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…from the President

Hello Fellow UPC member and spouses.

First let me wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.

As your newly elected chapter president, I look forward to the challenge of representing our chapter and supporting the goals of the Military Officers Association of America. I have been blessed with a great support team to help and assist me, and want to thank my predecessor COL Luke Brennecke for his outstanding leadership and dedication during the past two years. As we begin this New Year, we are facing the prospect of cuts in the military budget that will impact us and our promised benefits. We need to prepare for this, and continue to increase our membership. Strength in

numbers allows our national organization to represent us in congress and help protect the benefits that we earned though our service to this great country. I am asking all members to continue to search for and recruit new members for our chapter. I am also asking all members to continue to support our social venues and our service project the annual Golf Tournament. A lot of time and effort go into scheduling and conducting these events. As always, if anyone has a suggestion for an event, please feel free to contact me, or a member of the board. Our next event will be March 2nd at Dutch's Daughter and our guest speaker is Chaplain (LTC-P)Eric Albertson, the son of Mary Albertson, one of our members. Chaplain Albertson is a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Arlington, VA and is currently attending the U.S. Army War College. He will speak on "Religious Support in a Modern Deployment Environment". I look forward to seeing you in March.

Best Wishes…Bill

Chapter Officers

PresidentCPT Wilmer K. Benson USA, Ret.

1st Vice PresidentCOL Douglas W. Reichard, USA, Ret.

2nd Vice PresidentLtCol James J. Valdez, USAF, Ret.

SecretaryMrs. Mary Lee Schumeyer

TreasurerCWO2 Robert J. Murray, USA, Ret.

Board MembersCol John R. Freeland, USAF, Ret.CDR Charles L. Chipley, Jr., USN, Ret.COL Lucas H. Brennecke, USA, RetCAPT Joe N. Shrader, USCG, Ret.COL Gerard Schumeyer, USA, Ret.

Chaplain

COL Jimmie C. Spiller, USA, Ret.

Legislative Affairs

PA-CAPT Herbert G. Arm, USN, Ret.MD-CAPT Joe N. Shrader, USCG, Ret.WV-CAPT David L. Woods, USN, Ret.

MOAA Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee Representative &

Chapter Personal Affairs Officer

Mrs. Mary Albertson

Webmaster

CW2 Robert J. Murray, USA, Ret.

Newsletter Editor

COL Gerard Schumeyer, USA, Ret.

January 18, 2013

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March Membership Meeting/Luncheon

Join us on Saturday, March 2, 11:30 a.m. at Dutch’s Daughter, Frederick, MD for our first general membership meeting/luncheon of 2013. Bill Benson, our new president, will share the Chapter’s plans for the future. Our guest speaker will be Chaplain (LTC-P) Eric Albertson who will give us a view of religious support and command chaplain challenges/experiences amidst a counter-insurgency fight. He will supplement his remarks with a photo journal.Reservations are due NLT Tuesday, February 26th. A reservation flyer is provided at the end of the newsletter.

If you need transportation toany of our events, pleasecontact any officer or boardmember for assistance.

New Members

A hearty welcome COL Pete Mekkelson, USA, Ret. and his wife Sue from Martinsburg, WV; CW4 Brance McCune, USA, Ret. and his wife Debbie from Martinsburg, WV; LTC Robert Siepielski, USA, Ret. and his wife Diana from Waynesboro, PA; and CPT Thomas Conlon, USA, Ret. from Cumberland, MD.

