Hawaii Chapter Newsletter - ausar-web01.inetu.netausar-web01.inetu.net/sites/chapters/HawaiiChapter/News... · President), Rich Parker (Korea Chapter), Patty Barron (AUSA ... I would

Special Edition

What AUSA is doing

for you (page 6-7)

Hawaii Chapter

Newsletter

“LANPAC and Pacific Region Meeting 8 –11 April”

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AUSA/255678294537769

Volume V Edition 1 1 May 2013

While everyone was busy

preparing for LANPAC 2013,

Members AUSA Headquarters

along with Japan, Alaska,

Korea, and Hawaii Chapter

leadership conducted the

AUSA Pacific Region Meeting

at the Sheraton Waikiki

focusing on the needs of the

Pacific. COL(R) Larry Boethel

(Pacific Region President)

facilitated the meeting with key

leaders from AUSA Hqs. LTG

(R) Guy Swan (Vice President,

AUSA) and LTG (R) Roger

Thompson (VP for Membership

and Meetings) kept us focused

on AUSA objectives and way

ahead. Each of the Chapter

Leaders had the opportunity to present to the group recent

events and activities and what

challenges they faces where we

needed AUSA HQs support.

Pictured above are the AUSA Pacific Regional Meeting attendees: Front Row. Angela

Major (Polar Bear), Linda, Nick Charles (Japan Chapter), Larry Boethel (Pacific President), Rich Parker (Korea Chapter), Patty Barron (AUSA Family Programs), COL(R) John Davies (AUSA Regional Activities).

Back Row. Nora Ruebrook, COL(R) Ben Lukefahr, COL Ellis (Hawaii Chapter), LTG(R) Guy Swan (AUSA, VP Education), COL(R) Rundy Galles (Last Frontier), LTG(R) Roger Thompson (AUSA, VP Membership & Meetings), COL Art Tulak (HI Chapter), COL(R)George Coan (Dir, AUSA ILW), and LTC(R) Doug Adams (Hilo, HI).

Pictured above, Guest Speaker GEN(R)

Gordon R. Sullivan, President of AUSA.

On Monday night, Senior

Leaders from AUSA Hqs,

Commanders and CSMs from

the Army Pacific Region, had

the opportunity to meet with

AUSA Chapter leaders and

many of the AUSA Corporate

Members within the local

community. The event was

held at the Hale Koa Hotel (a

30 year Corporate Member of

the Hawaii Chapter). Special

thanks too go out to Linda

Keller who was the key lead in

making this event successful.

Pictured above, Jane Ferriera (VP for Corporate

Sponsorship) and Nora Ruebrook, VP for Legisla-

tive Affairs, Hawaii Chapter.

Pictured above, Larry Boethel (President, Pacific

Region), presents a streamer for hosting the

AUSA Pacific Region Meeting to Linda Keller

(AUSA Hawaii State President, and

COL(R) , Ben Lukefahr (Hawaii

Chapter President). Far right is LTG

Wiercinski, Commander, US Army

Pacific.

Pictured to the right from right to left

are COL(R) Ben Lukefahr (Hawaii

Chapter President), MG and Mrs.

Fuller, Commanding General 25th ID

(L), and Mr. Rich Parker (Korea

Chapter President..)

Inside this issue:

LANPAC and

Pacific Region

Meeting

1

Note from our

Chapter

President

3

Hawaii Polo

Event Highlights

4

Upcoming Events 12

ROTC Award

Presentations

8

Ride for the

Fallen (28 May)

11

Our Corporate

Membership

Team

15

Page 2

LANPAC 9-11 April 2013 (Hilton Hawaiian Waikiki Hotel)

LANPAC 2013 - The U.S. Army Pacific helped jump

start the inaugural 2013 Land Power in the Pacific

Symposium and Exposition Tuesday at the Sheraton

Waikiki in downtown Honolulu. Land Power in the Pa-

cific, or LANPAC, held April 9-11, brought together

representatives from more than 32 countries and high-

lights the role of land forces in the Asia-Pacific theater

during peacetime and war. Key leaders from the U.S. Pa-

cific Command and the Association of the U.S. Army's

Institute of Land Warfare teamed with U.S. Army

Pacific, or USARPAC, made this event possible. AUSA

will be back again next year in the mid April time frame.

A special thank you for all the Corporate Members who

supported the event; hosting receptions, set up floor displays and being part the phenomenal

“Tech Ten” presentations.

Key leaders from U.S. Pacific Command,

U.S. Army Pacific participated in this 3 day

event to including distinguished members

from several Foreign Country Partners.

LTG Wiercinski, picture above opens the

floor up to questions.

