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2014
Annual Report

July 2015 The VOICE 3
July 2015
Chartered by Congress
Serving Enlisted Personnel:
Veterans, Retired, Active Duty, Guard and Reserve
THE VOICE (ISSN 1527-0467) is published bi-monthly by TREA: The Enlisted Association, 1111 S. Abilene Ct., Aurora, CO 80012.
One dollar of the annual dues to TREA is designated for a subscription to The VOICE.
Periodicals Postage Paid at Aurora, CO, and at additional mailing offices.
Postmaster: Send address changes to THE VOICE, TREA, 1111 South Abilene Ct, Aurora, CO 80012-4909,
or email: members@trea.org
Articles appearing in THE VOICE do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TREA National Board of Directors or National Staff.
Advertising: No representation, warranties or endorsements should be implied or inferred from the appearance of the advertisement in this publication. Media kits/rates may be requested from
editor@trea.org or you may contact The Voice at 303-752-0660.
Article Submissions: News articles for inclusion in THE VOICE are accepted on a continual basis. Copy deadlines are six weeks before the month of publication. TREA DOES NOT pay for manuscripts. Send articles
and news to TREA National Headquarters, c/o Editor at the address or email address listed above. PPublication of submitted articles is not guaranteed.
38 Taps
40 TREA National Auxiliary
40 President’s Message
40 Awards
41 WEF/Benevolent Program
41 Auxiliary Application
41 Chaplain’s Corner
42 Auxiliary Chapter News
32 TREA Senior Citizen’s
League
“Millions of Public Employees
Short Changed by Social
Security”
47 TREA Membership
Application
6 2014 Annual Report
8 National President’s
Message
9 Mid Term Report
12 Washington Legislative
Update
26 Membership Benefits
16 Committee News
16 Recruiting
17 Nominating
33 Membership-QPL Pymts
28-29 TREA Wear
& Accessories
34-37 Chapter News
39 JROTC Awards
George Skonce 1915-2000
Dean Sorell 1921-2004
2014-2015 Board of Directors
(Committees Listed)
National President
Larry Hyland
(Convention)
lhyland2@cfl.rr.com
1st Vice President
John I. Adams
(Five-Year Plan/IT)
jiatrea@q.com
2nd Vice President
Garry Turks
(Chaplain, Legislative Affairs)
garryturks@comcast.net
3rd Vice President
Michael Davis
(Membership)
davmil@pngusa.net
Treasurer
John Martinez
(Finance)
martinezela@aol.com
1 Year Directors
Aaron Reed
(Public Relations)
aaronreed2@aol.com
Caroline Allen
(Chapter Start-up Assist)
denvercallen@aol.com
2 Year Directors
C.D. Rice, Jr.
(Credentials/Nominations)
Fax: 303-574-9623
vsocd11@gmail.com
Justin Jump
(Bylaws and Standing Rules)
jumpjg@gmail.com
Past National Presidents’ Council
Richard “Rick” Delaney
(Awards)
rjdtrea@gmail.com
Parliamentarian
Edward “Ed” Pacheco
Fax: 719-637-1091
edpac1@live.com
Veteran Service Officer (VSO)
Michael Holzhauser
MHolzhauser@brookingscountysd.gov
TREA Memorial Foundation Chairman
Bill DeBoer
bill.deboer@comcast.net
TREA Senior Citizens League Chairman
Ed Cates
Ectrea@comcast.net
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE STAFF
Director for Operations - TREA HQ
Tammy Clowers - tammyc@trea.org
Washington Executive Director - TREA DC
Deirdre Holleman - dholleman@treadc.org
The Voice
Editor-Publications Coordinator
editor@trea.org
TREA National Headquarters
1111 South Abilene Court
Aurora, CO 80012-4909
800-338-9337 • 303-752-0660
Fax: 303-752-0835 • 888-882-0835
Web Page: http://www.trea.org/
e-mail: treahq@trea.org
TREA Washington Office
1001 N Fairfax St, Suite 102
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-684-1981• 800/554-8732
Fax: 703-548-4876 • 866-548-4876
e-mail: treadmin@treadc.org
The Senior Citizens League (TSCL)
800-333-8725 • 703-548-5568
Fax: 703-740-4017 e-mail: contact@tscl.org
Web Page: http://www.tscl.org/
PLEASE NOTE OUR P.O. BOX NUMBER
P.O. BOX 473280 AURORA, CO 80047-3280

4 The VOICE July 2015
NEWS:
9 TBI Assisted Living Pilot Program
14 GI Bill: Benefit Transfer to Family Member Rules
14 Vet Hiring Fairs
17 Walmart Community Grant Program
18 Unclaimed Vets Dignified Burial
20 VA Women Veterans Campaign
20 Female Vet Suicide Rate Staggering
23 VA-DOL-HUD Heads Back Off Goal
30 VA Recognized Agent Orange Exposure Locations
32 COLA Watch
38 Local Director Honored
43 With Transition 360 Alliance, USO Seeks to
‘Combine the Very Best’ to Help Troops Integrate
into Civilian Life
45 Retiree Affair Days (RADs)
46 Veteran Health Survey
Advertising: No representation, warranties or
endorsements should be implied or inferred from
the appearance of the advertisement in this publi-
cation. Advertising rates and information may be
obtained by emailing editor@trea.org or
calling The VOICE at 303-752-0660..
Advertising Index
Serving the Total Enlisted Force
1st Street- Perfect Sleep Chair 15
1st Street-WOW Computer 19
1st Street-Jitterbug 31
Interceuticals-BetterWOMAN 23
Bradford Exchange-John Wayne 2
Bradford Exchange-Grandson 25
MD Hearing Aid 11
Bioderm-Mens Liberty 5
USAA 48
Deadlines
Story Advertising
Cutoff
Aug. 2015* 7/17/2015
Sep. 2015* 8/14/2015
Oct. 2015 8/24/2015
Nov. 2015* 10/9/2015
Dec. 2015* 11/13/2015
* - Denotes e-mag available
on our website
2015 Convention:
“Official Call to Convention” 8
Silent Auction 17
Advertising Rates 22
Booster Form 22
Casino Shuttle 21
Registration 24
Tours 27
CHANGES TO THE VOICE:
Effective immediately, The VOICE is going to be printed quarterly. For the
remainder of 2015, the printed magazines will be July and October. Starting
in 2016, the magazine will be printed the first month of the quarter:
January, April, July, October.
We will continue to produce a monthly e-magazine on the months that the
magazine is not printed. They will be available on our website on the first of
the month.
Do we have your email address. We will also continue to send a weekly
Washington Update email blast -- usually on Mondays. Make sure we have
your email in our database. Send it to us at editor@trea.org.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
FINANCIAL POSITION
TREA/TSCL/Memorial Foundation
ASSETS
Cash/Cash Equivalents $1,031.236
Receivables-Trade 172,034
Inventory 34,671
Investments 2,546,376
Prepayments 161,453
Property Equipment, net 1,740,041
TOTAL ASSETS $5,685,811
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
Liabilities:
Accounts Payable Liabilities 2,153,835
Scholarship Payable 12,500
Deferred Membership Dues 1,197,488
Notes Payable 1,252,034
Capital Lease Obligations 4,518
Total Liabilities $4,620,375
Net Assets:
Unrestricted 1,039,354
Temporarily Restricted 26,082
Total Net Assets 1,065,436
TOTAL LIABILITIES
AND NET ASSETS $5,685,811
by John Martinez, TREA Treasurer
Once again this year, the TREA Finance
Committee held a telephone conference
(Telecon) on May 4, 2015 prior to the
TREA Mid-Term Meeting that convened
on May 7 8, 2015. The Headquarter
Staff formulated the FY2016 Budget prod-
uct that was provided to all in a timely
manner prior to holding the telecom.
Again adjustments were made in some
areas which were discussed in detail, and
an “Open Discussion” period was held
which revealed the following:
Chapter Rebates - We have 51 active
chapters. Approximately 65% of the chap-
ters qualified for the first 2 quarter rebates
for FY2014 (33 out of the 51). That being
said, about another 12% were in the
process of submitting the required paper-
work, but didn’t once the TREA Board of
Directors (BOD) unanimously approved
the putting the Rebate Program on hold
indefinitely. That said, the qualified per-
centage would have risen from 65% to
over 77%. If the program had not been
halted, it is estimated that 38 chapters
would have qualified and submitted paper-
work for rebates, totaling $5700 for the
4th quarter. The established budget line
item has been approximately $22,000.00
per year. Keep in mind, there is ‘No
Return-On-Investment” with this pro-
gram.
TREA Shortfalls - As was discussed, our
income has decreased significantly. While
our expenses have also decreased, they
have not decreased at the same rate as our
income; therefore, the two are NOT IN
SYNC. This can be attributed to a signifi-
cant drop in Recruitment/Retention of
members as well as the short-fall of Donor
Acquisitions. In order for TREA to sur-
vive, the Recruitment/Retention and
Donor Acquisitions programs must be
given the highest priority immediately.
Efforts to decrease expenses and
increase income are numerous and are
being addressed continually by the BOD.
Examples of some of the efforts have
been:
(1) An immediate savings of approxi-
mately $3,800.00 for holding a Telecon
versus having all of the Finance Com-
mittee Members come to TREA Head-
quarters
(2) Direct marketing our ads for The
VOICE (started March FY2015) at
TREA Headquarters – the estimated
savings of $22,700.00 for FY2015 and
the same (possibly) going forward based on
advertising sales of $64,850.00 with a 35% com-
mission base being retained by TREA.
(3) Rein in the expense of conventions with better
spending control and more sponsors which is
done by the Headquarter staff with an estimated
savings of approximately $40,000.00 a year and
going forward.
(4) Booking of TREA Mid-term meeting (to
include lodging at Buckley AFB versus private
hotels was done this year with an immediate sav-
ings of $3416 and hopefully will continue in
years to come.
As an “Overall Cost Savings for TREA” one can
see that this year’s Annual Report has been drasti-
cally cut back on the amount of space taken for pub-
lication in The Voice. The above does not present a
so-called “Rosy Picture” but simply points out some
efforts being taken by the Finance Committee in
association with the TREA BOD to address pertinent
financial matters within TREA
I wish to thank the TREA staff, the Finance Com-
mittee Members and not least the TREA BOD Mem-
bers who have extended their overwhelming support
on my behalf during my tenure as TREA’s National
Treasurer. Numerous undertakings are currently in
progress which can turn around our problem areas by
pursuing new methods to find sources of funding for
the Recruitment/Retention and Donor Acquisitions
2014ANNUALREPORT

