“Viva Las Vegas”

39th ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION 2017 “VIVA LAS VEGAS”

CONTACT THE CONVENTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS (THESE ARE CELL PHONE NUMBERS):

Jeanne Lewis: 702-234-5421 Alberta Elliott: 702-813-4645 Janet Snyder: 702-885-4582 Kym Ennis: 702-245-7294 Midge Sparlin: 702-340-6708 Su Phelps: 702-279-3030 Eileen May: 702-376-2815 Arlene Murray: 253-720-1766

SMW Schedule of Events

Event Time Sunday, Oct 15 Registration Open

Hospitality Room

1:00 PM – Pick up convention information - Denise Ashurst and 5:00PM PrideInPurity students - books and pamphlets

Camaraderie

Welcome Reception – Talent Show Entertainment by Members M.C. Billy “Big Daddy” Sauceda 7:00 PM – Monterey Bay Room (1st floor) 10:00 PM Members and Guests Attire: Business Casual

 WHO ARE WE…. PrideinPurity - A non-profit organization under IRS tax code 501©3, Federal Tax ID: 46-0851073.  WHAT DO WE DO…. Conduct three consecutive two-hour classes that are devoted to teaching girls and women the fundamental biblical principles, pertaining to purity of body, mind, and soul. Once the class is completed, a graduation takes place and graduates receive a purity ring and devotional. Girls who desire to stay with the program are encouraged to serve in their communities and take part in purity mission trips whenever called.  WANT TO KNOW MORE….. Contact us to schedule a class in your location of the world! [email protected] Denise Elizabeth was born in Yonkers, New York, to Julian and Regina Howard, and is the sister of Gerald and Gilbert Howard. Life’s journey led her to 20 years in the military, (Air Force) and 13 years serving the Department of Energy. She now resides in Boulder City, Nevada. Denise is the Mother of three beautiful children, Narada, Danielle, and Jay (stepson). She is also a “Mentor” to women of all ages. But most importantly, Denise loves her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with all her heart, with all her mind, and with all her strength. Denise E. Ashurst, President, PrideinPurity International Ministries www.prideinpurity.com

Denise Ashurst

Billy “Big Daddy” Sauceda, M.C. for Talent Show Entertainment by Members

Meeting / Workshop

Monday, Oct 16 Brunswick Room (2nd floor)

Attire: Business

9:00 AM - 12:00 Ernest Williams, talking with slides about the Nevada Atomic PM Test Site

12:00 PM – 1:00 Lunch in Brunswick Room (Chicken Pasta or Vegetarian) PM

Ernest B. Williams, Staff Sergeant, USAF, Korean War Veteran

HISTORY OF ERNEST B WILLIAMS Former graduate of Naponee High School, Nebraska 1949 Listed below various titles of jobs--1949 to 2017 ERNEST BENJAMEN WILLIAMS born Dec 20, 1930-Nebraska

Attended Red Top elementary school 1937-1942-Luke Community School 1942-1945 Attended Naponee High School 1945-1949 1949-1950 Instrument man-surveyors crew Harlan Construction Company, Republican City, Nebraska 1951-1955, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force----Korea Veteran USAF Special Weapons Projects (AFSWP) Assembly and dis-Assembly of Nuclear Devices. -3 yrs.-served overseas – 18 months Financial Payroll Representative – 600 officers USAF, Nellis AFB, Nevada Honorably discharged from USAF Jan 10, 1955- 4 yrs. Hired in with U.S. Atomic Energy Commission-Federal Employment, Jan 17, 1955 1955 AEC assigned to Engineering Division (Nevada Proving Grounds) 1955-1958 Office Manager-Administration, Enewetok Atoll, Marshall Islands January 1958 -1960 Accountant, Finance Division, Albuquerque, New Mexico 1960-1962 Chief, General Ledger Section, Finance Division ALO – 14.5-billion-dollar program Feb 1962 TDY Christmas Island (British Island) administration-Engineer (8 months) 1963-1966 Ass’t Administrative Officer, Test Division-NTS-Nevada Operations Office 1966-1975- Planning Analyst, NTSSO, (support office-Nevada Operations Office) 1975-1983-Budget Analyst, Planning & Budget Division, Nevada Operations Office March-1983- August 1986 Budget Officer (Comptroller –P & B Division- 1.5 billion dollars) Retired from Dept. of Energy August 1, 1986 (34 ½ years) +4yr military 1986-1990 Public Relations Officer – Reeco contractor to Dept. of Energy

Dec 1990-Sept 1992 Senior Verification Representative Coordinator, Engineer Specialist Treaty between United States and Russia working for Raytheon Corporation (involved in Verification of Nuclear Tests at Nevada Test Site not to exceed 150 kiloton’s) Thresh hold Test Ban Treaty signed June 1990 by Presidents of U.S. & Russia*** AWARD of EXCELLENT-Nuclear Weapons Program-Dept. of Energy 1993 Received a Congressional Recognition, Nevada 1st Congressional District---Sept 2007 1986 to 2017 (Senior Public Relations Representative) – 31 years National Security Technology LLC – 10 years in counterterrorism program (2007- 2017) Sum total of 66 years in Nuclear Weapons Program for the United States Member of the Naponee Hicks-Siegel American Legion Post-0364 --- 61 years Member of Veteran of Foreign Wars (life time member) Post 10047, Las Vegas, Nevada Member of Presbyterian Church – 59 years served as a Deacon and Elder

Meeting / Workshop at Brunswick Room (2nd floor)

Military Survivors Support Presented by Admiral Moira Flanders, U.S. Navy (Retired), Director of the Office of Survivors Assistance, Department of Veterans Affairs 1:30 PM - 3:30 Honoring Veterans and Survivors of the Vietnam War PM USA Vietnam War Commemoration Presented by Major General James T. Jackson U.S. Army (Retired) Director, The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration and Colonel Yvonne Schilz, U.S. Air Force (Retired), USA Vietnam War Commemoration Chief, Commemorative Partner Program & POW/MIA Liaison 3:30 PM Presentation of Certificates and Pins for Deceased Vietnam Veteran - 5:00 Surviving Spouses by MG Jackson and COL Schilz PM

Admiral Moira Flanders Moira Flanders is the Director of the Office of Survivors Assistance in the Department of Veterans Affairs. The office reports to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on all matters related to policies, programs, legislative issues and other initiatives impacting Survivors of Veterans and Service members. Before coming to the VA, Flanders was the Associate Director of the Pay and Retirement Portfolio for the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission where she led a team of interagency compensation-focused subject matter experts tasked with developing recommendations for modernizing military pay and retirement systems for Active and Reserve Component Service members. Prior to joining the Commission, she established the Naval Postgraduate School’s National Capital Region to conduct outreach, research and knowledge-sharing programs with US and international security and defense practitioners.

Retired from the US Navy in 2012 as a Rear Admiral (Upper Half), her last four years of active duty were spent at Fort McNair in Washington, DC where she was the Director of the Inter- American Defense College -- a multi-lingual, international senior service college, focused on security and defense issues in the Western Hemisphere. Earlier assignments include Commander, Naval Personnel and Development Command; Deputy Director, Office of Program Appraisal, within the Office of the Secretary of the Navy; Information Management Branch Head within the Joint Staff Secretariat in the Pentagon and several leadership positions in recruiting and manpower planning and development.

Flanders earned an MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and a BS in Biology from Virginia Tech. The Chilean National Academy of Strategic and Political Studies awarded her an honorary MA in Defense and Security of the Americas. She also completed certificate programs in Business, Planning, Strategic Communications and National and International Security from Babson College, George Washington University, Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Flanders is on the Board of Directors, United Community Ministries, is a member of Virginia Congressman Connelly’s Naval Academy and Merchant Marine Academy Advisory Board, and mentors college students at Hiram College’s Garfield Center for Public Leadership and at Mount Vernon’s George Washington Leadership Fellows Program.

The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations awarded her the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2013. Awards received during her Navy career include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal and several unit awards. International military awards include Medalha Merito Santos-Dumont (Brazil), Ordem do Merito Aeronautico (Brazil) and the Inter-American Defense Board Medal (Organization of American States).

Colonel Yvonne Schilz (on the right)

Ms. Schilz serves as Chief, Commemorative Partner Program and POW/MIA Liaison with The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration under the Director of Administration, Office of the Secretary of Defense.

In this capacity, she is responsible for the development and management of the Commemorative Partner Program and assists in the implementation of the DoD plan to meet the objectives given to the Commemoration by Congress. Specifically, she coordinates activities with federal, State, local governments and communities, civilian and military organizations in the Commemoration’s efforts. Her duties also include working with former Vietnam Prisoners of War, the missing and unaccounted for families, and the families who lost loved ones during and since the Vietnam War.

After graduation from the Air Force Academy in 1981, Ms. Schilz served in the Air Force for nearly 27 years in a variety of command and staff positions including air traffic control operations, training, education, strategic planning, recruiting, and personnel.

Her military assignments included a fellowship with the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s Commission on Preventing Deadly Conflict; as a strategic planner in J-5 on the staff of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; squadron and group-level command, and finally, on the Air Staff working Base Realignment and Closure, personnel reductions and personnel systems integration. She retired from the Air Force in 2008 at the rank of Colonel and is the proud daughter of a Vietnam Veteran.

Major General James T. Jackson U.S. Army (Retired) Director, The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration

Major General James T. Jackson, U.S. Army (Retired), serves as the Director of The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. This national effort was instituted by the U.S. Government under the auspices of the Department of Defense to do what should have been done 50 years ago: thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. MG Jackson initially joined the Commemoration staff in 2012 as a senior advisor. In this capacity, the General helped develop partnerships with federal, state and local communities, veterans' groups and other nongovernmental organizations. Today, more than 10,000 Commemorative Partners across the country are committed to assisting the nation in recognizing our 7 million living Vietnam veterans and the 9 million families of those who served

11 from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975. MG Jackson’s military career began in 1971, as an Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) graduate from Kent State University. Serving in the Army for 32 years, his assignments took him around the world, including postings with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; the 2nd Ranger Battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington; the Republic of Korea; and as an Army ROTC instructor at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. MG Jackson also commanded a wide variety of U.S. Army units, including the 1st Battalion 505th Parachute Infantry at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; the 3rd Ranger Battalion and 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia; and The U.S. Army Military District of Washington. Upon retirement from the U.S. Army, MG Jackson worked as a senior executive in the public sector for two different companies and participated in a three-month deployment in Iraq to support the Coalition Provisional Authority. After serving for eight years, he retired from the public sector.

SOCIETY OF MILITARY WIDOWS IS A COMMEMORATIVE PARTNER

A Vietnam Widow’s Words

If you never opened your front door to three solemn faced Marines, Don’t Put Me Down.

If you never heard them tell you, “Your husband was Killed in Action”. Don’t Put Me Down.

If you never waited ten days for his body, not knowing if you’d have one last look, Don’t Put Me Down.

If you never saw agony in death on the face that once glowed with love, Don’t Put Me Down.

If you never stood in Arlington National Cemetery and watched a once strong, healthy body placed in its final resting place, Don’t Put Me Down.

If you never heard the sound of Taps and three rounds of fire echo off the hills and head stones, Don’t Put Me Down.

If you never had a folded American Flag place in your hands and heard the Chaplain express the sympathies of the United States, Don’t Put Me Down.

If your heart never bled and body never ached and tears never burned your face for the loss of one you held dear, Don’t Put Me Down.

If you never wondered in your dark, lonely moments that your husband’s decision to serve his country in the armed services was right, Don’t Put Me Down.

If you never asked, “God, why him? “, Don’t Put Me Down.

As you hear me rave about the money being spent on the Vietnamese, while Native Americans and native borns are dying of malnutrition and lack of medical care, Don’t Put Me Down.

As you hear me curse the American Blood stained land of Vietnam and damn ex-President Thieu for telling the world that the United States sold South Vietnam out, Don’t Put Me Down.

VIETNAM REVISITED By Dr. William C. Pursch

The weapons, rusting, lay strewn on many fields of honor.

The birds, singing, inhabit a sky once filled with machines of war.

The animals, fearlessly, roam a jungle once rent with fire and steel.

The children, laughingly, play amongst crumbling bunkers and fire pits.

The farmers, interminably, toil in fields and rice paddies.

The warriors, dreams unfulfilled, rest in their graves.

But God, still alone, looks down.

Monday, Oct 16 Hospitality Room 7:00 PM Executive Committee Meeting 8:00 PM Board of Directors Meeting

Everyone is welcome to attend both of these meetings.

SMW Meetings – WHO VOTES?

Who votes is spelled out in each section: 1. Executive Committee - 3 Teleconferences and 1 in person at the Convention prior to the Board of Directors meeting:

The Executive Committee shall consist of the SMW National President, President-Elect, Regional Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and the immediate Past President (advisor and voting member). A quorum shall consist of two thirds (2/3) of the members of the Executive Committee.

2. Board of Directors - 1 in person meeting at the Convention prior to the Annual Membership Meeting. A second one of the New Board after the Installation of new officers in even years, this is a Joint Board Meeting of the old and new boards.

The National Board of Directors shall consist of the elected and the appointed officers, the immediate Past President, Regional Vice-Presidents, Chapter Presidents and Chairs of the Standing and Special Committees. SMW National past Presidents, other than the immediate Past President, shall be Honorary Board Members with voice participation, but no vote. A quorum shall be ten (10) members of the Board of Directors, three (3) of who shall be elected National Officers.

3. Annual Meeting -

The SMW Conventions shall be held each year . A quorum shall consist of a majority of the voting members registered and in attendance at the SMW Membership Meeting. No member shall have more than one (1) vote on each issue and no proxy vote shall be allowed.

Tuesday, Oct 17 Optional Workshops at Hospitality Room Joe Lachnit, “Freedom Has A Face” 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Joseph and Joe Lachnit “FREEDOM HAS A FACE”

What Do We Do?  FHAF Website is like no other military memorial site. It is “living” and dynamic… a reason to come back every day to pay homage to that day’s fallen, from the Global War on Terror (GWOT) all the way back to the Civil War. o What we have accomplished: . Currently, on our website we have profiles for all fallen heroes from the GWOT. Not to mention, numerous profiles from previous conflicts.

. We offer an automated social-media platform that daily shows the faces of the men and women that laid down their lives in defense of our freedom. o Where we are going: . Continue adding profiles to our website until all American heroes are available to be viewed and honored. . Develop a web-based app allowing even easier accessibility to our site.  Produce a TV pilot o The goal being, to bring our nation’s fallen into the living rooms of millions of Americans so our nation’s heroes and their sacrifice are never forgotten. o The TV show will have 4 segments; backstory, how they were killed, family and community dealing with the loss, reveal a memorial from a grateful nation. o FHAF TV show treatment has Writers Guild Association copyright protection.

Our Leadership Founders Joseph J Lachnit Jr.: Joseph J Lachnit Jr.: Original visionary and co-founder of FHAF, currently serving as a Sergeant First Class, with 11 out of 15 years in Army Special Operations, including 13 deployments to the Middle East. His commitment to honor the fallen includes him leading a team to the top of Mt. McKinley, AK to lay the names of Rangers recently killed in action on its summit. SFC Lachnit presently holds the highest Top Secret clearance available.

