2020-2022 EXECUTIVE BOARD of

DIRECTORS

President COL Bruce Bahr 1st Vice President

Vacant 2nd Vice President

Col (Dr.) Gregory Movsesian 3rd Vice President CPT Paul Case

Secretary Mrs. Liz Sigmon

Treasurer Maj DeLee Dankenbring

Director-at-Large MG James Pocock Past President ‘19 LtCol Doug Couto Past President ‘17 CW5 Tom McBeth Past President ‘15 LTC Jim Sigmon Newsletter Editor COL Bruce Bahr

Website Administrator COL George Noirot

March 2020 MOAA Dinner When: Thursday, 12 March

Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel 925 S. Creyts Rd, Lansing, MI (at I-496) SOCIAL HOUR: 6:00 p.m. DINNER: 6:30 p.m. PROGRAM: 7:30 p.m.

Menu Selections: (1) Signature Steak: Cooked medium and topped with sautéed onions and

demi-glace. Served with red skin potatoes and carrots. (2) Corned Beef and Cabbage: Corned Beef with boiled potatoes, cabbage

and carrots. (3) Salmon Florentine: Salmon with sautéed spinach, onion, lemon-dill sauce,

served with red skin potatoes and carrots.

Kale salad and Tuxedo Truffle Mousse cake served with all selections

Make your reservations by Thursday, 5 March 2020 Online at www.cacmoaa.org or contact CW4 Tony Kruckeberg,

armyblkhawk@yahoo.com, or (517) 575-9386 Include # of attendees. Cost is $27.00.

Make checks payable to Capitol Area Chapter MOAA

Capitol Area Chapter Military Officers Association of America

Timely Topics Chapter Website: www.cacmoaa.org

(Vol 2020 No. 2)

CAC Mission Statement Our mission is to support legislative and charitable

initiatives at the local, state, and national levels to enhance our families, communities and

country.

Membership

For membership inquiries please use this link:

www.cacmoaa.org. For eligibility or other questions

regarding membership please contact Gregory Movsesian at:

(313) 819-2870

Newsletter Help the chapter reduce

newsletter costs by requesting an email version in lieu of a printed copy. If you are able and would like to get this via

email, or if you need some help with it, contact me at

moaaeditor@gmail.com or call (517) 526-2406.

March Program

Our chapter welcomes Mark Chaput from the American Center for Mobility. His presentation will focus on the current and future evolution of autonomous vehicle technology, its potential impacts in the current age and future of the technology. Please join us as we seek insight into this remarkable new frontier and learn how it may impact our future on the highways and backroads of America.

MG James Pocock presents the CAC MOAA Chapter Certificate of Appreciation to Robert (Bob) Vondale for his talk at the February dinner meeting. Bob gave us insight into the Normandy invasion and his first-hand account of the events that took place during and after the historical event. His account of history and the way he lived life after his service time is a testament to the greatest generation!!

Special thanks to Auto Owners Insurance for their $1,000 contribution to our 2020 chapter

dinner meeting audio/visual expenses!!!

Past President Doug Couto presents the MOAA National Leadership Award to past president and current board member Jim Sigmon during the February dinner meeting. Jim is a valued member of our chapter and also serves on the MOAA State Council. Jim was recognized for his many accomplishments while serving our chapter. He continues to be a mentor and inspiration to chapter members and leaders in our organization. His spouse Liz (pictured) serves as the chapter secretary, a valued MOAA team!!!

Never Stop Serving!

NEVER STOP SERVING

USPHS Commissioned Corps Ready to take on Coronavirus As the number of people around the world infected with coronavirus continues to climb, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers are prepared to combat the virus on the home front. Since Monday, Commissioned Corps officers have worn their operational dress uniforms to convey their readiness to take on missions in the U.S. to fight coronavirus, and they will do so until the threat is eradicated or significantly diminished. “All of our officers are in their operational dress uniforms because we … are all ready to deploy as necessary. Right now, it’s a relatively limited deployment, although in very important roles,” said Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Brett Giroir, the Commissioned Corps’ top-ranking officer, in an interview with MOAA. “It’s changing on a daily basis, and we stand ready to deploy as needed.” RELATED: Defense Health Agency Offers Guidance on Coronavirus As America’s health responders, the Commissioned Corps’ current missions related to coronavirus include supporting the return of American citizens from China, assisting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with airport screenings to monitor the health of travelers, and working in the Department of Health and Human Services secretary’s operations center. While this situation poses a very serious public health threat, “we believe the risk to individuals in the U.S. to be low,” Giroir said. But it’s a rapidly evolving situation. “We have very good control measures right now for those entering the country,” he said. “We have quarantines set up for Americans who have traveled in those areas.” DoD is offering four military bases to accommodate up to 1,000 passengers who might need to be quarantined after traveling overseas. Bases include 168th Regiment, Regional Training Institute in Fort Carson, Colo.; Travis AFB, Calif.; Lackland AFB, Texas; and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. As of Sunday, American citizens who have visited China's Hubei province in the last two weeks are subject to a quarantine of up to 14 days after arriving in the U.S. Commissioned Corps officers are assisting with quarantine efforts. “This is an important health event,” Giroir said. “As America’s health responders, we want to make sure we’re ready to go as needed.” For answers to frequently asked questions and the latest updates on coronavirus, visit the CDC’s website.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2020

Now is the time for children and grandchildren of chapter members or disabled Michigan military members and/or their children to prepare applications for scholarships or book awards. It takes some time to obtain academic transcripts and other required information so applicants should not wait to get started. Applications must be received by March 15, 2020. For more detailed information see: www.cacmoaa.org/scholarship Scholarship application forms and information can be obtained from our web site www.cacmoaa.org and clicking on Scholarships in the heading.

Executive Board Meeting

Thursday, March 5, 2020 11:30 at Piazzano’s, 1825 N. Grand River, Lansing

Veterans Crisis Line The Veterans Crisis Line connects veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call (800) 273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available.

CAPITOL AREA CHAPTER MOAA 992 PENNINE RIDGE WAY GRAND LEDGE, MI 48837

PLACE STAMP HERE

Your local Capitol Area Chapter and National MOAA are nonpartisan groups representing all members regarding legislative issues and current events affecting you and your community! For more information regarding issues that affect you and your family members please use this link: HTTP://takeaction.moaa.org or call: (800) 234-6622, or (703) 549-2311