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ACTIVITY
Memorial Consolidated
TREA TSCL Foundation Eliminations Total
SUPPORT AND REVENUE
Membership Dues $ 565,482 $ 565,482
Royalties 159,588 159,588
Fundraising 287,500 287,500
Trademark Fees 248,804 (248,804)
List Income 231,033 110,474 341,507
Rental Income 53,469 (53,469)
Donations 23,753 6,693,792 2,646,627 9,364,172
Convention Registration 31,162 31,162
Interests/Dividends 47,113 30,009 5,603, 82,725
Realized/Unrealized Gains
on Investments 36,059 (20,003) 9 16,065
Merchandise Sales 31,424 31,424
Advertising 43,502 43,502
Other Income 52,693 8,559 (44,698) 16,554
Total Support and Revenue $1,527,080 $6,996,859 $2,762,713 $(346,971) $10,939,681
EXPENSES
Program Services:
Government Affairs $ 276,316 $1,878,990 (86,380) $2,068,926
Public Education 116,022 2,988,150 (120,395) 2,983,777
Membership:
Services Retention 236,872 214,772 (5,087) 446,557
Education Training 109,190 (2,673) 106,517
The VOICE 205,624 (214) 205,410
Scholarships Grants 97,189, 97,189
Political Action Committee 2,584 2,584
Veteran Services 2,500 2,500
Outreach and Education 1,848,732 (214,749) 1,848,732
Total Program Services 944,024 5,086,996 1,945,921 7,762,192
Supporting Services:
Fundraising 174,561 1,358,438 446,933 (5,190) 1,974,742
General Administrative 400,393 324,210 215,939 (127,032) 813,510
Membership Recruitment 99,880 99,880
Total Supporting Services 674,834 1,682,648 662,872 (132,222) 2,888,132
Total Expenses $1,618,858 $6,769,644 $2,608,793 $(346,971) $10,650,324
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS $ (91,778) $ 227,215 $ 153,920 $ 289,357
Net Assets-Beginning of Year $ 499,476 $ 232,649 $ 43,954 $ 776,079
NET ASSETS-END OF YEAR $ 407,698 $ 459,864 $ 197,874 $1,065,436
Programs. Once again, I’m looking forward to a sec-
ond term in this Office in order to see through the
many newly instituted programs with the help of the
Headquarter staff and the newly elected BOD. In con-
clusion, President Hyland had been the driving force
behind the vast amount of changes which have
improved TREA as a whole thus far, which only
shows that his leadership abilities are being applied
for the overall betterment of TREA. “UNITED WE
STAND”
TREA is a non-profit veterans service organization
with IRS Code 501©19, while the Memorial Founda-
tion is a Charitable Organization under IRS Code
501©3. Donations to both are tax deductible. TREA
Senior Citizens League (TSCL) is under IRS Code
501©4 and donations to them are not tax deductible.

sional and who also joined me in
placing a wreath at the Tomb of the
Unknowns after the President’s
speech.
We appreciate all of those TREA
members who faithfully come to
Arlington each Memorial Day and
Veterans Day to represent TREA.
* * * *
This is a season of patriotic holi-
days — Memorial Day as I just
mentioned, and then Independence
Day during this month. There are
celebrations in cities, towns, and
villages large and small. There will
be parades composed of marching
bands, flags, organizations and, of
course, veterans. Everyone will be
involved in showing their love of
country and proudly displaying
their feelings of patriotism for this
great nation, which is, and contin-
ues to be a melting pot for many.
However, we should all take a
moment and think about those
standing watch for us in the far-
flung corners of the globe. We
have nearly 10,000 troops with
boots still on the ground in
Afghanistan and approximately
another 63,000 in-theater support.
We have military personnel in over
150 countries around the world,
with about 140,000 Army troops
scattered through those 150. In
addition, many of the 1.3 million
personnel on active duty in all of
the services, as well as many of the
840,000 Guard and Reserve per-
sonnel are deployed or stationed
overseas as well. So again, take a
moment as you celebrate and think
of those who are far from our
shores and their loved ones.
* * * *
As you know by now, Congress
has undertaken a major overhaul
of the military retirement system.
We have real concerns about what
is being done and what affect it
will have on the future of the all-
volunteer force. Thankfully, they
have grandfathered all current
retirees and all those currently
serving so we will continue under
the current retirement system.
We also have concerns about
what they might do to the commis-
sary system and its future is up in
the air as this is written. You can
read more about what’s going on
TREANATIONAL
PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
Larry Hyland
I
had the honor to represent
TREA at the annual Memorial
Day ceremonies at Arlington
National Cemetery this year. I was
joined by members of TREA
Chapters 9 and 24 in Maryland and
I want to thank each of those mem-
bers who were there also repre-
senting TREA. I especially want to
thank TREA Past National Presi-
dent Art Cooper and TREA Chap-
ter 9 past president Mike Gales
who carried the U.S. and TREA
flags in the processional and reces-
Hyland, Page 10
This is the “Official Call to Convention”. Please make plans to join
us in St. Louis.
Where: Hilton Hotel Frontenac in St. Louis, MO
Dates: September 17-19, 2015

Every year the TREA Board of Directors meets at
least once between conventions. During that time,
we call it our mid-term meeting, we deal with
issues that have arisen and that cannot wait to be
dealt with until the convention.
We just had our mid-term the first part of May
and for the first time, it was held at Buckley AFB
outside of Denver. Always in the past we’ve met at
our headquarters in Aurora (suburban Denver) and
stayed in hotels. This year, Christine Rouch of our
headquarters staff suggested we could save money
by staying and meeting at Buckley. With the help
of TREA 2-year Director C.D. Rice, Christine
made the arrangements and as a result, we were
able to save a considerable amount of money and I
think everyone agreed that the accommodations
were more than satisfactory.
In addition, meeting there afforded us the oppor-
tunity to hear from CMSgt Brian Kruzelnick, Com-
mand Chief of the 460th Space Wing and MSgt
Troy Drasher, the 1st Sergeant of the 460th Force
Support Squadron. It was MSgt Drasher who
arranged for us to get the room. We appreciated
their attendance with us and we were made to feel
very welcomed. We expect to continue meeting at
Buckley in the future and having the opportunity to
hear from currently serving troops.
One of the things we decided on is to provide
more time at our conventions for input from the
delegates to ask questions, discuss issues and offer
suggestions on how to reach out more effectively
to enlisted personnel so that we may increase our
effectiveness and improve our association in ways
that will benefit everyone.
If you’re a MAL and have never attended our
national convention I invite you to consider doing
so this year, especially if you’re in the St. Louis
area. We’d love to have you join us and learn more
about our association.
We also decided to change the schedule and start
printing The Voice magazine on a quarterly basis.
I’ve said more about that in my President’s column
if you have not yet read it.
All in all, it was a productive meeting and I
believe the steps we’ve taken will improve TREA:
The Enlisted Association and help us as we move
forward.
MID-TERM
REPORT
The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded 20 con-
tracts for the Assisted Living Pilot Program for Veter-
ans with Traumatic Brain Injury (AL-TBI). Originally
slated to end in 2014, the Veterans Access, Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014 (“VACAA”) extended this
program through October 2017. “We are pleased to
extend this valuable program and provide specialized
assisted living services to eligible veterans with trau-
matic brain injury that will enhance their rehabilita-
tion, quality of life and community integration,” said
Dr. Carolyn Clancy, VA’s interim Under Secretary for
Health. “TBI is one of the prevalent wounds of the
recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and VA remains
committed to taking care of those veterans suffering
from TBI.”
Under the AL-TBI program, veterans meeting the eli-
gibility criteria are placed in private-sector TBI resi-
dential care facilities specializing in neurobehavioral
rehabilitation. The program offers team-based care and
assistance in areas such as speech, memory and mobil-
ity. Approximately 202 veterans participated in the
AL-TBI Pilot Program in 47 facilities located in 22
states. Currently, 101 veterans participate in the pilot
as VA continues to accept new eligible patients into the
program. In October, VA issued a request for proposal
for vendors wishing to participate in the program. In
accordance with the RFP, VA has awarded 20 contracts
to facilities located in 27 states. The contracts went
into effect on 1 APR. The program is effective through
October 2017, in accordance with VACAA. For more
information about the TBI program, visit
http://www.polytrauma.va.gov. For information about
VA’s work to implement the Veterans Access, Choice,
and Accountability Act of 2014, see:
http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/documents/
FactSheets/Progress-Report-March-2015-Fact-
Sheet.pdf.
TBI Assisted Living Pilot
Program

in Washington elsewhere in this issue, but you need to
know that even though Congress didn’t try to change
the military health care system this year, we expect
that to be up for serious change in another year or two.
As always, TREA’s Washington staff is on the front
lines fighting to protect those benefits that you depend
so much on.
Because of the time limitations of printing and mail-
ing, TREA also sends a free email Washington Update
out every week and I urge you to sign up for that if
you don’t receive it. It will keep you up-to-date on
these issues that are so important to all of us. Go to:
http://www.capwiz.com/trea/
mlm/signup/
and sign up to get the Weekly Updates.
* * *
Every year the TREA Board of Directors meets at
least once between conventions. During that time, we
call it our mid-term meeting, we deal with issues that
have arisen and that cannot wait to be dealt with until
the convention.
We just had our mid-term the first part of May and I
invite to read about what happened there in the “Mid-
Term Report” column on Page 9.
* * *
Previously I asked for input from each TREA mem-
ber regarding our The Voice magazine. I appreciate all
who responded and we took into account your opin-
ions during our meeting. As a result, we agreed to
change The Voice magazine to a quarterly publication.
That will allow us to provide more in-depth coverage
of issues of concern to all of us while at the same time
being better stewards of our financial resources. In the
months when we don’t have a printed version of The
Voice we will continue to provide the electronic ver-
sion and we will encourage more TREA members to
sign up to receive it.
* * * *
Finally, I have recently learned about an effort to
posthumously award the Medal of Honor to an enlist-
ed man who was serving aboard the USS West Vir-
ginia when it was attacked by the Japanese at Pearl
Harbor. His name was “Dorie” Miller and he was
awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the
attack. However, many believe he deserves the Medal
of Honor. I have been in touch with the office of Con-
gresswoman Eddie Bernice-Johnson (D-Texas) who
is helping lead the fight to win the medal and I urge
you to read more about this effort via links supplied
on the TREA Home Page.
United We Stand
Larry
= Hyland, from Page 8

It is amazing how much is happening on the Hill
right now. It feels completely different from the last
term when everything was frozen. (Of course we do
not know whether everything will all come to a grind-
ing halt when we hit the wall of sequestration for
domestic programs. It very well may.) But for now it
seems that there is a lot going on…though not all of it
is to our liking.
We are still in a knock down drag out fight concern-
ing commissaries. The Senate Armed Services Com-
mittee went along with the Administration’s idea of
cutting the financial support for the commissary by
$321 million for FY2016. The House of Representa-
tives did not in their version of the NDAA. They have
no cut in their version. Furthermore the Senate ver-
sion allows variable funding (which would also lead
to higher prices at the commissaries) and ordered that
a plan be created by DoD to privatize the commis-
saries and immediate privatize 4 commissaries as a
pilot. (This was not even something the Administra-
tion asked for.)
For all of you who shop at the commissaries this is
an earned benefit that is calculated to save you 30%
on your grocery shopping when in the country and
bring you home tastes and prices when you are
abroad. It is an extremely important benefit that
should not be taken away.
The Senate Appropriations Committee put back the
full $321 million thanks to the Amendment introduced
by Ranking Member Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-
MD). (Senator Mikulski has been a strong and steady
supporter of military personnel needs throughout her
career. She is going to retire in 2016 and we are going
to miss her.) So while we have the money in both the
House and the Senate Appropriation Bills to fully sup-
port the commissaries we don’t yet have language in
the Senate bill that would require the Pentagon to
spend the money. So it is still urgent for you to con-
tact your Senators to call on them to support full fund-
ing of the commissary benefit and to oppose any
attempt to privatize them.
It looks more and more like Congress is set to pass a
“blended military retirement plan.” This would not
affect any retirees. In fact everyone who is in the mil-
itary on the day this bill was signed would be grand-
fathered in. (However they will be permitted to jump
to the new plan.. and undoubtedly many will.) Unfor-
tunately, both Congressional Houses’ NDAAs include
versions of the Military Compensation and Retire-
ment Modernization Commission’s model for a new
military retirement plan. Both include a 401-k like
retirement account (the fed’s Thrift Savings Plan)
with matching DoD contributions for everyone who
serves at least 2 years in the military. This is a retire-
ment benefit that a veteran could take with him/her
without becoming a retiree. It is a very good idea. A
very popular idea. And one that feels fair for the 83%
of servicemembers who do not spend a career in the
military. Indeed we are sure that is why so many on
the Hill are supporting it. And TREA also thinks it is
a fine idea. However we do not believe that this new
benefit should be paid for by cutting the retired pay of
those who will serve 20 or more years of service.
That is neither fair nor wise. Members of the Com-
mission have assured Congress that the proposed 20%
cut in the retired pay (now 50% of base pay to 40% of
base pay in the future) would be made up by the TSP
and other proposed payments. But the math is just not
there.
At least the House version continues matching DoD
payments for beyond the 20 years for those who con-
tinue to serve past 20. The SASC’s version stops all
DoD contributions after 20 years.)
After months of being silent in public (the discus-
sions within the Pentagon must have been something
to behold.) DoD came out in favor of the “blended
retirement plan” with some changes. One of the
changes was supporting the House’s provision of con-
tinue to pay matching funds in the TSP if a member
continues to serve after 20 years.
And then there is the fights concerning the VA. How
should the Choice Act be implemented? (when the VA
clearly wants it to be dead and buried) How do they
pay to finish the VA in Aurora, which is now estimat-
ed that it will cost $1.7 billion? How to finish the
other 3 VA hospitals under construction that are all
going over budget? How to shorten the wait times for
medical care, claims adjudication and appeals adjudi-
cation?
As we said this is a dramatic time. But TREA is here
in Washington to keep you informed and to make sure
that your voice and concerns are heard. It is going to
be quite a summer.
Legislative Update, Page 13

