HOUSTON AREA PO BOX 1082 HOUSTON TX 77251-1082 www.moaahoustonarea.com

Newsletter to MembersVol. L No. 5 May 2013

NEXT MEETING SATURDAY, June 29, 2013 THE JUNIOR LEAGUE

President’s Message

This month we celebrate Memorial Day. Let me leave you with this story.

“You ASK WHO AM I”

Not so long ago I saw a young boy ask anolder gentleman, “Who are You?” To lookat this man at first glance, nothing inparticular seemed to set him apart from others in the crowd. Hewas old as some might say, perhaps in his 70s. He sat slightlyslumped over in his chair, his right arm and hand withered andlimp. He appeared wrinkled and thinned.

Yet, something about him struck me as uncommon. His eyeswere not dimmed but filled with a light of pride; perhaps hopethat came from a deep faith in something larger and grander thanhimself. He stared intensely with the passion of youth, nothindered by his years of life. I suddenly found myself becomingabsorbed in the scene unfolding before me. The old gentlemanturned to the little boy speaking, “You ask, who am I? Son,would you truly like to know the answer to your question?” Theyoung boy nodded with delight that this older gentleman wouldbe willing to talk to him. I then noticed a younger man standingnext to the boy, turning and saying, “Don’t bother thisgentleman, Son,” and then apologized to the old gentleman forhis son’s mischief. The older man looked earnestly at the fatherand quietly stated, “Sir, it is no bother that your son wants toknow who I am. I am indeed delighted to answer his question.”

The father nodded politely, somewhat puzzled by the oldgentleman's reply and apparent eagerness to commune with hisyoung son.

(Continued on page 5 . . . .)

James W. “Pappy” Mehrmann, President Captain, USNR, Ret.

OfficersPresident James W. Mehrmann, CAPT USN Ret281.935.1559 captjimmehrmann@yahoo.com

1st Vice President ProgramKerry Magee CAPT USN Ret979.964.3236 h or 979.236.2415 cellusnr06ret@brazoriainet.com

2nd Vice President ArrangementsJeannette Evans, Aux 281.495.2202

3rd Vice President Vacant

SecretaryVal G. Henneberg MAJ USA Ret.713.729.8217 valhenneberg@aol.com

Treasurer Martin J. Harris Maj USMC Ret.713.436.0429 martymc2@aol.com

Legislative RepresentativeROTC Scholarship William Taylor Cpt. USA Ret.281.482.7315 waterbury3@sbcglobal.net

Assistant Legislative Representative George McDowell Col USAF Ret.713.723.5166

LiaisonEugene Tulich CDR USCG281.376.0061 gene42@flash.net

ROTCWilbur E. “Mac” McConico LTC USA Ret 713.436.5912wemcconico@gmail.com

ChaplainKerry Magee (see 1 VP)st

Editor Carol Ann Wilson 8902 Sunnywood DriveHouston TX77088-3729281. 847.9754; 281.642.4050 cellcarolwilson@earthlink.net

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, May 2013, p. 1

MOAA Houston Area

Board Meeting

Tues. June 11, 11:30Rudi Lechner’s 2503 S. Gessner

Future Meetings 7/9 8/13 9/10 10/8

All members are welcome.

MOAA

Houston AreaMonthly Meeting

and Luncheon

Monthly Meetingand Luncheons

Remaining 2012 Meetings willbe at The Junior League ofHouston (June, July, Aug.,Sept., Oct.). May is MilitaryBall and November is withMOWA.

NOMEETING

IN MAY

ATTEND THEMILITARY BALL

May 18

2012 MOAA-HA Meetings

6/29 7/27 8/31 9/28 10/26, Nov. with MOWA Christmas Dance 12/7

Nearly all men can standadversity, but if you want totest a man’s character, givehim power.

–Abraham Lincoln

Military Officers Wives Association

MOWA

May LuncheonThursday, May 16, 2012

11:30 a.m.

The Forest Club9950 Memorial Drive &

Saddlebrook LaneHouston TX 77024

713-686-3728

MENU

“Bridge Special”

Tuna & Chicken SaladSandwiches

Fresh Fruit

Soup du Jour

Pecan Ball

Coffee or Tea

$26

RSVP TO: Bobbye Parsons,713-541-3143, by noonTuesday, May 14 , 2013

MOAA-HA

Z Treasurer’s ReportMay 1, 2012

Receipts $1,214. Expenses $1,992. Balance $4,276 78

Martin J. Harris, Treas. Maj USMC Ret.

