Winter is over and spring in the Northwest is beginning! I will return to Washington State from spending the winter in Big Pine Key, Florida and after the 25th Armed Forces E9 Association (AFE9A) Annual National Convention, 24 through 26 April 2008. During the AFE9A mid-winter conference, 19 January 2008, our chapter proposed to host the 26th AFE9A Annual National Convention in April 2009. During conference business the National Executive Council (NEC) approved the proposal from TRSMCA Washington State Chapter #1 to host the 2009 convention. CSM (Ret) Robert Sova over this past winter has progressed the chapter’s convention planning committee draft stage work. CMS (Ret) Sandra Cooper has stepped forward and filled the convention treasurer duties and thank you so very much Chief Cooper. There are many more areas that the convention committee needs membership help and expertise to make the 2009 convention a successful event. Please let any one of your chapter officers know that you would like to contribute your time and knowledge to this major undertaking. E-9s pull together get things done.
Our 2007 membership recruiting drive efforts led to 101 members assigned to TRSMCA Washington State Chapter #1. I encourage each member to recruit and retain members. 2008 may be the year that you need to retain your membership in the association. Check out your own situation and if you need any assistance or additional information please contact one of the chapter officers or myself. Through maintaining your membership, you continue to take an active part in the chapter on issues that affect the future of fellow armed service members. If you know of a retired, active, guard or reserve E9 bring them and their guest to our membership meeting or sponsor them to the chapter picnic social event.
We are still looking for a volunteer to mentor with CSM (Ret) Harold Carr and in time fill the News Letter Publisher position. If you are interested in this communication position or know of someone who is please contact one of the association officers or myself. The Adjutant/Quartermaster CSM (Ret) Sidney Katz has available chapter coins, hats, polo shirts, and jackets with organizational logo stitching. The purchase of these items, communicate and exercise an outstanding way to support your association and chapter. A big thank you from chapter membership goes out to SGM (Ret) Harry Schreiber and his passionate service on the 2008 Puget Sound Joint Armed Services E-9 Ball planning committee. This annual event in the Puget Sound joint service and civilian communities is quickly becoming a tradition and will sell out rapidly. Be sure to mark you calendars and review forthcoming reports. The event, sponsored by the Coast Guard, schedule is 4 October 2008 with contingency date of 11 October 2008.
CSM (Ret) Robert Sova is our chapter representative on the Veterans Legislative Coalition. He coordinates our legislative efforts through the military coalition on all armed service active enlisted or guard/reserve and retired members. Another terrific member who supports all armed service members is CSM (Ret) John Lee, Director of Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. Association and chapter congratulations to Command Sergeant Major John Lee on receiving The Diamond Award at the National Association of Directors of State Veterans Affairs’ mid-winter conference in Washington D.C.
Come out to Patriots Landing, Dupont, Washington on 12 April 2008 and join your chapter officers at 1300 hours for the general membership meeting. The guest speaker will be a Patriots Landing staff member explaining homes, elderly people, assisted living and elder care services. I look forward to seeing all of you when I return from Florida and the AFE9A Annual National Convention. I express to you my thanks for your service and support of the AFE9A and TRSMCA Washington State Chapter #1.
Command Chief CMS (Ret) Jack M. Parkhurst
TRSMCA Washington State Chapter #1 President |