New Proposed Legislation
Concurrent Receipt:
Representatives Sanford Bishop (D-GA) and Gus
Bilirakis (R-FL) have both reintroduced their bills that
would allow the remaining military retirees to collect
both their retired pay and their VA disability pay. Rep
Bishop’s (D-GA) H.R.333 now has 46 co-sponsors
while Rep. Bilirakis’ (R-FL) H.R. 303 has grown to
54 co-sponsors.
Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) has once again reintro-
duced S271; it is frozen at 14 co-sponsors
Veterans:
The new HVAC Ranking Member Rep. Corinne
Brown (D-FL) introduced H.R. 218. It would allow
young adults to remain in their parent’s CHAMPVA
plan until they reach 26. It has 4 co-sponsors.
Chairman of the HVAC Jeff Miller (R-FL) has been
trying for the last few years to improve and strength-
en Congress’ ability to oversee the VA. He has intro-
duced several bills to see that happens. H.R 280
would authorize the Secretary of the VA to recoup
bonuses and awards from VA employees. With only 9
co-sponsors the House passed the bill as amended and
sent it to the Senate for its consideration. It “Autho-
rizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue
an order directing a VA employee to repay the
amount, or a portion of the amount, of an award or
bonus paid to the employee if: (1) the VA determines
that such repayment is appropriate, and (2) the
employee is afforded notice and an opportunity for a
hearing conducted by another federal agency. Makes
such repayment decisions final and unreviewable.
Makes this Act applicable to awards or bonuses paid
before, on, or after the date of this Act’s enactment.”
Chairman Miller (R-FL) has also introduced
H.R.473 “Increasing the Department of Veterans
Affairs Accountability to Veterans Act of 2015” which
would grant the Secretary of the VA to lower certain
SES’s retirement annuities, accept complaints and
limit the VA SES employees performance ratings to :”
no more than: (1) 10% of such employees may receive
the outstanding level of performance, and (2) 20% of
such employees may receive the exceeds-fully-suc-
cessful level of performance. It has 4 co-sponsors.
While it was passed by the VA Committee it is still sit-
ting in the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform. (Senator Jerry Moran’s (R-KS) companion
bill S290 also has 4 co-sponsors. ) H.R.571 would
support and strengthen “whistleblowers “at the VA. It
has 14 co-sponsors.
Ranking member Corrine Brown has also introduced
H.R. 216 “Improves the Department of Veterans
Affairs Budget Plan.” While it only had 4 co-sponsors
they included HVAC Chairman Miller (R-FL) and
Democratic House leader Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-
MD) and it too passed the House quickly and sent on
to the Senate. Again this shows how important it is to
try and get your bill introduced by a member serving
on the relevant Committee of jurisdiction.
Senator Moran’s (R-KS) S. 207 had 20 bi-partisan
co-sponsors when it was folded into the SASC’s
NDAA just before Memorial Day. There are 2 com-
panion bills in the House H.R.577 has 52 co-sponsors
while H.R.572 has 29 co-sponsors. We are told that
there is a great deal of negotiation behind the scenes
about this proposal. Many people including VA Health
Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Benishek (R-MI) are
for it but it does cost a great deal of money and the VA
(we are told) is pushing hard against it.
S.901 the “Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015”
also introduced by Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) would
require the VA to create a “ national center for
research on the diagnosis and treatment of health con-
ditions of the descendants of veterans exposed to toxic
substances during service in the Armed Forces that are
related to that exposure.” This has been a long time
goal of our friends at the Vietnam Veterans of Ameri-
ca. It now has 9 co-sponsors. It’s companion bill in the
House is H.R. 1769. It was introduced by Rep. Dan
Benishek (R-MI) and has 46 co-sponsors already and
has been passed by his Subcommittee,.
S.398 “Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans
Act of 2015” also introduced by Senator Jerry Moran
(R-KS) Yes, him again. He has been wonderful this
year. The bill would enlarge chiropractic care in the
VA by requiring the VA provide “chiropractic care and
services to veterans through Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) medical centers and clinics to be carried
out at: (1) no fewer than 75 medical centers by
December 31, 2016, and (2) all medical centers by
December 31, 2018.” It has 12 bi-partisan co-spon-
sors. While its companion bill, H.R. 1170, has grown
to 17 co-sponsors. It was introduced by Rep. Alan
Grayson (R-FL)
Survivors
Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC) reintroduced his
bill to end the SBP/DIC offset. Now, H.R. 1594 has
94 co-sponsors. While Senator Bill Nelson’s (D-FL)
still S.979 has only 2 co-sponsors. (Lets all talk to our
Senators soon.)
H.R. 2531 is a bill that Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-
IL) first introduced in the 113th session of Congress.
It would extend the time that widows/widowers
recently made entitle to education benefits under the
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholar-
ship. (This was an additional section of the Choice
Act) It has 22 co-sponsors.
H.R.2537 just introduced by Rep. Joseph P.
Kennedy III (D-MA) would set the monthly DIC st
55% 0f the payment grated to a veteran who has been
found to be 100% service connected disabled. This
would put the DIC widow/widower in a similar posi-
tion of the spouse of a civilian federal employee who
dies while working.
Legislative Update, Page 12

by Leo Shane, Military.com - Congress may tighten rules for troops who
want to share Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits with their family members.
Tucked into the Senate version of the annual defense authorization bill is
a provision that recommends defense officials review current policy in
that area to ensure it “encourages the retention of individuals in the armed
forces.” The provision also states that service secretaries should “be more
selective in permitting the transferability of unused education benefits” to
family members, while stopping short of mandating specific new changes
or regulations. Although the provision merely expresses a nonbinding
“sense of Congress,” it represents a willingness among some lawmakers
to explore changes to the popular Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, particularly
when the tuition money isn’t being used by veterans themselves.
Under current rules, troops who serve six years and commit to at least
four more can transfer their education benefits to a spouse or child to
attend college. That covers tuition payments, book stipends and, in many
cases, housing costs. The Veterans Affairs Department says more than
928,000 spouses and dependents used GI Bill funds to attend schools in
the first five years that the Post-9/11 version was offered. That added $5.6
billion to the cost of the education benefits. Earlier this year, the Military
Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission recommended
limiting transfer eligibility to troops who serve at least 10 years and sign
up for at least two more.
They argued that such a move would “better focus transferability on
career service members,” the original goal of allowing the benefits to be
shared. The commission also recommended dumping housing stipends
for spouses and children of active-duty troops, arguing that military fam-
ilies already receive one housing payment from the military. In May, offi-
cials from the Defense Department’s military personnel policy office told
the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee that they would have to do more
research on the potential effects of such changes on retention before they
would support those changes. The Senate language appears aimed at giv-
ing them the opportunity to collect that data, with the potential for
changes in years to come. House lawmakers did not include similar lan-
guage in their draft of the annual authorization bill. The full Senate is
expected to take up the legislation in coming weeks, after which a con-
ference committee will work to reconcile differences in the two drafts for
the balance of the summer.
GI Bill: Benefit Transfer
to Family Member Rules Vet
Hiring
FairsUS Chamber of Commerce Press
Release - The U.S. Chamber of Com-
merce (USCC) Hiring Our Heroes
program employment workshops are
available in conjunction with hun-
dreds of their hiring fairs. These
workshops are designed to help veter-
ans and military spouses and include
resume writing, interview skills, and
one –on-one mentoring. Go to the
website below for more information
about each site and to register for the
event.
http://www.uschamberfoundation.org/
events/hiringfairs
6/30: New York Hiring Expo with
New York Mets
New York, NY
7/7: Hawaii Transition Summits
Honolulu, HI
7/10: Cleveland Hiring Fair
Cleveland, OH
7/14: Montgomery Hiring Fair
Montgomery, AL
7/14: Fort Worth/Dallas Hiring Fair
Ft. Worth, TX
7/17: Springfield Hiring Fair
Springfield, OR
7/22-23: Joint Base Elmendorf-
Richardson Transition Summit
Anchorage, AK
7/22: Davenport Hiring Fair
Davenport, IA
7/30: Arlington Hiring Expo with
Texas Rangers
Arlington, TX
7/30: Transitioning Senior Military
Leadership Networking Reception
Arlington, VA
8/6: Peoria Hiring Fair
Peoria, IL
8/12: Little Rock Hiring Fair
Little Rock, AR
8/12: Salt Lake City Hiring Fair
West Valley City, UT
8/13: Farmingdale Hiring Fair
Farmingdale, NY
Hiring, Page 44

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
COMMITTEE NEWS
by Membership Chair
Michael Davis
Michael Gales -Chapter 9
Ricky Garcia -Chapter 20
James Harkins -Chapter 94
Walter Higginbotham -Chapter 80
Carlos Lance -Chapter 9*
Robert McClelland -Chapter 20
Douglas Osborne - MAL
Christopher Robles -Chapter 20
Charles White -Chapter 72*
* - Denotes recruited more than 1.
April-May 2015
9 Recruiters
Recruited 13
59 Total New
121 Renew
Remember if you want credit for recruiting a
new member, your name and TREA number (not
lifemember number) must be entered correctly
and legibly on the new member’s application.
The Caption was incorrect in the May 2015 magazine. It should
have read, 2nd VP Garry Turks (left) Rep. Corrine Brown (FL-
5th District) (center) and National Director Caroline Allen
(right). We apologize for the error.

