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“Never Stop Serving” www.starspan.org

JAN/FEB 2017 NEWSLETTER

Contents: Tuskegee Airmen, Annual Banquet, President’s Message, Recruiting, Member Info,

Spouse Updates, Future Events, Reservations for Feb 7 Event and 2017 Dues Mail-In Form.

Tuskegee Airmen 1130 a.m., February 7, 2017

COL Charles E. McGee, USAF (Ret) Earl G. Graves School of Business 409 Combat Missions - 3 Wars!

Morgan State University (Lot QN - See attached directions) Hillen Rd and Argonne Dr

$20 Lunch in the Atrium

Remarks by COL McGee in adjacent Conference Center

Reservations and 2017 Dues Form on last page.

COL Charles E. McGee, USAF (Ret), joined the pioneering all-

black 332nd Fighter Group, 12th Air Force, in Italy, flying P-39

Air Cobras in 1943. A few months later, the 332nd joined 15th

Air Force, flying P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs, on

fighter sweeps and long-range bomber escort missions. The

332nd, also known as the “Red Tails,” earned the respect of their Luftwaffe counterparts and of

the white bomber crews they protected. By November 1944, COL McGee had 136 missions and

a Fokker Wulf 190 to his credit. After an assignment as a twin-engine instructor at Tuskegee, and

several stateside assignments, he was assigned to Clark Field, Philippines, as Base Operations

Officer. During the Korean War, he flew 100 low level bombing and strafing missions in

Mustangs with the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron. On his return to Clark, COL McGee took

command of the 44th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, transitioning into the F-80 jet fighter. After

graduation from Air Command and Staff College, he flew F-89 Scorpions with Air Defense

Command and had assignments in Italy, North Dakota and Missouri. During the Vietnam War,

he led the 16th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, flying RF-4C

Phantoms on 173 more dangerous missions. In June 1972, COL McGee took command of the

1840th Air Base Wing at Richards-Gebauer, near Kansas City, MO. On January 31, 1973, after

30 years of military service, COL McGee retired from the Air Force. COL McGee’s 409 aerial

fighter combat missions over three wars is a record that still stands.

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Among COL McGee’s many military honors are the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster,

Distinguished Flying Cross with Two Clusters and two Presidential Unit Citations. After his

military retirement, he returned to school, finishing his long-delayed degree. His civilian career

included serving as Vice President of a real estate holding company, and Manager of the Kansas

City Downtown Airport.

Annual Banquet Gala, MOAA President - Nov 15, 2016

The 52nd Annual

Meeting began

with a social hour

meet and greet of

56 members and

guests with a

slideshow of chapter advocacies and events throughout the year. At 7 pm the Loyola-MD ROTC Color

Guard under the ROTC command of LTC Sean Gallagher presented the Colors. The National Anthem was

sung by Gini Pielke and the Colors were Posted. USAA was the proud sponsor of the Color Guard. A

moving historical presentation of the new Chapter Flag and a recognition of the donors was conducted

by MAJ Richard Martiny. The Chapter Flag Cake was cut by VADM Jim Sagerholm, major donor and CDR

Wally Dann, oldest Past President. The President introduced the Guest of Honor Lt Gen Atkins,

President and CEO of MOAA, COL Andy Fallon, President MD Council and several ROTC and other

guests. Five Past Presidents, CDR Wally Dann 2001-04, CWO4 Ivan Dooley 2005-06, COL Roger

Coppinger 2007-08, COL Jim Shelley 2011-12, and CAPT Mike DeHaemer, 2013-14 were introduced by

Dick Martiny. MOAA Past President pins were presented by Lt Gen Atkins and MOAA caps by COL Fallon.

Gini Pielke led the singing of a moving

“Proud to be An American.” Annette

Brown gave an inspirational Invocation and

we all enjoyed a special buffet dinner.

(Pictures courtesy Annette Brown.)

