Editorial Opinion:
John Kennedy said in his famous inauguration speech, “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”*. I’m going to change it just a little and say to all our members, “ask not what your post can do for you, but what you can do for your post”. Some members want the post to be open 7 days a week from 11:00 AM until 11:00 PM or whenever they are ready to go home even if it is 1:30 AM and they are the only ones in the place. They want the post to sponsor events with free live band entertainment, have dinners at reduced prices and be able to assist them with any veteran related issues. They want someone else to take care of all the details of running the post, manning BINGO and all the other things that must be done. Because we were force to move to Post 676, BINGO has no money this year. If it were not for Gary Bockman and Larry Tuck finding a refund of taxes, we would be in trouble. Most civic groups charge $100 or more per year for membership, ours is $30 with more benefits. Please help your post by working, spending money at the post or making contributions until we can get BINGO back on track. For all those that do support the post; Thank You Very Much. *I’ll put a video of the speech on the Web Site.
Bill Roark
Thursday, September 30, 2010
September Editorial Opinion
Editorial Opinion: Membership & Brothers
Well, here we go with my monthly ranting. “We are all brothers, why can’t we get along better”? I was talking with Greg in the Rose Garden about 2:00 AM on a Friday night after the post had closed. Greg had a couple of drinks and was in a very verbal mood. The one point he was trying to make was that our Post was a brotherhood and we should get along better. I guess he was right to a large degree since, we are a band of brothers that you are either part of, or you don’t understand. I see our post pulled somewhat by 2 factions, one from the past that remembers “the good ole days” when we had few rules and a lot of members didn’t even pay attention to those rules. The second faction are the ones that have been in charge of the post for the past few years that realize “we can never go back to those days” because the world has changed since then and we must move into the 21st Century. This group realizes that the post must be run more like a business and that means we must consider more rules and restrictions than was enjoyed by the original membership. The biggest change is that we no longer have the automatic revenue stream from Bingo which is much less today than in the past. Without these rules and more controls in place on spending and other considerations, the post will not be here for us “old timers” to enjoy in our “golden years”. This brings up the 3rd faction that still is somewhat overlooked by our general membership, the IFF soldiers that have been in the military starting in the early 1990s. We should have 1/3 or more of our membership made up of this new group of veterans and we are nowhere close to that number. Our post needs to make a lot of changes to actively recruit that group of veterans. That was made clear when Jeremiah came up and became part of the discussion. He feels our post may be dying because we have not attracted younger vets and it may be too late to change it. Jeremiah has been a positive force in attracting a lot of the younger group that we have at the post, but his job may take him away from Springfield as he improves his career path. I agree, we should be doing more to attract the younger groups, but really don’t know how to go about it. Should we be recruiting from our existing active units in Springfield? Should we be seeking out young veterans that are not part of the active units? Should we be doing things at the post to make it more attractive to the young veteran? The answer to me is yes to all the above questions. How do we go about it? The answer is YOU. We all need to do what we can to find our target group and invite them to our post. Offer to buy them a drink, or even pay the first years dues to get them started (I have done this and a lot of other members have also). When you see younger people in the bar, ask them if they are in the military now or if they were ever in the military and find out if they would like to join our post. We are in a good position compared to other veterans groups, since we are open 7 days a week and almost 365 days a year. We are also debt-free and have a great wait staff and the bar business is starting to improve. I have one more point before I shut-up. We are brothers and like real blood brothers we argue and fight among ourselves. We can’t agree on how to run the post or how the post should be run, but this is really a good thing. Different opinions are important and make our post stronger, not weaker. But remember that we are brothers and if something on the outside threatens us (be it individuals, government entities or groups) we will still stand together and fight for each other because we are still brothers. Oh well, it’s just my opinion.
Bill Roark
Well, here we go with my monthly ranting. “We are all brothers, why can’t we get along better”? I was talking with Greg in the Rose Garden about 2:00 AM on a Friday night after the post had closed. Greg had a couple of drinks and was in a very verbal mood. The one point he was trying to make was that our Post was a brotherhood and we should get along better. I guess he was right to a large degree since, we are a band of brothers that you are either part of, or you don’t understand. I see our post pulled somewhat by 2 factions, one from the past that remembers “the good ole days” when we had few rules and a lot of members didn’t even pay attention to those rules. The second faction are the ones that have been in charge of the post for the past few years that realize “we can never go back to those days” because the world has changed since then and we must move into the 21st Century. This group realizes that the post must be run more like a business and that means we must consider more rules and restrictions than was enjoyed by the original membership. The biggest change is that we no longer have the automatic revenue stream from Bingo which is much less today than in the past. Without these rules and more controls in place on spending and other considerations, the post will not be here for us “old timers” to enjoy in our “golden years”. This brings up the 3rd faction that still is somewhat overlooked by our general membership, the IFF soldiers that have been in the military starting in the early 1990s. We should have 1/3 or more of our membership made up of this new group of veterans and we are nowhere close to that number. Our post needs to make a lot of changes to actively recruit that group of veterans. That was made clear when Jeremiah came up and became part of the discussion. He feels our post may be dying because we have not attracted younger vets and it may be too late to change it. Jeremiah has been a positive force in attracting a lot of the younger group that we have at the post, but his job may take him away from Springfield as he improves his career path. I agree, we should be doing more to attract the younger groups, but really don’t know how to go about it. Should we be recruiting from our existing active units in Springfield? Should we be seeking out young veterans that are not part of the active units? Should we be doing things at the post to make it more attractive to the young veteran? The answer to me is yes to all the above questions. How do we go about it? The answer is YOU. We all need to do what we can to find our target group and invite them to our post. Offer to buy them a drink, or even pay the first years dues to get them started (I have done this and a lot of other members have also). When you see younger people in the bar, ask them if they are in the military now or if they were ever in the military and find out if they would like to join our post. We are in a good position compared to other veterans groups, since we are open 7 days a week and almost 365 days a year. We are also debt-free and have a great wait staff and the bar business is starting to improve. I have one more point before I shut-up. We are brothers and like real blood brothers we argue and fight among ourselves. We can’t agree on how to run the post or how the post should be run, but this is really a good thing. Different opinions are important and make our post stronger, not weaker. But remember that we are brothers and if something on the outside threatens us (be it individuals, government entities or groups) we will still stand together and fight for each other because we are still brothers. Oh well, it’s just my opinion.
Bill Roark
USS Missouri
USS Missouri Arrives at Submarine Base
GROTON, Conn. - The nation’s newest and most-advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine (Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Missouri (SSN 780) arrived at Naval Submarine Base New London on July 22 in preparation for commissioning. Missouri arrived at the base after completing a material readiness inspection by the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) team. INSURV is a survey team established by Congress to assess Navy surface ships, aircraft carriers and submarines and ensure they are properly equipped for prompt, reliable and sustained mission readiness at sea.
