The Volusia Officer’s Callmoaafl.org/chapters/volusiamoaa/documents/Newsletters/...717-729-8281 [email protected] Treasurer: CW2 Bill Hightower, USA (RET) 386-736-1014 [email protected]

The Volusia Officer’s Call Military Officers Club of Volusia County

An Affiliate of the Military Officers Association of America WEB SITE: www.moaafl.org/Chapters/VolusiaMOAA/Default.aspx

The Prez Sez - - Hello All…I can’t stop pondering on how quickly this 2018-2019 meeting cycle is rushing by. At the January Luncheon CWO2 Bill High-tower, Chapter Treasurer, informed us that our financial status is strong. The Tampa Chapter is hosting the Florida Council of Chapters (FCOC) 2019 Statewide Annual Convention, June 20-23 2019, to be held at the Safety Harbor Resort & SPA in Tampa. I’m encouraging everyone to attend. The MOCVC is actively supporting this event by advertising in their souvenir magazine as our way of making the Con-vention a success. I hope to see you there. Our speaker for February is

COL David Hensley, who will share his experience as a U-2 pilot. The Board has begun the JROTC Scholarship application process. This year LTC Corley will be assisted by CWO3 Molina who has volunteered to be the JROTC Liaison. Finally, our next communi-ty participatory event is the Memorial Day Observation at the Deltona Memorial Gardens in May. MAJ Cotten is the MC and we need 3 volunteers for flag carrying and wreath laying. Please consider participating. See you at the Luncheon.

MAJ Raul Gonzalez, FLARNG (RET), President

VOL 27 NO 6 JANUARY, 2019

Email Address: [email protected]

2017 NEWSLETTER & WEBSITE President: MAJ Raul Gonzalez, FLARNG (RET) 386-366-4473 [email protected] First Vice President: LTC Milt Corley, USA (RET) 386-738-0708 [email protected] Second Vice President: 1LT Joe Leone, USA (FMR) 386-738-9929 [email protected] Secretary: LtCol Twila Davis, USAF (RET) 717-729-8281 [email protected] Treasurer: CW2 Bill Hightower, USA (RET) 386-736-1014 [email protected] Directors: Capt Doug Speight, USAF (RET) 386-228-3692 [email protected] Maj Curt Voelbel, USAF (RET) 386-479-3400 [email protected] LTC Bill Johnson, USA, RET 386-734-4457 [email protected] Immediate Past President Capt Marshall Vance, USMC (Ret) 386-216-9255 [email protected] Chief of Staff: Col Bob Wiltuck, USAF (RET) 386-740-1898 [email protected] Chaplain: Maj Lewis Long, USAF (RET) 386-228-2646 [email protected] Community Relations Chairman: Col Bob Wiltuck, USAF (RET) Legislative Chairman: CDR George Christian, USN (RET) 386-218-0463 [email protected] Membership Chairman: Maj Curt Voelbel, USAF (RET) Personal Affairs Chairman: VACANT—Volunteer Needed! ROTC/JROTC Liaison: VACANT—Volunteer Needed! Scholarship Chairman: LTC Milt Corley, USA (RET) TOPS Coordinator: VACANT—Volunteer Needed! WEB Master: MAJ Raul Gonzalez, USAFNG (RET) Editor: Maj Mick Cotten, USMC (RET) 386-960-5425 [email protected] Surviving Spouse Liaison: Ruth Speight 386-228-3692 [email protected]

NOTICE: The Volusia Officer’s Call is published monthly (September-May) by the Military Officers Club of Volusia County (an Affiliate of the Military Officers Association of America [MOAA] and the Florida Council of Chapters [FCOC], MOAA. Opinions of writers is their own, and do not necessarily reflect the position of the organization. Also, please note that information in The Volusia Officer’s Call is not necessarily endorsed by MOAA or FCOC.

The Chaplain’s Corner - - “Comfort” By Tony Robinson - -

"Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem." - Isaiah 40: 1 I was weaned on the aphorism, "The task of the church is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." Mostly, it seemed, we deemed ourselves the comfortable in need of affliction. I did my share of afflicting over the years. Nor did I spare myself. And should we pay attention to the daily news and the world around us, as indeed we ought, there’s an avalanche of affliction to be found: war and refugees, devastating wildfires, fear-mongering politics. As life went on, I concluded we are mostly both. We are the comfortable and in need of affliction, and we are also the afflicted and in need of comfort. At least at times, comfort is the needed thing. A further realization: to know our need of comfort and to accept comfort requires humility. Being in a sanctuary made holy by generations of prayer, our own mumbled prayers and those of others, ancient words of Scripture, someone daring to speak a word of God, sacrament of bread and wine, blessing -- these bring needed comfort. For living in these times, the comfort of a great God is required. (Cont’d on Page 3 - - )

MOAA’s Mission - - The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is a nonprofit veterans’ asso- ciation dedicated to maintaining a strong national defense and ensuring our nation keeps its commitments to currently serving, retired, and former members of the uni-formed services and their families and survivors. Membership is open to those who hold or have ever held a warrant or commission in any component of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, or NOAA and their surviv-ing spouses.

