chapter newsletter june 2011 volume 36 issue 10

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June 2011

Volume 36, Issue 10

In This Issue:

President’s Message 1

Auxiliary Report 2

Raffle Results 3

June Dinner pictures 3-4

New Birthdays/Anniversaries 5

April Dinner Information 6

1st VP Message 6

Chair Reports 7-8

For Your Information 8

Membership Application 10

Dinner Reservations 11

This newsletter is published monthly September - June.

The Superstition Mountain Chapter, Military Officers Association of

America Inc., is a non-profit organization, IRS tax ID# 23743086

http://www.smcmoaa.org/

Please remember to share the newsletter with your spouse!

Presidents Comments

Col Gary Fredricks, USAF (Ret), MOAA National Board member, was our May dinner speaker. We had a very good turnout and COL Fredericks outlined a number of issues that MOAA is working on in Washington. These included: holding the costs down on proposed TriCare fee increases, insuring a cost of living increase to retiree and active service members, and the recent Storming

the Hill exercise conducted by MOAA staffers and state Council leaders. He also touched on two items that I will discuss later in my column.

Also in May the Arizona Council of Chapters, AZCOC, met in Fountain Hills and spent a full day discussing Chapter issues and how to make our chapters stronger and more successful. Our guest speakers were CAPT(R) Kathy Beasley, MOAA national assistant director of health care initiatives and COL(R) Joey Strickland, Arizona Director of Veterans Affairs. Kathy spoke of the impending TriCare changes that currently sit before Congress and a number of issues affecting returning warriors from the War on Terror. Joey discussed the November 2011 opening of the new Tucson Veteran’s Home, the States’ efforts in securing two new national cemeteries’ (Tucson and Flagstaff), the construction of a third Veteran’s Home to be located in Belmont, AZ, and the State’s Women’s Veteran’s Homeless Shelter in Phoenix. He also announced two new programs available to veterans: a new Women’s Veterans License plate and a bill just passed that allows any veteran to attend a State university at the in-state tuition rate. Both speakers were very informative and we all came away with a sense of accomplishment for MOAA and the Veteran’ Affairs organization. Also at the AZCOC, several of our Chapter leaders were recognized for their excellent work. These include: Jim Austin for his work with TOPS, Ann Ferguson for the excellent work with the Aux on Packages From Home, Ann Schminke for the cell phone program, Ed Fox for his work with our 22 ROTC programs, Marlene Fox for our newsletter, and Bob Delker for all his work with the Unified Arizona Veterans. We extend our thanks to all of you for your support of our Chapter. Continued on page 2Continued on page 2Continued on page 2Continued on page 2

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AUXILIARY NEWSAUXILIARY NEWSAUXILIARY NEWSAUXILIARY NEWS: from Ann Ferguson President’s message continued……

OFFICERS

President, Col Karl Pfitzer 480-991-2463 [email protected]

1st VP, CW4 Arlan Allen 602-283-5862 [email protected]

2nd

VP, Cpt Ed Mangan 602-501-0128 [email protected]

VP Auxiliary, Mrs. Ann Ferguson

Secretary, Mrs. Peggy Allen

Treasurer, Maj Austin Foote

Past President, CWO4 Bob Delker

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Program CW4 Arlan Allen

Membership Cpt Ed Mangan

Personal Affairs Lt Gregory Moore

Legislative CWO4 Bob Delker

JROTC/Scholarship Col Karl Pfitzer

Newsletter Mrs. Marlene Fox Website Mrs. Ann Ferguson TOPS LtC James Austin

DIRECTORS LtC Ed Fox Cpt George Meegan Lt Gregory Moore

Col Tom Ralph LtC James Austin Mrs. Ann Schminke

Superstition Mountain Express

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President’s message coPresident’s message coPresident’s message coPresident’s message continued ntinued ntinued ntinued …………

As we break for the summer months, I would like you to keep in mind two very important issues facing not only our chapter but MOAA chapters on a national level; declining membership and chapter leadership succession. COL Fredrick’s discussed these at the May dinner and they were discussed in detail at the AZCOC meeting on May 20

th .

