NGAMN Retired Officers

Good Meeting

2009-11-12T20:42:00.004-06:00

We had a good meeting and a good meal at the Laker Fine Dining. Check back here for the minutes when they become available.

Interim meeting 12NOV09

2009-10-26T12:18:00.003-05:00

The officers of the Retired Group are having a meeting on 12 November 2009 in Forest Lake, Laker Grill and Bar (map) at 6pm. The agenda will include:

1. Final planning for the Christmas Dinner
2. Keynote speaker for Christmas Dinner
3. Increasing membership & monthly retired membership reporting
4. Initial planning for spring conference

Christmas Dinner 2009

2009-10-04T08:17:00.002-05:00

Consider yourself invited to the Christmas Party on Friday, December 4th. Retired and active, air and army, spouses and significant others are all invited to enjoy the evening with us at the Ft Snelling Officer's Club. 1800 is the social hour with the program beginning at 1900. Last year's keynote speaker was MG Shellito, The Adjutant General, and we had nearly 40 people attend. Please fill out and mail this invitation or send an email with the necessary information to carl.madsen@gmail.com or wayne1211@live.com. The cost is $28 per meal, please pay in advance.

Carl Madsen, President, Retired Group

Walt Disney Military Discounts

2009-01-12T18:41:00.008-06:00

Disney Parks Celebrate U.S. Military With Free, Multi-Day Admission to Theme Parks in 2009

As Disney Parks ask "What Will You Celebrate?" and invite guests to turn their personal milestones into magical family vacations in 2009, America's military personnel will have one more reason to celebrate: Free multi-day admission to Disney's U.S. theme parks.

With the "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" offer, active and retired U.S. military personnel, including active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, can enjoy complimentary, multi-day admission into Disney's U.S. theme parks, great rates at select Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort hotels, and additional special ticket offers for family members and friends.

MilitaryOffer2009WDPRO2.pdf

Ebenezer Loren on Park Event

2008-12-01T11:15:00.004-06:00

We have a FREE seminar this week for veterans 55 and older. If you know of anyone you can forward this to, I'd greatly appreciate it. Sean Patterson, from MN Department from Veteran Affairs, will be presenting on the State Soldiers Assistance Program, the Non service connoted pension and the Service Connection Disability eligibility and requirements. We'd love to have you all join us. Please see attached flyer for more information and forward this e-mail to any who might be interested. You are welcome to RSVP by this e-mail in addition to calling and I'll still take calls up until 12/3. Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Lynn Whitlock
Marketing Coordinator
Ebenezer Loren on Park
2625 Park Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-871-4574
612-245-1113 Cell
612-872-7368 Fax
Ebenezer. Choices for vibrant senior living.EBN%20VA%20Outreach%20Flyer-1.pdf

Armistice Day

2008-11-11T14:26:00.001-06:00

In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, D.C., became the focal point of reverence for America's veterans.

Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation's highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as "Armistice Day."

Click here to see a video from GEN David Petraeus thanking all service members for their service.

New Veteran Saluting Laws

2008-10-29T16:48:00.001-05:00

(CW5 Dick Hathaway and I believe this includes the National Anthem at
sporting events. Wouldn't it be great to see a bunch of the people in
the stands saluting! -Carl Madsen)

New Veteran Saluting Laws

Retired Soldiers are Still Proud! Congress has put Still Saluting into
law for Retired Soldiers and other veterans. The 2008 National Defense
Authorization Act (Public Law 110-181) changed -- which covers
"Conduct during hosting, lowering or passing of flag." "During the
ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing
in a parade or in review, all persons present in uniform should render
the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are
present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other
persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their
right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress
with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being
over the heart. Citizens of other countries present should stand at
attention. All such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should
be rendered at the moment the flag passes."

Retired Caucus Article

2008-10-23T21:05:00.002-05:00

Submitted by LTC (Ret) Geraldine Longfellow

Hello Retirees: I am happy to write a few lines about the Retired/ Separated Caucus meeting that took place on 21 September during the 130th NGAUS conference in Baltimore, ME. Around 140 retirees and guests attended the session.

COL (Ret) Ray Magill, Retired/Separated Director-Air (MA) recognized the efforts of the Maryland Retiree Committee in sponsoring the Conference Retired/Separated Luncheon and Caucus meeting. He also introduced special guests in attendance including: past and present NGAUS Directors and Executive Committee members, as well as former TAGs. COL (Ret) Don Deering (TN) was elected to a 3-year tour as Retired/Separated Director-Army. (COL (Ret) Ray Magill term expires in 2010.)

The guest speaker was COL (Ret) Pete Duffy, Deputy Legislative Director for NGAUS. He called on Retirees to take a more active role in assisting to lobby congress for retired issues. He talked about this year's successful defeat of legislative efforts to raise TRICRE premiums. Beginning on 28 January 2008, age 60 retirement can be reduced by three months for each aggregate of 90 days in support of a contingency operation. Next year's legislative efforts will continue to work to make this early retirement provision retroactive to 2001. Focus will also be on authorizing Gray Area Retirees to purchase TRICARE Standard at government cost. Pre-deployment medical/ dental coverage is currently available for our ready reserve members starting at 90-days prior to mobilization. NGAUS will work to advance these benefits to begin with receipt of the Training Alert order. This should provide more responsive pre-deployment medical support, especially with dental care issues.

Sen. Chamblis of GA was recognized for his exceptional support in sponsoring many National Guard friendly legislative initiatives. The Housing Rescue bill contains provision to extend the 6% interest cap for 1 year post-deployment and calls for no foreclosures for 9 months post-deployment. VA health care is now extended for 5 years (vs. 2 years) post-deployment of a combat tour. There is a strong push to improve behavioral health programs. NGAUS will host a Mental Health Accessibility Roundtable panel on 9 October at the National Guard Memorial Building in DC.

Your Minnesota delegation to the 130th NGAUS General Conference included 12 Air and Army retirees. By the way if you are not a paid up for life member of NGAUS, please consider doing so. The cost is a reasonable, one-time, $125 (National only - State life is $50).

Retired Officers News

2008-10-23T00:51:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the Retiree information page of the National Guard Association of Minnesota. We will be continually updating information as it pertains to Retired officers. Most importantly, make sure you get your fellow officers to join by clicking on the red membership link on the left; it is hosted on a secure server so you can trust your information is encrypted and safe.