"Today really marks the first day where the sub starts to become part of that fleet, which will culminate with the commissioning," said Capt. Michael Bernacchi, Commodore of Submarine Squadron Four, which will be Missouri's home squadron. "The crew has done an unbelievable job over the past five months, just a tremendous amount of work getting the ship ready. They are clearly ahead of the game, and we're very excited to have them here at sub base and part of squadron four."
Cmdr. Timothy Rexrode is the commanding officer of Missouri, the seventh ship of the Virginia Class.
"This really is the biggest honor I've had in my professional career," said Rexrode. "I'm proud to bear the name Missouri and to get out to the fleet and work for the Navy and the nation."
Missouri, which completed sea trials earlier this month, officially joins the fleet during a commissioning ceremony on July 31, 2010 at 11 am at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn.
There are five Missouri natives among the submarine's crew. They are Electronics Technician 1st Class John M. Tyhurst, a Joplin, Mo., native; Sonar Technician Seaman Benjamin A. Bowers, a Green Ridge native; Lt. Patrick Donovan, a Springfield, Mo. native; Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Nicholas C. Koblick, a St. Louis native; and, Fire Control Technician 2nd Class Ryan J. Thruston, a Jefferson City, Mo. native.
Construction on Missouri began in December 2004; the submarine's keel was authenticated during a ceremony on Sept. 27, 2008 at the Electric Boat facility in North Kingstown, R.I.; and, she was christened during a late morning ceremony at Electric Boat on Dec. 5, 2009.
Another milestone occurred on April 16 during "In Service Day," when crew members moved aboard the submarine, bringing her systems to life, beginning general day-to-day operations and preparing for sea-trials, work-ups and commissioning.
Rexrode leads a crew of about 134 officers and enlisted personnel. A native of Spencer, W.Va., Rexrode graduated with honors in 1990 from West Virginia University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. In addition, Rexrode is a distinguished graduate of the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College, holding a Master's in Military Studies. He also received a Master's of Arts degree in Administration from Central Michigan University.
Becky Gates, wife of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, serves as the submarine's sponsor. She broke the traditional champagne bottle against the boat's sail during the christening ceremony last December. Her initials were welded into a plaque inside the boat during last year's keel laying ceremony.
Missouri is the fifth Navy ship to be named in honor of the people of the "Show Me State." The last USS Missouri, the legendary battleship, was the site where Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, and many other U.S. and Allied officers accepted the unconditional surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War II on Sept. 2, 1945.
Missouri is built to excel in anti-submarine warfare; anti-ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions. Adept at operating in both the world's shallow littoral regions and deep waters, Missouri will directly enable five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities - sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.
The 7,800-ton submarine Missouri is being built under a teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News. At 377-feet long, Missouri is slightly longer than a football field. She has a 34-foot beam, will be able to dive to depths greater than 800 feet and will operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots submerged. Missouri is designed with a nuclear reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship, reducing lifecycle costs and increasing underway time.
The USS Missouri Commissioning Committee, an IRS-designated 501(c)3 nonprofit charity, was created to increase awareness of the submarine's commissioning. The Commissioning Committee offers information about the development of the submarine, as well as history on former Navy ships named for the "Show Me State."
GROTON, Conn. - The nation’s newest and most-advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine (Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Missouri (SSN 780) arrived at Naval Submarine Base New London on July 22 in preparation for commissioning. Missouri arrived at the base after completing a material readiness inspection by the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) team. INSURV is a survey team established by Congress to assess Navy surface ships, aircraft carriers and submarines and ensure they are properly equipped for prompt, reliable and sustained mission readiness at sea.
"Today really marks the first day where the sub starts to become part of that fleet, which will culminate with the commissioning," said Capt. Michael Bernacchi, Commodore of Submarine Squadron Four, which will be Missouri's home squadron. "The crew has done an unbelievable job over the past five months, just a tremendous amount of work getting the ship ready. They are clearly ahead of the game, and we're very excited to have them here at sub base and part of squadron four."
Cmdr. Timothy Rexrode is the commanding officer of Missouri, the seventh ship of the Virginia Class.
"This really is the biggest honor I've had in my professional career," said Rexrode. "I'm proud to bear the name Missouri and to get out to the fleet and work for the Navy and the nation."
Missouri, which completed sea trials earlier this month, officially joins the fleet during a commissioning ceremony on July 31, 2010 at 11 am at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn.
There are five Missouri natives among the submarine's crew. They are Electronics Technician 1st Class John M. Tyhurst, a Joplin, Mo., native; Sonar Technician Seaman Benjamin A. Bowers, a Green Ridge native; Lt. Patrick Donovan, a Springfield, Mo. native; Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Nicholas C. Koblick, a St. Louis native; and, Fire Control Technician 2nd Class Ryan J. Thruston, a Jefferson City, Mo. native.
Construction on Missouri began in December 2004; the submarine's keel was authenticated during a ceremony on Sept. 27, 2008 at the Electric Boat facility in North Kingstown, R.I.; and, she was christened during a late morning ceremony at Electric Boat on Dec. 5, 2009.
Another milestone occurred on April 16 during "In Service Day," when crew members moved aboard the submarine, bringing her systems to life, beginning general day-to-day operations and preparing for sea-trials, work-ups and commissioning.
Rexrode leads a crew of about 134 officers and enlisted personnel. A native of Spencer, W.Va., Rexrode graduated with honors in 1990 from West Virginia University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. In addition, Rexrode is a distinguished graduate of the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College, holding a Master's in Military Studies. He also received a Master's of Arts degree in Administration from Central Michigan University.
Becky Gates, wife of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, serves as the submarine's sponsor. She broke the traditional champagne bottle against the boat's sail during the christening ceremony last December. Her initials were welded into a plaque inside the boat during last year's keel laying ceremony.
Missouri is the fifth Navy ship to be named in honor of the people of the "Show Me State." The last USS Missouri, the legendary battleship, was the site where Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, and many other U.S. and Allied officers accepted the unconditional surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War II on Sept. 2, 1945.
Missouri is built to excel in anti-submarine warfare; anti-ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions. Adept at operating in both the world's shallow littoral regions and deep waters, Missouri will directly enable five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities - sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.
The 7,800-ton submarine Missouri is being built under a teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News. At 377-feet long, Missouri is slightly longer than a football field. She has a 34-foot beam, will be able to dive to depths greater than 800 feet and will operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots submerged. Missouri is designed with a nuclear reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship, reducing lifecycle costs and increasing underway time.
The USS Missouri Commissioning Committee, an IRS-designated 501(c)3 nonprofit charity, was created to increase awareness of the submarine's commissioning. The Commissioning Committee offers information about the development of the submarine, as well as history on former Navy ships named for the "Show Me State."
