Luncheon16 Aug 2018

Morgan Hill Cellars

Social Hour: 11:00 AMLuncheon: 11:45 AM

Luncheon is $26.00See Back Page for Reservations

Form and Directions

Silicon Valley ChapterMilitary Officers Association of America

The BulletinVolume XV Issue 8 Aug 2018

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2 Aug Board Meeting 10:30 AM 16 Aug Luncheon 11:00 AM 6 Sept Board Meeting 10:30 AM 20 Sept Luncheon 11:00 AM

TIt’s Party Time!AUGUST LUNCHEON MEETING

he chapter has scheduled a meetingin August, the month which

normally is “dark,” and does not haveactivities, a country barbecue at the SouthCounty Morgan Hill Cellars winery. It’s anevent which is quickly becoming an annualtradition. In each of the past two yearsmore than seventy members and guestsassembled for this social event—a time formeeting others, having some goodconversation, perhaps tasting fine wines,and enjoying a catered luncheon al fresco,in the shade of a very pleasant grape vinecovered patio. A mid-morning arrival willmake possible a visit to the gift shop, astroll through a new back forty vineyard,and even a tour of this contract wine storageand bottling facility.

When you leave Highway 101 and turnonto East Dunne Avenue in Morgan Hill thelandscape changes dramatically and smalltown America comes into view. As DavidL. Brown, et al write in , the much-heraldeddisappearance of small town life has notcome to pass, and the nonmetropolitan

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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVEHi All,

A few weeks ago, Representative Maxine Waters of California, referring toPresident Trump’s cabinet, said, “If you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant,in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd and youpush back on them and you tell them they’re not welcome anymore, anywhere.”

Those outlandish remarks came from a sitting Congresswomen in our nation’scapital. She is just one example of what is happening in the country that we have foughtand risked our lives for. After Donald Trump won the presidential election, the otherside went nuts. If they saw someone wearing a Trump hat or shirt, they attacked. Mostof us are in our seventies and eighties. We remember back in the day. Both sidescampaigned and slammed each other, but it was civil. After the election we shookhands and it was business as usual. Something has changed. I can remember anothertime when something similar happened.

I got out of the Army in June 1969 and, still in uniform, flew back to Georgia.In the Atlanta airport a hippie walked up and spit on my books and called me a baby-killer. I had just returned from Vietnam. Only the quick appearance of two Marinesprevented me from hurting him. “Sir, you don’t want to do what you are thinking aboutdoing. Come with us.”

We repaired to the nearest watering hole in the airport and had a few beers.That, too, was a sad time in our history. Vietnam was not a popular war.

When we came home there was no parade. All across the nation, men in uniform werecursed and spit on. In some places we were advised not to wear our uniform if we wenton leave. I took a bus home that night. My mom picked me up at the bus station. Onthe way home I told her I could not stay here, that if I did I might hurt someone. I’llnever forget her crying in the other room while I was talking to a friend on the phone toOkinawa. (My last assignment was the 1st Special Forces Group.) “Can you find me ajob, any job. I have to get out of here.”

A week later I was on the way back to Asia. I found a job in Saigon. I workedthere a year then went to Hong Kong. I was working in Manila in 1976 when a friendof mine on the U.S. Army parachute team called. They were celebrating the Centennialby doing a free-fall over the Statue of Liberty on July 4. “Meet me in New York. We’llhave some beers. It’ll be fun.”

I thanked him and said no, that I didn’t think I was ready. I was still bitterabout the way America treated us. I would stay away for 14 years. I finally came homein December 1982. It had taken awhile but I finally made peace with the country Iloved. I was ready to forgive. Our nation is polarized once again. This time I won’tover-react. When someone is uncivil to me I respond with peace, love, andunderstanding. It’s the right thing to do. After all, we are ALL AMERICANS.

NEVER STOP SERVINGCHUCK

OFFICERS, BOARD, AND CHAIRSPRESIDENT:Cpt Charles McDougald USA415-722-10091st VP: LDCR J.C. Burns USN650-637-77422nd VP:CAPT John Hassenplug, USN650-224-7638 Secretary: COL Warren Enos AUS408-245-2217Treasurer: CAPT Keith Ott USN530-219-2404Past President: CAPT Gil Borgardt USN650-342-1270

DIRECTORS & COMMITTEE CHAIRSCALMOAA CAPT Gil Borgardt USN 650-342-1270Chaplain Col Don Bradley USAF 650-592-0915Chapter Outreach CWO5 Robert Landgraf USMC 408-323-8838Commissary/Exchange Advisory CDR Ralph Hunt USN 650-967-8467Friends-in-Need (FIN) Program CDR Al Mouns USN 408-257-5629Navy League Liaison LCDR Tom Winant USN 650-678-7120Membership/Recruitment CAPT John Hassenplug, USN 650-224-7638Personal Affairs CAPT Robert French USN 650-549-8896Programs CDR Ralph Hunt USN 650-967-8467 ROTC CWO4 Patrick Clark USA 831-402-8548Surviving Spouse Liason LtCol Charlene Lee USA 510-427-7145Scholarship LtCol Charles Curran USAF 415-706-2353 Capt Gio Picazo USAF 669-258-5057 CAPT Paul Barrish USN 408-356-7531Travel (Space-A Advisory) vacantVeteran Affairs LtCol Neil Miles USAF 408-929-1142Web Master LtCol Mike Sampognaro USAF 408-779-7389Sergeant at Arms Capt Chris Kachulis USAF 408-395-2853Strategic Planning Capt David Down ARNG 408-202-9360Legislation LtCol Neil Miles USAF 408-929-1142

The Chapter Board meets at the Moffett Air TrafficControl Tower, Moffett Federal Airfield

DIRECTORS EMERITUS LtCol. Jesse Craddock USAF 650-968-0446 CAPT Lloyd McBeth USN 408-241-3514

RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICE (RAO)Bldg 587 on Wescoat Court, 650-603-8047

Bulletin EditorLtCol. Mike Sampognaro, USAFmike@sampognaro.net 408-779-7389 In Memorium

WELCOME NEW MEMBERSLtCol Jack D. Wells USMC (ret)

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JULY LUNCHEON cont'dpopulation still constitutes a significant dimension ofour nation's social structure. Just 10 miles south ofSan Jose, Morgan Hill’s ideal location offersresidents and visitors a vibrant Downtown, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and the beautyof the rural countryside.

If you like and have the time continue to thecenter of town, Monterey Road, and drive a fewblocks in each direction, noting the landscaping,historic buildings, small stores and restaurants.Delight in the pleasure of having a cup of coffeeunder a large sidewalk umbrella or perhaps even alight late breakfast, watching the world go by.People are friendly; the merchants deliver superbservice. People-watching can be great fun; there arelikely to be many tourists in town. Look atautomobile license plates; quite a few will be fromout-of-state. If you’re feeling particularlyadventurous, drive to the east side of town and thetop of Anderson dam for a marvelous view of thelake and eastern foothills and southern Santa ClaraValley.

