April 2008 ~ President's Message...

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

WA State Chapter #1 -- From the President

My message this quarter is to inform all members about The Retired Sergeants Major and Chiefs Association (TRSMCA) Washington State Chapter #1 major achievements over this past year. Our Chapter Officers are dedicated to recruitment, retention, and mentoring of all associates in the three functional areas of membership, communication, and legislation. TRSMCA Washington State Chapter #1 received Recruiting Chapter of the Year at the Armed Forces E-9 Association (AFE9A) 2007 National Convention. The chapter is at 98 members with a 100 active membership goal by the start of 2008. Thanks goes out to all of our new members and each of our renewed members for their guarantee that our voice is heard loud and clear through their strong support. Communication is National President MCPO Curtis Leary’s major goal. TRSMCA Washington State Chapter #1 now has a web site and e-mail address respectfully: http://wachap1.blogspot.com and wachap1@gmail.com. Thank you Web Master SGM David Harper for your leadership and expertise in this communication outreach to the membership and others. In addition the chapter’s database is now correct and up to date with national, through the exceptional coordination of CSM Bob Sova and professional expertise of CSM Harold Carr. TRSMCA Washington State Chapter #1 received Best Newsletter of the Year at the AFE9A 2007 National Convention. Thank you from the membership goes out to our Newsletter Editor and Publisher CSM Harold Carr for a truly outstanding job. The chapter’s diligence to assist this year’s host Service with the Puget Sound Joint Armed Services E-9 Ball brought awe-inspiring accolades from many of the attendees. This is fast becoming a tradition in the Puget Sound joint service and civilian communities. Thank you SGM Harry Schreiber for your stunning representation on the planning committee and astounding community involvement championing this joint service affair. Legislative issues and news, both nationally and locally, that affect active, reserve, and retired service members is the third leg of the functional area triangle. TRSMCA Washington State Chapter #1 has an astonishing partnership on the Washington State Veterans Legislative Coalition through our appointed chapter legislative representative CSM Bob Sova and Vice President SGM Tony Woods as a VFW representative. Together their teamwork is key to our membership receiving timely information. The 2008 year brings with it an opportunity for growth in TRSMCA Washington State Chapter #1. The first major task is to deliver, at the upcoming Mid-Winter Conference, our Chapter’s proposal to host the 26th AFE9A Annual National Convention in 2009. Top-quality committee planning assistance has come from Past Presidents CSM Bob Sova, CSM Harold Carr and SGM Harry Schreiber along with Director CMS Jonathan Harris. Another major task underway is the Chapter/National Bylaws update that is under review by our Bylaws Standing Committee. This effort is chaired by our Vice President SGM Tony Woods and will conclude soon after the 25th AFE9A Annual National Convention in April 2008. Marian and I wish all of you and your families a most happy and safe holiday season. Remember the association’s values of pride, dedication, and service. Come out to the McChord AFB Club at 1300 hours on 12 January 2008 to enjoy an excellent $15.00 per person meal and the installation of your Chapter Officers. CSM John Lee will enlighten us from his perspective as Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Director. Don’t forget to RSVP to your Adjutant SGM Sidney Katz ASAP!! Command CMS (Ret) Jack M. Parkhurst TRSMCA Washington State Chapter #1 President

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