October 2022

September 2022

August 2022

July 2022

Notes from the President’s Desk

There has been a lot going on this month. MOAA Annual Meeting and LOE Recognition will be held in Kansas City on October 24 – 28, 2022.  With this in mind I have asked Mike Kwan to host this year’s CALMOAA Annual in his area. Tentatively our annual meeting will be November 3, 2022 close to the Seabee Base in Port Hueneme, CA.  He is currently researching and identifying possible lodging in the area. At this time, I am looking at 1.5 day meeting.  As we get closure, we will keep you up to date as he works out the kinks.  In the meantime, I also asked him to see if he could have Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin who represents their district, and she is Chair of the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation. If she’s not available, we will try to get Congresswoman Julia Brownley. If this does not work, they are thinking of asking the NBVC skipper to address us.

It is that time again where we need our members to run for office to be the next CALMOAA and filling a board position if you are interested. Remember everyone member (service members and surviving spouses) is eligible to run for office. Description of CALMOAA Officers can be found under Article VIII (please see link https://www.californiamoaa.com/calmoaa-bylaws/ and click to page 10 of 18).  I will establish a nominating chair soon. 

We need your support for Bipartisan legislation in the House and Senate (H.R. 3402/S.976) would align Dependency and Indemnity Compensation payments with other federal survivor benefits. Please go to this website and be heard in support of this bill. https://moaa.quorum.us/campaign/36953/

Follow up on AB1623 I have created a small committee to review what we did right and what we could have done on AB1623 Personal income taxes: exclusion: uniformed services retirement pay: survivor benefit plan payments. One of the plus items that has come out of this effort is your engagement with your state Assemblymembers and your Senators.  From this point on everyone needs to keep your relationship with them from this point on. Both as individuals and as an organization.  By now you should have received an email from Steve Donlon letting everyone know that a Facebook page has been created to start the socialization process of getting our friends, surviving spouses, and fellow veterans engaged now in support of our efforts.  See Facebook group: EXEMPT UNIFORMED SERVICES RETIRED PAY & SURVIVORS’ SBP FROM CA INCOME TAX, Link:https://www.facebook.com/groups/560520875614530 . 

Up until 6 July 2022 California and Vermont were the only two states that did not exempt uniform services retirement. That has changed in that the State of Vermont has signed a bill into law to provide tax relief to military retirees.  California is the only state in the union that does not provide any type of exemption for its veterans and surviving spouses.  See announcement from the Vermont Governor Phil Scott issued the following statement, following a press conference held by a bipartisan group of elected officials, veterans, and Scott Administration officials in support of eliminating the state income tax on military retirement pay.

“Vermont is one of a just a handful of states remaining that fully tax military retirement pay.  For the last five years, I’ve proposed it be fully eliminated in Vermont. I am encouraged by the growing bipartisan support for this cause and appreciate the Democratic, Republican, and independent legislators who are stepping up.

“This initiative is not just about supporting those who put their lives on the line for our country – it is a workforce and economic development tool. Veterans typically retire from the military at an early age with plans for a civilian career ahead of them. They bring with them significant skills learned in the military, which is why we desperately need to attract more of them to our state. Eliminating this tax is a great way to start with a significant return on investment.”

CALMOAA is having a Special Legislative Zoom meeting with the Board of Directors and chapter legislative representatives and leadership on 28 July at 6:00 PM to discuss legislative goals for next year.  This includes going back to legislation to ask for income tax exemption of our Uniform Services and Surviving Spouses will be the primary topic.  The result of this meeting will set the platform for CALMOAA 2023 – 2024 board.  In the meantime, keep up your communications lines open with your State Senator, Assemblymember, Senator, and Congressmen/Congresswomen. 

There will be a ballot measure on the November ballot which is very bad for California and will not deliver on its promise to end homelessness and is opposed by over 60 Native American Tribes. CALMOAA is in full support of Protecting Tribal Sovereignty along with the VFW, AMVETS, Marine Corps Veterans Association, the Scottish-American Military Society and the Association of the U.S. Army, Northern and Southern Chapters in opposing this measure

Updating Catchment Areas: I have received little response to update your chapter catchment areas.  If I have heard from you, I will assume you are satisfied with your current catchment areas and that you do not want it updated/changed.

One of my high school classmates shared this.  One day at a friend’s house someone said, WTF.  Their mother heard it and asked what does WTF mean.  Being quick on their feet they immediate turned around and told their mother it means “WOW That’s Fantastic”.  After this the mother like it so much that they started using the acronym when they communicated with their friends. Her texts are so much more fun now 

In the next few days I plan on sending out some information regarding High Gz Repetitive Strain Injury (High-G RSI). This is an issue that affects fast movers (former tactical pilots, NFO’s, RIOs, WSOs, etc)  who are now suffering spine problems from years of having flown HPAs (high performance aircraft). In the meantime, please check out the following series of aeromedical articles is available also on the River Rats website:

  * go to <https://www.river-rats.org>

  * Click on “MEDICAL”

  * Click on “High-G RSI”

  * Within the “High-G RSI White Paper” paragraph, click on “Literature Bibliography”

Respectfully,

Elmer Fred Green, Jr., LCDR, USN (Ret)
President of California Council of Chapters Military Officers Association of America (CALMOAA)

June 2022

Notes from the President’s Desk

I am saddened to report that CALMOAA 1st VP Neal Schneider is at home on hospice.  When COVID started he was a little disappointed because he had wanted to be a part of Honor Flight.  I am happy in that he was able to participate in Honor Flight last May 2022.  His local news Fox26 News did a piece on Honor Flight Spotlight on him this last May.
https://kmph.com/news/local/honor-flight-spotlight-terminal-cancer-patient-gets-out-of-hospital-just-in-time-for-trip.  I have named Patty Wernet as the acting 1^st VP per Section 6 – Disability and Vacancy (see excerpt of bylaws below).

There has been a lot going on this month. MOAA Annual Meeting and LOE Recognition will be held in Kansas City on October 24 – 28, 2022.  With this in mind I have asked Mike Kwan to host this year’s CALMOAA Annual in his area. Tentatively our annual meeting will be November 3, 2022 close to the Seabee Base in Port Hueneme, CA.  He is currently researching and identifying possible lodging in the area. At this time, I am looking at 1.5 day meeting.  As we get closure, we will keep you up to date as he works out the kinks.  In the meantime, I also asked him to see if he could have Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin who represents their district, and she is Chair of the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation. If she’s not available, we will try to get Congresswoman Julia Brownley. If this does not work, they are thinking of asking the NBVC skipper to address us.

It is that time again where we need our members to run for office to be the next CALMOAA and filling a board position if you are interested. Remember everyone member (service members and surviving spouses) is eligible to run for office. Description of CALMOAA Officers can be found under Article VIII (please see link https://www.californiamoaa.com/calmoaa-bylaws/ and click to page 10 of 18).  I will establish a nominating chair soon. 

Follow up on AB1623 I have created a small committee to review what we did right and what we could have done on AB1623 Personal income taxes: exclusion: uniformed services retirement pay: survivor benefit plan payments. One of the plus items that has come out of this effort is your engagement with your state Assemblymembers and your Senators.  From this point on everyone needs to keep your relationship with them from this point on. Both as individuals and as an organization.

In addition to the above either I and/or Jeff will be sending out an email inviting the Board and your legislative representatives to start planning on what CALMOAA should work on for 2023.  This includes going back to legislation to ask for tax exemption of our surviving spouses.  The result of this meeting will set the platform for CALMOAA 2023 – 2024 board.  In the meantime, keep up your communications lines open with your State Senator, Assemblymember, Senator, and Congressmen/Congresswomen. 

There will be a ballot measure on the November ballot which is very bad for California and will not deliver on its promise to end homelessness and is opposed by over 60 Native American Tribes. CALMOAA is in full support of Protecting Tribal Sovereignty along with the VFW, AMVETS, Marine Corps Veterans Association, the Scottish-American Military Society and the Association of the U.S. Army, Northern and Southern Chapters in opposing this measure

It is official the Camp Pendleton Chapter MOAA (CA23) is closing its doors.  Dan has done a good job trying to keep his chapter engaged.  It is with sad heart that they had to make the difficult decision to close the Camp Pendleton chapter here in North San Diego County.  Despite numerous efforts to increase both interest and participation, they have not been able to keep the chapter alive. They have given it their best effort. We are hoping their members will join other San Diego Chapters in the area. 