There’s plenty of parking at Morgan Hill Cellarswinery, even if across San Pedro Road and theneighbor’s orchard. The gift shop has a wide varietyof merchandise, perhaps something to interest mosteveryone. Wine-tasting is available; members inparticular might enjoy trying the various fruit wines.Last year the entrance and beyond was wall-to-wallpeople having conversation, and some with armsgesturing wildly, obviously enjoying themselves.Those on the tour saw the outside yard whereincoming product is received, the huge wine storagetanks, a production area where bottles are filled andlabels applied, and even cases of wine in a storage

and shipping area. The luncheon tables are setwith white tablecloths; those in the buffet line willfind breads, salad, fresh vegetables, a main courseitem which last year was tri-tip roast, a dessert, andcoffee or other drinks. There is no formal speaker;it’s the social occasion of the year.

The Southern Santa Clara Valley coversapproximately 118 square miles (310 km2), andincludes the cities of Morgan Hill, San Martin, andGilroy as well as their immediate outlyingunincorporated areas. The area is bounded byCoyote to the north, Llagas-Uvas to the west,Diablo Range to the east, and San Benito Countyto the south. The region supports a relatively mildMediterranean climate; a day at Morgan HillCellars Winery should be very pleasant.

The winery is located at 1645 San PedroAvenue, Morgan Hill, 95037, telephone (408) 779-7389, email wines@morganhillcellars.com. Drivesouth on highway 101 to the Morgan Hill area, exitat East Dunne Avenue and drive to the east overthe overpass a short distance to Murphy Avenue.Again, after a short distance, turn left onto SanPedro Avenue; the winery will be about a half mileon the left. Travel time from Sunnyvale is about40 minutes.__________________________SOURCE: Morgan Hill Cellars

Monterey Road Morgan Hill

Husband and wife had a tiff. Wife called up hermom and said, "He fought with me again, I amcoming to live with you."Mom said, "No darling, he must pay for hismistake. I am coming to live with you."

JULY SPEAKER REPORTn 2017 California legislators considered4,908 bills, 3,228 in the Assembly and

1,680 in the Senate. The bills covered manyaspects of our lives, including in small partdrought, foster youth, emergency services,gambling, employment, drugs, human rights, taxes,disaster relief, prisons, cigarettes, livestock,schools, arts, immigration, hospitals, DNA, dronesand law enforcement. There were 57 veterans andmilitary bills offered. In the Assembly 32 wereintroduced but only 5 passed; In the Senate 25 billswere introduced and 13 passed. 17 bills weresigned into law by Governor Brown.

The chapter’s July luncheon speaker was COLLorna Griess, USA, (RETIRED), until recently VPfor Legislative Affairs, California Council ofChapters (CALMOAA). She provided anillustrated presentation about the state legislatureand how bills move through the process to becomelaw, with a focus on military and Veterans bills. “Ihave been Legislative Liaison for 6 years,” shesaid, “and the first 2 were growing pains.” Shespent all of her working life as an Army nurse inhospitals and she was quick to admit, “Legislativeaffairs and the capitol were very big steps with alot to learn.”

So far in 2018 70 veterans bills have beenintroduced with subjects ranging from asbestos,education, veteran treatment courts, farming andranching, taxes, jobs, mental health, homeless,raffles, businesses, and amendments to the penalcode. The active armed forces, National Guard,state militia, and reserves, all have actionspending. COL Griess has been sending details ofthese bills to select MOAA leaders all over thestate, specifically to the chapter presidents andlegislative liaisons, as well as a long list of people

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who are simply interested.COL Griess asked, “How do the 40 senators and

80 assembly members read all the bills? Theanswer: They can’t. I can’t read and understand the30 to 50 Veterans bills we get every year. The billsare usually drafted by special interest groups to solvea specific problem. Bills are drafted each year and acouple years later another bill must be drafted to takecare of the unintended consequences.” Throughouther 6-year tenure, she has been working with LTCPete Conaty, USA (RET), who is a professionallobbyist with many years as a veteran’s advocate atthe capitol, testifying at committee meetings,following bills through the process, and essentiallyrepresenting MOAA members throughout the state.

She provided a wide variety of documentsincluding maps showing California major militaryinstallations, the California Legislative Informationwebsite http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/, CaliforniaAssembly Districts, Senate Districts, plus a summaryof veteran statistics by county, including populationsof veterans. Santa Clara County, for example, has58,490 veterans with Los Angeles having the largestveteran population at 301,821. A booklet sheprovided, The Legislative Process: A Citizen’sGuide Participation, is sure to prove very useful.

Following a briefing by California Department ofVeterans Affairs (CALVET), COL Griess concludedthat perhaps the major issue right now has to do withveteran’s homes, with the concern being that in thefuture they will not serve the population that needsthem the most—the younger totally disabled veteranwith complex mental and behavioral needs. Thereare now 8 such homes in California, the two newestbeing Redding and Fresno and Yountville, built in1880, the only one until WWII and seriously in needof repairs. The newest homes have been designed forthe mentally ill, PTSD, and TBI patients.

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I

California State Capitol

California Assembly

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HOLT SCHOLARSHIPBy Captain Jerry E. Kromrey, U.S. Air Force Reserve (Ret.)

n 9 May 2018, the Santa Clara CountyUnified Chapter GW/063 – Reserve

Officers Association (ROA) handed ArmyROTC Cadet, Joshua Yi, a $1,000 check at theSanta Clara University (California) BroncoBattalion Army ROTC annual awards ceremony.

This $1,000 check was the fifteenthconsecutive scholarship award presented to aSanta Clara University Bronco Battalion ArmyROTC Cadet in memory of Retired ArmyLieutenant Colonel Frank Holt who died on 30June 2003. This story is Lieutenant ColonelFrank Holt’s legacy.

Frank Edward Holt, Jr., – a San Jose,California native – fought both in World War II– where he received the Purple Heart for hiswounds – and in Korea. The defining momentcame when he was Professor of Military Scienceat the University of Nevada in Reno. There hedeveloped a passion for working with youngArmy ROTC Cadets – a passion that stayed withhim forever.

That passion was put to the test on 12September 1994 when the San Jose StateUniversity (SJSU) Academic Senate voted tophase out Air Force ROTC. The AcademicSenate’s resolution subsequently becameUniversity policy. However, in March 1995, a

COL Griess said multiple attempts to provide astate income tax exemption for military retired payall have failed, usually with major issues for theFranchise Tax Board and various budget groups,specifically the Appropriations Committee. On amore positive note, she reported that the VeteransTreatment Courts are doing well in the counties thathave them.

It is still not yet known how local chapters, thestatewide CALMOAA, and the 21 veteran’sorganization California State Commanders VeteransCouncil (CSCVC) will coordinate the legislativeeffort. A new VP is needed to monitor the billscoming out of the legislature to make sure ourveterans are treated with respect and given what theyneed when they come home. Just before COL Griesscompleted an extended tour as VP, LegislativeAffairs, she flew to San Diego to receive nationalMOAA’s Colonel Steve Strobridge LegislativeChair/Liaison award for leadership, initiative, anddedication. She said, “What I have learned most isthat all of us must pay attention to what the peoplewe hire to run our state are doing!”