Community Relations - -

It seems just yesterday I was hitting you all up for the monthly can goods collec-

tion. And you all came through with a fairly large collec-tion. The Salvation Army will again be the recipient of the canned goods. Please be generous. We are trying something different this month. With the elected Government Officials stopping pay for our military we are going to collect contributions which we will donate to a poor family named by the First Sergeant of the ANG unit located in Deland. Don’t forget to make a reservation. “Covey Bob” Wiltuck, Col, USAF (RET), CommRelChair

Next Meeting Scoop - - The next MOCVC meeting is on 06FEB 19 at the Grand Villa of DeLand at 350 East International Speedway Blvd., in The Theater Room. Our Social Hour will start at 1100 HRS, and be followed by our Luncheon Meeting at 1200 HRS. The guest speaker this month is scheduled to be Col Divid Hensley, USAF, Ret. Who will share his experience as a U-2 pilot. Should be interesting so feel free to invite a friend. The menu that we have requested of is Garden Salad, Fried Lightly Breaded Butterfly Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce, Creamy Cole Slaw, French Fries, Green Beans, and Ice Cream for Desert. Cost of the luncheon is still $11.00 per seating (including the servers gratuity), except CWO Bill Hightow-er, USA, Ret, who will get hers for FREE. RESERVATIONS ARE IMPORTANT - - WE USUAL-LY HAVE TO PAY FOR THE NUMBER OF MEALS OR-DERED - - so please contact Col “Covey Bob” Wiltuck, USAF (RET) at 386-740-1898 or [email protected]. He needs your reservations by NOON on FRIDAY, 01FEB19- - so call or email Bob TODAY! Also, those individuals who do not have a reservation are welcome. However, they will be issued an "Alternative Meal" card, which must be displayed on their table - - and, if alternative meals are required, the servers will be in-structed to serve them the alternate meals. OUR NEW POLICY is that you will be expected to pay for any meal that you reserve, but fail to show up for - - but excuses will be reviewed by the BoD on a case-by-case basis to determine if an exception should be granted.

The Volusia Officer’s Call Vol 27, No. 6, Feb., 2019 Page 2

Harvey Brandt, and guest and new member Roger Hill COL, USAF, RET MAJ Gonzalez asked if there were any Law Enforce-ment members in the audience? CWO2 Bill Hightower was recognized for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. MAJ Gonzalez introduced our guest speaker: Ryan Lowry is a 26 year old graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelors in Chinese Language and Litera-ture. He is currently pursuing his Masters Degree in Histo-ry at American Military University while residing in Orlan-do, FL. The collection holds an estimated 7,000 objects from World War II covering every phase of America’s involve-ment. He started his interest in World War II with a poolside magazine called Time. The title was called, “D-Day: 60 Years Later and Why it Still Matters,” and even after a few reads, he couldn't put it down. He read it many times and still has it to this day in the collection to serve as a reminder of where it began. He currently manages a company called Patriot Preservation LLC which hosts traveling exhibits of World War II and covers a variety of relevant topics with artifacts. He recently had an exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach, Flor-ida called Shutters on the Battlefield which debuted for three months. He has been a part of numerous veterans and non-profit organizations such as the Iwo Jima Trio, the Marine Corps League, and the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center in Maitland, FL. He has also been honored recently to be a part of the Golden Key Honor Society for academia. Some of the highlight artifacts of the collection include a Song and Prayer book from the USS Arizona that was destroyed at Pearl Harbor, a girl’s silk dress made from parachutes from D-Day, and documents from Hitler’s of-fice. This year’s topic is "The Day of Days: The American Experience on D-Day." This topic will discuss the Ameri-can involvement on D-Day during the Airborne Drops, the assault on Utah and Omaha Beaches, and the daring op-eration on the cliff face of Pointe Du Hoc by the 2nd Ranger Battalion. Lunch was served – Meat Lasagna, Salad, Mixed Vegetables and Coconut Cream Pie President Raul Gonzalez requested approval of the December 5, 2018 meeting minutes as published in our VOC. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as published. They were approved by all mem-bers present. President Gonzalez called for reports: Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer CWO2 Bill Hightower reported after today’s deposits and expenses a balance of $ 3396.44. Maj Gonzalez asked for a motion to approve the report. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Treasurers report. A vote of approval was unanimous. Secretary’s Report: LTC Twila Davis asked the mem-bers to please let her know of anyone who is ill. She re-ported she sent a get well card to Joe Leone. MAJ Gon-zalez asked for a motion to approve the report. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Secretary’s re-

Last Meeting (09JAN19) - - President, MAJ Raul Gonzalez called the meeting to order at 11:57 hours. Attendance: 40 MAJ Lewis Long, Chaplain gave the invocation fol-lowed by The Pledge of Allegiance. MAJ Gonzalez welcomed our guests: Norm Kasch, Mike Guanino (WW II Navy Veteran), Joe Walenta,