August Editorial
Editorial Opinion
Just a few items of housekeeping before I begin my monthly rant. I would like to thank again one of our members, Ron Kinney for his help. He has donated some additional equipment and supplies for our pool table. It has now been recovered with Simonis championship cloth, re-leveled and repaired and now plays as well as any table in town. I would also like to pass my condolences to Kim Powers and let her know that Al’s friends at the post will not forget.
Well let’s get to the rant. BINGO is the life blood of our post and has been for the past 15 plus years. We were forced to move to Post 676 because the Bennett Street Bingo Hall was closed. We have had very little success in making profits since we moved. Since the beginning of the year, our bar and kitchen has not shown the type of income we need to sustain our commitments to keeping the post open the 12 hours per day, 7 days per week that we all have come to enjoy. They economy is probably playing a big role in those issues. While a lot of our members have spent a great deal of time and money at LZ 639, some members have not spent much time there lately. Please bring your family and friends to our bar and support the post by purchasing the best drinks at the lowest overall prices in Springfield. We now need help with Bingo. If you can’t work Bingo for some reason, please talk with your friends and neighbors and come out and play Bingo. You may find you enjoy our Horse Races that is very reasonable to play and you might win $250 for a winning Red Horse. You may find you enjoy daubing the Bingo cards and maybe getting to shout B-I-N-G-O!!!! Our Big game pays out $500 for just that game if you win. We have 2 progressives that could pay out over $1,000 each (LZ is at $2,200 now), and have a guaranteed payout of $300 each. My rant is simple - don’t ask what your post can do for you, ask what you can do for your post (seems I’ve heard that somewhere). Don’t be apathetic get involved in post activities especially Bingo and support the post by visiting our bar as often as you care to come.
Bill Roark
Just a few items of housekeeping before I begin my monthly rant. I would like to thank again one of our members, Ron Kinney for his help. He has donated some additional equipment and supplies for our pool table. It has now been recovered with Simonis championship cloth, re-leveled and repaired and now plays as well as any table in town. I would also like to pass my condolences to Kim Powers and let her know that Al’s friends at the post will not forget.
Well let’s get to the rant. BINGO is the life blood of our post and has been for the past 15 plus years. We were forced to move to Post 676 because the Bennett Street Bingo Hall was closed. We have had very little success in making profits since we moved. Since the beginning of the year, our bar and kitchen has not shown the type of income we need to sustain our commitments to keeping the post open the 12 hours per day, 7 days per week that we all have come to enjoy. They economy is probably playing a big role in those issues. While a lot of our members have spent a great deal of time and money at LZ 639, some members have not spent much time there lately. Please bring your family and friends to our bar and support the post by purchasing the best drinks at the lowest overall prices in Springfield. We now need help with Bingo. If you can’t work Bingo for some reason, please talk with your friends and neighbors and come out and play Bingo. You may find you enjoy our Horse Races that is very reasonable to play and you might win $250 for a winning Red Horse. You may find you enjoy daubing the Bingo cards and maybe getting to shout B-I-N-G-O!!!! Our Big game pays out $500 for just that game if you win. We have 2 progressives that could pay out over $1,000 each (LZ is at $2,200 now), and have a guaranteed payout of $300 each. My rant is simple - don’t ask what your post can do for you, ask what you can do for your post (seems I’ve heard that somewhere). Don’t be apathetic get involved in post activities especially Bingo and support the post by visiting our bar as often as you care to come.
Bill Roark
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Immigration Reform - TVV August'10
Immigration Reform (an article taken from www.legion.org)
Albert Einstein defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
While the great scientist was himself a legal immigrant to, and later a citizen of, the United States, it doesn't take a genius of Einstein's intellect to know that America's immigration policy over the last several decades has been broken and the federal government has been derelict in its responsibility to fix it.
While the Obama administration says it's committed to "immigration reform," Americans are rightly concerned that this reform is merely a euphemism for amnesty. When President Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., said, "This amnesty will give citizenship to only 1.3 million illegal aliens. We will secure the borders henceforth. We will never again bring forth an amnesty bill like this."
The senator was right. Today's amnesty proposals are even worse. They are worse because the population of illegal aliens has skyrocketed to between 10 million and 20 million, depending on whose figures you choose to believe.
Moreover, America has since been struck by a major terrorist attack inflicted by illegal aliens, not to mention numerous failed attacks by those who managed to flout our immigration or entry laws.
The American Legion offers a common-sense strategy to address illegal immigration without offering amnesty or other loopholes that endanger America's national security and threaten our economic well-being.
First, America needs to secure its borders and other points of entry. That means complete the fence, beef up border patrol and deport those who have already been identified as illegal aliens. Deportation does not require a mass round-up as the open-borders lobby would have you believe, but simply processing those who already enter our legal system through other violations.
Additionally, we need to eliminate the jobs magnet by enforcing no-nonsense penalties on employers who hire illegal workers. Likewise, all taxpayer-funded social service benefits - with the exception of emergency medical care - must also be denied.
Finally, and most importantly for our national security, we must effectively screen and track all foreign visitors to the United States. Three of the convicted terrorists who plotted to kill innocent soldiers at Fort Dix, N.J., were illegal aliens. A man accused of assisting the would-be Times Square bomber was also here illegally. Americans have grown accustomed to increased security measures when boarding airplanes. We should expect the increased scrutiny to continue for foreign nationals staying in the United States.
The Obama administration has given strong indications that it does not grasp the problem. While Phoenix is second only to Mexico City in kidnappings, and the Mexican border has seen a recent rise in violence by drug cartels, the Justice Department succeeded in getting a court to temporarily hinder Arizona's attempts to deal with an issue that the federal government has neglected for years.
Moreover, the U.S. Department of Labor produced a video in which its secretary incredibly states, "Every worker in America has a right to be paid fairly - whether documented or not."
The Obama administration is not alone in its misguided approach to this issue. Democratic and Republican administrations have allowed the problem to fester for decades. The issue will not be solved until leaders from all political parties put electoral considerations aside and start putting America's interests first.
Albert Einstein defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
While the great scientist was himself a legal immigrant to, and later a citizen of, the United States, it doesn't take a genius of Einstein's intellect to know that America's immigration policy over the last several decades has been broken and the federal government has been derelict in its responsibility to fix it.
While the Obama administration says it's committed to "immigration reform," Americans are rightly concerned that this reform is merely a euphemism for amnesty. When President Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., said, "This amnesty will give citizenship to only 1.3 million illegal aliens. We will secure the borders henceforth. We will never again bring forth an amnesty bill like this."
The senator was right. Today's amnesty proposals are even worse. They are worse because the population of illegal aliens has skyrocketed to between 10 million and 20 million, depending on whose figures you choose to believe.
Moreover, America has since been struck by a major terrorist attack inflicted by illegal aliens, not to mention numerous failed attacks by those who managed to flout our immigration or entry laws.