________________________SOURCE: Luncheon Speaker

Yountville Veterans home

O

 I read that 4,153,237 people got married lastyear. Not to cause any trouble, but shouldn'tthat be an even number?

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valorous victory in this battle. In that campaign, mydad reached out to many members of Congress, aswell as high level officials in the Government, tosolicit support for ROTC to continue on campus. Oneof those was Congressman Norman Mineta who was aspecial friend of my dad's . . . The reason I highlightthis single event is that it highlights the passion thatmy dad had for the ROTC and ROA for over 50 yearsand thus the importance of continuing awareness ofhis huge contribution to the ROA, ROTC, and theNation he so proudly served in WWII and Korea.God Bless each of you for your continued passion forthe ROA and our country.

“The Lieutenant Colonel Frank Holt MemorialArmy ROTC Scholarship” was first awarded to SantaClara University Army ROTC Cadet, Atiya Smith,during a 19 May 2004 Awards Ceremony. Thescholarship amount was $1,000. Since that timefourteen (14) more thousand dollar scholarship checkshave been presented. Accompanying the check is acertificate with the ROA Logo and LieutenantColonel Holt’s picture. The presenter charges therecipient, “Take this certificate wherever you go – andwhen you reach the point of wearing eagles or stars onyour shoulder – and folks ask you, ‘What is that . . .[certificate]?’” You answer, “This certificate camefrom a little group in the South . . . [SanFrancisco] . . . Bay that kicked in a thousand bucks formy education.”

MOAA Silicon Valley Chapter members whowould like to make a donation to the scholarship fundcan include it with a membership renewal or luncheonreservation form, both of which are located in TheBulletin, or send a check with the notation“Scholarship Fund” and made out to SVC MOAA.Mail the check to SVC MOAA, P.O. Box 2, MoffettFederal Airfield, CA 94035-0002.________________________________________SOURCE: Capt Jerry E. Kromrey, USAFR (Ret.)

bill that would eliminate federal funding ofuniversities prohibiting ROTC units on campuswas introduced in Congress. The bill’s author,Congressman Richard Pombo, representing theSacramento area, reportedly told SacramentoState University officials that he wascontemplating enrolling his son in the “SacState” ROTC program. Supposedly, the “SacState” University officials told him, “Don’tbother – we’re going to get rid of the ROTCprogram – and there’s nothing you can do aboutit.” This remark angered Congressman Pombowho responded, “I am a U.S. Congressman –and there indeed is something I can do aboutit,” thus triggering his March 1995 bill in theU.S. House of Representatives.

Fortunately, later in 1995, Congress indeedenacted legislation to bar federal grants andcontracts to institutions of higher learning thatremoved ROTC from their campuses. ROAwas strongly behind this legislation.

Accordingly, on 1 November 1996, theDepartment of Defense notified SJSU that itplanned to declare it an Anti-ROTC University,setting the stage for the government to blockfederal funds. On 15 January 1997, Chapter#63’s Lieutenant Colonel Frank Holt met withSJSU Presidential Assistant, Daniel Buerger,and briefed DoDs plan to cut federal funds. On17 March 1997, the SJSU President decided tore-instate ROTC. The 18 March 1997 SpartanDaily announced his decision – “ROTC Back toStay.” Bottom Line: “We Won!”

Army Lieutenant Colonel James M. Holt –Frank’s son -- further described his dad’sactions in an e-mail to Chapter GW/063’sExecutive Committee on 23 January 2014: Ibriefly helped my dad connect with staffmembers of the OSD Policy division while Iwas working on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.It was his Herculean efforts that resulted in a

Capt. Kromrey presents award

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A Soldier Never Forgets North PlatteBob GreeneJuly 22, 2018 4:01 p.m. ET

e were overwhelmed,” said Lt. Col. NickJaskolski. “I don’t really have words to

describe how surprised and moved we all were. I hadnever even heard of the town before.”

Col. Jaskolski, a veteran of the Iraq war, iscommander of the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade ofthe Arkansas Army National Guard. For three weeksearlier this summer, the 142nd had been conductingan emergency deployment readiness exercise inWyoming, training and sleeping outdoors, subsistingon field rations. Now it was time for the 700 soldiersto return to their base.

A charter bus company had been hired for the18-hour drive back to Arkansas. The Army hadbudgeted for a stop to get snacks. The bus companydetermined that the soldiers would reach NorthPlatte, in western Nebraska, around the time theywould likely be hungry. The company placed a callto the visitors’ bureau: Was there anywhere in townthat could handle a succession of 21 buses, and get700 soldiers in and out for a quick snack?North Platte said yes. North Platte has always saidyes.

During World War II, North Platte was ageographically isolated town of 12,000. Soldiers,sailors and aviators on their way to fight the warrode troop trains across the nation, bound for Europevia the East Coast or the Pacific via the West Coast.The Union Pacific Railroad trains that transportedthe soldiers always made 10-minute stops in NorthPlatte to take on water.

The townspeople made those 10 minutescount. Starting in December 1941, they met everytrain: up to 23 a day, beginning at 5 a.m. and endingafter midnight. Those volunteers greeted between3,000 and 5,000 soldiers a day. They presented themwith sandwiches and gifts, played music for them,danced with them, baked birthday cakes for them.Every day of the year, every day of the war, theywere there at the depot. They never missed a train,never missed a soldier. They fed six million soldiersby the end of the war. Not 1 cent of governmentmoney was asked for or spent, save for a $5 bill sentby President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The soldiers never forgot the kindness. Mostof them, and most of the townspeople who greeted

them, are dead. And now, in 2018, those 21 busloadsfrom the 142nd Field Artillery were on their way,expecting to stop at some fast-food joint.“We couldn’t believe what we saw when we pulledup,” Col. Jaskolski said. As each bus arrived over atwo-day period, the soldiers stepped out to be greetedby lines of cheering people holding signs of thanks.They weren’t at a fast-food restaurant: They were atNorth Platte’s events center, which had been openedand decorated especially for them.“People just started calling our office when they heardthe soldiers were on their way,” said Lisa Burke, thedirector of the visitors’ bureau. “Hundreds of people,who wanted to help.”The soldiers entered the events center to the aroma ofsteaks grilling and the sound of recorded music:current songs by Luke Bryan, Justin Timberlake,Florida Georgia Line; World War II songs by GlennMiller, the Andrews Sisters, Jimmy Dorsey. Theywere served steak sandwiches, ham sandwiches,turkey sandwiches, deviled eggs, salads and fruit;local church groups baked pies, brownies and cookies.Mayor Dwight Livingston stood at the door for twodays and shook every soldier’s hand. Mr. Livingstonserved in the Air Force in Vietnam and came home tono words of thanks. Now, he said, as he shook thehands and welcomed the soldiers, “I don’t knowwhether those moments were more important forthem, or for me. I knew I had to be there.”“It was one soldier’s 21st birthday,” Lisa Burke said.“When I gave him his cake, he told me it was the firstbirthday cake he’d ever had in his life.” Not wantingto pry, she didn’t ask him how that could possibly be.“I was able to hold my emotions together,” she said.“Until later.”When it became time to settle up—the Army, after all,had that money budgeted for snacks—the 142nd FieldArtillery was told: Nope. You’re not spending apenny here. This is on us.This is on North Platte.Mr. Greene’s books include “Once Upon a Town:The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen.”