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After dinner, the President, COL Tom Seybold pronounced the State of the Chapter as “Five Stars” but

cautioned there is plenty of room for improvement and ROTC support is increasingly expensive. He then

briefly reviewed the year’s events and conducted the biannual election. The 2017-18 slate was

unanimously approved by the general membership. In conclusion, the President presented Ft McHenry

bracelets to the ladies and MOAA caps to the men for their dedication and diligence as past Chapter

Officers, Board Members and Chairpersons. The intent of these gifts is to advertise MOAA. When

someone sees the bracelet or cap and asks “what is MOAA?” it is an opportunity to give an elevator

speech to explain what our Chapter and National MOAA is and does!

The President and CEO of MOAA, Lt Gen Atkins then spoke for 40 minutes. He had spent three long

hours in traffic reaching us! His remarks included the highlights of his career and former President

VADM Ryan’s distinguished 13 years as President of MOAA. He told many inspiring stories about the

past and present advocacies of MOAA. He gave numerous examples of past successes such as Tricare for

Life, premium reductions, medical benefits, preventive services, repeal of COLA minus 1% and the Post

9-11 GI Bill. He mentioned that due to an austerity measure, they would not fund the Gold Bar program

with a $250 incentive to Chapters or medals for J/ROTC in 2017. Several current issues in Congress

were discussed such as the widow’s SBP/DIC offset that he and his legislative staff of 11 talented

lobbyists are fighting! He emphasized MOAA continues to work tirelessly for all service personnel!

The Chapter President thanked Lt Gen Atkins to a warm and appreciative applause from the

membership and presented him the traditional Francis Scott Key Bust. “God Bless America” was led by

Gini Pielke and the Color Guard Retired the Colors. Thanks USAA! EVERYONE had a GRAND TIME!

Wow! What a great 2015-16 Star Spangled Banner Board of Directors, Chairpersons & Officers!

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President’s New Year Message: Lt Gen Atkins shared with me national MOAA’s proposed vision and mission statements for us

to develop Chapter ones. The following are derived from those and your comments to refine

them are welcome before the next board meeting March 23.

Proposed Chapter Vision statement:

To be the leading Chapter in Maryland advocating for and serving the military community

Proposed Chapter Dual Mission statement:

Advocate on behalf of the military community

Never Stop Serving our Nation, Maryland and our local military communities

Your Board adopted these THREE TOP PRIORITIES for 2017:

1. RECRUITING: Membership Chair – Col Tom Seybold

Goal – Every member recruit one new chapter member in 2017. MOAA’s recruiting video >>>>>>>>>>>

Double Click on it!

Talk it up!

Share it!

Elevator speeches to explain MOAA-- 5 second example from the core values of the Charter to memorize – “Military people

interested in and working to take care of military people.”

10 second example - “An association of military officers that promote the interests,

benefits and welfare of all service personnel - active, retired and former as well as their families

and survivors! See www.starspan.org“

30 second example – “MOAA is the Military Officers Association of America, a nonprofit,

a-political military association that lobbies Congress and fights for the earned pay and benefits

of all service personnel. The Department of Defense is often forced to limit and even eliminate

benefits for reasons ranging from sequestration to force reduction. MOAA has about 400,000

members and is the most respected and influential veterans service organization that takes on

this challenge. MOAA lobbies Congress with facts to right this wrong and protect earned

benefits! MOAA is responsible for “wins” such as Tricare For Life, pay equality, the post 9-11 GI

Bill, the repeal of COLA-1%, and numerous major medical benefits for all service personnel. See

www.starspan.org”

One minute example – The formal “About MOAA” paragraph inside the front cover of

Military Officer magazine.

