Military Officer -February 2009

Now More Than Ever D ear Fellow Member, No question, MOAA’s 80 years of tradition and service have made a difference for America’s military family. You can be proud of the positive and long-lasting contributions your membership in MOAA has made to our community. In the past 10 years, we’ve enjoyed unprecedented legislative successes thanks in large part to your support, and our legislative team’s work, which has been recognized as the best on Capitol Hill. I think all of us recognize the difficult times — and tough choices — that lie ahead. We expect Congress will take a close look at your hard-earned entitlements — including health care costs for retirees, COLAs, and more — which some regard as too expensive. We promise to keep a watchful eye on our elected officials, and, when the attacks come, we’ll defend against any attempts to devalue your benefits. Today, MOAA is more than 370,000 members strong. We’ll need every one of them — including you — in our corner to succeed. We see the changes now occurring as a new opportunity, and so we’ve set ambitious goals for the year ahead. The all-volunteer force — which represents less than 1 percent of our population — is stretched beyond reasonable limits. Their needs are important. That’s why we’re engaged in increasing military force levels to reduce the stress of multiple deployments on servicemembers and their families; strengthening TRICARE; and reducing the reserve retirement age for active duty service since Sept. 11, 2001. We also continue to grow and improve our chapter system. Plus, we’ve enhanced online membership resources with greater self-service capabilities and initiated more ways for you to interact with your fellow MOAA members and staff, ensuring you receive the information you need. As focused as we are on today’s realities, we’re also committed to preparing for the future. Nothing demonstrates this more than the $9.2 million in interest-free loans and grants The MOAA Scholarship Fund has provided to more than 1,650 students from military families in 2008-09 — an increase of more than 100 students and $1.6 million last year. I trust you’ll keep the Scholarship Fund in mind as you make your annual charitable giving decisions and long-term estate plans. Finally, as we chart our course in these uncertain times, it’s more important than ever to know what is on your mind and the issues that matter most to you. Please take a few minutes to participate in our yearly membership survey by visiting www.moaa.org/2008membersurvey or by calling our Member Service Center at (800) 234-MOAA (6622). It’s an easy yet vitally important way to make your voice heard. Throughout 80 years, MOAA members have faced enormous challenges and weathered many storms. Once again, it’s time for all hands on deck! Encourage fellow officers to join our association to keep our membership strong. Thank you for your membership and support of this great organization. You are helping us continue to make a real difference! Sincerely, ANNUAL LETTER from the p r e si den t VADM Norb Ryan Jr., USN (Ret.) President, MOAA http://www.moaa.org/2008membersurvey

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer -February 2009

Military Officer -February 2009 Contents From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Legislative Action Letters Chapters in Action Financial Form Annual Message Ask the Doctor Cover Story: Legacy Lives On They Love a Man in Uniform What Would You Do? 80 Years Strong Pages of History Faces of MOAA Information Exchange MOAA Scholarship Donors Advertising Index Member Books Sounding Taps MOAA Calendar Encore

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