USAF MSC Association

[Pages:21]USAF MSC Association

NEWSLETTER

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DECEMBER 2013

Officers and Key Contacts

FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Col Randy Borg Chairman

Col Denise Lew\

A lot has happened since our last Newsletter in August. The Association's Biennial reunion, conducted 19-22 September at the Saint Louis Hilton at the Ballpark, was a meaningful and enjoyable time for us to renew friendships, meet new members, learn

President Col Steve Meigs

Vice President

from and engage with thought-provoking guest speakers, and to our MSC historical records and honor those who left our ranks since the previous reunion in 2011.

Col Al Obuchowski Treasurer

Lt Col Joe Haggerty

We owe our sincere appreciation to Brigadier General Chuck Potter, who somehow found a way to take time from his extremely busy end-of-year schedule to attend the

Secretary Col Dennis Beatty

Director Lt Col Sam Bowker

Director

reunion, and provide us with a very informative briefing on the Corps, the AFMS, and the MHS. Col (retired) Don Taylor, a member of the AF Association's Board, provided a riveting perspective on current events, and CAPT (retired) Kathy Beasley provided an informative legislative update from MOAA.

Col Debra Cavanaugh

Director Col Tim Morgan

Director Col Frank Nelson

Director Col Kevin O'Shea

If you were unable to attend the reunion, please know that you were missed, and we sincerely hope you will be able to join us for the next one in Washington, D.C., scheduled for 10-13 September 2015. Col Al Obuchowski has volunteered to head the planning team for that reunion, which is sure to be one you won't want to miss. Block your calendars now!

Director &

Member Svc Director Col Jim Pearce

Director Col Pat Dawson

I am honored to serve as your new Chairman, and eager to work with the Board to continue and advance the efforts of those who founded this Association and worked hard to further its contributions to the Corps and its heritage. We welcome you're

Active Duty Liaison Maj Wayne Terry

Newsletter Editor Capt Wm. M. Copeland

General Counsel

newly elected Directors, Col Steve Meigs, Col Frank Nelson, Col Dennis Beatty, and Lt Col Joe Haggerty to the Board. Joe Haggerty volunteered to also serve as our Secretary, replacing Lt Col Dan Mayer. The efforts of the immediate past Chairman Joe Vocks, and former Directors Col Al Obuchowski, Col Bob Hauser, and Col

Charlie Brown, were instrumental in shaping the future of the Association and its

charter. We are all grateful for their immense contributions.

Some of our committee leadership positions have also seen changes:

Bylaws: Lt Col Sam Bowker volunteered to take the reins from retiring Director Col Bob Hauser. Survivor Assistance Programs: Col Garry Standberry volunteered to head this committee, following Col

Ray Inman's term of leadership. Membership and Awards: Col Dennis Beatty will lead this committee, following Col Sid Brandler's term.

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Col Charlie Brown III Director

Col Bob Hauser Director

Col Denise Lew

 Sponsorship Committee: Col Brian `Hoosier' Riggs volunteered to take on this role, replacing Col Mac McClean.

Honor Roll Manager: Col Charlie Brown volunteered to step up, following the service of Col John Riley. Please join me in thanking Colonels Hauser, Inman, Brandler, McClean, and Riley for their dedication

and service.

I want to also thank and identify those who have volunteered to continue in their current positions:

Maj Wayne Terry, Newsletter Editor. Col Jim Moreland, Chair, History and Technology Committees, and Webmaster. Col Al Obuchowski, Chair, Finance Committee

A full list of our committees and their members is available on our website.

The Association needs your nominations for the Commitment to Excellence (Retiree) Award. The application and criteria are detailed in this issue. If you know any member eligible for this award, please submit your nominee to Lt Col Joe Haggerty, our Secretary, not later than 15 January 2014.

The holiday season is upon us again. As you enjoy what it brings to you, please remember those who are deployed or serving away from home, many whom are unable to be with their families, and keep them in your thoughts. I wish you all Happy Holidays and best wishes for a prosperous new year.