Updating Catchment Areas: I have received little response to update your chapter catchment areas.  If I have heard from you, I will assume you are satisfied with your current catchment areas and that you do not want it updated/changed.

As much as we have seen the development of Naval Air it is hard to believe it Naval Aircraft Carriers have only been part of the Navy for 100 years.  This year we celebrated the centennial of US Navy Aircraft Carriers https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Blogs/Detail/Article/2906154/centennial-of-us-navy-aircraft-carriers/. In part you can see part of this by viewing “Meet the Aviators and the Planes They Flew | Legacy Week 2022 Memorial Day Weekend” please click on this link to meet the aviators https://youtu.be/pbvxnsPQGZ4 and “A Look Inside the USS Midway | USS Midway Museum” https://youtu.be/LsSqZCCBi8Q

May and June were graduation of our next generation of commissioned officers and JROTC classes.  I had the honor of presenting MOAA Medals to three JROTC High Schools this year.  The students are very motivated and excited about the future as are our newly commissioned officers.  Let us wish them the best.

On a personal note, I have to take a minute to share our excitement and pride for our son! Sean and his family together made an almost impossible challenge HAPPEN! Along with the village, Teri and I are so happy to announce our son received his PhD from University of San Diego!

I had the pleasure of reviewing “The Sylmar Earthquake Documentary” is “live” at http://www.shakenthemovie.com.  This film is about what happened on February 9, 1971 in Sylmar California.  Where a 6.5 quake became the most important seismic event in US History.

Respectfully,

E Fred Green, Jr.
President CALMOAA

May 2022

Notes from the President’s Desk

Thank you, Gene Talmadge, for chairing this 2^nd Quarterly All Hands Meeting.  There was a lot of great information that came out the meeting.  I have attached Kathy Prout Surviving Spouse Report and Jeff Breiten Report separately.  I will upload their document in CALMOAA website later.  

Please remember to acknowledge your people.   We have some hardworking individuals who are sometimes our unsung heroes.  Please remember to submit your candidates for the 2022 Surviving Spouse Liaison Excellence Award your Legislative Chair for “The Colonel Steve Strobridge Legislative Chair/Liaison Award” before 1 June 2022.

Hopefully everyone saw my emails and Frank “Tank” Michael’s emails inviting everyone in California to sign up for MOAA’s Northwest Conference in June. I realize the deadline has passed but if you are interested, please reach out “Tank” (email: frankm@moaa.org ). I would also like to thank you everyone for your continued support of AB 1623.  I am sorry to report the Assembly Appropriations Committee place our bill was placed on hold in the committee which means it did not pass.  Thank you everyone for your support.  We had 1,298 messages sent via VoterVoice to our Assemblymembers and Senators.  This is the first time we have used this tool as it was intended with great results. After Rev and Tax, we gained the following co-authors.  They are Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Seyarto, Coauthors: Assembly Members Mathis, Reyes, Salas, and Waldron Coauthor: Senator Jones.

This year I asked MOAA to download our catchment areas so that our chapter presidents and Area Vice Presidents could evaluate their catchments areas.  The goal is to ensure every chapter is able to capture their zip codes.

Hopefully everyone saw General Atkins VOLUNTEER THANK YOU VIDEO. If not here is the link to his thank you to all link: https://youtu.be/dsXgHxc3slc and please share with YOUR membership.

MOAA’s Community Outreach Sponsorship is still available. (this is similar to the USAA program). You can apply for up to $300 per chapter or $800 per council to support community service programs and recruiting/branding events. Get details at this link.  This program is similar to the USAA program.  In addition to the Community Outreach Sponsorship To review the grant for our Chapters Department, along with the Development’s Department, use this link:https://www.moaa.org/content/chapters-and-councils/chapters-and-councils/council-and-chapter-community-involvement/

For Crisis Relief Grant, please access this link:https://www.moaa.org/relief-verification

I had the pleasure of viewing Charlie Walther (Tom Walther’s brother) on Green Marine Technologies discussion this month.  If you have time, please check out this YouTube presentation:  https://youtu.be/nBqJaGMxpEE . Sailing Science Center Founder and President Jim Hancock sits down with Charlie Walther, a marine engineer who spent 23 years working for Crowley Maritime, doing everything from pumping bilges and working his way up to the director of engineering and machinery for five years. He left Crowley 33 years ago to start his own business, Walther Engineering, and has been involved in the “Green-ification” of the San Francisco Ferry fleet.

Respectfully,

E Fred Green, Jr.
President CALMOAA

April 2022

Notes from the President’s Desk

Thank you everyone for your support of AB 1623.  Needless to say, every time our bill goes before a committee in the Assembly and/or Senate we need to continue our letter writing / email campaign.  True we have organizations behind our bill.  But at the sometimes we also need you and your friends, associates, fellow Californians, and Veterans to continue writing your Assemblymember, State Senator, chamber of commerce, county supervisors, and your Congressman/Congresswoman asking for their support (please copy Assemblymember Ramos’s office) . The battle is not over until the last vote. This is a war of attrition and communications to be heard by every individual.  Our effort takes everyone to be involved. If did not see the Bill Analysis that the Revenue and Taxation, please check out the Bill Analysis

There are a lot of good bills being worked this year.  Please offer your support of these bills (see California legislation).

Assemblymember Ramos took the bill we wrote and submitted what we presented him.  It is because of his courage and dedication to the Uniformed Services and Surviving Spouses that our bill is currently being heard.  I truly believe that our bill will not be pigeon hold and ignored under his leadership. In summary we do not want it to be pigeon hold.  We want California Legislation to vote one way or the other.  This is an election year, and we need everyone to stay in touch with your elected officials. Try to get your city council, chamber of commerce’s, county superintendent to write their Assemblymember (copy to Assemblymember Ramos) in support of our bill.

Everyone knows MOAA’s primary focus is advocation for us at the Federal Level (in the house and the senate).  But I am not sure if everyone is aware that they are very supportive of our efforts at the state level. Thank MOAA for all of the support you have given us for AB 1623.  If you missed an earlier newsletter and/or email I would like to start off by telling everyone LtGen Dana Atkins, USAF  (Ret), President and CEO of MOAA wrote us a letter of endorsement in support of California AB 1623 which we shared with Assemblymember James Ramos and the Assembly Rev and Tax.  MOAA then sent out an email blast to every MOAA member in the state of California for California Council and Chapters (this went out to everyone in our state including those who belong to a local chapter).  MOAA Council & Chapter Affairs (under Erin Stone, Capt, USN  (Ret) and Frank “Tank” Michael, Capt, USN (Ret)) sent out the email blast on 19 Jan 2022.  Thursday (14 April 2022) MOAA (Alan English, Vice President, Communications and Marvin Heinze, Capt, USN (Ret)) released CALMOAA Press release via their resources (see attached).  I appreciate everything that they have done in support of our effort.  In addition to what MOAA has done in support of our efforts.  California State Commanders Veterans Council (CSCVC), Ms. Summer Bales, Policy Coordinator, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Mark Balmert, Rear Adm, USN (ret), President and CEO of San Diego Military Advisory Council and Reeb Government Relations, LLC have all helped us to get where we are today.

On 29 October 2021 I attended the California State Commanders Veterans Council (CSCVC) meeting and I asked them for their support and commitment to support our bill.  The CSCVC is supporting our effort with all of their heart.  They have sent out a few Voters Voice emails in support of AB 1623 along with a couple of other legislation that affects all of us in the state of California.

In turn every lesson learned we share with MOAA and other states who are also working on legislation who are actively working with their respective state legislators to seek relief from retire military pay – principally, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia.  This can serve as a template as they build their own advocacy support. 

Would also like to thank the support that we have received from Ms. Summer Bales, Policy Coordinator, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and Mark Balmert, Rear Adm, USN (ret), President and CEO of San Diego Military Advisory Council.

