THE HISTORY OF THE RETIRED
ENLISTED ASSOCIATIONTHE HISTORY OF THE RETIRED
ENLISTED ASSOCIATION
JULY 1975 TO JULY
1976
National Convention was held in
Baltimore, Maryland on July 24-26, 1975. Officers elected/appointed:
President - Vic Mercer
1st Vice - Lee Newton
2nd Vice - Floyd Stevens
3rd Vice - Floyd Fletcher
Treasurer - Townsend Stancil
Secretary - E. J. Grayckowski
Chaplain - Johnnie White
Sgt-At-Arms - Brownie Edmonds
3-Yr. Trustee - Gene Henning
2-Yr. Trustee - Dean Sorell
1-Yr. Trustee - Tom Abbott
Legislative: Second Vice President
John Harrell gives his report on legislative workshop. He elaborates upon the need for the
legislative chairman to know the Senator and Representatives. He further relates the need
of the legislative chairman of each Chapter to know their Senators and Representatives and
to keep abreast of all legislative matters, especially those pertaining directly to the
military and the military retiree. Mr. Harrell stresses the need for our own legislative
lobbyist in Washington, D.C. He further points out that this man does not have to have the
experience of the diplomatic school, but to be friendly yet effective. He is to be
cooperative with other military organizations.
By-Laws: Trustee Abbott mentions that
as a result of the executive meeting just prior to the Convention, the executive committee
adopted a change in the By-Laws. This change regarded the use of proxy votes. The present
By-Laws state proxy votes are permitted to Chapters more than 500 miles from the site of
the Convention. He added those chapters exercising proxy vote/votes must have a delegate
present at the Convention.
It is most important that each
Chapter have its own By-Laws. It is a guideline to operate the Chapter by. These must
comply with the laws of the state in which the Chapter is located.
Dual Compensation Law is still in
effect. Vice President Harrell admits being a bit skeptical by admitting defeat in this
matter. He made reference to Chapter 18's continued effort to accomplish their goals via
court action. Their case is now pending the appeals' decision of the Newport News, class
action James A. Carini, et al, Plaintiffs vs. United States of America, et al, Defendants,
Civil Action No. 74- 88-NN.
Vice President Harrell reflects on
the seriousness of the MIA problem. He feels there is some way to put pressure on the
Vietnamese so as to get proper response. Vice President Harrell refers to the Hatch Act.
He wished H. Washington was present, as this was his request, but if the Act is amended,
it would permit civil service employees to be more active in politics. He felt that it had
a good chance for an amendment.
Vice President Harrell feels that
amnesty is more undesirable than ever and fears that with the present law signed by
President Ford giving General Lee amnesty, that will in some way allow our present deserts
a free ticket home.
Old Business: On supplemental
insurance, Mr. Grayckowski reports that he felt that the endowment plan that he had
investigated recently was not proper for the REA. He would not recommend it.
National Charter: Mr. Orsak reported
that the government had not issued a national charter for ten years and did not want to
issue any more.
Trustee Grayckowski reported on the
lifetime membership over the past years. He pointed out the problems of continuing at the
present rates.
Awards: President Henning appointed a
committee to study the matter of trophy awards. Delegate Orsak as chairman with Delegate
Murphy (Chapter 3) and Delegate Welch (Chapter 9).
President Henning brought up the
subject of a uniform cap. Delegate Stancil (Chapter 1) advocates the fore-and-aft cap as
it was adopted and money spent for same. President Henning recalls a letter circulated to
various Chapters suggesting that each Chapter select its own cap as long as the color and
emblems are similar. Delegate Abbott (Chapter 4) to add an amendment that in order to
assure uniformity, that each Chapter choose its own, but that within Chapter all would be
the same. Motion was made and carried. Delegate Abbott proposed that Chapter 9 be the
procurement agent for the beret. Delegate Newton (Chapter 9) accepts. Delegate Reed
(Chapter 3) suggests that Chapter 1 be the procurement agent for the fore-and-aft cap.