Randy Borg, COL, USAF, MSC (Ret), Association Chairman ___________________________________________________________________________________

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

I am honored and privileged to have been nominated by my fellow board members to fill the role as President of our Association. The nomination happened so quickly ? seems like I got distracted one minute, and the next minute I was being congratulated! A big welcome to the four new board members joining us this year: Dennis Beatty, Joe Haggerty, Steve Meigs and Frank Nelson ? we had an incredible slate of candidates this year, and I hope to see the other two candidates resubmit their bids again in 2015 as I know the votes this year were extremely close, and every one of the candidates were equally well qualified to represent our Association.

I regret many of you weren't able to attend the meeting and reunion in St. Louis, what a wonderful event that Randy Borg and Debra Cavanaugh collaborated on for us this year! The hotel accommodations were very nice, the Ed Nugent Memorial Hospitality Suite was impressive, the tours were enjoyable and well-planned, and both the buffet and banquet meals were awesome! Best of all, the opportunity to spend time with good friends who served as MSCs from the Vietnam era to the present was an incredible experience. This is the fourth MSC Association Meeting and Reunion that I've attended, and every one of them has been memorable! It's a time of camaraderie, reminiscing about the past, celebrating our life events, and paying tribute to the "Honor Roll" of those we have lost over the past two years since the last reunion.

The Board voted to have our next MSC Association Meeting and Reunion in our Nation's Capital, the Washington DC area, so please be sure to mark your calendars for 10-13 September 2015 and plan to join us. I promise it will be an event you will not want to miss. Al Obuchowski was able to secure a very reasonable hotel rate for the week, including five days before and after the event which would allow for a longer stay. I also laid down a challenge to Active Duty MSCs to see whether they can match or exceed the number of retired MSCs attending the event ? we'll see who comes out ahead!

Denise Lew, Col, USAF, (Ret), Association President

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NEW ON THE WEB!

If you have not visited the MSC Association web site lately, time to take a new look! We recently added a new page for MSC Association members who have written and published books. We started out with two, and when I made that announcement by EMAIL, I received lots of feedback from Members who have also been published or knew about somebody else who was published. I have read several of the books personally, and have enjoyed both. But that should not be a surprise. We have some of the best educated, most talented, and brightest minds in America right here among our membership! So far, the Authors page includes the following:

Major John Hankins. Four books, all novels (fictional, but fact based). Colonel Frank Nelson. One book. A planning guide and documentation template for your heirs. Major Dave Tofanelli. One book. His personal experience dealing with his wife's cancer as both a

husband and caregiver. Lt Col Gene Brady. Three books, all management and leadership "how to" guides. Lt Col Tom White. One book. A "factional biography" about a man he met while teaching in Japan. Major Tom Campbell. One book. An advice and travelogue book based on his motorcycle ride from

Sacramento to Sturgis, SD. Lt Col Michael Perry. One book. A conspiracy thriller about high-tech threats aimed at the heart of our

nation's power. Major Gerald A. Starr, USAF, MSC (retired), one book for children about handicaps related through a

story about Penny, the One-Eyed Puppy. Colonel Keith Curtis, USAF, MSC (Retired), Ph.D., one book on management from goal setting to

transforming strategies into action. Colonel Ray Benedetto, MSC, USAF (retired), co-authored a business leadership book and two chapters

in research ? related books. Major Robert M. Taber, USAF, MSC (retired), one book. A historical, romance, fiction novel, MGen and Mrs. Mike Wyrick, USAF, MSC (retired). Two Bible-based books for children. Colonel Bob Brannon, MSC (retired). One book about the Brannon family's service to Country from the

Civil War to present. Lt Col David "UPS" Brown, USAF, MSC, one book on Finance and Investing.

Rumor has it there are several more published MSC Authors out there, and we will be adding them to the web site as the information comes in. If you have not already done so, please visit our website at , and click on AUTHORS in the left side menu. There you will find each author's bio, a synopsis of each book, and information on how to order them. If you have published a book, or know of another Association member who has, please let us know!

For you published authors, please let us know if you are getting any feedback from the information published on our web site!

