That New York City is home to the most millionaires in the U.S. probably doesn’t come as a shock. More surprising is the fact that the place with the highest concentration of millionaires as a percentage of households is not the Big Apple but rather a tiny town in New Mexico.
Find out if Hawaii’s listed http://ow.ly/yz6jh
The Social Security Administration has new “my Social Security” online services. If you currently receive benefits, you now can get a benefit verification letter; change your address and phone number; and start or change your direct deposit. That’s in addition to accessing your earnings record and viewing benefit estimates if you do not currently receive benefits.
People age 18 and older who are not receiving benefits can sign up for a my Social Security account to get a personalized online Social Security Statement. The online Statement provides eligible workers with secure and convenient access to their Social Security earnings and benefit information, and estimates of future benefits they can use to plan for their retirement. In addition, the portal also includes links to information about other online services, such as applications for retirement, disability and Medicare.
For more information, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount
This year’s primary election is on Saturday, August 9, 2014, with the general election on Tuesday, November 4, 2014. Everyone has a candidate(s) they support, and some volunteer to work on their election campaigns. But the State’s ongoing “Get Out to Vote” campaign says it all.
If you are interested in permanent absentee voting and other important voter information go to www.hawaii.gov/elections
Ricky Rikio Miyashiro, 61, of Honolulu, a retired Army National Guard sergeant and owner of Ricky’s Repair & Service Co., passed away on June 24, 2014. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by mother Sally Y., brother Steven I. and sister Verna S.
From the KITV News video report:
After fighting in two wars – a Hawai‘i National Guard soldier is in a fight for his life – against leukemia. KITV’s Paul Drewes shares his story…. and the support now rallying around him.
After another successful return from Afghanistan for the soldiers of the Hawai‘i Army National Guard, the bad news hit once they were home.
“It was a shock when we got back from Afghanistan and Mr. Warrnnee Gagay was diagnosed with leukemia.”
View the entire news report video http://ow.ly/z94tz
Brian Choy was a member of the 229th Medical Company (Company B, 29th Support Battalion now the Company C) in the 1970. The company was located at the Honolulu Police Department site near Diamond Head Memorial Park. He was a cook/baker with the unit. Midweek featured Brian, now a master lei maker in a recent issue.
Contributing editor Stephen Lum served with the 229th in the 70s as a member of the mess section.
Brian Choy loves making lei – from planting the seeds to picking the flowers to stringing blossoms and greens together. He’s studied lei making for years, and Saturday and Sunday at Honolulu Academy of Art School, he’ll lead educational sessions, with hula and other fun activities also planned.
Read more http://ow.ly/z4G17
Thanks to these Retiree News readers who registered to “Follow Blog via Email”: Bruce Hidano, Dan Oshiro, Gerald Usagawa, Elizabeth Jameson, Nathan Watanabe
Thanks for the following new registered readers whose email address did not include a recognizable name: chun43, a3rd47th
You can register to receive an email every time there is a new post. In the “Follow Blog 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.
Earlier this year, COL Suzanne Vares-Lum, announced that the Secretary of the Army approved the new instructor badges designed by MSG Dana Mueller. He is a staff member at the HQ 298th Regiment, Multifunctional Training Unit, Regional Training Institute.
The badges, which the Army started issuing in late spring in Basic, Senior and Master designs, recognize the professionalism of active and reserve soldiers who serve as instructors in the Noncommissioned Officer Education System. Eligibility for the award of the instructor badges is based on an instructor’s time in the classroom and the completion of certain training and professional certification events. When awarded, these badges come with promotion points for active duty soldiers.
Congratulations to MSG Mueller!
Following are photos of the three new Instructor Badges designed by MSG Mueller.
When it comes to footwear, flip-flops are a summer staple. While they may feel comfortable on a daily basis, they can cause serious foot, hip, knee, and back injuries. In fact, many experts say flip-flops are among the most dangerous shoes out there. Lack of support can cause critical problems in the arch and heel of the foot, including plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of tissue on the bottom of the foot.
Wearing flip-flops can also cause bone problems. Long-term arch and heel pain can lead to bone spurs and, believe it or not, flip-flops can actually alter the way you walk! Shorter strides cause our toes to crunch up tightly to hang on to the sandal. All of this leads to hip, knee, and back pain.
Continue reading http://ow.ly/yQ6qC
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) will mark Military Consumer Protection Day (MCPD) on July 16, 2014, by hosting a Consumer and Financial Protection Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Navy Exchange (NEX) at 4725 Bougainville Dr.
Governor Neil Abercrombie has signed a proclamation declaring July 16, 2014, as Military Consumer Protection Day in Hawaii.
MCPD is a joint initiative between the state and federal agencies to empower active and retired service members, military families, veterans, and civilians in the community. With frequent relocations and deployments, military families face unique challenges and are prime targets for scam artists.
“I have asked the DCCA to ensure the department is reaching out to Hawaii’s military community to protect those who protect us,” Abercrombie said. “One of DCCA’s main missions is to inform the public about the potential pitfalls and dangers that come with consumer fraud.”