We started this effort shortly after I became CALMOAA.  The first thing Jeff and I did was we started reaching out to our elected officials.  We provided PowerPoint Presentations, fact sheets, and we leveraged off SB-007 that California Senator Ben Hueso, 40^th District to see if he would resubmit his bill by talking to his office.  I had the pleasure of talking to Ms. Ariel Gibbs and later I talked to Jessica Hayes (both ladies are on his staff) and both of them provided some pointers within the realm of their positions. Jeff approached Assemblymember about the ideal and low and behold we have SB 1623 which includes SBP.  When you look at your Identification card it says Uniform Services it does not say Military or Armed Services.  Yes, on the front of your ID card you will see your service annotated on it. But in the end, it says Uniformed Services which is why our bill is for Uniformed Services increases the scope of voters in California who are affected by this bill.  Reeb Government Relations, LLC (Seth Reeb (an Army Veteran),  Dana Nichol, and Pete Conaty (consultant to CSCVC) have been instrumental in assisting Jeff and I on this crusade.  We have had a bunch of organizations in support of us.  Including a letter from Stanley Zezotarski, Col (Retired) USAR member and former President of The National Guard Association of California.  If you did not see the analysis that was presented to Rev and Tax please see this link (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysisClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB1623 ).  When we went before the Rev and Tax, we had the support of the following registered organizations in support of AB1623.

Support

San Diego Military Advisory Council

San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce

Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council

Military Officers Association of America, California Council of Chapters

California State Commanders Veterans Council

California Association of County Veterans Service Officers

AMVETS, Department of California

American Legion, Department of California

Equus Medendi

Peace Officers Research Association of California

Marine Corps League, Detachment #1459

3 Individuals

Opposition

California Tax Reform Association

On April 8^th Assemblymember Ramos held a Press Conference (if you missed his presentation, please see link to his presentation https://www.facebook.com/AsmJamesRamos/videos/1830789617122467 .

Below are the links to CALMOAA Press Release. If the hyperlink does not work, please see the last page of this newsletter for the full URLs.

PRNewswire

KTLA

Yahoo news

News Leaflets

Benzinga

Next Wave Group

Valley News Live (Fargo, ND)

WAFF 48 (Huntsville, AL)

Longview News Journal WN.com Posted 2022-04-14

In addition to AB 1623, I will be sending out your catchment areas in your given area. I am asking the Area Vice Presidents and the chapter Presidents to review and update their catchment area as they see fit and to send me their inputs so that I can ask MOAA to update.

Let me close this month’s newsletter by asking you “Who is your Hero”.  The responses are interesting.

A few years ago, I was reading a book by Patrick O’Brian (he wrote the Aubrey / Maturin series) where one of his characters asked another one, “Who is your Hero?”.  Automatically it got me thinking when I saw the answer and at the same time, I realize most people would say their parents, their favorite actor and/or baseball, football player, etc.  But very few would say you are the Hero.  Which is the correct response. Think about it.  Every day you are writing your hero’s story.  Your hero has to overcome a lot in day and a year.  You are brave, positive, optimistic, and stand fast.  You admire your hero for overcoming the obstacles that behold you.  Before the story ends, you have overcome a lot of things & you and your hero lives happily ever after. 

E Fred Green, Jr.
President CALMOAA

March 2022

It is a time to celebrate the strong, brave women who have broken down barriers, shattered glass ceilings, and made often unheralded contributions in American history. They are the trailblazers in our communities, both past and present.

And we will highlight many of them throughout this month on WYFF 4, including community leaders, like Mary Duckett and Lila Mae Brock, lifelong advocates for Greenville’s Southern side community, military heroes like Easley-native Capt. Kimberly Hampton, the first female pilot in U.S. history to be killed by hostile fire, and savvy businesswomen, like Eugenia Duke, who sold sandwiches slathered in her delicious homemade condiment to soldiers training at Camp Sevier during WWI.

That family recipe is what you know today as Duke’s mayonnaise.

These women, and so many more through the centuries, forged paths so that young women would be free to write their own stories.

But it’s not just the names we know from history books.

Grandmothers, sisters, aunts and mothers have left indelible marks in our lives and in society, showing us grit and grace through life’s challenges, and determination to build a better world, not only for themselves, but for future generations.

This Women’s History Month, take a moment to recognize the amazing women in your life. 
We believe their achievements give each one of us the power to succeed. (source https://www.wyff4.com/article/editorial-women-s-history-month-2022/39408629)

I would like to thank everyone and Summer Bales (San Diego Chamber of Commerce) for their efforts in getting AB 1623 heard before Revenue and Taxation Committee for testimony Only Hearing on Monday, March 21, 2022 chaired by Assembly member Jacqui Irwin.  If you did not have time, please look at the Bill Analysis that the committee did (see https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysisClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB1623).  While this analysis maybe outdated it does include a Fiscal Effect from The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) which estimated the General Fund revenue losses of $30 million for fiscal year (FY) 22 – 23, $60 million for FY 23-24, and $60 million for FY 24-25.  We realize that if our bill is passed it is a small step in the right direction.  In the past we have tried to exclude Military retirement from taxation.  That didn’t work for many reasons.  It is because of this that we decided to start at age 60.  This will be an uphill battle or think of this as a war of attrition and we cannot give up now.  We realize that very few members in our State Assembly and Senate served.  Therefore, they may not understand that when we serve our nation, they do not understand the sacrifices we make for our state and our nation. They do not always understand the risk and challenges.  It wasn’t until 9-11 that our nation woke up and started to acknowledge us.  There are still those who still look at us jaundice eyes.  All we can do is continue to educate society on what we do and did. We need to continue to educate them of our surviving spouses.  We all understand that when we deploy our spouses are left at home. 

I need everyone to reach out to your elected official but also reach out to your friends, veterans, local government, chamber of commerce, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Assembly Member Jacqui Irwn, CA District 44 (Chair of the Committee on Revenue and Taxation) and Assembly Member Janet Nguyen, CA District 72 (Vice Chair of the Committee on Revenue and Taxation).  Ask them to have their committee vote yes on AB 1623.

Assembly Member Jacqui Irwin was first elected in 2014 to represent California’s 44th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Camarillo, Moorpark, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Thousand Oaks, and Westlake Village.  Irwin has previously served as the Assembly Speaker’s appointee on the Governor’s Military Council, the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, the Inter-Agency Council on Veterans, and the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

Assemblywoman Janet Nguyen was overwhelmingly elected to represent the 72nd Assembly District on November 3, 2020. Her district includes Garden Grove, Westminster, Fountain Valley, Seal Beach, and Los Alamitos.

Before I forget I would like to acknowledge our supporters:

San Diego Military Advisory Council

San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce

Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council

California State Commanders Veterans Council

California Association of County Veterans Service Officers

AMVETS, Department of California

American Legion, Department of California

Equus Medendi

Peace Officers Research Association of California

Marine Corps League, Detachment #1459

Please continue to support this effort by reaching out and contacting your assembly men or members. And your senators, we need to continue at the same time you need to reach out to your fellow friends, veterans and have them also. Communicate. The need. To change our laws and exclude uniformed services. Do not lose sight of the goal. Do not tire. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

Please keep an eye out for “Voter voice” from California State Commanders Veterans Council.  When you do get it, please indicate which organization(s) you are affiliated with and please register so that it will notify you of changes as it occurs.

The next CALMOAA ALL HANDS MEETING is May 14, 2022, 09:30 AM Pacific Time.  

In response to a question that I received not too long ago I need to emphasis CALMOAA All Hands meeting is open to everyone. 

Gene Tallmadge and/or I will be sending the Zoom invite and agenda to CALMOAA Board and chapter presidents (so that they can disseminate the information to their membership).  This month has been very unusual in that I flood the board and your chapters as we got close to our bill being heard.  Normally I try to send out one or two emails a month.  One is the Newsletter around the 10^th of the month. The other is TBD.

As we get closer to April 15^th you may experience email and text phishing, email and text scams.  Scammers often exploit fears, threatening you with arrest or legal action. Scammers also pose as Social Security or other government employees and claim there’s a problem with your Social Security number (SSN) or your benefits. They may even claim your SSN is linked to a crime.

When you identify a potential scammer:

1. Hang up right away or ignore the message.
2. Never give personal information or money.
3. Report the scam immediately to our Office of the Inspector General

Check the senders email address/phone number.  When in doubt do not respond to the email and/or text.  Instead call the person, business using a number that you know is a valid one.  If you respond to the bogus email and/or text, you have just left them with a digital footprint with your information.  Always be on guard!!  If you were not able to attend MOAA’s presentation “Protecting Yourself from Cyber-crime and Scams LIVE WEBCAST” it was an interesting one. They shared these websites that you can go to get more information.