The Volusia Officer’s Call Vol 27, No. 6, Feb., 2019 Page 3

port. A vote to approve was unanimous. Directors and Committee Reports: LTC Corley –1st VP – Absent LT Joe Leone – 2ndVP- Thanked the Secretary for his get well card. CDR George Christian- Legislative News UP WITH: CDR Christian deferred to MAJ Gonzalez who stated that in the MOAA Newsletter there was an update on enrolling in the Federal Dental Programs- that the deadline was extended. The phone number to call is 877-888-3337. COL Wiltuck –Chief of Staff and Community Rela-tions- nothing to report . LTC Bill Johnson-Director- nothing to report. MAJ Curt Voelbel-Director- nothing to report CAPT Doug Speight –Director- nothing to report Ruthie Speight will be coordinating the Spring Gala and she asked for suggestions from the membership. CAPT Marshall Vance-Immediate Past President- nothing to report MAJ Mick Cotten-Editor- Asked that anyone who had pictures of today’s meeting to please see that he gets them. MAJ Curt Voelbel- Membership Chair-Reported we currently have 48 members; the goal is 56 +. We need everyone’s help to recruit. OLD BUSINESS: MAJ Gonzalez announced the FCOC Leadership Forum will be held in Orlando this weekend. If anyone is interested in attending please let MAJ Gonzalez know. MAJ Gonzalez encouraged each member to reach out to potential new members. MAJ Gonzalez announced CWO3 Eddie Molina has accepted the position of JrROTC Liason. NEW BUSINESS: MAJ Gonzalez announced the speaker for the FEB 2019 meeting is COL Hensley USAF, RET U-2 pilot. Next meeting will be February 6, 2019 at the Grand Villa. Next Board of Directors meeting will be January 16, 2019 1000 hours at Woodland Towers. MAJ Gonzalez announced the Spring Gala is in the early planning stages with Ruthie Speight as the coordi-nator. MAJ Gonzalez announced MAJ Mick Cotten will be the POC for the Memorial Day Event that the MOCVC participates in and he encouraged everyone to attend. MAJ Lewis Long gave the closing benediction. CWO2 Bill Hightower won the free lunch for the FEB 6, 2019 meeting/luncheon. Meeting adjourned at 1324 hours. Respectfully Submitted, LtCol Twila Davis, USAF, RET, Secretary

Never Stop Serving!

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER (Cont’d From Page 1 - - ) There’s more: when we look inside the word "comfort," we find not one word, but two, the Latin words for "with" and "strength." The experience of God, of God’s comfort, does not leave us limp and laid back as if we had been too long steeped in a hot tub. God’s comfort strengthens. God’s comfort strength-ens and allows us to return to our lives, to the world, with fresh courage. May the comfort of God, the "strength with," of God be with you this day. Prayer: Grant me the humility to accept your comfort, O great God. Amen. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tony Robinson, a United Church of Christ minister, is a speaker, teacher, and writer. His newest book is Called to Lead: Paul’s Letters to Timothy for a New Day. You can read Tony's "Weekly Meditation" and "What's Tony Thinking?" at his website, www.anthonybrobinson.com. The first book, “The Spinner Prince” is available now.

Chaplain Lewis Long III, USAF(Ret) NOTE: The above is from the United Church of Christ’s “Daily Devotion-al” - - used with permission per Chaplain Long. Editor

Legislative Matters - - Due to the unfortunate fact that the only message from MOAA this week (21-25JAN19) was from the President ask-ing that we support ending the government shut-down (Which is over for the next three, or so, weeks), there are no Legislative Matters to insert. Hope to do better next month.

Mick Cotten, Editor

OUR

PRESIDENT HAD SENT ME SOME

PICTURES THAT HIS BRIDE HAD SNAPPED

AT THE JANUARY MEETING,

BUT I SOMEHOW LOST THEM - -

THEN OTHER THINGS AND TIME

CAUGHT UP WITH ME

AND I MUST GET

THIS ISSUE OUT. SORRY.

The Volusia Officer’s Call Vol 27, No. 6, Feb., 2019 Page 4

The Volusia Officer’s Call Military Officers Club of Volusia County

An Affiliate of the Military Officers Association of America

MAJ MICK COTTEN, USMC (RET), EDITOR 2072 ALAMEDA DR - - DELTONA, FL 32738-4874

What’s Inside - - Club Leadership ...................... ......... Page 1 The Prez Sez ...................................... Page 1 The Chaplain’s Corner ..................... Page 1 Community Relations ........................ Page 2 Next Meeting Scoop .......................... Page 2 Last Meeting Minutes ....................... Page 2 Legislative Matters ............................ Page 3 I’m Wondering .................................. Page 4

I’m Wondering - - If you are wondering why this issue is so late getting to you. Long story (Excuse!) and short space, again. Mea Culpa. So please do not ask.

Mick

Never Stop Serving!