On a nationwide basis the number of MOAA chapters has decreased from 420 to 416 while membership in chapters has declined to 66000. In Arizona, membership has declined over the past 4 years from 1400 to a little over 1000. Our own chapter is no exception as we have declined from 145 members in 2010 to 125 today. Clearly attracting new members and keeping our current members is of primary importance to all of us. We all need to be active chapter recruiters throughout the year. Ask a friend to join you, bring a friend to one of our activities, or refer a friend to a Board member so that we can follow up and get them a complimentary membership. Secondly is the leadership of our Chapter. Your Chapter leaders and board members do yeoman’s work in keeping our chapter moving forward. However, they can’t do it forever. We need to engage the full spectrum of our membership to take an active role in the Chapter and to serve on our leadership team. There is a wealth of talent, knowledge and experience in our Chapter and I would ask all of you to consider serving in some capacity. This coming September, the board will be appointing a nominating committee to seek out and recommend candidates for officer, director, and board member positions. Please keep this in mind as you enjoy the summer and return in the fall as we begin our 37

th year as a chapter. Leadership and membership are keys to our continued success as a chapter.

Finally, as we depart for cooler climates, we have a number of members who are a bit under the weather and we ask you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Travel safely and I’ll see you at our summer dinners or at our September Chapter meeting.

Karl Pfitzer Chapter President

AUXILIARY NEWSAUXILIARY NEWSAUXILIARY NEWSAUXILIARY NEWS: from Ann Ferguson The Auxiliary meeting date for June has changed to Friday, June 3

rd. It will be at 11:30 am

at Dobson's Restaurant and will include a box packing session before lunch. Please call me at 480-961-9634 or email me at

[email protected] to confirm your attendance by Thursday, June 2

nd

To date we have packed and shipped 124 boxes overseas through the Packages From Home Project. We thank all of you who contribute to this worthy cause and encourage you to keep your donations coming. We need unscented baby wipes, canned foods, Q Tips, foot powder, snack items such as candy, powdered drink mixes, peanut butter, and jerky to name a few items. Remember when you were overseas, what you wanted sent to you. Our troops today likely want the same things. Bring your contributions to any Aux or general meeting.

The Auxiliary continues to collect old cell phones for the Cell Phones for Soldiers project and are now also collecting plastic bags for Mary Thomas in support of a Girl Scout project. Come to our meetings to learn more about the projects your friends are involved in and how you may be able to support their efforts. Remember we are all part of the community and many hands make light work of heavy jobs.

Meetings in July and Aug will be back on our regular schedule of the 2nd Friday of the month at 11:30 am at Dobson's Restaurant. The dates are July 8

th and

Aug. 12th. Make reservations for these meetings by

the Thursday before the meeting on Friday, July 7th

and Aug 11th, respectively. We will pack boxes for

Packages from Home during these meetings. Hope to see you at our meetings and have a wonderful summer.

Don’t forget our summer Aux luncheons


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May Dinner Raffle Results

Hosted by Sandra Bond and Lee Edwards

Raffle Winners

Thanks for participating, we made $130.00. Also thanks to Sandra and Lee for hosting.

To keep our dinner costs as low as possible, each month we have a raffle at our meeting/dinner. The money generated by this is used to offset the cost of entertainment such as the musicians. I’m sure many of you have things that you are more than willing to re-gift and our raffle would be a great place to do this. If you would like to donate something to the raffle, contact Arlan Allen 602-283-5862

June Dinner Meeting

Our June Dinner Meeting was very nice as we visited with our fellow members and then listened to

our guest speaker Col Gary Fredricks, USAF (Ret). Getting some first hand information about

what’s going on in Washington in respect to veterans was most interesting. We really appreciated

Col Fredericks sharing his time and knowledge with us.

