MIA Totals: WWI 3,344 - WWII 78,526 - Korea 8,093 -Vietnam 1,687 - Persian Gulf 40 - Somalia 8
I N C O M I N G !
The Monthly Newsletter of
ROLLING THUNDER, INC. Indiana Chapter #1 “POW-MIA – You are not Forgotten”
http://indianarollingthunder.com
https://www.facebook.com/RTINCh1
Chapter Officers
Michael Clark President Judy “Scooter” Brinkley Vice-President Crystal “Baby Girl” Smith Secretary Terry “Flash” Sanderson Treasurer
“ We ride for our Brothers that can’t – Educating the Public, Keeping Faith with those who still serve “ “Americas’ POW/MIA truly die, only when they are forgotten.”
In memory of Steve Winters.
Before we get into the news letter, I would like for you to pause for a few minutes and reflect back on your memories of our fellow Chapter Member and brother, Steve Winters. Steve was a devoted Rolling Thunder member and will be missed. Steve will always be riding with us in spirit. Please keep Diana and family in your thoughts and prayers. God bless Steve and his family.
Page 1 of 10
President’s News
Chapter members, I want to thank you for having the confidence in me to elect me as your Chapter President for the next two years. I’m looking forward to serving as your Chapter President and will do my best to represent the Chapter well. I hope to bring new ideas to the Chapter so we can grow and be able to do more for our Veterans and our POW-MIA mission. I will need all of your support to get the job done.
The following is a little bit about myself and my background.
I was born in 1951 in East St. Louis, IL. We moved to Poplar Bluff, MO at an early age where I was raised. Barbara and I got married in 1970 in Poplar Bluff, MO at the age of 19 and 18 respectively. We were blessed with our first son Michael JR in the fall of 1970. In 1971, Uncle Sam invited me to join his organization and the U.S Army became my new home. We had our second son, Daniel in 1972 and our final son, William (Billy), in 1977 while stationed in Germany. After my three year tour in Germany (1975-1977), I was reassigned to the Enlisted Records and Evaluation Center (EREC) at FT. Benjamin Harrison, IN. I remained on active duty with EREC until 1983.
In 1983, I left active duty as a Sergeant First Class (E7) and started working for EREC as a DoD Civilian. I also obtained an E7 Army reserve position with the 327th Data Processing Unit (DPU) at FT. Benjamin Harrison, IN. I remained in the United States Army Reserves until 1998 at which time I retired as Sergeant Major (E9).
In 1985, I left EREC and started working for the United States Army Finance Center (USAFAC) which eventually became the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). I stayed with DFAS until I retired as a DoD Civilian in 2012.
Most of my 41+ years of service with the Government has been in a support role to make sure the networks for military pay, personal, and logistics systems were up and operational so service member and their family’s would be able to receive the benefits that they deserved. I never served in combat role but I’ve been all over the world providing communications support to the Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure our service members and their family’s continued to receive their benefits while deployed.
I’m honored to serve as your Chapter President and looking forward to the next two years.
The next Chapter meeting is Sunday, October 20th at 12:30.
As Steve Reeves use to say “BE THERE !!”
Page 2 of 10
Chapter Elections Results
The chapter elections were held at the September Chapter meeting. The positions that were up for election were President, Secretary, Alternate Board Member and two Board Members. For the Chapter Members that were not able to make the September meeting, the election results are listed below.
President – Mike Clark Secretary – Crystal Smith maintained her secretary position. Board Member – Alex Barile maintained his board position. Board Member – Randy Cope. Alternate Board Member – Vern Rensing
Note: Tony Palmiero was appointed to serve in Mike Clark’s board position until the next election.
If you haven’t already done so, please congratulate these good people at the next Chapter meeting.
Ride with the Governor
The ride with the Governor on the 4th of October went very well. We had an opportunity to hob-knob with Governor Mike Pence and Indiana Treasury Richard Murdock. The first photo was taken at the first stop in Rushville, IN.
Page 3 of 10
The second photo was taken in Connersville, IN where the Governor gave a speech to the local people about a new furniture factory that is opening up and will employ around 300 people by 2018.
From left to right, Bill, Chuck, Mike, Governor Pence, Barbara and Flash.
The ride consisted of approximately 500 bikes and collected over $5,000.00 for the Indiana National Guard Relief fund. See the 2013 Annual Ride with the Governor Trip Report that was emailed to everyone on the 5th of October.
Page 4 of 10
HVAF Freedom Ride
On September the 28th, the HVAF freedom ride took off on a police escorted ride with approximately 40 bikes. The ride raised $1,650.00 for HVAF. Alex and a few Chapter members assembled the Hoosier POW/MIA Memorial Wall that was designed by Lafayette Chapter 4 and passed on to Chapter 1. The wall depicts memories of WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam wars.
The wall was a big hit and attracted some important visitors. The gentlemen in the middle of the picture, is Jordan Whitledge which is Senator Donnelly Case Manager. Chapter 4 did an outstanding job on the wall and Chapter 1 can be proud that we have it to display. The wall has been on display at several events in the past few months, to include the Veterans Reunion Home at the Mount Contort Airport, Quakers Day Parade at Plainfield, IN and at the HVAF Freedom ride.
