From the Military.com website
Sometimes we don’t recognize the beauty of something until it’s gone. That’s how I feel about pensions. A monthly stream of guaranteed income, sometimes inflation-adjusted, for the rest of your life, is a beautiful thing.
When I entered the workforce, many major corporations included a pension in their benefits package. Today, that number has shrunk to less than 20%. However, pensions still exist. The military, many teacher retirement systems and millions of government jobs typically offer pensions. And when it comes time to receive those pensions, the decision of whether to choose a survivor benefit option looms large.
From the NGAUS Washington Report
The Pentagon plans to restrict the ability of long-serving service members to transfer their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefit to family members, according to a defense official.
Anthony Kurta, who is serving as the under-defense secretary for personnel and readiness while awaiting confirmation for the position, described the plan in a written response to questions from the Senate Armed Services Committee. It would prohibit service members with 16 years or more in the military from transferring the education benefit to a dependent.
From the Honolulu Star-Advertiser website
Alberto Milar featured in this story was a member of the 29th Infantry Brigade when the 1968 call-up occurred.
Thank you and welcome home.
Two phrases of just two words, but words with powerful meaning.
Fifty years ago, during the Vietnam War, returning veterans didn’t hear those words.
From the Military Times website
It was a cold and windy day in Washington D.C. 35 years ago as I spoke at a place on the National Mall near the Lincoln Memorial. A crowd of 50,000 people, mostly Vietnam veterans, gathered after a parade down Constitution Avenue. Three years of non-stop work was coming to an end. I took a deep breath.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” I said, “the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is now dedicated.” After I spoke those words, the crowd surged forward ― embracing this 492-foot-long chevron-shaped memorial engraved with the names of the over 58,000 American fallen from the Vietnam War.
The end of this article covers the drive toward a Global War on Terrorism Memorial.
From the USA Today website
Thirty million Americans are getting some bad health news: they have high blood pressure and need to do something about it, according to new, more aggressive hypertension treatment guidelines released by heart doctors Monday.
The doctors and other experts, from the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology and nine other groups, are moving the goal line for blood pressure control, meaning 46% of U.S. adults — about 103 million — could now be diagnosed with hypertension.
It’s not clear how widely or rapidly front-line doctors will adopt the changes, but if and when they do, here’s what patients should expect:
McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base has a tie to many Hawaii Air National Guard members past and present. The base is the home of the I.G. Brown Air National Guard Training and Education Center (TEC). The TEC operates the ANG NCO Academy, the NCO Leadership School and until 2008, the Academy of Military Science (AMS) – the ANG officer commissioning course.
The undated photograph above shows the base front gate. Behind the F-104 Starfighter, is the drill pad where TEC students practiced drill and ceremonies. There is a small base exchange and gas station there now.
On the right side, there are a lot of white buildings. Some buildings were the dormitories while others were staff offices, but all were World War II style wooden buildings built in the 1950s. In a multi-year upgrade plan, new facilities replaced these aging buildings.
If you are old enough to remember:
Long lost somewhere on the campus – or removed during the multiple construction projects – is a complete set of imu rocks. There were Business and Industry Days were local business leaders traveled to the base to see the facilities and meet with the TEC and National Guard Bureau staff. B&I Days from Hawaii included a complete luau.
Civil engineering units from each state individualized the décor of NCO Academy dormitory rooms to reflect the state’s personality. This concept went away after a few years because there was every type of light bulb in those dorms.
McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base (TYS) is a joint military facility located at McGhee Tyson Airport. It is located approximately 10 miles (16 km) south of the central business district of Knoxville, near Alcoa, in Blount County, Tennessee. It was the site of McGhee Tyson Air Force Base from 1952 until 1960.
McGhee Tyson ANGB is the home of the 134th Air Refueling Wing (134 ARW) of the Tennessee Air National Guard, an Air Mobility Command (AMC) gained unit which functions as the host wing for the installation.
Other tenants of the base include the 119th Command and Control Squadron, Air National Guard Band of the South, and the 1st Squadron, 230th Armored Cavalry Regiment’s Army Aviation Support Facility of the Tennessee Army National Guard, operating several OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopters.
From the everyday Health website
Having high blood pressure makes you more likely to have heart disease or a stroke. But because high blood pressure doesn’t usually cause warning symptoms, you could be at risk without even knowing it.
You can register to receive an email every time there is a new post. In the “Follow Retiree News via Email” section and press “Follow”. On the next screen, enter your email address and press ENTER. Shortly, you will receive a confirmation email to your address from WordPress.com. You acknowledge the email and you are a registered reader.