January

1-Vivian French3-Phyllis Walsh3-Dennis Donegan6-John Bongard8-Everette Beers

12-Elaine Brauer14-Jack Mesner16-Jacqueline Poor16-Jim Craig17-Barb Teel17-Jim Randle20-Terry McCune20-Jeannnette Ertlschweiger22-June Schirmer22-Robert Siepielski25-Wendy Garcia25-Heidi Chaney31-John Truesdell

February

2-Jimmie Spiller6-Bob Glausier9-Dave Richards

11-Sue Mekkelson12 -Jerry Schumeyer14-Luke Brennecke15-Norma Bishop16-Lisa Chipley16-Doug Reichard21-Pete Mekkelson24-Bill Mchargue28-Joan Malloy

January

18Katie & Ned Carr

19Harold & Norma Bishop

24Frank & Faye Fields

25John & Donna Derr

24David & June Wilson

26Bert & Emma Thornton

27Pete & Sue Mekkelson

February

9Herb & Nettie Arm

14Dave & Bonnie Hart

23Bob & Betty Lou Bryant

Happy Valentines DayFebruary 14

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Donations to the MOAA Scholarship Fund

Thanks to your generosity, the Chapter donated $280 to the MOAA Scholarship Fund for 2012. Your donations support a very worthy cause. Thanks again for you generosity.

2013Chapter Golf Tournament

Following up on the success of last year’s golf tournament, the Chapter board approved a 2013 golf tournament. Doug Reichard and Jim Valdez will be heading up the organizational committee again. They are looking for volunteers to assist in the organizational phase. If you are interested, please contact Doug at 301-898-5892. Likewise, if you have a recommendation on what military/veterans organization may benefit from the proceeds, please contact Mary Lee Schumeyer at 301-696-1191 or theschumeyers@comcast.net.

Ground Hog DayFebruary 2

Directory Updates

Days in History

January 17, 1991 – Desert Storm Air War begins

January 28, 1973 – Peace in Vietnam announced

January 30, 1968 – Viet Cong launch Tet Offensive

February 19, 1945 – Battle of Iwo Jima begins

February 23, 1991 – Desert Storm ground war begins

February 27, 1991 – Desert Storm Ground War ends after 100 hours

April Business Meeting/Luncheon

Our next membership meeting/luncheon will be held on April 20th. The location is still being determined. Details will be provided in the March 2013 newsletter.

The next newsletter will be published mid-March 2013.

Suggestions or comments may be addressed to Jerry Schumeyer, (301) 696-1191, theschumeyers@comcast.net.

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Meet Your New Chapter President

Wilmer K. (Bill) Benson, III, Captain, U.S. Army, Retired

EDUCATION: BS, Administration of Justice, the American University, Washington, D.C.

COMMISSION: Battlefield Promotion 2nd Lieutenant, USAR, Infantry (1 of 3 during RVN war).

MILITARY SCHOOLS: 25th Division NCO Academy (Honor Graduate), Infantry Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, Instructor Training Course, U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.

ACTIVE DUTY ASSIGNMENTS:1. 1960- 1965: USMA Preparatory School, Ft. Belvoir, Honor Guard Co, 1st BG, 3rd Inf., (TOG), Ft. Myer, VA. HHC/Co A 1st

BG, 21st Inf. 25th Inf. Div., (TDY: MAAG- VN), Schofield Barracks, HI. Co B/HHC, 2nd Bn, 12th Inf. 4th Inf. Div., Ft. Lewis, WA. Honor Guard Co, 1st Bn (Reinforced) 3rd Inf. (TOG), Ft Myer, VA. B Co. 2nd Bn. 2nd Inf. 1st Inf. Div. RVN. Private-Sergeant.

2. 1966: Platoon Leader, A Co. 1st Bn. 28th Infantry, 1st Inf. Div. RVN, 2nd Lieutenant.3. 1967: Infantry Officers Basic Course, Instructor- U.S. Army Infantry School, Ft. Benning, GA, 1st Lieutenant.4. 1968: Company Commander, Co C/ S-4, HHC, 4th BN. 18TH Inf., Berlin, FRG Captain.5. Company Commander, Co A, 4th Bn., 3rd Inf., 11 BDE, and Assistant Operations Officer, Chu Lai Defense Command,

Americal (23rd Inf.) Division. RVN. Captain6. 1970: Battalion Executive Officer, 4th PSYOPS Bn., JFK Center for Special Warfare, Ft. Bragg, NC, Captain.

