THE HISTORY OF THE RETIRED
ENLISTED ASSOCIATIONTHE HISTORY OF THE RETIRED
ENLISTED ASSOCIATION
JULY 1974 TO JULY
1975
Chapter 20 was formed in Pueblo,
Colorado on April 29, 1974.
National Convention was held in
Jacksonville, Florida on June 20-22, 1974. Officers elected/appointed:
President - Gene Henning
1st Vice - Harry Glass
2nd Vice - John Harrell
3rd Vice - Lee Newton
Treasurer - Vic Mercer
Secretary - Floyd Stevens
Chaplain- Johnnie White
Sgt-At-Arms- Henry Washington
3-Yr. Trustee - Dean Sorell
2-Yr. Trustee - Tom Abbott
1-Yr. Trustee - E. J. Grayckowski
Workshop: Mr. Harrell spoke on the
matter of legislation. His advice to whoever takes this matter to task was that they
should be familiar with the Congressional Record, Congressional Index, also, The
Congressional Handbook and to know the U.S. Senators and Representatives.
Workshop: Mr. J. White, National
Service Officer, informed us on our losing out on the medical benefits. Other benefits
such as G.I. Schooling and how those benefits are running out for many retirees. The loss
of these benefits was discussed among the delegates. As a parting thought, Mr. White
suggested that each Chapter must have a capable, active and effective Service Officer.
Mr. Glass reported on the results of
the Ladies Auxiliary's election of new officers:
Old Business: A report was given by
Mr. F. Stevens involving the Dual Compensation Law including (1) its effect on the
military retiree who is employed by the federal civil service, (2) how it has affected the
military retiree at various federal establishments around the United States, especially in
the San Francisco Bay Area and (3) the lawsuit challenging that law there. At this time we
are awaiting presently for our assignment to a hearing date. All legal briefs are filed.
New Business: President Henning
entertained a motion that all delegates' fees be paid to National and that any deficit of
the hosting Chapter be picked up by the Chapters or National at the Convention. The motion
was seconded by Mr. Sorell and carried.
Mr. Sorell will follow up on the
matter of supplemental insurance.
Mr. Orsak will continue with the
problem of our National Charter with Rep. Evans.
Mr. Perry (Chapter 1) made a motion
that the Scholarship Fund be shelved until the legality is resolved as to whether the
scholarships can be reserved for REA members and their dependents only. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Sorell and carried.
Mr. Skonce (Chapter 1) made a motion
that Chapter 3 write up information on Lifetime Membership and send it to National and
that National send it to all Chapters for a vote of approval.
Mr. Washington suggested that
National appoint a Chief of Staff for recruiting. Also, that each Chapter do likewise. No
action was taken.
Mr. Green (Chapter 9) made a motion
that the 1975 Convention should be held in Baltimore, Maryland. Chapter 9 would be the
host Chapter. The motion was seconded and carried.
Mr. Smith (Chapter 4) made a motion
that travel expenses for the National Officers be set by the National Executive Committee.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Washington and carried.
MINUTES OF NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 22, 1975
Unfinished Business:
Insurance Program Trustee Sorell
reported that we are unable to obtain insurance due to membership size.
Duplication Machine: After much
discussion on this matter, the members present shelved the purchase at this time, as it
has already been approved to purchase and as soon as the real need arises for said
machine, it will be purchased.
The Beret that Chapter 9 Uses: A
majority of the Chapters polled approved the beret.
Correction of Minutes for National
Convention: President Henning entertained a motion that all delegate fees be paid to
National and that any deficit of the hosting Chapter be picked up by the Chapters or
National at the Convention. The motion was made by Mr. Harrell, seconded by Mr. Sorell and
carried.
Plaques: President Gene Henning
presented plaques with the REA's symbol or evaluation. Motion to adopt said plaques was
shelved until the upcoming Convention in Baltimore.
MINUTES OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE MEETING OF JULY 24, 1975
Trustee Sorell reports that the
matter of an insurance program for this organization was not very probable due to the size
of the membership. Trustee Abbott reports that NAUS is to raise their insurance fees. Vice
President Harrell reports that FRA will also raise their insurance fees.
President Henning asks for a report
as to who was the first president of this organization. Committee consisting of Trustee
Sorell, Treasurer Mercer and Chapter 1 President Skonce had researched the minutes of this
organization for this report. The results of this committee's findings was that Mr. Skonce
was considered the first president, due to the fact that business reports performed in the
organization in 1963, 1964 and 1965 carried Mr. Skonce as president. This was determined
to be November 20 1964, the date that Chapter 2 in Columbus, Georgia was accepted, and so
designated. Chapter 1 was legally established in 1970 at the time their building at 102
South Weber Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado was purchased.
It was proposed that National
Headquarters establish an active office either a two or five day week for the purpose of
answering the phone and handling of the mail, etc. This was requested by Vice President
Newton and Secretary Stevens. It was felt that this action was necessary if we are to
function as an organization and grow. In the past, it has been virtually impossible for
interested parties to make contact with a live representative of the National Headquarters
directly. After much discussion, it was agreed that this office should be manned and the
Chapters and members be notified of times and days the office would be operational.
After much discussion, the purchase
of a duplicating machine was rejected.
Discussion was held in regard to the
beret as a National standard head cover. Colorado had already established that the
fore-and-aft type military head cover was prepared and members had invested monies in same
and that they were not agreeable to changing their covers. This item of business will be
brought up at the Convention.
By-Laws: President Henning posed a
question as to whether a Chapter not sending delegates to the Convention could give
authority to another Chapter to represent them and their proxy votes. Trustee Abbott
stated that a Chapter without a delegate cannot exercise its proxy vote or votes. He also
made reference to our By-laws: The Chapter exercising proxy vote/votes must have a Chapter
delegate present. Treasurer Mercer made this ruling into the form of a motion. The motion
was seconded by Trustee Sorell and carried. Trustee Abbott mentioned that the law of the
state takes precedence over the National By-Laws if there is a conflict.
Vice President Harrell mentions the
importance of the National Newsletter as being one thing considered as a connecting link
to the REA for a lot of our members.
Trustee Abbott relates as to the
requirements of the editor of the National Newsletter. He also stated that whoever is to
be the editor should subscribe and get on the mailing list of the Congressional Record.
Vice President Newton asked Trustee
Abbott if he is still on the Army's Advisory Council and if so would be continue to make
that source of information available to the new editor. His reply was affirmative.