Pictured above are some of our most recent renewals and/or new members to the

Hawaii Chapter. From Left to right COL Frank Newton, COL Carolyn Sharpe, COL Brenda Andrews and LTC Kimberly Nash from USARPAC Hqs.

For those of you who attended,

don't forget to show your

appreciation to AUSA who

waived the $250.00 entrance

fee for Active Duty Soldiers

and Army Civilians and SIGN

UP now for AUSA! You can go

online at AUSA.org to start

your application or renew. If

you need help contact us at

[email protected]. Mahalo.

GEN(R) Gordon R. Sullivan (President of

AUSA) opens the Historical Event here in

Hawaii LANPAC 2013.

Page 3

From our Chapter President

Chapter President;

COL(R) Ben Lukefahr

Hawaii State President - Linda Keller

Chapter President - COL(R) Ben Lukefahr

1st Vice President - COL(R) Crissy Gayagas

2d Vice President - LTC(R) Don Birdseye

Chapter Secretary - COL Arthur Tulak

Chapter Treasurer - SGM (R) Ed Baumgartner

Vice President Individual Membership - MSG Baskersville

Vice President Corporate Membership - Jane Ferreira

Vice President Technology Support - Jim Muldoon

Vice President for Legislative Affairs - Nora Ruebrook

Vice President for Reserve Affairs - COL John Ellis

Vice President for Family Programs - Vacant

Vice President ROTC Affairs - Cadet Claire Yakabe

I hope you find our newsletters informative highlighting what

we are doing and how our Corporate Members are helping us

make an impact to our community.

We are almost at the end of the 2012 calendar year for AUSA

(1 Jun 12 - 30 Jun 13) and I am extremely proud of what we

have accomplished to date and what we have left in store. My

personal thanks to the Executive Committee and our

Corporate Members for being part of our passion to take care of our Soldiers,

Army Civilians, Retirees, Army Guard, Army Reserve and our Family members. We

are still looking for volunteers to serve on our Executive Committee who can

represent US Army Pacific Theater Enabling Commands, and Major Subordinate

Commands letting us know where else we can help you!

I would be remiss if I did not let you all know we are still falling short of our

membership goal of 1100 members for our Chapter. We truly need your support

to get the word out assist us in reaching this goal for the first time in over 7 years.

Again, I am humbled and honored to be your Chapter President and proud to be a

part of this great team. Looking forward to seeing you all at our local events.

Hawaii Chapter Leadership

Page 4

Army Polo Hawaii

What a great day. On behalf of the

Hawaii Chapter thank you for your

support. With the special donation of 100

tickets for the event by JN Automotive

and Cycle City we are well on our way to

donate several tables to the Army

Commemorative Birthday Ball scheduled

for 14 June 2013. Last year we donated

over $9,000.00 thanks to your generosity.

We look at matching our contribution

again this year. Tickets we sponsor

support Warrior Leader Competitors (and

their spouses), Wounded Warriors, Color

Guard members and Junior Enlisted who

otherwise may not be able to attend the

COL(R) Crissy Gayagas (AUSA Chapter, 1st

Vice President) greeted those with her special

smile to those who came out during the Polo

Event on 28 April at Mokuleia Polo Field.

event. More to

follow

coming out

soon on the Army Week

schedule of

events. Mahalo

again for

your

support!!

Page 5

Cycle City Ltd.

Special thanks to JN Automotive, Cycle City

and Dawson LLC for sponsoring on behalf of

the AUSA Hawaii Chapter our first of 3 Polo

Events this year. For those who came out we

know you had a great time. Next event

coming in June so sign up early to get your

special seat.

Page 6

What AUSA is Doing for You!

Excerpt from GEN(R) Gordon R. Sullivan:

“It appears that the extraordinary sacrifices that military personnel and their families make for our nation are not

enough. Military retirees will now be asked to pay upwards of $13 billion in additional heathcare costs over the next

five years in the form of dramatically increased TRICARE Prime annual enrollment fees, new TRICARE Standard en-

rollment fees, a new TRICARE for Life enrollment fee and pharmacy copays that will more than double, not to men-

tion that after 2016 the increases will be tied to medical inflation not the cost of living index.

This budget proposal is a “gift that keeps on giving.” While the healthcare cost increases begin now, the document

also proposes a special commission that would recommend changes in the military retirement system for future mili-

tary personnel with expedited consideration to limit debate time and without congressional amendment authority.

For a system with such an enormous impact on long-term military retention and readiness, circumventing the con-

gressional vetting process is a troublesome prospect. In this regard, AUSA and like-minded organizations must be a

part of the dialogue and process.

Further, the budget proposal goes after active duty pay! In 2015 and beyond, annual pay raises would be below the

private sector pay growth rate. AUSA has spent the last 12 years fighting to close a pay gap that had grown to 14 per-

cent due to years of sub-inflation pay increases in the 80s and 90s. Recruitment and retention suffered enormously,

and today’s retirees receive far less in retired pay than they should because of those depressed pay scales. AUSA does

not want today’s Soldiers to face that same fate.

