HOUSTON AREA PO BOX 1082 HOUSTON TX 77251-1082 www.moaahoustonarea.com

Newsletter to Members

Vol. XLVII No. 1 January 2009 NEXT MEETING SATURDAY, January 31, 2009 BRIAR CLUB

Officers President’s Message President James Causey, COL USA 281.497.2652 You honored me and your other officers by electing the slate recommended by the 1st Vice President Program nominating committee. Thank you for Wayne Ritter LT COL USAF giving us the opportunity to serve the 713.947.2087 Chapter. Also I thank all the spouses and Secretary friends who consent to our service to the Val G. Henneberg MAJ USA Houston Chapter of MOAA as officers. I 713.729.8217 particularly thank Elizabeth (My Spouse) Treasurer for her consenting to my election and service obligation to the Martin J. Harris MAJ USMC Chapter. Thank her when you see her at our functions. 713.436.0429

Attendance is a constant problem with our Chapter and similar 2nd Vice President Arrangements organizations. It seems to be a problem that arises because of the Jeannette Evans, Auxiliary 281.495.2202 other attractions competing for our attention. The only way to have and keep a solid base for attendance is for each attendee to Legislative Representative make a point to visit with each other at our meetings so that we ROTC Scholarship all have an acquaintance waiting at the next meeting. We all William Taylor CAPT USAR 28.482.7315 have something in common: we served our country or had a spouse or close friend who served. Assistant Legislative Representative George McDowell COL USAF Come on out and get acquainted. You will find a fast friend 713.723.5166 before you know it (maybe in ten minutes). We all need a break, Liaison and lunch out in a fine setting, The Briar Club, is a great way to Eugene Tulich CDR USCG take that break. We also have great speakers, so your time will 281.376.0061 be well spent. By your attendance I (we) can get to know all of you. ROTC Edward Hale COL USAR 713.644.3796 HAPPY NEW YEAR . Chaplain Kerry Magee CAPT USN 979.964.3236 h or 979.236.2415 cell James C. "Jim" Causey, President Editor Carol Ann Wilson 8902 Sunnywood Drive Houston TX77088-3729 281. 847.9754; 281.642.4050 cell 281.847.2121 fax [email protected]

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, January 2009, p. 1 MOAA Houston Area Bio of CAPT Zeb D. Alford Board Meeting as Commanding Officer, Zeb D. Alford was born in McComb, Guantanamo Bay Naval Tues. Jan. 27, 11:30 Mississippi, in 1925. After graduating Station, Cuba, in 1971. Zeb Rudi Lechner’s from McComb High School in retired from the Navy in 2503 S. Gessner January 1943, he joined the Navy the September 1973.

Future meetings next day and attended LSU for one All at Rudi Lechner’s semester. He started his Navy career Zeb’s second career has been as a seaman apprentice in the V-12 in energy. Since entering this 1/27 2/24 3/24 4/21 program at Tulane University on July field he has become President 5/26 6/23 7/21 8/25 1, 1943, and entered the Naval of three different energy 9/22 10/27 11/? 12/? Academy in 1944. After graduation in companies. In 1984 Zeb l947, he served as an Ensign aboard married Joan Chasan of USS Charles R. Ware, an Atlantic Houston, , and Long Fleet destroyer. After graduation from Island, New York. He has MOAA School in 1949, he served four grown daughters from a previous marriage. In 1985 he Houston Area aboard three diesel and started a new company, Monthly Meeting three nuclear submarines. Dolphin Energy, Inc., and and Luncheon Zeb joined the nuclear Navy in 1958 began to market natural gas to when selected by Admiral Rickover, major utilities on both coasts. Sat. Jan. 31 11:30 the father of the nuclear Navy. After Zeb is currently active in nuclear school, his first nuclear tennis, the Navy League, the Naval Academy Alumni Briar Club assignment, as Executive Officer, was Association, the Naval Order, 2603 Timmons Lane building and commissioning a new Houston, TX 77027 nuclear prototype in Connecticut. He and the Republican Party. He (713) 622-3667 was Executive Officer and was elected a delegate to the commissioned the first nuclear state party conventions in House Salad submarine designed to find and kill 1996, 2000, and 2004. He was other nuclear submarines, USS elected a member of the Texas Baked Tilapia Electoral College that met in or Tullibee. Every new class of nuclear Austin, Texas, in December London Broil with attack submarines built since then has Bordelaise Sauce included updated versions of the 1996. In 1999 Zeb became Vegetable and Starch active and passive sonar systems and Chairman of the Cavalla Coffee and Tea the sound quieting methods of Historical Foundation, which Rolls and Butter Tullibee. raised money to restore the Crème Brûlée Cheesecake WW-II submarine USS He attended Charm School (Admiral Cavalla (SSK 244) and the $30 Rickover’s staff) for six months; then, DE-238 USS Stewart, both as a Lieutenant Commander, he located at SEAWOLF PARK, Reservations to Jeannette reported in1962 as Commanding , Texas. Today Evans, 281.495.2202, by Officer of the nuclear attack they both have been restored Noon on Wed. 1/28/09 submarine USS Shark. Shark was the and are open to the public for first class of single screw, visits. Speaker whale-shaped, high-speed, nuclear submarines. She was the fastest Zeb D. Alford submarine ever built at that time. As a Future meetings Navy Commander in 1965, he became All at Briar Club “During the Nation’s 232 the Commanding Officer of the 1/31 2/28 3/28 4/25 Years Only Three–I Repeat Polaris nuclear submarine USS Sam 5/30 6/27 7/25 8/29 Three–National Policies Houston. He became Executive 9/26 10/31 11/? 12/? Have Determined When Assistant to the Undersecretary of the We Went to War” Navy (now Senator John Warner [R-Va.]). Zeb attended the National War College in 1970-71 and reported