The American Legion offers a common-sense strategy to address illegal immigration without offering amnesty or other loopholes that endanger America's national security and threaten our economic well-being.
First, America needs to secure its borders and other points of entry. That means complete the fence, beef up border patrol and deport those who have already been identified as illegal aliens. Deportation does not require a mass round-up as the open-borders lobby would have you believe, but simply processing those who already enter our legal system through other violations.
Additionally, we need to eliminate the jobs magnet by enforcing no-nonsense penalties on employers who hire illegal workers. Likewise, all taxpayer-funded social service benefits - with the exception of emergency medical care - must also be denied.
Finally, and most importantly for our national security, we must effectively screen and track all foreign visitors to the United States. Three of the convicted terrorists who plotted to kill innocent soldiers at Fort Dix, N.J., were illegal aliens. A man accused of assisting the would-be Times Square bomber was also here illegally. Americans have grown accustomed to increased security measures when boarding airplanes. We should expect the increased scrutiny to continue for foreign nationals staying in the United States.
The Obama administration has given strong indications that it does not grasp the problem. While Phoenix is second only to Mexico City in kidnappings, and the Mexican border has seen a recent rise in violence by drug cartels, the Justice Department succeeded in getting a court to temporarily hinder Arizona's attempts to deal with an issue that the federal government has neglected for years.
Moreover, the U.S. Department of Labor produced a video in which its secretary incredibly states, "Every worker in America has a right to be paid fairly - whether documented or not."
The Obama administration is not alone in its misguided approach to this issue. Democratic and Republican administrations have allowed the problem to fester for decades. The issue will not be solved until leaders from all political parties put electoral considerations aside and start putting America's interests first.
Editorial Opinion - TVV - July '10
Well here I go on my monthly rant. First, every member needs to understand how and why we allow events to occur at the post. The biggest reason is we need the money to support the advantages we all enjoy at our post. The revenue comes in two ways, from the actual rental (when we lease the facilities) and in some cases we just get a lot of additional people spending money on alcohol sales - or a combination of both. Some events are sponsored by the post and we obviously get no rental income so we need a lot of participation to cover the expenses of putting on the event. Remembrance Day would be an example of this type of event.
Some events are sponsored by an outside group that just brings in a lot of people that spend money and don’t pay us a rental fee. This trade-off works for both organizations (The Blues Society is one example). Most groups or companies that are looking for a more private party or where there would be a smaller group must pay the post a rental fee. We have lease agreements that are simple for small groups to complex for a much larger event. Please, if you are aware of anyone that would like to use our facilities, have them contact Jack or Connie to determine what needs to take place for a commitment by both parties.
Here are some general rules if an event is taking place. No one may bring any firearms onto post property. No one is allowed to bring any alcoholic beverage onto our property. No one is allowed to bring or use any illegal substance or drugs on post property. No one is to do anything that would damage post property. Everyone must respect our monuments, displays and flag area. If anyone sees someone (member or guest) breaking any of these rules you may do one of three things: 1 - Do nothing (understand that you are then a part of the problem)
2 - Respectfully request the offender stop whatever rule they are breaking. 3 - Report the incident to a post officer and let them handle it. If anyone (member or guest) continues to break these rules they are subject to being reported to the police. We cannot allow these actions to put our post at risk.
Since we are having issues with maintaining records including DD214s, here is something interesting. You may request records from the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, but Army personnel records were destroyed by a fire and from a period from 1912 through 1959 were lost. Air Force records were lost from 1947 to 1963 with surnames beginning with Hubbard to the end of the alphabet. All others are available.
Bill Roark
Some events are sponsored by an outside group that just brings in a lot of people that spend money and don’t pay us a rental fee. This trade-off works for both organizations (The Blues Society is one example). Most groups or companies that are looking for a more private party or where there would be a smaller group must pay the post a rental fee. We have lease agreements that are simple for small groups to complex for a much larger event. Please, if you are aware of anyone that would like to use our facilities, have them contact Jack or Connie to determine what needs to take place for a commitment by both parties.
Here are some general rules if an event is taking place. No one may bring any firearms onto post property. No one is allowed to bring any alcoholic beverage onto our property. No one is allowed to bring or use any illegal substance or drugs on post property. No one is to do anything that would damage post property. Everyone must respect our monuments, displays and flag area. If anyone sees someone (member or guest) breaking any of these rules you may do one of three things: 1 - Do nothing (understand that you are then a part of the problem)
2 - Respectfully request the offender stop whatever rule they are breaking. 3 - Report the incident to a post officer and let them handle it. If anyone (member or guest) continues to break these rules they are subject to being reported to the police. We cannot allow these actions to put our post at risk.
Since we are having issues with maintaining records including DD214s, here is something interesting. You may request records from the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, but Army personnel records were destroyed by a fire and from a period from 1912 through 1959 were lost. Air Force records were lost from 1947 to 1963 with surnames beginning with Hubbard to the end of the alphabet. All others are available.
Bill Roark
Record Keeping - Judge Advocate - July '10 TVV
Judge Advocate
Many documents on file at the post, particularly DD214s, contain non public, personal information that has nothing to do with Legion eligibility and is really nobody’s business but the member’s. While the post might still need to review such forms, we don’t, necessarily, need to retain a copy of them. It’s for that reason that the post’s Executive Committee has decided the post will no longer retain copies of DD214 or other documents containing non public personal information about members.
We live in more complex times than when the practice of collecting discharge documents began decades ago and protecting personal privacy is more significant these days. States, like Missouri, are taking privacy and military discharge information more seriously too. For example: Missouri now has a law (RSMO 59.480), essentially “locking up” DD214s many veterans recorded at their county court house, denying public access to those forms. (But the veteran can still access his/her DD214 on public record). Even more federal laws have been recently placed on the books, like the FACT Act, a law specifically addressing Identity Theft and giving consumers and active duty military personnel special rights and remedies.
Granted, there might be occasional aggravations because of not retaining copies of your discharge documents. Because we will no longer have your personal documents on file, it might be necessary to ask you to provide documentation later to resolve an issue or question. But the protection of our members and the post far outweighs any future inconvenience getting rid of these documents might cause.
Even if you’re asked to submit documentation in the future, it does not, necessarily, mean the post has to keep a copy of it. Depending on the reason for the request, the document can be reviewed, needed information noted on post records, and you can have the document back for safekeeping.
If you have submitted your DD214 or another form of eligibility documentation and you want it back, you can pick it up between the hours of 11AM and 2PM on July 6th, 7th, and 8th, 2010. After that, discharge documents will be destroyed.
We will only surrender your document to you personally and you must show photo ID. We will not mail your document. We will not release your document to anybody but the veteran whose name is on it.