Milvet Resources | Fightcybercrime.org https://fightcybercrime.org/milvet-resources/

Cybercrime Support Network (CSN) https://cybercrimesupport.org/

Scam Spotter: Taxes paid with gift cards https://youtu.be/5EsQQEnxDsY

Slam the Scam: How to Spot Government Imposters • By Dawn Bystry, Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

E Fred Green, Jr.
President CALMOAA

February 2022

Notes from the President’s Desk

February is  BLACK HISTORY MONTH

HERE’S WHY BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS CELEBRATED IN FEBRUARY

by Jeroslyn JohnsonFebruary 1, 202229751

Black History Month is the one time of year when the country unreluctantly shines a light on the history, triumphs, and trials of African Americans that shaped much of the nation’s history.  In 1926, historian Carter G. Woodson became the first to petition for a designated time when the history and accomplishments of Black Americans would be highlighted and recognized nationwide, as noted by historian and the president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, W. Marvin Dulaney.  Woodson, the “father of Black history,” initially intentioned for it to be one week where public schools would teach students about Black history, NPR reports. Woodson selected the second week of February as Negro History Week and petitioned fellow historians through the Study of Negro Life and History, which he founded in 1915 before its name was changed to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).  Woodson’s initiative grew in acceptance over the years and by the late 1960s had expanded into the entire month of February.  While it is the shortest month of the year, the second week of February was selected to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. With Lincoln’s decision to end slavery and Douglass’ advocacy work as a former slave turned abolitionist, Black History Month was centered around the two prominent leaders.

Since 1976, every U.S. president has recognized the month of February as Black History Month, History.com reports. Other countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.

President Gerald R. Ford was the first to officially recognize Black History Month during the country’s 1976 bicentennial.  To keep up with Woodson’s introduction of Black History Month, the ASALH selects a new theme for the month each year. For 2022, the theme is Black Health and Wellness. It’s appropriate given the coronavirus pandemic and its disproportionate effect on the Black community.

“There’s never been a time where Black people and others should not celebrate Black history,” Broussard said. “Given the current racial climate, the racial reckoning that began in wake of George Floyd’s murder … this is an opportunity to learn.” https://www.blackenterprise.com/heres-why-black-history-month-is-celebrated-in-february/

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I was honored to visit the Mojave Desert Chapter, Rio Hondo, & Los Alamitos Area Chapters and meet their new officers and the new Area Vice Presidents.  Erin Stone swore in Rio Hondo and Los Alamitos Chapters and Patty Wernet swore in Mojave Desert Chapter.  Discussions were fluid and enlightening at each chapter meeting. So much that the Mojave Desert asked my wife to join their chapter. 

OUR BILL AB 1623 is scheduled to go before the Revenue and Taxation Committee in February 2022.   AB 1623 Fact Sheet can be used for talking points and letter of endorsement.  After the first committee hearing we expect to see principal coauthors and coauthors added to the bill. 

If you do not know who your California Senator, Assemblyman/ Assemblywoman is please go to this link: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov

Please keep an eye out for “Voter voice” from California State Commanders Veterans Council and/or from Jeff Breiten or I to the membership.  We will need everyone to participate in Voter Voice when it comes out.  At this time, I am expecting it to address 2 issues.  The first would be the AB 1623 to eliminate the state income taxes on Uniform pay and SBP pay.  More likely than not it will highlight the number of states that  do not tax Military pay. That number rose last year as several states changes their policies.   The second is the Umberg bill to eliminate $5 on veteran CDLs. We believe that the message should include the fact with the gigantic budgets surplus how does the legislature justify charging Veterans $5. To get a CDL with Veteran on it. 

From: Ombudsman Registry
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2022 8:47 AM
Subject: PASSPORT RENEWAL FOR DoD PERSONNEL AND FAMILIES

Active-duty, reserve and retired service members, and Defense Department civilians and contractors and their families are now able to renew their U.S. passports online, according to the State Department. The online portal, became available Dec. 23, and will now enable customers to renew their passports from the convenience of their homes 24/7 without having to go to a post office to mail their application and supporting documents. 

Please share with your families and others who may be eligible for these services. Please see the link below for more information and instruction on the renewal process. 

https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/2880945/dod-personnel-families-can-renew-passports-online/ 

The January 2022 page 78 of the MOAA Magazine announced the call for nominations to the MOAA Board.  If you are interested please review the new MOAA Strategic Plan for 2022 – 2026 https://www.moaa.org/uploadedfiles/strategic-plan-2022.pdf , MOAA’s Bylaws https://www.moaa.org/content/about-moaa/moaa-at-a-glance/moaa-bylaws/, and MOAA Resolutions https://www.moaa.org/content/about-moaa/moaa-at-a-glance/moaa-resolutions/.

E Fred Green, Jr.
President CALMOAA

January 2022

Notes from the President’s Desk

Happy New Year everyone.  As we enter the New Year, we are hit hard on many different fronts both as an organization and on a person level.  Our membership continues to dwindle due to age and attrition.  I realize that with COVID it is hard to recruit new members and that some chapters are tactile, and others can be both tactile and virtual.  Somehow with COVID we need to shift to virtual for the present. We need to continue to check on our shipmates and their families.

If your chapter is at RISK of closing, need assistance from CALMOAA and/or MOAA to stay alive please reach out to your AVP and copy me, 1^st VP, Chapter Affairs VP, and Membership VP so that we are aware. Chapters can apply to be satellites to another chapter if they desire.  If the chapter decides it is best to close for various reasons, there is a process you need to go through to close your chapter from turning in your charter to properly distributing your chapter funds to another 501 C organization.  You cannot distribute the funds to the members.

OUR BILL HAS BEEN Introduced by Assembly member Ramos.  He has officially introduced AB 1623 Personal income taxes: exclusion: uniformed services retirement pay: survivor benefit plan payments Link: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB1623.  AB1623 maybe heard in committee on February 10, 2022. 

Please use AB 1623 Fact Sheet for talking points and letter of endorsement.  I am proud to receive Lieutenant General Dana Adkins, President and CEO letter of endorsement and San Diego Chamber of Commerce letter of support.

More so than ever we need you to continue working on getting every veteran, friend, family, associate to network and keep in touch with their state Senators, state Assembly members. In addition to writing your representatives please send a letter to Assembly member James Ramos in support of this bill even though you don’t live in his district to send him letters of support, so when he’s meeting with the governor on other issues, he can tell the governor, “Hey, I got a letter from Miramar Military Officers Association Chapter voicing their support. I know they’re not in my assembly district, but hey, that you’re the governor. You should be concerned about statewide issues.”  His email address is email: James.ramos@asm.ca.gov  Send him a short email to James saying I’ve seen your press release, “I want to applaud you for your efforts to exempt military retirement from state income taxes. Anything I can do to help you? In your battle to make this happen, please let me know. Thank you very much”.

Assemblyman Ramos is a member of the following committees: Military and Veterans Affairs; Budget; Budget Subcommittee No.1 on Health and Human Services; Governmental Organization; Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy; Local Government; Rules; Select Committee on Native American Affairs, Chair; Select Committee on Veteran Employment and Education (amongst others)

Earlier this year it came to my attention that our Surviving Spouse are paid three days after our payday.  I was not aware of this until I saw a cry out from some of our Surviving Spouses.  DFAS was late paying this year.  It made me even more aware of the impact this had on them and the need for us to keep an eye out for our family (in this case I am referring to our surviving spouses, aged, shipmates, neighbor, etc.). Some of them are not prepared and we need to keep them in mind.

There is a new Facebook Group called “DIC Surviving Spouses/DIC Increase Advocacy“.  This new group is solely to work on the DIC increase bills. The bills will increase DIC by about $395 a month. This is worth the time and effort in my opinion.  If you have questions or want to discuss other bills or issues that are not related to these bills, please ask on the DIC Surviving Spouses and Friends Facebook group or the Military Widows: SBP-DIC Offset Facebook group. Any posts or comments not pertaining to these 2 bills will be deleted. Thank you for complying and for understanding why we are going to be strict about the rules. This is how it worked on the SBP-DIC offset group until we got that law changed. It is how we are going to run this group, so we are effective.

Click go to this Facebook link https://www.facebook.com/groups/610245403387077 and/or in MOAA Surviving Spouses and Friends you will see the link to”DIC Surviving Spouses/DIC Increase Advocacy”.  Where you would ask to join this group.  It is a private group.  To join you will have to answer all of the questions (from are you receiving DIC, etc.). 