W"

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How about a Monthly Trivia ContestEach month I will print a picutre ot a cockpit.

You must name the vehicle it controls.Winners names will be published in the next

month's issue with a photo of the vehicle and theprize a Ghirardelli Chocolate treat at our luncheon.

Here is the first cockpit photo:

Name the vehicle and send an email to me:mike@sampognaro.net

THE F-17 PILOT Boeing 777 wide-body jetliner waslumbering along at 800km/hour at 33000

feet when a cocky F-17 fighter jet flashed by atMach 2.

The F17 pilot decided to show off. On hisstate of the art radio that is part of his state of theart 3D & million dollar headset, the F17youngster told the 777 pilot, “Hey Captain,watch this!” He promptly went into a barrel roll,followed by a steep, unimaginable, verticalclimb. He then finished with a sonic boom as hebroke the sound barrier, as the F17 screameddown at impossible G’s before levelling atalmost sea level.

The F-17 pilot asked the 777 pilot whathe thought of that? The 777 pilot said, “That was trulyimpressive, but watch this!” The 777 chugged along for about 5minutes at the steady 800km/hour, and then the777 pilot came back on and said, “What did youthink of that?” Puzzled, the cocky F-17 pilot asked,“What the heck did you do?” The 777 pilot chuckled and said, "I stoodup, stretched my legs, walked to the back, usedthe toilet, then got a cup of coffee and acinnamon roll and secured a date for the next 3nights in a five star hotel paid for by thecompany"LESSON OF LIFE:

When you are young and foolish, speedand flash may seem like a good thing! When you get older and smarter, comfortand dullness is not such a bad thing! It's called S.O.S.

Slower, Older and Smarter!

A

Odd Newspaper Headlines

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remained afloat for more than 14 hours, finallysinking stern first the next morning. Of the 1,418aboard 98 civilian passengers and 19 crew werekilled by explosion, fire, and hypothermia in thefrigid ocean water. Of the dead 28 were UScitizens. Several rescue ships responded toAthenia's distress signal saving about 800 butlosing 80 in their rescue attempts. Athenia was thefirst British ship sunk in World War II.

When Lemp found out he had sunk anunarmed passenger ship carrying no explosives, hereported his error to Admiral Donitz, who orderedLemp to alter his log book erasing the attack. Lempthen swore his crew to secrecy.

When the U-30 returned to Wilhelmshaven,Germany 27 September, The story and cover-upflew right up the German chain of command:Admiral Raeder in Berlin reported it to AdolfHitler, who decided that the incident should be keptsecret for political reasons. Raeder spared Lemp acourt martial because he considered his actions anunderstandable mistake, and that the absence of alog entry supported Germany’s official denial. Thetruth would not come out until January 1946 at theNuremberg trials. “Outside of Germany the wordwas out; opinions about the attack were speculativeand exploded in the newspapers with flashyheadlines and pictures”: "It is such poor tactics thatI cannot believe that even the clumsy Germanswould do such a thing." “Germany had no motiveto sink the Athenia; such an action would onlyanger the Americans and prejudice Germany.” “It’sa criminal act.”

Captain Lemp served two years aftersinking Athenia. Then 9 May 1941, commandingU-110, in the frigid North Atlantic south of Iceland,his submarine was depth charged by Britishdestroyers HMS Bulldog, HMS Broadway and theBritish Corvette HMS Aubretia forcing it to thesurface and shelling it. Assuming U-110 wouldsink, Lemp ordered his radioman to leave theEnigma machine and codebooks behind andabandon the sub. Then he swam away from thesinking sub but turned back when he realized thesub’s scuttling charges had not detonated.Paralyzed on his way back by the icy water hedrowned. Destiny or chance, Lemp shared the samefate as the victims of the SS Athenia whom hedoomed to an icy death.

The Consequences of Captain LempBy

CDR William Andersen USNR Retiredor three hours in the Western Approaches along the Irish Coast,

Oberleutnant fritz-Julius Lemp, Captain ofGerman submarine U-30, shadowed the Englishpassenger ship SS Athenia measuring 526 feet,weighing 13,581 tons, commanded by CaptainJames Cook. Faced with a complexity ofcircumstances, Lemp seems to have taken thetime deciding what action to take. That veryday, 3 September 1939, England declared waron Germany making the passenger ship Atheniaa possible enemy ship. Through his periscopeLemp claimed he saw that the passenger shipwas darkened, zigzagging, and well off theshipping routes. He believed she might be atroopship, a Q-ship, or an armed merchantcruiser all of which made her an enemy warship.But if she was carrying Americans, the KriegMarine strictly prohibited its captains fromtouching it, their concern so great about theUnited States entering the War againstGermany. At this time early in the War therewere maritime rules he needed to follow to sinka ship:

The Hague conventions and theLondon Naval Treaty of 1930 allowed warshipsto stop and search merchant vessels forcontraband or military activity. If there wereevidence of either, the warship may capturemerchant vessel as a prize or sink it. If thecaptain of the warship chose to sink themerchant vessel, he was required to transfer as apriority, passengers and crew to a safe place.Although Germany had not signed the 1930London Naval Treaty, the German 1936 PrizeRules bound naval commanders to most of the1930 restrictions. As the War progressed theseprocedures gave way to unlimited submarinewarfare.

Now night coming upon them, Lempmight lose the passenger ship in darkness.Abandoning consideration and without warning,he fired two torpedoes at the Athenia: Onetorpedo exploded on Athenia's port side in herengine room, the other missed. The sub thensurfaced and shot down Athenia’s radio mastwith its deck gun and departed. The Athenia

cont'd pg 10

F

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cont'd pg 11

A British boarding party reached thesinking U-110 in time to disarm the scuttlingcharges and close the seacocks. At the radiostation they discovered a treasured top secretenigma machine and its code books. Soon thismachine would help Britain read Germany’scoded messages apprising the Allies of what theGermans were planning.

Sinking the SS Athenia, Oberleutnantfritz-Julius Lemp both encouraged the UnitedStates to enter WW II and provided an Enigmacode breaker and helped win it.

References: The Halifax HeraldThe Merchant Navy Association

Oberleutnant fritz-JuliusLemp

Captain U-30

Big Changes to Post 9/11 G.I. Bill:What You Need To Know

The Pentagon on July 12announced significant changes to thetransferability of the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill.The initial news triggered a number ofconcerned questions from servicemembers and spouses. Here's what youneed to know:

What is the new eligibilityrequirement? Effective July 12, 2019,service members desiring to transfertheir Post 9/11 GI Bill benefit to aspouse or child(ren) will need to do sono later than their 16th year of service.Prior to this announcement, there wereno restrictions on when servicemembers could transfer educationalbenefits to family members. Therequirement for the service member tohave at least six years of service toapply for transfer remains in effect.

