MINUTES OF MILITARY RETIREE COUNCIL OF THE SPRINGFIELD AREA, AUGUST 5, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 1830 hours by SMSgt Duane Fields (retired).  There were 11 members present to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.  Guest was Jon Bledsoe (Rep. Blunt’s office).

 New Members:   none

Report on widows group:   There are 25–30 widows present each month.  Great group of ladies!

Report on VA by James Huntsinger (retired):

·         VA Veterans Center coming to Greene County by Fall of 2009.  Combat veterans can receive readjustment counseling and other assistance in Veterans centers developed by the VA.  If anyone knows of a building that might be available please notify Jon Bledsoe of Rep. Blunt’s Office.

·         Online applications at www.va.gov are now accepted from veterans, survivors and other clients filing applications for benefits without the additional requirement to submit a signed paper.  You may call 1-800-827-1000 for assistance.

·         Veterans with mortgage problems can call 1-800-827-3702 for assistance from a VA financial counselor.

SMSgt Fields (retired) briefed on the following:

·         The Twenty-Ninth Annual Retiree Days will be held at Ft. Leonard Wood September 12-13, 2008.  See me for an Appreciation Day Function form and date it must be submitted.

·         The DVA will have a service office at Orian Smith Memorial Chapter 11, 1708 E St. Louis Street, August 28 and 29 from 8AM-4PM.

·         H.R. 6562 The Agent Orange Equity Act of 2008: This bill clarifies the law so that all service members who were deployed to land, sea or air in the Republic of Vietnam is fully covered by the Comprehensive Agent Orange laws Congress passed in 1991.  All Vietnam Veterans need to contact the House Veterans Affairs Committee and tell them you support H.R. 6562 and call our Congress members to support and pass this bill.

·         The 10^th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation 9QRMC0 issued its final report this week recommending major changes in the military retirement and health car systems, among other proposals.  It was referred to DOD for a 6-9 month review, which means it will be left up to the next Administration to decide in congressional action on any of the changes.

·         The House Armed Services Military Personnel sub-committee held hearings on the “Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell” policy.  DOD was invited but did not attend.  The Pentagon is not advocating a change to the law.  Hill sources advise that whoever wins the Presidency will possibly repeal the “don’t ask/don’t tell” law; it almost certainly will be a topic of discussion next year.

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 1830 hours at the American Legion Post 69, 149 Memorial Plaza, Springfield.

Meeting adjourned at 1945 hours.

Duane Fields, Chairman