SOUTHERN ILLINOIS’
LITTLE EGYPT CHAPTER
MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Vol.24 No 9
THE PATRIOT
September 2009
VIEW FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
Our August general membership meeting was the most entertaining meeting of the year with 29 members and guests attending the Southern Illinois Miners Semi-Pro Baseball game. After a catered dinner, we were totally involved in watching the Miners play an exciting, evenly matched game that was won by the home team in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, by a 400 foot smash to right center field. The fireworks that followed were spectacular.
Colonel George Hagans was presented the Illinois Veteran of the Month award at the DuQuoin State Fair on 30 August by Sergio Estrada, Assistant Director, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and several local elected representatives attended the ceremony. A special thanks to John DeReu, Second Vice President, IL COC, Mike Wieland, Immediate Past President, IL COC and Jack Michalski, President, IL COC and all the chapter members who attended.
At our last meeting we approved participation in the Marion Veterans on Parade with a float for members to ride on. Expenditures of up to $200.00 were approved by the Board of Directors for parade expenses with the stipulation that we purchase reusable items that will be available for future events. With these thoughts in mind, we are purchasing two large banners bearing the inscription "CONTINUING TO SERVE" which will be used on the float and other public events. Members who would like to participate in the parade are asked to contact George Hagans. If you want to work on the float, contact Walt Tomczak.
Chapter News
Chapter Programs: Old Marion Cemetery project. We will work on the cemetery Monday, 7 September from 9-noon (Labor Day). We will meet at the cemetery. Call or email Col Tomczak (549-5705, wtomczak@earthlink.net) if you can help out. Lawn mowers and grass trimmers are needed. Col Tomczak has a trailer to haul lawn mowers. Directions to the cemetery will be sent out later this week.
Chapter Website: Dave Wiggs has been working hard on our chapter website. Check it out at the following link: http://soillinoislittleegyptchapter.yolasite.com/
Membership Drive: The next step in membership drive is to have the MOAA National office send an email to local non-chapter MOAA members. I will be working with the National office to get the emails sent.
Chapter Flag: The chapter flag arrived and will be used on our Vets on Parade float in Marion on 12 Sep.
Membership: We have 35 paid members and 2 honorary members. Dues are $15.00 for general membership and $7.50 for associate/auxiliary memberships. Make checks payable to MOAA-S.I. Little Egypt Chapter and mail to Sunantha Simmons at 105 Whippoorwill Lane, Makanda, IL 62958. 2 The Patriot September 2009
Chapter Budget:
Chapter Budget: Starting Balance August 1, 2009 $2,421.18$183.77 paid for mailing letters to prospective members
$432.11 for MOAA flag
$132.00 paid for August meeting baseball game
$200.00 for Vets on Parade float material
Total $947.88 paid out.
$37.50 dues income was received
Ending Balance
August 31, 2009 $1,490.34News from the National MOAA Office: You can check out the September issue of Military Officer Magazine on line at http://www.moaa.org/pubs/pubs_mom/default.htm and click on
Military Officer magazine goes digital! Check out the MOAA Professional Series article entitled, "A Very Cold War" which examines the struggle for control of the Arctic waterways.September Chapter Meeting: September 19 at noon at the home of Bill & Carole Berry on the Lake of Egypt. Lunch will be a home cooked meal by Carole Berry for $10.00. Email or call your reservations to Sunantha Simmons by September 15th.
Next Board Meeting: Will be 8 October, location to be announced.
Misc Items:
Air Force Village: We received information on this non-profit retirement community located in San Antonio, TX. Representatives from Air Force Village will be at the Scott AFB Retiree Appreciation Day on September 26, 2009. I have promotional material for the Village if you would like to review.
Congratulations to Col Dale Holloman's daughter, Sandy Guymon, who received the Patriot Award from the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Sandy is a Nurse Manager at Belleville's Memorial Hospital Emergency Department.
Persistence: Albert Amateau, 105 years old, "I've lived my life in such a way that I knew I would live beyond 100," he explains. Being an avid walker has always been part of his life. He was once examined by an incredulous physician, 50 years his junior, who was amazed to hear that Mr. Amateau walked four or five miles every day.
"What do you do when it rains?" asked the doctor.
"I put on a raincoat," the old man replied.
From Salli Raspberry and Padi Selwyn
Living Your Life Out Loud
Pocket Books
Walter J. Tomczak, Colonel, USAF Ret
MOAA – S.I. Little Egypt Chapter President
Little Egypt Chapter 2009 Meeting Location and Times
Date Time Location Meal
September 19 12 Noon Bill & Carole Berry's home Berry's home cooking
October 17 12 Noon Crab Orchard Lake Boat Club Catered
November 21 5:00 PM Kokopelli Golf Club Golf Club
December 12 12 Noon Oakridge Manor
