April - the Dallas Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars

Dallas Military Order News
Volume 23, No. 3
Best Large Chapter in the Nation
April 2015
Chapter Staff
Chapter Commander
COL Joseph Cordina, USAF
972-633-5504
jlcordina@airmail.net
Senior Vice Commander
LTC Ken Boatman, USA
972-393-2718
ken3393@hotmail.com
Junior Vice Commander
MAJ Andy White, USA
214-789-0921
awhite.6star@yahoo.com
Adjutant
CPT Alan Backof, USA
972-608-5278
abackof68@aol.com
An associate of mine, many years my senior, made a comment the other day about how
full, each and every day, of his life seems to be. His comment was cause for reflection.
Being busy, every day, is truly the key to great health! That man was Dr. Ken Cooper,
founder of the prestigious Cooper Institute. His comments about staying healthy and
maintaining an active lifestyle, speak volumes. They provide a message that can benefit
all of the members of our Dallas Chapter.
During March, I had a chance to meet with Ken Cooper (a former Air Force
Lt Colonel) and listen to his speech at the Cooper Aerobics Institute. Here is a man, in
his 80s, who moves at lightning speed, both in speech, as well as physically.
Let me frame it this way: The annual Dallas Military Ball was an event not to be
missed! It had been a long time for me. I literally could have “danced the night away!”
But more importantly, it concurrently shed light on aspects of our military heritage and
traditions that reminded me why we are members of MOWW.
Treasurer
MRS Maurine Dickey
214-415-7946
mdickey47@hotmail.com
Marshal
Lt Col Phil Hardin, USAF
214-872-7523
phil.hardin@hotmail.com
Chaplain
CPT Weldon Estes, USA
214-339-3552
weldonelizabeth@juno.com
JAG
COL Tod Almquist, USA
972-458-2161
tfalmquist@sbcglobal.net
Surgeon
MAJ Lannie Hughes, USA
972-661-8509
hughes7220@aol.com
Historian
LTC Charles Alford, USA
214-826-5183
grampsalford@aol.com
Dallas Chapter (069)
Dallas, Texas
When I emphasized the “2 Minutes Per Day” theme for our Chapter, many of you began “tracking” your contributions – both in time and energy. May I say that it is truly
paying off! Right now, we are in the midst of school interviews to select YLC candidates. We will interview more than 150, from whom we will choose the best 75 (plus
alternates). There is plenty of room for twice that many. We are limited only by our
fundraising. With more funds, we can send additional students.
Many students find out about our YLC's too late. Some simply do not understand the
value proposition. Here is my "what if" proposal: What if we were to assemble small
teams of Companions to visit the various high schools as registered participants for
“College Night” programs, with the expressed purpose of promoting the YLC
opportunity? Creating presence at functions populated with Sophomores & Juniors
places us right in the midst of our target group! I need a designated Chairperson for this
to become a reality. I have access to the College Night database for every Independent
School District we impact. The heavy lifting is done. Leadership is what is needed.
Which brings me back to my initial premise of “great health”. According to
Dr. Cooper, stimulation + active participation = beneficial long term results! This is
a good way to stay active. Won’t you join the YLC effort? You will never come up
short on your “2 minutes per day!”
See you on April 7th!
Joe Cordina, Colonel, US Air Force, Dallas Chapter Commander
Last Month’s Program, March 2015
This Month’s Program, April 2015
Guardian of the Republic
"Leading Texas into the 21st Century"
Former Florida Congressman Allen West is a charismatic
spokesman for the
Conservative policies
of the Republican
Party. But his talk to
the Dallas Chapter was
not about politics, it
was about right and
wrong.
David Dewhurst is a native Texan, a military veteran, a
gifted
athlete,
a
rancher,
cattleman,
and champion cutting
horse rider. In his
spare time, he amassed
a small fortune in the
gas and oil business.
For the past twelve
years, he has been the
Lieutenant Governor
of Texas, guiding it
from the crash of the
dot.com bubble at the
turn of the Millennium
to an economy which
leads the nation in job David Dewhurst, former Lieutenant
growth, employment, Governor, State of Texas
and innovation in developing our natural resources.