Scholarship Fund: Mr. Skonce made a
motion to reopen the scholarship program. Delegate Abbott (Chapter 4) seconded the motion
and it was carried. Mr. Orsak made a thorough and lengthy report on the scholarship
program. He made a motion that this program be for the REA members and their dependents
only. The motion was seconded by Delegate Stancil and carried. We were informed that bingo
funds may go into the fund by donating to National Scholarship Fund and National donates
to scholarships as needed. Delegate Skonce made a motion that scholarships be awarded by
next June. Delegate Edmonds seconded and proposed an amendment to read: Let the committee
continue working on it.
President Henning placed the question
inquiring who was the first president for the REA to Convention delegates. He stated a
committee was formed at the February Executive Committee. Trustee Sorell gave an
investigative report. He read excerpts from REA minutes for the years of 1963, 1964 and
1965, where Delegate Skonce acted in the office of president of the REA. Delegate Edmonds
(Chapter 19) made a motion that we accept Mr. Skonce as the first Chairman of the REA and
Mr. Orsak the first duly-elected President at a National Convention. Delegate Reed
(Chapter 3) seconded the motion. Delegate Abbott amended the motion to read, that Mr.
Skonce was first National President of the REA. Delegate Tankersley (Chapter 3) seconded
the motion. The amendment was defeated. The original motion was carried.
Delegate Fletcher made a motion that
REA give a plaque to the outgoing president in recognition of past services. Motion was
seconded by Delegate Tankersley.
Delegate Skonce (Chapter 1) made a
motion that the Convention be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado for 1976. The motion was
seconded by Delegate Fletcher (Chapter 1) and carried.
Mr. Harrell reported on prior
resolutions status. He mentioned that one of the previous resolutions had been acted upon
and amended so that the military retiree while working federal civil service and should
become injured in the line of work, he may now receive workers' compensation without
forfeiture of his military retired pay.
Delegate Skonce (Chapter 1) made a
motion that the officers' travel be paid in accordance with National's ability to pay them
for the 1976 Convention. The motion was seconded by Delegate Abbott (Chapter 4) and
carried.
Delegate Davis (Chapter 9) made a
motion that National Headquarters have a banner to read: National Headquarters, REA Inc. -
W/Emblem. The motion was seconded by Delegate Galmore (Chapter 9). Delegate Abbott
(Chapter 4) amended the motion to read: Adopt and purchase a banner for National
Headquarters. The motion was seconded by Delegate Welch (Chapter 9) and the motion was
approved and carried.
Delegate Orsak (Chapter 1) proposed
that an active office should be maintained at National Headquarters. Delegate Edmonds
(Chapter 19) made Mr. Orsak's proposal into the form of a motion. The motion was seconded
by Mr. Stancil (Chapter 1). President Mercer stated that the Executive Committee had taken
action on this matter. President Mercer asked that the motion and second be withdrawn.
MINUTES OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 21, 1976
Mrs. Carman Jopling of El Paso,
Texas, President of Carman and Associates, a wearing apparel manufacturer, made a
presentation to the executive board of a cap, shirt, vest, officer tabs for the caps,
neckties, flags and banners. All products carry a ten year guarantee matching the colors
on fabrics. Details of the products will be described in separate correspondence with
color pictures.
A motion was made by Trustee Abbott
(Chapter 4) and seconded by Vice President Fletcher (Chapter 1) that Carman and Associates
of El Paso, Texas shall be designated the supplier of authorized REA wearing apparel. The
procurement of REA flags and banners shall be optional items to the Association. The
motion was seconded and carried.
Mr. Thomas Langley of Northwestern
National Life Insurance Company presented a Disability Income Plan (DIP) to provide a
benefit to the membership. This plan would provide financial support for a family budget
in the event of serious sickness or disability of the bread-winner in a family. This
benefit was developed for the REA, as partial supplement to CHAMPUS. The highlights of
this plan are: pays in or out of the hospital; pays even though you are in a military
hospital, gives additional life benefits, cost is low for the protection offered, in many
cases no physical is required, renewable to age 65, guaranteed non-cancelable, waiver of
premium included, payment by allotment and tax deductible.
