Days after a report of ongoing investigations of Florida National Guard leaders over allegations of sexual misconduct and coverup, Gov. Ron DeSantis has named a new commander.
In a conference room in his office at the Capitol, DeSantis told reporters Tuesday that Air Force Maj. Gen. James Eifert is the right choice to deal with the investigation.
“I don’t have any basis to know how that investigation will shake out,” said DeSantis, a former attorney with the Navy Judge Advocate General. “But I can tell you that if there are merits to the allegations, this is a guy that’s going to clean it up. This is not something that would be acceptable under his leadership.”
Eifert, 59, said ongoing investigations will be a “significant priority” once he assumes command.
From the Everyday Health website
Wikimedia Commons Photograph
Have you ever felt a strange aching pain in your upper abdomen? Usually digestive discomfort after a hearty meal isn’t anything to worry about, but for others, it’s a sign of a malfunctioning gallbladder.
Some people with gallstones never exhibit symptoms, while others experience severe pain. If you are experiencing pain in the upper abdomen or right side of the body, you may have gallstones, and will want to seek treatment to avoid further complications. At least in the United States, about 25 percent of newly diagnosed patients with gallstones will need treatment.
Retired Lt. Col. Dick Cole, who served as co-pilot to Jimmy Doolittle on the first US offensive action against Japan in WWII, and who was the last surviving member of the Doolittle Raid, died in Comfort, Texas, on April 9, at the age of 103. Read more at https://t.co/ZYWUcLaIo9. pic.twitter.com/2drKABZKzZ
— Air Force Magazine (@AirForceMag) April 9, 2019
Hawaii Army National Guard Photograph
The Hawaii Army National Guard, 29th Brigade Support Battalion, Change of Command Ceremony from Lt. Col. Cesar V. Pudiquet to Lt. Col. Nathan A.T.C. Tyau was held on April 06, 2019. The ceremony was held at the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Readiness Center in Kalaeloa, Hawaii.
The 29th Support Battalion’s roots originated in 1893. Their most recent deployment provided support to 1-487th Field Artillery Battalion and 1-299th Calvary Squadron.
From the Military Times website
In a memo signed March 1, Lisa Hershman, acting DoD chief management officer, approved the business case for the merger. The consolidation of the commissary and exchange systems also must be approved by Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist.
The first step would be to merge the exchange operations — Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Navy Exchange Service Command, and Marine Corps Exchange.
The merger will require the approval of Congress. Current law requires the Defense Department to operate separate commissary and exchange systems, so that law would have to be repealed. Another law prohibits DoD from using any taxpayer dollars to implement consolidation of resale entities until October 1, as lawmakers evaluate the proposal.
Chances are a big portion of your retirement savings are in pretax accounts like a 401(k) or IRA. If you need to tap those accounts for costly care, you must realize that every dollar is taxable. And you might be shocked at the tax rates that come with withdrawals large enough to foot the bill.
Photograph used by permission | click to enlarge
Some 204th Airlift Squadron retirees recently had another of their frequent retiree get together.
Attending were from the left side of table: Neal Ernst, Gordon Fujimoto, Mona Fujimoto, Kevin Garcia, Jimmy Dang, Jimmy Aea, Tony Wong, Phil Tokunaga, Pete “Skipper” Pawling, Mike “Inch” Compton, Jerry “FANG” Aoki, Lester Hirano.
Special thanks to Jimmy Dang foe sending Retiree News this photograph.
Earlier Retiree News post on the 2016 204 AS retiree luncheon
Warning: Hackers can easily steal your personal information from your boarding passes! https://t.co/PB6i07jC6m
— Redhead Commando (@RedheadCommando) March 31, 2019
Thanks to Walter Lai for sharing this link for posting
From the Task and Purpose website
The head of the California Air National Guard and one of its five wing commanders have been removed from their positions amid complaints of reprisals against whistleblowers and allegations of a cover-up of misconduct that reached into the highest ranks of the organization, officials announced Friday.
Maj. Gen. Clay L. Garrison, the top commander of the 4,700-member air guard, was dismissed for being unable to “maintain a positive command climate,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Keegan, spokesman for the California Military Department. Keegan said the department had lost “faith, trust and confidence” in Garrison’s ability to lead.
Retiree News sadly reports the passing of Louis Miranda in early March 2018.
Louis Miranda retired as a colonel after serving in the Hawaii Army National Guard for many years. During his career, he served in key leadership and management positions.
Retiree News will post information about services when received.
Retiree News extends heartfelt sympathy to the Colonel’s family and friends.
Thanks to several Retiree News followers for reporting his passing.
I first discovered Side Street years ago on the advice of folks in Honolulu’s restaurant industry, as it has long been a popular after-work spot for chefs and industry types, always a good sign (a 1999 Honolulu Star Bulletin column describes legendary Hawaiian chefs Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi visiting for vodka-fueled karaoke and pork chops).
But pretty much everyone who lives in Honolulu comes here (there are two locations), along with plenty of tourists, though it skews more local with all kinds of group and family gatherings. Side Street Inn lends itself to family-style dining because the portions are big – sometimes crazy big.
Thanks to Gordon Lau who sent this article to Retiree News.
Retiree News comment: Surprised to see an article about Side Street Inn in USA Today.
From the Go Banking Rates website
When it comes to retirement, one of the key factors influencing Americans is location, location, location. Geography can shape your retirement by any number of factors — both positive and negative. In order to really figure out where Americans are thinking about retiring, GOBankingRates conducted a survey and asked the following questions:
– Do you plan on relocating in retirement?
– What is the primary reason you’re considering relocating in retirement?
– Which region sounds most appealing for your retirement?
– What features would you like your retirement residence to have?
– In your best estimate, how much money will relocating cost you?
– Approximately, how much money have you saved for retirement?
The survey questions elicited all kinds of fascinating responses, especially when it comes to relocating — or staying put — in retirement. Click through to see the best places to retire — according to Americans.
A special section in the recently released Alzheimer’s Association’s 2019 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report focuses on the role primary care physicians can play in early detection of the disease. The association says all people 65 and older should receive some kind of assessment of their thinking and memory functions and that the primary care setting is the best place to do it. It should be a part of routine exams, said Joanne Pike, the association’s chief program officer.
“We hope the report will encourage seniors and physicians both to be more proactive in discussing cognitive health during the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit and other routine exams,” she said in the press release about the new report.
Judy and James Franklin have discovered how to happily navigate the ebb and flow of life — through 56 years of marriage, in sickness and in health, this retired couple has sailed on approximately 100 cruises.
The Franklins’ first cruise, in 1972, was a splurge for James, a private first class in the Army at the time, and Judy, then a nursing student. “The installment plan was very helpful when we were starting out, but at this time in our lives, we pay the cruise off when we book it,” says James, who goes by Jim.
Retiree News 