NATIONAL GUARD ASSIGNMENTS:

1. 1970-1977: Company Commander, S-4, HHC, 1st Bn., 115th Infantry, 3rd BDE, 29th Inf Div. Silver Springs, MD, Captain.2. 1978- 1988. Command Sergeant Major, 1st Bn., 115th Inf. 3rd BDE, 29th Inf. Div. Silver Spring, MD. Command Sergeant

Major3. 1988-1990. Division Command Sergeant Major, 29th Inf. Div. Ft. Belvoir, VA. Command Sergeant Major.

CIVILIAN OCCUPATION: 1970- 1992: United States Secret Service, Retired.

PERSONAL: Married (April 1978) Carol, 3 Adult Sons, I Adult Daughter, 3 Grandsons,6 Granddaughters.

RESIDENCE: Rockville, MD.

2013 Annual Dues

It’s time to pay dues for 2013. So far we haven’t had a good response from our November solicitation. The dues are very important for support our Chapter operations and programs. So, please be prompt with your payment. Dues remain $10/year. Remember also our Lifetime Chapter Membership option with a cost of $90. Please send your payment to our Treasurer, Robert Murray, 632 Military Road, Frederick, MD 21702 NLT Jan 31, 2012. If you are

a new member who joined after July 2012, you will be credited with 2013 dues. Also, any member who recruited a new member for 2012 will receive a credit for 2013. If you have any questions about your dues, contact Bob Murray at (301)663-0452; robertmurray522@verizon.net.

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Four Crises on the Horizon

The New Year’s Eve “fiscal cliff” scare might have passed, but any relief will be brief. Over the next three months, the military community and the nation face four new and likely even more threatening fiscal confrontation deadlines:

1. Sometime in February: the president will send Congress his FY 2014 budget submission — we don’t know what to expect, but it could include proposals for significant new troop, pay, and benefit cutbacks.

2. Late February: the country is expected to hit the statutory ceiling on the size of the national debt. Many in Congress adamantly oppose an increase, but absent a deal to raise it, America would default on its debts; the last time Congress had a debt ceiling fight, America’s credit rating was downgraded, which tightened credit limits for individuals and companies. Any deal almost certainly will require more spending (including defense) cuts.

3. March 1: Sequestration (a $1 trillion, 10-year, across-the-board budget-cut) will go into effect unless Congress adopts an alternative for spending cuts/revenue increases. DoD would be required to absorb $41 billion in cuts before the end of October (a devastating cut in so short a time) and $450 billion more over the next 9 years.

4. March 27: The continuing resolution under which the federal government now is operating expires. Without an extension, the government will shut down. Here again, many legislators are talking about accepting a shutdown unless major spending cuts occur.

Any one of these problems would be a challenge for our rancorous Congress to address, but combine all four events converging in such a small amount of time, and it greatly increases the likelihood Congress and the administration will fail to reach agreements to successfully navigate all of these major pitfalls. The consequences could be dire. Default on our debt, a government shutdown, or massive and immediate defense spending cuts could have a prolonged and negative effect — not just for currently serving and retired servicemembers and federal civilians — but also for America as a whole. We have a seriously stormy few months coming before we learn whether increasingly fierce partisan acrimony can be overcome in the national interest or whether the divide is so severe our elected officials actually find “shooting the hostage” preferable to negotiating compromise solutions. © MOAA 2013

Military Pay, Survivor Benefit Plan Bills Introduced

With the election of each new Congress, all of the bills introduced in the previous Congress expire. So any legislation to be considered by the new 113th Congress will have to be reintroduced, and supporting legislators will have to sign up as cosponsors all over again. Members of the House of Representatives wasted no time introducing a few important pieces of legislation to protect the interests of servicemembers and military survivors.

Now is the time to send your legislator a message regarding these bills.

H.R. 32 — Repeal the SBP/DIC Offset. Rep. Joe Wilson’s (R-S.C.) bill would repeal current law that requires a dollar-for-dollar offset of Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities from VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for the survivors of servicemembers who die of service-connected causes.