Why make this change? Congressgave the Pentagon the authority tocontrol changes in the transferabilitypolicy when they passed the law in2008. The transferability option wasviewed by Congressional leadership atthe time as an important retention toolfor the services to retain top talent. Akey part of the legislation: With everyproposed change to the policy, DoD hasto notify Congress of their intentionsand the reason behind the change. DoDmust also provide advance notice to thecurrently serving force - in this case oneyear from the date of notification.

Who is affected? All currentlyserving members of the uniformed

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on July 12, 2019. Bottom line, regardless ofwhere you are in your career, if you areconsidering transferring the benefit to one ormore of your dependents, it's best to do sonow, before the new rule takes effect.

According to DoD, the servicemembercan make later adjustments, such aspercentage amounts among dependents, orbetween spouse and children, but only afterthey have transferred the benefit.Servicemembers can also transfer the benefitback to themselves if their family situationchanges.

You can find more information onMOAA's website as well as other informationregarding the Post 9/11 G.I bill on both theDoD and the service websites as well as atyour local installation education center.

What is MOAA's position? MOAA hasconcerns with this change in DoD policy.Here is the official response from ourPresident and CEO, Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins,USAF (Ret):

DoD's announcement to limit thetransfer of earned Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits isthe first attempt to restrict use of an educationtool popular with military families.

At its inception, lawmakers insistedupon the ability to transfer GI Bill benefits asa way to recruit and retain America's best andbrightest. Transferability, coupled with anadditional service requirement, became oneof the cornerstones of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.The option to transfer GI Bill benefits isparticularly valuable for military officers, manyof whom already have collegiate andadvanced degrees.

While we appreciate DoD announcingthe policy change won't take effect until 2019,MOAA believes the unilateral change to cutoff transferability will likely have acompounding, negative effect on recruitingand retention over time. As military familiescontinue to serve during the longest period ofsustained conflict in American history, wequestion the timing of this change and willseek to learn the VA's role and the interestlevel of Congress.

THE ONLY FLAG THAT DOESN'T FLYThis is just amazing, not only is it huge,

the proportions are correct. It took someone a lotof time to map it out and even more to plant it. Idon't know who they are, but thank you for whatyou have done. With things which are currentlygoing on in our country, it is great to see theAmerican Spirit is still alive

Between the fields where the flag isplanted, there are 9+ miles of flower fields that goall the way to the ocean. The flowers are grown byseed companies. It's a beautiful place, close toVandenberg AFB in California.

Check out the dimensions of the flag. TheFloral Flag is 740 feet long and 390 feet wide andmaintains the proper Flag dimensions, asdescribed in Executive Order #10834.

This Flag is 6.65 acres and is the firstFloral Flag to be planted with 5 pointed Stars,comprised of White Larkspur. Each Star is 24 feetin diameter, each Stripe is 30 feet wide

This Flag is estimated to contain more than400,000 Larkspur plants with 4-5 flower stemseach, for a total of more than 2 million flowers.

"Relationships are hard. It's like a full timejob, and we should treat it like one. If yourboyfriend or girlfriend wants to leave you, theyshould give you two weeks' notice. There shouldbe severance pay, and before they leave you, theyshould have to find you a temp." - Bob Ettinger

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For the first time in over 20 years, three carrier strike groups got together in formation for a great photo op. Including anAir Force fly over with a B2 Stealth Bomber. Aircraft Carriers, Ronald Regan, Kitty Hawk, and Abraham Lincoln.

*Sometimes , it's not really just luck.*lmer Bendiner was a navigator in a B-17during WW II. He tells this story of a

World War II bombing run over Kassel,Germany , and the unexpected result of a directhit on their gas tanks. "Our B-17, the Tondelayo,was barraged by flak from Nazi antiaircraft guns.That was not unusual, but on this particularoccasion our gas tanks were hit.

Later, as I reflected on the miracle of a 20millimeter shell piercing the fuel tank withouttouching off an explosion, our pilot, BohnFawkes, told me it was not quite that simple. "Onthe morning following the raid, Bohn had gonedown to ask our crew chief for that shell as asouvenir of unbelievable luck.

The crew chief told Bohn that not justone shell but 11 had been found in the gas tanks.11 unexploded shells where only one wassufficient to blast us out of the sky. It was as ifthe sea had been parted for us. A near-miracle, Ithought.

EEven after 35 years, so awesome an event

leaves me shaken, especially after I heard the rest ofthe story from Bohn."He was told that the shells had been sent to thearmorers to be defused. The armorers told him thatIntelligence had picked them up. They could not saywhy at the time, but Bohn eventually sought out theanswer. "Apparently when the armorers opened eachof those shells, they found no explosive charge. Theywere as clean as a whistle and just as harmless.

Empty? Not all of them! One contained acarefully rolled piece of paper. On it was a scrawl inCzech. The Intelligence people scoured our base fora man who could read Czech. Eventually they foundone to decipher the note. It set us marveling.Translated, the note read:

*"This is all we can do for you now...Using Jewish slave labor is never a good idea."******************************This story is confirmed in Elmer Bendiner's book,

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SEA CADETS STEM UNITccording to the National Math andScience Initiative more than fifty percent

of the fastest growing jobs in the U.S. are math,science or technology related. Science,technology, engineering, and mathematics(STEM) workers drive our nation’s innovationand competitiveness by generating new ideas,new companies and new industries. STEMworkers play a key role in the sustained growthand stability of the U.S. economy, and are acritical component to helping the U.S. win thefuture.

The Council’s July 12th Thursday eveningspeaker was LTJG Bobby Wen, United StatesNaval Sea Cadet Corps, currently a leader withAmerican Legion Post 105 USNSCC Band of theWest Division located in Redwood City. Heprovided an illustrated presentation explainingcurrent interests in establishing a STEM-orientedsea cadet division which would give youngpeople an opportunity to explore goodjobs/careers now and for the future. Hedescribed the opportunity, rationale, andpotential outcomes should such a new unit beestablished.

This Navy League of the United States SantaClara Valley Council speaker report is part of aseries to be presented in a spirit of cooperationand collaboration between local armed forcesand related professional association members.

USNSCC is a national youth leadershipdevelopment organization that promotes interestand skill in naval disciplines while instillingstrong moral character and life skills throughleadership and technical programs modeled afterthe Navy’s professional development system. Itis comprised of two programs, the Naval SeaCadet Corps (NSCC) program for young peopleages 13 through the completion of high schooland the Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC) foryoung people ages 10 through 13. Morespecifically the purposes are to developproductive citizens to contribute to U.S. society,help young people explore careers, and serve as astepping stone beyond high school.

The Fall of Fortresses.