Joseph Lachnit Sr.: Two decades of international business experience with two larger non- profits, one with offices in 55 countries and one with over one billion dollars in endowments. Currently serving as Executive Director of Freedom Has A Face. Who Is Freedom Has A Face? Vision: Freedom Has A Face is committed to bringing the sacrifice of our fallen heroes and their families into the lives of everyday Americans, from present day back to the Civil War.

Mission: To inspire and connect individuals of this great nation with those killed-in-action and their families by forming “community” through diverse forms of media and technology.

Our Beginning: In October 2012, Sergeant First Class Joseph Lachnit, Jr. was watching the funeral of a fellow Army Ranger killed in action, Sergeant Thomas MacPherson. It was then he heard MacPherson’s sister, Jess say, “For me, now freedom has a face." Immediately SFC Lachnit told his dad, Joseph Lachnit Sr., “We have to show Americans that freedom has a face.”

Freedom Has A Face (FHAF) was founded two months later; soon after SGT Macpherson’s Army Ranger memorial had concluded. With the sound of taps still thick in the air and in clear sight of the ominous black granite obelisk that now bore his name, a small group of Ranger officers and enlisted men came together. Jointly they resolved that

America must never forget the sacrifice of our fallen patriots… all of them… back to the civil war. The name, Freedom Has A Face was unanimously adopted for this effort. Thus, it was with this primal Army Ranger sense of duty, grit and integrity that FHAF was established and remains today. What is Freedom Has A Face about? Wounded men and women returning home from war are worthy of double honor as well as the gratitude from the nation they so courageously served. Their lives and the lives of their loved ones will visibly never be the same. We thank God that there are many trusted veteran groups and organizations that assist these wounded heroes and their families.

Conversely, Freedom Has A Face (FHAF) focuses on serving the families of the fallen. Military men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice… with their lives. These fallen heroes will never return home to loving and caring family members. Their families lack the help and support of a grateful nation. For the most part, these families suffer in silence. The magnitude of their forever sacrifice exists unseen, below the radar because their wounds are not as visible, nor their needs as photogenic.

FHAF is about serving the families of our fallen heroes; lives that might appear normal from the “street” but inside their homes they will never be the same. FHAF is about a mother who instinctively sets an extra place for Thanksgiving dinner and then suddenly re-lives the agonizing moment she found out her son had been killed in action. FHAF is about a kid sister who frequently smells her brother’s red plaid coat to desperately hang on to any remnant of his presence here on earth. FHAF is about a father who simply can’t emotionally deal with his daughter’s death so he goes inside himself where no one can reach him… not even himself. And finally, FHAF is about spouses who abruptly become grieving single parents whose children will be raised with only the memory of their loving and heroic parent.

FHAF is about doing the “hard work” – taking the time to get to know these “wounded” families, mining their needs, and faithfully providing for them. This might include offering professional counseling, a dream vacation, or a good used car so a child can travel to college and still live at home.

FHAF’s vision is to engage a grateful nation, in patriotic unity, to become involved in the lives of the families of these fallen heroes. To stand in the place of those that gave their lives on the battlefield so you and your family members wouldn’t have to. If these heroic men and women could speak they would say to you: I lived here, I loved here, left footprints on this land. I bled here, I died here, remember where I took my stand. No matter which side of the political fence you occupy, where you stand on social issues, or the opinions of faith you hold; the one thing that unites us all as a nation is our freedom. The gift of freedom paid for by others with their very lives. If these heroes could ask one thing from us it would be to take care of their loved ones. That is what Freedom Has A Face is about and that is what FHAF is doing. Gifts of Gratitude is FHAF’s latest effort to reach out to these families. You can learn more at the Workshop.

Tuesday, Oct Arlene Murray, “We Can Grow, or We Can Go” including 17 information from her book, “Creative Steps to Success”

2:00 PM –

4:00 PM

Arlene Murray

Arlene Murray became a military spouse at 18 and at the age of 31, a surviving military spouse. Her husband, who was in the US Army in Special Forces, died while serving on Active duty in San Antonio, Texas. With the shock and dismay of her loss from the Casualty Officer and Chaplain, Arlene quickly found that being a simple homemaker and wife was not enough to support her and her two young daughters. After a couple years of examining some career choices, Arlene decided to set a goal to pursue Law. She moved back to her home state of Washington. Since she only had a high school

20 diploma, it was a matter of taking baby steps into college and doing what she calls “Catching up on life.” As she said, even at 35, she was competing with 20 year olds who had no children. Standing next to those same 20 year olds, she entered into the political arena and ran for a college student government position, and was elected as the oldest Student Senator for Pierce College. Arlene quickly became a force to be reckoned with, by submitting new ideas to the Board of Directors, and she became a strong role model as a surviving military spouse. After two years of studies, she earned her first Associate in Science degree, and was very proud of that. However, it didn’t land any career jobs. After graduation Arlene decided to continue her successful start in college and streamlined her studies with a second Associate degree in Paralegal studies. After obtaining that second AAS degree, she went into the workforce for the first time as a graduate Paralegal. She had difficulty, because she didn’t have enough experience with a Law firm and didn’t have enough computer skills. Then she went to computer school for specific training at BCTI and graduated with honors. After graduation she worked an internship with the Defense Attorney’s office in Seattle and gained some law firm experience. A few years later Arlene gained experience as a Paralegal in Family Law, Personal Injury and Bankruptcy, and later became an Office Manager for a law firm. She never forgot her vision to gain more education and become an Attorney. A few years later she decided to go back to college and graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor’s in Law. Arlene still had hopes to become an Attorney, until she received her first student loan bills. At that point she wanted to go back to work to pay down those bills. During the course of her work experience, Arlene became a Veterans Service Officer who processed VA disability claims for veterans and widows. It was through that experience and VA training that she discovered her true passion, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. It’s a Federally Chartered and National Service organization that is especially for surviving military spouses. Suddenly her direction shifted, and that vision to be an Attorney became a goal of helping military widows instead. In 2011 Arlene quickly joined the all-volunteer organization and was elected to serve as the local Chapter Vice President for two years. Arlene was now the youngest in her arena, and willing to help the widows. She became their spokesperson by doing Community Outreach, and being a positive role model for the organization. In 2014 she was elected as their Chapter President because of her persistence and determination to succeed. It was no longer about making money, but one of dedication of service in helping another, one she could relate to as a surviving military spouse. Arlene’s ability to think quickly on her feet, apply her legal experience with these ladies, and desire to be an exceptional leader is what motivated her. She is well known with political and military leaders, and respected for her dedication to veterans and families; her networking and marketing skills, plus writing grants for the organization which has resulted in raising thousands of dollars for her local chapter and the national organization. Since 2015 Arlene has been on the National Gold Star Wives Board of Directors as the National Certifying Service Officer. While serving on that board, Arlene has traveled all over the country, met with VA Secretary Robert McDonald and many other military V.I.P.’s in Washington, DC. One of her ideas came to fruition as a smaller handbook with more specific benefit information geared for surviving spouses and their dependents. As an Artist in her spare time, Arlene decided to ask if she could salvage the wooden historical Soldiers Home Welcome sign that was 6 feet tall. She spent countless hours and days sanding, and sealing, then repainting that sign for the residents until it looked new again. Arlene spent her own money on that project as a volunteer. She served at the Puget Sound Veterans Hope Center assisting in networking and coordinating many meetings with VIPs, and assisted in fund raising. They are in the process of building a community of 30 tiny homes in Orting, Washington, and she worked with Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and county officials with plans,

21 permits and legal issues. This is all driven by her tenacity in not giving up on her dream to be successful in life as a surviving military spouse. She says, “Life is like a well grounded garden. If we plant the seeds of Success, everything Positive will Grow.” Along with being an active Gold Star Wives member, Arlene is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Mount Tacoma Unit 148 and serves as their Secretary. Arlene was a member of SMW Tulip Chapter 37, until she remarried and became ineligible for regular membership. However, SMW of Southern Nevada Chapter #34 voted to have her as an Honorary member. She graciously accepted, and has been a tremendous asset to our 2017 Convention Committee. In 2015 after many years of being apart, Arlene married her High School Sweetheart, so much of her focus is now dedicated to him. She vows to continue to serve and help others, because she says she is God’s servant and all her Blessings come from God. She has realized that she has many spiritual gifts and is utilizing them through serving others. Her husband Dennis is a retired veteran, so that military connection continues. Her daughters Heather and Cecelia live out of state. Arlene has two granddaughters and one great grandson.

We Can Grow, or We Can Go… Motivational Workshop Presented by Arlene Murray In preparation to go, you take your driver’s test, and hopefully feel good about passing. Kind of like when you decide to join an organization. You investigate what the organization is all about, and see if it interests you, then if so, fill out the application, and join. Then, you prepare to grow, by legally driving, or in that case, becoming a member. Sometimes, you use a map. It can be a paper map, or stopping somewhere to ask for directions if you are lost, or using a GPS, but either way, you have knowledge and direction, just like when you fill out a membership application to an organization. How much time you spend driving that car, and the kind of car you drive, will determine how successful you are at meeting your goals.

1. PURPOSE- What is their purpose and why did you choose to go in that direction? Are there any common bonds that connect you or did you join because of status? For some people, they join, and figure it out along the side of the road. Others, have chosen to be a strong driver, and take over the road with precise speed to get where they want to go. Those individuals are using their skills, and talent but are often, misunderstood by leaving others behind.

2. DECISION MAKING- Now you know what kind of car you want. Will you have a fine Mercedes or ordinary car like a sedan, or economy car? Cars come in all shapes and sizes, and conditions, just like people. Some are big, small, more colorful new and old. What you choose to do in our organization to maintain it with contributions is up to you

as a member. As you think about sizes, and age, consider personality characteristics of each one. Perhaps, some of those cars even have “personalized license plates”. Their car may be newer, with all those fancy gadgets than another. Those individuals are proud of their interests, and probably are a known leader in their community. They are not afraid to go where others may not. Those individuals stand out, and are staying updated with technology.

3. MAINTENANCE- That requires refueling to keep going. What would happen if we quit putting gas in our cars? We would simply stop and not be able to go anywhere. We need balance in our lives. Don’t get burned out by doing too much, but be willing to put in enough so you can still maintain yourself. Be an active member so you know exactly how to proceed with that maintenance and know when it’s time to slow down or just park for a while. It’s like recharging your battery, and that’s Ok. Do what it takes to maintain that positive flow of energy. If you aren’t getting any feedback from that battery, get another, so your car can be more productive.

a. Your Engine is the core to who you are. If the engine stops running, so do you. Just think about that engine for a minute. It’s complex, bulky, and unknown to most of us, kind of like our bodies. b. Again, our insides may mechanically operate the same, but each of us have various components that are ever changing, like our health. That goes out, to how well we maintain our bodies. If we don’t care for it, we will perish sooner than expected.

4. LEADERSHIP STYLE- All of us are different and no two cars are alike. Will you try to park up front, or keep looking for a spot. Sometimes just driving around and competing with another, can be tiresome, frustrating, and waste time. When we drive our cars, we become familiar with our surroundings, and comfort zones. Heck, some of us even like to speed up the process to get to where we want to be.

a. Speeding up the process may do one of two things. It may get you to your destination sooner than you think, or you will get a speeding ticket, and told to slow down. People are often misunderstood with their intentions. If we go too fast, individuals think we are too pushy, or rude., where as if we just drive from one destination to the other without plotting our course, or objectives, we are misunderstood, just like volunteer service.

b. We live in a very busy society, and people can be selfish. The ‘what’s in it for me’ attitude comes to mind. Does the word jealousy ring a bell? Why is she doing that? It’s kind of like when someone buys a really, expensive car, or shows you something new, they just bought. Are we happy for them, or jealous? Does your mind once again

wonder to ‘why her and not me?’ The real plaguing questions should be, ‘is that a priority in your life, and why does your mind go there?’

5. VOLUNTEER SERVICE- All of us know that by being a volunteer, we aren’t going to afford that really, expensive car, or fine piece of jewelry. We would have to plan it out, if it was on our list of priorities. Being a volunteer means sacrifice, and service to another without financial compensation. You know that when you make that decision. That does not preclude one from having the finer things in life. Many volunteers drive fine cars, wear expensive items, and are driven by their goals. They have done something right in their lives to get what they have, so be happy for them.

6. PRIORITIES- What is your priority in life? What kind of car will you drive? Do you have a chosen map to get there? Chances are, you have planned and executed some of these examples by becoming a volunteer. No, you may not be driving that fancy car, but are working towards a common goal to serve and help another. For that, you should be acknowledged and thanked. So many volunteers are leaving their organization because they aren’t acknowledged, or even thanked. Whether you are driving up front in the fast lane, or a bit slower than others to catch up, you are in the process of getting there. Your car will get you there, but without Balance, your engine will stop running. So, in closing, no matter what kind of car you are driving, all of you are in the driver’s seat and going somewhere. The Final Destination is your decision and you can drive whatever car you want but remember this, no two cars are exactly alike so let’s appreciate what we have.

Richard Carreon

The President for the Nevada Veterans Association is Richard Carreon. Richard is a retired Army Staff Sergeant with a background in Chemical Weapons, small team tactics, and counterinsurgency. He was born in Manila Philippines on February 26, 1980 and came to the United States in 2988. His father always drilled community service and selflessness as he was growing up. After the first Gulf War, he decided how he was going to give back to the country that has given him and his family so much.

Richard entered active duty service in August 18, 2999 with a Military Occupation Specialty of a 54B, Chemical, Biological, Nuclear Specialist. He has been in a number of leadership positions through his career including Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Vehicle Commander, Master Gunner, Section Sergeant, and President for Better Opportunities for Single Parents. His assignments include 1st Squadron 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, DISCOM 2nd Infantry Division, 1st Brigade 25th Infantry Division, 3rd Squadron 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, and 1st Armored Division just before he retired.

Richard currently is a freelance photographer and activist. He resides in the city of North Las Vegas where he serves as a member of the Arts and Cultural Advisory Board. He is also working with Lutheran Social Services of Nevada in conjunction with the city of North Las Vegas on the Choice Community Initiative. It is a program geared towards the revitalization of the older part of the city which includes Rose Gardens and Buena Vista. He is dedicated to the causes that directly benefit the veteran community and has worked tirelessly to help veterans in need by providing information about organizations that would best fit the needs of individual veterans.

While on Active duty, Richard was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with 4 OLC, Army Achievement Medal 4 OLC, Good Conduct Medal 4th Award, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign Stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Campaign Star, Global War On Terrorism Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Non Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with the Number 3 Device, NATO Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Medal, Expert Rifle Badge, Drivers Badge for Tracked and Wheeled Vehicles, Silver German Marksmanship Badge, Combat Action Badge, and the Order of the Spur.

Richard Carreon, Retired US Army Staff Sergeant

Tuesday, Oct “Contributions of Military Widows to the Military and Veteran 17 Culture” 7:30 PM - Hospitality Room

From Kerry Kinsey: “Let me tell you about a guy who I’m proud to call my friend. Retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Richard Carreon served his country with distinction in Iraq and Afghanistan. And he’s fighting for veterans in Nevada every day. As a former reporter at FOX 5 in Las Vegas I remember the first time I met Richard at a political rally just before the 2014 midterm elections. He was so outgoing, informative and friendly I thought he was the PIO for the event..lol But that’s how Richard rolls! He’s a “let’s get it done kind of guy.” He’s a community leader..always meeting wthe folks and trying to come up with solutions. Just look at the screen grab from four of the many stories I did where Richard knew more than anybody else on the subject at hand. Clockwise from noon it was a story about hosting a Paquaio/Mayweather fight party, speaking about Jeb Bush’s town-hall in N. Las Vegas, a story about conceal carry laws in Nevada, or a package about a photographer who shoots pictures of veterans..how they looked in the service and how they are now…struggles included. Richard offered complete transparency in telling of his own challenge transitioning from military life to civilian life. I’m thrilled to offer that story as the lead package on my resume reel.