Jim Moreland, Colonel, USAF, MSC (retired). MSC Association Webmaster. ____________________________________________________________________________________

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ESPRIT DE CORPS ? MSC STYLE

By Bob Hughs, Capt, USAFR

Someone recently asked me why I would give up a weekend to spend with a bunch of retirees (not the word actually used) when I attended the recent Biennial MSC Association Meeting in St. Louis. That weekend 1st Lt Jessica Murray (375th AES) and I had the opportunity of assisting Randy Borg and Jim Moreland with the MSC history project. You will soon see why I felt that when my wife and I left after the Saturday evening banquet I was the luckiest one that attended the weekend event.

Arriving at the perfect time during the business meeting allowed me to hear a discussion about encouraging the involvement of younger MSCs. When I overheard what the Association's average age was, it was then I knew my attendance didn't even make a dent to that average! While I don't have any new ideas on increasing participation that haven't been tried before, I can pass along why this MSC chose to invest the time. It boils down to this -- as a youngster, through my grandfather, I had the chance to know vets down at the VFW hall and that strongly influenced my perception of those that walked before me. I feel their lessons are not from a generation(s) long passed, rather lessons for future generations to carry forward.

Over some 9 hours I formally interviewed 8 retired MSCs and their stories made the pages of the many leadership books come alive. It was the love of the people, the love of the mission, and the feeling of serving their country that truly shined through. Even though Jessica was concluding a rather hectic workweek, she was able to step up and interview John Klotsko and Ken Hermann, as well as attend the banquet. I extend my gratitude to John Riley, Don Taylor, Chet Baumer, Pat Hoey, Don Good, Ken Hermann, Wayne Terry, and Bob Bauer for extending me the privilege of chatting with them. When asked about "words of wisdom" to pass on to the next generation here are a few of the nuggets they shared:

Take a little risk...on yourself. Live in the moment. We give our time to what truly matters. This includes your family, your church, your community, your

job; all of which makes up your country. You get more than one chance to get it right (sometimes 2 or 3 times). Work hard and play hard. Don't define yourself by your job. People respect what you do, not what you say or write. Dream! You have to dream a little ? people are forgetting how to do this. (This came from a MSC who

will be turning 90 soon, Happy Birthday Chet!). Most importantly, it all boils down to Esprit de Corps. We each have that responsibility to build it!

Having met many wonderful MSCs and equally wonderful spouses at the convention, I hope when the Association comes to Washington, DC in 2015, that you make the time in your busy schedule to attend. If you have half the experience I did, you will see what MSC Esprit de Corps can truly be and possibly take a little bit back to your unit, workplace, or community. I want to sum up the comments and feelings during my weekend by sharing excerpts from the farewell address of Ronald Reagan I heard growing up: "We've done our part ? friends; we did it. We weren't just marking time. We made a difference ? and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad; not bad at all."

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YOU RECKON IT MIGHT BE THE LIGHT THAT'S ATTRACTIN' 'EM?"

In the back woods of Kentucky, a redneck's wife went into labor in the middle of the night, and the doctor was called out to assist in the delivery. Since there was no electricity, the doctor handed the father-to-be a lantern and said, "Here you hold this high so I can see what I am doing." Soon, a baby boy was brought into the world. "Whoa there," said the doctor, "Don't be in such a rush to put that lantern down. I think there's another one coming." Sure enough, within minutes he had delivered a baby girl. "Hold that lantern up, don't set it down there's another one!" said the doctor. Within a few minutes he had delivered another baby girl. "No, no don't be in a hurry to put down that lantern, it seems there's yet another one coming!" cried the doctor. The redneck scratched his head in bewilderment, and asked the doctor, "You reckon it might be the light that's attractin' 'em?"

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VA REACHES OUT TO VETERANS ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE LAW

Release No. 08-04-13 9 August 2013

WASHINGTON (AFRNS) ? The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched an awareness campaign and a new website, aca, to let veterans know what the Affordable Care Act means for them and their families. Veterans receiving health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs will see no change in their benefits or out-of-pocket costs when portions of the Affordable Care Act take effect next year.