The January 2022 page 78 of the MOAA Magazine announced the call for nominations to the MOAA Board.  If you are interested please review the new MOAA Strategic Plan for 2022 – 2026 https://www.moaa.org/uploadedfiles/strategic-plan-2022.pdf , MOAA’s Bylaws https://www.moaa.org/content/about-moaa/moaa-at-a-glance/moaa-bylaws/, and MOAA Resolutions https://www.moaa.org/content/about-moaa/moaa-at-a-glance/moaa-resolutions/.

Links to the Navy Lodge locations and DoD lodging has been added to this newsletter (see the last two pages for the link).

Before I go, I would like to share this humors YouTube video on The Career Venn Diagram – Don McMillan (https://youtu.be/XaiRUqfGa-8 )

Growing up my head was always in the clouds.  Here are a couple of YouTube Videos that may be interesting to one and all.  The first one an aircraft that my CO of the Constellation (CV-64) flew.  He was instrumental in getting the USS Midway (CV-41) Museum to San Diego.  The other plane was the first supersonic bomber.  I am referring to the Convair B-58 Hustler Champion of Champions https://youtu.be/cEKyTxnrXIc

E Fred Green, Jr.
President CALMOAA

December 2021

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone.  As we enter the holiday months.  I would like to celebrate it with a couple of Christmas songs from my youth.  Sometimes it just doesn’t feel like Christmas until we hear such songs like the Royal Guardsmen sing Snoop’s Christmas https://youtu.be/9Pxw-RbdUow ; Peanuts Gang: Christmas Song “Linus & Lucy”  https://youtu.be/00gXEn1ehDg ; Charlie Brown Christmas https://youtu.be/DMA3_-anjpQ

Merry Christmas everyone ??????????

We leave this year bright full of hopes and happiness. It is sad that we have lost some shipmates, friends, family members.  At the same time, we have seen the joy of new life and our future enter the world full of hope and joy.  Let us continue to overcome life’s challenges and nurture our future.

Next year we should have a bill number assigned to Uniform Retirement tax exemption which is being introduced by Assembly member James Ramos.  In the meantime, we need every veteran, friend, family, associate to write their state Senators, state Assembly member regarding this bill.  In addition to writing your representatives please send a letter to Assembly member James Ramos in support of this bill even though you don’t live in his district to send him letters of support, so when he’s meeting with the governor on other issues, he can tell the governor, “Hey, I got a letter from Miramar Military Officers Association Chapter voicing their support. I know they’re not in my assembly district, but hey, that you’re the governor. You should be concerned about statewide issues.”  His email address is email: James.ramos@asm.ca.gov  Send him a short email to James saying I’ve seen your press release, “I want to applaud you for your efforts to exempt military retirement from state income taxes. Anything I can do to help you? In your battle to make this happen, please let me know. Thank you very much”.

MOAA held a successful Southwest Workshop in San Diego on 20 November 2021.  We had some very informative breakout discussions.  Upon the conclusion of the workshop CALMOAA held its Annual Meeting (abbreviated).  Jeff Breiten CALMOAA Legislation and Kathy Prout CALMOAA Surviving Spouse spoke.  The key points that I really need everyone to take on board is everyone is a member, and everyone can assume a leadership position both in CALMOAA and their chapters.  The other point is we do not need another Uniform Retirement Tax Exemption.  We do not want to water down the bill that Assembly Ramos will be presenting.  We need all of our California elected to rally behind his bill!!

Some significant points from the meeting is MOAA has a lot of information for Surviving Spouses of on their website https://www.moaa.org/content/topic-and-landing-pages/i-am-a-surviving-spouse/ .  They have brochures about how to be prepared in the case of a death.  Look at the VA website www.va.gov and look under the presumptive conditions https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/serviceconnected/presumption.pdf  and https://www.va.gov/search/?query=presumptive%20conditions&t=false .  Review your accounts (checking, credit cards, utilities, etc. to ensure that if something happened to one it does not lock out the surviving spouse. Review your Trust and/or Will to ensure it has what you and spouse wants. Protect your loved ones!!

In addition to Advocacy, we also NEED TO ENGAGE OUR Surviving Spouses More than ever.  How little did I realize that I never provided my wife a translator or a translation book on how to speak Navy much less the VA.  Our spouses and our Surviving Spouse have always been there for us.  They bring out the best in all of us!! We can never forget our spouses.  In turn we also need to remember as an organization they too are FULL FLEDGE members and they too have a VOICE in CALMOAA and MOAA.  Every member can hold office!!  Please engage your spouse in your chapters!!!  CALMOAA Bylaws are very open, and it does allow anyone to hold a position in CALMOAA!! 

Please join “MOAA Surviving Spouses and Friends (Private Group) – Facebook.”  My wife and I are members and it has been very enlightening.  Some members of my chapter have also stated how helpful it is even if you are not a surviving spouse.  Check out it out.

Next year we will have two new Area Vice Presidents stepping up to the plate. 

Area 6 Vice President John Ryan has turned over his duties as Area Vice President to Thomas Bell. 

Area 7 Vice President Tom Brown has turned over his duties as Area Vice President to Ed Apostol.

Let us all welcome Thomas Bell and Ed Apostol as our new Are Vice Presidents.

Planning ahead.  MOAA will be making a call for nominations to the MOAA Board in January.  I believe there will be an opening for 1 Warrant Officer, 1 NOAA Officer, 2 Surviving Spouses, 4 Council / Chapter Leaders.  If you are interested please review the new MOAA Strategic Plan for 2022 – 2026 https://www.moaa.org/uploadedfiles/strategic-plan-2022.pdf , MOAA’s Bylaws https://www.moaa.org/content/about-moaa/moaa-at-a-glance/moaa-bylaws/, and MOAA Resolutions https://www.moaa.org/content/about-moaa/moaa-at-a-glance/moaa-resolutions/.

In closing let us look at Senator Daniel Inouye Medal of Honor https://youtu.be/6jsdoVqkeBg .

Before I go, I would like to share “Just 4 Things” by Colonel Erickson, USA. 

“The learners are those people who were constantly learning and growing. May or may not be successful in any given day, but they are constantly looking for ways to improve, and the levers of those individuals who just can’t take it and give up and move on. But I don’t beat up on those people too much ’cause at some point or another we all are living both camps. How much time you spend in which camp that matters, and I’ll tell you if you want to stay in the. The Learner grower group. The best way to do it. Is to not focus on your goals, but to focus on your habits. ’cause you tell me what your habits are. I will predict your future. And the thing with habits is that you only need four or you only need 4 categories of habits. What you do within those categories is up to you, but you only need 4. Categories of habits. And if you do something in each one of those categories each day, then I guarantee you long term you will be successful.

The first category is learning. You need to be a lifetime lifelong learner. You need to have a habit of learning something every day.

The second one is service. You need to have an idea or a habit of serving others. Each day don’t have to be big things to just be a random act of kindness, a kind word, whatever.

The third thing is fitness and nutrition health. What are you doing to keep yourself healthy today?

The fourth category is hope and that is you know what you are doing to build on your faith, life or your spirituality and it doesn’t have to be religion. It could be whatever it is that you find hope in. Outside of yourself, but if you work in those four categories every day, do something. It doesn’t have to be much little stuff and build those habits. You will be successful.

Work on great habits and great things will happen. One team.”

E Fred Green, Jr.
President CALMOAA

November 2021

Happy Birthday United States Marine Corps!!

As we celebrate both Veterans Day and the Marine Corps birthday.  I understand due to COVID the Commandant has cancelled the birthday celebration this year. Please raise on in celebration of our Marines and Veterans Day.

Your board here at CALMOA has been working on Uniform Retirement tax exemption and recruitment this year.  We are getting closer to seeing a bill in this upcoming legislative year.  I cannot emphasis how important it is more than ever for us to be involved and to communication to our chamber of councils, fellow veterans, friends alike in support of this effort. 

To accomplish this goal, we need every member to be involved in the process. If you did not see and/or missed CALMOAAs September Newsletter regarding this subject, please feel free to reach out to your Area Vice Presidents.  I would like to thank those of you who have been in contact with your fellow Veterans, friends, neighbors, Chamber of Commerce, California State Senators, and Assemblymen/ Assemblywomen getting them behind us on this.  I am pretty jazzed in that San Diego Chamber of Commerce with SDMAC are establishing a collation of military councils and chamber of councils in California in support of us.  I am also happy to say the California Commanders Veterans Council has pledged to support us.  In turn we need to support them also.  As the year ends, they will be using Voters Voice in support of these four issues.  In turn Jeff (CALMOAA Legislative VP), the board, and/or I will be forwarding you the Voters Voice asking everyone to click on the link to send your voice in support of us.

