JULY 1968 TO JUNE 1969
REA organized a letter writing campaign to save the Old Soldiers Home in Washington, D.C.
The second National Convention was called to order by President Orsak on July 20, 1968 at Lowry Air Force Base. Officers elected/appointed were:
President - James Nelms
1st Vice - Clifford Monroe
2nd Vice - Ted Behner
3rd Vice - John Quint
Treasurer - Herman Sneiderman
Trustee - Julius Orsak
Cor. Sec. - Frances Murphy
Rec. Sec. - Henry Groen
Chaplain - Lawrence Tankersley
Sgt-At-Arms - Johnson Turner
President Orsak called for a discussion by all delegates and officers on the ways and means of increasing membership. A general discussion followed with the consensus of opinion being that the best way to get members is by personal contact.
Life Membership was introduced and a discussion followed. A motion was made by delegate Martinez, seconded by delegate Sorell, that Life Membership be made available to the members at the following cost:
Under age 50 - $75.00 From Age 50 through 64 - $50.00 Age 65 and over - $25.00
One-fifth of the membership fee will be forwarded to National. It was further stated that Life Membership would be transferable between Chapters. The motion was carried.
It was during this year that Co-Founder Dean Sorell built and donated a parade float to REA.
The subject of bulletins and newsletters was introduced and discussed at length. A motion was made by delegate Rosser that the National Organization publishes a quarterly newsletter. Another motion was made that the National Organization Officers would be reimbursed at the rate of $.10 per mile for official travel.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the National President of the RETIRED ENLISTED ASSOCIATION, INC., be given the authority to exert all efforts to contact all organizations which have retired military persons among its membership, and to request such organizations to cooperate on all items of mutual benefit.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National President be directed to create a National Legislative Council, comprising of one member from each organization, said council to be for the purpose of cooperating on legislation of benefits to retired members of the Armed Forces. Membership in this council shall in no way obligate the RETIRED ENLISTED ASSOCIATION, INC. to take any action contrary to its Constitution and By-Laws.
Two representatives from the Gov. Emp. Ins. Co. were introduced and the possibility of instituting a group life insurance plan was discussed.
At the October 18, 1968 meeting 11 members were assigned the task of looking at a possible building suitable for a clubhouse. The team would meet at 10:AM the nest Saturday for the inspection.
The National Flag was discussed and was adopted in the form of the original design. It cost approximately $79.68 to obtain the National Flag.
It was pointed out that each Chapter must present an annual report to the National Organization no later than the 15th of July of each year. The report is to be a financial report and a roster of officers of each Chapter.
Motion was made by delegate Sorell, seconded by delegate Martinez, that each Chapter elect one member as a Chapter Vice President to the National President. His duties are to keep in constant touch with the National President on all matters concerning Chapter and National. The motion was carried.