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, January 2009, p. 2 Duty aboard the USS Robert K. Huntington, DD-781, out AUXILIARY Treasurer’s Report Z of Norfolk, VA., serving as Dec. 31, 2008 DCA, Eng. Off., Ops. Off., Military Officers OOD U/W, CDO, and Wives Association Income $ 1,125. Protestant Lay Leader for the Expenses $ 1,375. ship underway. Upon release January 15 from ACDU, my family of Balance $ 4,725. three (we had a daughter by Junior League then), returned to Atlanta, where I spent two years Martin J. Harris, Treasurer 1811 Briar Oaks Lane obtaining my B.I.E. Degree Houston TX 77027 from Georgia Tech. (713) 622.4191 Afterwards, my family spent almost three years in the Menu Panama Canal Zone, while I From Our Chaplain worked as an I.E. for the Panama Canal Company. House Salad Grilled Chicken with When I completed the eight Mushroom Sauce SHALOM! years Commissioning or PEACE BE obligation (3 ACDU, 5 Roasted Pork Tenderloin WITH USNR-R), combined with with Garlic and Rosemary YOU! my prior four years Enlisted Sauce service, I told myself I could That was the stand on my head for eight Vegetable and Starch CAPT Kerry Magee greeting the more to obtain 20 years! Rolls and Butter 1st Century Actually, I stayed in for 26 Coffee OR Tea (not both) Christians used to greet each other, years, got my “scrambled and I now use it to greet y’all, my eggs,” and finally my fourth Almond Apricot Cake fellow members and families! I am stripe before retiring. The honored and humbled that y’all highlights of my Reserve $27 elected me as your Chaplain for 2009, Service included becoming a Reservations to Alice and I promise to fulfill that charge as SWO, attending PCO School Alvarado, 281.261.0276, by God directs. I ask for your prayers. in Newport, and being Monday evening, assigned PCO/SELRES for Jan. 12, 2008 A little info on me might be the NRF ship USS Owens at appropriate for my first article, but I , Galveston, for will end with a spiritual note. I am three years! Future meetings second generation NAVY; my Dad was a CPO in WWII, stationed at I retired from Dow Chemical 1/15 2/19 3/19 4/16 NOB Newport, RI, teaching Gobs Co. in Freeport, Texas, in 5/21 6/18 7/16 8/20 how to swim before being shipped out 1994 after 29 years. While I 9/17 10/15 11/19 12/17 for combat overseas. Upon enlisting in was assigned to Dow’s Space

1942, he was given an E-5 Crow, due Support Contract in Titusville, to his being a Red Cross/YMCA Florida, from 1965-70, I swimming instructor for more than ten obtained my M.S.M. from years, made “slick-arm” Chief in two Florida State University’s years, and stayed in the USNR-R for off-site Graduate Program. I 26 years, retiring as an E-8. Dad have three married daughters, enlisted me as an E-1 into the and six grandsons! USNR-R when I was a Freshman at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, where I was For the last ten years, my born. After obtaining my first current wife, Solange Ann, undergraduate degree, B.S. I.M., in and I have resided in 1956, I went to OCS in Newport , and Brazoria, Texas, where I have was commissioned an ENS, USNR, in become a “West of the Brazos April 1957. I spent three years Active Country Boy!” We attend the