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
by C. D. Rice, Jr.,
National Director/Nominating Chair
Have you ever thought you would like to serve on
the National Board of Directors? The Enlisted Associ-
ation is Accepting Resumes for the 2015-2016
National Board of Directors.
The following positions will be open; President, 1st
Vice President, 2nd Vice President, 3rd Vice Presi-
dent, Treasurer, and two (2-Yr) Director positions.
You must be a member of The Enlisted Association
and meet the eligibility requirements as outlined in the
Bylaws, and have the time to give to help The Enlist-
ed Association move forward. Resumes must be sub-
mitted on TREA Form 100-3, which is available on
our website at http://trea.org/nominating.html/ or by
contacting The Enlisted Association HQ at 800-338-
9337. In order to be included in the convention pack-
ets, resumes must be received at Headquarters by
Press Time (approximately July 15, 2015). Qualified
candidates may wait until the Convention and be
nominated from the floor. However, it is your
responsibility to provide enough resumes for each
delegate to receive one.
Please contact Director C. D. Rice, Jr. at
vsocd11@gmail.com with any questions or The
Enlisted Association Headquarters at 800-338-9337.
Resumes received as of Press time:
President: Lawrence Hyland
1st Vice President: John Adams
2nd Vice President: Garry Turks
3rd Vice President: Caroline Allen
Michael Davis
Treasurer: John Martinez
Director: Aaron Reed
NOTE: Years ago each position had 2-3 persons
vying for it. So much so, candidates asked for 15-20
minutes caucuses for opportunity to solicit more votes
and/or to try and get into a better position to win a
particular office. Let’s do the same in 2015
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Community Grant Program
Walmart/Sam’s Club/Logistic Facilities offer a Com-
munity Grant Program through each of their facilities.
The Community Grant Program awards grants rang-
ing from $250 to $2,500 through each of our facilities
(Walmart Stores, Sam’s Clubs, and Logistics Facili-
ties). Eligible nonprofit organizations must operate on
the local level (or be an affiliate/chapter of a larger
organization that operates locally) and directly benefit
the service area of the facility from which they are
requesting funding. Go to the following website to
apply and read further information about require-
ments.
Organization programs and proposed programs must
directly benefit the communities within the service
area of the facility to which you plan to apply?
http://www.cybergrants.com/pls/cybergrants/quiz.display_question?x_gm_id=2797x_quiz_id=4503x_order_by=1
SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS
TREA: The Enlisted Assoiciation Memorial Foundation is accepting
donations for the Silent Auction that will be held during the annual
convention in St. Louis. Items may be sent to The Enlisted
Association Headquarters or brought to convention and given to HQ
Staff. All proceeds from the Auction will go to the Memeorial
Foundation Scholarship Program.

VAntage Point - The image is iconic: A uniformed
officer solemnly places a folded American flag in the
arms of a grieving family member while a military fir-
ing party renders final honors. Unfortunately, howev-
er, sometimes our nation’s heroes die with no known
next-of-kin and insufficient resources. While VA’s
goal is to help Veterans and their loved ones before
they die or become indigent, sometimes Veterans out-
live both their families and their financial means.
Sometimes too, Veterans never seek the help they
earned from the VA, so we don’t know they are out
there. As hard as the VA works to avoid this, and as
difficult as it is to accept, at least now we can help
ensure that Veterans who die unclaimed are given the
dignified burials they deserve.
Several resources are now available to ensure Veter-
ans receive honorable burials. As a part of the “Digni-
fied Burial and Other Veterans’ Benefits Improvement
Act of 2012,” VA has new monetary benefits to assist
with the burial of unclaimed Veterans. VA will contin-
ue to work with Veteran service groups, funeral indus-
try partners, public administrators and other con-
cerned citizens to ensure these unclaimed Veterans are
cared for and treated honorably.
The person or entity handling burial arrangements
for an unclaimed Veteran can work with VA to sched-
ule the burial and get reimbursement for the associat-
ed expenses. The purchase of a casket or urn, the cost
of transportation to a national cemetery for burial, and
a burial allowance are reimbursable in some cases for
unclaimed Veterans.
The first step in ensuring a dignified burial for an
Unclaimed Veteran is to establish the Veteran’s serv-
ice record and burial eligibility. Once authorities iden-
tify the unclaimed person and suspect his or her Vet-
eran status, the VA can help locate the deceased’s
service record. The VA can help locate the deceased’s
service records through the VA’s National Cemetery
Scheduling Office (1-800-535-1117). Officials at the
office will also help identify the closest VA national
cemetery and schedule a burial date. When the
unclaimed Veteran is buried or inurned in a VA nation-
al cemetery, the person or entity handling the arrange-
ments (the applicant) can be reimbursed for the pur-
chase of the casket or urn used, provided it meets the
minimum standards outlined in the Unclaimed Veter-
an Remains – Casket or Urn Reimbursement Program
Fact Sheet:
http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/docs/factsheets/
CasketUrn_Reimbursement.pdf
Applicants can also request reimbursement for the
transportation of the unclaimed Veteran to the closest,
open VA national cemetery and request a burial
allowance to help with additional costs. Information
on how to apply for those benefits can be found in the
Unclaimed Remains Burial Resources Fact Sheet,
which includes links to the forms needed for process-
ing, and lists options available if the unclaimed Veter-
an is not buried in a VA national cemetery:
http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/docs/factsheets/
Unclaimed_Remains_Burial_Resources.pdf
The monetary burial benefits for unclaimed Veterans
depend upon the location of burial, with burial in a VA
national cemetery being the priority. These monetary
burial benefits are facilitated by VA’s National Ceme-
tery Administration (NCA), which operates its 131
National Cemeteries, and the Veterans Benefits
Administration (VBA), which facilitates compensa-
tion, pension, insurance, and loan programs for Veter-
ans. The recent legislation also removes the VA pen-
sion and compensation prerequisite for the burial
allowance provided by VBA when handling
unclaimed Veterans. If an unclaimed Veteran passes
away while under the care of the Veterans Health
Administration, the closest VA healthcare facility will
arrange for proper burial of the Veteran. Their proce-
dures are defined in VHA Handbook 1601B.04, Dece-
dent Affairs, Section 8, “Unclaimed Remains” at:
http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/
ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2864.
While the benefits discussed here apply specifically
to unclaimed Veterans, almost all Veterans with an
other than dishonorable discharge, as well as their
spouses and minor, dependent children, are eligible
for VA memorial benefits.
These benefits include burial in a VA national, state
or tribal Veterans’ cemetery; a headstone, marker or
medallion; a U.S. Burial Flag; and a Presidential
Memorial Certificate. Some Veterans are also eligible
for Burial and Plot-Interment Allowances. VA oper-
ates 131 national cemeteries, one national Veterans
burial ground and 33 soldiers’ lots and monument
sites in 40 states and Puerto Rico. VA also provides
funding to establish, expand, improve and maintain 95
Veterans cemeteries in 45 states and territories includ-
ing tribal trust lands, Guam and Saipan. For Veterans
not buried in a VA national cemetery, VA provides
headstones, markers or medallions to commemorate
their service.
UnclaimedUnclaimed
VetsVets
DignifiedDignified
BurialBurial

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will conduct a series
of one-day events to raise awareness and celebrate the stories of
women Veterans. The events, to be held in five locations across
the country, will provide an overview of services and benefits
available to women Veterans. Experts will be available to answer
Veterans’questions, and exhibitors will share information on their
many resources. “We have found that our women Veterans often
put the needs of others’ first,” said Elisa Basnight, Director of
VA’s Center for Women Veterans (CWV). “We encourage them to
make themselves a priority, to learn about the benefits and serv-
ices which they’ve earned through their dedicated service. We are
bringing our experts to them, where they are.” VA staff, as well as
local community supporters and agencies that assist women Vet-
erans, will be available for face-to-face interaction. All VA facili-
ties are encouraged to participate in activities to celebrate and
honor the women who answered the nation’s call. The scheduled
events and local activities are part of a new national VA cam-
paign, Women Veterans: Celebrating Our Stories of Service,
which launched in late March 2015. The vision for the national
VA campaign was born out of the realization that when our
women Veterans from all eras and generations surrender the uni-
form, they retain the intangible—that combination of resolute
resilience and the unbeatable skills they will incorporate into their
reintegration and readjustment process. Through this campaign,
CWV will be engaged in going to these women Veterans to raise
the awareness of VA’s commitment to them, and to facilitate the
conversation around what more needs to be done in serving the
unique needs of women Veterans. The sessions for women Veter-
ans will be held between June and September at the following
locations:
San Diego (Oceanside), CA – July 10, 2015
Houston, TX – August 7, 2015
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN – September 14, 2015
Washington, DC – September 22, 2015
Women Veterans represent one of the fastest growing segments
of the Veterans population—about 9.2 percent of the total Veter-
ans population. Today there are an estimated 2 million women
Veterans nationwide. VA continues to improve benefits and serv-
ices for women Veterans and is diligently transforming its culture
to embrace this growing population, through other collaborative
initiatives with Federal/state/local governmental and non-govern-
mental stakeholders. For more information about VA’s Women
Veterans Campaign and VA’s commitment to women Veterans
http://www.va.gov/womenvet.
VA Women
Veterans
Campaign
New government research shows that
female military veterans commit suicide
at nearly six times the rate of other
women, a startling finding that experts
say poses disturbing questions about the
backgrounds and experiences of women
who serve in the armed forces. Their sui-
cide rate is so high that it approaches that
of male veterans, a finding that surprised
researchers because men generally are far
more likely than women to commit sui-
cide. “It’s staggering,” said Dr. Matthew
Miller, an epidemiologist and suicide
expert at Northeastern University who
was not involved in the research. “We
have to come to grips with why the rates
are so obscenely high.” Though suicide
has become a major issue for the military
over the last decade, most research by the
Pentagon and the Veterans Affairs
Department has focused on men, who
account for more than 90% of the
nation’s 22 million former troops. Little
has been known about female veteran
suicide.
The rates are highest among young vet-
erans, the VA found in new research com-
piling 11 years of data. For women ages
18 to 29, veterans kill themselves at near-
ly 12 times the rate of non-veterans. In
every other age group, including women
who served as far back as the 1950s, the
veteran rates are between four and eight
times higher, indicating that the causes
extend far beyond the psychological
effects of the recent wars. The data
include all 173,969 adult suicides — men
and women, veterans and non-veterans
— in 23 states between 2000 and 2010. It
is not clear what is driving the rates. VA
researchers and experts who reviewed the
data said there were myriad possibilities,
including whether the military had dis-
proportionately drawn women at higher
suicide risk and whether sexual assault
and other traumatic experiences while
Female Vet
Suicide Rate
Staggering
Female Vet, Page 30

Please tip your drivers! Reservations can be made online at:
http://trea.org/faqs.html

SOLD
SOLD

by Leo Shane, Military.com - Heads of the depart-
ments of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Devel-
opment, and Labor backed off the White House’s stat-
ed goal of ending veterans homelessness by the start
of 2016, instead emphasizing “sustainable” plans to
permanently end the problem as soon as possible. “I
think all of us are fixated on getting to the goal even-
tually and not whether it’s Dec. 31 or Jan. 1,” said VA
Secretary Bob McDonald. “We want to build a system
that is sustainable because we know there will be
variation over time.” The three Cabinet officials
joined Interagency Council on Homelessness Execu-
tive Director Matthew Doherty in Houston for the
start of a three-city tour to highlight partner efforts to
get veterans off the streets — a goal outlined by
White House officials five years ago. Since then, the
number of homeless veterans has been reduced by
more than 25,000 individuals, but between 40,000
and 50,000 veterans are believed to still be struggling
with homelessness. Advocates have acknowledged
that reaching the goal of getting all of those veterans
into housing by year’s end — the White House’s orig-
inal goal — will be difficult. Monday’s event in
Houston was designed as a celebration of advances
that city officials have made to reduce their homeless
veterans population and of systems already in place
that officials say over time will find housing for every
troubled veteran in their city. Already, officials in
New Orleans, Salt Lake City and Phoenix have
announced they’ve hit “functional zero” on their
homeless veteran population. But Houston, with the
fourth largest metropolitan population in the country,
would be the largest city so far to solve the problem
of how to help those veterans. The functional zero
designation doesn’t mean veterans in an area won’t
ever become homeless, but instead means city servic-
es have enough beds to quickly shelter homeless vet-
erans and systems in place for effective outreach to
them. “If Houston can do this, it means that any other
big city can do this,” said HUD Secretary Julian Cas-
tro. “The functional zero designation doesn’t mean
veterans in an area won’t ever become homeless, but
instead means city services have enough beds to
quickly shelter homeless veterans and systems in
place for effective outreach to them. “If Houston can
VA-DOL-HUD Heads
Back Off Goal
Homeless, Page 32