Taken from book: Empty Shells

In Elmer Bendiner’s book, The Fall of Fortresses,he describes one bombing run over the Germancity of Kassel:Our B-17 (THE TONDELAYO) was barraged byflak from Nazi antiaircraft guns. That was notunusual, but on this particular occasion our gastanks were hit. Later, as I reflected on the miracleof a twenty-millimeter shell piercing the fuel tankwithout touching off an explosion, our pilot, BohnFawkes, told me it was not quite that simple.On the morning following the raid, Bohn hadgone down to ask our crew chief for that shell asa souvenir of unbelievable luck. The crew chieftold Bohn that not just one shell but eleven hadbeen found in the gas tanks—eleven unexplodedshells where only one was sufficient to blast usout of the sky. It was as if the sea had been partedfor us. Even after thirty-five years, so awesome anevent leaves me shaken, especially after I heardthe rest of the story from Bohn.He was told that the shells had been sent to thearmorers to be defused. The armorers told himthat Intelligence had picked them up. They couldnot say why at the time, but Bohn eventuallysought out the answer.Apparently when the armorers opened each ofthose shells, they found no explosive charge. Theywere clean as a whistle and just as harmless.Empty? Not all of them.One contained a carefully rolled piece of paper.On it was a scrawl in Czech. The Intelligencepeople scoured our base for a man who couldread Czech. Eventually, they found one todecipher the note. It set us marveling. Translated,the note read: “This is all we can do for younow.”Elmer Bendiner, The Fall of Fortresses

A

"The problem with the designated driverprogram, it's not a desirable job. But if you everget sucked into doing it, have fun with it. At theend of the night, just drop them off at thewrong house." - Jeff Foxworthy "Instead of getting married again, I'm going to find

a woman I don't like and just give her a house." -Lewis Grizzard

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VA Benefits BulletinJuly 2018Ready to Refinance? Try an Interest RateReduction Refinance LoanIRRRLs can be used to refinance aproperty on which you have already usedyour VA loan eligibility. With theseloans, you can skip the appraisal andunderwriting packages. You may also beable to roll fees into the loan, allowingfor no out-of-pocket costs. Just be sure todo your homework, because terms canvary greatly between lenders.Are You Receiving Non-ServiceConnected Benefits You’re Entitled To?If you’re receiving non-service connectedpension, aid and attendance, or houseboundbenefits, be sure you’re tapping into all of youravailable benefits. The Non-Service ConnectedMatrix can help you do just that. Find yourcurrent benefits on the left-hand side, and thematching right-hand column will show you acomplete listing of benefits for which you maybe eligible.Avoiding Benefits OverpaymentsThere are some situations where you canend up in receipt of VA overpayments.Some common scenarios include:returning to active service status,unreported dependent changes (such asdivorces), and dropped GI Bill courses.Stay alert! Keep us informed of your lifechanges.Protect Yourself from Identity TheftAlways remember to safeguard your personally

identifiable information and remember toregularly change your eBenefits password. Ifyou suspect that you are a victim of identitytheft involving your VA benefits, contact us at1-800-827-1000.VA Seeks WWII Veterans WhoParticipated in Mustard Gas TestingDuring World War II, there were concernsabout the effects of Mustard Gas and Lewisite

in battlefield conditions. Some troopsparticipated in full-body testing of these agentsto determine the effectiveness of equipment orother countermeasures. Those Veterans may beeligible for disability benefits related to certainhealth conditions.VA website for more:hitps://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVAVBA/bulletins/1fe2cb8

Proof of Military ServiceThrough their service to our country, veteranshave earned a wide range of benefits.However, not having proof of military service isone of the biggest obstacles veterans face ingaining access to resources, benefits, andservices. I was proud to support legislationproviding a special "veteran" designation onCalifornia driver's licenses, allowing those whohave served our country to access benefits andservices without having to carry inconvenientpaperwork.Applying for the veteran designation on yourdriver's license or ID card is easy:

• Stop by your local CountyVeteran Service Officer with your DD214 forverification. If you need help obtaining yourmilitary records, first contact your local CountyVeteran Service Officer (CVSO).

• Go to www.dmv.ca.gov, or callthe DMV at 1-800-777-0133, to make anappointment. Bring the application formverified by your CVSO and the small $5application fee.For more information on veteran'sresources, please visit my website Bill Dodd Senator, 3rd District

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☞ Immediate support of those with emotional

well-being issues☞ Referrals to appropriate Service branch

agencies, aid agencies, charitable organizations,support groups, and other resources☞ Educational materials related to benefits,

grief, and other related issues☞ Translation services for more than 150

languages

Office of Survivors Assistance (VA)

http://www.va.gov/SURVIVORS/OUTREACH.asp

SURVIVING SPOUSE CORNERDoD Survivor’s Assistance

http://www.va.gov/SURVIVORS/OSA_Links.aspDept of Veteran Affairs (VA)Health Health Care Information; A-Z HealthTopic Finder; My HealtheVet; PrescriptionsRefills; Crisis Prevention; Mental Health; PTSD;and, Public HealthBenefits General Benefits Information; DisabilityCompensation; Pension; GI Bill ®; Vocational Rehabilitation &Employment; eBenefits Employment Center Dependents' Educational Assistance;Survivor Benefits; Home Loans; and, LifeInsuranceBurials & Memorials Cemetery Services; Burials; HeadstonesMarkers & Medallions; Presidential Memorial Certificates;Cemeteries; Nationwide Gravesite Locator Burial Flags; and, Burial AllowanceLocations Hospitals & Clinics; Vet Centers;Regional Benefits Offices; Regional LoanCenters; and, Cemetery LocationsDepartment of Defense LinksMilitary OneSource (Not a federalgovernment office ... not DoD or VA, justhelpful at no cost)1-800-342-9647www.militaryonesource.comMilitary OneSource understands the needs ofmilitary family members who have lost aloved one. Surviving spouses, parents, andchildren can turn to Military OneSource forinformation, resources, and counselingsupport during their time of need. Help isavailable twenty-four hours a day, seven daysa week by telephone or Internet. Servicesinclude:☞ Face-to-face counseling in the localcommunity at no cost

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Back then we had one TV, or radio, in thehouse -- not a TV in every room. And the TVhad a small screen the size of a handkerchief(remember them?), not a screen the size of thestate of Montana. In the kitchen we blended and stirred by handbecause we didn't have electric machines to doeverything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send inthe mail, we used wadded up old newspapers tocushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine andburn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used apush mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't needto go to a health club to run on treadmills thatoperate on electricity. But she's right; we didn'thave the "green thing" back then. We drank from a fountain when we werethirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottleevery time we had a drink of water. We refilledwriting pens with ink instead of buying a newpen, and we replaced the razor blade in a razorinstead of throwing away the whole razor justbecause the blade got dull. But we didn't havethe "green thing" back then. Back then, people took the streetcar or a busand kids rode their bikes to school or walkedinstead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxiservice in the family's $45,000 SUV or van,which cost what a whole house did before the"green thing." We had one electrical outlet in a room, not anentire bank of sockets to power a dozenappliances. And we didn't need a computerizedgadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites23,000 miles out in space in order to find thenearest burger joint. But isn't it sad the current generation lamentshow wasteful we old folks were just because wedidn't have the "green thing" back then? Please forward this on to another selfish oldperson who needs a lesson in conservation froma smart ass young person. We don't like beingold in the first place, so it doesn't take much topiss us off... Especially from a tattooed, multiplepierced smartass who can't make change withoutthe cash register telling them how much.