Allen's recent tenure in
the US Congress gave
enormous credence to
his observations on the
lack of a moral
compass in far too
Hon. Allen West, CEO & President many of our national
leaders. His comments
National Center for Policy Analysis
on the direction of
current national defense policies and the declining
readiness posture of our military confirmed the urgent
need for dramatic changes to be made, and soon.
Allen is equally as comfortable quoting scripture from the
Bible, as he is passages from philosophers, such as John
Locke and John Stuart Mills. He quoted the latter, from
memory: "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of
things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and
patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war
is much worse".
When the crunch time comes, and it will, our nation is
graced to continue to produce men such as Allen West.
David is a strong fiscal conservative, who helped to pass
the largest tax cut in state history. He has balanced state
budgets and is credited with building a reserve of over
$6.1 billion in the state's Rainy Day Fund.
No one in politics avoids controversy. David weathered a
maelstrom when he insisted that a high school play was
inappropriate due to its outrageous depiction of Jesus, in
the production: "Corpus Christi". He met with similar
opposition from many, who objected to his actions to
control the state's southern borders.
In 2014, David was our keynote speaker on Veterans Day.
Next Six Month’s Programs
Using the Internet
2015 Speaker Program features Texas leaders
To Infinity and beyond...
Click HERE to read this month's Officer Review
7 Apr 15 – David Dewhurst, Fmr Lt Gov of Texas
“The Influence of Texas in the 2016 Election”
5 May 15 - Colleen Walker, CEO Perot Science Museum
"American Exceptionalism"
9 Jun 15 – Col Joe Cordina, Chapter Commander
Installation of Chapter Officers for FY 2016
3 Jul 15 - Mary Suhm, Fmr City Manager, Dallas
"FY 2020: The Five Year Plan for Dallas"
4 Aug 15 - Maj Gen Kim Siniscalchi, US Air Force
"Caring for Wounded Warriors"
1 Sep 15 – Sam Johnson, US Congressman (R,TX)
“Battles of the 114th Congress”
.
magazine, which features articles on dozens of YLC
conferences, around the country.
Click HERE to visit the MOWW Dropbox website, to
view Newsletters from over 40 of our sister chapters.
Click HERE to visit the newly designed Dallas Chapter
website to view information on Dallas Chapter activities.
Click HERE to see photos from Youth Leadership
Conferences at Texas A&M from 2007-2015.
Click HERE to watch Rollie Stevens' 10 minute video
of what YLC is all about.
aHappy Birthday
One Year Older; A Whole Lot Wiser
5 April
9 April
10 April
10 April
11 April
12 April
13 April
16 April
18 April
18 April
18 April
20 April
20 April
20 April
21 April
22 April
24 April
26 April
26 April
26 April
27 April
27 April
COL John Moffett
MAJ James Lewis
Capt Edward Fitzmaurice
COL Robert Gill
LTC Barry Brown
CPT Kirk Bell
LTC Robert Davis
Capt Earl Barnette
MAJ Paul Divis
CPT Lee Drain
COL Christopher Ellis
MR John Rajala
MR Christopher Rajala
MR Lamar Richardson
MS April Adams
LTC Woody Alexander
LTC Michel Minear
LTC Jesse Bullard
COL Alan DiMiero
COL William Lee
LTC Christopher Carney
MAJ Paul Rittmuller
"To cherish the memories of ..."
Happy Birthday, Paratrooper
James Megellas, Perpetual Companion of the Dallas
Chapter, was the Guest of
Honor at a birthday party, last
month. For most people that is
just one more notch on the
belt, but "Maggie" is not most
people. This marks his 98th
Birthday.
And
he
has
promised to be around to toast
his 100th. Maggie is known in
the military as the most
decorated officer of the famed
CINC John M. Hayes
82nd Airborne Division.