AUSA is engaged in this fight. I have sent a letter to all 540 members of Congress urging them to reject the health

care fee increases. (link to letter) Previously, I wrote to President Obama twice, House and Senate leaders twice, and

House and Senate Army veterans explaining that the extraordinary sacrifices that military personnel and their families

make for our nation must be honored with a substantial and predictable benefits package.

We have sent a Torchbearer Alert (document ) outlining the need for Congress to protect benefits for military retir-

ees to every member of Congress and a Torchbearer Issue Paper (document ) on military retiree health care to key

staff members in each congressional office and to key professional staff members in defense-related congressional

committees. I urge you to read these documents to help familiarize yourself with arguments that rebut the concept

that military retiree benefits are “overly generous”.

Now that we have the details of the budget proposal, it is important that the Congress and the President hear from

those who are affected by their actions at the “grassroots” level – the people whose lives are dramatically affected by

changes that to some seem reasonable, but which, in reality, are shortchanging a constituency that is trained to serve

and sacrifice rather than complain.

Now is the time to speak out, and AUSA is doing so. Add your voice to ours. Let those who will decide whether to

reduce your benefits know how such action would affect you. After all, Soldiers are the essence of the Army”.

GOOD NEWS!

AUSA can be attributed for:

Turning the decision to retain Soldier Educational Benefits.

DoD Civilian Furlough reduction from 22 Days to 14 Days and delaying start date.

Page 7

2013 Resolutions being addressed by AUSA to Congress

Pay

Close the gap (military and federal civilian) Resolution 13-03, Point 1 & 13-02, Point 1

Maintain comparability in out years Resolution 13-02, Point 1

Health Care

Fully fund Wounded Warrior Initiatives Resolution 13-05, Point 6

No erosion of benefits (pharmacy, quality of care) Resolution 13-05, Paragraph 6

Increases in TRICARE fees/deductibles/pharmacy copays limited to COLA Resolution 13-04, Point 6

Increase Medicare reimbursement rates to ensure access to care Resolution 13-05, Point 7

Housing

Additional funding (build new and repair existing) Resolution 13-01, Point 1

Innovative programs (Maintain public/private partnership funding) Resolution 13-01, Point 10

Families

Fully fund Army Family initiatives/programs Resolution 13-01, Paragraph 3

Expand spousal and family member education and employment opportunities Resolution 13-01, Point 9

Retiree

Retain current retirement system Resolution 13-04, Point 1

Full concurrent receipt for all disabled retirees Resolution 13-04, Point 4

Reduce Reserve Component retirement age from 60 to 55 Resolution 13-04, Point 7

Sustain the Army

Maintain and fund operational active duty end strength of 650,000 Resolution 13-07, Point 3 & Para-

graph 4

Ensure Reserve Component end strength of ARNG 360,000, USAR 215,000 Resolution 13-07, Point 3

Maintain assured access to the Reserve Component Resolution 13-08, Paragraph 3 & Resolution 13-

08, Point 10

Fully resourced recruiting and retention Resolution 13-07, Point 12 & Resolution 13-08, Point 4

Fill 100% of ARNG and USAR full-time manning positions Resolution 13-07, Point 9

Readiness

Defense spending –Army share at least 28% Resolution 13-07, Point 1

Spare parts – no shortages Resolution 13-07, Point 11

Facilities/Utilities – fully funded and energy efficient Resolution 13-07, Point 16

Operations & Maintenance funds for all missions of AC &RC Resolution 13-07, Point 10

Full Spectrum Training dollars (Soldier, unit & Army civilian) Resolution 13-07, Paragraph 13

Transformation & Modernization of the Force

Fully fund resetting of the Current Force Resolution 13-09, Point 1

Fully fund Network, Army Ground Combat Vehicle, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle & Aviation modernization

Resolution 14-16

Increase funding for research and development Resolution 13-15, Point 1

Page 8

Support to ROTC

COL(R) Ben Lukefahr (Hawaii Chapter President)

presents the Association of the United States Army Award to Cadet Corporal Anderson on 26 April at the

University of Hawaii ROTC awards ceremony.

COL(R) Ben Lukefahr (Hawaii Chapter President)

presents the Association of the United States Army Award to Cadet SFC Fisher on 26 April at the

University of Hawaii ROTC awards ceremony.

LTC (Ret) Doug Adams (Exec VP for Big Island Affairs, Hawaii

Chapter) presents the Association of the United States Army Award to Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Jordan Busque, Kealakehe High

School (Kailua-Kona), April 26, 2013.