2. EXPAND LEGISLATIVE CONTACTS/NETWORK: Chairs - Col Jack Kutcher and CAPT Bud

Wanner: MD Council is emphasizing making fiscal MD & MD businesses great! for the 100% tax

free military retirement pay issue. Skilled military retirees with security clearances are in

demand. We also pay seven times more in “other” taxes! Mike Spencer and I just met with 14-

year Delegate Susan Auman, Assistant Minority Leader for almost two hours. She is a strong

supporter and believes the issue is bipartisan. She asked what we wanted? We responded – Help

with a 100% tax free bill. Every Delegate and Senator in your District (find them at

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www.starspan.org (LEGISLATIVE) needs your visit in January/February or early March to explain

the issue and why military retirees are good for businesses and fiscal Maryland. Then look them

in the eye and ask for their support and vote! Our state needs this incentive to compete with the

other 26 - 100% tax free states! Talking Points are attached to the Newsletter for your info.

3. TRANSITION and TOPS: Request all members search for a Chairperson. In 2017 The Military Family

Initiative will fund a minimum of five grants of not more than $5000 each to MOAA Chapters in direct

support of community programs related to military spouse career development and warrior-family

reintegration. Someone please step up soon or find a Chair for this important function for our Chapter!

Please call me!

*** The Chapter is looking for a volunteer who loves dogs to coordinate and host a PetsforVets PICNIC

EVENT 27 Sept 2017 at 6 pm. at an appropriate location. I have information on the organization. This terrific

organization can bring well trained dogs, handlers and speakers! Call me please.

*** We are planning a WWI Centennial Celebration for the next Annual Banquet Nov 15 and would like to

solicit ideas, music and assistance from the membership. Put on your thinking caps and volunteer. Stay tuned!

2017-2018 OFFICERS, BOARD MEMBERS and COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS For emails see Contacts on coming new website www.starspan.org

OFFICERS

President COL Tom Seybold, USA (Ret.) 410-561-5377

First Vice President MAJ Chuck Rishell, USMC (former) 410-730-1263

Second Vice President MAJ Glenn Williams, USA (Ret) 410-747-9009

Secretary COL Rita Kurek, USAF (Ret) 410-574-5330

Treasurer LCDR Adrian Das, USN (Ret) 410-795-4252

BOARD MEMBERS

Past President CAPT Mike DeHaemer, USN (Ret.) 443-695-4741

At-Large LTG Ed Leland, USA (Ret) 410-732-7555

US Army LTC Annette Brown, USA (Ret.) 410-664-3054

US Navy CAPT Mike DeHaemer, USN (Ret.) 443-695-4741

US Marine Corps MAJ Charles G. Rishell, USMC (former) 470-730-1263

US Air Force COL Rita Kurek, USAF (Ret) 410-574-5330

US Coast Guard/USPHS CAPT Charles Wanner, USPHS (Ret.) 410-439-9584

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Membership COL Tom Seybold, USA (Ret.) 410-561-5377

ROTC & JROTC LTC Annette Brown, USA (Ret.) 410-664-3054

Legislative Affairs COL Jack Kutcher, USA (Ret) 410-734-6569

Veterans Transition & TOPS

Personal Affairs CAPT Bud Wanner, USPHS, (Ret) 410-439-9584

Auxiliary Liaison Mrs. Karen Seybold 410-561-5377

PROGRAMS VOLUNTEER PLANNERS/EVENT

Newsletter Editor COL Tom Seybold, USA (Ret.) 410-561-5377

Webmaster LT George Wright, USN (Ret) 410-560-5937

Chaplain Rabbi COL Mitchell Ackerson, USA (Ret) Office 410-375-4363

Historian MAJ Richard Martiny 410-740-0426

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DUES: It has been at least fifteen years since the annual dues have been raised. Our expenses for

ROTC gift certificates and other very worthwhile advocacies have doubled. National MOAA will no longer

offer the annual $250 incentive for 2nd LT basic members we enroll and we also have to buy the medals

we award to outstanding cadets. In order for the Chapter to remain solvent and continue to support our

four major umbrella ROTC programs, the JROTC awards and the donations and advocacy efforts with the

VA and the MOAA Military Family Initiative as a Bronze Heritage Member, the Board of Directors

unanimously voted to raise the annual dues to $25 starting in 2017.