Maggie made three combat presents an MOWW Coin
jumps during World War II, to "Maggie" Megellas
including Operation Market Garden, in Holland. It was as
a result of his actions during that campaign that Maggie
was awarded the nation's second highest award for valor,
the Distinguished Service Cross.
Boy Scouts of America
The Eagles have landed
Past Commander-in-Chief Cliff Way presented
MOWW
Certificates of
Commendation to
two new
Eagle
Eagle Alex Newman and
Eagle Tom Farner and
Scouts Past CINC Cliff Way
Past CINC Cliff Way
during
Court of Honor ceremonies, last month. Both
Scouts represented Troop 42, in Dallas. Eagle
Tom Farner set a Troop record by amassing 83
Merit badges on his way through the ranks.
Alex Newman became an Eagle in a similar
ceremony, two weeks later.
Law and Order
The Dallas Chapter joins DCPAC
Dallas Police Sergeant (and Chapter Companion) Louis
Felini is the Chairman of our Law &
Order
committee.
One of his first acts
has been to enroll
the Chapter in the
Dallas Community
Police
Awards
Committee. Every
month, Supervisors
from all of the DPD L to R, Dallas Companion Jim Gooch,
Divisions submit an Sergeant & Mrs. Jerry Fonville, and
officer for the award. Dallas Companion Bill Coleman
Selections are made by the DCPAC and award
presentations occur in the offices of one of their many
supporting organizations, throughout the city.
This month's winner is Sgt Jerry Fonville. In his 12 years
on the force, he has received 25 official Commendations.
"Hats off" to the latest distinguished Dallas Police
Department "Officer of the Month".
In Memoriam
Gone, but forever remembered
It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the loss of longtime
Dallas Companion, Col Graham Martin, Jr (1926-2015).
He passed away in Bonham, TX, and is buried in the
DFW National Cemetery. Graham was a member of both
the Dallas and the North Texas chapters.
JOIN US IN WELCOMING THESE COMPANIONS TO
THE BEST LARGE MOWW CHAPTER IN THE NATION
.
LT Charles D. Daniels, US Navy
Chuck Daniels grew up in rural Iowa, in a family of all
boys. After High School
he entered Iowa State
University, graduating in
1978 with a Bachelor of
Science degree and a
Teaching
Certificate.
Teaching was placed on
indefinite hold, as he
attended Navy Officer
Candidate School in
Newport, RI, receiving
his Commission (from
his brother), in the first
OCS class of 1979.
Chuck was the last of the sons to follow their father into
military service.
Chuck served as a U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer in
the Pacific Fleet until 1982, serving in the Operations,
Engineering and Weapons departments in the Destroyer
Navy. After sea duty, Chuck was a Liaison Officer
between Commander Naval Surface Forces Pacific and
1ST Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, until 1984.
In 1984, Chuck turned to the U.S. Defense industry, beginning his career at Texas Instruments, He remained
there until his group was sold to Raytheon in 1997. After
the sale, Chuck continued working on classified Navy
programs, until his retirement in 2013.
During his employment at Texas Instruments/Raytheon,
Chuck worked in Manufacturing Engineering, Finance,
Proposal Services, Business Development, Operations
Management, and Contracts and finished his last 10 years
in Program Management of proprietary government programs. Most of his career involved developing and manufacturing Depart of Defense High Resolution Radars
and Satellite Communication systems.
In late 2014, Chuck was brought out of retirement to
serve as the Program Manager for a developing market
Maritime Patrol Aircraft, being built by L-3 Communications, Greenville, TX, for the military marketplace.
Chuck, and his wife Karey, own acreage northwest of
Greenville, and are currently building their retirement
home, near his new occupation.
Chuck's interests include travel, boating, golf, volunteer
service, church, current events (primarily, political) and
of course, building their new home.
.
Captain Kirk D. Bell, U. S. Air Force
Kirk Bell was born in Gary, IN. Upon graduation from
the US Air Force
Academy, he received a
Bachelor of Science
degree and commission as
a Second Lieutenant, in
the US Air Force.