Trays Marlene Fox Beauty Box Gerry Copsey Berenger Wine Sandy Smith Coupon Holder Lynda Moore Red Wine Ann Munson Candle Holder Judy Burbank Earrings Peggy Allen

Gift Basket Nancy Powphless Bottle of Wine Ann Schminke Travel Mug Gerald Gustafson Candle Casey Phillabaum Book Jackie Oddo Napkins/Spreader Sheryl MauldinHairdryer Virginia Bresnehan


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Come join us at our dinners and enjoy visiting with everyone. The Social Hour before

dinner is a great time to find out what everyones been up to since you last saw them. Then

enjoy some great music and more conversation during dinner. A very nice time for all!


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SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER CONGRATULATIONSCONGRATULATIONSCONGRATULATIONSCONGRATULATIONS

JUNEJUNEJUNEJUNE

MEMBER BIRTHDAY SPOUSE BIRTHDAY WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Alex Banachowski

Virginia Bresnehan

Marilyn Miles

Marvin Murray

Betty Jean Black

Gail Dickson

Ida Pefley

Bunnie Williams

Arlan & Peggy Allen

Dale & Gerry Copsey

Thomas & Linda McKinley

Duke & Lynda Moore

Fenwick Burch Al Page Georgianne Gahan June Wilson Walter & Joyce Herd Greg & Meredith Moore

Martin Dooley

Michael Farmer

William Schminke

George Woodard

Sandy Smith

Beverly Spicci

Walter Herd

Ruth Hultgren

Jeanne Jackson

Meredith Moore

Elizabeth Lewis

JULY JULY JULY JULY


Michael Dickson

Karl Kohlhoff

Sheryl Mauldin

Ann Schminke

Pamela Banachowski

Royetta Dooley

Johanna Gustafson

Jackie Oddo

Linda McKinley

Gerald & Johanna

Gustafson

Ellsworth & Glenda Humes

William & Connie Koch

Clyde & Bunnie Williams

Mary Rubin

Mary Spickerman

Lynn Young

AUGUST AUGUST AUGUST AUGUST


David Anderson

Fred Ferguson

Lucian Ferguson

Marilyn Holmlund

Shirley Davis

Austin Foote

Chris Gahan

Betty Grenig

Mary Flanagan

Joan Kohlhoff

Lucy Murch

Lisa Stephens

Joanne Moscarello

Nancy Nickerson

Maralene Peterson

Carol Winkler

Doug & Donna Lee Conger

Joseph & Helen Goldblatt

Eldon & Genie Mortenson

Jack & Casey Phillabaum

Ralf & Jeane Jackson

John & Magdalene Kwak

Marvin & Lana Murray

Paul & Ida Pefley

Thomas McKinley

Robert Moscarello

Dorothy Hume

Duke Moore

Greg & Margaret Romas

Gary & Lynn Young

Eugene & Melba Shafer

Jack Phillabaum Merle Panzer

Rebecca Schmidt

“Life has got to be lived - that's all there is to it. At seventy, I would say the advantage is that you take life more calmly. You know that this, too, shall pass!” - Eleanor Roosevelt


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A message from

1111stststst VICE PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT Arlan Allan

Thanks again to all those who attended the May dinner meeting. Your continued support is appreciated by the Board. A special thanks to Sandra Bond and Lee Edwards for hosting the raffle. I know some of you will spend the summer traveling, away from our famous heat, be careful and have a safe summer.

For the members that will still be in the valley, we will meet as usual on the third Sunday of each month. At the June dinner, our featured speaker will be Michael Crowe, a Certified Financial Planner. Michael will be focusing on estate planning and financial planning during retirement. There is no planned speaker for July and August September's dinner meeting will feature COL Karl Kohloff, US Army, Ret. Karl will discuss Western water rights issues. For those that may be unfamiliar with water rights issues in the Western United States, I believe you will find this very interesting. There is much that goes on behind the scenes. We turn the faucets on at home and take for granted that water will be there. However, it is a very complex system of laws and agreements that actually deliver this vital resource. The menu remains the same through September. A choice of prime rib, salmon or chicken marsala, price is $25.00 per person. Social Hour begins at 1600 with dinner at 1700. We will meet at the Dobson Ranch Inn. Please make your reservations by the Thursday prior to the Sunday dinner.