Item # Quantity Description Color Size Total Price
UNIFORM ITEMS:
Windbreaker
4302 Unisex Sizes S-5X (+$5.00 for 2X-5X) $70.00
Hats
4306 Men’s Overseas Cap Sizes 6 3/8 - 7 7/8 $26.00
4306 Women’s Sizes S-L $26.00
4306A Women’s Aux Hat Sizes S-L $26.00
Please note Personalization is $.60/letter (allow 4-6 weeks)
Ties
4307 Ties Regular/Clip-On/Extra Long (+$1.00) $11.00
4307 Women’s Tie $10.00
4313 Tie Tack (without chain) $2.75
Patches
4311 TREA Logo Regular (2 3/4” Round) $2.50
4311 TREA Logo (Life Member w/Rocker +$1.00)
3 1/2” Round $3.50
4311 TREA Logo Patch (Retangle) $2.50
4311 American Flag Patch $1.00
Pins
4309 TREA Logo Lapel Pin (Retangle) $2.00
4309 Silver Chapter Board of Directors $5.00
4309 TREA Lapel Pins - Gold/White (Round) $5.00
Gold Life Member
4309 Retirement Pins $3.50
Army/Marines/Navy/AF Air Force
4309 TREA Flag Pin $2.00
4309 TREA50thAnniversary Pin $5.00
ACCESSORIES:
4305 Bumper Stickers $1.00
Army/Navy/Marines/Air Force/CG Coast Guard
4330 JROTC Medal $13.50
4330 JROTC Certificate (Available Online for Free) $2.00
4329 TREA Challenge Coin $5.00
4329 TREA 50th Anniversary Coin $8.00
4303 Dog Tags (+$1.00 for medical tag) $5.00
4410 Patriotic Scarf or Tie $18.00
SHIPPING COSTS:
$.50 - $10.00 = $3.77
$10.01 - $20.00 = $5.80
$20.01 - $60.00 = $12.35
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$100.01 + = FREE
Mail completed orders to: TREA HQ, 1111
S Abilene Ct, Aurora, CO 80012
Make checks payable to TREA
Fax orders to: 888-882-0835/Phone order
at 800-338-9337
Securely online at www.TREA.org - click on
“TREA Store” - pay with Paypal
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Tech Pullover - Navy/Red/Grey
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Fleece Jacket - Blue/Red/Grey
Tees
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Caps
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Agent Orange Newsletter -
Vietnam Brown Water
Veterans
The inland waterways of Viet-
nam are often referred to as
“brown water” because of their
muddy color. The naval vessels
operating on them are referred to
as the Brown Water Navy and/or
Mobile Riverine Force. Those
who made brief visits ashore and/or served on a ship
that was operated on the inland waterways of Vietnam
are often referred to as “Brown Water Veterans.”
Blue Water Veterans
The deep offshore waters of Vietnam are often
referred to as “blue waters” and naval vessels operat-
ing on them are referred to as the Blue Water Navy.
Blue Water Veterans are not presumed to have been
exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides unless
they actually set foot in Vietnam (including for liber-
al leave or work detail) or served aboard ships on its
inland waterways between January 9, 1962 and May
7, 1975. The Blue Water Navy operated large ships
which were used to carry out their missions along the
Vietnam coastal waters. Some offshore ships includ-
ing hospital ships, harbor repair ships, mine sweepers,
seaplane tenders, and destroyers sent crew members
ashore. Veterans aboard these ships who can show
they were on shore will be eligible for the presump-
tion of exposure.
U.S. Navy Coast Guard Ships In Vietnam
VA maintains an evolving list of U.S. Navy and
Coast Guard ships associated with military service in
Vietnam and possible exposure to Agent Orange
based on military records. This includes ships of the
Brown Water and Blue Water Navy
that operated on Vietnam’s inland
waterways, docked to shore or pier
in Vietnam, or that delivered sup-
plies or troops ashore. The alphabet-
ized ships list is available at:
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/
exposures/agentorange/
shiplist/ index.asp.
Korean Demilitarized Zone
Veterans who served in a unit operating along the
Korean demilitarized zone anytime between April 1,
1968 and August 31, 1971, and who have a disease
VA recognizes as associated with Agent Orange expo-
sure, are presumed to have been exposed to herbi-
cides.
Thailand Military Bases
Vietnam-era Veterans, including U.S. Air Force and
Army Veterans, whose service involved duty on the
perimeters of military bases in Thailand anytime
between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 may
qualify for VA benefits.
Herbicide Tests Storage Outside Vietnam
The Department of Defense gave VA a list of dates
and locations outside of Vietnam where herbicides
were tested and stored. To view the complete list,
visit:
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/agentorange/
dod_herbicides_outside_vietnam.pdf
For more information on each location, visit:
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/
agentorange/locations/index.asp
VA Recognized Agent Orange Exposure Locations
serving played a role. Whatever the
causes, the consistency across age
groups suggests a long-standing
pattern. “We’ve been missing
something that now we can see,”
said Michael Schoenbaum, an epi-
demiologist and military suicide
researcher at the National Institute
of Mental Health who was not part
of the work.
Another area of interest to
researchers is the backgrounds of
women who join the military.
Female service members have
always been volunteers, and their
elevated suicide rates across all
generations may be part of a larger
pattern. Male veterans 50 and older
— the vast majority of whom
served during the draft era, which
ended in 1973 — had roughly the
same suicide rates as non-veteran
men their age. Only younger male
veterans, who served in the all-vol-
unteer force, had rates that exceed-
ed those of other men. The differ-
ences suggest that the suicide rates
may have more to do with who
chooses to join the military than
what happens during their service,
said Claire Hoffmire, the VA epi-
demiologist who led the research.
A more definitive explanation
would require information not
included in the data, such as when
each veteran served and for how
long. Hoffmire pointed to recent
research showing that men and
women who join the military are
more likely to have endured diffi-
cult childhoods, including some
form of abuse.
Other studies have found that
Army personnel — before enlist-
ment — had elevated rates of sui-
cidal thinking, attempts and vari-
ous mental health problems. Those
Female Vet, From page 20
Female Vet, Page 33
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

The odds are high that someone
you know is receiving lower Social
Security benefits than they
deserve. Two federal laws – the
Government Pension Offset (GPO)
and the Windfall Elimination Pro-
vision (WEP) – affect millions of
our nation’s dedicated teachers,
firefighters, peace officers, and
other public servants by unfairly
reducing or eliminating their
earned Social Security benefits.
These laws affect state or local
government workers in twenty-six
states and teachers in fifteen states
because their employers did not
withhold Social Security taxes
from their salaries. The WEP
affects nearly 1.5 million public
servants who have earned pensions
from their state or local govern-
ment, but have also paid into
Social Security through previous
employment. Their earned Social
Security benefits are often unfairly
reduced by as much as 40 percent.
The GPO affects public servants
who are entitled to Social Security
spousal or survivors benefits based
on the work history of a husband or
wife. Nine out of ten times, the
benefits to which they are entitled
are eliminated altogether.
For example, one Maine resident
worked in the private sector, pay-
ing into Social Security for fifteen
years before she returned to the
teaching profession. Her earned
Social Security benefits would
have totaled $700 per month, how-
ever, due to the WEP she receives
only $120 each month. She is also
unable to collect Social Security
spousal benefits due to the GPO,
even though her spouse paid into
the system throughout his entire
career. In retirement, she must rely
almost entirely upon her teaching
pension, which is modest since she
spent only a decade in the profes-
sion. She told the National Educa-
tion Association, “If I had known
the severe financial penalty I was
to pay for returning to teaching, I
don’t think I would have done it.”
Millions of other public servants
find themselves in similar situa-
tions, often too late to do much
about it. To reconcile this inequity,
The Senior Citizens League
(TSCL) advocates for the Social
Security Fairness Act (H.R. 973), a
bill that would repeal both provi-
sions and grant public servants the
retirement security they deserve.
The bill was introduced by Rep.
Rodney Davis (IL-13), who said,
“H.R. 973 will not only give our
public servants the certainty they
deserve but a chance to recruit and
retain the best, brightest, and most
dedicated educators so America
can continue to compete.”
H.R. 973 was introduced in Feb-
ruary, and within just three months,
it has gained over one hundred
cosponsors – both Democrats and
Republicans. Through the remain-
der of the 114th Congress, TSCL
will continue to urge Members of
Congress to support the Social
Security Fairness Act since we
believe that it would go a long way
in ensuring the retirement security
of millions of seniors.
To aid us in our efforts, we
encourage you to contact your
elected officials to request their
support for H.R. 973. You can find
contact information for your repre-
sentatives on our website, at
www.SeniorsLeague.org.
Millions of Public Employees Short-Changed by
Social Security
by Jessie Gibbons, TSCL Legislative Assistant
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
do this, it means that any other big city can do this,”
said HUD Secretary Julian Castro. “We’re going to
reach that goal.” Whether officials can reach the
goal of zero homeless veterans by the end of 2015
won’t be known until well into 2016. Officials use
the annual federal point-in-time count each January
as a marker for the effort, and that data typically
isn’t finalized until the fall. That means that despite
the deadline in seven months, the estimate of home-
less veterans at the start of 2016 won’t be available
for about another 15 months.
Homeless, from Page 23
The May Consumer Price Index of 232.908 increased
0.6 percent compared to last month. It remains .6 per-
cent below the FY 2014 COLA baseline.
The Consumer Price Index for June 2015 is scheduled
to be released on July 17, 2015.
For there to be a 2016 COLA the average index for
July, August and September 2015 must exceed 234.241.
Note: Military retiree COLA is calculated based on
the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Works
(CPI-W), not the overall CPI. Monthly changes in the
index may differ from national figures reported else-
where.
COLA WATCH

WANT YOUR QUARTERLY PAID LIFE (QPL) MEMBERSHIP
PAYMENTS MADE AUTOMATICALLY?
Name: ___________________________________________________ Member # ____________________
Email Address: ______________________________________
Telephone #_________________________________________
Credit Card # _____________________________________ Exp Date: ________________ CVC #:
_______
The Enlisted Association will set up your payments according to your initial membership application (i.e.
$42/quarter) and the balance on your account, until paid in full, unless you request other instructions (i.e.
divide remaining amount and pay off in 3 monthly payments).
Special Instructions: _________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Mail to: 1111 S. Abilene Ct, Aurora, CO 80012
Fax to: 303-752-0835
Email to: editor@trea.org
You can also call and give this information
to us, and we can set it up for you over the
telephone:
800-338-9337 303-752-0660
studies did not break out the numbers for women.
Though the U.S. military has long provided cama-
raderie and a sense of purpose to men, it has been a
harsher place for women. “They lack a sense of
belonging,” said Leisa Meyer, a historian at the Col-
lege of William and Mary in Virginia and an expert on
women in the military. The Pentagon capped the num-
ber of women at 2% of the total military until 1967.
Women trained in separate units until the late 1970s.
Historically, they were nurses, which in wartime
meant exposure to trauma. In Afghanistan and Iraq,
where roadside bombs were common, women suf-
fered unprecedented numbers of casualties. But
Defense Department data show their active-duty sui-
cide rate did not rise — a sharp contrast to men, who
saw their rate double. The new data, which cover
about half the veteran population, show that suicide
rates rise sharply after service members leave the mil-
itary. In all, 40,571 men and 2,637 women identified
as veterans through military records killed themselves
over the 11 years in the data. The overall results were
published online last month in the journal Psychiatric
Services. Suicide rates are usually expressed as the
annual number of deaths for every 100,000 people.
For male veterans, that figure was 32.1, compared
with 20.9 for other men. The numbers were much fur-
ther apart for women: 28.7 for veterans and 5.2 for
everybody else. A stratification of the data by age
group shows that young veterans face the greatest
risk.
Among men 18 to 29 years old, the annual num-
ber of suicides per 100,000 people were 83.3 for vet-
erans and 17.6 for non-veterans.
The numbers for women in that age group: 39.6
and 3.4.
The differences between female veterans and
other women are less extreme in older age groups but
still considered alarmingly high by researchers.
Female Vet, From page 30

