THE HISTORY OF THE RETIRED
ENLISTED ASSOCIATIONTHE HISTORY OF THE RETIRED
ENLISTED ASSOCIATION
JULY 1973 TO JULY
1974
Chapter 1 burned the mortgage on the
Chapter 1 Clubhouse.
REA backs Senator Hartke's Recomp.
Amendment which is later scuttled by House/Senate Conference Committee.
REA participates in NAUS Retirement
Pay Data Survey to provide additional reasons for Recomp.
REA jewelry available to REA members.
A Washington Report added to REA
National Newsletter.
REA National Scholarship Program
established, but limited funds available and no scholarships were awarded in 1973.
National Convention held in Aurora,
Colorado on June 21-23, 1973. 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 - Irving E. Lane
3-Yr. Trustee - Tom Abbott
2-Yr. Trustee - E. J. Grayckowski
1-Yr. Trustee - Dean Sorell
Unfinished Business: National
Scholarship Fund - a motion by Mr. Sorell and Mr. White that an allocation of $200.00 from
National's General Funds, plus $.25 of each per capita tax paid to National, be placed in
an Escrow Fund for the financing of scholarships. The motion was carried.
New Business: Membership Trophies -
Mr. Abbott appointed Mr. Henning and Mr. Harrell as a committee for the purpose of
selecting the winners of the trophies awarded by National Headquarters to the Chapter
attaining the largest number of paid-up members during the membership drive for the period
1 April through 23 June 1973. The trophies will be presented at the Convention Banquet on
Saturday, 24 June 1973.
Veterans' Benefits and Entitlements:
Mr. Abbott presented a workshop on Data Pertaining to Veterans' Benefits. Distributed to
all delegates for Chapter use were leaflets on publications available on veterans'
benefits, their cost, where to apply, etc. The publication of veterans information service
entitled What Every Veteran Should Know explains each and every aspect of veterans'
entitlements and benefits and there is a supplemental service available to keep the
booklet updated and current.
Workshop: Mr. R. McNeil spoke of the
areas wherein the Chapter Service Officer can be of assistance to the members in advising
and referring the member as to VA entitlements and others. He also entered a proposal of a
new organization which was referred to the National Executive Committee for their
consideration.
Workshop: Mr. D. Mosher, speaking on
their behalf, stated the Ladies Auxiliary was conducting its own meeting at this
Convention.
Recomputation of Retired Pay: It was
stated by Mr. Abbott that legislative bills S- 762, S-838 and others, as concerns
recomputation, are being delayed for the time being in Committee. However, the issue is
not dead.
Membership: Treasurer Grayckowski
reported the recorded membership in REA as of 31 March 1973 at 1,492 members.
Insurance Program: A brief resume
pertaining to the final status of the organization's insurance program was given by Mr.
Grayckowski.
National Scholarship Fund: Reported
on by President Abbott that the National Executive Committee has allocated $200.00 from
National's general fund be placed in escrow to start the Scholarship Fund. Donations for
the Scholarship Fund will be accepted. President John Diemer, speaking on behalf of the
Chapter, stated that Chapter 3 would donate $1,000.00 towards the Scholarship Fund. Mr.
Mercer, on behalf of Chapter 1, requested and was granted time to caucus as pertains to
the Scholarship Fund.
Congressional Charter: Mr. Orsak
(Chapter 1) will look into the matter of reintroducing a bill to Congress to grant a
National Charter to REA.
Recognition of Outgoing President: An
engraved plaque suitable to the occasion was decided on.
Lifetime Membership: A motion was
made by Mr. Mercer (Chapter 1) and Mr. Tankersley (Chapter 3) that a plastic plate, black
on gold, of wallet size, be pursued for recognition of Lifetime Members of REA. The motion
was carried.
Dual Compensation Act: Mr. Henning
(Chapter 18) and Mr. Stevens (Chapter 18) will carry on with the court action being fought
on behalf of all military retirees as concerns the Dual Compensation Act of 1964. Even
thought he suit was lost, attention was focused on the plight of the military retirees.
MINUTES OF NATIONAL EXECUTE
COMMITT4EE MEETING JUNE 23, 1973
The meeting was held at the Voyager
Inn at Interstate 70 and Chambers Road in Aurora, Colorado.
New Business:
Scholarship Fund: Chapter 4 Auxiliary
will assume responsibility for mailing the National Bulletins bi-monthly. Chapter 4
Auxiliary will be paid $10.00 bi-monthly for labor. National Headquarters will share the
cost of the mailing permit with Chapter 4, providing it is agreeable with the postmaster
of June City, Kansas for joint usage of Chapter 4 mailing permit. National will furnish
mailing labels approximately the first of the month of mailing.
Insurance Program: President Henning
stated the insurance board would work on the resolution to obtain participation in a
CHAMPUS Supplemental Insurance Program with or through recognized organizations.
Purchase of Flag and Staffs: The
purchase of National Colors and Staffs for National Colors and Retired Enlisted
Association Flag was tabled until the mid-year executive meeting.
Veterans' Benefits: National will
purchase from Veterans Information Service, East Moline, Illinois, several copies of their
veterans' information publication, "What Every Veteran Should Now" with
supplemental service of use by Service Officer Committee and National Headquarters to
advise and keep Charters up to date on veterans' affairs and benefits.
MINUTES OF NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 23, 1974
Unfinished Business:
Color Staffs for National:
Unanimously approved to purchase two color staffs for National.
Insurance Program: Trustee Sorell
reported that he is awaiting information from John Wenger on a plan that is felt will be
adaptable to REA's needs. More information will be provided later.
Congressional Charter: Status is
still active in Congress according to Congressional Representative Evans of Colorado.
Lifetime Membership Cards. Cards have
been purchased and signed and are to be presented at the 11th Anniversary Banquet and Ball
of Chapter 1 in Colorado Springs, Colorado on February 23, 1974.
By-Laws - Article XIII Meetings. Note
to be added (the National Convention will be held in the month of July). Approved.
In accordance with Article IV and XIX
Amendments, the dues will be raised to $3.00 per Chapter member. Approved.