“The purpose of MCPD is to promote consumer and financial protection education by providing free information that will help protect people’s privacy, manage their money and debt, and avoid identity theft, frauds and scams,” said DCCA Director Kealii Lopez. “We encourage our military community and island residents to attend the free fair as a one-stop shop for consumer resources. We will have representatives from over two dozen government and nonprofit agencies available to answer questions.”
The MCPD website, http://www.military.ncpw.gov, has myriad of tools people can use to recognize a rip-off, sniff out a scam, and make smart choices in today’s market. Individuals wanting more information about consumer and financial protection issues will also have the chance to discuss their concerns face-to-face with representatives at the MCPD fair.
Free document shredding will be provided on site during the fair. As one line of defense to identity theft, consumers can bring their unwanted confidential documents to be shredded. There is a limit of two boxes per household or organization.
Agencies participating in the July 16 MCPD Fair include:
· Access
· Army Community Service, Financial Resilience Center
· Better Business Bureau
· Honolulu City and County Elderly Affairs Division
· Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Hawaii
· Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
· Department of the Attorney General
· Hawaii Homeownership Center
· Hawaii National Guard State Family Programs
· Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
· Hickam FCU
· Internal Revenue Service
· IRS – Taxpayer Advocate Service
· Marine Corps Community Services of Hawaii – Personal Financial Management Program
· Military Family Support Center
· Pearl Harbor FCU
· Regional Legal Service Office Hawaii
· Small Business Administration
· Senior Medical Patrol (SMP Hawaii)
· Social Security Administration
· University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service
· U.S. Postal Service
· State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)
o Consumer Education Program
o Division of Consumer Advocacy
o Insurance Division
o Office of Consumer Protection
o Office of the Securities Commissioner
o Regulated Industries Complaints Office
o State Certified Arbitration Program
DCCA is made up of 12 divisions and offices designed to promote a strong and healthy business environment while protecting the community from unfair and deceptive business practices.
Brent SuyamaDCCA Communications Officer
808-586-7582
bsuyama@dcca.hawaii.gov www.cca.hawaii.gov
Good news: Several studies have shown heart attacks and heart attack symptoms, such as chest pain, are less common during the summer months and more common in winter. One theory to explain the higher number of winter heart attacks is that blood clots form more quickly in colder temperatures. A blood clot inside a coronary artery can cause heart attack symptoms.
Continue reading http://ow.ly/yQ651
The Air Force Magazine website, www.airforcemag.com, has undergone a complete redesign to provide a more user-friendly and interactive experience for aerospace professionals and all readers of the magazine Air Force Magazine is AFA’s flagship publication and one of the world’s foremost publications in the fields of defense and aerospace reporting. From Air Force operations, programs, and people to the exploits of Air Force heroes, Air Force Magazine reports on important aerospace news and developments and provides authoritative background material.
The new site features comprehensive in-depth articles, the Daily Report, Airpower Classics entries, Air Frame photos, special collections, congressional testimony, documents, transcripts, and the Air Force Magazine archive. Readers can also more easily share Daily Report entries across Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit.
The new site includes a members-only area that makes some online content available to AFA members only. For AFA members who have established a login for www.afa.org, the same login will give access to Air Force Magazine website content.
click on photograph to enlarge
This photo shows aircrew from the 199th Fighter Squadron discussing tactics. From the left: Darryl “Yobo” Chung, Dale Tengan, Richard Tsuchiya, Clyde Torigoe. Judging from the F-4C Phantom models used and the individual ranks, this photo was probably taken in the early 1980s. They are all retired from the Hawai‘i Air National Guard.
This photograph and comments previously appeared in the e-newsletter version of Retiree News
The Hawai‘i Air National Guard commander, Brigadier General Ryan Okahara has realigned the remaining 201st Combat Communications units effective July 9, 2014. The action authority was AFI 38-101 and NGB/A1M OAL 14-18, 27 May 2014. These actions follow the deactivation of the Headquarters, 201st Combat Communications Group under the National Guard Bureau’s realignment actions nationwide.
– The 201st Intelligence Squadron and the 297th Air Traffic Control Squadron will now be part of the 154th Operations Group, 154th Wing.
– The 291st Combat Communications Squadron (Hilo), 292d Combat Communications Squadron (Maui) and the 293d Combat Communications Squadron (Kauai) will be part of the 154th Mission Support Group, 154th Wing
– With concurrence of NGB/A6, the Eagle Vision 5 package will become part of the 154th Communications Flight, 154th Mission Support Group.
Brigadier General Okahara’s memorandum HIANG Re-Alignment of CCG Units
The Department of the Air Force deactivated the Headquarters, 201st Combat Communications Group on June 1, 2014. The assigned technicians and AGRs transferred to new positions in other HIANG units. Traditional Guardmembers were placed in other HIANG units, while others retired.
DAF Memorandum HQ 201 CCG Inactivation
