February 18, 2010
Well, folks, your association has survived back-to-back blizzards that dropped several feet of snow in the Nation’s Capital, only to be faced with analyzing a blizzard of defense dollars in the newly-released federal budget.
President Obama’s $3.8 trillion budget blueprint for fiscal year 2011 includes an overall defense request of $549 billion in its base budget plus $159 for overseas operations, primarily in Afghanistan and Iraq. Of the $549 billion, the Army is requesting $143.4 billion and an additional $102.2 billion for overseas contingency operations.
With money like that you might think everything an Army could possibly want or need would be funded, but let’s take some of those numbers apart.
The base budget funds an active Army end strength of 547,400, while the overseas contingency operations request includes money to pay for a temporary increase of 22,000 active-duty soldiers until 2011. That adds up to 569,400 active duty soldiers. The base budget has the Army National Guard at 358,200 and the Army Reserve at 205,000.
AUSA, however, has long said that the active duty component should have at least 700,000 soldiers and the increase should be fully funded in the base budget. We believe the Army National Guard needs 371,000 and that the Army Reserve should be manned at 215,000.
These numbers, in our opinion, would allow us to reach the goal of dwell time at home of between two and three years for every one deployed for active component troops and five years for every one deployed for Reserve Component troops. Our troops need time to train and be with their families. We cannot continue to send the same troops into theater over and over without a break.
The larger number of troops would also fill the brigade combat teams, and allow the schools and garrisons of the Generating Force to be fully manned.
Everyone is concerned about health care. I was surprised and very pleased to see that once again the President’s budget fully funded the Military Health System without an increase in TRICARE fees and co-pays. However, that’s only the first step in the fight.
In a recent hearing, both Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff discussed the rising costs of health care. Gates said that he wants to work with Congress on costs because they’re “only going to keep going up.” That means another exchange between the Pentagon and Congress on whether to increase TRICARE fees and co-pays.
We know it is Congress that we must influence. We are grateful that they continue to rebuff these politically unpopular initiatives, and we will work with them to ensure there are no increases again this year.
The budget also requested a 1.4 percent increase in military and civilian pay and a 4.2 percent in Basic Allowance for Housing and the Basic Allowance for Subsistence. Military family support programs would see an increase of $500 million, including about $440 million to build and repair DoD schools.
Ok, there is a pay increase, and that’s good, but I’m not so happy about the size of it. We still need to close the pay gap of between 2.5 and 3 percent. Soldiers who are willing to give their lives for their country should not be paid less than their civilian counterparts – period – end of discussion.
The President asked for $1.1 billion for treatment, care and research of Traumatic Brain Injury and psychological health issues. This issue is about making troops mentally and physically sound after experiences that civilians for the most part cannot even imagine. It goes back to having enough troops for the mission and then allowing them time to sufficiently heal, both mentally and physically, between deployments. AUSA will strongly support these efforts again this year.
So during this budget season, AUSA will monitor the process and speak out when we believe that our members’ interests and our Army’s interests are not being served and will offer our support when needed.
Before I close, I want to pay tribute to Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., who passed away earlier this month. Rep. Murtha was chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and was responsible for funding our national defense. In 1974 he became the first Vietnam veteran elected to Congress. During the next 36 years, he always made sure that the troops were not forgotten in the heated national security debates that often focused more on hardware than the people that would have to use it. He liked to say that he got the best information from his visits to troops on station and in hospitals, and he took many trips to war zones over the years to find out for himself what worked and what did not.
He almost always managed to fund pay raises that were bigger than the administration proposed and worked hard to get better equipment to the "ground pounders" who needed it. He also got Congress to fund the $500 a month allowance for service members who were retained on active duty after the end of their enlistment, and gave the administration the extra push it needed to begin increasing time between deployments.
On behalf of AUSA, I offer condolences to Rep. Murtha's family and our thanks to a veteran who always had our soldiers' backs!
1. Our Chapter Takes It All.
2. Kenneth Fisher address caps three days of an intense, magnificent AUSA Annual Meeting.
3. Chapter Supports Spiritual Fitness Centerand Wounded Warrior Care
4. Project Home Front
5. Chapter Farewells MG & Mrs. Jeff Hammond and the 4th Infantry Division
6. Members Briefed on Global War on Terrorism - The JCS/J5 Briefing
7. And Many More ...
1. Our Chapter Takes It All.
It’s Official. We are the biggest - and the best - AUSA Chapter in the world. Our national headquarters has now published its complete list of national winners for the AUSA program year that ended on June 30. And the results? We are:
* Overall Best Chapter - #1 out of AUSA’s 123 chapters worldwide.