While on active duty, he
served
as
a
T-38
Instructor Pilot in Enid,
Oklahoma
and
San
Antonio, Texas.
After completing his duty
in the Air Force, in 1983,
Kirk began his current career in the financial services
industry. He served as a Financial Advisor in San
Antonio for five years with Smith Barney. In 1988, he
was promoted to First Vice President and Branch
Manager for the Smith Barney office, in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana.
Kirk then advanced to Senior Vice President and Branch
Manager with Smith Barney in Dallas, Texas. He held
this position for 13 years, from 1990-2003, and was
responsible for handling all aspects of his office and his
60 employees.
In 2003, he was promoted, again. This time to the
position of Senior Vice President, Wealth Management,
for Smith Barney, in Plano, Texas.
In January 2008, Kirk formed Bell & Valente, LLC, an
independent
firm,
offering
securities
through
Raymond James Financial Services.
Kirk is active in the local community. He has served as
President of the Board of Directors and as a volunteer
pilot for Angel Flight’s South Central Region, and is the
past President of the Board of the North Texas
Association of Air Force Academy Graduates
He has, also, served as the Vice Chairman of the Collin
College Foundation. Kirk is the past President of the
Plano Rotary Club and currently, is a Member of their
Board of Directors.
Kirk, and his wife Beverly, have three children. His
hobbies include tennis and golf. .
DALLAS COMPANIONS INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES
DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH
.
Chapter Commander Joe Cordina
welcomed newly inducted
Companion, Charles Daniels
Joe presented Allen West with a
Silver Patrick Henry award for
Patriotic Achievement
The Sgt Major of the Army adjusted the
battle streamers before presenting the
colors at the 2015 Dallas Military Ball
Allen West's appearance drew a
record crowd for attendance at a
regular monthly Chapter meeting
Joe Sasser, former Director of
Dallas ISD JROTC programs,
shared a photo op with Allen
Joe presided over the opening of the
Vietnam Exhibit at the Historical Society
Museum, in McKinney
Joe got a Membership application
from WW II Holocaust survivor,
Andrew Biczynski
Don Munson congratulated Allen
on his move to Texas and his wise
decision to join the Dallas Chapter
Joe presented a gift to CINC
John Hayes during the annual
CINC's Breakfast in Dallas
The Chaplain’s Corner
Chaplain (Capt.) Dr. Weldon Estes
Living One Day at a Time
Did you know that there are at least two days in every week that we should never worry about?
Two days that should always be kept free from fear and worry.
One of these days is YESTERDAY with its mistakes, its faults, its aches and pains.
Why worry about YESTERDAY, since it has already passed beyond our control? Only God could reverse the process of time.
There is no benefit to needlessly worrying over the mistakes of a day that has passed into eternity. We cannot undo a
single act once performed; nor erase a single word that was written or spoken. YESTERDAY is gone.
The other day that we should not worry about is TOMORROW with its adversaries, its burdens, and its dangers.
It is a fact that most of those things pertaining to TOMORROW are beyond our immediate control.
TOMORROW'S sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, if God so wills.
Until it comes, we have no stake in TOMORROW, for it is yet unborn.
This leaves only one day - TODAY. Any man can fight the battles of just one day.
It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities - YESTERDAY & TOMORROW - that we break down.
It is not the experience of TODAY that drives men mad. It is remorse or bitterness for something which happened
YESTERDAY and the dread of what TOMORROW may bring.
“Therefore, do not worry about TOMORROW, for TOMORROW will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34).
The Dallas Military Order of the World Wars
1000 Basilwood Drive
Coppell, TX 75019-6335
www.dallas-moww.org
Address Service Requested
THIS MONTH IN HISTORY
APRIL1968
To Bring a Guest!!
On 2 April 1968, the First Cavalry Division
launched Operation Pegasus, with
combined Marine & South Vietnamese
ground forces, that eventually broke
through to the US Marines at Khe Sahn.
Texland Printing, 214-926-9058, P.O. Box 116865, Carrollton, Texas 75011