Lieutenant General Wiercinski takes his photo with proud cadets from

Punahou High School during the LANPAC Symposium and Exposition.

COL Piper, USARPAC , presents the Association of the United

States Army Award to Cadet Sergeant Raymond Cheng at

Kaimuki High School on

Page 9

Upcoming Schedule for JROTC Medal Presentations

May 1 (Wednesday) McKinley 1039 South King St. Honolulu, Oahu. 1800 hrs School Auditorium

Jane Ferreira, AUSA Chapter

Mililani 95-1200 Meheula Parkway, Mililani , Oahu 96789

Thomas D. Farrell

May 2 (Thursday) Kapolei 91-5007 Kapolei Pkwy, Kapolei, Oahu 96707. 1800 hrs, School Cafeteria

COL (R) Lukefahr, President AUSA Hawaii Chapter

Leilehua 1515 California Ave., Wahiawa, Oahu 96786. 1800 hrs, School Cafeteria

COL Tulak, USARPAC

May 4 (Saturday) Aiea 98-1276 Ulune St., Aiea, Oahu 96701. 1800 hrs, School Cafeteria

COL Ellis, 9th MSC

May 7 (Tuesday) Farrington 1564 North King St., Kalihi, Oahu 96817. 1700 hrs School Gym

SFC Decastro

May 8 (Wednesday) Punahou, 1601 Punahou St., Makiki, Oahu 96822. 1730 hrs, Alexander Field

COL Peterson, USARPAC

May 9 (Thursday) Waianae 85-251 Farrington Hwy., Waianae, Oahu 96792. 1730 hrs

COL (R) Lukefahr, President AUSA Hawaii Chapter

May 10 (Friday) Nanakuli, 89-980 Nanakuli Ave., Nanakuli, Oahu 96792. 1800 hrs, School Cafeteria

LTC Titus, 225 BSB ID

Page 10

Upcoming Schedule for JROTC Medal Presentations

May 11 (Saturday) Kailua AFJROTC, 1730 hrs, Klip-per Club, Kaneohe Marine Corps Base, Oahu.

COL Tulak, USARPAC

Hilo 556 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo, Hawaii 96720. 0930 hrs, School Pavilion.

LTC (Ret) Doug Adams

May 11 Konawaena 81-1043 Ko-nawaena School Rd., Kealake-kua, Hawaii 96750. 1800 hrs, School Cafeteria.

LTC (Ret) Doug Adams

May 16 (Thursday) Campbell NJROTC, 91-980 North Rd., Ewa Beach, Oahu 96706. 1730 hrs, School Cafeteria.

COL Tulak, USARPAC. SPP: 2-14th CAV, 2d BCT, 25th Inf. Div.

A BIG MAHALO TO ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS FROM

THE HAWAII CHAPTER FOR MAKING THIS A SUCCESS

FOR OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS.

Page 11

Support to our Fallen Heroes

23 May - Ride for the Fallen.

Join 8th TSC for a great event. Start at Wheeler Gulch and finish up at

Cycle City for Food and Beverages.

Sign up with AUSA if you have not done so already! All E-4 and Below

will receive free 1 Year AUSA annual membership.

Page 12

Upcoming Chapter Events

May 10 - Bowling with Wounded Warriors (Fort Shafter) (1330-

1500)

May 23 - Ride for the Fallen (0730-1700) and General Membership

Drive (Cycle City)

May 28 - Executive Committee Meeting, Mulligan's, (1700-1800)

Army Birthday Week

Jun 12 - Golf Event (Leilehua Golf Course) More to follow.

Jun 14 - Army Commemoration Ball and General Membership

Drive

Jun 15 - Army Polo Match (Army vs. Navy) (Tentative)

Jun (TBD) - Corporate Recognition and General Membership

Luncheon

Jun 25 - Executive Committee Meeting, Mulligan's, (1700-1800)

Tuesday, 9 April 2013

Special Thanks to our News Corporate Members !!

Page 13

Special Thanks to our News Corporate Members !! Special Thanks to our New Corporate Members !!

Page 13

PO BOX 26 Kunia, Hawaii 96759

Visit our website at:

http://www.ausa.org/sites/

chapters/HawaiiChapter

Our Corporate Members Continue to grow both in Num-

bers and with their Generous Donations: Please take time

to thank them and support their business.

HAWAII CHAPTER AUSA

THANKS AGAIN TO OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS

WANT TO BECOME A

CORPORATE MEMBER?

Contact COL(R) Crissy Gayagas

at: [email protected]

Or Jane Ferreira at:

[email protected]

BECOME A NEW

INDIVIDUAL MEMBER

OR RENEW YOUR

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP

Contact us at [email protected]

Or online at http://

www.ausa.org/membership/

individual/Pages/default.aspx

Page 14

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