I also interviewed him about helping an organization that tries to stop veteran suicides. And I can tell you numerous times where he just showed up at one of my live shots to talk to me and my photographer Erik Ho. He was always concerned with how we were doing. He’s just a good guy. And politically he won’t vote straight ticket…he’ll go with the person who promises to solve problems. So work with him and listen to what he has to say. He’s smart, possesses a wealth of knowledge, but yet is succinct in getting across his message. He is goal oriented for sure! Richard…..my wife and I are praying for you and Melissa as you journey forward.”

Kelly Folliard – Hospitality Room Wednesday, Oct 18 9:00 AM -11:00 AM USO Las Vegas

Tony Yarbrough - Hospitality Room Wednesday, Oct 18 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM UVLC

USO Las Vegas Employee Biography

Kelly Folliard Transition Services Site Manager USO Las Vegas

Kelly Y. Folliard is the Transition Services Site Manager for the USO Las Vegas. The Transition Services program is operated out of Nellis Air Force Base. Mrs. Folliard has been working with the USO Las Vegas for 1 year. Prior to working with the USO Mrs. Folliard held the position of Regional Chapter Field Officer for USA Cares, a national non-profit that assists military families in crisis. She remains on their Nevada Chapters Board of Directors. Mrs. Folliard is also a State of Nevada Certified Veterans Advocate and Co-Chairs the Southern Nevada Veterans Community Engagement Board.

The USO Las Vegas Transition Services program was built in order to assist our service members as they transition out of the military. The program provides assistance with employment, education, VA benefits, legal assistance, family programs, wellness and volunteerism. By working one on one with clients and providing a concierge service the USO Las Vegas is able to ensure that our service members are successful during their transition to civilian life.

CAREER CHRONOLOGY:

2016 – Present Transition Services Site Manager, USO Las Vegas, Nellis AFB 2014 – 2016 Regional Chapter Field Officer, USA Cares, Las Vegas, NV 2012 – 2014 Director of Admissions, The Salter School, Malden, MA

EDUCATION:

2016 Master of Science, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Southern New Hampshire University 2014 Bachelor of Arts, Abnormal Child Psychology, Southern New Hampshire University

Tony Yarbrough’s Biography/Introduction: Tony Yarbrough is a retired Industrial Plant Engineer having worked at Naval Civil Service (Aviation and Nuclear), General Motors Corporation, Walgreens Corporation, Lear Corporation, and H.E.B. Grocery Corporation.

He served in the U.S. Navy for 10 years on active sea-duty, and six years Ready Reserve as a Machinery Repairman 1st Class; achieving Chief Petty Officer upon Honorable voluntary release. Photo courtesy of Fred Wagar

He resides in Yerington, Nevada, and is the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8084 Commander, District 1 Senior Vice Commander, the Nevada State Legislative Representative for all 9,000 VFW members, and the Vice Chairman of the United Veterans Legislative Council representing over 300,000 Nevada Veterans in the State Legislature. He may be contacted at [email protected], 775-354-9300, or Follow him at https://twitter.com/UVLCNV https://www.facebook.com/united.veterans.legislative.council/

Bill Krause 30

Wednesday, Oct 18 Introduction to the Tao by Bill Krause - Hospitality Room 7:30 PM

Tao (pronounced "tou" or "dou") means 'way' or 'path', the Tao is the intuitive knowing of "life" through the way we live our life.

Bill Krause: There is no need to go too far into my past, I do not want to bore people. Let us just say that I graduated high school in Pittsburgh, PA in 1964, joined the Navy soon after and was in “boot camp” just when the Vietnam Conflict began. I served in a helicopter squadron dealing with submarines. When we shipped off to the Tonkin Gulf, we found ourselves without a job. We must have scared all the Vietnamese subs off. We played Search and Rescue over Vietnam where we lost a large contingency of aircraft and airmen. It is always a sad time when one loses shipmates and friends. I worked the flight deck as a troubleshooter and spent many nights off the coast of North Vietnam. Just before I left the Yankee Station, the Forrestal had the catastrophic accident on board. Again, more of my shipmates and friends were killed because we had a detachment on board to supplement the “angel” squadron, another sad day, for sure.

Leaving the Navy, I worked for a defense contractor in California, moved up to an aerospace manufacturer building aerospace transparencies – airplane windshields. I was a test engineer performance testing these transparencies with long-term environmental conditions, projectile resistance, and bird-proofing these items. Yes, I shot four pound chickens into these windows. Needless to say, the chickens did not survive. During this 27 year span, I got married to a beautiful Taiwanese girl and had two fantastic children: Catherine Lin and Christopher Chen. Catherine has recently given us two grandkids, Dean Parker and Nessa Mia. They are as handsome and beautiful as their mother and father. Note that our son is still looking.

Now finally how did I become part of the Universal Tao? It started in about 1992 when my wife would go to the Tao Temple. I would take her, but I showed no interest in Tao. However, in 1994, my mother became extremely ill and was not expected to last very long. I was at my wits end trying to prepare, but having no success at it. My wife suggested that her temple group visit us and perform a ritual for her. Not knowing what else to do, I thought it might give comfort to her. I agreed and they came up. After this ritual was performed, I noticed something that was not present before; a smile on my mother’s face. I thought that there may be something to this after all.

I became more interested in this Tao and started studying it and attending the temple meetings. However, I was still somewhat reluctant to accept these concepts until I heard that Tao is not a religion, but a way to live one’s life. This was the start of my journey to Tao. The more I attended, the more I learned to a point where I could understand and benefit from the Tao. That is why I can stand up in front of people and talk about the Tao. Now at 70 years old, I feel that we can all learn from this Universal Truth and live by its guidance.

John P. May

AMS stands for “Association Management Services”

Following is the AMS team that is assigned to support the SMW, their responsibilities and phone numbers.

NAME DUTIES CONTACT

John P. May Executive Director, primary client contact (800) 808-4517, ext. 1002 Database Manager, data processing James D. Byrd (800) 808-4517, ext. 1013 supervisor Kimberly Pacino Member Services (800) 808-4517, ext. 1011 Ruthann Youngerman Data Processing Specialist, data entry (800) 808-4517, ext. 1010 Catherine Tavarrozzo Mail Production Manager (800) 808-4517, ext. 1018

AMS Management Services (“AMS”) is an association management company and marketing organization that provides “one stop” service support for associations and membership organizations. Our core competencies include:

 Association Management and Administration  New Member Acquisition and Renewals  Fundraising

 Membership Maintenance and Member Services  Database Management and Computer Services  Remittance Processing, Data Entry, and Escrow Services

The company represents membership organizations on a nation-wide basis from our headquarters in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. For more than 30 years, AMS staff has specialized in helping associations grow to new levels of membership strength, profitability, market share, cash flow, and operational sanity. We bring professional management to associations and handle all the back-office functions and details that are so critical to operational efficiency. We believe that in today’s increasingly competitive marketplace, where memberships are declining and budgets are shrinking, associations can no longer afford disorganized, undisciplined, out of control and out of touch marketing operations.

The marketing teams of today must be able to generate large numbers of respondents that become active dues-paying members, and they must do it cost effectively, or they will have a severe, negative impact on the future of their associations. They must embrace and employ new technologies and marketing techniques to make new levels of membership growth happen.

What truly sets AMS apart is our unique commitment to the military and veteran community. No other association management company in the nation understands the military and veteran community, especially military retiree families and survivors, better than us. Military retirees founded our company and many on our staff have specialized in the military and veteran market for over three decades.

AMS personnel have extensive experience and involvement in the military and veteran community. We have in-depth knowledge of the military and veteran markets and we continuously research the needs and desires of veterans, retirees and survivors, and constantly monitor and research the legislative issues that are of concern to military families and survivors. These activities have given us the insight and expertise necessary to create an aggressive and successful marketing and advertising plan for our clients. Our military and veteran clients include:

American Military Society Armed Forces Top Enlisted Association Society of Military Widows The Retired Enlisted Association The Retired Enlisted Association Auxiliary

At AMS, we have both the experience and ability to provide our clients with primary guidance and execution in membership development and retention plans. We offer the combined talents of association management, membership development and creative professionals who have demonstrated their skills in direct mail marketing, publishing, and professional trades as well as service to national associations.

Under our guidance, our clients can expect the design and implementation of comprehensive membership development programs as a means of acquiring and retaining members. You can rely on ready and able assistance in market research, package design and copywriting, production services

(printing, mailing, etc.) and analysis. In addition, we can provide all necessary data processing to generate management information systems for membership development.

AMS clients gain a staff of dedicated professionals who devote their efforts toward the success of your membership development program. We assign a marketing team including writers, artists, media specialists and production coordinators. Your team will also include an account executive to manage the entire process.

Thursday, Oct Croissants and Fruit Breads with Coffee and Tea served 8:30 – 19 9:30 AM, Brunswick Room (2nd floor)

9:00 AM – SMW Annual Meeting of the Membership 12:00 PM National Anthem, OraLeesa Patterson-Gardner

Rancho High School AFJROTC COLOR GUARD

Welcome to Las Vegas, U.S. Representative Dina Titus (NV-1)

U.S. Representative Ruben Kihuen (NV-4)

Invocation, Chaplain Su Phelps

Parade of Banners, Past National President Etta Brown

Memorial Service, Chaplain Su Phelps

Roll Call, Secretary Shirley Keegan 9:00 AM - Quorum, Parliamentarian Joy Vane (Shirley Keegan) 12:00 PM Welcome, Alberta Elliott, Jeanne Lewis, Janet Snyder

Approval of Minutes of Annual Membership Meeting of 2016

Financial Report, AMS Management Services Corp. – Shirley McCormack, SMW Treasurer, to introduce John P. May

Reports of Regional Vice Presidents

Eastern (FL, MD), Barbara Scott

Central (KS, OK, TX), Carol Widmer

Northwest (CA#5, CO, WA), Betty Luttkus

Southwest (AZ, CA#13 & #40, HI, NV), Alicia Gonzalez

Committee Reports:

Chaplain Su Phelps

Legislative Chair Rosalie Horton

Special Services, Pat Tinsley

Webmaster Pat Shecter / Helmi Mays

ByLaws, Cathy McGraw / Johnnie Marquez

Membership, Carol Widmer

Vietnam War Commemoration, Margaret Melchi

Continuing / Unfinished Business

New Business 12:00 PM – Break for Lunch – On Your Own 1:30 PM Chapter Presidents Meeting

Legislative Workshop Thursday, Oct 19 Convention Plans for September 2 – 7, 2018 (Fort Worth, TX) and October 15 – 20, 2019 (Colorado Springs, CO) 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Drawing for Prizes from Chapters #5, #6, #13, #14, #15, #22, #25, #28, #30, #32, #34, #35, #37, #38, #40

Break to prepare for Banquet 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Banquet (Chicken, Beef, or Vegetarian) and Entertainment 6:00 PM to Alex Christopher, Las Vegas Singer 10:00 PM

Thursday, Attire: Cocktail dress, semi or formal October 19

Meet the lady who will be singing the National Anthem at the opening ceremony for our Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 19:

OraLeesa Patterson-Gardner (Elle) was born in Shreveport, LA to Dr. Viola Marie Patterson and Lt. Col. Arthur Patterson. She started her musical interest at the age of 3 years old and planted her feet solidly into the church. Leesa sang and played the organ with her brother Austin Patterson (Yahz Child) in 1989 in church as well as Carnegie Hall. In high school she was featured and starred in many local plays and Broadway shows, the WIZ, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Hello Dolly, to name a few. Elle has continued her talents on the big stage as lead singer with MGM Resorts International Corporate Social Responsibility in the cast of Inspiring Our World: a creative musical journey conceived, produced and performed by employees to convey the company’s mission, vision, and values intertwined with our social responsibility philosophy. Designed to appeal to a universal audience, the production featured music, songs and dance created by the employees to portray in a succinct and powerful way the character of the company. Leesa and her husband of 11 years Charles Gardner Jr. fell in love under the spell of music. They continue their adventure in Las Vegas, NV, with the corporate gig band Eau Inferno

FOLLOWING ARE REPORTS FOR THE CONVENTION:

SMW PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

Immediately after the October 2016 Convention, your SMW Executive Committee, including the entire Board of Directors, have been volunteering on your behalf. We are ever mindful that you, our SMW membership, are the V.I.P.s we want to serve.

Patricia Walker, Past President, prepared a letter to all SMW members, asking them to complete a form to return to me as the new National President, to confirm their interest in being SMW members.

We voted to contract with an association management company (AMS Management Services) to provide SMW association management and administration services, new member recruitment and renewals, fundraising, membership database maintenance and member services. AMS also produces our newsletter and manages our financial business. AMS represents membership organizations on a nation-wide basis from its headquarters in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. AMS is doing all the membership and database work for us that NAUS had done since 1984, plus produce and postal mail a quarterly national newsletter; send weekly news briefs by e-mail, and postal mail periodic fundraising efforts. At a special Executive Committee Teleconference, we voted to have AMS handle SMW Savings, Checking, and Certificate of Deposit Accounts.

My first big job as SMW National President was verifying the membership information. Hundreds of forms were being sent to me. Some members responded by phone or e-mail. I checked the information on the returned forms with the master list of SMW members sent to me by the NAUS Membership Chair. Any changes or discrepancies were shared with AMS. Several Members had questions about what happened to NAUS, how our organization would be changed, plus other questions. I called each person who had questions and talked with them personally. To those who didn’t respond to my voicemail messages, I sent those and all the other forms to AMS, so they could update their records. Some who responded were not SMW members, and did not want to join us. Most were interested in becoming members, if they weren’t members before. It was a great opportunity for me to connect with our membership, and to meet members around the country who were Members-At-Large. Even now I am receiving one or two returned forms almost every day. Working together with the staff at AMS, we are verifying our current membership and gaining new memberships. I appointed Carol Widmer as our new Membership Chair. She has a master list of SMW members, and has been helping by encouraging all SMW Chapter Presidents to send their membership rosters to us.

Kimberly Pacino handles “Member Services” at AMS. You can contact her at: (800) 808-4517, ext. 1011. She started sending a complete database roster to Carol Widmer and me at the beginning of June, and sending all chapter presidents a roster of their chapter members. In time, she plans to add the names of those in a 50 mile radius of each chapter president, in order to recruit. If you have any questions about membership, please call Kimberly or send an e-mail: [email protected]

In September 2017 AMS completed the design layout on our new SMW brochures. Brochures will be available at the Las Vegas Convention. You can use these for marketing and membership recruitment.

Our SMW national newsletters are outstanding in quality and information, being prepared and postal mailed to all members quarterly. If you have finished reading them and don’t want to save them for the information, please don’t throw them away. Give them to an unaffiliated military widow or widower who may want to join SMW. There is a membership application in each quarterly issue of the

38 newsletter. This is another marketing tool for us to use. If a military widow(er) tells you they are not receiving these national newsletters, ask them to contact Kimberly Pacino at AMS or Carol Widmer or me, so we can check the master membership list.