1. Remove the $5.00 fee on California Driver’s License
2. Veterans License Plate
3. Update Disability Veterans Property
4. Exempt Military Taxes (this our effort)

If you do not know who your California Senator, Assemblyman/ Assemblywoman is please go to this link: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov

In addition to Advocacy, we also NEED TO ENGAGE OUR Surviving Spouses More than ever.  How little did I realize that I never provided my wife a translator or a translation book on how to speak Navy much less the VA.  Our spouses and our Surviving Spouse have always been there for us.  They bring out the best in all of us!! We can never forget our spouses.  In turn we also need to remember as an organization they too are FULL FLEDGE members and they too have a VOICE in CALMOAA and MOAA.  Every member can hold office!!  Please engage your spouse in your chapters!!!  CALMOAA Bylaws are very open and it does allow anyone to hold a position in CALMOAA!! 

Please join “MOAA Surviving Spouses and Friends (Private Group) – Facebook.”  My wife and I are members and it has been very enlightening.  Some members of my chapter have also stated how helpful it is even if you are not a surviving spouse.  Check out it out.

I regret to report that Leon our CALMOAA Secretary has announced that he is resigning effective 1 January 2022.  Steve Streightiff from Miramar MOAA Chapter has agreed to step up and be the CALMOAA Secretary.  Please welcome him aboard.

He will be missed. I am looking for someone to fill his billet as well as someone to fill Buds billet as CALMOAA TOPS.

Some of you know that I share speeches and jokes with some of my friends. Today while I was writing this newsletter I heard Colonel Erickson, USA talks about “Making Examples”.  In his discussion he talks about a friend of his states; “I think I might have to make an example of these individuals. Colonel Erickson’s response was, “Do we sometimes want to punch people in the face because they won’t listen? Absolutely? But we can’t do that. You can, but you shouldn’t do that. As leaders in my philosophy, my world in my mind. As leaders, we set the example. We don’t make examples of people. That’s what bullies do. We set the example and then draw people towards us. We set standards and then live beyond them to encourage people forward, not to scare them forward. ’cause trust is what it’s about, not fear.”

Here is another one he did called Survivor “Let me tell you something. I know with 100% certainty you are a survivor. How do I know that ’cause you hear my voice you made it through yesterday. You mustered the courage and the strength, and you got through yesterday. Was it pretty? Maybe not, you may have had to take a knee, but you know rest is a combat multiplier. Hell, you may have had to retreat. But retreats an offensive move to gain a tactical advantage. So regardless of how yesterday went yesterday, you survived yesterday. You got this. Have a great day.”

E Fred Green, Jr.
President CALMOAA

October 2021

Happy Birthday United States Navy!!

The Continental Navy was founded 27 March 1794 (277 years ago) and The United States Navy was created on 13 October 1775 (246 years ago)  Please see Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday and his wife Linda deliver their 246th Navy Birthday message to the fleet. https://www.dvidshub.net/video/817038/cno-and-linda-gildays-246th-navy-birthday-message     https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Statements/display-statements/Article/2807555/cno-and-linda-gilday-issue-a-message-to-the-fleet-for-the-navy-birthday/

This is Admiral Mike Gilday’s birthday message –

“Shipmates, this year we are celebrating the US Navy’s 246th #Birthday.

The theme of this year’s Birthday celebration is “Resilient and

Ready,” which speaks to the service, dedication and strength of both our Sailors and their families.

America’s need for a strong Navy is rooted in our past and has never been more important. Indeed, providing a safe, secure, and stable maritime system is an essential part of what our Navy does every day. We are not simply the “keeper of the seas” but the “keeper of the global way of life” as well. WE are the primary guarantors of peace, prosperity, and maintain the open flow of goods on the oceans.

Through every deployment and PCS move, spouses often endure separations, as well as shoulder the day-to-day responsibilities of managing and running a household – along with their own careers. While our ships and submarines are made of steel, our Sailors and their families are the lifeblood of our force, and at the heart of our birthday celebration.

So today, for the seen and unseen responsibilities you ALL carry, and for the daily sacrifices you ALL make. Thank you.

Happy 246th Birthday, Shipmates. See you in the Fleet.”

As we celebrate our Navy’s birthday.  October is our opportunity to get our state Senators and Assemblymen, Assemblywomen to communicate, socialize, and work together on submitting a bill to stop taxation.  Please see CALMAA September Newsletter email with “Talking Points: Military Retirement Tax Exemption for California”,  “Military Retirement Pay, State Tax Exemption Proposal Fact Sheet”, and Letter Template, Mil Ret Pay Tax Exemption attached and included in the newsletter.

September 18, 2021 All Hands was our kickoff to start our campaign for all of our members to reach out to their California Senators, Assemblymen, and Assemblywomen for Military Retirement Tax Exemption for California.  We will need a sponsor for this Bill, and we will need all of our members, every veteran, your friends and neighbors behind us.  Please encourage them to support the effort by writing and talking about the need.  If you do not have the template, fact sheet, and talking points (see CALMOAA September Newsletter).  Please reach out to your board and we can supply them to you.  We realize some organizations will need a Bill Number to support us.  We are working on it.  We have met with San Diego Chamber of Commerce, SDMAC, and we have started conversations with a couple of our California Senators. We also realize more than ever we do need our state behind this so that the Governor is either overruled and/or convince the state that in the long run it will not be losing money and it should pass this bill. True this has been run up the flagpole a few times, but this is the first time we have had a chamber of commerce behind us and a letter campaign asking for ALL VETERANS to join us on this effort.

If you do not know who your California Senator, Assemblyman/ Assemblywoman is please go to this link: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov

In principle our campaign will be applying the Butterfly Effect.  Where a small, seemingly insignificant flutters create major impacts on the world.  That is basically what the Butterfly Effect is.  We know this effect was started out as a simple thought experiment from a meteorologist, it has grown into its own branch of mathematical Chaos Theory.

It has been announced that our San Francisco (CA36) chapter has announced that it will close this year due to age and decreasing membership numbers.  On the high side Rio Hondo CA (CA31) chapter has determined that they will remain active.  They are looking at all of their members including their Surviving Spouses to be active participates. 

More so than ever it we need to REALIZE that Surviving Spouses are members of MOAA, CALMOAA, and they have a VOICE in MOAA.  Every member can hold office!!  Our Bylaws are very open and it does allow anyone to hold a position in CALMOAA!! 

E Fred Green, Jr.
President CALMOAA

 As August comes to a close and our war in Afghanistan comes to an end our nation was hard hit with the loss of the 13 servicemen and servicewomen killed assisting in the evacuation of our citizens, allies, refugees, and interpretations who assisted our forces in Operation Enduring Freedom.  We have seen this pull our nation and our people many different ways. More so than ever we need to check on our wingman, wing woman, buddies, and shipmates who served in OEF, Desert Storm, and other operations these last 20 years.  Ensure that they know they are not alone and that we are here for them. Provide them with resources and aid them in addition to helping return.  We will need to look at if how to assist the Afghanistan refugee settle in our country and community.  I realize everyone has their own personal opinion and experiences.  Our nation assisted Vietnamese refugees settle in our country when the war in Vietnam ended.  I see us repeating that process again.  Please share any information on how we may assist them. 

As we enter September California is faced with determining if the current governor should be recalled and if he is we need to select his replacement when you cast your vote this month.  If you have not voted already.  Please encourage your friends and neighbor to get out there and vote.  Period!!

September and October is our opportunity to get our state Senators and Assemblymen, Assemblywomen to submit a bill to stop taxation.  Please see “Talking Points: Military Retirement Tax Exemption for California”,  “Military Retirement Pay, State Tax Exemption Proposal Fact Sheet”, and Letter Template, Mil Ret Pay Tax Exemption, 090121(see email attachments and below.  Please get your members to start reaching out to their Assemblymen, Assemblywomen, and State Senators via email, their website, phone calls, and/or in person.  Encourage other veterans to join us in this noble effort.  Also keep an eye open for our letter campaign to send to them.  We need your support, and we need everyone else support in this effort. Without active advocacy and support we will be lost. 