* National President’s Gold Chapter Award - for quality leadership, over time; it’s AUSA’s Oscar or Emmy.
* Largest Year End Membership - 17,565 individuals now claim the local chapter as their AUSA home.
* Best Chapter Website - only possible through the efforts of dedicated volunteers..
* Best Chapter Newsletter - published quarterly; latest on website now.
* Best General Membership Meetings - with guest speakers that included former Army Chief of Staff and now AUSA National President, General Gordon R. Sullivan; the current Army Vice Chief of Staff, General Pete Chiarelli, and MG Jeff Hammond as Commanding General, 4th Infantry Division.
* Greatest Percent Increase in Government Civilian Membership - recognizing the involvement of everyone in the Army Family.
* Greatest Overall Percent Increase in Membership - we grew by over 3,500 members in the last 12 months.
* Superior Pursuit of AUSA Objectives - across a wide spectrum of issues important to America’s Army; as examples, Soldier pay, health care and quality housing.
* Best Corporate Member Support - local corporate members are exceptionally generous.
* Support of the Army’s 234th Birthday - celebrated this year at Fort Hoodon June 12, 2009.
* Outstanding Support of Family Programs - including direct financial assistance to several hundred Family Readiness Groups, and widespread acceptance of the chapter’s Adopt A Fort Hood Unit program.
* Financial support of the Institute of Land Warfare- the association’s educational publishing arm.
* Active Support of Army ROTC Program - at both local junior and senior ROTC levels.
* Take the Hill Award - working with state and federal legislators on behalf of Soldiers and their Families.
* Merit Chapter - accomplishing all management basics well.
* Star Chapter - exceeding AUSA’s membership year-to-year goal.
* Superior Chapter - excelling across a wide range of system management goals.
* Chapter of Excellence - exceeding the association’s Superior Chapter requirements and meeting or exceeding other AUSA Program goals.
* Support of the Army’s Recruiting Command - direct involvement with local Recruiters
* Support of Army History - helping to tell the Army throughout Central Texas - and via the internet, throughout the world..
* A Special Award for our Scholarship Program - presenting $1,000 scholarships to fifty five deserving Soldiers or Soldier Family members.
* A Special Award - recognizing the $30,000 provided by the chapter to support the new Fort Hood Spiritual Fitness Center.
* A Special Award - recognizing a Central Texas College Program that provides up to 30 semester hours of college credit, without cost, to the spouse of any Soldier awarded the Purple Heart as a result of combat action in Iraq or Afghanistan
No chapter received as many awards and recognitions in Washington
, this year. We can – and should – be justifiably proud, because the list reflects a team effort. Everyone pushing and pulling together, for one collective goal – to let the world know about the Great Place and the men and women who give it life. It’s the entire team – AC, RC, DA civilians, contractors and our neighbors throughout Central Texas.
CONGRATULATIONS.
2. Kenneth Fisher address caps three days of an intense, magnificent AUSA Annual Meeting.
Kenneth Fisher’s Marshall Medal remarks were a fitting, magnificent and challenging way to conclude the Association of the United States Army’s 55th Annual Meeting. “I feel as an advocate for our veterans, soldiers, and their families… ‘thank you for your service’ is just not enough anymore.
The chief executive officer of the Fisher House Foundation, told the 3,000 attendees at George Catlett Marshall Dinner, “What I have observed in great detail and perhaps can offer some perspective about are the challenges that our returning wounded military personnel and their families face when they come home. The challenges can be immense. They are sometimes complex and often long-term. And they are made worse by the current state of our economy.”
His remarks are posted on this page. “Thanks for your service” only goes so far. Actions speak louder than words, and you, AUSA members, in your chapters have been speaking loudly through what you do for soldiers, their families and veterans. We need to keep at it because the challenges will remain with us for decades.
The three-day Annual Meeting truly was a professional development forum of the highest order for the entire Army family.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony Oct. 5, Defense Secretary Robert Gates extolled the rapid changes the Army has made in adapting to counter-insurgency in doctrine, training and technology. The Army must work to retain the young officers and non-commissioned officers who have become experts in the new challenging type of war,
We heard from Army Secretary John McHugh. In introducing Secretary Gates, he reminded us why we are striving to be: “The Voice for the Army – Support for the Soldier.”
“I have to tell you that the days ahead, of course, are of great challenge. We find ourselves faced, it seems at times, by more crises than there are hours in the day in which to confront them. But I can tell you this as well.
“Failure is not an option. We will, we can, we must succeed. And as more than 230 years in the history of this great U.S. Army has shown you, the men and women who put that uniform on will be equal to this challenge as long as we stand by them, as long as you in the AUSA and we in the civilian and military leadership provide them with the tools that they need.”
