THE HISTORY OF THE RETIRED
ENLISTED ASSOCIATIONTHE HISTORY OF THE RETIRED
ENLISTED ASSOCIATION
JULY 1980 TO JULY 1981
The National Convention was held in
Pueblo, Colorado on July 23-26, 1980. Officers elected/appointed:
President - Del Duden
1st Vice - Lynnie Samms
2nd Vice - E.W. Sawley
3rd Vice - Wilfred Pelletier
Treasurer - Dean Sorell
Secretary - Robert Weibel
Chaplain - Johnnie White
Sgt-At-Arms - Cameron Blagg
3-Yr. Trustee - Leo Acosta
2-Yr. Trustee - E.J. Grayckowski
1-Yr. Trustee - Lee Newton
Benefits: Chaplain White covered the
subject so dear to the hearts and welfare of members of REA - benefits, items which
Congress gives us one and takes two away. He stressed the continued fight to retain the
medical care at military installations. Dental treatment is on a very limited basis and
nonexistent in many localities. Membership was instrumental in our fight to defeat the
extra charge of $3.00 on any medical treatment this past year. Chaplain White commented on
the battle to maintain the commissaries.
Legislation: First Vice President
Acosta presented a fine legislative report on the floor that showed a greater need of
participation by all members of the REA through their legislative representation and good
constructive letter writing to our Congressional Representatives. Vice President Acosta
noted that many Chapters attempting great legislative action to get tax exemption in
Kansas, a veteran nursing home in Colorado and fight to eliminate upcoming legislation for
a divorcee to receive a portion of a retiree's pay. He stated that The Retired Officers
Association representing us in Washington needs our input and total support to overcome
legislative battles. Points that were stressed: (1) the VFW saw necessity to get into the
political picture due to the declining support of Congress by forming a committee known as
Political Action Committee (PAC). He felt strong about REA forming the same type of unit
to battle lack of congressional support of the retiree legislative; (2) only through
involvement can we have better influence on all issues; and (3) we should become known on
all issues for better recognition as fighting associations of beliefs.
Vice President Acosta summarized his
report with a few issues of the delegates to require their officers to provide more effort
on programs and proposals with greater accountability to the membership:
(1) Direct legislative action on key
issues. (2) Push for a CHAMPUS supplement. (3) Fight for the B1 Bomber. (4) Help fight
inflation with greater efforts. (5) Push for better medical care. (6) Go on record to ask
the President and/or official of the United States to apologize to any foreign country.
Membership: Second Vice President
Samms noted membership growth for the past year was lacking due to loss of communication
and a need for new Chapter organizing packets which were not reaccomplished and/or
forwarded as requested. He indicated a delegate in the Convention had been waiting for
subject correspondence. Insurance programs failed to produce any results due to the lack
of participation by members. He visited the former Chapter of Salinas, Kansas, which
recently reactivated and a functioning Chapter known as 16.
Vice President Samms visited Chapter
22 in Waco, Texas this past year. Chapter 22 president requested we consider a resolution
to have the word veteran attached to retiree, so as to add greater clout in regulation and
directives. Also, they requested an update on the jewelry prices.
Scholarship: Delegate Fletcher
convened in Colorado Springs, Colorado and reviewed five applications. The minutes of the
1979 National Convention directed there would be three $500 recipients for 1980
Scholarship Grants. For the first time in the history of the scholarship program, the
recipients were announced in the National Convention booklet. Mr. Fletcher acknowledged
the $1,000 donation by Chapter 3.
First committee report on the
Convention was submitted by Delegate Duden on the Outstanding President Award. After due
deliberation, this committee found that Cameron A. Blagg, Sr. of Chapter 20 be awarded the
trophy for the year of 1980- 81.
Delegate Sawley (Chapter 20)
presented the report of Founder's and President's Awards to President Horan. The
recipients of the 1979-80 awards are:
Founder's Award Chapter 3 Denver,
Colorado President's Award Chapter 20 Pueblo, Colorado
Trustee Acosta, Chairman of the
Resolution Committee, presented the recommendations to the floor of the Convention of the
following Resolutions:
RESOLUTIONS
Defense posture Weapons Medical
Medicare Discrimination Cuba Draft Iran
Delegate Samms (Chapter 4) made a
motion that a committee be founded to provide National Headquarters with a Standard
Operating Policy Guidelines for the hosting Chapters of a National Convention. This
committee will consist of personnel from Chapters 1, 3 and 20 and any other interested
members that have performed duties of the Convention Committee. These guidelines should
present ideas of planning, timetables, lodging and facilities arrangements, keeping in
mind that smaller Chapters utilizing these guidelines may have limited resources. Attached
is a basic starter for the guidelines, which should be completed and in the hands of the
1981 hosting Chapter by the last day of September, 1980. The motion was carried.
Delegate Fletcher (1) made a motion
that $.50 of each member's dues that is paid to National be put into the scholarship fund
to help build up the fund. The motion was carried.
Delegate McNichols made a motion that
a host Chapter will run the Convention. If it suffers a financial lost for just expenses,
it will be refunded by National. The host Chapter will be responsible for all details of
running the Convention. The motion was carried.
Delegate McNichols (2) made a motion
that the REA, as an association, and individuals, petition the Congress for support of
other veteran organizations to petition Congress to issue a stamp commemorating the REA's
20th Anniversary. The motion was carried.
The National Mid-Term Executive
Meeting was held on February 5, 1981.
MINUTES OF THE 1981 MID-TERM NATIONAL
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
On September 18, 1980, we sent a
letter to the Retired Military Almanac in Washington, D.C. explaining our organization and
asking that they include us in their list of associations and organizations which appear
in the back of their publication. We also requested that they send us some order forms, so
that we might order copies of the Almanac for the National Headquarters and for each of
our Chapters. To this date, we have not received any reply; however, we will send a
follow-up letter to them. Maybe it will get a reply.
Standing Committee Reports:
Legislation: 1st Vice President Samms
suggested that follow-up correspondence be sent to the Retired Military Almanac, asking
that they please reply to our request.
Newsletter:
(1) Parliamentarian Gutierrez stated
that he sent out 35 requests for advertisements for the Newsletter publication, but
received only one response. The cost for the Newsletter to be published would be $670.00
for 2,000 copies and $833.00 for 3,000 copies, including front and back covers. He stated
that he would continue to try to locate more advertisement if we still desired. President
Duden replied that he should continue to solicit advertisements. President Duden also
reminded the Board that Mr. Gutierrez was to be the editor of the Newsletter with Mr.
Grayckowski acting as assistant editor.
(2) A discussion was held in Chapter
support for the Newsletter. Mr. Gutierrez requested that more members provide articles for
the Newsletter.
Special Committee:
(1) National Headquarters' office in
Colorado Springs, Colorado must receive a copy of all correspondence written by any
National officer that relates to the REA. At this time, it is not being done.
(2) Insurance - even though the REA
has not endorsed any insurance company, the American Republic Insurance Company has
several policies that would probably be beneficial to many of our members.
(3) Mr. Grayckowski stated that he is
still working on a request for the government to issue a commemorative stamp for our 20th
Anniversary.
(4) National Charter - efforts will
be continued to obtain a National Charter for the REA; however, not much progress has been
made at this time.
National Scholarships awarded: 3 at
$500.00 totaling $1,500.00
There will be a meeting in Denver,
Colorado with Association Growth Enterprises concerning marketing.