NOTICE TO MEMBERS
THE POST’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HAS DECIDED THAT PROTECTING THE PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALY OF PERSONAL, NON PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT MEMBERS SHOULD BE GIVEN GREATER PRIORITY AND HAS DECIDED THE POST WILL NO LONGER RETAIN COPIES OF DD214 FORMS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS CONTAINING SUCH INFORMATION.
IF YOU WANT TO PICK UP YOUR DD214 OR OTHER DISCHARGE DOCUMENT, YOU MAY DO SO BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 11AM AND 2PM JULY 6TH, 7TH, AND 8TH, AT THE POST.
IF YOU WANT YOUR DOCUMENT BACK, YOU MUST PICK IT UP IN PERSON, WE WILL NOT RELEASE IT TO ANYBODY BUT THE VETERAN WHOSE NAME IS ON IT.
YOU MUST PROVIDE PHOTO ID.
DOCUMENTS NOT PICKED UP WILL BE DESTROYED.
Larry Skouby
Many documents on file at the post, particularly DD214s, contain non public, personal information that has nothing to do with Legion eligibility and is really nobody’s business but the member’s. While the post might still need to review such forms, we don’t, necessarily, need to retain a copy of them. It’s for that reason that the post’s Executive Committee has decided the post will no longer retain copies of DD214 or other documents containing non public personal information about members.
We live in more complex times than when the practice of collecting discharge documents began decades ago and protecting personal privacy is more significant these days. States, like Missouri, are taking privacy and military discharge information more seriously too. For example: Missouri now has a law (RSMO 59.480), essentially “locking up” DD214s many veterans recorded at their county court house, denying public access to those forms. (But the veteran can still access his/her DD214 on public record). Even more federal laws have been recently placed on the books, like the FACT Act, a law specifically addressing Identity Theft and giving consumers and active duty military personnel special rights and remedies.
Granted, there might be occasional aggravations because of not retaining copies of your discharge documents. Because we will no longer have your personal documents on file, it might be necessary to ask you to provide documentation later to resolve an issue or question. But the protection of our members and the post far outweighs any future inconvenience getting rid of these documents might cause.
Even if you’re asked to submit documentation in the future, it does not, necessarily, mean the post has to keep a copy of it. Depending on the reason for the request, the document can be reviewed, needed information noted on post records, and you can have the document back for safekeeping.
If you have submitted your DD214 or another form of eligibility documentation and you want it back, you can pick it up between the hours of 11AM and 2PM on July 6th, 7th, and 8th, 2010. After that, discharge documents will be destroyed.
We will only surrender your document to you personally and you must show photo ID. We will not mail your document. We will not release your document to anybody but the veteran whose name is on it.
NOTICE TO MEMBERS
THE POST’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HAS DECIDED THAT PROTECTING THE PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALY OF PERSONAL, NON PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT MEMBERS SHOULD BE GIVEN GREATER PRIORITY AND HAS DECIDED THE POST WILL NO LONGER RETAIN COPIES OF DD214 FORMS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS CONTAINING SUCH INFORMATION.
IF YOU WANT TO PICK UP YOUR DD214 OR OTHER DISCHARGE DOCUMENT, YOU MAY DO SO BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 11AM AND 2PM JULY 6TH, 7TH, AND 8TH, AT THE POST.
IF YOU WANT YOUR DOCUMENT BACK, YOU MUST PICK IT UP IN PERSON, WE WILL NOT RELEASE IT TO ANYBODY BUT THE VETERAN WHOSE NAME IS ON IT.
YOU MUST PROVIDE PHOTO ID.
DOCUMENTS NOT PICKED UP WILL BE DESTROYED.
Larry Skouby
Ozark Honor Flight - Tom Mabry - May TVV
Ozark Honor Flight
Paul Marchi and I wish to thank all those who were instrumental in the creation, organization and management of the Ozarks Honor Flight on April 13th. We were privileged to be on that Flight to Washington D C and to visit the WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery during the changing of the guard, Marine Corp Memorial( the 60 foot sculpture of the raising of the American Flag on mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima), Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and other notable historical sites. I cannot say enough in gratitude to the hundreds of people involved in making the trip all that it can be. The contingent of volunteers at the Springfield airport fed us donuts and coffee etc. and guided us through all the preflight and boarding necessities. I especially salute Mick Dunn who was my GUARDIAN and helpful companion throughout the day. When we arrived at Dulles airport there was a group of volunteers to assist and guide us to restrooms and to our busses. They were necessarily very well organized because they had to guide 76 old-timers, some in their 90's, some in wheelchairs. When we arrived at Dulles for our return flight another group of volunteers was on hand to get us through their very strict clearances. When we returned to Springfield we thought we would just get to our vehicles and go home. What a surprise. A huge group of people were there at 11 PM to welcome us home. It was truly inspiring to know that so many people (many from Post 639) took the time to welcome a bunch of old veterans. I stand in awe and gratitude. The history of the Honor Flight both National and State is a separate story and should be told more widely. The Honor Flights across the nation are financed through donations and are possible only through the volunteerism of hundreds.
Tom Mabrey
Ozark Honor Flight - April Editorial
First of all I would like to cover an event that I feel is very important to veterans. We have an incredible group of people and companies in Springfield that are giving of their time, talents and money to assist veterans that would like to visit their memorial (and other memorials) in Washington, DC. This wonderful endeavor is called Ozark Honor Flight and is part of the national group, but concentrates on WWII Veterans from this area. We have 3 Post 639 Members that will be on the next flight from the new Springfield airport, April 13, 2010. Tom Mabrey served during WWII as an Aviation Machinist Mate in the US Navy and served many years as our Finance Officer, Paul Marchi was also in the US Navy and spent time at sea in the South Pacific. Tom will be escorted by Mick Dunn also from Post 639. There will be a total of 76 Veterans and 76 Guardians on the flight. The charter flight costs $ 56,000 per flight and all costs are paid for the Veterans through sponsors and donations; however, the Guardians do pay $300 per flight. The major sponsor and media partner is KY3-TV. The next scheduled flight will be May 18, 2010 and additional tentative flights are scheduled for June, October and November, but with 600 Veterans that have filled out applications, that will still
carry over demand until 2011. For additional information go to their web site at www.ozarkshonorflight.com, we have a link on our post web site. Here is more information from their web site:
Taking Our War Heroes to See Their WWII Memorial
HeroesWorld War I – Korea – Vietnam: These 20th Century wars have had memorials in our nation's capital for years. But for some reason World War II was left out. That war didn't have its memorial until 2004.Time is of the Essence
We call them the Greatest Generation — the veterans of World War II. Their memorial is now complete, but with over one thousand World War II veterans dying each day, our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out. Many will leave us without having had the chance to visit their place of honor.Honor FlightOzarks Honor Flight has one goal: to transport our veterans to Washington, D.C. so they can visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices.Your RoleYour donation will help transport veterans to visit their memorials. Our top priority is our most senior heroes. World War II veterans waited patiently for over 60 years for a memorial that recognizes their service and accomplishments. The World War II Memorial also recognizes the ultimate sacrifices of their friends who never made it home. They all deserve this one last opportunity to visit America's "Thank You."Ozark Honor FlightMissionTo transport, in the safest and most timely means possible, military veterans of World War II to Washington DC to view their World War II Memorial and other commemorative sites with the highest degree of honor, respect and gratitude at no cost to the veteran.historyOzarks Honor Flight is a non-profit organization, founded in October 2009, in Springfield, Missouri. The founding members have assembled the talents and commitment of a group of people who share their love and respect for our veterans, dedicated people who are working to deliver on the promise of Honor Flight.