Gen. George W. Casey Jr., our chief of staff said at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Luncheon Oct. 6 l recalled the four initiatives he started to rebalance the force, which were to sustain the soldiers and their families, prepare to win the on-going conflict, to reset the units effectively when they come home, and to transform the Army for an uncertain future.
While not completely “out of the woods” yet, he said the force was better able to respond to additional force requirements if they emerge.
This year – 2009, The Year of the Noncommissioned Officer, there was no more fitting awardee for the Bainbridge Medal than the Army’s NCO corps. We also recognized this in the theme for this Annual Meeting: “America’s Army: The Strength of the Nation – Noncommissioned Officers: The Strength of the Army.”
Every day, noncommissioned officers told their stories of selfless service and caring for and mentoring their soldiers in “Sergeants’ Corner” at the Army exhibit. Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston emphasized to the senior NCOs in a forum Oct. 6 that a significant portion of a soldier’s growth and development – about 70 percent – happens in operational units.
“It’s what we learn on the job,” he said. “It’s what we gain from mentors every day. We learn not only from the commanders and superiors that we work for, but we also learn from our peers, and we also learn from our subordinates.”
The Institute of Land Warfare’s Contemporary Military Forums on topics as diverse as physical and mental fitness, equipment modernization and energy initiatives were filled to overflowing. Gen. David Petraeus’ special presentation on Central Command, like a number of addresses at the Annual Meeting, was carried live on cable public affairs channels. AUSA is recognized worldwide as an first class organization committed to helping frame the needed and continuing debate on national defense and national security.
The same was true at the three AUSA Military Forums. About 450 Family Readiness Group members from Forces Command attended these forums, as did 50 from the Training and Doctrine Command and 17 from Army Pacific.
Professional development was also a driving force reflected in the more than 400 exhibits from industry and the Army. There in and around the displays, soldiers of all ranks could meet and discuss with industry leaders what was available now, what was just over the horizon and ideas for the future.
In the end, I want to return to what Mr. Fisher said in an address that was interrupted more than 20 times by vigorous applause.
“Instead let [service members, veterans and their families] be blessed by God and country, let their expectations soar and be fulfilled. And let them never be disappointed by the lack of compassion and faithfulness of their fellow countrymen. Let them finally get what they deserve the most - -a system that cares for them, and a nation that honors them because ‘Thank you for your service is no longer enough.”’
3. Chapter Supports Spiritual Fitness Center and Wounded Warrior Care
On June 11, our chapter has provided $30,000 in support of the III Corps and Fort Hood Resiliency Campus, the emerging Center for Spiritual Fitness and its mission of caring for Fort Hood's Wounded Warrior community.
Chaplain (COL) Mike Lembke explained the Center’s focal point will be its care of Wounded Warriors, and thanked the Chapter for its very substantial donation, explaining it will be used to buy furniture, electronics and other Soldier support items. He also reminded us all that the Center will be looking for the best ways to link Wounded Warriors and the Center with area veteran and military support organizations, starting with AUSA. When asked, we need to be ready.
4. Project Home Front
Serving in America’s military is not for the faint of heart. It’s tough work - and can be emotionally wrenching.
After six plus years in Iraq and Afghanistan, our nation’s war against international terrorism is taking its toll on Soldiers and their Families. Some need help, but may not know where to go or how to get started.
Our chapter prides itself in being close to Soldiers and their Families. In early 2008, we watched as this issue of mental health awareness and care began to surface. It appeared to call for multiple avenues of support, some “outside the box.” We knew the military provides mental health services, but could we help? We thought we could, and called our approach Project Home Front.
Two chapter members, Lieutenant General (Retired) Don Jones and Matthew Wright, travelled to Dallas to meet with the Dallas Foundation and its Texas Resources for Iraq and Afghanistan Deployment (TRIAD) team.
They explained that, because of a combination of in-theater as well as civilian demands, the area did not have sufficient professional mental health staffing to meet the expanding demand. Further, some Soldiers felt that it they needed help but went to the military, their careers might be placed in jeopardy.
And there were the Families. In many ways, spouses and children are under as much stress and mental anguish as are their deployed Soldiers. Where could they turn for help?
The Dallas Foundation listened, and quickly provided the chapter with an initial $750,000 grant, to fund care at local Scott and White facilities.
Today, Project Home Front is filling needs and gaps for the Fort Hood community by providing clinical-based, free, unlimited, and anonymous mental health counseling to military personnel who have served or are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and their Families.