C H A P T E R 3 9
AURORA, CO
# # # # # # # # # # #
PNP Dottie Holmes was the
Guest Speaker at the Annual
Chapter Banquet. She is pictured
with Barb and Roger Tackitt.
C H A P T E R 8 0
SAN ANTONIO, TX
# # # # # # # # # # #
C H A P T E R 9 8
ACME, PA
# # # # # # # # # # #
Chapter President Don Higgin-
botham and James Scott ask this
Veteran patient to be their Valentine
at the Annual VA Salute to Veteran
Patients.
Stanley Meyer, Ike Clinton, and
H.C. Moreland honor this patient at
the VA Salute to Veteran Patients.
botham (r) and John Soto (l) with
the Honor Guard from the Memori-
al High School JROTC Program.
The search for new members is
never-ending. While at the UTSA-
Old Dominion basketball game,
Chapter President Don Higginboth-
am met Air Force retiree Ricky
White and recruited him. He is
shown presenting him with a Chap-
ter 80 baseball hat.
Cruz Vallarta and Valerie Sullivan
from the Center for Health Care
Service After The Battle Support
Center. They spoke about a “one
stop” source for veterans and fami-
ly services which includes an alter-
native program for veterans with
mental issues other than going to
jail. Valerie is a retired Air Force
NCO and has joined TREA: The
Enlisted Association, along with an
assistant that accompanied her.
The Chapter participated in the
annual Memorial Day Parade.
Pictured, l-r, Ed Shallenberger,
Jim Cane,Chuck Long,Mario
Santo Columbo,Barry Brooks,
Dennis Klepsky, Jack Dugger,
Miles Crago, Jim Pierce Carl
Kovacs

More Chapter News on Page 36
TREA National Director Aaron
Reed (front row, 2nd from left)
visited the Chapter BOD meeting
in May.
botham presents a Certificate of
Appreciation to Elf Louis Presi-
dent Bill Harrison. He served as
the Guest Speaker for their April
Meeting. The Elf Louise Founda-
tion presents more than 19,000
gifts to children during Christmas.
Chapter members assist in prepar-
ing them.
botham and Auxiliary President
Elaine Moreland escort wheel
chair bound veterans to a minor
league baseball game in San Anto-
nio.
The Chapter signed up 5 new
members at their fundraiser at
Randolph AFB. James Scott con-
gratulates one of the new mem-
bers, Jermaine Goodman. Volun-
teer Micaela Alcala and Stanley
Meyers also worked at the event.
Chapter Chaplain Ike Clinton
chats with a Native American at
the Ft Sam Houston Memorial Day
Ceremony.
The chapter attended the Final
Salute to chapter member Antiono
Mendiola at Ft Sam Houston
National Cemetery. The chapter
dedicated their April meeting to
him.
C H A P T E R 7 4
TAKOMA, WA
# # # # # # # # # # #
The chapter participated in the
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
(JBLM) Joint Army Air Force
Retiree Appreciation Day (RAD)
on JBLM-Lewis North. Manning
the table are: Sitting, l-r, Secre-
tary Debby Ramirez and Jan Mar-
shall (wife of Chuck); standing, l-
r, President C.C. Cameron and 1st
VP Chuck Marshall. Not shown
were Director J. Trotter, Treasurer
P. Chamberlain and Coy Huskey.
The members passed out mis-
sion statement cards, The Voice
magazines and membership
applications to over 200 visitors
with a lot of promises to join
TREA: The Enlisted Association.
Members of the Chapter partici-
pated in the Annual Joint Service
Memorial at Mountain View Park
in Lakewood, WA.

M O R E C H A P T E R N E W S
In April, the Chapter shipped 300
pounds of assorted snacks to
members of the 950th Engineer
Clearance Company from Superi-
or that has been deployed to
Afghanistan. Pictured, l-r, Butch
Liebaert, Jim Potthier, Jim Den-
nie, and Troy Magnuson, getting
the packages ready to ship.
The Chapter was invited to the
retirement ceremony of LtCol
John Scocos (Wisconsin Secretary
of Veteran Affairs). Pictured, l-r,
Jim Dennie, Karl Moe, Jim Korka-
lo, LtCol John Scocos, Chuck
Tenlen, Butch Liebaert, Larry
Lockett, and Troy Magnuson.
After the ceremony the group
attended the Veterans Expo at
Wessman Arena on the campus of
University of Wisconsin/Superior.
They served as the Color Guard
and manned a table at the Expo.
C H A P T E R 1 1 9
SUPERIOR, WI
# # # # # # # # # # #
In May, the Chapter helped
place flags on the grave sites of
military veterans for Memorial
Day. They placed flags at three
cemeteries in the area with the
assistance of 8th Grade students
from Superior Middle School.
They then participated in the
Memorial Day Ceremonies at
Greenwood Cemetery in Superi-
or. Saluting during TAPS are
Butch Liebaert, Karl Moe, and
Jim Potthier.
The Chapter celebrated Flag
Day by making a presentation to
El Pueblo, an Adolescent Treat-
ment Community. They spoke of
the importance of the flag, the
history of Flag Day, and the prop-
er way to retire a flag. Particating
in the presentation were President
Chris Robles, Paul Hendricksen,
and Rick Garcia.
C H A P T E R 2 0
PUEBLO CO
# # # # # # # # # # #
C H A P T E R 1 2 0
ALBANY, NY
# # # # # # # # # # #
The Chapter sponsored a table at
the West Point RAD. Pictured is
Kathy VanIderstyne at the table.
The chapter purchased several
patriotic items from “Oriental
Trade”. The event was attended by
about 600 retirees. The chapter has
been invited to attend the event
next year.

MEMBER AT
LARGE
NEWS
MEMBERS AT
LARGE (MALs):
We want to hear from you.
What are you doing in your
communities for veterans,
active duty, and
spouses/childen at home?
Send your articles and
pictures to:
The Voice Editor,
1111 S. Abilene Ct.,
Aurora, CO 80012,
or email them to
editor@trea.org
C H A P T E R 1
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
# # # # # # # # # # #
The Chapter celebrated their
52nd Anniversary with a Banquet
in February. Their Guest Speaker
was former State Senator Bernie
Herpin. Chapter President Roger
DeLosh and Auxiliary President
Minnie Hensley cut the Anniver-
sary Cake.
The Chapter elected new officers.
They are, l-r, First Vice President
Harry L Blackwell Sr., President
Charles White, Third Vice Presi-
dent Mark Mayo, Treasurer John
Durbiano, Second Vice Presi-
dent/Recording Secretary Joseph
Korinchak, and Past President
Williams Seifert
C H A P T E R 2 9
RAPID CITY, SD
# # # # # # # # # # #
The Chapter sponsored a lunch-
eon at the Chapter for WWII Vet-
erans. About 130 veterans attended
the event that was covered by the
local media. According to organiz-
er Bill Casper, “We plan to do this
again. Our WWII veterans here
and across the country are falling
fast.”
C H A P T E R 7 2
PITTSBURGH, PA
# # # # # # # # # # #
C H A P T E R 3
AURORA, CO
# # # # # # # # # # #
Michael Davis, Chapter member
and National 3rd VP attended the
rally at the unfinished VA Hospi-
tal in Aurora. More than 150 peo-
ple turned out for the rally,
held across the street from
the embattled project. Those
in attendance chanted, “Fin-
ish the Damn Thing”.
Pictured with Mr. Davis is
Joseph Saury, David Teich,
and Congressman Mike
Coffman.

James C Adams - MAL MN
Billy J Alston Sr - Chapter 55 (USA)
Andy Anderson - Chapter 55 (USN)
George Anderson - MAL FL (USAF)
Robert E Arenz - MAL MA (USA)
Claud W Ashcraft - MAL ID
William J Axon - MAL TX (USAF)
Joseph D Balint - MAL NC
Roy Bell - Chapter 3 (USA)
Robert B Bishop - MAL MD (USA)
Roger Borden - MAL MI (USA)
Wayland D Boyle - Chapter 39 (USAF)
Stephen D Buehner - MAL AK (USAF)
David F Byron - MAL AL (USAF)
Maryln E Canfield - MAL TX (USAF)
John P Christowski - MAL VT
John L Cody - MAL AL (USN)
William B Coleman - MAL OH (USAF)
Horace C Coltrane - MAL AL (USA)
Allen B Cook - Chapter 39 (USN)
Kenneth Cook - MAL MA (USAF)
Al Cooper - Chapter 53 (USMC)
Gerald M Daumit - Chapter 98 (USAF)
Roy Dillon - MAL FL
Eugene Donald - MAL NJ (USA)
Denis B Donovan - MAL NY (USAF)
Benjamin Edwards - MAL IL (USA)
David C Elliott - MAL ME (USAF)
Eugene C Ensing - MAL MI (USAF)
George P Evans - Chapter 1
Pearson F Flowers - MAL MS (USA)
Eugene J Gallagher Jr - MAL TX (USAF)
Gilbert Gallegos - MAL NM (USAF)
George Gatzimos - MAL MA (USAF)
Travis H Grace - MAL CA (USAF)
Zane H Gray - MAL TX (USA)
Regis F Groff - Chapter 3 (USAF)
Dennis Gubler - MAL VA (USAF)
Peter T Haritos - MAL MA (USAF)
Eugene Harkenrider - MAL PA (USN)
Jack L Hartman - MAL WA (USAF)
Robert A Henderson - Chapter 53
Robert C Hite - MAL IL (USA)
Bruce J Huss Chapter73 (USA)
Jackie R Johnson - MAL LA (USAF)
Robert E Jordan - MAL MA (USA)
Robert W Keenan - Chapter 1 (USAF)
John J Kennedy - MAL CT (USN)
Otto J Koerber - MAL IL (USAF)
Kenneth D Krueger - MAL NC (USA)
Robert W Krueger - MAL MI (USA)
Thomas Laychak - MAL PA (USAF)
Steven E Leonard - MAL VA (USAF)
Jimmy E Lockhart - Chapter 24 (USA)
Johnnie Martin Sr - MAL CA (USA)
Frederick R Maxwell - Chapter 1 (USA)
Alfred E Mazza - MAL PA (USAF)
James H McMahon - MAL AK (USAF)
Maximino Miletti - Chapter 64 (USA)
George H Montgomery - MAL TN (USAF)
James E Morgan - MAL NE (USAF)
Robert W Morgan - MAL UT
Albert T Moser - MAL PA (USA)
Arthur M Mulkey - Chapter 39 (USAF)
Donald Oneal - MAL SD (USAF)
Lowell T Orman - MAL KY (USAF)
Geoffrey Parkinson - MAL TX (USAF)
William Perdue - MAL TX (USAF)
Thomas E Phillips - Chapter 53 (USAF)
Costa Piperakis - MAL CA (USAF)
Clarence J Povelite - Chapter 1 (USA)
Lloyd Prock - MAL FL (USAF)
James Ringland - MAL MO (USA)
Frank I Roberts - MAL NC (USAF)
Jerry L Russell - MAL GA (USN)
Ernest Santiago - Chapter 55 (USA)
Ronald Sarcomo - MAL PA (USAF)
Ulysses Saxon - Chapter 3 (USAF)
Frederick Sheehan Jr - MAL AZ (USAF)
Gerald L Sipe - Chapter 1 (USAF)
David D Sitch - MAL CO (USAF)
Leonard Skinner - MAL FL (USAF)
Alan L Smith - MAL VA (USN)
Alexander D Smith - MAL MA (USAF)
William H Sutphin - MAL NY (USAF)
Robert M Taylor Jr - MAL NC (USAF)
Johnny F Thornton - MAL IL (USAF)
Crestino J Valdez - Chapter 20 (USA)
Lawrence Wentker - MAL FL (USAF)
Leon Whipkey - MAL TX (USA)
Fred White - MAL MD (USAF)
Jack Williams - MAL FL (USN)
William W Wilmott - Chapter 39 (USAF)
Otis G Worley - MAL CA (USAF)
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
TREA: The Enlisted Association National Director
and Chapter 3 member C.D. Rice, Jr., was honored as
the Veteran of the Year at the 2015 United Veteran Coun-
cil Annual Awards Ceremony. C.D. Rice served as the
organization’s Veteran Service Officer for TREA: The
Enlisted Association for 13 years, and continues as the
Assistant VSO, as well as National Director. He has also
served as a voting member representing TREA: The
Enlisted Association, with the UVC during this time. In
attendance at the ceremony were the keynote speaker,
Sloan D. Gibson, US Deputy Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, the Governor of Colorado John W. Hickenloop-
er, most of the state and federal government officials,
and more than 50 chartered veterans service organiza-
tions representing over 460,000 Colorado veterans and
their dependents. C D. noted that this was “a surprise of
a lifetime”. He concluded by saying, “I really don’t
know quite what to say by expression of gratitude to the
UVC for honoring me for doing what I enjoy. Thank
you.”
LOCAL DIRECTOR HONORED

