SEPTEMBER 2004 TO SEPTEMBER 2005
"Communication, the Bedrock of Leadership"
The 2004 convention was held in San Antonio, TX.
The following were elected or appointed to the Board of Directors:
President - LeRoy Riddell |
Auxiliary Board of Directors |
1st VP - Pat Corbett |
President Linda Bogert O'Brien |
2nd VP - Floyd Quisenberry |
Vice President Greta Master |
3rd VP - Lonnie Vessell |
Treasurer Sandy Ott |
Treasurer - Thomas O'Brien |
Director Gloria Criss |
Director - Ray Belvin |
Director/Chaplain Dora Creighton |
Director - Richard Habeck |
Director Sandra Milner |
Director - Billy Oneyear |
Secretary/APNP Kay Claman |
Director - John Martinez |
APNP Jan Jungemann |
Memorial Foundation - Bill DeBoer |
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TSCL Chair - George Smith |
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VSO - C.D. Rice, Jr. |
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Parliamentarian - Michael O'Brien |
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Chaplain - Jesse Whitfield |
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Past National President - David Washington |
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At the National Convention, delegates voted an additional five resolutions: 1) 55. Lower the Age when National Guard and Reserve Retirees Qualify to Start Collecting their Military Retired Pay, 2) 56. Increase the Educational Benefits under the National Guard and Reserve Montgomery GI Bill, 3) 57. Allow Members of the National Guard and Reserves to buy into Tricare for Themselves and Their Family, 4) 58. Improve Non Pay Retirements Benefits of the National Guard and Reserve, and 5) 59. Resolution to Support a Sheet of Commemorative Stamps Honoring American Vetern Service Organizations and Military/Veteran Organizations.
Mark Olanoff returned to the Washington office in October.
Before Congress adjourned to go home and campaign they passed the 2005 NDAA. The NDAA included abolishing the phase in for 100% VA disabled retirees to collect their full retirement pay, phase our the SBP widow's tax over 3-1/2 years, provide permanent military ID cards for spouses and survivors age 75 and older, and authorize year-round premium-based Tricare coverage for Selected Reserve members who have been recalled for at least 90 days since 9/11. The 2005 COLA was 2.7%. Several improvements to health care for National Guard and Reservists were included, as well as improvements to Survivor Benefits.
President LeRoy Riddell represented TREA at the Veterans Day celebration in Washington DC at Arlington National Cemetery. At that time he met Secretary of State Colin Powell.
In October, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit (filed on behalf of 58 servicemembers) against the Secretary of Defense, relating to the Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act. The judge rules that the lawsuit belonged in state courts.
We were in contact that Retiree Offices at bases around the country, trying to get the word out about TREA to those that were retiring from the service.
In December, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi resigned, and was replaced by Jim Nicholson.
In December, Larry Madison joined the Washington office as a Deputy Legislative Director.
In January, President George Bush was sworn in as President for a second term. Our Washington office and President LeRoy Riddell was invited to a discussion of military retiree benefits, hosted by Congressman Steve Buyer, Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee.
Several bills were introduced to cover our concerns: concurrent receipt, SBP, Guard and Reserve Benefits, Veteran Healthcare, Amend the IRS Code & Educational Benefits.
The Board of Directors voted to end the $1000 AD&D insurance and returning Life Membership dues after the death of a member. This was done as a cost cutting measure.
In February, the wife of Co-Founder George Skonce, Louise Skonce, died.
In March, the Awards Committee unveiled a new award: The JROTC Award. The award consists of a medal on a ribbon, a bar, and a certificate. The award is available to all high school JROTC programs and through TREA Chapters. They cost $10. In May we introduced our black "Remember Our Veterans" auto ribbon and silicone bracelet.
In April, President LeRoy Riddell testified before the Joint Veterans Affairs Committee. Prior to the testimony, TREA sponsored a Congressional Breakfast to recognize various members of TREA who have supported veteran/retiree issues.
Mark Olanoff also testified before the House Appropriations Committee's subcommittee of Military Quality of Life. Veterans Affairs. Deirdre Holleman also testified before the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel.
In June, TREA's Public Relations committee participated in "Operation Homecoming" (America's Tribute to Vietnam Veterans -- the homecoming they never received).
President LeRoy Riddell was invited to the White House for a breakfast prior to the Memorial Day Tribute. He then placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. He and Mark Olanoff also visited Walter Reed hospital and visited with wounded soldiers.
The 2005 BRAC (Base Alignment and Closure) was released. It targeted 180 military installations for either closure or realignment. Regional hearings were held throughout the remainder of the year.
Congress formed a committee of military and retired veterans to look into military/retired veteran benefits.
The Scholarship Committee/Memorial Foundation awarded 50 scholarships.
One chapter was chartered in 2005.