A motion was made by Secretary
Grayckowski (Chapter 1) and seconded by Trustee Abbott (Chapter 4) that National
Headquarters accept this Disability Income Plan for the REA membership from the
Northwestern National Life Insurance Company and it shall be known as DIP. The motion was
seconded and carried.
President Mercer (Chapter 1) gave a
briefing on the national Scholarship Program. He announced the committee voted to present
four scholarships of $500.00 each this year. The selection board for this year's
scholarship program will meet shortly after the first of April, 1976, so the recipients
being awarded the scholarships and their respective schools may be notified prior to this
year's commencement exercises.
President Mercer (Chapter 1) briefed
the board on the progress of the National Charter since the last convention. A couple of
very dismal replies were received from the Colorado Representatives Frank Evans (D) and
William Armstrong (R) that no new National Charters have been granted in recent years. A
request has been sent to Representative Armstrong to procure the latest requirements for a
National Charter.
A plan to provide additional revenue
for National Headquarters Newsletter through advertising route was presented by Secretary
(editor) Grayckowski (Chapter 1). A motion was made by Vice President Fletcher (Chapter 1)
and seconded by Sgt-at- Arms Clark (Chapter 1) that an attempt be made to procure
advertising for a couple of issues of the National Newsletter. The motion was seconded and
carried.
A motion was made by Trustee Sorell
(Chapter 1) and seconded by Trustee Abbott (Chapter 4) that the board reject a proposed
By-Laws amendment from Chapter President Edmonds (Chapter 19) of adding a new paragraph to
Article XI: Each National Officer present at the National Convention will be allowed one
vote each, on all motions or amendments coming from the floor of the convention. The
National Officers would not be allowed to place any motions or amendments on the floor.
The National Officers voting will not in any way change the present procedure of selecting
the number of allowable delegates from the various chapters to attend the National
Convention. Each National Officer attending the National Convention will pay the standard
delegate registration fee. The motion was seconded and carried.
A motion was made by Trustee Sorell
(Chapter 1) and seconded by Trustee Henning Chapter 18) that the board accept the proposed
By-Laws amendment from Trustee Abbott (Chapter 4) which would add new paragraphs to
Article XX - Obligations to National Headquarters: (5) The first chapter granted within
any state shall be designated as state headquarters and such designation shall remain
exclusive as long as the chapter remains active. (6) If a state headquarters becomes
inactive, the National Headquarters shall designate another chapter to assume the duties
of the state headquarters. After much discussion on the subject of state headquarters, a
motion was made to table a final determination until the Executive Board meeting on July
22, 1976 by Vice President Fletcher (Chapter 1) and seconded by Sgt-at-Arms Clark (Chapter
1). A tabling motion carried.
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
MEETING JULY 22, 1976
Trustee Sorell stated that the
By-Laws on state headquarters had accidentally not been placed on the current By-Laws when
they were redone while he was President. He made a motion that the following two
paragraphs be added to the current By-Laws under Article XX - Obligations to National
Headquarters: (5) The first chapter granted within any state shall be designated as State
Headquarters and such designation shall remain exclusive as long as the chapter remains
active. (6) If a State Headquarters becomes inactive, the National Headquarters shall
designate another chapter to assume the duties of the State Headquarters. The motion was
seconded by Chaplain White (Chapter 3) and carried.
After much discussion, it was decided
that the Chapter presently being formed in Atlanta, Georgia by Smaj Joe Bussey would have
the designation of Chapter 21. This was agreed by all present.
A motion was made by 1st Vice
President Newton (Chapter 9) that active chapters would be assigned numbers
chronologically from number 21 to number 50 and after reach 50, the defunct chapter
numbers would be issued. The motion was seconded by Trustee Henning (Chapter 18) and
carried.
A motion was made by Secretary
Grayckowski (Chapter 1) that members of the Executive Board be paid $.10 per mile for
travel (not locally) and would be paid upon submission of a report to National
Headquarters. The motion was seconded by Chaplain White (Chapter 3) and carried.
Mandate was made at the last National
Convention in Baltimore that separate lifetime account (for funds received at National) be
established. Treasurer Stancil stated that such an account had been established.