Page 5 of 10
VA Christmas Visit
Our Christmas visit to the Veterans Hospital will be here before you know it. We only have October and November Chapter meetings to collect the necessary items to go inside the gift bags. Please bring small tree ornaments and socks with you when you come to the October and November Chapter meetings. Contact Linda Harrington with any questions.
Brown County Noise Ordinance
You riders that like to Rev-Up your bikes to hear those loud pipes need to be cautious when you ride through Nashville, IN. Nashville, IN has had a noise ordinance on the books for some time now but rarely enforce it. However, they are beginning to get serious about the ordinance and starting to issue tickets. Here is what Reving-Up those pipes can cost you.
The first violation will be $50.00, second violation within 12 months, $100.00, third violation $200.00, fourth and subsequent violations $500.00. The Rice Burners with loud pipes will need to be extra cautious when you ride through Nashville. Harley’s are exempt (We wish anyway).
National Conference
A few Chapter Officers and Board members will be leaving for Washington D.C on Trick-or-Treat night (October 31st) to attend the Rolling Thunder National Conference. While in Washington, we are going to Capital Hill and visit a few Indiana representatives to discuss Veteran and POW/MIA issues. However, if the Government is still shutdown we may end up just seeing whoever is not furlough. We hope to bring back some fresh and new idea’s from the National Conference that we can share with the Chapter when we get back.
Page 6 of 10
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
The Elected Representatives for the State of Indiana who are in office to represent us, the people during the 113th Congress are as follows:
Washington Local Alternate Senator Dan Coats (R-IN) 202-224-5626 Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN) 202-224-6814 317-226-5555 Rep. Peter J. Visclosky (D-01) 202-225-2461 219-795-1844 Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-02) 202-225-3915 574-204-2645 Rep. Marlin A. Stutzman (R-03) 202-225-4436 574-533-5802 260-424-3041 Rep. Todd Rokita (R-04) 202-225-5037 317-838-0404 Rep. Susan Brooks (R-05) 202-225-2276 317-848-0201 Rep. Luke Messer (R-06) 202-225-3021 Rep. Andre Carson (D-07) 202-225-4011 317-283-6516 Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-08) 202-225-4636 812-465-6484 812-232-0523 Rep. Todd C. Young (R-09) 202-225-5315 812-288-3999 812-336-3000
Current Bills affecting Veterans and relating to POW/MIA issues.
Bill Purpose S-2255 To amend chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, to add Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day as a patriotic and National observance. Died (Referred to Committee). H.Res.231 Establishing a Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs. H.R.1980 Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act. H.Res.485 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the declassification of information related to missing and unaccounted-for members of the Armed Forces H.R.3612 Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2011. Was replaced with H.R 543. See below. H.Res.286 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should leave no member of the Armed Forces unaccounted for during the drawdown of forces in Afghanistan. H.R.2634 Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2011. See Note Below H.R.1494 Blue Water Navy Ship Accountability Act. H.R.1739 Veterans Backlog Reduction Act. H.R.543 Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2013 Note: Not supported by Rolling Thunder National
Note: Track activities of the United States Congress at www.govtrack.us
Page 7 of 10
Listed below is the Indiana Senators and Representatives score card on supporting current POW/MIA and Veterans Bills in Congress
X = Support
Senate S-2255 Dan Coats (R-IN) Joe Donnelly (D-IN)
House of 231 1980 485 286 2634 1494 1739 543 Representative Peter Visclosky Jackie Walorski Marlin Stutzman Todd Rokita Susan Brooks Luke Messer Andre Carson Larry Bucshon Todd C. Young
POW/MIA “VANITY” LICENSE PLATE
The POW/MIA “vanity” plates are available for $15.00.
These plates are strictly for the front of the vehicle and NOT used as a regular state license plate. The plate represents that there are still too many POW-MIA’s missing and need to come home. Tell your friends and neighbors that they need this plate on their vehicle today.
Purchase yours at the next Chapter Meeting.
Page 8 of 10
INDIANA POW/MIA LICENSE PLATE
The Indiana POW/MIA plate sales for the month of September 2013 were 293 which translates to $7,325.00 for the month of September. Year to date plate sales were 2,780 totaling $69,500 deposited into the Veterans Affairs Trust Fund.
For every plate sold, $25.00 is deposited into the Veterans Affairs Trust Fund.
The Chapter can be proud of what has been accomplished. However, the mission goes on and we need to continue to promote the plate every opertinuity we get. If you need POW/MIA plate brochures for distribution, please contact one of the chapter officers or board members. They will be happy to help.
To check out the Indiana POW/MIA Plate video and learn more about the plate, please copy and paste the following URL into your broswer.
http://box.net/shared/bocaia923d
Page 9 of 10
POW/MIA from Afghanistan Sergeant Bowe R. Bergdahl
1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant Bergdahl is from Ketchum, Idaho.
Captured in Pakitka province, Afghanistan, on June 30, 2009. The Pentagon declared him Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown on July 1, 2009 and his status was changed to Missing-Captured on July 3rd, 2009.
BRING BOWE HOME!! NOW!!
Page 10 of 10