We thought the program might see 900 clients in its first two years of operations; we were wrong. More than 2,700 service and family members have been served in just the last 17 months. So we have much more work to do.
What about the future? Our TRAID funds will soon run out. So chapter volunteers are aggressively seeking new funding, and for a variety of sources. Also, working with Fort Hood leaders, we have become strong advocates on behalf of an academic, research, and clinical resources mental health Center to be located in Central Texas.
For more, we would invite the reader to go to: https://backup.filesanywhere.com/fs/v.aspx?v=8e6f648c6067a0bd9c67.
5. Chapter Farewells MG & Mrs. Jeff Hammond and the 4th Infantry Division
On June 17, our Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter bid a sad farewell to Major General and Mrs. Jeff Hammond and the 4th Infantry Division. In mid-July, MG Hammond will change command as the 4th Infantry Division cases its colors and, after 14 years at Fort Hood, relocates to Fort Carson, Colorado.
General Hammond addressed the chapter’s third General Membership meeting of ’08-’09 program year, describing a 14-year love story between a young Soldier named “Steadfast and Loyal” and a young lady named Ms. Central Texas. It's a story of good people coming together, Hammond said, that started in late 1995 when Steadfast and Loyal first met Ms. Central Texas. Through the years, the relationship blossomed from a mere crush to something deeper, though frequent deployments kept them apart and young Steadfast and Loyal saw the senior leadership if his 4th Infantry Division change hands six times.
Now, 14 years later, Steadfast and Loyal realizes he is deeply in love with Lady Central Texas, Hammond said. "I hope you never forget us," he continued. "You're forever a part of our hearts." Ron Taylor, chapter president responded, adding that the division's departure will be a very sad moment for all in Central Texas.
General Hammond closed by unveiling a large bronze plaque, to be mounted in the main entrance hall of the current 4th Infantry Division headquarters building, to remain us all of the history of the 4th Infantry Division, the Steadfast and Loyal Division, at Fort Hood.
(This article draws on 6/18/09 reporting of Amanda Kim Stairrett and the Killeen Daily Herald)
6. And the winner is ….
It had to be fate - with a special angel watching overhead.
We closed our June 17th General Membership meeting with the car raffle. General (Retired) Bob Shoemaker was asked to draw out the winning ticket. He drew Ms. Marty Smith’s ticket.
The house erupted in applause. Marty, President of the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce and a dedicated Army wife with years and years of service in support of Soldiers and their families, had only recently lost her husband in an auto accident. Earlier in the evening’s program, she participated in the presentation of a $1,000 scholarship named for her husband, Army COL (Ret) Jerry Smith. But she did not want to speak, only quietly thanking the chapter for remembering her husband in such a manner.
Then, the drawing - and the winner is Marty Smith. Jerry had to hear the roar of applause for his wife and her good fortune. Later, Marty Smith said, “you know, I was looking for a new car.”
Well, Marty, you have one.
7. Chapter Co-hosts Statewide TRIAD Conference
Success is assured when strong organizations join hands to build stronger, mutually supportive partnerships. That has certainly been true with our efforts to join this chapter with Scott & White Healthcare and the Dallas-based Resources for Iraq and Afghanistan Deployments (TRIAD) organization, to provide expanded mental health care services for Fort Hood Soldiers and their Families.
It began with Project Home Front. Now, in an effort to expand upon that success, our chapter partnered with Scott & White Healthcare to host the statewide 2009 Texas Resources for Iraq and Afghanistan Deployments (TRIAD) Grantee Conference.
Held on June 9-10 on the campus of Scott & White, this conference brought together 100 representatives from 70 non-profit organizations in Texas to discuss how all might better serve America’s military and their Families. Each organization present at this conference is a current recipient of TRIAD support, providing a wide range of Soldier and Family-based services, including client counseling, financial help and Wounded Warrior assistance.
The 2009 TRIAD Grantee Conference covered fundraising, social networking, marketing and much more. In addition, the Conference provided the organizations with an opportunity to connect with one another and the Fort Hood community.
On the evening of July 8, this chapter hosted a dinner featuring Ms. Connie McDonald, the wife of Brigadier General Mark McDonald, Deputy Commanding General, III Corps and Fort Hood. Ms. McDonald spoke from the heart about what it means to be an Army Family - the entire Army Family - Soldier, spouse, children, parents or others in the household, and how military service today affects them all. On the following day, attendees built on her remarks with sessions involving current military spouses and the issues facing military Families today.
We are already planning for next year's 2010 TRIAD Grantee Conference.