AWARDS
C/ILT Mohammad Sulman
James Monroe High School
North Hills, CA
Cadet 1st Sgt. Edward Van
Sant
Wolf Battalion at Newsome
High School
Lithia, FL.
Presented by Louis A. Arana
Jr., Chapter President.
Cadet Michael Carrasco
Judson High School
Converse, TX
Presented by H.C. Moreland
and Richard Primm.
Cadet Omar Huerta
Memorial High School
San Antonio, TX
Presented by Johnny Soto
and Stanley Meyer.
Cadet Andrew Gonzalez
Wagner High School
San Antonio, TX
Presented by Wayne Harper
Cadet Joshua Llanes
Burbank High School
San Antionio, TX
Presented by Paul Russell
and President Don
Higginbotham.
Cadet Greg Perez
Edison High School
San Antonio, TX
Presented by Ike Clinton
and Michael Aycock (SGM-
Ret).
Cadet Natalie Bradley
Medina Valley High School
Castroville, TX
Presented by President Don
Higginbotham and Lisa
Rainey (CMSgt-Ret).
Naval JROTC Cadet Aaron
Townsend
Doherty High School
Colorado Springs, CO
Presented by Chuck
Zeitvogel
Cadet SSGt Noah Escalante
Air Academy High School
United States Air Force
Academy
Presented by Ed Cates.
Air Force JROTC Cadet
TSGT Zack Kiefer
Harrison High School
Presented by Greg Bell and
Chuck Zeitvogel
More JROTC Awards on Page 46
Chapter 1
Chapter 58
Tampa Bay, FL
Chapter 80
San Antonio, TX
California

Dear Auxiliary Members,
As my term as your National Auxiliary President nears its end, I would
like to give special thanks to the current National Board of Directors and
committee chairpersons for their outstanding efforts this past year. All
these members are volunteers who are to be commended for the time and
energy they devote to carrying out their duties and responsibilities. Thanks
to all Auxiliary Chapters who have responded to our plea for pictures and
short articles for The Voice. There is a continuing requirement for this type
of information. Please keep it coming - let us know what you are doing!
The National Auxiliary Board of Directors held its Mid-term meeting on
May 4-5. We used the facilities at Buckley Air Force Base. We also booked
rooms for the out-of-town board members at much lower rate than at the
local hotels. I encourage you to check out these facilities as you travel for
vacation or to visit family. They offer some great rates. Each facility has
different facilities and rules and regulations. Check them out!
Scholarship applications were due on June 1. The committee will be
selecting eligible applicants and we will be able to announce the recipients
at the convention.
In closing I wish all of you and your families a very happy and safe 4th
of July weekend.
UNITED WE STAND #
Vice President
Irmgard Cates
Treasurer
Audrey McCray
2-Year Director/Chaplain
Betty Love
2-Year Director
Pat Mitchell
1-Year Director
Sherry Eller
Secretary
Sandy Ott
Parliamentarian
Elaine Warner-Savage
APNP
Doris Bryant
2014-2015 National
Auxiliary Board of Directors
Renee
By APNP Doris Bryant, Awards Chairperson
All Chapter Presidents should have received forms and instructions to
submit your chapter activities and involvement in your communities.
What better way to have your Chapter recognized for your contributions
to TREA. Last year six chapters participated. We want the involvement
of more chapters. All Awards will be presented at the convention in St.
Louis this year.
AWARDS

TREA AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM
PO Box 91180, Washington DC 20090-1180
Please renew my TREA Auxiliary Membership
Member No: _____________________
Name: _____________________________________________________________
DOB: ________________Telephone No.: __________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________
City: _______________________ State: ____________ Zip: ____________
Spouse’s Name: ____________________ Spouse Member #: _______________
Widow/Widower r Chapter of Assignment: __________________
Recruiter: _________________________Recruiter Member No.: ______________
1 year - $20 2 years - $40 3 years - $45
Make checks payable to TREA National Auxiliary
Membership Inquiries Benefits and Service TREA Legislative Office
800-808-4517, X1010 800-808-4514 703-684-1981
Yes, I want to join
TREA Auxiliary
Code:XV0715
Chaplain’s Corner
by Betty Love Chaplain
On July 4, Independence Day,
we are reminded of all those who
have sacrificed for our freedom.
Lord, may our minds and hearts be
stirred with a sense of patriotism
and gratitude as we continue to
think of that day in our national
history when God-fearing men
were guided by thy divine wisdom
to sign the Declaration of Inde-
pendence. Our forefathers fought
for humanity, liberty, justice, and
equal rights for all mankind. May
all that this day symbolizes renew
our faith in freedom and our devo-
tion to democracy. May you con-
tinue to bless those who serve and
give their lives for our freedom.
With favor and bounty meet their
needs and watch over their fami-
lies.

The Chapter and Auxiliary cele-
brated the Chapter’s 52nd Anniver-
sary with a Banquet. Pictured is
Auxiliary President Minnie Hens-
ley and her husband Paul; Guest
Speaker former Senator Bernie
Herpin and his wife Linda; and
Chapter President Roger DeLosh
and his wife Libby.
Memorial High School JROTC
cadets escort chapter members
Elaine Moreland, Juanita Higgin-
botham, Marty Clinton and Stanley
Meyer at the Annual VA Salute to
Veteran Patients.
Auxiliary President Elaine More-
land, Juanita Higginbotham, and
Marty Clinton present Valentine
Cards to this couple at the VA.
The Chapter Auxiliary spon-
sored Josette Higginbotham at the
2015 Miss Teen San Antonio Pag-
eant. Josette competed in the 13-15
age group.
In April, the Chapter Auxiliary
visited one of their long time pro-
grams, the Stork’s Nest, a non-prof-
it organization partnered with the
March of Dimes. The Program is
owned by the Foundation of Alpha
Pi Zeta Sorority. Their mission is to
prevent birth defects and premature
births by teaching pregnant women
to care for themselves and their
unborn child. The students receive
vouchers after training classes and
doctor visits that can be exchanged
for baby supplies at the Stork’s
Nest. Administrator Ginger Pope
said that there had been 84 gradu-
ates of the program – completed
classes and given birth to healthy
babies. The chapter provided bas-
kets of baby items and gift cards to
be used for the students. Pictured
are President Elaine Moreland,
Vice President H.C. Moreland,
Ginger Pope, and APNP Marie
Smith.
Pictured, l-r Ike Clinton, Marty
Clinton, Auxiliary President Elaine
Moreland, Volunteer Racena Smith,
Dora Hardy and Chapter VP H.C.
Moreland at the Chapter fundraiser
at Randolph AFB.
Micaela Alcala, Josiette Higgin-
botham, and Ralena Smith volu-
teered to assist the Chapter at their
fundraiser.
Auxiliary 1
Colorado Springs # CO
Auxiliary 80
San Antonio # TX
Auxiliary Chapters and
Auxiliary Members At Large
(MALs)
What are you doing in your
communities for active duty
military and veterans, as well as
spouses/families?
We want to hear from you. Send
us pictures and articles for The
Voice. They can be sent
electronically to editor@trea.org
or mailed to:
Editor
1111 S. Abilene Ct.
Aurora, CO 80012

USO Press Release - It’s five nonprofits with one
goal: help transitioning troops right now.
The USO announced the formation of the USO
Transition 360 Alliance on Monday, an initiative that
attempts to cover every angle of a military family’s
transition into civilian life when their service ends.
The organization is partnering with Hire Heroes
USA, The Comfort Crew for Military Kids, Stronger
Families and newcomer RallyPoint/6 (RP/6) to form
what it feels will be a comprehensive menu of
programming for everyone from new and pending
veterans seeking new careers to young children from
military families facing yet another move.
“The USO has brought these groups together to
combine the very best of what each of us has to offer
America’s transitioning military families, on a scale
that no single organization could achieve alone,”
USO CEO and President J.D. Crouch II said in a
release.
While three of the four nonprofits will be familiar to
service members who’ve experienced USO programs,
the USO says the difference will be the alliance’s
ability to work seamlessly to present a holistic
approach to military transition. The Department of
Defense estimates a total of 1 million service
members will transition out of the military in the next
five years.
The addition of RP/6, a young nonprofit out of
Lakewood, Washington, adds mentorship and
concierge services to the equation. The USO plans to
hire multiple RP/6 managers and scouts for five yet-
to-be-named sites in the continental United States.
Those employees will help transitioning service
members find the best programming for their specific
situations – both from alliance partners and other
trusted organizations. RP/6 already has a location
open in Washington state serving the Joint Base
Lewis-McChord area.
Anne Sprute, a retired Army chief warrant officer 4,
founded RP/6 in part because of the lessons she
learned when moving into the civilian world.
“[RP/6] helps people get connected to community
resources that are already existing across many
domains: employment, education, housing benefits,
family programs and housing programs,” said Sprute,
RP/6’s chief executive officer. “[Transitioning
military families are] surrounded by people that care
and understand the military culture but also
understand what it’s like to be outside [the military].”
Hire Heroes USA CEO Brian Stann – whose
organization has partnered with the USO since 2010 –
sees transition as one of the largest problems facing
troops today. Stann believes a well-executed
transition into the workforce can head off a lot of
other problems veterans face.
“It is very, very important that we get the warrior
class of today’s transitioning combat veterans to work
in this country because they have a skill set that
people can’t find anywhere else,” said Stann, a former
Marine captain who received a Silver Star for his
actions in Iraq in 2005. “When they’re denied access
to that workforce and they’re denied opportunities
because maybe they don’t know how to translate that
skillset properly … that’s what leads veterans to some
of the negative things you see. That’s what leads to
depression. That’s what makes post-traumatic stress
worse. That’s what leads someone to suicide. And so
it’s more to us than just helping them find a job.”
The alliance covers military families at home, too.
The USO has been working with Stronger Families
for nearly six years to help military couples tackle
issues in their relationships. Stronger Families’
Oxygen Seminars are tailored to help couples
improve communication, resolve their daily and long-
term conflicts and rekindle romance.
“There’s already a high degree of pressure and stress
in [military relationships],” Stronger Families
Executive Director Noel Meador said. “And when
you add in deployment, reintegration, all those things
combined can put a lot of pressure and stress on a
With Transition 360 Alliance, USO Seeks to ‘Combine the Very
Best’ to Help Troops Reintegrate into Civilian Life
Transition, Pag 44