"VA wants all veterans to receive health care that improves their health and well-being," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "If you are enrolled in VA health care, you do not need to take any additional steps to meet the health care law coverage standards. If you are not enrolled in VA health care, you can apply at any time."

"VA encourages eligible veterans who are not enrolled in VA's health care system to take advantage of the worldclass care we provide to the men and women who have served this nation in uniform," Shinseki added.

Veterans can apply for VA health care at any time by visiting healthbenefits/enroll, calling (877) 2228387, or visiting their local VA health care facility. Full details on eligibility are available here.

VA's health care system for veterans has no enrollment fee, no monthly premiums and no deductibles. Most veterans also have no out-of-pocket costs, though some may have small copayments for some health care or prescription drugs.

"VA will continue to provide veterans with high quality, comprehensive health care and other benefits they have earned through their service," said Dr. Robert Petzel, VA's chief physician and under secretary for health.

The Affordable Care Act was created to expand access to coverage, reduce rising health care costs, and improve health care quality and care coordination. The Affordable Care Act creates new opportunities for coverage for uninsured veterans and their families.

There are more than 1.3 million veterans and more than 950,000 spouses and children of veterans without health insurance. Most uninsured veterans are eligible for VA health care. For those who are not eligible for VA care ? such as veterans' family members ? the law created a new Health Insurance Marketplace.

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In 2014, the Marketplace will be a new way to shop for and purchase private health insurance. People who purchase insurance through the Marketplace may be able to lower the costs of health insurance coverage by paying lower monthly premiums. For more information, visit .

For information about VA health care and the Affordable Care Act, people can visit the new website or call (877) 222-8387, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., or Saturdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Eastern time. The new website includes a Health Benefits Explorer, where veterans can learn about the benefits they can receive if they enroll in VA care. For more retiree news and information, please visit retirees.af.mil.

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OLD GUY & A BUCKET OF SHRIMP

The following is an important piece of true American history.

It happened every Friday evening, almost without fail, when the sun resembled a giant orange and was starting to dip into the blue ocean.

Old Ed came strolling along the beach to his favorite pier. Clutched in his bony hand was a bucket of shrimp. Ed walks out to the end of the pier, where it seems he almost has the world to himself. The glow of the sun is a golden bronze now.

Everybody's gone, except for a few joggers on the beach. Standing out on the end of the pier, Ed is alone with his thoughts and his bucket of shrimp.

Before long, however, he is no longer alone. Up in the sky a thousand white dots come screeching and squawking, winging their way toward that lanky frame standing there on the end of the pier.

Before long, dozens of seagulls have enveloped him, their wings fluttering and flapping wildly. Ed stands there tossing shrimp to the hungry birds. As he does, if you listen closely, you can hear him say with a smile, "Thank you. Thank you."

In a few short minutes the bucket is empty. But Ed doesn't leave. He stands there lost in thought, as though transported to another time and place.

When he finally turns around and begins to walk back toward the beach, a few of the birds hop along the pier with him until he gets to the stairs and then they, too, fly away. And old Ed quietly makes his way down to the end of the beach and on home.

If you were sitting there on the pier with your fishing line in the water, Ed might seem like "a funny old duck," as my dad used to say. Or, to onlookers, he's just another old codger, lost in his own weird world, feeding the seagulls with a bucket full of shrimp.

To the onlooker, rituals can look either very strange or very empty. They can seem altogether unimportant ? maybe even a lot of nonsense. Old folks often do strange things, at least in the eyes of Boomers and Busters.

Most of them would probably write Old Ed off, down there in Florida. That's too bad. They'd do well to know him better.

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His full name: Eddie Rickenbacker. He was a famous hero in World War I, and also in WWII. On one of his flying missions across the Pacific, he and his seven-member crew went down. Miraculously, all of the men survived, crawled out of their plane, and climbed into a life raft.