It is important to emphasize that in order to be a SMW member, you must pay national SMW dues of $25. Per year. If you were a Life Member of SMW or NAUS, your Life Membership was transferred to SMW. After you are a national SMW member, you can join any chapter. Some chapters charge a nominal price for chapter dues, and others don’t charge any additional dues. Everyone must be a dues- paying national SMW member, or else you aren’t officially a SMW member and can’t vote or hold office in either the national organization or at the chapter level. Thanks to all of us working together, we are communicating this information to our members.

If any of your chapter members talk about discontinuing their membership; they can be encouraged to continue paying their dues, so they can receive the SMW national newsletters and support our organization’s mission. We don’t want to lose members, only to retain current members and gain new members. Thanks to all of you for your help.

Cathy McGraw, ByLaws Committee Chair, conducted ByLaws Committee Teleconferences in May and June, making several revisions to the current SMW ByLaws. These proposed changes were published in the 3rd quarter SMW national newsletter, and will be voted-on at the SMW Convention in Las Vegas at our Annual Meeting on October 19th.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this transition period. Thank you for responding to our first fundraising effort. Thank you for your praise to AMS for the high quality of our national SMW newsletters that are being postal mailed to all SMW members around the country. Thank you for your phone calls and e-mails with questions and kind comments. Thank you for your encouragement and friendship.

Type the following link on your computer browser, to view the National Military & Veterans Alliance (NMVA) Letters of Support that Society of Military Widows has signed this year: http://nmva.us/?page_id=19 If you type the following link on your computer browser: www.nmva.us you can see all of the NMVA letters for the last several years. Just click on the congressional communications link. PDF’s of all letters are available, and you can view or print directly from the site.

Rosalie Horton, SMW Legislative Chair, presented the Society of Military Widows wreath at the Arlington National Cemetery Tomb of the Unknowns on Memorial Day, May 29, 2017. We can be proud of Rosalie and all SMW members worldwide.

The contract has been signed for the SMW Convention in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 2 – 7, 2018. We changed the convention dates, in order to receive a great deal on hotel rates during the Labor Day week. Change is good.

The contract has been signed for the 2019 SMW Convention which will be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on October 15 - 20, 2019.

We are looking forward to a large number of members joining us for our 2017 SMW Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 15 – 20, 2017.

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

As we revise our current ByLaws, we will not change our Mission or Objectives:

MISSION: SMW will educate and advocate for the protection and preservation of the entitlements and benefits for the betterment of military widows, veterans and active military personnel, to provide those we serve with the information and services necessary to maintain or improve their quality of life.

OBJECTIVES: The specific and primary objectives of SMW shall be:

Section 1. To educate the American public concerning the needs of military widows Section 2. To promote legislation in the best interest of the military survivor Section 3. To promote and preserve the basic truths and enduring principles on which the government of the United States is founded.

DEMOCRACY is NOT a Spectator Sport

Get involved with YOUR Government

Write to your Congressman / woman and Senators:

Type the link below in your computer browser: Enter your address and “submit” – your Congressman / woman and Senators will be listed – then Write a Letter to them; click on “send” and your letters will be sent by e-mail: https://democracy.io/#/ (to send e-mails to Congressmen / women and Senators)

It is critical for all of us to contact our U.S. Congressmen / women and Senators – to ask them to co- sponsor H.R. 846 in the House – and to co-sponsor S. 339 in the Senate. It’s important to make a call to the operator at the Capitol. Give the operator your zip code, and ask to be connected to the office of your U.S. Representative, and then to your U.S. Senator(s). Call: (866) 272-6622 (toll free). Ask to speak to the Military Legislative Assistant (MLA).

Stay in contact with the local staff of your U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators. Invite them to your SMW lunch meetings and events. Call them often, so they will keep you informed on events in the community which would be helpful to know.

With gratitude and appreciation for all of you,

Janet

Call for Stories

Members, share us a story. The SMW plans to publish a collection of stories and poems, as a fund-raiser, and educational tool for the American public. In celebration of SMW 50th Anniversary copies will be available at 2018 Convention in Fort Worth on September 2 – 7, 2018. Help us make this a meaningful project with your input. So, what kind of story do we want? Think back to a part of your life as a military spouse or widow/er that was significant to you – emotion, funny, serious, whatever. Some topic ideas are: o Where and when you met your spouse. o His/her branch of service. (Note: If spouse was in black ops or undocumented secret assignments, just indicate “spouse never talked about work at home”.) o Living on the base or off. Deployments. Overseas experiences. o Separations. Raising children without spouse. o A significant event that caused you joy or sorrow. o The friendships you made. o Death of your spouse and your life as a widow. o Advice you might want to pass on. What to send: 1. Electronic word file is preferred, but a neat handwritten copy can be submitted if needed. 20 pages maximum please. 2. Photos with identification of who is in the photo, when and where it was taken 3. Signed permission for SMW to publish your words and photos. Please note that the final edited version might be excerpts of your story. SMW member, Rita Berman, a professional writer, will review and edit the stories. She will contact you for your approval of any changes, corrections that may be needed.

Submit your story or poem to

 Preferred electronic versions sent to: [email protected]  If needed, you may sent via mail to Janet Snyder, 5160 Indian River Dr. #341, Las Vegas, NV 89103-7453.

 Deadline: The sooner the better. Absolute deadline is December 31, 2017.

 August 3. Progress of Book. Update for Janet  TITLE: SMW (Logo) presents MILITARY WIVES AND WIDOWS TELL THEIR STORIES. Edited by Rita Berman.  1. July 2017. The National Board approved this publication for 2018. To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Society of Military Widows, the organization will publish a collection of stories by military spouses  Righter Publishing Company, Graham, NC will produce a book from a Word file that the SMW submits. Book will be available on Amazon.com and Board will sell copies at the 2018 Convention in Ft. Worth, Texas. The Boards intention is that this be a fund-raiser as well as an educational source for members of the public. Royalties will be paid to the Society.  Call for Stories sheet prepared by Rebecca will be copied and distributed by Janet at SMW Conference in Las Vegas, October. Rita will attend general meeting and answer any questions about the production.  2. Manuscripts may be sent to Janet Snyder, President, or Rita Berman ([email protected]) who will review, edit and work with the individual writers. Permission to publish will be required in order to be in the book.  3. Rita now has 16 stories, some in draft and working with the writers. Nine are in final version.  FRONT COVER  LOGO SMW present STORIES BY MILITARY WIVES AND WIDOWS. Edited by Rita Berman.  (Schiele’s painting of Mourning Woman to go next to Helmi’s poem.  BACK COVER. Janet Snyder, President of the Society of Military Widows from 2016-2018, originated the idea for this book when she realized that the lives of members of the Society had a common bond yet were individual as they experienced being married to a service member. This collection of stories highlights personal happenings but at the same time informs the general public of what it means to be part of a force that can be deployed anywhere at any time on short notice. The forgotten heroes are the military surviving spouses. These gentle warriors have always contributed on the home front, and know the value of working together in mutual support.  All stories will be FORMATTED in Verdana. Font 12 for Titles. In Capitals and Bold. Author Name not bold. Font 11 for text. Justify block margins. Margins custom left 1.5. No extra space between chapters. Header at top left of page to indicate branch of service – i.e. Army, Navy, etc. Decide at what point on the page each story will begin. (Title inputted at 2 double spaces from top – then author’s name on following line.  All stories will appear in book in alphabetical order. Page numbers at bottom will be changed by publisher after Master Files are reformatted.  Photos or art work will be identified with text in line under illustration. Copy of Mourning Woman to be included next to Helmi’s Poems.  References – include as page notes on page where mentioned.  Before Master File is prepared, Rita to send final version of story to author for approval, along with permission slip to publish in book.  CONTENT OF BOOK includes Five Front pages - Title Page, Copyright notice, Dedication, Acknowledgements.  TEXT FOR DEDICATION: The members of the Society of Military Widows dedicate this book to all who serve in the United States Uniformed Services and their spouses. At home or abroad,

together or apart, their sacrifices often unrecognized, they keep this nation safe and strong The following personal stories provide a glimpse into the lives of the wives and their families, and the efforts of the survivors who join together for mutual support and benefit.  ACKNOWLEDGEMENT PAGE: The SMW National Board thank all the contributors who so generously shared their personal stories, poems, and photographs. Without their involvement this book could not have been produced.  Gene Alston is thanked for his expertise in assisting me with the layout and design of this collection.  Special thanks go to my daughter, Rebecca Berman Dunleavy who created flyers and made many useful suggestions for editing.  Above all Janet Snyder deserves recognition for her original idea which led to this joint undertaking. Rita Berman, Editor January, 2018.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS –lists title of story and author’s name. (Page numbers will be changed to reflect proof copy).  LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - to be placed along with text, list completed later.  INTRODUCTION PAGE. (May not be needed) Or Give purpose of book “To inform the general public about military life by means of personal stories. May mention here that book is fundraiser in celebration of 50-year anniversary of SMW?  BODY of book comprises the collection of stories in alphabetical order by name of writer.  APPENDIXES. 1. GLOSSARY. Abbreviations and descriptions (in process) 2. American War Deaths (done) (Rebecca will format a table) 3. Annuity Information SBP-DIC offset information (done) by Rita 4. GOLD STAR WIVES – (done) by Rita 5 – Society of Military Widows Organization, Rosters of Board, Chapters. (New Membership Form to come)

LEADERSHIP ROSTER 2016 - 2018

ELECTED OFFICERS

President Janet Snyder 5160 Indian River Dr. #341 Las Vegas, NV 89103-7453 702-227-6566 702-885-4582 (cell) [email protected]

President-Elect Catherine McGraw 4374 Via San Jose Riverside, CA 92504 951-525-3561 951-316-5073 (cell) [email protected]

Past President Patricia Lee Walker 395 Devon Chase Hill #5601 Gallatin, TN 37066-6703 615-390-9780 [email protected]

Secretary Shirley Keegan 92-1007 Alaa St. #15205 Kapolei, HI 96707 916-612-2125 [email protected]

Treasurer Shirley McCormack 205 East Drilffill Blvd, Sp #135 Oxnard, CA 93030 805-330-2024 805-754-6882 (cell) [email protected]

Eastern Regional Vice President (FL, MD) Barbara Scott 6107 S. 3rd St. Tampa, FL 33611 813-831-9556 813-841-1687 (cell) [email protected]

Central Regional Vice President (KS, OK, TX) Carol Widmer 1508 N. Mars Wichita,KS 67212 316-721-1905 [email protected]

Northwest Regional Vice President (CA #5, CO, WA) Betty Luttkus 15830 E. Kansas Place Aurora, CO 80017-4014 303-745-5830 [email protected]

Southwest Regional Vice President (AZ, CA#13, #40, HI, NV) Alicia Gonzalez 8806 E. McClellan St. Tucson, AZ 85710 520-886-1492 520-419-1823 (cell) [email protected] (this is a "Q", not a "G")

APPOINTED POSITIONS:

Chaplain Su Phelps PO Box 365220 N. Las Vegas, NV 89036 702-279-3030 (cell) [email protected]

Parliamentarian Joy Vane 107 Imaka Place Wahiawa, HI 96786 808-294-5225 (cell) [email protected]

Legislative Chair Rosalie Horton 5719 Amelia Springs Circle Haymarket, VA 20169 571-358-0169 [email protected]

Special Services Patricia Tinsley 1303 Cypress Point Lane, Apt 101 Ventura, CA 93003 805-676-0003 [email protected]

Webmaster Pat Shecter 20450 Huebner Road #704 San Antonio, TX 78258-2904 210-257-6664 210-793-9341 (cell) [email protected]

Helmi Mays Post Office Box 13656 El Paso, TX 79913 915-328-2815 [email protected]

ByLaws Catherine McGraw 4374 Via San Jose Riverside, CA 92504 951-525-3561 951-316-5073 (cell) [email protected]

Johnnie M. Marquez 779 Apache Trail Riverside, CA 92507-6012 951-682-5759 [email protected]

Membership Chair Carol Widmer 1508 N. Mars Wichita, KS 67212 316-721-1905 [email protected]

Vietnam War 50th Commemorative Partner Committee

Chairperson Margaret Melchi 7005 Ash Creek Heights #101 Colorado Springs, CO 80922 719-597-0492 719-331-6689 (cell) [email protected]

Committee Members: Su Phelps, Shirley McCormack, Janet Snyder

CHAPTER PRESIDENTS

1. Chapter #5 - Sacramento President Frances Lichty 6325 Dundee Dr. N. Highlands, CA 95660 916-709-0757 [email protected]

2. Chapter #6 - Southwest Oklahoma President Pat Cameron 1608 NW 32nd St. Lawton, OK 73505 580-678-7040 (cell) [email protected]

3. Chapter #13 - Riverside County President Etta Brown 2131 Vasquez Place Riverside, CA 92507 951-684-7946 [email protected]

4. Chapter #14 - Desert Rose President Alicia Gonzalez 8806 E. McClellan St. Tucson, AZ 85710 520-886-1492 520-419-1823 (cell) [email protected]

5. Chapter #15 - Pikes Peak President Margaret Melchi 7005 Ash Creek Heights #101 Colorado Springs, CO 80922 719-597-0492 719-331-6689 (cell) [email protected]

6. Chapter #22 - Columbine President Sarah (Sally) Rice 2273 S. Eagle St. Aurora, CO 80014-1524 303-751-7299 [email protected]

7. Chapter #25 - Aloha President Shirley Keegan 92-1007 Alaa St. #15205 Kapolei, HI 96707 916-612-2125 [email protected]

8. Chapter #28 - Sunflower Acting President Lis Hutton 5051 E. Lincoln Apt 9D Wichita, KS 67218 316-684-6465 [email protected]

9. Chapter #30 - Desert Sun President Jan Rasmussen 9221 WH Burges Dr. El Paso, TX 79925-5116 915-598-3835 [email protected]

10. Chapter #32 - Blue Bonnet President Jo Henry 1216 Donna Lane Bedford, TX 76022 817-283-0416 [email protected]

11. Chapter #34 - Southern Nevada President Kym Ennis 1581 Windhaven Circle Las Vegas, NV 89117-1532 702-245-7294 [email protected]

12. Chapter #35 - Tampa Bay President Barbara Scott 6107 S. 3rd St. Tampa, FL 33611 813-831-9556 813-841-1687 (cell) [email protected]

13. Chapter #37 - Tulip Chapter President Liz Wylie 1906 138th St. Ct. East Tacoma, WA 98445 253-539-5171 [email protected]

14. Chapter #38 - Laurel/Fort Meade President Elizabeth Jones 5400 Vantage Point Rd. Apt #P13 Columbia, MD 21044 410-992-1123 [email protected]

15. Chapter #40 - Ventura County President Shirley McCormack 205 East Drilffill Blvd. Sp #135 Oxnard, CA 93030 805-330-2024 805-754-6882 (cell) [email protected]

SMW Members-At-Large who have passed away since the last convention in 2016:

2016: Marjorie C. Armstrong Frances Henry Joy M. Freeman Agnes Belle Carr Betty J. West Nadine Mynes Rose Schuttier Mary Ann M. Thomas Merna E. Zajic, Esq. Ellen M. Babcock Evelyn E. Vaughn Sunlida Echerd Dot E. Lipscomb Geneva H. Kendrick Frances B. Gault