All members please send in your $25, 2017 dues check with the tear off form on the last

page by Feb 1, 2017! Please HELP our Treasurer and do it NOW!

---Tom Seybold, Chapter President, 410-561-5377 tksseybold@hotmail.com

From: Maryland Council of Chapters, MOAA. Did you know that Maryland is rated as the 18th best state for Veterans and the 29th best

state for Military Retirees? Why aren’t we among the Top Ten?

Operation Hire Maryland was launched in October 2015, “to create a statewide veteran friendly business

network” by supporting “employers as they develop or expand upon their veteran hiring and retention initiatives.” However, we’re uncertain that the initiative addresses the root cause for Maryland’s low ratings and want to discover and help correct the situation. The Making Maryland Great for Veterans &

Military Retirees – Business Survey is one of several that will generate data to assist us in assessing the issue, enabling proposal of viable solutions that will result in Maryland being rated among the Top Ten

States for Veterans and Military Retirees. Please send or forward this information and the survey link,

https://www.research.net/r/MDVetBiz2016, to the businesses where you are employed or in contact. Making Maryland a great place for veterans and military retirees will make it a greater place for all Marylanders. Thank you for taking time to contribute to this effort of the Maryland Council of

Chapters, MOAA.

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Maryland National Guard Joint Staff Director, BG Sean M. Casey

administers the Oath of Office to cadets from Loyola, Towson and

Goucher on Dec 22, 2016.

All ROTC 2nd LT.’s used Chapter gift certificates to upgrade

shoulder boards from nylon to gold bullion! 2nd Lt Schultz’s

visiting Army LTC cousin was very impressed! Family and Goucher

lacrosse teammates also attended.

Give to MOAA - There are two tax deductible ways - the MOAA Scholarship Fund and the MOAA

Military Family Initiative - to make a difference in the lives of military families like yours.

See the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs to stay current: www.veterans.maryland.gov

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Legislative Liaison Report: H.B. 898 - CAPT Bud Wanner USPHS (R)

House Bill 898, co-sponsored by Delegate Nick Kipke who is scheduled to speak at our April 26 dinner meeting,

took effect June 1, 2016 and applies to taxable year 2017. It authorizes local governments to grant a property tax

credit for a dwelling an individual who is at least 65 and has lived in the same dwelling for at least the preceding 40

years or a retired member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is at least 65. The amount of the property tax credit

may not exceed 20% of the county or municipal property tax imposed on the property and may be granted for

up to 5 years. Local governments may provide the maximum assessed value of a dwelling that is eligible for the

tax credit; additional eligibility criteria for the tax credit, regulations and procedures for the application and

uniform processing of requests for the tax credit and any other provision necessary to carry out a tax credit. The

link to the text of the final law as signed by the Governor is:http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2016RS/Chapters noln/CH

498hb 0898t.pdf To my knowledge Baltimore City is the only local government to grant this tax credit thus far.

Presently PHS and NOAA retirees are not eligible. MORE TO BE DETERMINED!