Superstition Mountain Chapter MOAA Summer Dinners

Sunday June 19th, July 17th, August 21st 2011 Dobson Ranch Inn 4:00 Social Hour – 5:00 Dinner

June Guest Speaker Michael Crowe, Financial Planner

No guest speaker in July or August

Menu Choices Prime Rib w/Baked Potato, Broiled Salmon w/ Wild Rice or Chicken Marsella Served with

Dinner Salad and rolls

Vegetable and Chef’s Dessert

$25.00 per person

Reservations: Arlan Allen 602-283-5862 or email at [email protected]

Reservations should be in by the Wednesday before the dinner

June 15th

, July 13

th, August 17

th

(Reservation coupon on page 11)


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CHAIRMANCHAIRMANCHAIRMANCHAIRMAN REPORTSREPORTSREPORTSREPORTS

2nd Vice President Ed Mangan Membership As we approach our summer season,

we can’t slowdown with our membership recruiting efforts. Our Chapter will be leading the recruiting efforts at the Annual AZ National Guard Convention at the AZ Grand Resort on May 20

th and 21

st. We are hoping to

add to our ranks during this two-day affair.

It is my belief that the best way to recruit new members is through personal contact. You may have friends or neighbors who are eligible to join MOAA. Ask them to join us for one of our dinner meetings or one of our picnics. If you would like to have some literature or membership application, just contact me. If you have a

Invited a potential new member join us at one of our functions; please let me know ahead of time, if at all possible.

If you have any neighbors/friends who are qualified to join MOAA, ask them to join us, possibly for a dinner meeting. We would be glad to give them plenty of literature to highlight the benefits of becoming a MOAA member, and send them a newsletter.. Again, if you need assistance, contact me. Even though I am the membership chairman, finding new members is all of our jobs. Under the “Give Me Ten” program there is no cost to join MOAA. So now is the time to ask your neighbor or friend to join. If you have any questions, just contact me. Ed Mangan, USAF Capt, [email protected], (602) 501-0128

Cell Phones for Soldiers Ann Schminke

"Cell Phones for Soldiers" is proceeding at a rapid pace--193 phones collected. These will be sent to a recycling company in Dexter, Michigan where all parts of the phones are salvaged and the profits are then used to buy phone cards the soldiers can use overseas. Check with your friends and see if they have a phone they can contribute.

“Cell Phones for Soldiers” is a program which MOAA National and MOAA’S AMAC (Auxiliary Member Committee) are endorsing.

Cell phones, Blackberries and Palms with their apparatus (such as ear phones or battery chargers) working or not are being turned into cash for payment of pre-paid calling cards which are then sent to our troops. There is no cost involved. Steps taken include a specific shipping label and directions on how to package the phones.

Please help our chapter auxiliary ladies collect old cell phones. You can bring them to any MOAA function or Auxiliary meeting.

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a 501c3 not for profit organization. You can get more information or print out a good faith tax donation receipt for the phone donation at cellphonesforsoldiers.com.

For additional information call Ann Schminke 480-893-8263

To Date

193

Donated


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JROTC

Karl Pfitzer

Awards and Scholarships

At Campo Verde High School’s Awards Ceremony, Lt Col Ed Fox made the presentations for our MOAA chapter Cadet Jessica Walder received the Medal, Cadet Gunnar Conley received the Flag

and Cadet Kelsie Leppart received the $100.00 Impact Award.