After you compete this short registration process, you get a notification email every time there is a new posting. The email has a quick teaser of the posting, along with tags that indicate how the posting relates to special topics/areas. There is a direct link to the website (Read more of this post)
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Thanks to these Retiree News readers who registered to “Follow Retiree News via Email”: Jakamine, ed giordano, weslone, harris.ralph
David Boniface Paahana, Sr., 80, of Waipahu went home to the Lord Nov. 2, 2017 in Waipahu. He was born on Maui. David was an aircraft mechanic in the Hawaii Air National Guard at Hickam Air Force Base. He retired as Senior Master Sergeant 154th Maintenance Squadron after 40 years of service.
Survived by wife Brenda (Rivera) Sons David, Jr (Darlene) Paahana, Steven Paahana and Sonny (Nani) Clifton, daughter Sherry Clifton (Cris Caughill) Kimberly Chun and Roxane Hernandez, 9 grandchildren & 6 great- grandchildren; Brothers Donald (Mary) Paahana & Dennis (Gina) Paahana; Sisters Patsy Tolentino and Marilyn (Ron) Cozo along with many nieces & nephews.
Mass 10 am, Tuesday Nov. 28, 2017 at St. Joseph Church of Waipahu, followed by a Life Celebration at 5:30pm Mililani Mauka Chapel, Tuesday Nov. 28, 2017.
We recently had an extended telephone call with Denise Jelinski-Hall, catching up on her activities since her retirement. She is continuing her career of excellence and achievements.
After retiring in 2013, she continued her education goals and earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Education. We know that was a long time personal goal.
Denise has become a recognized public speaker on leadership, mentorship, and the importance of personal growth and development.
With a strong desire to continue to make a difference and give back, she began serving with several organizations.
+ As a Board of Trustee, she served on the finance and nomination committees for the Military Child Education Coalition.
+ She continues to serve as a Board of Trustee for United Through Reading, as the executive committee secretary and as a member of the strategic growth committee.
+ She is a volunteer with the Colorado Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)
+ Denise serves as the Director of Air National Guard membership for the National Guard Association of Colorado.
But Denise’s biggest achievement since her retirement – she is now a published author. Her new book, From the Prairie to the Pentagon, cornicles her life starting on a farm in Minnesota to the only enlisted woman to serve as Senior Enlisted Advisor to a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
An on-line book review exclaimed:
Denise’s memoir demonstrates what one person can achieve with a strong work ethic and desire to serve. It is a timeless American story of success, determination, perseverance, and faith.
Hoping she will return to Hawaii so we can do more “catch up” in person.
In Hawaii, what high school you graduated from is often among the questions asked when you first meet someone. Public versus private, old versus new, town versus county, island versus island – some high school rivalries continue well into graduates’ old age.
The Images of Old Hawaii website periodically publishes articles about various high schools around the state. We will post links about these Hawaii high schools on their website periodically.
St. Andrew’s Priory School was founded on Ascension Day, May 30, 1867, by Queen Emma, wife of King Kamehameha IV, and Mother Priscilla Lydia Sellon of the Society of the Most Holy Trinity of Devonport, England.
Hawaii National Guard graduates include: can you name any graduates?
Related:
President Theodore Roosevelt High School
President William McKinley High School
Hilo High School
Kamehameha Schools
Iolani School
MSgt Shawna Gaskins send out an email updating information about the commemoration ball.
Aloha Everyone,
Due to the high demand of members wanting to attend our HING 381st Birthday Commemoration Ball, we have graciously extended our RSVP date to Monday, 27 Nov 2017.
This will be the last date to pay and RSVP for this event.
381st HING Commemoration Ball E-Invitation Link: https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=361681&k=0167430F7356
HIANG Seating Committee is: MSgt Aaron H. Silva, Email: aaron.silva.2@us.af.mil
HIARNG Seating Committee is: SFC William K. Kapana, Email: william.k.kapana.mil@mail.mil
Ala Moana Hotel Link (for overnight reservations): https://aws.passkey.com/e/49494031
Webmaster Comments: The planning committee has worked for several months to make this event a success. The menu selections look inviting and the scheduled entertainment – Kapena – will be great. They have representatives to coordinate seating and arranged for special rates at the Ala Moana Hotel if you want to stay overnight.
Several hundred people have already committed to attend. Many have expressed a desire to attend but missed the registration deadline. The committee has extended the deadline to accommodate any late registrations.
From the Lonely Planet website
Draw up your travel plans for next year with our definitive list of must-visit countries, regions, cities and best value destinations for 2018.
From the Military.com website
The end of the year is when many families wrap up financial matters, make charitable donations, and collect tax-related documents. If you have TRICARE health insurance, the last quarter of the year also begins open enrollment season. Every year, you get to make elections for your health care, but this year there are special issues that demand your attention.
Here are five tips to help you stay ahead of important TRICARE deadlines.