carry over demand until 2011. For additional information go to their web site at www.ozarkshonorflight.com, we have a link on our post web site. Here is more information from their web site:
Taking Our War Heroes to See Their WWII Memorial
HeroesWorld War I – Korea – Vietnam: These 20th Century wars have had memorials in our nation's capital for years. But for some reason World War II was left out. That war didn't have its memorial until 2004.Time is of the Essence
We call them the Greatest Generation — the veterans of World War II. Their memorial is now complete, but with over one thousand World War II veterans dying each day, our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out. Many will leave us without having had the chance to visit their place of honor.Honor FlightOzarks Honor Flight has one goal: to transport our veterans to Washington, D.C. so they can visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices.Your RoleYour donation will help transport veterans to visit their memorials. Our top priority is our most senior heroes. World War II veterans waited patiently for over 60 years for a memorial that recognizes their service and accomplishments. The World War II Memorial also recognizes the ultimate sacrifices of their friends who never made it home. They all deserve this one last opportunity to visit America's "Thank You."Ozark Honor FlightMissionTo transport, in the safest and most timely means possible, military veterans of World War II to Washington DC to view their World War II Memorial and other commemorative sites with the highest degree of honor, respect and gratitude at no cost to the veteran.historyOzarks Honor Flight is a non-profit organization, founded in October 2009, in Springfield, Missouri. The founding members have assembled the talents and commitment of a group of people who share their love and respect for our veterans, dedicated people who are working to deliver on the promise of Honor Flight.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Col Robert L. Howard - Medal of Honor
From the Editor
Below is an article from the San Antonio Express News. It is a sad commentary in today’s world that a true hero was barley mentioned in the mass media at his passing. Jon and Kate got 50 times the publicity during their divorce debacle as did the “most decorated” soldier since World War II. This man received 3 nominations for the CMH, 2 of which were downgraded because he was involved in “covert operations”, but he did receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for the other of those actions. I can’t imagine how he was able to be wounded 14 times in the 54 months that he spent in Vietnam. Here is a web site that is a tribute including a video of his accomplishments. http://www.rlhtribute.com
Below is an article from the San Antonio Express News. It is a sad commentary in today’s world that a true hero was barley mentioned in the mass media at his passing. Jon and Kate got 50 times the publicity during their divorce debacle as did the “most decorated” soldier since World War II. This man received 3 nominations for the CMH, 2 of which were downgraded because he was involved in “covert operations”, but he did receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for the other of those actions. I can’t imagine how he was able to be wounded 14 times in the 54 months that he spent in Vietnam. Here is a web site that is a tribute including a video of his accomplishments. http://www.rlhtribute.com
SAN ANTONIO – Retired Army Col. Robert L. Howard, a Medal of Honor recipient who retired in San Antonio and was one of the most highly decorated soldiers from the Vietnam War died the Wednesday before Christmas 2009. Robert L. Howard served five tours in Vietnam and was nominated for the Medal of Honor thrice in 13 months. Col. Howard, 70, died at about noon at a hospice in Waco, where he'd been for about three weeks, suffering from pancreatic cancer, said Benito Guerrero, a close friend, Vietnam veteran and retired sergeant major. Col. Howard, a larger-than-life figure on the national military scene, appeared at many patriotic events in San Antonio. At his suggestion, the local Blue Star Mothers of America chapter began holding an annual ceremony in late December to remember the troops serving overseas. "He said, 'Don't forget the troops at Christmas.' He was very adamant about that," said Chris Peche, who in 2004 helped organize the event, now held at the Alamo. In April, Col. Howard traveled, as he often did, to Iraq and Afghanistan to talk to U.S. troops about service. Just two months ago, he visited troops in Germany, Bosnia and Kosovo. Col. Howard, born July 11, 1939, grew up in Opelika, Ala., and served in the Army from 1956 to 1992. After retiring at Fort Sam Houston, he decided to stay in San Antonio. Col. Howard, who served five tours of Vietnam, was a sergeant first class in the Army's Special Forces on Dec. 30, 1968, when he rallied a badly shot-up platoon against an estimated 250 enemy troops. Despite being unable to walk because of injuries, he coordinated a counterattack while aiding the wounded and was the last man to board a helicopter, according to military records. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor, the highest honor for valor, three times in a 13-month period. His long list of awards also included the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star and eight Purple Hearts. He also had been an advocate for troops missing in action. He told a Senate panel in 1986 that he believed there still were Americans, possibly more than 100, living in captivity in Southeast Asia. Col. Howard is survived by three children, including a daughter living in Waco, retired Maj. Gen. Alfred Valenzuela said. A memorial service in San Antonio and burial at Arlington National Cemetery is planned. Robert Howard was seventeen years old when he joined the Army in 1956. His father and four uncles had been paratroopers in World War II, and he followed in their footsteps, joining the 101st Airborne. In 1965, during the first of his five tours of duty in Vietnam, he was wounded when a ricocheting bullet hit him in the face. While recuperating in a field hospital, he met a patient who was in the Special Forces. When the man’s commanding officer visited, he sized Howard up, then talked him into transferring to the Special Forces. In 1966, after six months of training in the States, Howard returned to Vietnam as part of the 5th Special Forces Group. By late 1968, he had already been recommended for the Medal of Honor on two separate occasions when, on the afternoon of December 28, his unit was ordered to rescue a wounded Green Beret. As the choppers carrying his platoon of American and Vietnamese Special Forces tried to land, the enemy opened fire. It took two hours for Howard and his men to clear the landing zone and get all the troops in. By dusk, as they were moving forward to a hill where they thought the wounded Green Beret might be hiding, a force of about 250 North Vietnamese suddenly attacked. Howard and his lieutenant were at the head of the platoon when a claymore mine went off nearby. Howard was knocked unconscious; when he came to, he thought he was blind, until he realized that the blood from wounds on his face had gotten into his eyes. His hands were mangled by shrapnel, which had also destroyed his weapon. He could hear his lieutenant groaning in pain a few yards away, and he was almost overcome by a sickening odor: An enemy soldier with a Soviet flamethrower was burning the bodies of Howard’s comrades killed in the attack. Deciding to blow himself up rather than be incinerated, too, Howard struggled to get a grenade off his web belt, then fumbled with the pin. The soldier with the flamethrower watched him for a moment, then walked away. Howard threw the grenade after him, then crawled to his lieutenant and tried to pull him down the hill into a ravine where the surviving Americans and South Vietnamese had taken refuge. When he got the officer down to a large tree root, where another GI had taken shelter, he screamed at the soldier to hand over his weapon. The soldier tossed him his .45 pistol, then opened fire himself with his rifle, killing three enemy soldiers who were trying to capture Howard and his lieutenant. At that moment an NVA round struck Howard’s ammunition pouch, blowing him several feet down the hill. Still clutching the .45, he crawled back to the lieutenant, shooting several North Vietnamese along the way, and finally dragged him down to the ravine. Howard took charge of the remaining Special Forces troops, then called in U.S. air strikes. For the next two days the North Vietnamese probed his position. On the morning of December 31, U.S. helicopters were finally able to stage an evacuation. Two years later, in February 1971, Howard was a captain in charge of a Special Forces company under assault by the enemy when he got a call on a field telephone from General William Westmoreland. “We’re in pretty bad shape here,” Howard said, thinking the general had called to find out his situation. “Yeah, I know,” Westmoreland replied, “but we’re going to bring you out and give you the Medal of Honor.”Robert Howard received the medal from President Richard Nixon on March 2, 1971. He retired at the rank of colonel in 1992.