SMW members who have passed away since the last convention in 2016 - from Chapters 5, 6, 13, 14, 15, 22, 25, 30, 34 & 35:

CHAPTER #5: LaVerne Ackland Margaret Garrett Georgia Schuett Betty Virdier Mildred Jenkins

CHAPTER #6: Anneliese Hudson Marianne Tuohy

CHAPTER #13: Rosamond Fessenden Adele Perry Helen Moore

CHAPTER #14: Colette Hitchings Terry Schafer Libby O'Leary Frances Franklin

CHAPTER #15: Rita Niewald

CHAPTER #22: Barbara Mills Violet Hucker (Honorary Member) Mary Nooney (Veteran) Marie Piper Nancy Malay Margaret (Peg) Ruderman (Veteran) Ruth Butler Hill Mary Gerlitz

CHAPTER #25 Regina Foster Marion Parmley Jacqueline Fochtman Mary Evans

CHAPTER #30: Gerda Webb Irene Martin (Veteran) Barbara Harris Debbie Harris Eleanor (Timmie) Newton (Veteran) Barbara Gomez Carol Lee Connie Parker Renate Parsons

CHAPTER #34: John Burkett (Honorary Member)

CHAPTER #35: Gloria Ryder Carmen Noto Marie Forney

Chapter 15 Colorado Springs CO 2017 ANNUAL CHAPTER REPORT

NAME OF CHAPTER: Pikes Peak CHAPTER: 15

PRESIDENT: Margaret Melchi MAILING ADDRESS: 7005 Ash Creek Hts #101 Colorado Springs CO 80922 EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] PHONE NO: (H) 719-597-0492 (C) 719-331-6689 MEETING PLACE: Peterson AF Base Club on the last Wednesday of each month NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 38 NEW MEMBERS: 6 PENDING: 3 DECEASED: 1 NAME: Rita Riewald

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ACTIVITIES: Our members telephone each other just because. The Hospitality Chairman sends Birthday cards, Get Well Cards, and Thinking of you on behalf of the Chapter 15 members. Margaret writes information for The Newsletter Chairman. She compiles the information and the Newsletter is mailed quarterly to each member. We have articles in Fort Carson Mountaineer, our local Newspaper and Peterson and Shiver Air Force paper weekly. When a member is in the hospital or rehab, a member goes to visit them to see if they need anything and followed by a phone call.

FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES: Our chapter sells raffle tickets at each meeting. One fourth of the money collected is given to the member and she usually donates her half back to the club. A committee is gathering information on Wreaths Across America.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES: Lily McCardle attends ROA meeings monthly for an update on what is new at Peterson Air Force Base, and Margaret Melchi attends Fort Carson Retired Council at Fort Carson. Each member reports and or brings information to let our members be aware of activities at each base. We attend Memorial Day, 4th of July and Veterans Day activities. Lily McCardle and Margaret Melchi present a Chapter wreath at each ceremony at the local TREA Club. Margaret Melchi attends the Pikes Peak Council Meetings once a month. Margaret traveled to Scottsbluff, Nebraska and presented 6 Commemorative pins to Veterans at the VA Home on Memorial Weekend. March 28th, Pikes Peak Council had a Ceremony and five of our members attended and each received a Commemorative Pin. A Veterans Wall was built in Fountain Colorado in the Mayor’s Park with the names of local Veterans which Margaret attended the ceremony on 4th of July. Several of our member’s husband’s names are on the wall.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: Holiday parties, Field Trips and luncheons. We have special luncheons for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have a yearly picnic in June which was at the Peterson Club Recreation Area. There were months we had speakers on different interesting topics. There is a Board Meeting one week in advance to make an itinerary for the monthly meeting. We will have eight members to attend the National Convention in Las Vegas. A special luncheon was held in March to introduce Janet Snyder to Chapter 15 and Chapter 22 members. She answered many questions why NAUS to AMS.

BRIEF NARRATIVE OF CHAPTER ACHIEVEMENTS: Margaret and Lily updated the membership roster and the National Register. A committee of five worked on the local by-laws and in final draft which will be voted for approval by the membership at the September Meeting. Pictures are being taken of each member with a short biography. A nominating committee of three will have a slate of names for voting of officers for 2018-2020.

BANNER CARRIED BY: This year (2017) will be carried by Margaret Melchi, President and Lily McCardle, Vice President.

SIGNED : Margaret Melchi, Chapter President

2017 SMW ANNUAL CHAPTER REPORT

NAME OF CHAPTER: Society of Military Widows of Southern Nevada CHAPTER # 34

MAILING ADDRESS: 5160 Indian River Dr. # 341, Las Vegas, NV 89103-7453 EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] PHONE #: (702) 227-6566MEETING PLACE: Lunch Meetings on the Second Sunday of every other month, starting in January, at 12:00 noon, at the Las Vegas National Golf Club, 1911 E. Desert Inn Rd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89169 (702) 734-1796

CHAPTER OFFICERS FOR 2015 – 2018: President: Kym Ennis Vice President: Christine Rawls Secretary and Acting Treasurer: Janet Snyder Chaplain: Marilyn Fernandez Public Relations Chair: Su Phelps Sunshine Chair: Jeanne Lewis Telephone Chair: Alberta Elliott Las Vegas Convention Committee 2017: Alberta Elliott, Jeanne Lewis, Janet Snyder + Midge Sparlin, Eileen May, Kym Ennis, Su Phelps, Arlene Murray (SMW “Guardian Angel”) NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 79 Members plus 13 Honorary Members

DECEASED (THIS YEAR): 1 Honorary Member John Burkett

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ACTIVITIES: Sunshine Chair calls members, offering assistance; sends birthday, get well and sympathy cards; being a good listener. Monthly column in the chapter newsletter includes a Critter Corner about pets

FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES: Drawings and Silent Auction at our meetings; Wreaths Across America; SAVERS FUNDrives

INTENTIONS FOR USING FUNDS: Military/Veteran/Family/Survivor programs

LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES: Sending legislative updates, encouraging members to send e-mails and make phone calls, regarding military surviving spouses’ legislation. Visits with U.S. Representatives: Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (NV-3), and Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-1) and Senator Dean Heller at their Las Vegas offices. Inviting Congressional staff members in the Las Vegas offices to attend our SMW meetings and events. Updating members by e-mail, in chapter newsletters, and on SMW website, regarding legislative issues. Participating on SBP-DIC Offset and DIC Widows and Friends Facebook Group pages and several other military widows Facebook pages. Legislative Conference Calls for all SMW members and colleagues began on July 30, 2014, and continue on the 4th Wednesday of every month (except November and December).

LUNCH MEETINGS: Casual lunch meetings are held every other month on the second Sunday, unless it conflicts with a holiday or event. We have a business meeting with guest speaker and 50/50 drawing.

SOCIAL EVENTS: Social Events to Welcome Young Military Widows and Minor Children (under age 18); Holiday Social Event on November 13th; 5th Anniversary Party on January 8th; Social Event with Musical Bingo on July 9th at Kit’s Kitchen in Henderson. Planning Holiday Social Event on November 19th.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Our members participate in the following: Memorial Day events throughout the state of Nevada; Wreaths Across America Day in December, purchasing and placing wreaths on gravesites at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City and at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley; donations of blankets (handmade by member Midge

Sparlin) to homeless veterans at Veterans Village in Las Vegas and VA Hospital in North Las Vegas; volunteering at USO, VA and military hospital and clinics.

OUTREACH: Members talking about SMW and welcoming new military widows and widowers to join us for meetings and activities; preparing print articles for Veterans Reporter News (premier newspaper for veterans in the state of Nevada); attending annual Gold Star Families Day service in Boulder City, and networking with members of Southern and Northern Nevada Gold Star Families; sharing SMW Chapter 34 newsletter with the military community support organizations throughout the state of Nevada; sending the photo booklet “Life as a Military Widow” by e-mail and postal mail for Public Relations.

TRIPS: Road Trip to Phoenix, AZ, is planned for November 7 - 10, 2017.

CHAPTER ACHIEVEMENTS: SMW of Southern Nevada Chapter # 34 is over five years old. First meeting was in January 2012. Our chapter is a Commemorative Partner in the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, and we are planning a display in the Hospitality Room for the 2017 Convention in Las Vegas.

BANNER CARRIED BY: Kym Ennis, Chapter #34 President

SIGNED: Janet Snyder, Chapter #34 Secretary and Acting Treasurer

ANNUAL CHAPTER REPORT 2017

Name of Chapter – Sunflower Chapter #28 Wichita Kansas

Acting President – Lis Hutton

Secretary – Carol Widmer

Chaplain – Diane Zimmerman

Meeting Place – Airman and Family Support Center, McConnell Air Force Base

Number of Members - 20 – no new members and no deceased members

Emotional activities - In addition to calling each member once a month with reminders of times and places for our regular get togethers, we also call those few members who because of physical limitations no longer are able to join, to check up on their well-being.

Social activities – We have our business meeting – lunch included – the first Saturday of the month. On the second Thursday of the month, we get together for dinner to celebrate those with a birthday that month. Finally, we meet for breakfast on the last Wednesday of the month.

Donations – Once a year, usually around December when we meet at the Air Force Base’s Dole Center eating facilities for a catered lunch, we decide on a cause to donate to – this year we donated several hundred dollars to the Kansas Honor Flights and Wreaths Across America. Some of the money comes from our bank account and some from donations made that day by our members.

Banner – Lis Hutton

Submitted by Lis Hutton – Acting President August 6, 2017

SMW ALOHA CHAPTER #25 Annual Report – 2017

I was installed as President of Aloha Chapter 25 on 1/21/17. My chapter has experienced severe tragedy this year. My secretary passed away soon after installation. My vice president had a heart attack and could not continue in her position. My treasurer had to resign as treasurer and member of SMW due to advice from her doctor due to her health. I have just received this month, August, 2017, a vice president. I still do not have a treasurer. My new secretary is struggling. We have not accomplished

55 very much this year with all the distractions and no manpower. We continue to meet monthly around the Island at different bases, golf courses, and restaurants for lunch to socialize and fellowship with our members. We take a break in May and October. We have had speakers at some of our luncheons and was able to tour the Pacifica Museum on Ford Island afterward. Our chapter participated in the observance of Memorial Day in May and Veteran’s Day in November by presenting a wreath at the ceremonies. We plan to participate in the Retiree Seminars on 9/9/17 at Scofield, 11/4/17 at Hickam and Kaneohe on 12/1/17.

Members will hand out SMW brochures and hope to get new members in the future. Deceased members this year 4: Regina Foster passed 1/31/17 Marion Parmley passed 5/26/17 Jacqueline Fochtman passed 6/27/17 Mary Evans passed 7/19/17

Current membership is 74 and 1 honorary member. We have tried to keep members updated in the transition and changes on the National level in our meetings and newsletters by Editors, Joy Vane and Carol Brede.

We have four members planning to attend the Convention in Las Vegas and one guest. I have not accomplished my goals as stated in my acceptance speech due to the unfortunate deaths and illnesses. Hopefully with some support from the members we will move forward next year. ~ Shirley Keegan

Chapter 38 – Meets for lunch monthly. Puts wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier twice a year. Makes a donation to Fisher House once a year. 10 members. ~ Betty Jones, President

Special Services Report 2017

Currently there are no assignments to report.

The transition is underway this year, and we will be focused on the SBP-DIC offset. Going forward, I shall be involved with a new project concerning the need for affordable housing for all military widows and dependent children.

Special Services Chair Chapter 40 Patricia Tinsley

Eastern Regional Vice President Report

Greetings, I received a wonderful call from President Elizabeth Jones of SMW Chapter 38. They are a small group of 10 members still meeting once a month at Club Meade at Fort Meade. They give donations to Fisher House and put wreaths on graves of soldiers on Memorial Day and Veteran Day. President said they are doing good.

Now SMW Chapter 35 with myself Barbara Scott as president, we are doing well. We have a total of 29 active members including 3 ladies who joined this year, and have 3 deceased members also. The chapter meets every first Saturday of the month at the Ranch House Grille. We also donate to two (2) Fisher Houses and continue to help with the Homeless Veteran Women with all sorts of needed supply products. We also have our Bylaws Chapter Handbook.

My goal as Regional VP and SMW Chapter 35 President is to encourage the ladies to keep moving forward and accept that change is a good thing.

Submitted By: Barbara Scott Eastern Regional VP

SMW CHAPTER 14 ANNUAL REPORT 2016-2017

CHAPTER NAME; DESERT ROSE#14 TUCSON ARIZONA MAILING ADDRESS 8806 E. Mclellan St. Tucson, Arizona 85710 Phone (520) 886-1492 E-Mail [email protected] PAST PRESIDENT: Marilyn Savage, PRESIDENT: Alicia Gonzalez, PRESIDENT ELECT: Vacant, VICE PRESIDENT: Beth Furrer, TREASURER: Kathy Klein. SECRETARY: Pat Hemersbach, CHAPLAIN: Lauretta Olsen. MEETING PLACE: The Club Ironwood at Davis Monthan Air Force Base Tucson. Our Luncheon Business Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday each month. Board Meetings are held each month except for June, July, and August. NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 36 AT LARGE: 24 DECEASED MEMBERS: 4 Colette Hitchings, Terry Shaffer, Frances Franklin, and Libby O’ Leary. EMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES: “Callers” keep in touch with members each month with reminders of monthly meetings, and other events. We find this is also an excellent way to hear about health issues, needs, and other problems. LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES: We do not have a Legislative Chair but we are advised to read all communications from Rosalie Horton, the National Legislative Chair, and from the National President, Janet Snyder, also all information from the SMW Quarterly Newsletters.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: Between our Business Meetings we enjoy two optional events; Breakfast Club, and Lunch Bunch. We have really good attendance. Members love the opportunity to visit with each other plus we all have something extra to look forward to each month. CHAPTER ACHIEVEMENTS: Every January we hold a “Baby Shower” The members provide baby layettes, beautiful hand crocheted shawls – always made with love. Clothing, stuffed toys, many other necessities, and monetary donations. These items are distributed by the Family Readiness Center to the Airmen, and spouses for their first newborn. We love to do this and the young families are so appreciative of the Chapter’s generosity. This year we also provided funds to the Family Support Fund, The Fisher House, and Wreaths across America. From October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017 a total of 2,630 hours was submitted from chapter volunteers. The Chapter Budget includes financial assistance for the Presidents attendance to the National Convention. Three members plan to attend this year. Pat Shecter, Judith Whetzel, and Alicia. We all appreciate the hard work and time necessary to make this event a success. In closing I want to express my appreciation for all the love, support, and encouragement I continue to receive from all members. I am so proud to represent all members of Chapter 14 with respect, and kindness wherever I go. Love and Best Wishes to everyone.