8. Exceptional Volunteers Recognized
Each year, our chapter presents four specially named awards for exceptional support of the chapter and its efforts to serve the entire Army Family - Soldiers - whether Active, Guard or Reserve, along with Department of the Army civilians and their Families. These awards, and this year’s recipients, include:
CSM Douglas Hayes – CSM Joseph Bufford, Jr. Award: Presented to that one Sergeant Major or Command Sergeant Major, active or retired, who has provided singularly outstanding support of this Chapter throughout this past Program Year. This year’s recipient is CSM Nathaniel Bartee Sr. of Fort Hood’s 15th Sustainment Brigade.
The General Robert M. Shoemaker Award: Presented to a civilian member who has provided singularly outstanding support of this Chapter throughout this past Program Year. This year, we have two winners - two Wal-Mart stalwarts who are always there to help. They are Lee Grabman of the Belton Wal-Mart, and Richard Donnell of the Copperas Cove Wal-Mart.
The BG James I. King Award: Presented to the individual member who has provided singularly outstanding, long-term support of this Chapter. This year’s recipient is chapter Past President and current State President, Colonel (Retired) Ralph Gauer.
Roy J. Smith Award: Presented to a Corporate Member for outstanding support of this chapter throughout this past Program Year. This year’s recipient is McLane Advanced Technologies of Temple, Texas.
Throughout the past year, our chapter experienced exceptional growth - not simply in raw numbers but also in expanded coverage and program delivery. Growth does not just “happen;” it took teamwork by chapter members willing to take on a project, and handle it. With that in mind, we proudly recognize:
Jackeline Fountain, our chapter Vice President for Membership (Killeen) for exceptional support of the chapter throughout this past Program Year - a person who, whenever asked, always says “Yes, I will do it.”
Susan Jones, our Vice President for Scholarship Support, for pulling together a program that this year presented fifty five $1,000 Scholarships to superbly qualified applicants who now can more assuredly pursue life-changing vocational, undergraduate or graduate level studies.
Dora Rojas, our chapter Secretary - and so much more, for her quiet, selfless care for Soldiers and their Families.
Bradley Whitis, a member of our Board of Governors who never wants to be recognized but who, as co-owner of the AutoMax auto dealerships, remains one our the most generous supporters of Soldier and Family Programs.
9. Thanks, Automax and some Hardy Volunteers!
This year’s car raffle raised well over $30,000 for chapter Soldier and Family support programs.
On twenty six Saturdays, three or four hardy volunteers would meet at the Warrior Way PX or at one of five regional Wal-Mart stores, invite shoppers to support Fort Hood Soldiers and their Families and, just maybe, win a car. Elsewhere, others made sales where ever they could - all for a very good cause.
And with the help of Automax, every dollar raised goes to Soldier and Family support. The five Automax dealerships, all AUSA corporate members, will present the winning ticket holder with the choice of seven new 2009 Automax automobiles: either a Ford Fusion, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Tiberon, Mitsubishi Lancer, Susuki SX4 or Volkswagen Jetta.
To Automax - and the dozen or so chapter volunteers who staffed our weekly effort, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Obviously, we could not have done this without you.
10. Golf Tourney Raises $23,000+ for Chapter Programs
Take a sunny day on a beautiful golf course, add a hundred and nine sponsors with eighty six golfers - all supporting a really good cause - and you end up with over $23,000 raised to support Fort Hood Soldiers and their Families.
Each year, the local AUSA Chapter hosts a golf tournament to help support its Soldier and Family programs; this year’s effort set new records. Using a three person Scramble format and a shotgun start, the event was, according to event chairman Randy Sutton, the most successful tournament ever. Typically, he added, the chapter would expect to clear about $20,000. This year’s effort cleared over $23,000.
Former AUSA chapter president Don Jones, who serves as the association’s 4th Region President, got things started, welcoming everyone who came to play. Jones was followed by III Crops and Fort Hood Commanding General LTG Rick Lynch who expressed his appreciation for all the chapter does in support of Fort Hood Soldiers and their Families.
