Military Officer - February 2007 - (Page 69)

Experts Saturday afternoon following the annual meeting, MOAA experts conducted informative seminars for association members. Most seminars were presented twice so attendees wouldn’t have to choose between two compelling events. Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF-Ret., director of Government Relations; Col. Chris Giaimo, USAF-Ret., and Col. Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret., outgoing and incoming (respectively) directors of Council and Chapter Affairs; Capt. Bud Schneeweis, USCGRet., director, Beneﬁts Information and Financial Education; and former Army Capt. Phil Dyer, CFP, deputy director, Beneﬁts Information and Financial Education, were on hand to offer their experience and expertise to association members. MO Abizaid Address Commander U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Gen. John P. Abizaid, USA (above, left), spoke to more than 450 members and guests during MOAA’s annual meeting. Chairman of MOAA’s board of directors Gen. John W. Hendrix, USA-Ret. (above, right), introduced Abizaid, saying, “This is an absolutely terriﬁc soldier, leader. … I’d say, except for the president of the United States and the secretary of defense of the United States, he probably has the most difﬁcult job anywhere in the world, certainly in the United States.” Abizaid set the stage by saying he would be talking about how things really are going in the war, how the public might perceive them, and why there might be some disconnects between perception and reality. He also challenged MOAA members to help spread the word: “I ask you retired ofﬁcers of the United States armed forces to get out and talk to people about what we do, how we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and what we’re going to do.” Speaking of the challenges within his area of operations, Abizaid said, “Much of what is going on in the middle of the Middle East, in the Horn of Africa, and Central Asia, is a conﬂict about globalization. … It is a land in an area of incredible frustration, yet also an area of incredible hope. It’s also an area of incredible danger for the United States of America — and for the world — if we don’t ﬁgure out how to shape its future.” Abizaid talked about how CENTCOM is arrayed for combat, how it is conducting operations, and the strategic threats that exist in the region: “Our perhaps most important task … is to increase the capacity of states in the region to resist the extremist problems that have emerged in this part of the world and that are so dangerous to us.” Abizaid said the region’s problems cannot be solved quickly or easily by singular or solely military solutions. “It’s a test of wills,” he said. Read a complete transcript of his speech at www.moaa.org/capitalevent. SEMINAR OFFERINGS ■ Legislative Update: Review legislative accomplishments and outline main agenda items. ■ Council and Chapter Affairs: Discuss tactics for keeping chapters healthy and increasing membership. ■ Benefits Information: Review military and government benefits and entitlements, plus provide tools and guidance for personal affairs planning. ■ Financial Education I: Financial Planning for the Yacht-less ■ Financial Education II: Planning for Preserving and Passing Your Hard-Earned Wealth LOOKING AHEAD ■ MOAA’s next annual meeting is scheduled for Nov. 15-17 in Tampa, Fla. As events are finalized, details will be published in Military Officer; a career fair, symposium, and seminars likely will be part of the package. MILITARY OFFICER FEBRUARY 2007 69 http://www.moaa.org/capitalevent

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer - February 2007

Military Officer - February 2007 Contents From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Cover Story: Building Stability Reaching Out, Reaching Up 5 Tax-Season Strategies A Capital Event MOAA Member Services Pages of History Information Exchange Advertising Index Member Books Sounding Taps MOAA Calendar Encore

Military Officer - February 2007

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