BANNER: Alicia Gonzalez Respectfully Submitted: Alicia Gonzalez

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL ANNUAL REPORT First of all I would like to thank all Presidents in this region for their continuing dedication and hard work. Chapter 5 Sacramento Ca: President Frances Lichty let me know recently that they do not have any new members. I believe they had eight members. She will not be at the Convention. One member Laverne Ackland passed away. I had contacted Frances last July as I had heard they were not active but found that Frances was working hard to keep things going. Chapter 13 Riverside Ca: President Etta Brown as always doing a wonderful job. I spoke with Etta today and she will be sending more information she held a Board Meeting yesterday. In my last report I mentioned that Etta said they would stay together as long as there are interested members. They had 50 but maybe not quite as many now. They hold their meetings at a local restaurant with 18-23 members attending. Their charitable

60 donation benefits the “Guitars for Vets” program. Three members passed away early in 2017: Helen Miller, Rosamond Fessenden, and Adele Perry. There will be more information from Etta very soon. Chapter 14 Tucson AZ: President Alicia Gonzalez. I sent my annual report to Janet Snyder earlier today. Chapter 25 Hawaii: President Shirley Keegan. We received a report from Shirley explaining that they have had a difficult time due to many illnesses in the chapter. Shirley is very positive and hard working. She is also National Secretary and does an excellent job. They have 65 members and the future looks good. They are all committed to helping each other. I believe Shirley sent a report to the National President and myself a few weeks ago. Chapter 34 Las Vegas NV: President Kym Ennis. Kym is very proud of the Las Vegas Chapter. And that Janet Snyder is the National President. They have 80 members and meet every other month. I know they have all been working very hard towards the Convention. It appears they have done a tremendous job so much is arranged already. Thank you ladies. We are looking forward to the event I always enjoy seeing everyone. Chapter 40 Oxnard Ca: President Shirley McCormack. Shirley doing a great job they have 18 members. Shirley sent her annual report directly to Janet Snyder. As Regional Vice President I want to thank all of you for your hard work, kindness, and concern for each other. SMW has been great for me and I would be lost without the love and friendships that surround me. I will keep going as long as I am able. Love and God Bless everyone. Alicia

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM PAST PRESIDENT ETTA BROWN:

I RECEIVED THE (3RD QUARTER NATIONAL) NEWSLETTER THIS AFTERNOON (AUGUST 14TH ). I LIKE THE COPY OF THE BY-LAWS AS ONE CAN READ THEM AND BE READY TO VOTE. CATHY AND JOHNNIE DID A GREAT JOB !! THANKS TO DEDICATED MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT READY TO FOLD UP AND QUIETLY LEAVE THE RACE. SEE YA’LL IN VEGAS, ETTA BROWN

Chapter 32 Annual Report:

This year we have 8 members. One of those has moved an hour away and can only come if someone from there can drive her in. Another can not drive now so she has to make arrangements for a ride. There are times when we only have 4 at lunch. We are only having lunch as our meeting. We most likely will not be able to do the gift wrapping this year which we always enjoy. I am beginning to not like the drive in the traffic!! Our finances are in good shape! Our oldest member is 95, another is 90, 3 are in their 80's and 3 in their late 70's.

Jo Henry

SOCIETY OF MILITARY WIDOWS ANNUAL CHAPTER REPORT July, 2017

NAME OF CHAPTER DESERT SUN CHAPTER NO. 30

PRESIDENT JANET RASMUSSEN Past President, MELITTA PISARCIK

MAILING ADDRESS 9221 W. H. Burges Drive, El Paso, Texas 79925-5116

MEETING PLACE Monthly Luncheon/Business Meeting, 1st Thursday at Fort Bliss Centennial Banquet and Conference Center on East Bliss. We invite a variety of informative speakers to our luncheons, as well as musical entertainment from time to time. .Business luncheons are scheduled September through June. Get-together luncheons are planned for both July and August, usually at a location off Post.

NUMBER OF MEMBERS 103 local, 2 Out of Town NEW MEMBERS THIS YEAR 6

Participating about 50 At-Large 12 ? Affiliate Honorary 1

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ACTIVITIES We remember our “shut-ins” with cards, phone calls and visits and, when possible, we also make visits to hospitals and Rehab Centers. We deliver flowers or fruit, or homemade cookies to “shut-ins” on holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter. We attend Military Ceremonies, such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day as a group, and also attend Holiday Brunches as a group. . . . especially nice for our members who have no family at home for the holidays. We publish bi-monthly Newsletters which are sent to all members, local and out-of-town, as well as to our National President and what we call our local VIP’s, giving details of upcoming events and a description of events already held so those members who were not able to attend will be kept informed of all of our activities.

FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES We sell raffle tickets at our luncheons, then split it four ways, One part goes to our chapter to help buy edibles (eggs, fruits, cookies, etc.) for the VA serving each month. The other three parts are split for the winners of the drawing.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES Our chapter actively supports all Veterans’ issues brought before Congress with signed letters and e-mails sent to our legislators asking for their support. We also take an active part asking for their support of SMW issues.

Our telephone committee, consisting of a chair and ten callers, helps us to maintain communication with all our members, whether to remind them of our business meetings, to contact them about our day outings and to let us know of those who are ill, hospitalized or are no longer with us. BRIEF NARRATIVE OF CHAPTER ACHIEVEMENTS

In September we participate at the Retiree Appreciation Day with a table displaying our Chapter banner, offer the National and our local brochures and answer questions regarding the aims and purpose of SMW.

Our Chapter is well known in the Military Community. Many of our members are active in organizations which serve both Retired and Active Military: Local MOAA, , the Military

Coalitions, the Veterans Advisory Panel, and the Veterans Health Care where our Chapter serves homemade goodies, fruit punch and coffee monthly. Several of our members are on the Boards of MOAA, MOWW, and the VA Volunteer Service Board.

We were invited and attended a VFW Annual Loyalty Day program honoring veterans. This day included a ceremony remembering this community’s MIAs. We were in attendance at a Salute to the States, the Massing of the Colors, the POW/MIA ceremony at Ft. Bliss, and at several Burials of a Homeless Veteran.

We have assisted at “joint” luncheons sponsored by MOAA.

We give a quarterly contribution to the Fort Bliss Fisher House to help cover the cost of coffee, tea, etc. for the residents. The members lovingly give a monetary donation at Christmas to our Post Chaplain who then chooses two or three needy military families. They now receive vouchers to the commissary rather than cash.

Chapter 30’s members give many, many hours of volunteer service not only to the Fort Bliss Community but also to the city of El Paso. We have had another successful year due to the dedication of our elected and appointed officers and a very supportive and caring membership.

SIGNED______

PRESIDENT

______

PAST-PRESIDENT

MAIL TO: CHAIRPERSON OF ANNUAL MEETING

SOCIETY OF MILITARY WIDOWS ANNUAL REPORT – AUGUST 2017

NAME OF CHAPTER: Columbine Chapter #22

MAILING ADDRESS: 2273 S. Eagle St., Aurora, CO 80014

PRESIDENT: Sally Rice EMAIL: [email protected]

MEETING PLACE: Blossoms Restaurant, Denver 11:00 a.m. 4th Saturday of each month, except November & December on the 3rd Saturday

NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 33 NEW: 2 PARTICIPATING: 23 HONORARY: 43 VETERANS: 1

DECEASED MEMBERS: 8 Barbara Mills, Violet Hucker (Honorary), Mary Nooney (Veteran), Nany Malay (former President of Chapter 29), Marie Piper, Margaret Ruderman (Veteran, former President of Chapter 22 and former NWRVP), Ruth Butler Hill, Mary Gerlitz (former President of Chapter 2)

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ACTIVITIES: Our Sunshine lady sends birthday, get well and thinking of you cards for those ill, in hospital, in rehab or at home. The WE CARE ladies make phone calls to members unable to at tend meetings or social events. The calls are very much appreciated. Hospital and rehab visits are also made. Just listening when someone wants to talk. A group of ladies meet monthly to make items for the VA hospital. An informal meeting at a restaurant monthly.

FUND RAISING: At most of the meetings we have a drawing for items donated or bought. We also participate in the WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA in December, and member donations.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES: Encouraging members to read the written material available. Provide information at meetings, attend Retiree Day functions and receive information of other military organizations. We have a table and give out information for SMW and our local chapter.

CHAPTER ACHIEVEMENTS: We make annual monetary donations to International Hearing Dogs, Colorado Freedom Memorial (a memorial for all CO service men and women who died on duty), and COMITIS, a local organization helping homeless veterans, runaway teens and other homeless individuals; we also gave them 40 $5. McDonald’s certificates to give to the homeless. A monetary donation to the Fisher House. A member’s neighbor made 100 material tote bags and or members put drawstrings and filled them with personal needs items, a signed Christmas card and a box of candy, the box is made from Christmas cards. We also purchased and have donations of tee shirts, socks and shorts for the men and underwear for the ladies. We give these at Christmas time. Some members attend an annual Salute to Veterans Day help in November. We have a display table and display our handmade quilt with each member’s name and birthplace on it. It is kept updated by members. Each year they recognize a specific war or unit. This year it is the Coast Guard. A very enlightening ceremony & lunch is served.

Banner carried by Ernestine Schwing, the founding member.

Betty Luttkus, Past President

NWRVP ANNUAL REPORT SEPTEMBER 2017

The chapter presidents are sending in their annual reports. I have spoken to Margaret Melchi chapter 15 president, and there will be 8 members attending the convention. They have been busy working on convention 2019. Chapter 22 President Sally Rice, is doing a good job as president and has several programs arranged for this year. The chapter has voted on electing officers for 2 years. In the past it was every year. Everyone always stayed for 2 years anyway. There will be 2 members attending the convention. I have also talked with Liz Wylie, president for chapter 37. She is still uncertain if she can attend due to financial reasons. Their chapter conducted a yard sale for her expenditures but not enough was raised. My goal as the NWRVP is to continue to maintain a good relationship with each chapter president and to keep them informed regarding SMW and other vital information. To be available to assist with any issues that arrive and be able to help in solving them. I am not able to go to the convention this year as I am in the process of moving. I am going to an independent living facility. I will have a 2 bedroom apartment, moving from a 5 bedroom house and 63 years of accumulation! I will miss seeing all of you. Betty Luttkus

Ventura County Chapter 40

Our chapter has only 18 members and we don't do that much anymore. We meet on the 3rd Thursday of every month except in the summer we take a couple of months off. We help out with the Wounded Warriors Pot Luck, they are here around 2 times a year, Easter and Christmas. We also go to the Youth Correctional Facility 2 times a year. We had an Easter Church Service this year and it is so sad to see these young men and women locked up in these rooms. A group of our members meet on Wednesday night at the Elks Club around once a month just to get together for a night out. I can't because that is the Spanish Choir practice night which I participate. But other than that we aren't doing that much. We have not had any members die this year, Thank God.

GOD BLESS

Shirley McCormack President, Chapter 40

SMW ByLaws Committee Report for 2016-2017 All current members of SMW should have received a copy of the proposed updates to our ByLaws in the Third Quarter SMW Newsletter. I want to thank all the members of the Committee for their efforts on our behalf and AMS for theirs in setting it to type for us. The changes included the removal of references to our prior affiliation with NAUS and to update our status as we go forward. I need also to thank those members who asked questions along the way which helped in our clarification of some items. As we begin our new year, reaching the age of 50 at our 2018 convention, many members are no longer with us due to age related reasons and Chapter memberships have declined. It is important to acknowledge our need of and support from our At-Large members. They are and have always been full members and that is why we have moved their designation from the Other Membership category into the first category of membership designations. The proposed changes were provided to your Board of Directors in July. Committee Members: Johnnie Marquez, Janet Snyder, Patricia Walker, Joy Vane, Alicia Gonzalez, Lis Hutton, Etta Brown, Betty Luttkus and Shirley McCormack. Cathy McGraw, ByLaws Chair

Society of Military Widows, Chapter 13 Riverside/Moreno Valley, CA

August 31, 2017

Annual Report

Our Board meeting was held and the decision to keep our chapter together was solidified. The current elected officers confirmed their agreement to remain throughout the year, 2017-2018.

Nine (9) possibly ten will be attending the annual convention. Our $25 gift is ready!

Our treasury is in good standing; our meeting place is secured for the year 2017. On Veteran’s Day we will present the wreath from Chapter13 during the National Cemetery services. The Veteran’s Parade is on November 18th and hopefully we will ride in the trolley again this year. A Thanksgiving outing is being planned. The annual Christmas Luncheon is scheduled for December 19th at the MAFRB CLUB.

Our Chapter is doing well through the changes. The membership count has decreased somewhat because of age, illness or relocation. However, there are 43 paid Chapter members; thirty-eight (38) of those are paid National members as well. There are five persons who are in question as to their payment of the National dues. Perhaps as the records are completed by the National Membership Chair, we will get verification of their status.

We will not print a new roster this year. An update of the changes in address, ect, will be ready for distribution at our September meeting. Luncheon meetings are the same, with presentations of interest to the membership. Our only fund raisers, BAKELESS BAKE SALE was supported well. The annual

Christmas donation was given to the non- profit program; GUITARS for VETERANS. It is located at our nearby Veterans Hospital. Music is used for therapy and learning to play the guitar and sing create a way to tell of some of their thoughts.

Only three of our members died during the past year. Rosamond Fessenden, Helen Miller and Adele Perry. Notification has been done.

Submitted by Etta Brown, President

NAME OF CHAPTER: TULIP CHAPTER #37 PRESIDENT: LIZ WYLIE MAILING ADDRESS: PO BOX 4075, TACOMA, WA 98438 MEETING PLACE: McCHORD CO-LOCATED CLUB NUMBER OF MEMBERS 31 NEW MEMBERS THIS YEAR 2, HONORARY: 1, COURTESY 1 FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES: RAFFLE EACH MONTH, ALSO 50/50 DRAWINGS SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: BINGO EVERY OTHER MONTH CHAPTER ACHIEVEMENTS: SUPPORT THE NEW FISHER HOUSE AT MAMC IN THE WAY OF FOOD, BABY SUPPLIES, STAMPS, WATER, ETC. ALSO ONE OR TWO MEMBERS CROCHET BLANKETS AND CAPS FOR NEWBORNS AT MAMC. WE PARTICIPATE IN THE RAD (RETIREE APPRECIATION DAY) AT FORT LEWIS EVERY YEAR. THIS IS IN AN EFFORT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WE EXIST AND HOPEFULLY RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS. SOME YEARS WE HAVE REALIZED ONE OR TWO NEW MEMBERS. SIGNED, LIZ WYLIE PRESIDENT

SMW LEGISLATIVE REPORT Rosalie Horton, SMW Legislative Chair, would like to thank everyone for their interest and participation contacting Congressional members and their staff regarding the SBP- SIC bills and requesting SSIA continuation. Please continue to make calls, send emails and letters. Consider speaking with Congressional members at local events and candidates for office too.

And after you visit Congressional members' offices, please follow-up with a telephone call or send an e-mail to those you have visited, with your appreciation. The Military Coalition is also working on our behalf on the Hill. Janet is on the American Military Retirees Association (AMRA) Legislative Affairs Conference Call prior to our call. Ted Painter is also advocating for the concurrent receipt bills and our SBP/DIC offset bills.

Educating people on what the differences are in these two programs - SBP and DIC - is most important. Most people don't understand it.

NMFA, TAPS and TREA have offered to make copies to put in bags for the group of women from the SBP-DIC Offset 2017 Facebook Group who will be making visits to Capitol Hill at the end of March. It's better to send e-mails than letters, because of security concerns with letters (in the

68 past with the Anthrax in the mail). Any letters taken must be open (without envelopes) and no packages are allowed. It's best to arrange meetings by phone or e-mail to the Scheduler in each Capitol Hill office.

