THE HISTORY OF THE RETIRED
ENLISTED ASSOCIATIONTHE HISTORY OF THE RETIRED
ENLISTED ASSOCIATION
JULY 1979 TO JULY
1980
The National Convention was held in
Pueblo, Colorado on July 26-28, 1979. Officers elected/appointed:
President - Vince Horan
1st Vice - Leo Acosta
2nd Vice - Lynnie Samms
3rd Vice - E.W. Sawley
Chaplain - Johnnie White
Treasurer - Dean Sorell
Secretary - H. Trujillo
Sgt-At-Arms - Cameron Blagg
3-Yr. Trustee - E.J. Grayckowski
2-Yr. Trustee - Lee Newton
1-Yr. Trustee - Del Duden
Special announcement was made of
another first for a National Convention - Sgt. Francis Murphy staged a pajama party in the
secondary hospitality room.
A committee report by Al Gutierrez
(Chapter 20) that Chapter 3 President Delbert Duden is the recipient of the REA
Outstanding Chapter President Award.
Fund raising discussion was held from
the floor rather than in work shop. President Grayckowski reviewed a few of the ways funds
were raised in the past years. Lynnie Samms (Chapter 4) stated the scholarship calendars
have helped in providing funds for scholarships and encouraged membership in his area.
Treasurer Sorell pointed out the rising costs of calendars was a heavy drain on the
Scholarship Fund. It was suggested from the floor to consider that $.50 of membership dues
be earmarked to the Scholarship Fund. It was also suggested that reorder and offerings of
National jewelry, patches and decals can be a good source of revenue.
Mr. Thomas Flanagan, President of the
Flanagan Insurance Corporation, was presented to the joint delegation for a detailed
report on the new coverage and, after much discussion, many fine points were revealed to
the membership. Mr. Flanagan stated the enrollment period would remain open to the 1st of
November, 1980.
Legislative: First vice President Leo
Acosta showed the organization was active in many areas of vital interest to the retirees:
(1) Great opposition to the Panama
Canal Treaty. (2) Reverting the authority to the Senate for termination of treaties. (3)
Veterans' Preference Act. (4) Involved in presentation of views for ratification of SALT
II Treaty. (5) Took steps to recognize the Vietnam Era Veterans. 1. Lobbied to retain the
twice-a-year cost-of-living increases.
Scholarship: Member Floyd Fletcher
showed the committee awarded five scholarships this past year. A further recommendation
was that the Board include an educator in the selections of the awards in the coming
years.
Administration: President Grayckowski
revealed the Chapters were not complying with the By-Laws in their reporting to National
Headquarters. Numerous cases were cited of extra work to receive reports from the
Chapters. Delegate Sawley (Chapter 19) suggested a checklist be provided for Chapters to
avoid late reporting.
First Vice President Leo Acosta
petitioned the chair to seat a late delegation arrival from the peach state of the
southeastern region of our great nation, Chapter 21, Atlanta, Georgia to be represented by
Mr. William Rosser. The delegation graciously accepted the petition and the record was
changed to show an increase of one vote for the member from Chapter 21.
National Charter: President
Grayckowski revealed no new status for the past year. The numerous suggestions from the
delegation that the old bill should be re-written and possibly be re-introduced during the
upcoming election year. First Vice President Acosta will report at the next Convention of
new action regarding re- submission for congressional action.
President Horan read the reports from
two committees on the awarding of trophies:
Founder's Trophy Chapter 1, Colorado
Springs, Colorado President's Trophy Chapter 21, Atlanta, Georgia
President Horan announced minor
changes in the hours of the operation schedule at National Headquarters. The new hours of
manning would be 0930 - 1300 M.S.T. each Saturday until further notice.
A previous year Convention motion to
change the Convention month from July to August was not approved by the delegation. It was
their desire to continue holding the Convention in July in accordance with the By-Laws.
The Resolutions for the Convention
were presented by 1st Vice President Acosta and carried as follows:
RESOLUTIONS
Loyalty to the country Oppose the
prosecution of the F.B.I. by the Attorney General Seek alternative solution to
recomputation
Mr. Orsak (Chapter 1) motioned that
the Executive Committee would conduct the National Convention and be held by a Chapter who
may assist in the social activities with no expense to the hosting Chapter. The motion was
tabled until the next Convention.
Mr. Orsak (Chapter 1) motioned that
the Scholarship Committee would have a person from a university or college to be part of
the selection of the recipients for scholarships. Also, all awards for scholarship shall
not exceed $500 on a one-time basis, providing the funds are available. The motion was
seconded and carried.
CHAMPUS and Medicare Supplement Plan
was made available to REA members.
Scholarships awarded: 5 at $500
totaling $1,500
MINUTES OF EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
FEBRUARY 23, 1980
At this time, 1st Vice President L.
Acosta announced to the Executive Board that Mr. Ambrose Garcia would be the Convention
Chairman for the 1980 National Convention to be held July 24-26, 1980. The Board broke
from the regular agenda to discuss Convention items with Mr. Garcia and John Gonzales
(Chapter 20) to be held at the Ramada Inn in Pueblo, Colorado.
Third Vice President Sawley had a
request from the Members in Chapter 19 as to the reason why the REA name was not found in
items of the Congressional Record concerning retirees. President Horan advised that the
direct liaison was lacking with the administrative staff of The Retired Officers
Association (TROA), but we have pursued many items of interest with committees and
congressional personnel all year long, even to the point of stating the association
support or objection to the Commander in Chief on several items of retiree matter.
It was noted to the Board that the
insurance with Lumbermans Mutual was considered closed due to insufficient enrollment.
Contacts with Flanagan Insurance Corporation to obtain final closure was being
accomplished at this time.
MINUTES OF EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
JULY 25, 1980
Chief of Staff Grayckowski gave a
short briefing for the benefit of the new members of the Board: (1) the hours of operation
are normally Saturday 0900 - 1200 M.S.T.; (2) any supplies required are always available;
and (3) a new list of officers will be forwarded in the immediate future. The discussion
of the Newsletter was conducted with the Board feeling the Newsletter would enhance the
growth. Al Gutierrez will be the new editor effective in the November issue of the
Newsletter. Standards will be published at a later date upon finding of facility and
printer.