Captain Rickenbacker and his crew floated for days on the rough waters of the Pacific. They fought the sun. They fought sharks. Most of all, they fought hunger and thirst. By the eighth day, their rations ran out. No Food. No Water. They were hundreds of miles from land and no one knew where they were ? or even if they were still alive. Every day across America, millions wondered and prayed that Eddie Rickenbacker might somehow be found alive.

The men adrift needed a miracle. That afternoon they had a simple devotional service and prayed for a miracle. They tried to nap. Eddie leaned back and pulled his military cap over his nose. Time dragged on. All he could hear was the slap of the waves against the raft. Suddenly, Eddie felt something land on the top of his cap. It was a seagull!

Old Ed would later describe how he sat perfectly still, planning his next move. With a flash of his hand and a squawk from the gull, he managed to grab it and wring its neck. He tore the feathers off, and he and his starving crew made a meal of it ? albeit a very slight meal for eight men. Then they used the intestines for bait. With it, they caught fish, which gave them food and more bait ? and the cycle continued. With that simple survival technique, they were able to endure the rigors of the sea until they were found and rescued after 24 days at sea.

Eddie Rickenbacker lived many years beyond that ordeal, but he never stopped saying "Thank you." That's why almost every Friday night he would walk to the end of the pier with a bucket full of shrimp and a heart full of gratitude.

PS: Eddie Rickenbacker was the founder of Eastern Airlines. Before WWI, he was a race car driver. In WWI he was a pilot and became America's first ace. WWII he was an instructor and military advisor and he flew numerous combat missions. Eddie Rickenbacker is a true American hero. And, now you know another story about the trials and sacrifices that brave men have endured for our freedom.

Reference: Max Lucado, "In the Eye of the Storm," pp. 221 & 225-226).

Contributed by Fred Graves, Col, USAF, MSC (Ret), and MSC Association Member. ___________________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever told a white lie?

THE WHITE LIE CAKE

Alice Grayson was to bake a cake for the Church Ladies' Group in Tuscaloosa, but forgot to do it until the last minute. She remembered it the morning of the bake sale and after rummaging through cabinets, found an angel food cake mix & quickly made it while drying her hair, dressing, and helping her son pack for scout camp.

When she took the cake from the oven, the center had dropped flat and the cake was horribly disfigured and she exclaimed, "Oh dear, there is not time to bake another cake!"

So, being inventive, she looked around the house for something to build up the center of the cake. She found it in the bathroom ? a roll of toilet Paper. She plunked it in and then covered it with icing.

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Not only did the finished product look beautiful, it looked perfect!

And, before she left the house to drop the cake by the church and head for work, Alice woke her daughter and gave her some money and specific instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it opened at 9:30 and to buy the cake and bring it home.

When the daughter arrived at the sale, she found the attractive, perfect cake had already been sold. Amanda grabbed her cell phone and called her mom.

Alice was horrified-she was beside herself! Everyone would know! What would they think? She would be ostracized, talked about, and ridiculed! All night, Alice lay awake in bed thinking about people pointing fingers at her and talking about her behind her back.

The next day, Alice promised herself she would try not to think about the cake, and would attend the fancy luncheon/bridal shower at the home of a fellow church member and try to have a good time.

She did not really want to attend because the hostess was a snob who more than once had looked down her nose at the fact that Alice was a single parent and not from the founding families of Tuscaloosa, but having already RSVP'd, she couldn't think of a believable excuse to stay home.

The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust old south, and to Alice's horror, the cake in question was presented for dessert!

Alice felt the blood drain from her body when she saw the cake! She started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before she could get to her feet, the Mayor's wife said, "what a beautiful cake!"

Alice, still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess (who was a prominent church member) say,

"Thank you, I baked it myself."

Alice smiled and thought to herself,

"God is good."

Contributed by Fred Graves, Col, USAF, MSC (Ret), Association Member ______________________________________________________________________________________

HOT OFF THE PRESSES!

Here's the new O-6 select list from Col Pat Dawson, Active Duty Liaison from AF/SGO.

Berthe, David M Conner, Paul N Cullison, Gregory S Dun, Christopher A Dykens, Timothy A Flowers, Alfred K

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