris, USMC

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, May 2012, p. 4

Retirement Pay

Can anybody explain why

young men and women serve

in the U.S. Military for 20

years, risking their lives

protecting freedom, and only

get 50% of their pay?

Yet politicians work in the

safe confines of the capital,

protected by these same men

and women, and receive full

pay retirement after serving

only one term!

Will you do everything you

can to make all voters aware

of this unfairness?

OUR MILITARYHEROES-ONWINGS LIKE

EAGLES

We want to remind you that

the syndicated live radio talk

show OUR MILITARY

HEROES-ON WINGS LIKE

EAGLES, hosted by our own

1st Vice President James W.

Mehrmann (call-sign

“Pappy”), can be heard every

Sunday evening in Houston

between 5 and 6 p.m. on

KKHT, 100.7 FM “The

Word,” and on KNTH, 1070

AM “News Talk.” The show

has partnered with MOAA National

Headquarters, and features a regular

series entitled “Standing Watch” on

the first Sunday of every other

month.

OUR MILITARY HEROES is a

show designed to inform the public

on issues concerning our military,

United States security, and defense

programs and provides a forum of

exchange on issues affecting our

veterans, their families, and recently

returning veterans from operations in

Afghanistan and Iraq. The show is

syndicated on several stations in

Texas and heard worldwide on the

Internet with a listening audience in

13 countries. If you have difficulty

getting the station, go to OUR

MILITARY HEROES Website at

www.militaryheroesradio.com which

streams the program, or to the KKHT

and KNTH Websites.

BRAVO ZULU “Pappy” – WELL

DONE!!. We urge all MOAA

members to be active participants in

listening to and calling in to the

program.

Another note from your editor: It’s a

great radio program! Make the time

to listen. And he gives plugs to

MOAA_HA, too! So do yourself a

big favor and tune in Sunday

evenings, 5 p.m., 1070AM or

100.7FM.

COMMEMORATIVE

AIR FORCE MUSEUMWest Houston Squadron

What a great day trip for your

family! They are open 10 to 3

on 1 and 3 Saturdays andst rd

are located at West Houston

Airport, Hangar B5 (I-10

West to Barker Cypress and

North about 2 miles, then

Right on Groschke Road. You

can even schedule a RIDE for

$295! LOTS of info at their

Web site,

www.westhoustonsqdn.org.

WINGS

OVER HOUSTON

AIRSHOW

October 27-28, 2012

Among the stars at this year’s

show will be the Blue Angels,

an F-22 Raptor, and a MV-22

Osprey. Save by purchasing

advance tickets: before 8/1,

$17.50 adult and $4 child;

8/1-10/26 $20 adult, $4 child;

and at the gate $25 adult, $5

child. Online only, you may

purchase a Family Ticket for

2 adults and 4 children for

$45.

www.wingsoverhouston.com

ENTRY FORM $10 per entry ENTRY FORM

WIN 5-day Cruise for 2

Carnival’s Triumph

Departing 10/13/12 from GalvestonNo limit on entries Drawing

9/25/12 (Need not be present to win)

Complete this form and send with $10 per entry, cash or check, to Martin J. Harris, Treasurer,

3902 E. Peach Hollow Cir. Pearland TX 77584-4030

Name __________________________________Tel._____________Address_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, May 2012, p. 5

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, May 2012, p. 6

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 Cadets

My 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 ___Discover

Account 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, HOUSTON

AREA, HOUSTON CORPS OF CADETS ROTC ENDOWMENT FUND, THE UNIVERSITY OF

HOUSTON

________________________________________________________________________________

University of Houston; Advancement Services; P.O. Box 867; Houston TX 77001-0867

Attn: Nancy V. Clark E-mail: uh.edu/giving

ARMED FORCES DAY

Many Americans celebrate Armed Forces Day annually on the third Saturday of May. It is a day to pay

tribute to men and women who serve the United States' armed forces. Armed Forces Day is also part of

Armed Forces Week, which begins on the second Saturday of May.

On August 31, 1949, Louis Johnson, who was the United States' Secretary of Defense, announced the

creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The event

stemmed from the armed forces' unification under one department—the Department of Defense. The

Army, Navy, and Air Force leagues adopted the newly formed day. The Marine Corps League declined

to drop support for Marine Corps Day but supports Armed Forces Day too.