H.R. 55 — Don’t Let a Funding Gap Stop Military Pay. Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick’s (R-Pa.) bill would protect against any interruption of pay for servicemembers and federal law enforcement officials in the event of a government shutdown.

MOAA expects many more bills to be added over the next few weeks as the 113th Congress settles in. Be sure to bookmark MOAA’s Key Bills page at http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/ to help you stay involved in our advocacy efforts. © MOAA 2013

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2013 Legislative Goals

The 113th Congress convened this month, and council and chapter members are encouraged to reach out and contact their congressional representatives — particularly those newly elected. MOAA is counting on council and chapter members to let legislators and staffs know what issues are important to servicemembers and their families. Find a list of the association’s legislative priorities for 2013 at www.moaa.org/takeaction. MOAA’s Web Base also contains a State Report Card, which leaders can download and use. This 2012 state-by-state assessment, which evaluates 12 key indicators of military friendliness in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, is a handy tool for council and chapter leaders who advocate at the state level. Find the State Report Card at www.moaa.org/statereport. © MOAA 2013

MOAA’s New Membership Model

Effective Jan. 1, 2013, MOAA launched a new three-tier model of membership. The newmembership model will provide a new connection with currently serving officers; a betterbundled package of services for those nearing military retirement and those in their secondcareers; and a renewed emphasis to be all we can be to life members.

Basic Membership: This model expands MOAA’s reach to younger officers currently in uniformby offering a relevant and compelling electronic experience (at no fee), and emphasizes no oneadvocates more strongly for them than MOAA.

Premium Membership: As Basic members decide to remain in the career force or think abouttransition, our message to them will be to upgrade their membership to Premium. We will offer abetter package of transition and other services to help these members navigate a significantdecision point in their lives.

Life Membership: Life members are the regular commissioned component of MOAAmembership, which represents half of all MOAA members today. MOAA will capitalize on theactivism of Life members by encouraging them to continue to serve in their communities.

You can learn more about the new membership model at MOAA’s web site http://www.moaa.org/chapterrecruiting/ or the January 2013 edition of Military Officer magazine. © MOAA 2013

Auxiliary Corner

The Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee (AMAC) and auxiliary liaisons had a productive year in 2012. We completed the Cell Phones for Soldiers project, exceeding our goal of 1 million prepaid minutes by 76 percent. The value of an auxiliary liaison in our chapters or councils is well-documented. If your chapter or council has not yet appointed one, we urge you to do so immediately. MOAA is facing many challenges at this time, and an auxiliary liaison will be a valuable asset to your leadership team as we work together to meet those challenges.

In April, the AMAC helped MOAA “storm the hill,” urging Congress to pass specific legislation to keep faith with the benefits promised to our military when they volunteered to serve. The AMAC communicated with chapter liaisons across the country in May and June 2012. Of all the issues discussed, the major issue was elimination of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)/Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) offset for unremarried surviving military spouses. Currently, for these surviving spouses, SBP, an annuity purchased by servicemembers, is offset by DIC they might receive because of their spouses’ service-connected death. The offset is unfair! The amendment to include provisions of S. 260 in the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Bill was defeated. Fifty-eight senators supported it, but they did not support its inclusion without available funds to cover the cost of the offset during a 10-year period. A vote of 60 was required to include the amendment without available funds to cover offset costs.

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The AMAC will focus in 2013 on educating members of Congress and military families about the inequitable SBP/DIC offset and garner support for legislation to eliminate the offset. We will need the help of chapter and auxiliary liaison leadership. (Stay tuned for more information about the “Educate the Hill” initiative, which will take place July 16-17.)

At MOAA’s annual meeting in October 2012, the board of directors approved the voting eligibility of auxiliary members. What a great year! © MOAA 2013

2013 Events Calendar

January 5 - Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m., Rm 5, Community SupportCenter, Bldg. 1520, Ft. Detrick, MD

February 2 – Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m., Rm 5, Community SupportCenter, Bldg. 1520, Ft. Detrick, MD

March 2 - Membership meeting/luncheon, 11:30 am, Dutch’s Daughter restaurant, Frederick, MD.