This is priceless!! Checking out at the store, the young cashiersuggested to the much older lady that sheshould bring her own grocery bags, becauseplastic bags are not good for the environment,. The woman apologized to the young girl andexplained, "We didn't have this 'green thing'back in my earlier days." The young clerk responded, "That's ourproblem today. Your generation did not careenough to save our environment for futuregenerations." The older lady said that she was right, ourgeneration didn't have the "green thing" in itsday. The older lady went on to explain: Backthen, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles andbeer bottles to the store. The store sent themback to the plant to be washed and sterilizedand refilled, so it could use the same bottlesover and over. So they really were recycled. But we didn't have the "green thing" back inour day. Grocery stores bagged our groceriesin brown paper bags that we reused fornumerous things. Most memorable besideshousehold garbage bags was the use of brownpaper bags as book covers for our school books.This was to ensure that public property (thebooks provided for our use by the school) wasnot defaced by our scribblings. Then we wereable to personalize our books on the brownpaper bags. But, too bad we didn't do the "green thing"back then. We walked up stairs because wedidn't have an escalator in every store andoffice building. We walked to the grocery storeand didn't climb into a 300-horsepowermachine every time we had to go two blocks.But she was right. We didn't have the "greenthing" in our day. Back then we washed the baby's diapersbecause we didn't have the throw away kind.We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts. Windand solar power really did dry our clothes backin our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from theirbrothers or sisters, not always brand-newclothing. But that young lady is right; we didn'thave the "green thing" back in our day.

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NAVY SURVIVING SPOUSE and FRIENDSt was a special treat to have a SurvivingSpouse Member and her friends attend

the recent June luncheon meeting.Chapter Member and Surviving Spouse

of Navy LCDR Leslie Concannon, Mrs. ArdithConcannon was joined by several of her friendsto enjoy a great lunch and hear the monthlypresentation by Ms. Gisela Zebroski, aneyewitness to the Berlin Airlift.

This June meeting was a return visit byArdith and several of her friends. They alsoattended the May chapter luncheon meeting.

Apparently the SVC luncheons areoffering a great social and educational activityfor these ladies who drive in from the East Bay.We hope to see Ardith and her friends at futureluncheon meetings!

As many in the Silicon Valley Chapteralready know, Lt Col Charlene Lee is theChapter’s Surviving Spouse Liaison and is thereto assist all Surviving Spouse Members. She is aRetired Army Nurse. Therefore she has a great

depth in understanding the needs of theSurviving Spouse. She has often remarked thatshe is willing to meet separately from theluncheons if Surviving Spouse Members wouldlike to.

_______________________SOURCE: CWO5 Bob Landgraf

I

June meeting – from left to right, Shannon Waldon, LynnWhite, Elka Gunn, Gunn, Margret Felix and ArdithConcannon

May meeting – from left to right, Lynn White, ArdithConcannon, Carla Hoffman and Shannon Waldon

June Meeting, Ardith and friends surrounded by many SVCMembers, socializing and enjoying the presentation.

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citizen engagement in democracy. This is the thirdgrant the MOAA foundation has received from theDemocracy Fund. Previous grants were used tosupport the first and second phases of the project,known as MVEP I and MVEP II.

“With over 350,000 members, MOAA’shighly respected voice has helped military familymembers understand the absentee voting processand their voting rights as citizens, and we lookforward to the launch of this year’s outreachcampaign,” said Lindsay Daniels, associate directorfor elections at Democracy Fund. “DemocracyFund is committed to streamlining the path to theballot box for all eligible voters,” Daniels added.

This article was released by the Military OfficersAssociation of America (MOAA).

MOAA Foundation to launchvoter outreach campaignJuly 9th, 2018

The Military Family Initiative (MMFI), acharitable foundation of the Military OfficersAssociation of America (MOAA), will launch avoter education outreach campaign in August toprovide active duty military families witheducational resources on absentee voting.

This is the third phase in the MOAAfoundation’s Military Voter Education Project(MVEP). The project is designed to encourageactive-duty military families to take advantage ofresources available to them, such as the FederalVoting Assistance Program (not affiliated withthis project). MOAA has also provided a websiteand downloadable absentee voting guide toimprove active-duty military families’knowledge of the absentee voting process.

This phase of the project will be anenhanced expansion of the first phase, anoutreach campaign in 2016. This phase willinclude refined messaging and more narrowlydefined demographic targeting of active-dutyvoters, based on the results of a phase two surveythat will be released this summer.

The campaign will offer active-dutyvoters an updated online experience and invitethem to take a short post-election survey abouttheir voting experience. With this short survey,MMFI hopes to demonstrate a measurablecorrelation between outreach efforts and voterparticipation.

“The foundation’s mission is to offerprograms and services, both nationally andthrough MOAA councils and chapters, to ensureour nation’s military families enjoy a quality oflife they’ve earned through their service,” saidAmanda Bainton, executive director of theMMFI. “We believe this voter educationcampaign is important because it providesvaluable information to military absentee votersand empowers military families to take an activerole in shaping their future as Americancitizens.”

The voter outreach campaign is fundedthrough a grant from the Democracy Fund, abipartisan nonprofit organization supporting

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www.hotsanjosenights.com

Hot San Jose Nightspresents S.T.E.A.M.and Reid-HillviewAirport Day 2018!

Saturday,September8thfrom10am-4pm

ALL FREE TO THE PUBLIC!Calling all Car Participants,Vendors, Food Trucks & S.T.E.A.M.!

info@hotsanjosenights.com

Chris WilderChris Wilder and the VMC Foundation are longtime sponsors of our event. We, in turn are proudto help support the VMC Foundation as ourcharity. We would like to share a closer look ofwhat the VMC Foundation is and does forValleyMedical Center. If you're a local resident,you've undoubtedly seen VMC grow over theyears. You know it as the county hospital, andthey have an excellent reputation in their trauma,rehabilitation and burn centers. But you may notknow exactly what services they provide to helpthe people they do. the following is a note fromthe VMC Foundation's CEO, Chris Wilder.

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center's newSobrato Pavilion

The Sobrato Pavilion - the newest wingof YOUR public hospital - expands itsnationally-recognized, state-of-the-art inpatientRehabilitation Center for brain injury, spinalcord injury, and stroke patients. This six-floorfacility features an adult intensive care unit,progressive care unit, therapy services,64 private rehabilitation rooms, therapy gym andpools, and an impressive indoor garden atrium toprovide serenity and peace for visitors. Each

patient room is outfitted with the latesttechnology, including an overhead patient liftsystem that allows safe and efficient transfer ofpatients from their bed to their bedside, andadjacent restroom.