Players then headed onto the course, and the tournament was on! It would be 7:00 p.m. when everyone headed home, more than satisfied and maybe, a little sun burned. And the chapter could now count on more than $23,000 to help fund ongoing Soldier and Family support programs.
|
PLATINUM/FLAG SPONSORS ($250) |
|
|
|
1st CAVALRY DIVISION ASSOCIATION |
|
ADVANCED CONCEPTS & TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, LLC |
|
ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY |
|
AMERICAN ABSTRACT & TITLE |
|
ANDERSEN SCHOEL OFFICE INTERIORS, LP |
|
ARMED SERVICES YMCA-KILLEEN |
|
ASHLEY FURNITURE HOME STORE |
|
ASPEN AIR |
|
AUTOMAX HYUNDAI/VOLKSWAGEN/SUZUKI |
|
AZBELL ELECTRONICS |
|
BBVA COMPASS |
|
BUDWEISER AMERICAN ALE/JACK HILLIARD DISTRIBUTING |
|
CASA BLANCA TRAVEL |
|
CITY OF HARKER HEIGHTS |
|
CITY OF KILLEEN |
|
CITY OF TEMPLE |
|
CLOUD REAL ESTATE |
|
COORS LIGHT |
|
COPPERAS COVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION |
|
CRAWFORD-BOWERS FUNERAL HOME OF KILLEEN, COPPERAS COVE, TEMPLE |
|
DENNIS EAKIN KIA |
|
DENNIS EAKIN MAZDA |
|
DOCU MAXX-XEROX AGENCY |
|
EVASELLS, LLC ERA COLONIAL REAL ESTATE |
|
FIRST COMMUNITY TITLE CO. |
|
FIRST NATIONAL BANK TEXAS |
|
FIRST STATE BANK CENTRAL TEXAS |
|
FIRST TEXAS BANK |
|
FORT HOOD FAMILY HOUSING |
|
FORT HOOD HARLEY DAVIDSON |
|
FORT HOOD NATIONAL BANK |
|
FREEDOM FURNITURE & ELECTRONICS |
|
GARY W. PURSER CONSTRUCTION |
|
GENERAL DYNAMICS LAND SYSTEMS |
|
HEART O'TEXAS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION |
|
INDEPENDENCE PLACE APARTMENTS - FORT HOOD |
|
ISDALE CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC |
|
JACKIE & MONTY DEWALD |
|
JOHN D. BOWEN CONSTRUCTION |
|
KILLEEN VETERINARY CLINIC |
|
L3 COMMUNICATIONS |
|
LA QUINTA INN & SUITES |
|
LAS CASAS RESTAURANT |
|
LOTT, VERNON & COMPANY, P.C., CPA'S |
|
LTG (R) DON & BETTY JONES |
|
M W BUILDERS OF TEXAS, INC. |
|
MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION CO. |
|
MCLANE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES |
|
MCLANE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES |
|
METROPLEX HOSPITAL |
|
MODERN TV & APPLIANCE |
|
OMNI FINANCIAL |
|
PIONEER SERVICES, DIV. OF MIDCOUNTRY BANK |
|
PODS CENTRAL TEXAS |
|
RALPH SHEFFIELD STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 55 |
|
RIVER OAKS APARTMENTS |
|
RKJ CONSTRUCTIION, INC. |
|
SCHOEPF'S OLD TIME PIT BAR-B-QUE |
|
SHAPKOFF MOVING SERVICES INC. |
|
TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY-CENTRAL TEXAS |
|
TEK SYSTEMS |
|
THE NATIONAL BANKS OF CENTRAL TEXAS |
|
THE TED SMITH LAW FIRM, PLLC |
|
TIJERINA CONSTRUCTION LLC |
|
TIME WARNER CABLE |
|
TOWNE MOVING SERVICES |
|
TRI-CITY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT |
|
UNION STATE BANK |
|
UPTOWN LIQUOR |
|
WAL-MART BELTON |
|
WAL-MART COPPERAS COVE |
|
WAL-MART DISTRIBUTION CENTER 6083 |
|
WAL-MART GEORGETOWN |
|
WAL-MART HARKER HEIGHTS |
|
WAL-MART KILLEEN |
|
WAL-MART TEMPLE |
|
WESTERN INSURANCE AGENCY |
|
|
|
STANDARD HOLE SPONSOR ($125) |
|
|
|
AIR & ARMOR |
|
BIG CHIEF DIST. |
|
C N R HOMES |
|
CAMBER CORP. |
|
CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE |
|
CLEM MIKESKA BAR-B-Q, INC |
|
COLE & ASSOCIATES |
|
COPPERAS COVE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|
COVE FORD |
|
DAVID L. KING CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION |
|
DISCOUNT BAIL BONDS |
|
DODGE COUNTRY |
|
DONLIE MCMULLIN REALTY |
|
DR. AUSTIN RUIZ, O.D. - KILLEEN EYE CARE CENTER |
|
GUYCO, INC |
|
HENDERSON'S RESTAURANT |
|
HONORABLE JIM ENDICOTT |
|
JOE BUFORD REAL ESTATE |
|
KILLEEN GLASS AND MIRROR |
|
LAND EXCHANGE ABSTRACT & TITLE CO. |
|
MCLANE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES |
|
MCLANE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES |
|
MEDICAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT II, LTD |
|
MG USA (RET) MICHAEL & CARROL MCDOUGAL |
|
MICKEY'S CONVENIENCE FOOD STORES |
|
PARKER & SUTTON |
|
PRECISION VALUE HOMES |
|
RALPH AND MARY GAUER |
|
SHINE BROTHERS |
|
SHINE TEAM REALTORS |
|
TAIWAN DRAGON CHINESE RESTAURANT |
|
TOM BOREN INS. DBA WESTERN INS. AGENCY |
11. We Thank Our Scholarship Sponsors
They plant seeds and, in so doing, help to build a future for some special young Americans. It’s inadequate, but we join these recipients in saying to our scholarship sponsors - Thank You Very Much. They include:
|
Scholarship Sponsor |
Donation |
|
Bill and Anna Crawford of Lampasas |
10000 |
|
Fort Hood National Bank |
5000 |
|
Extraco Banks |
3000 |
|
Fort Hood Family Housing |
3000 |
|
Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter, AUSA |
4700 |
|
Casa Blanca Tours & Travel |
2000 |
|
First National Bank - Texas |
2000 |
|
Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs |
2000 |
|
Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs |
2000 |
|
L-3 Communication |
2000 |
|
McLane Advanced Technologies |
2000 |
|
Union State Bank |
2000 |
|
Central Texas College, Students in Free Enterprise |
1300 |
|
13th Corps Support Command Association |
1000 |
|
Arrow Trailways of Texas |
1000 |
|
Better Business Bureau |
1000 |
|
Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs |
1000 |
|
City of Killeen |
1000 |
|
City of Temple |
1000 |
|
Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter's Past Presidents |
1000 |
|
General Dynamics/Michael D Romain Memorial Scholar |
1000 |
|
Guyco |
1000 |
|
Pioneer Services |
1000 |
|
Solomon Appliance & Furniture |
1000 |
|
Time Warner |
1000 |
|
The University of Mary Hardin - Baylor |
1000 |
|
Belton Area Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs |
500 |
|
Temple Area Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs |
500 |
12. Temple and Belton Host Chapter Events
Thanks to the splendid hospitality of city and chapter leaders in Temple and Belton, we were able to conduct our two most recent Board of Governors meetings on the east side of Bell County.
In February, we met at the Sammons Golf Course complex in Temple, and in May, at the Harris Community Center in Belton. Both facilities are superb - and the support very much appreciated.
And between those dates, the chapter hosted two Corporate Member Appreciation events, first on April 23 for our east Bell County members and then on April 28 for our West Bell County members.
We thank Jay Taggart, Stephanie O’Banion and Jackeline Fountain for their efforts in making these events a success.
13. Quiet Pride
We take quiet pride in knowing our Adopt A Fort Hood Unit efforts are now documented as part of the III Corps Phantom Warriors 2009-2011 Campaign Plan (http://pao.hood.army.mil/corps/leadership/files/CampaignPlan.pdf, pg. 17), as follows:
-----
Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Adopt a Fort Hood Unit AUSA conducts the Adopt a Fort Hood Unit in order to better channel organizations that wish to support a military organization. The AUSA Adopt a Fort Hood Unit is sponsor driven and provides unique opportunities and resources for units to establish, sustain and increase / improve relations with the greater community through sponsors who are seeking a unit. The Adopt a Fort Hood Unit program unites the sponsor with a unit of their choice and the ensuing relationship enables the unit to coordinate with the sponsor while stationed CONUS and during forward deployments.
Time of Execution: Ongoing
Frequency: Weekly / Monthly
Additional Resources Required: Command emphasis
-----
Our goal is to always be relevant and supportive of Fort Hood Soldiers and their Families.
14. We Celebrate Our Army’s 234th Birthday
On June 14, 1775, our fledgling nation’s Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia to plan for the defense of its citizens from English tyranny, resolved to raise “ten companies of riflemen” and in so doing gave birth to the United States Army. These earliest Soldiers soon put both life and limb at risk in the defense of liberty and freedom, concepts that would, a year later, be formally expressed in our nation’s Declaration of Independence.
From these earliest days in America’s history to today’s ongoing Global War on Terrorism, the United States Army has fought and won our nation’s wars, remained “Army Strong,” and earned a hundred and seventy eight campaign battle streamers, reflecting every generation’s wartime service in every part of the world.
Each year, our chapter helps Fort Hood celebrate the Army Birthday - usually by providing birthday cakes to Headquarters, III Corps and Fort Hood, and Fort Hood-based major subordinate units. At Fort Hood’s request, we took a slightly different tack this year, by providing $1,633.00 to help underwrite junior Soldier participation in the installation’s Army Birthday Ball.