If you would like Rosalie to hand deliver your letter to your Congressman / woman or Senators, please send your hand written letter to Rosalie at: Rosalie Horton, 5719 Amelia Springs Circle, Haymarket, VA 20169; or send your typed letter to Rosalie at: [email protected]

You don't need to go to Washington, D.C. You can schedule an appointment when your legislators are back in their home offices. Call or e-mail the Scheduler to make appointments in the local office. Ask for a photo op before the meeting. Bring papers with fact sheet and statistics to hand out. Introduce yourself to staff people. Send a thank you note by e-mail with your appreciation for their time and attention during your meeting, reminding and reinforcing them on the importance of our bill.

President Trump talks about the military not being forgotten, and more money for defense, and DoD being there for widows. This is an opportunity to make the case to eliminate the SBP/DIC offset for military surviving spouses. We can send a tweet, or go on the White House website to send a personal message.

Remember we don't all get the same amount of SBP. The maximum is 55% of the servicemember spouse's retirement pay. WWII widow will receive a different amount than an Afghanistan widow.

Education is what is needed. We all must work to make people aware of our servicemember's death, and how we're still financially impacted by it. Reach those in our chapters to educate them.

Our benefits are important! We need to let those in public offices know that they are important to us, especially as they work on federal budget issues.

If anyone has questions regarding proposed legislation or suggestions for future speakers, please let Rosalie or Janet know.

Name of Chapter: Society of Military Widows Chapter 6

President: Patricia Cameron

Mailing Address: 1608 NW 32 St. Lawton OK 73505

Email Address: [email protected] Phone: 580-678-7040

Meeting Place: Reynolds Army Clinic, Ft. Sill OK 73501

Number of Members: 84 / Number of New Members this year: 4

At-Large Members: 29 / Honorary Member: 1

Deceased (This Year): 2

List Deceased (This Year):

Anneliese Hudson: Died 10/3/2016

Marianne Tuohy: Died 8/24/2017

Emotional Support Activities: Callers call Members twice a month with reminders of Meeting and upcoming events. Birthday Cards & emails.

Fund Raising Activities: Monthly Birthday Luncheon, Chapter Birthday Celebration & Christmas Dinner at a local Restaurant.

Legislative Activities: Members encouraged to keep up with State and Federal Legislation by phone, email, town hall meetings. Chapter 6 is a voting member of Comanche County Veterans Council & a member of the Retiree Council.

Members attend Memorial Day Ceremony, Veterans Day Ceremonies, POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Brief Narrative of Chapter Achievements:

Chapter awarded Three College Scholarships to H.S. Seniors whose Parent/s or Grandparent/s Served in the Military.

Chapter was able to put together Christmas gift bags for Military Widows (who have a current Military ID Card) in Assisted Living, Retirement & Nursing Homes, for Christmas.

Chapter donated $100.00 to each organization: Retiree Council, LPD Crime Stoppers, ASYMCA

Chapter Members continue to be generous in Volunteering their time and monies.

Form 990-N e-filing for nonprofit organization with IRS for 2016.

Banner Carried by: Patricia Miller

So very sorry many members from Chapter 6 may not be represented this year; although Jeanette Walker sent a beautiful tablecloth (she made by hand) to help raise money for National SMW (Opportunity drawings). Chapter 6 will be sending a Chapter Gift for the Opportunity drawings at the banquet.

Respectfully Submitted,

Patricia Cameron, President, Chapter 6

SMW WEBSITE REPORT: Patricia Shecter, Webmaster

We now have Michael Young, in Las Vegas, to handle updating our SMW national website. He does the website for the MOAA Southern Nevada Chapter and SMW of Southern Nevada Chapter #34, both in Las Vegas. I gratefully welcome him to our group, and hope I get to meet him at the Convention.

We also have Helmi Mays to help with the pictures…..since we are expecting a large group for Las Vegas, hopefully we will have many pictures for the Convention Album for the website.

We try to keep up with all the news, and appreciate Janet’s active participation in forwarding SMW updates and Legislative concerns, and results of the Legislative phone meetings.

We welcome any suggestions for the website – we want to be your representative to convey our message on the internet.

Following is the instruction sheet given me many years ago regarding the retention of our National Records.

Cathy McGraw, President-Elect NATIONAL SMW RECORDS RETENTION SCHEDULE

RECORDS RETENTION PERIOD Cancelled Checks 3 Years Bank Deposit Slips 3 Years Bank Statements 6 Years Tax Returns Permanent Expense Reports 3 Years Entertainment Records 3 Years Financial Statements Permanent Contracts Permanent Minutes of Meetings Life of Organization Journals & General Ledgers Life of Organization Inventory Records 3 Years Stock Reports Permanent Employee Records Period of Employment plus 3 Years Depreciation Schedules Life of Business plus 3 Years Real Estate Records Permanent

Alex Christopher, born on 24 November 1993, is a Vegas Singer. He was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and raised in Europe. Having performed 650 shows in town and a former star of a headliner show at the Palms, this French-American-Polish singer and great fan of Wayne Newton is here to amaze you with his singing. Alex is particularly noted for his powerful voice. He performs Vocal Jazz and Traditional Pop.

ALEX CHRISTOPHER, vocalist, began singing at 14, and has sung regularly at family gatherings, at his school choir and weddings. When he was 15 years old, he told his mother “I am going to be a singer." He then opened the yellow pages, called many elderly homes and told them “I’m going to give you a free show." And that’s how he got started. At the age of 16 he won 3rd place at the talent show at Palos Verdes High School. When Alex turned 17, he received a $1,000 scholarship from the Gateway Arts Foundation for continued studies with his vocal teacher. In 2011, when he turned 18, Alex was the winner of another $1000 scholarship from the Gateway Arts Foundation for continued studies with his new vocal instructor, Dr. Mark Wherry Alex sings a large variety of music, but his primary focus is Jazz. He focuses on well- known standards. Alex performed at the Suncoast Casino and Sam’s Town Casino for an 8 week run and recently performed at the Palms Casino Resort where he had his own show, “The Alex Christopher Show.” He is a member of the Executive Board of the Residence Hall Association at UNLV

72 and founder of UNLV Students for America. Alex is a member of the American Red Cross and has received a Community Service Award in 2013 from NRHH, UNLV as well as a nomination for "Unsung Hero" at the annual Rebel Awards Ceremony in April, 2013. Some of the places where Alex performed: State Of The City 2014 singing National Anthem for Carolyn G. Goodman Mayor, Palms Casino, Suncoast Hotel and Casino, Sam's Town Casino, Cosmopolitan Casino, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Orleans Casino Arena, Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, Hard Rock Casino, Casa De Shenandoah, International House of Blues, The Mirage Hotel & Casino, Paris Hotel/Casino, The Palazzo Resort Hotel and Casino, Plaza Hotel & Casino, Pavilion Center in Henderson, Liberace Garage, Thriller Villa, Palace Station Hotel & Casino, UNLV, Thomas and Mack Center, Stratosphere Hotel Casino and Tower, Venetian Hotel & Casino, Trump Hotel Las Vegas, Turnberry Towers, Red Rock Country Club, The Smith Center, The Bootlegger Bistro Las Vegas, Palms Casino, Riviera Casino, Starbright Theater, Artisan Hotel, Marroccofella Estate, South Point Hotel and Casino

(Left to Right) Bertha Hale, Kym Ennis, Marilyn Fernandez, Midge Sparlin, with Alex Christopher, who sang and entertained us at our Chapter 34 Celebration of our 5th Anniversary in January 2017

NED MILLS, Alex’s Amazing Musical Director, will be performing with Alex, to give you a wonderful show – over an hour of the most beautiful music.

Thank you to the Daughters and their generosity:

SaVerne Smith (Alberta Elliott's daughter) lives in Los Angeles, California; and recently opened her new business "Nails by SaVerne". She will give complimentary hand and foot massages, nice music and aromatherapy.

Vicki Lacks (Jeanne Lewis's daughter) will make the centerpieces for the tables at our banquet. She was a florist for 35 years in East Providence, Rhode Island. The centerpieces will be Red, White and Blue (SMW colors). Jeanne told me: "She probably won't even decide on a style until she starts to make them. A little background information: She started her business with a $500.00 bank loan, learned from a how-to book and opened with an old refrigerator converted to a flower cooler. Her store Flowers In Bloom was a converted apartment in the apartment building she owned and lived in. That was REAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP ! You could NEVER do that today! She later went into a professional florist school at night to receive further training. She has an unbelievable work ethic. Programmed much like Donald Trump and I am so very proud of her!"

Mimi Kaikov (Janet Snyder's daughter) is a Mary Kay sales consultant in Arlington, Texas. She will give us mini Mary Kay hand creams at the Hospitality Room.

Optional Workshops are planned in the Hospitality Room – or you can call Mike to go to a Museum or Shopping or to The Strip. There is a Factory Outlet Mall that is just a couple miles from the hotel – or the Strip which is a couple more miles from South Point Hotel. Call SMW Chapter #34 Honorary Member, who is a U.S. Air Force Veteran, and UBER driver. You don’t need to use the UBER app. Just call Mike and he will pick you up in front of the South Point Hotel. MIKE COLIAN 702-427-6058

WHAT TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME:

OPTIONAL TOURS – TO BOOK ON YOUR OWN:

Pink Jeep Tours are perfect for women and easy to spot in a parking lot.

They do pick up at the South Point and as long as the wheelchair is collapsible it's fine.

Here is a list of their locations: PINK JEEP

Grand Canyon – South Rim

13 hours $269.00 lunch/water

Grand Canyon – West Rim

10 hours $269.00 lunch/water

Grand Canyon West Rim

Drive- fly- float

11 hours $ 475.00 lunch/water

20 min copter ride from the top

20 min pontoon boat

(Not recommended for people with mobility issues)

Grand Canyon/Hoover Dam

11 hours $ 309.00 lunch/water

Hoover Dam

4 hours $99.00 Morning/afternoon tours

Hoover Dam Top to Bottom

5 hours $175.00 Am departure only.

(raft tour)

Sights & Sounds of the City

2 hours $69.00 Open vehicle –day

Sat- Thurs Tours plus High Roller

Strip- Welcome to Las Vegas sign

Bright Lights City Tour

3.5 hours $ 79.00 Open vehicle- Night

Sun- Thursday

Strip- LV sign – Fremont street

Walk up to Mirage volcano

Upgrade to a strip helicopter night tour (12 min) $184.00

Death Valley

9 hours $275.00 lunch/water

Valley of Fire

6 hours $169.00 lunch/water

Red Rock

4 hours $99.00 water Am / Pm departures

Red Rock with Rocky Gap

3 hours $129.00 water

Open –air jeep with off road travel.

Wayne Newton’s Ranch Tour- Casa de Shenandoah -

Diamond Tour- ADA approved- except for the 2 floor of the house.

Group rates

3 hours $88.00 lunch additional cost

All of these tours will provide pick up/ drop off at the South Point.

Show tickets can be reserved too.

Questions & Answers:

Q: Are these tours offered every day – or only on specific days ? Sights & Sounds of the City is listed as “Sat – Thurs” and Bright Lights City Tour “Sun – Thurs” ?

Q: Are there certain times and certain days, or can they choose the date & time ?

Q: It’s great that you will pick up / drop off people at South Point. Is there a minimum required ? For example, what if only one or two sign up for one tour ?

Q: For the Wayne Newton tour, does the bus stay there and then take the group back to the hotel ?

Q: How do they book these tours and how do they pay for them ?

A: There is no minimum to pick up as long as they have more than 1 taking the tour on Pink Jeep. – I suggest a group as it’s a better experience.

A: Yes, the bus will stay and bring you back to the hotel. I can book both – either individually or group. Each person can pay for their own tour – this happens a lot at conventions.

A: With Casa de Shenandoah a group is 12 for the rate of $88.00 with transportation – That tour is usually $95.00 without transportation.

A: If we get under 12 – then it’s an additional $12.00 plus the $95.00 that is round trip…… much better price than a taxi. They can add lunch as well (anywhere from $20 – 45.00 a plate depending on the choices) That would be a private area inside the gift shop.

Marcey

If you have questions and / or want to make reservations for these tours, contact: Marcey Esses at 702-338-4025

[email protected]

Pink Jeep Tours: Make your reservations directly with Marcey Esses. Our Convention Committee is not involved with making tour reservations, just to advise about the tours available, and each individual needs to make their own reservations and payments.

ONE DAY TRIP - TO BE ARRANGED INDIVIDUALLY - LET CONVENTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS KNOW YOUR INTEREST - AND MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS FOR A PARTICULAR DATE OR DATES:

-- Mike Colian, U.S. Air Force Veteran and SMW Chapter #34 Honorary Member, will rent a 8-passenger van. Minimum of 6 members can make reservations to take a day trip to Nellis Air Force Base to visit the Thunderbird Museum and then to the Base Exchange to have lunch and shop. Cost will be $50.00 per person for this trip.

THANK YOU to our Convention Sponsors, who donated gifts for all of us:

Katrina Wilson, Loan Transition Coordinator for Chris Johns, 2627 Parkmont Ln SW Unit 101, Olympia, WA 98502 Thank you for the blue plastic convention bags.

 Johnny’s has been in Seattle since 1956  Was started by Johnny Meaker. A butcher from England, Johnny started a restaurant in Seattle where he was known for his fantastic meats and roasts. His roasts were so tender and flavorful that restaurant customers began requesting the seasonings he was using on his meat. He blended together his own recipe and began selling it out of his restaurant. The rest is history.  Johnny’s now sells to everyone from Costco to Wal Mart to your local independent grocer. Beyond Seasoning Salt we also sell all types of seasonings for chicken, pork, steak, hamburgers, potato salads, eggs and vegetables. In addition, we make gourmet salad dressings and Au Jus concentrates for French Dip sandwiches and slow cooked roasts. When thanking Johnny’s for their kind donation of seasoning products, he replied, “We’re just happy to support in any way. Our products have always been very popular with the military as we are situated right between Kitsap Naval Base and Ft. Lewis in Tacoma Washington. We’ve been around since 1956 and continue to sell in everywhere from Costco to Wal Mart. We just love making your meals better.”

AARP in Tampa, Florida, for the red pouches with hygiene and first aid supplies

American Legion Auxiliary Mount Tacoma Unit 148 in Eatonville, Washington Thank you for mailing the package of convention supplies to us in Las Vegas.

Sisters Fruit Company in Cornelius, Washington – Thank you for the packages of fruit snacks.

Sisters Fruit Company has a great story…. Our mission at Sisters Fruit Company is to provide hungry snackers with a sweet and healthy alternative to processed chips, and to encourage a healthful and positive lifestyle. Passionate about making healthy choices, we set out to create a variety of delightfully tasty apple chip flavors that are highly nutritious and delicious. Our crisp, natural apple chips taste wonderful all by themselves, and we’re proud to produce a snack that’s free of unhealthy additives! Our parent company, Summit Foods, produces industrial dried fruit. The food waste that is created in producing our products is not dumped down the drain, but turned into advanced biofuel by our third company, Summit Natural Energy. Our fuel is called Thunderbolt Racing Fuel and is used by several race cars that have converted their engines to use this clean burning fuel. So we are very proud of being green!