I would like to congratulate the winners of MOAA’s 2020 Level of Excellence Award and all who were submitted for the “Steve Strobridge Legislative Chair/Liaison Award” and the “2021 Surviving Spouse Liaison Excellence.

E Fred Green, Jr.
President CALMOAA

CALMOAA new mailing address:

5173 Waring Rd #355

San Diego, CA 92120 

I am sure all of you have felt a little frustrated in life.  When we do, we all have choices to make, sometimes for the plus and sometimes for the negative. I am feeling frustration that some have felt trying to get answers to what I consider simple questions, along with dealing with people who can be pushy and aggressive in wanting their agenda first no matter what.  In addition, dealing with them we have been working with Reeb Government Relations on the best approach and to get everyone actively involved in communicating to our California Assemblymen, Assemblywomen, and Senators asking them to submit a bill to stop California from Taxing our military retirement. Every time an interested party reads and/or hears something in the news or MOAA article stating another state is no longer taxing military retirement, I get a call and/or an email asking what we are doing to stop California from taxing our military retirement that I have to address which is fine because that is what you pay us the big bucks.  In turn I will ask the individual if they want to help us.  To date none of them have responded to my request asking them for suggestions (positive).  No matter in the end I believe we will overcome. 

One of the most important tools we have is our voice and I will need each and every one of you to be engaged by REACHING OUT AND COMMUNICATE TO YOUR ELECTED OFFICALS and let them know that they need to do something.  Remember to be POSITIVE and encouraging.  Negative communications will not help us or anyone else.  You can help us by writing them, calling them at their official office in Sacramento and their local office.  Remember to be positive when you communicate to your elected official.  If at all possible, get your friends and neighbors engaged in the effort.

I have been working this issue with Jeff Breiten CALMOAA Legislative VP and Altie Holcomb (co-chair for California Advocacy).  We have reached out and briefed some of our elected officials trying to get some support from them.  Earlier this year I had reported that a California Senator from San Diego County.  At the time his office reported he is very much interested on this subject.  Recently I went back to his office to confirm that they are on board with us and that they will submit a bill to stop taxing our Military Retirement.  When I spoke to his new Veterans Affairs representative for his local office, they reported that “he is considering resubmitting his bill in September and that we should having everyone contact his office asking him to resubmit his bill again (SB-1007 or something like it).  He needs to hear from All Californians (in his area and throughout the state).” Honesty this response caught me off guard, but it did show me that more so than ever we really need EVERY VETERAN TO SPEAK and CONTACT NOT ONLY HIS OFFICE BUT THEIR OWN Senators and Assemblyman and/or Assemblywoman.  Your letter needs to be to the point, and it needs to be one page (maybe a page and a half).  Anything beyond that it may not be read.

Recently we saw VoterVoice used to great effect when we got the California State Commanders Veterans Council’s (CSCVC) campaign to make the governor acknowledge that veterans who obtained their vaccine from the VA eligible for the “Vax for the Win” (California’s vaccine incentive program).  Through VoterVoice, California’s veterans made hundreds of direct communications with the CalVet Secretary, the legislature, and the governor. 

Below is an Overview of what I presented to his office.

• 2020 saw COVID-19 devastate local, national, and global economies. The pandemic resulted in a loss of vital businesses and services; unemployment rates rose, and communities suffered. California faced dramatic job loss and cuts in spending across all industries. However, although the region’s GDP contracted, steady military spending, sustained employment, and community support helped stabilize the region.
• California is home to the nation’s largest military community, housing one out of every four U.S. Marines and one out of every six Sailors; and it contains a large part of Southern
• California’s premier training ranges where more than 75% of U.S. operating military forces prepare for deployment. 
• In FY2020, an estimated 25% of San Diego’s gross regional product resulted from military spending, an increase of 2.5 percentage points over initial projections for the year. 
• The military maintained its level of operations throughout 2020 and, in doing so, contributed greatly to the region’s ability to endure unprecedented economic uncertainty. The region is vital to the nation’s identity and defense, and the military continues to serve as a pillar of strength for the area.
• California is one of only 5 states that taxes military pension income. 
• There are about 1,574,531 military veterans in California.  We have the largest military population in our nation. Followed by Texas with 1,453,450 and Florida with 1,440,338.
• Military retirees are more inclined to not live in CA than ‘native’ retirees. 
• A significant number have left CA and have moved into other states because of the income tax on pensions. 
• Retirees from other states have decided not to relocate to CA for the same reason.
• CA would benefit economically if it totally exempted all military pension benefits from the income tax, more of retirees would choose to remain in CA, and the state’s total income and sales tax receipts could increase significantly.  San Diego direct spending for FY 2020 is $33.6 Billion (a change from FY 2019 OF +5.7%) and 342,486 jobs (an increase of +7.7% from FY2019.  
• Using San Diego as an example we will see an impact to its Gross Regional Product (GRP).

$ in millions	FY 2019	FY 2020
Employee Compensation	$11,929	$12,341
Retirement & VA Benefits	$3,557	$3,688
Contracts & Procurement	$16,194	$17,474
Government Purchase Cards	$65	$67
TOTAL DIRECT	$31,765	$33,570
Multiplier Impact	$17,789	$18,779
Gross Regional Product Impact	$49,557	$52,369

• There are 3,548,449 firms in California (and 252,377 are veteran owned).
• San Diego has 293,426 (and 25,354 are Veteran Owned).

In closing as the President of California Council of Military Officers Association of America (CALMOAA) we along with other California Veterans are tired of seeing our talent leaving our state because of taxation.  There are more than 30 states in the Union that do not tax Retired Military Pay. 

In addition to taxing our retired military pay we are also concerned about the need for California to allow military personnel license and certificates to transfer from one state to California.  There is a growing number of states that allow active duty families to transfer any certification, license to the next state so that the spouse of the service member and their family can pursue their dreams.

I am sure that one of our members who is well versed economics and the Laffer curve maybe able  to provide an excellent point paper regarding taxation of our retired pay. If any of you are aware of a good approach, please reach out and help.

E Fred Green, Jr.
President CALMOAA

CALMOAA new mailing address:

5173 Waring Rd #355

San Diego, CA 92120 

June marks Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. VA is committed to ensuring our Veterans get the help they need through treatment, benefits, and support to lead them to a better quality of life.

If you or a loved one are suffering from PTSD, VA is here to help. Learn more about PTSD and find out if you can get disability compensation or benefits if you have symptoms of PTSD: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/ptsd/

https://www.facebook.com/VeteransBenefits/

In addition to the above the Army celebrates its birthday on 14 June.  It was founded on June 14, 1175 and it will be celebrating its 245^th birthday.  The class of 1909 is sometimes called the “Class the Stars feel on”.  Of the 164 graduates, 59 (36%) obtained the rank of general, more than any other class in the history of the academy.  This class comprised of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar N. Bradley, Joseph T. McNarney, James A. Van Fleet, Hubert R. Harmon, Henry S. Aurand, Vernon Prichard, Henry B. Sayler, Henry J. F. Miller, Charles W. Ryder, and A. Arnim White.  Unlike other services in our history the Army has been diversified since the Civil War.  442^nd Infantry, 24^th Infantry, 25^th Infantry, 9^th and 10^th Cavalry are just some of units who have left their impression in the history of the Army.

We had a great 2^nd Quarter All Hands meeting this year – see link (https://youtu.be/QBVnqBQ_l9A ) – note this is an unlisted recording of our quarterly meeting if you missed it.  At our meeting Dr Mark Ryan did a great presentation on the North Valley Military Institute.  If you are looking for something to sink your teeth into as chapter and/or personally reach out to Dr Ryan at mryan@novamil.org or you can always call or text him at 323-217-4481.  General Dan Pemberton was impressed when he visited NVMI.

Stay Safe and be careful out there.

E Fred Green, Jr.
President CALMOAA

May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. In 1992, Congress designated the month of May to commemorate contributions that Asian-Pacific Americans have made to our country. Asian-Pacific Americans have fought in the U.S. military since the Civil War, and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of Japanese Americans fought against prejudice while serving in Europe during WWII.  We honor their service.