Chapter Community Grant Program

We are excited about our Chapter’s Community Grant Program. Currently, the only program we are involved with is the JROTC Awards Programs conducted at 20 high school campuses around the valley. Each JROTC program we support receives a medal (provided by MOAA National) and a flag (our cost $400.00) each year. Additionally we give a total of $2000.00 in Scholarships or Impact Awards to these same JROTC programs.

If our chapter decides to be involved in any other community projects they would also be funded from this program. This program depends on donations to pay for any and all community projects we support. In the past few years donations to this fund have diminished. We are asking for your donations to keep this program viable. There is a donation coupon on page 11 if you would like to help. So far this year our donations total is $175.00. We will have to do better than this to continue these programs. If you have any suggestions on how to help fund this program please contact Karl Pfitzer at 480-635-2080 or [email protected].

While I was serving my countryWhile I was serving my countryWhile I was serving my countryWhile I was serving my country

Attention! I need your help

This is a new column I am trying out for our newsletter. I am asking you to share a short story about one of your many experiences while you were active duty. It can be anything you think your fellow members might find interesting. Please try and keep it to about a half page. You can either email it to me, or write it out and mail it to me if you don’t have a computer. I think this could be a really fun and entertaining column, but I do need the articles from all of you! [email protected] or 1151 N Joshua Tree Lane, Gilbert AZ 85234.


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Packages From Home A letter from one of our soldiers

Ann Ferguson received the following letter. It was hand written so I have typed it out to share with you. I have also ommitted the soldiers name. It was nice to hear from someone who has received one of” our packages.”

MOAA

I want to first start off by thanking you for your wonderful generosity! The candy went

well or should I say fast! My mom actually does something similar like y’all. She is a

member of the Blue Star Moms of the South Valley. I realize that it takes great time and

effort to send these packages, but it is really appreciated.

A little about myself: I am 22 years old. I am in pretty much an all male unit. There are

seven of us females out of a total of 159 soldiers. We are pretty out numbered. I was born

and raised in Arizona. I have been in the Army for 4 years now. This is my second tour

overseas. My first delpoyment was in Irag for 15 months. This deployment is only for 12

months. I plan on some day becoming a nurse specializing in Pedeatrics or Anesthsiology.

Once again, I thank you for everything you have done for me!

Sincerely,

Cpl

US Army 937th RCC

Combat Medic

Don’t forget “Packages From Home.” Bring your donation items to the Auxiliary Luncheon or

the Chapter Dinner Meeting.

Memorial Day was last Monday and many of our fellow Americans honored our military members. It is with great honor and gratitude that I thank all of you who have served this great nation. Your service, sacrifice and patriotism have kept this country going. You are appreciated beyond words. God bless you all and thank you for sharing your lives with us in MOAA.

"The mission of Packages From Home is to send care and

comfort packages to deployed American military heroes who

are stationed in active duty theaters around the world, as well as

to facilitate activities that elevate morale of all veterans."


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Have a great Summer! NEWSLETTER EDITORNEWSLETTER EDITORNEWSLETTER EDITORNEWSLETTER EDITOR

Marlene Fox

As the Newsletter Editor, I strive to minimize errors. There will be times that mistakes occur. If you notice any errors please let me know. I

would appreciate any input on articles you might think would be appropriate for the newsletter. It would also be helpful if all address changes, corrections, or email changes were sent to me so I can insure you receive the newsletter without delay. [email protected] 1151 N Joshua Tree Lane, Gilbert, AZ 85234 – 480-854-9473

CLIP AND MAIL

MOAA & Superstition Mountain Chapter Membership Application

Date __________________Member Name & Initial ______________________________ Branch of Service__________ Rank_______________

Spouse First Name __________________ National MOAA Number ________________________

Street Address ___________________________________City _____________ State _______ZIP______-_________

Home Phone #___________________Work or Cell#________________________________

Please Circle: ARMY-AIR FORCE-NAVY--MARINE CORPS COAST GUARD-NOAA-PUBLIC HEALTH SVC

Circle All That Apply: REGULAR-RESERVE-NATIONAL GUARD-FORMER OFFICER-ACTIVE-RETIRED-

MALE-FEMALE-WIDOW-WIDOWER

Member Date of Birth MM____/DD____/YYYY____ Spouse Date of Birth MM____/DD____/YYYY____