From Our Chaplain

SHALOM! PEACE BEWITH YOU!

A female CNN journalistheard about a very elderlyJewish man who had beengoing to the Western Wall topray, twice a day, every day,for a long, long time.(I hadthe privilege of praying at thisWall in December 1996 on aKnights Templar Holy LandPilgrimage!) So she went tocheck it out.

She went to the Western Walland there he was, walkingslowly up to the Holy site.She watched him pray andafter about 45 minutes, whenhe turned to leave, using acane and moving very slowly,she approached him for aninterview. “Pardon me, Sir,I’m Rebecca Smith fromCNN. What is your name?”

“Morris Feinberg,” he replied.“Sir, how long have you beencoming to the Western Walland praying?”

“For about 60 years.” Thereporter responded: “60 years!That’s amazing! What do youpray for?”

“I pray for Peace between theChristians, Jews, and theMuslims. I pray for all thewars and all the hatred to stop.

“I pray for all our children togrow up safely as responsible

CAPT Kerry Magee

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, May 2013, p. 2

adults and to love theirfellow man.

“I pray that politicians tell usthe truth and put the interestsof the people ahead of theirown interests.”

The journalist then asked,“How do you feel after doingthis for 60 years?” Hereplied, “Like I’m talking toa wall.”

I feel sure that all of us whopray to GOD daily for ourspouses, children,grandchildren, family,friends, our Church orSynagogue, neighborhood,city, state, and the USA,have had the very exactfeeling of lack-of-response from GOD as the elderlyJewish man. Althoughinitially, the story aboveevokes a chuckle or laugh,the beauty of it is thepersistence and perseveranceof his prayers: He hasn’tstopped in 60 years! May wedo also!

In my humble opinion, themoral of this story is that wemust believe GOD hears ourprayers, or we wouldn’t pray;and that eventually GOD willindeed answer our prayers,maybe not in the time framewe desire, nor maybe noteven with the action werequested. GOD knowswhat’s best for us, and Hisanswers will be grantedaccordingly.

Remember what St. Paul saidto the believers in his timeand to us today: “Prayconstantly and withoutceasing.”

GOD BLESS Y’ALL!

Kerry B. MageeCAPT USNR-RET

Endowment Fund and

Houston Corps of Cadets

As you know, we have beenconducting an annual fund raiser toraise money for the EndowmentFund for several years. At first wehad fair success, but in the last twoyears interest has really dropped off. This year the results have been verydisappointing. At our last boardmeeting it was discussed and decided that, in spite of nice prizes, there justwas not enough interest to continue.

This is what we are going to ask youto do. When we first started theprogram, you were asked to make adonation directly to the EndowmentFund through the University ofHouston. We had a great benefit,because the U of H acknowledgedyour gift through The Houston Corpsof Cadets and sent you a form thatcould be used to deduct the amountof your gift on your income taxreturn. With the prize fund raiser,only the winners benefited, since theindividual contributions or entries didnot come with a tax deduction. Nowwe are going back and asking youonce again, regardless of the amountof the donation, at any time duringthe year, please make a donation tothe Houston Corps of Cadets throughthe U of H. The form is in everyissue of the newsletter. Simply makeout your check to The University ofHouston, follow the instructions onthe form, and mail the form. You canmake this donation anytime, and itmight particularly be a benefit if youespecially need a deduction during atax period (quarterly or end of year).

A special thanks goes to LTC BertLink and his lovely wife Ann forgraciously volunteering their gift oftime shares for the drawing this year. As great as that is, including therenewal of the New Orleansweekend, it has drawn only oneticket purchase. So please make yourtax deductible donations direct.

Our special thanks to all ofour members and theirfamilies and friends who havesupported our past projects.We hope we can continue tocount on you.

William Taylor Cpt. USA Ret.

REPORT ON OURAPRIL SPEAKER

Cadet Major Daniel Timme,University of Houston AirForce Liaison Officer andAcademics Officer, broughtus our April message. Youread about him in the Marchnewsletter. His talk was botheducational and inspirational,as he talked about Air Forcevalues beginning with“Integrity First.”