UPDATE FOR SPOUSES AND SURVIVING SPOUSES – Dec.2016

1. The House Armed Services Committee conferees succeeded in blocking all substantive initiatives which would have slowed down military compensation growth as had been backed by the Senate, the Obama administration, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 2. The TRICARE triple option insurance plan will have two choices: TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select, which will replace the TRICARE Standard plan and TRICARE Extra. Remember that you need to reenroll every year (generally, unless you already are covered under TRICARE for Life). 3. Responsibility for running military clinics and hospitals of the Army, Navy, and Air Force will be transferred to the Defense Health Agency; this is a consolidation to both "streamline redundant bureaucracies and standardize best practices and procedures across the health care system." 4. Services for veterinary treatments at 140 veterinary treatment facilities located at US military installations around the world may include new pet exams, wellness visits for annual health exams and vaccinations, sick call appointments, and affordable health certificates for pet travel. Prices for all services are reasonable and fees are the same at all the facilities. 5. Department of Defense-sponsored Retiree-At-Cost Hearing Aid Program is designed to help military retirees buy hearing aids through the audiology clinic on base at a special Government-negotiated cost. Please note that this program does not cover dependents of retirees. A list of facilities that participate is available on-line at http://militaryaudiology.org/rachap-rhapp-locations/ . 6. Your driver's license does not need to be renewed in order to get the title "VETERAN" on the face of it. This can now be accomplished without a fee (whether the license is due for renewal or not) at your local Motor Vehicle office. Veterans can get this optional update accomplished by bringing their DD Form 214 (or the equivalent) to the office; it must be a copy that shows the section with an "Honorable Discharge." The new photo is taken on the spot, the old license is canceled, a temporary driver's license is issued at the desk, and a new Driver's License is mailed to your home address. No fee involved! -----Furnished by Naomi M. Kaplan, Spouse/Surviving Spouse Liaison, MD Council of Chapters

Newsletter Online: www.starspan.org Newsletter Production & Editor: Newsletter Distribution: LT George Wright, USN (Ret) COL Tom Seybold, USA (Ret) LCDR Adrian Das Webmaster President 410-561-5377 Treasurer 410-795-4252

geo@loyola.edu tksseybold@hotmail.com phaedra.phlyer@comcast.net

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***This newsletter is published by the Star Spangled Banner Chapter, which is an affiliate of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). MOAA and its affiliated chapters are non-partisan. ***

Future Chapter Events for 2017: April 26, 2017 Wed.

6:00 pm “How MD Legislates” –Delegate Nick Kipke, Minority Leader, MD House

of Delegates Mt Washington Tavern

A comprehensive explanation of Maryland’s legislative process

6 June 2017 Tuesday

6:00 pm Modern Cyber Warfare -- LTC Byron Hartzog, USA (Ret), 1st V.P. MD

Council & Sr. Systems Engineer, JHU Applied Physics Lab Location TBD

Newly retired cyber warfare officer from Ft Meade Cyber Command

Saturday

May/June 2017 Tailgate Barbeque, Loch Raven VA Family Living and Rehabilitation

Center: with Morgan State University ROTC Alumni Association

Tuskegee Airmen RESERVATIONS & 2017 DUES

1130 A.M. Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Atrium, Earl G. Graves School of Business Morgan State University Hillen Rd and Argonne Dr See attached directions to Morgan State U. Come early, Lot QN reserved free parking for 25 chapter members in front of School of Bsiness! Lunch: $20/person in the Atrium Dress: Casual, Uniform or Business Suit MENU: Grilled and or Fried Chicken, Seasoned Cut Red Potatoes, Fall Vegetable Medley, Mixed Salad w/dressing, Lunch Rolls, Assorted Desserts, Iced Tea and Water ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESERVATION FORM: Please cut off and mail $20/person reservation with your 2017 DUES or just your 2017 DUES check and any other contribution to the Treasurer by Feb 1, 2017.

Name___________________________________ Guest Name(s) _______________________________

Number of Lunch Reservations ________ Total Lunch $’s at $20/person: $ _______________

My 2017 Dues @ $25/member $____________

* You may add $20 and sponsor a ROTC Cadet Shoulder Board Gift Certificate personalized with your NAME! Specific ROTC University if desired_________________________________ $______________

** Contribution (circle) to the scholarship fund or MOAA Military Family Initiative $______________

TOTAL CHECK $_____________

Make check out to the Star Spangled Banner Chapter.

Mail to the Treasurer, LCDR (Ret) Adrian Das, 6601 Phaedra Ct., Sykesville, MD 21784-6246.

For further information call Adrian or “A.D.” at 410-795-4252 or Tom Seybold at 410-561-5377.