Military Officer - December 2008 - (Page 24) rapidfire Run With MOAA! MOAA members and headquarters staff laced up their running shoes Oct. 5 in Washington, D.C., for the nation’s largest 10-mile race, the 24th annual Army Ten-Miler. Approximately 55 runners represented the association. MOAA members and staff cheered on the runners and then joined them at the finish line for a post-race party in MOAA’s tents. L The MOAA team geared up for the race with organized runs after work and on Sundays. The night before the race, team members, staff, family, and friends loaded up at an MOAA-sponsored pasta supper. Plans are under way for next year’s race — challenge yourself to get in shape, make new friends, have fun, and represent MOAA. 24 MILITARY OFFICER ooking for a different type of family getaway this winter? Branson, Mo., just might be your next vacation destination. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, the live-show capital of the world offers a wide variety of entertainment, attractions, and festivals for the whole family as well as several discounts for servicemembers and their families. Branson is home to Silver Dollar City, a 61-acre attraction combining the family fun of a major theme park with the timeless appeal of crafts and a dedication to preserving 1880s Ozark culture. During the Christmas season, the park is transformed into a winter wonderland as part of “An Old Time Christmas,” with more than 4 million lights and 1,000 Christmas trees. Active duty or retired servicemembers, their spouses, and dependent children over 12 years old can receive a two-day admission ticket for the price of one by presenting their military ID. Escape your post-holiday blues by visiting Branson during January, February, or March. With daytime temperatures in the 50s, it’s a great time to explore the city. Many restaurants and hotels also offer seasonal discounts during this time. For more information, visit www.explorebranson.com. Vacation in the Ozarks T Compensation for ALS he VA has announced that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) will become a presumptively compensable illness for all veterans with 90 days or more of continuously active service in the military. ALS, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neuromuscular disease affecting about 20,000 to 30,000 people in the U.S. ALS causes degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord leading to muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, and spontaneous muscle activity. Currently, the cause of ALS is unknown, and there is no effective treatment. The VA based the decision primarily on a report by the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine that concluded “there is limited and suggestive evidence of an association between military service and later development of ALS.” PHOTOS: ABOVE, COURTESY SILVER DOLLAR CITY; LEFT, SEAN SHANAHAN DECEMBER 2008 http://www.explorebranson.com
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