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, January 2009, p. 3 Lake Jackson Bible Church, 2. Marry a man/woman you love to 19. When you realize you’ve where I am the Financial talk to. As you get older, their made a mistake, take Secretary and give Layman conversational skills will be as immediate steps to correct messages every five weeks in important as any other. it. rotation with the Elders. My wife and I have been active 3. Don’t believe all you hear, spend 20. Smile when picking up in the Walk to Emmaus all you have, or sleep all you the phone. The caller will Ministry and are currently want. hear it in your voice. active in Kairos Christian Ministry for male prison 4. When you say, “I love you,” mean 21. Spend some time alone. inmates. She is also involved it. in prison ministry for women The above from Jim Gentil's inmates. 5. When you say, “I'm sorry,” look Positive People Power weekly the person in the eye. publication (used with I am quite active in permission). Freemasonry: Past Master of 6. Be engaged at least six months my Lake Jackson Lodge; before you get married. HAPPY NEW YEAR! And Past District Deputy Grand as Tiny Tim proclaimed: Master for District 31 C; Past 7. Believe in love at first sight. “God bless us all, everyone!” Presiding Officer of all three York Rite Bodies in Brazoria 8. Never laugh at anyone’s dream. Kerry B. Magee County Chapter, Council and People who don’t have dreams CAPT USNR-RET Commandery (Knight don’t have much! Templar); KCCH in the Scottish Rite, Valley of 9. Love deeply and passionately. Galveston; Legion of Honor You might get hurt, but it’s the (Veterans), El Mina Shrine only way to live life completely. of Galveston. 10. In disagreements, fight fairly. No I have been a Toastmaster for name calling! twenty five years, having attained the educational level 11. Don’t judge people by their of Distinguished relatives. Toastmaster; I am a member of three clubs. 12. Talk slowly but think quickly.

Whew! Did I say “a little 13. When someone asks you a info”? Please forgive me, I question you don’t want to get a little verbose at times. answer, smile and ask, “Why do you want to know?” Now my spiritual message for y’all. A good Toastmaster 14. Remember that great love and friend of mine sent me the great achievements involve great following which I wish to risk. share with you: 15. Say “Bless you” when you hear someone sneeze. We all need some wise words to keep us focused on the 16. When you lose, don’t lose the good life. lesson.

1. Give people more than 17. Remember the three Rs: Respect they expect and do it for self; Respect for others; and cheerfully. Responsibility for all your actions.

18. DON’T LET A LITTLE DISPUTE INJURE A GREAT FRIENDSHIP.

Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, January 2009, p. 4 Hire an Attorney to Help you with your VA Claims

Public Law 109-461 allows you to hire an attorney “after you file a notice of disagreement with your respective VA claim decision.” Law Office of Robert B. Goss, P.C. Protecting those who have protected us.

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Member The College of the State Bar of Texas. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. Except as noted, our attorneys are not Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

We Are Excited About 2009!

Join Us For a Meeting

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Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, January 2009, p. 5 Newsletter of MOAA Houston Area, January 2009, p. 6 MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, HOUSTON AREA Houston Corps of Cadets ROTC Endowment Fund–The University of Houston (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force)

Please Print Donor name:______Mailing Address______Phone: Day______Evening______e-mail______

My pledge of $______should be designed to support MOAA,HA Houston Corps of Cadets

My gift will be made with installments of $______to be paid monthly___quarterly___annually___. Beginning date:______The Office of Stewardship will send reminders.)

___Enclosed is a check (made payable to University of Houston) for the first pledge payable.

Please charge my credit card for the amount of my gift, as scheduled above: ___Visa ___Mastercard ___American Express ___Discover Account Number______Expiration date:______Name as it appears on card:______Signature: ______

______I would like to be contacted about fulfilling my pledge with a gift of appreciated securities. My pledge payment will be matched by: ______(Please specify company for our records)

Donor signature:______date______

Donor Signature:______date______

Thank you for your support of the MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, HOUSTON AREA, HOUSTON CORPS OF CADETS ROTC ENDOWMENT FUND, THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON ______University of Houston; Advancement Services; P.O. Box 867; Houston TX 77001-0867 Attn: Nancy V. Clark E-mail: uh.edu/giving

From your editor Carol Ann Wilson

As we look forward to 2009 and making it even better, despite gloomy forecasts, I hope you enjoy your newsletter. It is your newsletter, so please send me material you would like to see in print. If you have a favorite poem or article, get permission from the author and send it to me. If you want to write an article, please do so. We want to hear from all our members. I am thankful for each of you, and I am thankful for this great organization and what it means to so many. So here are a few words about Thanks:

Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend, For the lesson thou hast taught! Thus at the flaming forge of life Our fortunes must be wrought; Thus on its sounding anvil shaped Each burning deed and thought!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1809-1882) The Village Blacksmith (l. 43-48) Military Officers Association of America, Houston Area Membership is available to Officers who have held a Federal Warrant or Commission in any of the seven uniformed services of the United States or to the surviving spouse of such a person. Please use this form for application for membership, renewal, or changes to the current directory of members.

NAME: ______Last First Initial Grade Service Branch

NAME OF SPOUSE: ______

ADDRESS:______Tel. ______E-mail: ______Dues: Regular Membership $10 first year; annual renewal $20 Auxiliary (spouse of deceased officer) $10

Make check payable to MOAA,HA and send to MOAA,HA PO Box 1082 Houston TX 77251-1082 For more information, call Maj. Val G. Henneberg 713.729.8217

Military Officers Association of America, Houston Area Nonprofit Org. PO Box 1082 Houston TX 77251-1082 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Houston TX Permit # 2102

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