Beautiful handmade creations by ARLENE MURRAY, SMW “Guardian Angel” and Honorary Member of Chapter #34: “The Hearts of SMW” Kindness, Integrity, Allegiance, Supportive, Friendship, Compassion, Loyalty, Commitment, Respect

Memorial Service display with flags, handmade by ARLENE MURRAY from Washington State

Thanks to Arlene also for the Swiffer Dusters in our Hospitality Bags, and for being our ambassador of good will, requesting gifts and sponsorships for our SMW Convention.

$1,500. Grant to SMW of Southern Nevada Chapter #34 from Washington State.

ARLENE MURRAY, you are our HERO !

Susan Grant, daughter of Shirley Grant from Aloha Chapter 25 made these Flower Cards to sell at the Las Vegas Convention as a fundraising project for SMW. Shirley Keegan, President of Aloha Chapter 25, will be selling them in the Hospitality Room. They are beautiful !! Thank you, Susan, for your time and talent.

Make sure to bid on Jeanette Walker’s beautiful handmade tablecloth (Silent Auction at the Hospitality Room).

Thank you to Jeannette Walker from SMW Southwest Oklahoma Chapter 6 who can’t be with us at the convention, but will be with us in spirit. We thank Jeanette for her wonderful talent and generosity to all of us in SMW.

Thank you to Elfriede Porter from Ventura Chapter 40 in California, for donating a quilt, placemats, plus other items for our Silent Auction in the Hospitality Room.

Thank you to our wonderful Convention Photographers:

HELMI MAYS and KEN HILL

Helmi Mays, SMW Desert Sun Chapter #30, El Paso, Texas

Ken Hill, SMW Southern Nevada Chapter #34, Las Vegas, Nevada

Thank you to the Women Veterans of Nevada for reserving a table of 8 for our Banquet

The WOMEN VETERANS OF NEVADA is a 501 (c) (19) not-for-profit veterans organization whose mission is to bring together women of all branches and eras of military service; inactive, reserve, and active duty to share and celebrate the history of military women, preserve and perpetuate our positive heritage, and continue an active commitment to educate, aid and assist comrades and community.

Established in 1985 at the specific request of the Nevada State Commission of Veteran Affairs, women veterans were asked to come together for the first celebration of women’s history month in the Las Vegas veteran community. In response to that ground breaking call, women veterans gathered, and together were representative of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam service and from each branch of service. The small group of about 20 was mighty indeed and made a strong impression in the southern Nevada community.

The Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard women stayed in touch following that 1985 veteran event and, led by a former Army WAC, continued to meet from time to time in a social setting. With a common interest in volunteering to help other veterans, their original goal of visiting hospitalized veterans continued for years and grew to include other valuable projects. In short order the former military women set to paper, by-laws and membership plans, and set in motion a formal organization.

Now over three-decades later, as the Women Veterans of Nevada, we continue our mission to bring together women of all branches and eras of military service; inactive, reserve, and active duty with over a hundred members in the Las Vegas valley.

In meeting the mission statement to celebrate the history of military women, preserve and perpetuate our positive heritage, supports a Women Veterans Summit held by the Nevada Office of Veterans Services, and has representatives with a traveling history display participating in a variety of southern Nevada military, veteran, and community events.

Completely self supporting through modest annual dues of only $20, for both women “veteran” and “friends of veterans” member categories, the WVON produces a bi-monthly newsletter “Tribute to Women”, conducts ongoing business, and promotes the complete mission of the organization. Proceeds from an annual car wash fundraiser hosted by the Chaparral High School NJROTC keep the organization in motion while donations from outside sources are welcomed to help fund community activities.

A few examples of our dedication to continue an active commitment to educate, aid and assist comrades and community include; burial honors, gifts and visitations to the Veterans Nursing Home, Homeless Veterans Stand-downs, recognition awards to 20 high school JRTOC programs, bi-monthly meetings with community service providers, assistance with benefit claims to Veterans Affairs, obtaining and certification of DD214s, themed floats in the Mesquite Veteran Day Parade, and others. Actively work with other Veterans organization, the Nevada Dept of Veterans Services and elected officials to make improvements for all Veterans.

Having been led by former military women from all branches of service, the Women Veterans of Nevada is an interactive organization with a wonderfully diverse membership. Our ages range from 23 to 95 for members from WWII, Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, OEF/OIF, and peacetime. We are comprised of enlisted and commissioned service personnel, short-timers, retirees, reserves, National Guard, active and inactive, and each branch of the military.

We meet bi-monthly in February, April, June, August, October and December. Kicking off at 10:30 am, with light refreshments, business and special programs are conducted, winding down about 12:30. There are special events in off months too. Some are multiple March events celebrating Women’s History Month, May has several events for Memorial Day, tons of fun around Veterans’ Day in November, and the spirit of giving is alive during the holidays with a special December meeting celebrating Christmas.

The Women Veterans of Nevada welcome you home, invite you to visit us, and thank you for your service in our great nation’s armed forces.

The mission of the Women Veterans of Nevada is to bring together women of all branches and eras of military service; inactive, reserve and active duty, to share and celebrate the history of military women, preserve and perpetuate our positive heritage and continue an active commitment to educate, aid and assist comrades and community.

WVON meetings are held at 10:30 am on the third Saturday of even numbered months at .American Legion Post 8, 733 Veterans Memorial Dr, Las Vegas, NV, 89101.

Information is posted on the WVON Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WomenVeteransofNevada

Charley Smith, Bobi Oates, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, Dr. Anne Smith, Marlene Merck, all members of the Women Veterans Advisory Committee, and Rae Frost, UNLV Woman Rebels

Bobi Oates is an Honorary Member of SMW of Southern Nevada Chapter #34.

Thank you to Neil Johnson and the members of Chapter 1076 of Vietnam Veterans of America in Henderson, Nevada, for their generous donation of $118.

Thank you to USAA for the patriotic bracelets.

Thank you to Liberty Orchards for Aplet and Cotlet Convention Samples, delicious snacks.

Thank you to Impressive Signs & Graphics in Puyallup, Washington - Craig Sorensen, owner - for the Welcome Sign in our Hospitality Room.

Thank you to Purple Hayes Embroidery in Puyallup, Washington, for making the convention tote bags, and Thank you to Arlene Murray for the artistic designs.

List of Attendees for SMW Convention Las Vegas, Nevada – 2017

1. Alicia Gonzalez – Arizona - SWRVP & President, Desert Rose Tucson Chapter 14 2. Catherine McGraw – California - President-Elect, ByLaws Chair; Secretary, Riverside Cty Chapter 13 – Veteran US Navy + son Bobby McGraw (banquet only) 3. Bobbie McLagan – California – Member, Riverside County Chapter 13 4. Maggie “Teen” Oliver – Oregon – Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 5. Johnnie Marquez – California – Treasurer, Riverside County Chapter 13 + 3 guests: Marina Marquez, Sharon Marquez, Steven Marquez (daughters & son) 6. Shirley Grant – Hawaii – Member, Aloha Hawaii Chapter 25 + guest: Susan Grant (daughter) 7. Kym Ennis – Nevada – President, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 8. Margaret Stemsley – Texas – Member, Desert Sun El Paso Chapter 30 9. Patricia Walker – Tennessee – Past National President, Member, Riverside County Chapter 13 10. Cheryl Greaser – Colorado – Secretary, Pikes Peak Colorado Springs Chapter 15 11. Barbara LaGaniere – Colorado – Member, Pikes Peak Colorado Springs Chapter 15 12. Darlene Webb – Montana – Member At Large 13. Pat Shecter – Texas – Past National President, Webmaster, Member Desert Rose Tucson Chapter 14 – Veteran US Air Force 14. Janet Snyder – Nevada – National President, Secretary & Acting Treasurer, Southern NV Chapter 34 15. Midge Sparlin – Nevada – Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 (cancellation) 16. Rita Berman – North Carolina – Member at Large + guest: Rebecca Dunleavy (daughter) 17. Edeltraut (Charlie) Stokes – Colorado – Treasurer, Pikes Peak Colorado Springs Chapter 15 18. Amelia (Lily) McCardle – Colorado - Vice President, Pikes Peak Colorado Springs Chapter 15 19. Janet Rasmussen – Texas – President, Desert Sun El Paso Chapter 30 20. Lis Hutton – Kansas – Acting President/Treasurer, Sunflower Chapter 28 21. Elfriede Porter – California – Member, Ventura County Chapter 40 22. Shirley McCormack – California – Treasurer; President, Ventura County Chapter 40 -- Veteran US Navy 23. Jacqueline (Jackie) Decker – California – Member, Ventura County Chapter 40 24. Ursula Dub – Colorado – Member, Pikes Peak Chapter 15 25. Michaele Kraft-Lott – Colorado – Member, Pikes Peak Chapter 15 26. Arlene Murray – Washington – Honorary Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34, Workshop Speaker 27. Elda Diaz – California – Member, Riverside County Chapter 13 28. Mary Wilson – California – Member At Large 29. Linda Hofstedt – Illinois – Member At Large 30. Pearl Chesnaky – Nevada – Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 31. Jeri Flynn – Nevada – Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 32. Babette Kellner – Nevada – Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 -- Veteran US Navy + daughter Brigita & son Nathan for banquet 33. Bertha Hale – Nevada – Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 34. Barbara Scott – Florida – Eastern Regional Vice President, President, Chapter 35 35. Georgia Lyles – California – 1st Vice President, Riverside County Chapter 13 -- Veteran US Army 36. Jacqueline Simmons – Nevada – Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34

37. Pauline (Polly) Leigh – California – Member, Aloha Chapter 25 38. Margaret Melchi – Colorado – President, Pikes Peak Chapter 15; national 50th Vietnam Chair 39. Jeanne Lewis – Nevada – Sunshine Club Chair, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 40. Monika Simons – Texas – Member At Large + 3 guests: Helga Munoz, Dagmar Serrata & Sue Scaggs 41. Etta Brown – California – President, Riverside County Chapter 13, Past National President 42. Adrienne Walls – Iowa – Member At Large 43. Eileen May – Nevada – Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 44. Babes Smith-Poorbaugh – Nevada – Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 45. Shirley Keegan – Hawaii – National Secretary, President, Aloha Chapter 25 46. Alberta Elliott – Nevada – Telephone Chair, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 47. Madie Tillman – Ohio – Member At Large 48. Louisa Hill – Texas – Member At Large 49. Elaine Bila – Colorado – Member, Pikes Peak Chapter 15 50. Kay Milzer – Nevada – Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 51. Christine Versaw - Texas – Member, El Paso Desert Sun Chapter 30 52. Rose Mary Calhoun – California – Member, Riverside County Chapter 13 53. Margaret De Witt Bell – California – Member at Large 54. Pat Epperly – Oregon – Member at Large 55. Evie Dunbar – Nevada – Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 56. Judy Cobb – Nevada – Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 57. Helmi Mays – Texas – Co-Webmaster – Member, Desert Sun El Paso Chapter 30 58. Paula Paiz – Colorado – Member, Columbine Chapter 22 Aurora, CO 59. Denise Carr-DeRamus – Alabama – Member At Large + guest: Jan Parlin 60. Ernestine Schwing - Colorado – Founding Member, Columbine Chapter 22 Aurora, CO 61. Ken Hill – Nevada – Courtesy Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 62. Kathy Schuermann – Nevada – Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 63. Millie Suer – Washington – Member, Sunflower Chapter 28, Kansas + guest: Janice Discher (daughter) 64. Elizabeth Brinkley – Texas – Member, Desert Sun El Paso Chapter 30 65. Barbara Brown – California – Member, Riverside County Chapter 13 + guest: Deborah Castron (banquet only) 66. Patricia Tinsley – California – National Special Services Chair; Member, Ventura County Chapter 40 67. Jeanette Early – Colorado – New Member (Aurora, Colorado) 68. Judith Whetzel – Arizona – Member, Desert Rose Tucson Chapter 14 69. Naomi Stephens – California – Member, Riverside County Chapter 13 70. Sarah (Sally) Rice - President, Columbine Chapter 22, Aurora, CO 71. Patti Sampers – Colorado – Member At Large 72. Joyce DeSoto – California – Member At Large + guest: Victor Power 73. Esther Bonis – New York – Member At Large 74. Margaret Sebern - Colorado – Member At Large 75. Faye Salvatore – Colorado – Member, Columbine Chapter 22, Aurora, CO (cancellation) 76. John P. May – Executive Director, AMS 77. Judi Vancleave – Oregon – Member At Large, Past President of Gold Star Wives 78. Linda Kariya – California – Member At Large

79. Yvonne Schilz - Virginia – Invited Guest / Exhibitor -- Veteran, US Air Force 80. Pat Collins Miller – Oklahoma – Member, Southwest Oklahoma Chapter 6 (banquet only) 81. Kathi Neal – Nevada - Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 82. Ernest Williams – Nevada – Honorary Member, Southern Nevada Chapter 34 (speaker on 10/16/17) 83. Rosalie Horton – Virginia – National Legislative Chair – Member At Large 84. Rebecca Dreier – Alaska – Member At Large 85. Delores Kruger – Oklahoma – Member, Southwest Oklahoma Chapter 6 86. Matthew Trotta – Virginia - Invited Guest / Exhibitor 87. Alice Fisher – Kansas - Honorary Member 88. Grace LaMacchia – New York – Member At Large

There Is No Death - Poem by John Luckey McCreery

There is no death! The stars go down To rise upon some other shore, And bright in heaven's jeweled crown They shine forevermore.

There is no death! The forest leaves Convert to life the viewless air; The rocks disorganize to feed The hungry moss they bear.

There is no death! The dust we tread Shall change, beneath the summer showers To golden grain, or mellowed fruit, Or rainbow-tinted flowers.

There is no death! The leaves may fall, And flowers may fade and pass away- They only wait, through wintry hours, The warm, sweet breath of May.

There is no death! The choicest gifts That heaven hath kindly lent to earth

Are ever first to seek again The country of their birth.

And all things that for growth or joy Are worthy of our love or care, Whose loss has left us desolate, Are safely garnered there.

Though life becomes a desert waste, We know it's fairest, sweetest flowers, Transplanted into Paradise, Adorn immortal bowers.

The voice of birdlike melody That we have missed and mourned so long, Now mingles with the angel choir In everlasting song.

There is no death! Although we grieve When beautiful, familiar forms That we have learned to love are torn From our embracing arms-

Although with bowed and breaking heart, With sable garb and silent tread, We bear their senseless dust to rest, And say that they are 'dead,'

They are not dead! They have but passed Beyond the mists that blind us here Into the new and larger life Of that serener sphere.

They have but dropped their robe of clay To put their shining raiment on; They have not wandered far away- They are not 'lost nor 'gone.'

Though disenthralled and glorified They still are here and love us yet; The dear ones they have left behind They never can forget.

And sometimes, when our hearts grow faint Amid temptations fierce and deep, Or when the wildly raging waves Of grief or passion sweep,

We feel upon our fevered brow Their gentle touch, their breath of balm; Their arms enfold us, and our hearts Grow comforted and calm.

And ever near us, though unseen, The dear, immortal spirits tread- For all the boundless universe Is Life- there are no dead!

John Luckey McCreery

Thank you to all of you for attending and participating in our 39th Annual Society of Military Widows Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

We are grateful for your heartfelt encouragement and kindness.

Prayer for the beginning and end of our annual meeting:

Let us be united;

Let us speak in harmony;

Let our minds apprehend alike.

Common be our prayer,

Common be the end of our assembly;

Common be our resolution;

Common be our deliberations.

Alike be our feelings;

Unified be our hearts;

Common be our intentions;

Perfect be our unity.