THE HISTORY OF THE RETIRED
ENLISTED ASSOCIATIONTHE HISTORY OF THE RETIRED
ENLISTED ASSOCIATION
JULY 1978 TO JULY
1979
The National Convention was held in
Aurora, Colorado on July 20-22, 1978. Officers elected/appointed:
President - E. J. Grayckowski
1st Vice - Leo Acosta
2nd Vice - J. Early
3rd Vice - Lynnie Samms
Chaplain - Johnnie White
Treasurer - Dean Sorell
Secretary - H. Trujillo
Sgt-At-Arms - Floyd Fletcher
3-Yr. Trustee - Lee Newton
2-Yr. Trustee - Vic Mercer
1-Yr. Trustee - Gene Henning
President Newton appointed Delegate
J. McDonald (Chapter 1) to chair a committee with Delegates E. Reed (Chapter 3) and J.
Galmore, Jr. (Chapter 9), to determine the recipient of the Chapter President Award for
1978 in accordance with the current resolution of 1977.
President Newton appointed delegate
D. Duden (Chapter 3) to chair a committee with Delegates A. Garcia (Chapter 20) and E.
Henning (Chapter 18) to determine the most deserving Chapters on membership trophies,
founders (pioneers) and special recognition according to the classification of their
membership.
Old Business:
Legislative: Vice President L. Acosta
(Chapter 20) reported on many activities of this committee and mentioned that we should
spend about 44% of our resources on legislative matters. He highlighted the testimony of
the committee before congressional panels, successful action to stop aid for North Vietnam
and joint effort with other Veterans' organizations to increase disability payments to
disabled Veterans. He also stated many act of discrimination that occur in the hiring of
the Veterans under the Veterans Employment Act.
Membership: Vice President Lynnie
Samms (Chapter 4) reported possibly two or three new groups are interested in forming
Chapters. A new program to promote membership was started since the mid-year executive
meeting by Do Your Friend A Favor card. This method of promotion will give the membership
an opportunity to introduce names of friends to the REA. Chapter 16 is not all lost
because of a recent meeting that showed a great deal of interest. Probably Chapters are:
Topeka, Wichita and Abilene, Kansas; Columbus, Maryland; El Paso, Texas; and Merced,
California.
President Newton introduced a letter
on the subject of a full-time staff, dated June 15, 1978, to the floor. This motion was
referred to new business.
Action is being taken to obtain a
supplier for patches and necessary paperwork was received from the government to obtain a
copyright for the patent for our emblem.
Treasurer Dean Sorell (Chapter 1)
gave a breakdown of the $3.00 annual dues paid to National Headquarters for a member. The
proration of members' annual dues is:
$1.23 Newsletter 1.20 Travel .46
Postage .23 Telephone .18 $ 3.30
This breakdown shows that the annual
raffle and support by the members of volunteer help and contribution has proven very
successful in operation at National Headquarters. Delegate F. Murphy (Chapter 3) was
applauded for the undying effort in her ticket sales of the 1978 raffle.
Scholarships: Sgt-at-Arms F. Fletcher
(Chapter 1) reported that six applications were forwarded to member dependents and only
three were received for consideration. Two scholarships were awarded and one application
was disqualified. He recommended a new approach for a calendar as a means of raising funds
for the scholarships. This action was referred to new business.
Publicity: Secretary Grayckowski
(Chapter 1) gave a review of action of the staff of the Newsletter for the past year.
Again, a plea was put on the floor for assistance in reporting from Chapter Executive
Boards and members for articles and/or items for the Newsletter. Also, a request for a
news editor and/or overseen to do the Newsletter.
Rosters: Secretary Grayckowski
(Chapter 1) gave a review of the numerous products and statistical findings of the
national Headquarters rostering of the personnel by computer processes. A few of the
products are in a alphabetized roster by Chapter, labels for general members and selected
by Chapter, officer roster, consolidated alphabetical roster of members and lifetime
registry record with a statistical capability by Chapter or on the National level. It was
noted that once a member is in the REA system, his or her name is never removed from the
files and periodically a former member has been regain as an active member to the rolls
through different promotional and recruiting programs. The importance of timely reporting
and up-to-date cycle must be re-established to provide more effective utilization of
personnel rostering by National Headquarters.
Publication of a new color printed
magazine was discussed by the Executive Board this past year and was tabled due to the
cost of $15,000.00 to start and monthly maintenance of $8,000.00 to $10,000.00.
Office Manager: Secretary Grayckowski
(Chapter 1) reviewed the past year's action by the office staff and indicted a full-time
staff was needed, but was very skeptical of the funding. (A matter of later business.)