Susan Ann Cuddy, the first female Asian-American to serve in the Navy and also its first female gunnery officer.  She also served as an instructor in both combat air tactics and the use of the .50 caliber machine gun, worked at U.S. Naval Intelligence as a code breaker, and served as Navy liaison to the Library of Congress. After leaving active duty, Cuddy served as Section Chief at the National Security Agency (NSA).  Click the link to read more about her life and achievements as a trailblazer for others #AAPI #navyheritage: https://go.usa.gov/xHESG

“Always Serving” – North Valley Military Institute (NVMI) reached out to us and to MOAA to see if we have a chapter in the area to be a part of them.  I realize we no longer have a chapter near North Valley Military Institute (NVMI).  But we do have the opportunity to include them in our sphere of “Always Serving” NVMI is all about helping 650 young men and women in grades 6-12 become the best they can be.  NVMI makes a huge difference to kids who are underserved, who graduate with discipline and structure that they apply to their academic and personal lives, becoming leaders of character, physically fit, good citizens, and scholars ready to succeed in college.  Dr. Mark Ryan, LTC, California National Guard, Ret is the Superintendent of NVMI.  I ask you to take a look at this article below in this newsletter.

I would also like to Congratulations to winners of the Harris Communications Award.  This year’s awards went to the following chapters.  As you know, effective communications are critical to recruiting and retention as well as keeping your members connected and engaged.  Thank you.

Remember CALMOAA is here to help to the best of its ability.  Please reach out whenever.  Please visit CALMOAA website www.Californiamoaa.com it has a wealth of info about VA and TRICARE benefits, job opportunities and much more.  Please visit it often!

Stay Safe and be careful out there.

E Fred Green, Jr.
President CALMOAA

April 2021

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.  “We are our brothers and sisters’ keeper. We have a responsibility to protect each other and create an environment of dignity and respect for our teammates—a place free from sexual assault, harassment and any form of demeaning or dehumanizing language and behaviors.” 
-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley

This month I had the honor of briefing Aztec Army ROTC Cadets and Cadre along Dean Mallires (CALMOAA past President, Joe Boscacci, Wes Shermann, Darrlye Grimes along with various other Veteran Organizations. It was an informative event and an opportune time to inform the next generation they can join MOAA and be Basic Members for free as long as they use their home email address.  The common theme through the meeting was fellowship, family, and networking.  

Remember CALMOAA is here to help to the best of its ability.  Please reach out whenever.  Please visit CALMOAA website www.Californiamoaa.com it has a wealth of info about VA and TRICARE benefits, job opportunities and much more.  Please visit it often!

Stay Safe and be careful out there.

Respectfully, E Fred Green, Jr.
CALMOAA President

February 2021

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January 2021

Happy Holidays everyone.  As we enter the New Year 2021 let us be thankful for our Nation and those who are standing guard protection our nation 24/7.   We are off to a new year full of hope and new horizons.  Our nation and the world have faced COVID-19.  Times have been tough on us and our families. Suicide rates have gone up due to the lock downs for a variety of reasons.  We need to continue to stay in touch with each other as we weather through this  Pandemic.  I ask each and every one of us to keep in touch and check on our shipmates.  Due your buddy check!!  It is important more so than ever.  In addition to working from home (since March 2020).  My family, classmates, retired co-workers, shipmates, and roommate from OCS (we have been friends since 1973) keep in touch via Zoom, email, and phone.  We joke and we have discussions about books and articles.  In summary we are checking on each other.

I would like Congratulate Kathy Prout was recently awarded the MOAA Distinguished Service Award for her diligent efforts to raise an army of surviving spouses and to bring social awareness to the issue resulting in a successful campaign to repeal the Widows Tax via the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.  I would like for everyone to reach out and congratulate Katy Prout on a wonderful job that she has done.

Last month I downloaded everyone’s module and asking each chapter to verify and update their module.  Early this month I will be meeting with your CALMOAA Area VPs and CALMOAA Board of Directors to plan for our first Quarterly meeting scheduled for 22 January 2021.

Earlier this month CALMOAA received a request to support House Resolution Bill (HR) proposed by Congressman J. Panetta which would be asking the VA to prioritize disability claims for veterans caught up in disaster situations such as our fires here in CA.  We forward the draft of this bill to MOAA asking them to what is MOAA’s position is on HR to ensure that CALMOAA is alignment with MOAA.  MOAA responded stating they will research and get back to us.  I will be checking in with them in January for an update.  On 29 December 2020, we submitted the Lobbying Firm Activity Authorization (California Form 602) authorizing Reeb Government Relations, LLC as our lobbyist for the state of California.

It is with sad hear to announce that this year South Coast California Chapter closed due to the fact that they were down to just 5 members engaged and they are getting on age.  Before they decided to close their chapter down they did look at becoming a satellite of a nearby chapter but in the end they decided that was not feasible for them.  They are still members of MOAA and they still support CALMOAA.  In accordance with MOAA directives they turned in their charter to MOAA and they distributed their funds per MOAA instructions.  

In this case South Coast California Chapter under the leadership of Bill Reals decided to distribute their funds to the following organizations:

Semper Fi Fund

MOAA Scholarship Fund

MOAA Scholarship Fund

CALMOAA

ROTC San Diego State ROTC

Regarding membership.  In part the way I was recruited along with others has been along the line of friendship, common bond to the organization, common service, and working relationship.  I have known Bud for a number of years.  When he called me a few years to fill a board position in my chapter.  Both Bud and I are working and he knows the time constrains I may have because of my job and he was prepared.  When I said, I work he countered and said I work too Fred.  What’s your next excuse.  From that point on almost every excuse I made he had a counter for it with a joke or two included.  Wes called me out of the blue while I was driving home from work.  He asked me to have I thought about making a contribution to my fellow veterans.  He worked on the concept of community and comradeship with fellow veterans.  His approach non-aggressive.  After I joined the Legion he also pointed out that people will join organizations and participate in activities with the understanding we scratch each other’s back in one fashion or another.  After a few months getting to know each other and the Post he warmed up to me and suggest that I consider being the Post Commander which I was able to turn down for the present.  He realized that I have been dealing with the VA for years.  He suggested that consider being the American Legion El Cajon Post 303 Service Officer and the Congressional Liaison California Delegation for Congressional District 53 for the National Legislative Council Department of California.  In turn I have gotten him to join MOAA, Miramar MOAA Chapter, and become a board member of the chapter.  I also recruited him to be a part of the CALMOAA Bylaws Committee. 

I got Allen to join MOAA and the American Legion because we have known each other for years.  Once he joined the Legion he got involved in with the Riders at another Post.  He commented that at first he didn’t think he would want to join but after a while he realized how much he missed the comrade  of being around fellow veterans no matter what service we served there is a bond.  

Which gets me to “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek.  The author of this book he talks about membership and recruitment.  He points out that the fact that people will join and be active in an organization because of their bond with the organization and/or with their fellow co-workers and friends.  I believe some the talking points discussed in this book can be used to recruit people and for them to step up and take up positions that need to be filled in your chapters.  

Marvin has working with his chapter with the understand that everyone will fleet up to the next position after X years.  It appears to be working for the greater point currently.  They also use the cloud to store their documents and they just pass the information from one person to the next one.  

I know it is easier said than done.  But it is an approach.

Music, humor, and good book have always been relaxing especially as we entered the New Year.  I hope you too will enjoy “A Un Passo Dalla Luna” (instrumental).  Please see the link these links to these songs below.  I hope you find them to be uplifting and relaxing.

A Un Passo Dalla Luna – (Violin Cover) on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q_0cQoF-Dv8

In addition to the YouTube presentation of “A Un Passo Della Luna” Victoria Linnen plays “Un Passo Della Luna” on a violin: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJpMh1Gs/

Please see Facebook links to MOAA Surviving Spouses And Friends (Private Group) and Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) below:

MOAA Surviving Spouses And Friends (Private Group) – Facebook link

https://www.facebook.com/groups/581427115240904/?multi_permalinks=3829526447097605%2C3825063920877191%2C3824863560897227%2C3821842571199326%2C3815695241814059&notif_id=1609513928974893&notif_t=group_activity&ref=notif

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) – Facebook link

https://www.facebook.com/28446275521/posts/10159082027055522/?d=n

Remember CALMOAA is here to help to the best of its ability.  Please reach out whenever. 

Please visit CALMOAA website www.Californiamoaa.com it has a wealth of info about VA and TRICARE benefits, job opportunities and much more.  Please visit it often!

Stay Safe and be careful out there.

Respectfully, E Fred Green, Jr., LCDR, USN (Ret)
CALMOAA President

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