E-mail Address _______________________________________

MOAA National membership for 2011 is: FREE for first year for first time members of Active, National guard, Reserves, JROTC Instructors, NOAA, USPHS or FREE for ANY uniformed officer of ANY status WITH first time MOAA AND chapter enrollment. Chapter Dues Apply. The membership fee for MOAA is $28 for the first two years renewable at $27 after that. Superstition Mountain Chapter membership fee is $25 per year. Spouses of current members participate in Chapter Auxiliary luncheons and activities with no fee. Chapter bylaws require Chapter members and Chapter Auxiliary members to be members of MOAA.

Enclose check for: MOAA $______For Chapter $_______. Makes checks payable to: Superstition Mountain Chapter MOAA

Mail Application and Check to: Superstition Mountain Chapter MOAA - Austin Foote, Treasurer 3554 E. Camino Circle, Mesa, AZ 85213-7033 Phone 480- 329-4806

For More Information Contact, Membership Committee Chairman: Ed Mangan at 602-501-0128


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Clip and Mail

Chapter Community Grant Donation

Enclosed is our donation of $ _____________ for this program

The Chapter MAY___MAY NOT __ publish our names in the newsletter

Signed __________________________________________________

Please make check payable to Superstition Mountain Chapter, MOAA

Mail to: Austin L. Foote, Treasurer, 3554 E. Camino Circle, Mesa, AZ 85213-7033

2011 Chapter Dues Renewal Form

Annual Dues: $25 Regular Members $12.50 Auxiliary Members

Please make check payable to Superstition Mountain Chapter, MOAA - - - Write MOAA Chapter Dues on Memo line of the check

Mail to: Austin L. Foote, Treasurer 3554 E. Camino Circle Mesa, AZ 85213-7033

Check enclosed; renew my membership for 2011

Signed _____________________________________ ____ My national MOAA number_____________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________________________

Phone number_____________________ Email ________________________________

June Dinner Reservation Sunday, June 19, 2011 – Dobson Inn Restaurant

Social Hour – 4:00 pm Dinner 5:00 pm

Meal choices: Prime Rib _________Broiled Salmon___________ Chicken______________ $25.00 per meal Names of those attending__________________________________________ Reservations must be in by Wednesday June 15

th

Make checks payable to: Superstition Mountain Chapter, MOAA CLIP AND MAIL TO: Arlan Allen 4201 W. Luke Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85019 CALL OR EMAIL: Phone: 602-283-5862 (can leave a message) [email protected]

July Dinner Reservation Sunday, July 17, 2011 – Dobson Inn Restaurant

Social Hour – 4:00 pm Dinner 5:00 pm

Meal choices: Prime Rib _________Broiled Salmon___________ Chicken______________ $25.00 per meal Names of those attending__________________________________________ Reservations must be in by Wednesday 13

th


August Dinner Reservation

Sunday, August 21, 2011 – Dobson Inn Restaurant Social Hour – 4:00 pm Dinner 5:00 pm

Meal choices: Prime Rib _________Broiled Salmon___________ Chicken______________ $25.00 per meal Names of those attending__________________________________________ Reservations must be in by Wednesday August 17

th



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Superstition Mountain Chapter MOAA

Marlene Fox, Newsletter Editor

1151 N Joshua Tree Lane

Gilbert, AZ 85234

Dates to Remember

Printed by The Print Shop of Ahwatukee

480-398-3010

May 13th Auxiliary Luncheon May 9th Board Meeting May 15th Dinner Meeting June 13th Auxiliary Luncheon June 19th Dinner Meeting July 8th Auxiliary Luncheon July 17th Dinner Meeting

chapter newsletter june 2011 volume 36 issue 10

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