Insurance: Delegate Orsak (Chapter 1)
presented a new program for CHAMPUS supplement with interested companies. Details are to
be worked out and other Chapters may use Chapter 1 as a pilot program under the direction
of President Langley (Chapter 1).
Our Man in Washington': President
Newton provided an update of our status on the Our Man in Washington. He summarized a
report to US President Carter and a response of urgency on the subject matter from the
Chapters was excellent. A letter was received authorizing space in the REA building about
the first of November in 1978 in Arlington, Virginia.
Retiree Council: President Newton
advised a telephone call from Mr. E.A. Jackson, the coordinator for Retired Activities in
the Office of the Adjutant General, Washington, D.C., that the President of the Retired
Enlisted Association make a presentation in legislation activity of the U.S. Congress to
the annual meeting of the Department of the Army Retirees Council in late October or early
November. More information will be forthcoming in the near future. The delegation was
overwhelmed by the honor of their National president to address the members of the
Department of the Army Retiree Council to discuss matters and make recommendations to the
Chief of Staff. Matters of great concern to both active and retired personnel.
President Newton commented on the
next publication of Help Your Widow will offer your wife a very informative publication of
the Retired Officers Association (TROA) which the Retired Enlisted Association will
include with an application to Colonel Werner.
National Chapter: President
Grayckowski (Chapter 1) reported no action due to the lame ducks in Congress. We should
re-address the bill for appropriate action. This matter will be reconsidered by the new
Executive Board next sessions.
President Grayckowski announced the
awarding of the Founder's Cup to Chapter 1 of Colorado Springs, Colorado and the
President's Cup to Chapter 9 of Baltimore, Maryland for the retention of their membership
standing. The President's Trophy will be returned to the National Headquarters in an
inactive status until the 1979 Convention due to no recommendation being received from any
Chapter.
Delegate J. Beldon (Chapter 1) made a
motion to accept the Resolutions recommended by the Committee. Acceptance of the
Resolutions of the 1978 Convention were:
A. Amnesty B. Amend the Dual
Compensation Act of 1974 C. Enlisted Representation D. Recomputation of Retired Military
Pay E. Credit for Reserve Time Service F. Commissaries G. Commitment of American Troops H.
Retain Medical Care and Facilities for Retired Military Personnel I. The Right to Bear
Arms J. Veteran's Function Realignment K. Vietnam Recognition and Aid
Delegate J. White (Chapter 3)
requested consideration for an additional day of National Convention each year. After much
discussion, President Grayckowski indicated that an adjustment in the Convention agenda
could be realized and enable more working time for delegates and provide for more
relaxation. This will be discussed at a later Executive Board meeting.
Delegate E. Henning (Chapter 18)
moved that March 31 of each year shall be the cut-off date for statistical data in
awarding the Founder's and President's Cups.
Delegate N. Perry (Chapter 1) made a
motion that the appointment of a committee be made to explore the full-time, paid staff of
the National Headquarters.
Delegate G. Skonce (Chapter 1) moved
that the agenda of future Conventions should include items for the good of the order. This
item on the agenda is extremely useful for the delegates to place points of interest to
better the enhancement of the REA.
National Scholarships awarded: 2 at
$500 totaling $1,000.
Semi-Annual Executive Meeting for
1978-1979 was held on January 25, 1979.
MINUTES OF EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
FEBRUARY 24, 1979
President Grayckowski reported on the
meeting held with Mr. Flanagan of Denver, Colorado in regard to the insurance program
sought by National. The committee comprised of V. Mercer, J. Beldon and D. Sorell (all
from Chapter 1) attended this meeting. Rates are to be submitted with pamphlets on
insurance plans: life, term life, etc. Administrative Associates, Inc. will be our agent
of record. Reports will be mailed to Chapters when received. CHAMPUS and Medicare plans
will be first plans to be implemented about mid-March, 1979. First Vice President L.
Acosta (Chapter 20) mentioned that in Pueblo, Colorado, the Health, Education and Welfare
can provide health care based on income for about $3.00 per person.
Legislation: First Vice President L.
Acosta (Chapter 20) requested more participation by Chapters and members in writing to
their representatives about problems in their particular region. Members should get more
involved in the legislative running of our government. A write-up of legislation needing
attention was received and will be published i the April Newsletter.
MINI-EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING APRIL
14, 1979
President Grayckowski advised the
Board that the insurance program was with Kemper Insurance Company on CHAMPUS and the
Medicare supplement is in the final stages with the review of the brochure by Trustee V.
Mercer (Chapter 1), D. Belden (Chapter 1) and himself on Thursday, April 12, 1979. The
mailing should take place by May 1, 1979 to all members.