We hope you never need the world-classcritical care offered by SCVMC, but if you do, weare fortunate to have this resource. To learn howto help: www.VMCFoundation.org

A new book and book signing by DennisMattishNote from Mike: Car guys & gals are so hard tobuy anything for. Dennis Mattish has written afew very good books that cover the history of autoracing for San Jose & Watsonville and the BayArea and now San Francisco. After writing thefirst three he has it down! This new book is by farDennis's best work. You will not believe theresearch, detail & photographs from specialarchives that were put into this book. There arenames, once seen pictures and stories ofautomotive legends. This book is a must have foranybody. Please support our local author andautomotive racing historian to keep our hobbyalive. Dennis also speaks to groups. It's goodstuff! Sponsored by Chris Wilder, CEO of theVMC FoundationSupported by Dave Cortese, President ofSanta Clara County Board of SupervisorsSupported by Cindy Chavez, District 2Santa Clara County SupervisorCo-Sponsored by Mike and SusanHennessy

When you Join Our Mailing List, Like uson Facebook, or Follow us on twitter, you will begetting the latest information about Hot San JoseNights, Car Guy Channel, Mike Hennessy newsand information about shows that we support.

Hot San Jose Nights, 735 Harrison St., SantaClara, CA 95050SafeUnsubscribe™mrmac1@sbcglobal.net

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Operation Donate with Honor:Federal Trade Commission,states cracking down onfraudulent Veteran charities

In addition to taking legal action in all 50states, the District of Columbia, AmericanSamoa, Guam and Puerto Rico, the initiativeincludes an education campaign to helpconsumers recognize charitable solicitation fraudand identify legitimate charities.

“Not only do fraudulent charities stealmoney from patriotic Americans, they alsodiscourage contributors from donating to realVeterans’ charities,” said Peter O’Rourke, VA’sacting secretary. “The FTC’s Operation DonateWith Honor campaign will help educate citizenson how to identify organizations thatmisrepresent themselves as legitimate Veterans’charities, and those who, by contrast, truly helpour nation’s heroes. I commend the FTC and itsstate partners for taking strong action on thisimportant issue.”

Today’s announcement by the FTCincludes more than 90 actions against charitiesand fundraisers that lied about helping Veteransor military service members or otherwise brokethe law.

To learn more about how to donatewisely and make your contributions count, visitthe FTC’s charity webpage.

For an in-depth look, see the FTC’s fullnews release on Operation Donate with Honor.

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2018/07/ftc-states-combat-fraudulent-charities-falsely-claim-help

We Are The MightySnipers serve in all branches of the

military — including the Coast Guard. That maysurprise some, and even more astonishing is thatthe Coast Guard snipers shoot to kill — engines,that is.

These personnel, known as “airborneprecision marksmen,” serve with the CoastGuard’s Helicopter Interdiction TacticalSquadron, or HITRON. According toGlobalSecurity.org, HITRON has ten MH-65CDolphin helicopters, which replaced eight MH-68A Stingray helos.

The target these “airborne precisionmarksmen” must hit with fire from M107 .50-caliber rifles measures about sixteen inches bysixteen inches. That infamous thermal exhaustport was larger, but the MH-65Cs are not movingas fast as an Incom T-65 X-wing (the Star Warsstar fighter that killed the Death Star).

They also take their shots much closer.

Just before the funeral services, theundertaker came up to the very elderlywidow and asked,  How old was your husband?' '98,' shereplied. 'Two years older than me.' 'So you're 96,' the undertakercommented. She responded, 'Hardly worth goinghome, is it?'

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SVC WEBSITESOur Chapter website is www.siliconvalleymoaa.org, a shorter link is www.svcmoaa.org. You canalso get to it from the national MOAA site: Putthe cursor over Chapters and select ChapterLocator, CA, then Silicon Valley Chapter. Fromthere you may link over to our primary websiteabove. Our home page has links for The Bulletin andeBulletin. B

TRICARE FOR LIFESERVICE

For assistance, contact theWisconsin Physicians Servicewww.tricare4u.com866-773-0404

Members can report the death of a retiree locallythrough the Retire Activity Office (RAO). Thephone number is650-603-8047You can also notify a MOAA member’s death to:MOAA, Attn: MSC,201 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314-2539.Or: Call 1-800-234-6622Or: E-mail: msc@moaa.org. Notify SVC-MOAAby phoning the Membership Chair–see listing onpage 2 of The Bulletin. B

FREE MembershipMembers who have achieved 90 years

are not required to pay membership duesdonations gratefully accepted

Looking for an easy, modernhealth care experience?

VA offers online scheduling,prescription refill, access to VA medicalrecords through your phone, computer ortablet – and much more.

Veterans can access videoappointments through VA Video Connectand health apps from VA’s App Store.Enrolled Veterans who use My HealtheVetcan also request, schedule and cancelappointments online as well as communicatewith care teams through Secure Messaging.These online tools can improve your healthand quickly connect you to your health careteam.

Enrolling in VA health care lets youtake advantage of these tools designed tomake health care easier. Learn how to applyfor VA health care and other VA benefits atExplore.VA.gov.

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Membership Application and Renewal Form ( Revised 10/17 ) Please complete form fully

Silicon Valley Chapter Military Officers Association of AmericaMail to: SVC-MOAA P.O. Box 2 Moffett Federal Airfield, CA 94035

Date________________ Annual Dues: $30.00(Surviving Spouse - Emeritus - New member - Dues are not charged, donations gratefully accepted)Enroll Me As: New Member____Renewing Member____Emeritus( over 90yrs)__Surv Spouse___Donations to SVC Fund $__________ Donations to Scholarship Fund $__________Donations to PAWS $__________ Donation to USO $__________(All Donations are Tax Deductible) Total: $____________Make checks payable to SVC-MOAA and mail to above address.

Status: Active___Reserve____ Guard___Retired____Former Officer___If you are a new chapter member, please advise us how you learned about this chapter.____________________________________________________________________________

Name:_____________________________/__________________/___/__________/_________ Last First MI Rank Service

Your Date of Birth__________ Spouse’s Name_____________

Address:_________________________________________/___________Number Street (P.O. Box, etc.) Apt/Suite

City____________________State_______Zip_________/______ 5 Digit 4 Digit

Phone(____)____________ E-mail___________________________________________________

SVC Dues are due 1 January and are separate from National MOAA Dues. SVC Dues support the Bulletinand Administrative functions. Luncheons are self-supporting.

Silicon Valley Chapter of theMilitary Officers Association of AmericaP.O. Box 2Moffett Field, CA 94035

August 2018

NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGEPAIDSAN JOSE CAPERMIT NO. 1223

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LOCATION – Morgan Hill Cellars, 1645 San Pedro Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037DIRECTIONS: From Hwy 101: Exit at East Dunne Avenue, go East to Murphy, South toSan Pedro Ave. and East to the Winery-------------------------------Cut Here----------------------------------------------------Cut Here-------------------------------------

****LUNCHEON RESERVATION FORM****Deadline to reach Morgan Hill Cellars

no later than 10 August.If you have not sent in your reservation form

by the above date and still wish to attend,please call Morgan Hill Cellars 408-779-7389

LUNCHEON PRICE - $26.00Times: Social Hour 11:00 AM, Luncheon 11:45 AM

Please reserve _______ places for the 16 August LuncheonA TOTAL of $__________________Make checks payable to: Morgan Hill Cellars

Mail to: Morgan Hill Cellars, 1645 San Pedro Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

RESERVE IN THE NAME OF: ______________________________________Telephone: ______________________________________________NAMES OF PERSONS WHO ARE INCLUDED IN YOUR PAYMENT:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________