He said he had no experiencebefore the ROTC at UH, andthat Col. Phil Bossert advisedhim to “Work you backsideoff!” He described howexciting it was for a youngcollege student to pilot a planefor the first time.

Timme is the father of a six-year-old daughter, and he hasworked several simultaneousjobs to support her. Despitethat horrendous schedule, hegot the #1 scholarship out of80 cadets! And hemiraculously overcame somevision problems to do it.

Now is able to mentor youngcadets but still works fourjobs. He praised the ROTCfor the beginning of anexciting career. And he toldall our members: “You haveset the foundation for what themilitary is today, and I justsay, ‘THANK YOU!’”

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, May 2013, p. 3

Photos From Our April

Meeting

Susan Parrish, from theprestigious West HoustonChamber of Commerce, was

a veryspecialguest. Shemet withsix of ourWWIIveterans,and she letus know

that their annual Novembermeeting this year will honorall veterans of World War II.

And was our crackphotographer COL AndyParsons ever busy at ourmeeting at the lovelyBraeburn Country Club.Check out the rest of the pixhe got for us from April 27.

Harold Fessler Army

Donald Standiford Army

Military Order ofWorld Wars

Meets the 4th Thursdayfor Luncheons atRudi Lechner’s Restaurant,2503 S. Gessner.Our members are invited toattend.

When the character of a manis not clear to you, look at hisfriends.

–Japanese Proverb

Character consists of whatyou do on the third and fourthtries.

–James Michener

VP Kerry Magee presentscertificate to CMaj Timme

Immediate Past-Pres ErvinEggleston, USN

Jim Markwell, Navy

Susan Parrish with our WWII VetsDouglass, Fessler, Eggleston, Markwell,Geist, and Standiford

John Douglass, Army

George Geist Air Force

Maj Martin Harris withWINNER Bobbye Parsons

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, May 2013, p. 4

President’sMessage

(cont’d from page 1)

The old gentleman turnedagain to the young boy, whonow sheepishly grinned athim, and I could see theexcited expectation on theboy’s face. “Son, I am noone special in the eyes ofsome who are here. They nodoubt see me as just their oldnext door neighbor, or theold man down the street. Others see me as a stranger.

He stopped to reflect for justa moment. “I am a youngboy like you, excited atseeing a parade, hearingmusic and the laughter ofpeople enjoying life. I am amother’s and father’s son, abrother, a nephew, agrandson, a neighbor’s boyjust like you. I grew up notfar from here, going toschool where you will go,playing ball on the fieldbelow the school, and buyingcandy at the little store acrossthe street. I am a young manwith my life stretchingbefore me, a husband andfather.”

The old gentleman settled inhis chair getting morecomfortable. He stared intothe boy’s eyes, as if seeingsomething lost or forgottenso long ago. “Son, sometimelong ago in this country weas a people–Americans–-made a decision whether wewould rule ourselves as anation of just laws of thepeople, by the people, andfor the people under God. This was something new fora nation and peoples,something demanding thatthe people be strong andattentive, equipped inspiritual matters and wisdomlest they lose what had been

gained in their fight for freedom andindependence. It is the same today.”

He looked to see if the boy waslistening, or if lost in the crowd’slaughter and noise. He noticed theboy’s gaze vigorously staring at him. He continued, “We formed a republicthat we the people have a say in, avote in. But Son, this is an awesomeresponsibility demanding that we actwith wisdom. That means that weunderstand the principles the Lordteaches us in the Bible so that thiscountry remains free andindependent. Our laws, our tradition,our very national character find theirbeginnings in God’s Word. We mustguard and defend our country’sfreedom at all cost, no matter whatthe sacrifice, so that every generationremains free and independent–so youwill never worry or fear the future.

“You ask who I am, Son. I’m everySoldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman andCoast Guardsman who has defendedthe Red, White, and Blue Flag thatsymbolizes our nation and all that weAmericans stand for, believe in, hopeand pray for. Our freedom is boughtat a price, just as Christ went to thecross so we might live in eternalfreedom. So also those who haveserved in uniform have paid the priceso we remain a free nation.” I heard the music growing louderindicating that the ceremony wasbeginning. The Color Guardapproached and I saw this manremove from his chair a wrinkled oldArmy garrison cap, place it on hishead and slowly rise with the aid of acane. He smiled at the young boy andhis father, pulling himself erect withchest out. He raised his witheredright hand and arm with pride,saluting the flag as it passed. It wasthen that I noticed the young boy,grinning and looking at the man, thenturn, raise his right arm and salute insolemn respect.