April 20 - Membership meeting/luncheon, 11:30 am, location TBD.

May 4 - Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m., Rm 5, Community SupportCenter, Bldg. 1520, Ft. Detrick, MD

June 8 - Membership meeting/luncheon, 11:30 am, location TBD.

July 13 - Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m., Rm 5, Community SupportCenter, Bldg. 1520, Ft. Detrick, MD

August 17– Annual Picnic, Bert & Emma Thornton’s Shoot Proof Farm, Jefferson, MD

September 7 - Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m., Rm 5, Community SupportCenter, Bldg. 1520, Ft. Detrick, MD

October 19 – Membership meeting/luncheon, 11:30 am, Dutch’s Daughterrestaurant, Frederick, MD.

November 2 - Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m., Rm 5, Community SupportCenter, Bldg. 1520, Ft. Detrick, MD

December 14 – Holiday luncheon, location TBD.

Free Income Tax Assistance for Military Personnel and their Families

The Fort Detrick Tax Center will open on January 28, 2013 to assist members of the armed forces on active duty, military retirees, and their families with filing both federal and state income tax returns. You must download an intake form from the Fort Detrick Tax Center website http://www.detrick.army.mil/taxAssistance/index.cfm and follow the “what to bring” advice to make your visit a one-stop success. In addition to this form, you will need to show your military ID card and Social Security Card (or photocopy) for each person named on the return. The service is free and your receive quality assistance from soldiers and volunteers who are certified un the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. For an appointment, call (301) 619-1040/1041 or visit the Tax Center. The Tax Center is located in the Community Support Center, Bldg 1520, 1520 Freedman Drive, 2nd Floor, Classroom 6. Hours are 0900-1600, Monday-Friday

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Chip Chipley, Pete and Sue Mekkelson at the holiday luncheon

Jerry Schumeyer attaches the 2011 MOAA Excellence Award streamer to the Chapter Flag; Bill Benson, Luke Brennecke and Jerry Schumeyer proudly display the streamer to the membership

Members of the Barbara Ingram Center for the Performing Arts entertain us at the holiday luncheon.

Denis Garcia, Jim Valdez, Ron Kelsey, and Beth Valdez enjoy the holiday spirit

Renee Jones, Santa (Dave Woods) and Doug Fargo enjoy the festivities at the holiday luncheon.

Chapter officers for 2013-2014 – Bob Murray (Treas), Jim Valdez (2nd Vice), Doug Reichard (1st Vice), Bill Benson (Pres), and Mary Lee Schumeyer (Sec)

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Upper Potomac ChapterMembership Meeting/Luncheon

Saturday, March 2, 201311:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Dutch’s Daughter Restaurant581 Himes Avenue

Frederick, MD301-668-9500

www.dutchdaughter.com

Join us on Dutch’s Daughter, Frederick, MD for our first general membership meeting/luncheon of 2013. Bill Benson, our new president, will share the Chapter’s plans for the future. We also will hear a wonderful presentation by Chaplain (LTC-P) Eric Albertson who will give us a view of religious support and command chaplain challenges/experiences amidst a counter-insurgency fight. He will supplement his remarks with a photo journal.

Menu

Sautéed Beef Tips, Dutch’s Chicken, Twice Baked Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Garden Salad and Chef’s Dessert Choice, Coffee, Tea or Soda. Cash Bar

If anyone requires assistance with transportation to the meeting, please contact one of the Board will help members and we coordinate.

---------------------------------------Detach and Return-------------------------------------------------------------Name _____________________________________Name(s) of Guests___________________________________________________________________

___Number of Reservations@ $24/person_____________

TOTAL Payment______________

Make checks payable to: Upper Potomac Chapter, MOAAReturn NLT Tuesday, February 26, 2013 to:

Robert Murray, 632 Military Road, Frederick, MD 21702Phone: (301) 663-0452; Email: robertmurray522@verizon.net

SEE YOU THERE AND BRING A GUEST!