General Membership Meeting

WHO: All TRSMCA Washington Chapter #1 members and those interested WHAT: General Membership Meeting WHEN: Saturday, October 13, 2007, 1:00pm WHERE: McChord Club WHY: Meet, greet, discuss Association events Among items of discussion, we will try to review and discuss the Chapter Blog. See you all there.

Message to Life Members...

From the President: Life Member, I’m writing to offer you a job. It’s not a permanent job, you understand. It’s not a paying job. On the contrary, it will cost you money. Membership in TRSMCA Washington State Chapter #1 brings many benefits and advantages, but those come at a price. In order for our Chapter to perform the many tasks and duties for which it is responsible, the Chapter must have operating funds. These funds come mainly from four sources yearly. The 1st source is through our Chapter’s new membership drive each year. The 2nd is by-way-of the Chapter’s fundraiser “Coffee Stop” about every 18 months. The 3rd is through funds that are contributed by Chapter members on a strictly volunteer basis. The 4th is through the adds in our Chapter News Letter. Some highlights of the expenses are: --- Donated $100.00 toward picnic for deploying and returning Madigan nurses and their medics. --- Disbursed $55.00 and presented a “Medal of Honor” book and Chapter coin to the ROTC NCO of the Year. --- The Chapter paid out $48.00 and obtained and presented an American flag, which had been flown over our Nations Capitol, to the recently dedicated flag pavilion located outside Camp Murray (NG) and Madigan Army Medical Center in Tillicum, WA. --- The Chapter made $77.00 contribution for 60 winter coats to the needy students at the Eugene Tone Transitional School in Tacoma. --- Exhausted $80.00 to provide Dress Blue uniform to the top graduate of the Fort Lewis Leadership Course. --- Expended $277.00 at annual Chapter picnic for our members and their guests at McChord AFB in July. --- Made a $100.00 disbursement to the Fisher House located near Madigan Army Medical Center and some in-kind donations from members in the same chapter. --- Donations to the USO at both McChord AFB and Seattle/Tacoma International airport. These are primarily in-kind donations that SGM (Ret) Harry Schreiber acquires throughout the year. --- Contributed $50.00 to the annual Lakewood “Cancer Run” campaign. --- Distribute $50.00 each year for Veterans Legislative Coalition. --- Chaplain expenses are $50.00 per year on cards and flowers. --- The Chapter gave $50.00 to the Providence Saint Peter Foundation. --- The Chapter supports the E-9 Ball each year with $50.00. The Chapter’s growth is very dependent on revenues from the four sources of income. Overhead expenses increase every year because of inflation. New programs need funds to implement. Enhanced member benefits such as a Chapter Web Site, Chapter advertisement to enhance membership, and the Chapter News Letter to mention just a few. The “Coffee Stop” revenue this past year has been a problem to achieve. It is becoming increasingly harder to procure a time slot and the personnel to carry out the event. We must increase revenues from the major sources, or we end up with less money to spend on programs and membership benefits, and our chapter will stagnate. The Chapter’s Officers are calling for an ACTION CAMPAIGN for the remainder of 2007. This request is for a $10.00 minimum voluntary contribution from each Chapter member who holds a Life Membership. Our Chapter stands at 84 members and 65 are Life Membership associates. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this job opportunity. Please send your voluntary contribution today for the Chapter’s Action Campaign to: TRSMCA Washington State Chapter #1 P. O. Box 136 Dupont, WA 98327-0136 We welcome your leadership in this area and any suggestions how we can further improve your Chapter. Sincerely, Command CMS (Ret) Jack M. Parkhurst TRSMCA Washington State Chapter #1 President

Get to Know Your Members...

Retired Chief Master Sergeant Jonathan T. Harris Life member, retired Chief Master Sergeant Jonathan T. Harris, of the Armed Forces E9 Association (AFE9A) and The Retired Sergeant Major and Chiefs Association Washington State Chapter #1 just completed a two year long project. He served as the Air Mobility Command’s (AMC) 2007 Rodeo Program Manager for the largest airlift competition in Air Force history. The Rodeo experience provides valuable joint service and combined training for participants including international mobility professionals who compete or send crews to observe events. Each Rodeo contestant benefits with exchange of tactics, techniques, and procedures among their international partners. Rodeo 2007 is AMC’s premier 60th United States Air Force anniversary event and was held 22-28 July at McChord Air Force Base, Washington. The competition’s roots reach back 51 years to 1956, when 13 troop carrier wings of the Continental Air Command, the Air Force Reserve Command’s predecessor, sent crews to participate in a “Reserve Troop Carrier Rodeo” at Bakalar Air Force Base, Indiana. In April 1962, the first airdrop competition for units of the active-duty force occurred when the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) held a MATS-wide Rodeo at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Only seven aircraft and 14 aircrews participated. In 1979, the Rodeo scope and breadth was expanded to include international mobility teams. Retired Chief Harris mentored Contracting, Finance, Maintenance, Aeromedical, Security, and Administration staff in proper Rodeo procedures for In-Progress Reviews and acquiring, setup, and teardown of facilities. His meticulous planning and superior leadership skills directed Finance and Contracting Officers in key Rodeo staff positions that met all planning, purchasing, and execution deadlines. He provided first-rate assistance and brilliant advice to commanders, leaders, and international officials regarding manpower, financial management, budget, real estate, and computer support to effectively meet current and long-range program goals and objectives. The Chief also participated in community activities, conducted and attended briefings, meetings, and conferences with local organizations and coordinated the Rodeo Icebreaker at the LeMay Museum Tour, attended by 95% of the Rodeo competitors and staff. His synchronization of the augmentation of the 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office personnel and the 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office personnel in promotion and publicity efforts for Rodeo and other assigned special events was exceptional. He worked with the local recreation community and linked organizations regarding off-base support and activities. 2007 Rodeo joined the United States Active-duty, Reserve, and Guard units to demonstrate capabilities, improve procedures, compare notes, and enhance standardization for worldwide operations. Some of the aircraft included the C-17 Globemaster III, C-5 Galaxy, C-130 Hercules, KC-10 Extender, and the KC-135 Strato Tanker with up to 2,500 participants and 80 aircraft. Furthermore, retired Chief Master Sergeant Jonathan T. Harris directly contributed to the safe execution of 27 Rodeo events by 1,200 competitors on 55 teams from 34 countries. As General Duncan McNabb, Air Mobility Command’s commander, said “The largest and best Rodeo ever!” Enormous and truly note worthy piece of consultant work, Chief Harris.