Held on June 11th, the Ball was a formal affair - bringing together Soldiers and spouses from all on-post major units for an evening of celebration and pageantry on behalf on the world’s oldest democracy.
Happy Birthday - Army Strong!
15. Your Adopt A Fort Hood Unit Involvement is MUCH Appreciated.
To all of our civilian Adopt A Fort Hood Unit partners, thank you very much. We are frequently stopped by Soldiers or Family members; they just want to thank the Adopt A Fort Hood Unit program for bringing our military and civilian communities together. We said we would pass it on - but the credit goes to you. So thanks for being what you are - caring Texans.
16. Members Briefed on Global War on Terrorism - The JCS/J5 Briefing
(As we continue our nation's Global War of International Terrorism, this briefing - presented more than 24 months ago - remains a VERY much a part of understanding what is happening in Iraq & Afghanistan)
(June, 2006) It’s a conflict of cultures - - Muslim extremism on one side and western concepts of democracy and modernity on the other. And according to COL Gary H. Cheek,* who briefed chapter members on June 21st as Chief, Strategic Planning Division in the Office of the J5, JCS, it will be a “Long War.”
For average Americans, a war against global terrorism is difficult to understand and a sustained state of war alien to our nature. Further, research suggests that while insurgencies typically last nine years, the American people are prepared to support a war for only about three. That creates a six year gap - a gap in which our nation now finds itself.
Unlike past wars, this Global War on Terrorism is not being fought solely within specific national borders. This war, COL Cheek stressed, is a transnational movement of extremist organizations, networks and individuals who share a common purpose. Quoting Zeyno Baran in “Fighting the War of Ideas” (Foreign Affairs, Dec. ’05), “the west is being drawn into the clash of two competing ideologies within the Islamic world. Proponents of the first believe that Islam is compatible with secular democracy and basic civil liberties. Proponents of the second are committed to replacing the current world order with a new caliphate - - that is, a global Islamic state.”
This concept of a global Islamic state has its origins in earlier history and Muslim domination of most of Africa, the Middle East, much of SW Asia and SE Europe achieved by 1500. Today, with that former domination now past, many Muslims feel a severe loss of dignity and honor. This loss provides Al Qa’ida’s leadership with easy access to an aggrieved population able to attract recruits with their extremist ideology.
COL Cheek described Al Qa’ida’s plan, obtained through captured documents. That plan seeks to expel American influence from the Mideast; remove all secular governments within the region; eliminate Israel and purge Jewish and Christian influence from the region; and expand the Muslim empire to its 15th century historical boundaries.
Cheek emphasized these points with a quote from Osama bin Laden: “We are seeking to incite the Islamic Nation to rise up to liberate its land and to conduct jihad for the sake of God.” COL Cheek added, “in 100 years, they expect to achieve global dominance."
COL Cheek next detailed our nation’s strategy for the Global War on Terrorism. Its principal aims call for the defeat of violent extremism as a threat to our way of life and creation of a global environment inhospitable to violent extremists and those who support them. Cheek described ways by which this strategy will be achieved in protecting and defending the homeland and US interests aboard, attacking terrorists and their capacity to operate at home and abroad, and supporting mainstream Muslim efforts to reject violent extremism.
Our national strategy seeks to deny terrorists the resources (especially WMD) needed to operate; aid partner nations in their efforts to counter terrorism; partner with other nations to counter terrorism; defeat terrorists and their organizations; counter state and non-state support for terrorism; and contribute to establishing conditions that will successfully counter ideological support for terrorism. That is tough work - and will take time.
But then, COL Cheek stressed, waging and winning wars DO take time. He cited examples - the Cold War, our defeat of communism and the emergence of the Republic of Korea from a devastated post-WWII peninsula to a respected and democratic Asian economic power. These transformations took time. And winning this Global War on Terrorism, he said, will take time. But to fail would be disastrous - for the US and other western democracies.
Winning the Muslim population is key. In that sense, this truly is a war for the hearts and minds of Muslims throughout the world. Worldwide, there are 1.3 billion Muslims; if only 1% of that population choose to actively support the terrorists, that’s 13 Million dedicated to that extremist cause.
COL Cheek closed with a quote from President Ronald Reagan, in speaking of the Cold War; “The ultimate determinant in the struggle now going on for the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test of wills and ideas - a trial of spiritual resolve; the values we hold, we cherish and the ideals to which we are dedicated.” That remains true today.
COL Cheek's slides are available as a PDF file here.
