Military Officer - December 2008 - (Page 42) chaptersinaction Chapter Achievements From the Field: Mountain Empire (Tenn.) Chapter Returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who are enrolled at Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon, Va., now can receive a small, interest-free, short-term loan through the Veterans Emergency Assistance Fund, established by Mountain Empire (Tenn.) Chapter members who donated $1,100 to start the fund. Staff at the college are contributing through payroll deductions. “These young men and women … often live right on the financial margin, and an unexpected expense could mean the difference between staying in school or having to drop out to make ends meet,” says chapter President Col. John Woolley, USARet. “Our goal is to help them bridge that gap and stay in school.” Greater Dallas Chapter In August, Greater Dallas Chapter members Col. David Briggs, USA-Ret.; Col. Leroy Brunner, USAF-Ret.; Brig. Gen. J. Timothy Boddie Jr., USAFRet.; Clarimonde Tatge; and Lt. Col. Edward Tatge, USA-Ret., met with Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas) at his local office. The visit marked the end of a yearlong effort in which members met with all eight congressional representatives in the chapter’s jurisdiction. Members also spoke with legislators’ local and national staff members. Chapter members also e-mail their congressional representatives after they receive an MOAA legislative alert. Those without e-mail access fill out postcards at chapter meetings that then are mailed to Congress. Ark-La-Tex (La.) Chapter Ark-La-Tex (La.) Chapter members and the Retiree Activities Office at Barksdale AFB, La., cohosted a luncheon honoring World War II veterans that drew more than 870 people. Attendees included 450 World War II veterans, seven former POWs who survived the Bataan Death March, 35 other POWs, 66 Purple Heart recipients, and 11 retired generals. Longtime chapter member Col. Steve dePyssler, USAF-Ret., organized the event. Fellow chapter member Lt. Col. George Finck, USAF-Ret., emceed. Huntsville (Ala.) Chapter Huntsville (Ala.) Chapter President Col. Danny Burttram, USA-Ret., presented a certificate of appreciation to Costco manager Bob Palermo for the company’s outstanding support of its Guard and Reserve employees. Costco sends care packages to its actively serving Guard and Reserve employees. Chapter members previously recognized AEgis Technologies Group Inc. for helping a local servicemember who lost his possessions in a house fire shortly after he returned from Iraq and Sears for paying the difference in activated Guard and Reserve members’ salaries and maintaining their medical insurance and bonus programs for up to two years. MO — Contributors are Col. Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret., director; Col. Barry Wright, USA-Ret., deputy director, Council and Chapter Affairs; and Kris Ann Hegle. For submission information, see page 18. (above) Greater Dallas Chapter members, from left, Col. David Briggs, USA-Ret.; Col. Leroy Brunner, USAF-Ret.; Brig Gen. J. Timothy Boddie Jr., USAF-Ret.; Clarimonde Tatge; and Lt. Col. Edward Tatge, USA-Ret., meet with Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas), third from left. (left) Huntsville (Ala.) Chapter President Col. Danny Burttram, USA-Ret., left, presents a certificate of appreciation to Bob Palermo. 42 MILITARY OFFICER DECEMBER 2008
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