To DOD: "Fix the Combat Gear"
Here is an article from The Veterans Voice from January 2010 about equipment issues for our troops. If you would like, please comment: Bill
WASHINGTON (December 16, 2009) – The American Legion called reports that soldiers are being sent to combat with deficient gear and lack of training “completely unacceptable.”“The American Legion supports our troops’ missions in Iraq and Afghanistan but they must have the best equipment and training that we can possibly give them,” National Commander Clarence E. Hill said. “Representatives Ike Skelton and Solomon Ortiz should be commended for bringing these serious concerns to the attention of the Pentagon leadership.”The two House members wrote in a Dec. 10 letter that they are “greatly troubled” by what they have been told by soldiers.For instance, a military historian found that the M4 carbine failed at critical moments during a July 2008 firefight in Afghanistan, in which nine U.S. soldiers were killed.“Even though these weapons routinely rank lower than other military weapons in testing, they are still being issued as the Army’s weapon of choice,” the lawmakers wrote.“I am also concerned that troops are reportedly being taken from bootcamp and being sent to combat, with little or no additional training. Soldiers are also saying that their rucksacks are poorly designed and make it difficult to fire their weapons,” Hill said. “My question to military leadership is ‘Who has the backs of our troops?’ The American Legion would like some answers. Training and equipment should be factored in as essential costs of war, just like VA health care. We will take this issue up with the Secretary of Defense and even the president of the United States if it is not addressed quickly.” With a current membership of 2.5-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation
WASHINGTON (December 16, 2009) – The American Legion called reports that soldiers are being sent to combat with deficient gear and lack of training “completely unacceptable.”“The American Legion supports our troops’ missions in Iraq and Afghanistan but they must have the best equipment and training that we can possibly give them,” National Commander Clarence E. Hill said. “Representatives Ike Skelton and Solomon Ortiz should be commended for bringing these serious concerns to the attention of the Pentagon leadership.”The two House members wrote in a Dec. 10 letter that they are “greatly troubled” by what they have been told by soldiers.For instance, a military historian found that the M4 carbine failed at critical moments during a July 2008 firefight in Afghanistan, in which nine U.S. soldiers were killed.“Even though these weapons routinely rank lower than other military weapons in testing, they are still being issued as the Army’s weapon of choice,” the lawmakers wrote.“I am also concerned that troops are reportedly being taken from bootcamp and being sent to combat, with little or no additional training. Soldiers are also saying that their rucksacks are poorly designed and make it difficult to fire their weapons,” Hill said. “My question to military leadership is ‘Who has the backs of our troops?’ The American Legion would like some answers. Training and equipment should be factored in as essential costs of war, just like VA health care. We will take this issue up with the Secretary of Defense and even the president of the United States if it is not addressed quickly.” With a current membership of 2.5-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
This is an article that was done for our post newsletter for March 2010. It is about gays in the military and the potential for a new ruling that would change from the Clinton area "don't ask, don't tell" policy. We welcome your comments. Here is the artcle:
This has gone from the Traditional (when most of us served) to the “Now” policy and is again on the front-burner. It is posted on our blog for your comments. (Editor)
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers this week will press the military's top uniformed officers for the first time on whether they think repealing the ban on gays serving openly in the armed forces makes sense or would be too disruptive.The testimony from each of the service chiefs on Capitol Hill will be crucial to the debate in Congress on whether to repeal the 17-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" law.President Barack Obama says the policy unfairly punishes patriots who want to serve their country. Defense Secretary Robert Gates agrees and has begun a yearlong study on how to mitigate the impact of lifting the ban.Providing much-needed political cover is the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, who has said he thinks the law unfairly forces gay troops to compromise their integrity by lying about who they are.But lawmakers, who are divided on whether to end the ban, say they want to hear from the service chiefs. They are the ones who would be in charge of putting any changes in place and responding to any fallout."The armed forces have always placed military effectiveness above individual needs," said Rep. Gene Taylor, a conservative Democrat from Mississippi who says he is unconvinced that the ban should be lifted."This is one of the core concepts that has made the U.S. military one of the most effective combat forces in history," he said.While Mullen says he believes the ban should be lifted, he has said he can't speak for the service chiefs other than to say they support Gates' yearlong assessment.The service chiefs are scheduled to testify separately throughout the week, with the Army's Gen. George Casey and the Air Force's Gen. Norton Schwartz going first on Tuesday. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway, who is said to oppose changes to the policy, will testify on Wednesday."We believe that any implementation plan for a policy permitting gays and lesbians to serve openly in the armed forces must be carefully derived, sufficiently thorough and thoughtfully executed," Mullen told a Senate panel last month.The testimony of the service chiefs is considered so critical to the debate that House lawmakers have asked that they appear twice. In addition to this week's testimony, which is supposed to focus primarily on the 2011 budget, the House Armed Services Committee wants the chiefs to return for a separate hearing dedicated solely to the military's policy on gays."We strongly urge that no impediments be placed or erected to forestall that appearance or inhibit their testimony," a group of Republicans, led by Rep. Buck McKeon of California, wrote Gates and Mullen in a letter obtained by The Associated Press. Similar letters were sent to each of the service chiefs."Such impediments, if imposed, would convey to this Congress and to America that the Administration is not interested in a full airing of all viewpoints on this issue," the lawmakers said.According to a February Pew poll conducted after Mullen's testimony, 61 per cent of those questioned said they favored allowing gays to serve openly while 27 per cent said they were opposed and 12 per cent didn't know.Pew research has found that support for letting gays serve openly has risen from just over half of all those surveyed in 1994 to 58 per cent in 2005 and about 60 per cent since 2006. Opposition has dropped from 45 per cent in 1994.Reversing the military's policy on gays, which is based on a 1993 law and would require an act of Congress, is seen by most as the biggest upheaval to the military's personnel policies since the 1948 executive order by President Harry S. Truman on racial integration.Homosexuality has never been openly tolerated in the American military, and the 1993 policy was intended to be a compromise that let gay men and women serve so long as they stayed silent about their sexuality. Clinton had wanted to repeal the ban entirely, but the military and many in Congress argued that doing so would dangerously disrupt order.Gen. David Petraeus, who oversees