8/25: San Francisco Hiring Expo
with San Francisco Giants
San Francisco, CA
8/26: Fort Drum Transition Sum-
mit
Fort Drum, NY
8/26-27: Fort Polk Military
Spouse Networking Reception
Fort Polk, LA
8/27: Tucson Hiring Fair
Tucson, AZ
8/27: Transitioning Senior Mili-
tary Leadership Networking
Reception
Arlington, VA
9/9: Los Angeles Hiring Fair
Los Angeles, CA
9/10: New York City Hiring Fair
New York, NY
9/10: Military Spouse Virtual Job
Fair
9/15: Jacksonville Hiring Fair
Jacksonville, FL
9/16-17: Camp Pendleton
Transition Summit
Camp Pendleton, CA
9/17: Las Vegas Hiring Fair
Las Vegas, NV
9/22-24: Joint Base Lewis-
McChord Transition Summit
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
9/23: San Antonio Military Spouse
Networking Reception
San Antonio, TX
9/24: San Antonio Military Spouse
Hiring Fair
San Antonio, TX
9/24: Transitioning Senior
Military Leadership Networking
Reception
Arlington, VA
9/30-10/1: Camp Lejeune
Transition Summit
Camp Lejeune, NC
10/14-15: Fort Campbell
Transition Summit
Fort Campbell, KY
10/14: Tampa Military Spouse
Tampa, FL
10/15: Tampa Military Spouse
Hiring Fair
Tampa, FL
10/15: Whidbey Island Military
Whidbey Island, WA
10/21-22: Fort Carson Transition
Summit
Fort Carson, CO
10/21: MCAS Miramar Military
San Diego, CA
10/22: MCAS Miramar Military
Spouse Hiring Fair
San Diego, CA
10/28: Quantico Military Spouse
Quantico, VA
10/29: Quantico Military Spouse
Hiring Fair
Quantico, VA
11/4-5: Fort Bliss Transition Sum-
mit
Fort Bliss, TX
11/11: Vets Rock Hiring Fair at
Mohegan Sun
Uncasville, CT
11/18-19: Fort Bragg Transition
Summit
Fort Bragg, NC
12/9: Joint Base San Antonio
Transition Summit
San Antonio, TX
Hiring, from Page 14
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
military family. For us to be able to come in and offer
practical, very helpful ways to alleviate that pressure
and the stress [and] also help them be successful in
their most important relationships is [important].”
And one other set of relationships that are often
overlooked is how children from military families
adapt to the massive changes taking place all around
them.
The USO has partnered with the Comfort Crew for
Military Families for nearly a decade, going into
schools around the world and talking directly to kids
from military families about the constant change they
face because of deployments and moves.
“Kids oftentimes need to be validated,” said Ronda
Englander, Comfort Crew’s executive director. “They
are oftentimes are just relieved to be able to share
what they’re feeling and [find] someone understands
and is there to support them with that.”
USO officials say the organization will continue to
support a wide array of programming, including more
than two dozen programs and partnerships that make
up the USO Warrior and Family Care network.
See more at:
http://www.uso.org/transition-360-
alliance-launch/#sthash.jGEnISP5.dpuf
Transition, from Page 43

TBD RAD Andrews AFB MD 301-981-2726
TBD RAD Shaw AFB SC 803-895-1098
07/04/15 MAD Wave Waterpark (AD/Ret) Vista CA 760-940-9283
07/16/15 MAD Dane County Fair/Madison WI 608-224-0500
08/01/15 RAD Augusta Armory ME 207-430-5968/6069
08/08/15 RAD Tobyhanna Army Depot PA 570-615-7409/7834
08/14/15 RAD Rosemount MN 507-474-9297
08/21/15 RAD Des Moines IA 515-277-6113
08/29/15 MAD Tidewater VA 704-996-1037
09/11/15 RAD Fort McCoy WI 608-388-3716/800-452-0923
09/18/15 RAD Ellsworth AFB SD 605-385-3600
09/18/15 RAD Fort Belvoir VA 703-806-4551
09/19/15 RAD Schofield Barracks HI 808-655-1514
09/19/15 RAD Post Falls Armory ID 208-769-1548/272-3815
09/19/15 RAD Lewiston Armory ID 298-272-7434/3815
09/19/15 RAD Fort Campbell KY 270-798-5280/3310
09/19/15 RAD Selfridge ANGB MI 586-239-5580
09/19/15 MAD Southport NC 704-996-1037
09/23/15 RAD Fort Drum NY 315-772-6434/6663
09/24/15 RAD Redstone Arsenal AL 256-876-2022/714-5305/1127
09/25/15 RAD Duluth MN 715-398-3152
09/25/15 RAD Hill AFB UT 801-777-5735
09/26/15 RAD Fort Carson CO 719-526-2840
09/26/15 RAD Idaho Falls Armory ID 208-524-0473/272-3815
09/26/15 RAD Pocatello Armory ID 208-272-7140/3815
09/26/15 RAD Twin Falls Armory ID 208-733-2404
09/26/15 RAD Scott AFB IL 618-256-5092/DSN 576-5092
09/26/15 RAD Fort Bliss TX 915-569-6233
09/26/15 RAD Fort Lee VA 804-734-6555
Oct TBD RAD Gowen Field ID 208-422-5268/272-3815
Oct TBD RAD Offutt AFB NE 402-294-4566/2590
10/02/15 RAD Robins AFB GA 478-926-0193/284-9879
10/02/15 RAD Fairchild AFB WA 509-247-5359/376-7588
10/10/15 MAD Lewes DE 714-996-1037
10/10/15 RAD Carlisle Barracks PA 717-245-4501
10/17/15 RAD Fort Gordon GA 706-791-2654
10/23/15 RAD Fort Riley KS 785-239-3320
10/23/15 RAD Fort Meade MD 301-677-9600/9603/9434
10/23/15 RAD Fort Brag NC 910-396-5304
10/24/15 RAD Little Rock AFB AR 501-987-6095/877-815-3111
10/24/15 RAD Dover AFB DE 302-677-4612
10/24/15 RAD Rock Island Arsenal IL 563-445-0191
10/24/15 RAD Fort Hamilton NY 718-630-4552/4930
10/29/15 RAD Fort Polk LA 337-531-0363/0402
10/30/15 RAD Fort Rucker AL 334-255-9124
10/30/15 RAD Fort Knox KY 502-624-1765
10/30/15 RAD Fort Hood TX 254-287-5210
11/06/15 RAD Fort Benning GA 706-545-1805
11/07/15 MAD Charleston SC 704-996-1037
11/19/15 RAD Fort Detrick MD 301-619-3381
MILITARYAPPRECIATIONDAYS(MAD)
RETIREEAPPRECIATIONDAYS(RAD)

Cadet Sean Stefanko
North Alleghency Senior High
School
Presented by Past President
Williams Siefert
Cadet Sr. A. Hannah K.
Schmit
Pine Richland High School
Presented by President
Charles White and Vice Presi-
dent Harry L.
Blackwell
Cadet Captain Robert Jones
Perry High School
Presented by President
Charles White and Vice Harry
L. Blackwell. Also pictured is
SSG Geoffrey Moshier.
Continued from Page 39
Cadet/Senior Airman Noah
Brewster
Federal Way High School
Federal Way, WA
Presented by President C.C.
Cameron
(chapter provided 10 other
awards to local high schools)
Cadets Kevin L. Jenkins (AS-
I), Samantha R. Denekamp
(AS-II), Damen N. Kraft (AS-
III), and Ryan Ellenwood
(AS-IV)
Douglas High School
Box Elder, SD
Presented by Principal Bud
Gusso
Chapter 72
Pittsburgh, PA
Chapter 29
Rapid City, SD
Chapter 74
Takoma, WA

TREA: THE ENLISTED ASSOCIATION
Membership Application
YOU CAN NOW JOIN ON LINE THROUGH OUR SECURE SERVER:
https://www.trea.org/NewOnlineApp.pdf
Membership Categories:
Regular Members - Any enlisted person -- retired, active duty, National Guard or Reserves -- shall be eligible for regular mem-
bership. Any Active Duty Enlisted person shall enjoy the privileges of regular membership, including attending conventions,
making motions, and holding office.
Veteran Members - Any honorably discharged person (as noted on a DD214 or NGB-22) may apply for membership. They may
attend convention, vote, and make motions. They must be a member in good standing for three years to eligible to run for Nation-
al office. The term “regular member” encompasses both charter and life members of TREA.
Associate Members - Widows/widowers of members and non-members, who were eligible for membership at the time of their
death, are eligible to join TREA: The Enlisted Association as associate members. Associate members are not eligible for life mem-
bership. Associate members shall enjoy the privileges of regular membership, except the right to make motions, vote, or hold
office.
Yes, I want to take advantage of the great benefits that TREA: The Enlisted Association offers and be a member of an
organization that is fighting to protect the benefits of all military enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces.
Name: ________________________________________________________________ DOB: __________________________
Address: ______________________________________ City: ___________________ State: ______ Zip: ____________
Phone: ( )______________________________ Branch of Service: ___________________ Grade: ________________
Years of Service: ________ to ________ Date of Retirement: __________ VA Disability Rating, if applicable: __________
Email: ________________________________________________ TREA Chapter (if applicable): _____________________
Spouse Name: ________________________________________________
Recruiter (if applicable): _________________________________ Recruiter Member No:____________________________
RECRUITERS -- IT IS IMPORTANT TO USE YOUR MMEMBERSHIP NUMBER IF YOU WANT CREDIT FOR A RECRUIT!
1 Year - $30 3 Years - $55 Lifetime - $400* - Age 70+Lifetime - $325*
*Lifetime, paid in 10 quarterly payments (attach first payment of $42 - (Total $420)
*Age 70+Lifetime, paid in 10 quarterly payments (attach first payment of $34.50 - (Total $345)
Member Type: Regular Veteran Associate Renewal of Membership No.: _____________________
Charge my dues to: VISA Mastercard Discover AMX No.: ______________________ Exp: _____________
If paying by check, make checks payable to TREA. If your payment is returned for Non Sufficient Funds (NSF),
you acknowledge that you will be charged a $20 NSF fee.
Send completed application to: TREA, PO Box 473280, Aurora, CO 80047-3280
TREA HQ: 800-338-9337
HELP US TRACK OUR RECRUITMENT EFFORTS. PLEASE CHECK THE BOX BELOW IF APPLICABLE:
- I got this application from a free copy I picked up at the BX, Pharmacy, VA or other site:________________________
CHANGE OF ADDRESS/CHAPTER ASSIGNMENT
Name: ____________________________________________ Member No: ____________________________________
Old Address: _______________________________________ New Address: ___________________________________
City, State, Zip: _____________________________________ City, State, Zip: __________________________________
Phone: ( )_______________________________________ Phone: ( ) ____________________________________
Email: ____________________________________________
Change of Assignment:
- Member-At-Large to Chapter # _____
- Chapter #_____ to Chapter # _____
- Chapter # _____ to Member-At-Large
Signature: _____________________________ Date: _________________
Code: TV0715
TREA Form 100-8 - 10/99
TREA Form 100-85

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