We must ensure the nation’s freedomand peace does not slip away intooblivion and that Veterans’ sacrificesare not forgotten nor allowed to

become a part of revisionisthistory. If not We, not Now,then Who and When? Freedom and Peace have aprice tag!!

A MEMORABLE ANDBLESSED MEMORIALDAY 2013 to ALL!

James W. “Pappy” Mehrmann,President, Captain, USNR, Ret.

NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS

At the April meeting, afterconsidering the critical stateof our treasury, the membersvoted unanimously toincrease the annual dues to$30 for regular members and$15 for auxiliary members.Members who have alreadypaid may pay the increase ona voluntary basis; for allothers, it is effectiveimmediately.

Also noting the major expenseof printing and mailing thenewsletter, the members votedunanimously to cease the printnewsletter and to publish itonly at our Web site,www.moaahoustonarea.com.It has been published on theWeb continuously, and allpast issues are there. Memberswho are not Internet-savvy orcomputer-literate surely havechildren or grandchildren whocan get the newsletters forthem. They generally go upon the Web site on the 1 orst

2 day of each month.nd

Thanks to all for yourpatience and help as we getthrough these tedious times.

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, May 2013, p. 5

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, May 2013, p. 6

MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, HOUSTON AREA Houston Corps of Cadets ROTC Endowment Fund–The University of Houston

(Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force)

Please Print Donor name:_______________________________________________________Mailing Address______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Phone: Day_______________Evening_____________e-mail__________________________

My pledge of $_________should be designed to support MOAA,HA Houston Corps of Cadets

My gift will be made with installments of $______to be paid monthly___quarterly___annually___. Beginning date:_______The Office of Stewardship will send reminders.)

__Enclosed is a check (made payable to University of Houston) for the first pledge payable.Please charge my credit card for the amount of my gift, as scheduled above:

___Visa ___Mastercard ___American Express ___DiscoverAccount Number_________________________________ Expiration date:_______________ Name as it appears on card:_________________________________________________Signature:_____________________________________________________________________I would like to be contacted about fulfilling my pledge with a gift of appreciated securities.My pledge payment will be matched by: __________________________________________ (Please specify company for our records)Donor signature:___________________________________date_______________________

Donor Signature:___________________________________date_______________________

Thank you for your support of the MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, HOUSTONAREA, HOUSTON CORPS OF CADETS ROTC ENDOWMENT FUND, THE UNIVERSITY OFHOUSTON____________________________________________________________________________

University of Houston; Advancement Services; P.O. Box 867; Houston TX 77001-0867 Attn: Nancy V. Clark E-mail: uh.edu/giving

ALL MEMBERS: PLEASE SEE IMPORTANT NOTICE ON

PAGE 5, COLUMN 3, CONCERNING UNANIMOUS

VOTES BY THE MEMBERS AT THE APRIL 2013

MONTHLY MEETING.

Please Support Our Advertisers

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, May 2013, p. 7

NAME: ____________________________________________________________________________(Please print) Last First Initial Grade Service Branch_____________________________________________________________________________Spouse’s first name: ________________________Tel. For Directory___________________________Home address:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Civilian Occupation:_________________________________________________________________Business Firm ____________________________________Business phone_____________________E-mail: ___________________________________________________________________________ Dues: Regular Membership $10 first year; annual renewal $20 Auxiliary (spouse of deceased officer) $10WOULD YOU SERVE ON A COMMITTEE? ___________________________________________Comments__________________________________________________________________________

Make check payable to MOAA,HA and send to MOAA,HA PO Box 1082 Houston TX 77251-1082

For more information, call Maj. Val G. Henneberg 713.729.8217

TO:

Military Officers Association of America, Houston AreaMembership is available to Officers who have held a Federal Warrant or Commission in any of the sevenuniformed services of the United States or to the surviving spouse of such a person. Please use this form forapplication for membership, renewal, or changes to the current directory of members.

Military Officers Association of America, Houston AreaPO Box 1082Houston TX 77251-1082

Nonprofit Org.

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Houston TX

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