the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as head of U.S. Central Command, said Sunday he supports the plan to move ahead cautiously. He said he will give his personal view on whether the ban should be lifted when he testifies before Congress in the spring.Petraeus said he is not sure that troops in the field care one way or the other about the sexual orientation of fellow service members, and that he has served with gays and lesbians.Skill matters more than sexual orientation, Petraeus said."You say, 'how's his shooting,' or, 'how's her analysis?"' Petraeus told NBC television's "Meet the Press."Senior defense and military officials who now advocate changing the policy say they want to move slowly. Leaders want time to ensure the changes aren't too disruptive and that troops have time to get used to the idea.Democrats say that they want to repeal the ban as soon as possible, but it is unclear whether they have the 60 votes needed to overcome procedural hurdles in the Senate. Also, many lawmakers would prefer to wait until after the national election in November to avoid the debate dominating their campaigns.While most Republicans say they oppose lifting the ban, some say they would support a repeal if the service chiefs recommend it. Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee in 2008, said as much as in 2006, although he said more recently that the law shouldn't change at a time of two wars."The day that the leadership of the military comes to me and says, 'Senator, we ought to change the policy,' then I think we ought to consider seriously changing it," McCain said in October 2006.Gates, Mullen and other senior U.S. officials, including former Vice-President Dick Cheney and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, have cited a cultural shift in the 17 years since Congress passed the ban that has changed the debate.
This has gone from the Traditional (when most of us served) to the “Now” policy and is again on the front-burner. It is posted on our blog for your comments. (Editor)
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers this week will press the military's top uniformed officers for the first time on whether they think repealing the ban on gays serving openly in the armed forces makes sense or would be too disruptive.The testimony from each of the service chiefs on Capitol Hill will be crucial to the debate in Congress on whether to repeal the 17-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" law.President Barack Obama says the policy unfairly punishes patriots who want to serve their country. Defense Secretary Robert Gates agrees and has begun a yearlong study on how to mitigate the impact of lifting the ban.Providing much-needed political cover is the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, who has said he thinks the law unfairly forces gay troops to compromise their integrity by lying about who they are.But lawmakers, who are divided on whether to end the ban, say they want to hear from the service chiefs. They are the ones who would be in charge of putting any changes in place and responding to any fallout."The armed forces have always placed military effectiveness above individual needs," said Rep. Gene Taylor, a conservative Democrat from Mississippi who says he is unconvinced that the ban should be lifted."This is one of the core concepts that has made the U.S. military one of the most effective combat forces in history," he said.While Mullen says he believes the ban should be lifted, he has said he can't speak for the service chiefs other than to say they support Gates' yearlong assessment.The service chiefs are scheduled to testify separately throughout the week, with the Army's Gen. George Casey and the Air Force's Gen. Norton Schwartz going first on Tuesday. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway, who is said to oppose changes to the policy, will testify on Wednesday."We believe that any implementation plan for a policy permitting gays and lesbians to serve openly in the armed forces must be carefully derived, sufficiently thorough and thoughtfully executed," Mullen told a Senate panel last month.The testimony of the service chiefs is considered so critical to the debate that House lawmakers have asked that they appear twice. In addition to this week's testimony, which is supposed to focus primarily on the 2011 budget, the House Armed Services Committee wants the chiefs to return for a separate hearing dedicated solely to the military's policy on gays."We strongly urge that no impediments be placed or erected to forestall that appearance or inhibit their testimony," a group of Republicans, led by Rep. Buck McKeon of California, wrote Gates and Mullen in a letter obtained by The Associated Press. Similar letters were sent to each of the service chiefs."Such impediments, if imposed, would convey to this Congress and to America that the Administration is not interested in a full airing of all viewpoints on this issue," the lawmakers said.According to a February Pew poll conducted after Mullen's testimony, 61 per cent of those questioned said they favored allowing gays to serve openly while 27 per cent said they were opposed and 12 per cent didn't know.Pew research has found that support for letting gays serve openly has risen from just over half of all those surveyed in 1994 to 58 per cent in 2005 and about 60 per cent since 2006. Opposition has dropped from 45 per cent in 1994.Reversing the military's policy on gays, which is based on a 1993 law and would require an act of Congress, is seen by most as the biggest upheaval to the military's personnel policies since the 1948 executive order by President Harry S. Truman on racial integration.Homosexuality has never been openly tolerated in the American military, and the 1993 policy was intended to be a compromise that let gay men and women serve so long as they stayed silent about their sexuality. Clinton had wanted to repeal the ban entirely, but the military and many in Congress argued that doing so would dangerously disrupt order.Gen. David Petraeus, who oversees the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as head of U.S. Central Command, said Sunday he supports the plan to move ahead cautiously. He said he will give his personal view on whether the ban should be lifted when he testifies before Congress in the spring.Petraeus said he is not sure that troops in the field care one way or the other about the sexual orientation of fellow service members, and that he has served with gays and lesbians.Skill matters more than sexual orientation, Petraeus said."You say, 'how's his shooting,' or, 'how's her analysis?"' Petraeus told NBC television's "Meet the Press."Senior defense and military officials who now advocate changing the policy say they want to move slowly. Leaders want time to ensure the changes aren't too disruptive and that troops have time to get used to the idea.Democrats say that they want to repeal the ban as soon as possible, but it is unclear whether they have the 60 votes needed to overcome procedural hurdles in the Senate. Also, many lawmakers would prefer to wait until after the national election in November to avoid the debate dominating their campaigns.While most Republicans say they oppose lifting the ban, some say they would support a repeal if the service chiefs recommend it. Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee in 2008, said as much as in 2006, although he said more recently that the law shouldn't change at a time of two wars."The day that the leadership of the military comes to me and says, 'Senator, we ought to change the policy,' then I think we ought to consider seriously changing it," McCain said in October 2006.Gates, Mullen and other senior U.S. officials, including former Vice-President Dick Cheney and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, have cited a cultural shift in the 17 years since Congress passed the ban that has changed the debate.
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