The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated on Saturday, May 20, 1950. The theme for that day was

"Teamed for Defense," which expressed the unification of all military forces under one government

department. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the day was designed to expand public

understanding of what type of job was performed and the role of the military in civilian life.

Armed Forces Day was a day for the military to show "state-of-the-art" equipment to Americans. It was

also a day to honor and acknowledge Americans in the armed forces. Parades, open houses, receptions

and air shows were held at the inaugural Armed Forces Day. Armed Forces Day is still celebrated

nationwide today and is part of Armed Forces Week.

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, May 2012, p. 7

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 $10 first year; annual renewal $20

Auxiliary (spouse of deceased officer) $10

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 Maj. Val G. Henneberg 713.729.8217

TO:

Military Officers Association of America, Houston AreaMembership is available to Officers who have held a Federal Warrant or Commission in any of the seven

uniformed services of the United States or to the surviving spouse of such a person. Please use this form for

application for membership, renewal, or changes to the current directory of members.

Military Officers Association of America, Houston AreaPO Box 1082Houston TX 77251-1082

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Houston TX

Permit # 2102

ARMED FORCES DAY MILITARY BALL - MAY 19

The Houston Military Affairs CommitteePresents the

Armed Forces Day Military Ball

The Ball Committee requests the pleasure of your companyAt the 2012 Armed Forces Day Military Ball

Honoring Our Armed Forces Is Deep in the Heart of Texans

Saturday, May 19, 2012

JWMarriott

5150 Westheimer, Houston, Texas

6 p.m. social, 7 p.m. ceremony

Emcee

Craig Roberts

Featured Speakers

Congressman Ted Poe

Lieutenant General Steven Hummer

Commander, Marine Forces Reserve

Consul-General Park Suk-Bum of Republic of Korea

Music

Dancing to Kurland Street Band

ARMED FORCES DAY MILITARY BALL TICKET ORDER FORM

Please send this form with payment by check to: Houston Military Affairs Committee

PO Box 300526, Houston, Texas 77230-0526 Or by PayPal at www.hmac.us

or contact Commander Gene Tulich at 832-276-3193, email gene42@flash.net

_____Executive Table $2000

____ Individual tickets at $60 ____ Individual Tickets (vegetarian meal) at $60

Name ______________________________________ Rank ___________________________

Organization __________________________________________________________________

Table Preference ___________________________ List all table members by name and rank

Name___________________________________________________________Rank_____________

Name___________________________________________________________Rank_____________

Name___________________________________________________________Rank_____________

Name___________________________________________________________Rank_____________

Name___________________________________________________________Rank_____________

Name___________________________________________________________Rank_____________

Contact Phone _____________________ E-mail ______________________________________

Mailing Address ________________________________________________________________

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS: The Marriott has a block of rooms set aside for the Ball. Make

reservations directly at 713-961-1500. The block of rooms is for the Houston Military Ball.

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

William Taylor, Cpt USA Ret. (281) 482-7315

Legislative Representative and

ROTC Endowment Coordinator waterbury3@sbcglobal.net

[date]

Mr[Ms] etcaddressaddress

Dear ________:

We strongly support and are proud of our military forces, and we know that you feel thesame. The principal source for officers is the ROTC program in colleges. We ask for yourhelp in making scholarships available to these worthy–and needy–future militaryofficers. We understand that you receive many requests for charitable purposes, and wehope that you will include us.

The Houston Corps of Cadets ROTC Endowment Fund is managed by the University ofHouston Advancement Services, and the cadets drill at both Rice and UH. All donationsare deductible under IRS Tax Code 170(b), and a form is enclosed.

These students complete 24 semester hours over and above their degree program. Thatmeans they get up earlier than other students, work harder, study more, and aregenerally more dedicated. In many cases, they even work extra jobs. The general mission of the ROTC program is to develop future officers of all the uniform servicesmorally, mentally, and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of Duty,Honor, and Country, and with the core values of loyalty, courage, and commitment. Webelieve in those lofty goals and hope that you will help us to help them.

Thank you for your time and attention to our efforts. Please feel free to call me at anytime if you need additional information or Nancy Clark at the University of Houston(713.743.8873 / nclark@uh.edu). Visit our Web site at www.moaahoustonarea.com.

Sincerely yours,

William H. Taylor, Cpt. USA, RetiredROTC Endowment Coordinator