Stephen Lum has graciously agreed to share his extensive research files about the Hawai‘i National Guard. “My Back Pages” will be the name of Steve’s articles appearing in Retiree News. These articles will document Hawai‘i Guard history and preserve the historical information for future reference.
Over the years, Steve had worked on annual reports, the pūpūkahi and other documents. His research produced in depth articles about the Hawai‘i National Guard and individual Guard members.
His previous contributions to the Retiree News website include the photos and biographies of all the adjutants general and the senior enlisted advisors.
Steve retired as a master sergeant from the Hawai‘i Army National Guard in 2008. He served for over 37 years. His interest in Guard history began shortly after he enlisted in 1970. He began working full time in the Public Affairs Office of the State Department of Defense in 1985 and continues there today.
Steve is a second-generation Guard member. His father, Master Sergeant George K.C. Lum served during World War II and the ensuing years.
Retiree News extends a Mahalo Nui Loa to Steve for sharing his historical research. His “My Back Pages” articles will provide readers with an informed look back at the history of the Hawai‘i National Guard.
As you journey toward your end, “dreading and hoping all,” to quote Yeats, there is a lot to ponder.
Assuming that you have fully documented your intentions for your estate and charitable giving, there is the looming and difficult subject of death planning. For most, it’s akin to doing taxes and having a root canal in the same day.
Although death planning can be emotionally vexing, it is essential for families and survivors. They may not know your true intentions without written directives. By the time the will is read or estate plan executed, it will be too late.
Continue reading http://ow.ly/x42NL
Memorial Day sales typically offer great savings opportunities on a variety of items. Some of the best deals in 2014 will be on spring clothing, appliances and mattresses, says Offers.com Vice President Howard Schaffer. Retailers trying to unload warm-weather apparel that didn’t sell because of the prolonged cold weather will offer discounts of up to 80%, as well as coupons that will bring down prices even more. And Schaffer says that consumers can save 30% to 70% on appliances and mattresses during Memorial Day sales. Residents of Texas can save even more if they take advantage of the sales-tax holiday on Energy Star appliances and products May 24-26.
Read more at http://ow.ly/x5lkF
National Hurricane Preparedness Week begins on May 25 and extends through May 31.It highlights the importance of planning ahead to protect families and secure homes and communities in advance of the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 to November 30.
This hurricane season, FEMA invites families, individuals, communities and businesses to take action to join America’s PrepareAthon!, a national community-based campaign for action to increase emergency preparedness and resilience. More than ever, it takes the whole community’s participation to build resiliency. FEMA encourages everyone to prepare now and know what do before, during and after a hurricane makes landfall.
Practicing what to do in an emergency in advance of the event can make a difference in the ability to take immediate and informed action, which, in turn, enables them to recover more quickly. More information about preparing for hurricanes is available at www.ready.gov.
Please note that here in Hawai‘i, we need to stock water and supplies for at least 7-10 days. Most government websites recommend 3 days, and that is a reasonable supply if you live on the continental United States. Hawai‘i remains dependent on container ships that take 7 days to get to Hawai‘i from Oakland or Los Angeles.
Save the Date on your calendars!
The annual Hawai‘i National Guard Birthday Celebration
Date: Friday, December 12, 2014 Place: Hilton Hawaiian VillageRetiree News will post more detailed information as the event draws closer.
The Chair of this year’s celebration is MAJ Joshua Jacobs. He serves as the commander of the Regional Training Site – Maintenance.
Retirees who want to assist in the planning of this annual event can contact MAJ Jacobs at 808.672.1647 or joshua.a.jacobs.mil@mail.mil
Clearing out the clutter — from old tax returns to clothes you don’t wear to keepsakes that are no longer meaningful to you — can be a wonderful gift to yourself and your family, organizing experts say.
Linda Hetzer, co-author of Moving On: A Practical Guide to Downsizing the Family Home with Janet Hulstrand, has talked to hundreds of people about paring down what they own, and she remembers one retired woman who went through all of her belongings, sold some of them and gave away many other things. When asked why she had done it, she said, “I am doing this for my children. I don’t want them to have do it. It’s a gift.”
“We can keep the memories and get rid of the stuff,” Hetzer says.
In fact, half of people around the world say they could live happily without most of the items they own, according to a new survey of 10,574 adults ages 16 and up in 29 nations. And two-thirds say they make it a point to get rid of unneeded possessions at least once a year, say the findings, released Tuesday by Havas Worldwide.
Retirement is an ideal time to declutter, experts say. “You don’t want to leave your kids a big mess,” says New York City organizing expert Julie Morgenstern, author of Shed Your Stuff, Change Your Life.
Read more http://ow.ly/x3XSJ
Thanks to these Retiree Newsreaders who registered to “Follow Blog via Email”: Judy Deeken McManus, Joyce Venus, Greg and Geri Ing, Harold Fujii
If your residence or business is in a flood prone area, this article provides an update to the new National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Program.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides coverage against flood damage and can ensure that a flood doesn’t bring financial ruin. Flooding can happen at any time in virtually any location and unlike other natural hazards, flood damage is not covered by a homeowners insurance policy. While certain areas may be more prone to flooding – especially those in coastal areas or riverine environments – history has shown that almost no place is immune. Since standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding, it is important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that impact the United States.
Congress created the NFIP in 1968 to help provide a means for property owners to financially protect themselves. It is a self-supported program that is not funded by tax revenue. The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP. Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA requirements to reduce the risk of flooding. Currently, there are more than 5.5 million policy holders and 21,000 participating communities which agree to enforce minimum flood plain standards, flood maps and other ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA requirements to reduce the risk of flooding.
Typically, NFIP policies have a 30-day waiting period prior to the policy going into effect. Therefore, the policy should not be purchased only if flooding appears imminent but rather it should be viewed as protection against a continuing threat. On average, the flood insurance premium nationwide is about $700 a year, which is less than $2 a day for financial protection from what could be devastating effects of a flood to one’s home or business.
In March 2014, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act was signed into law. More information about flood insurance reform can be found at www.fema.gov/flood-insurance-reform. FEMA will continue to provide updates about the changes as they become available.
For more information about flood damage risks and flood insurance, visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419 to find an agent in your area.
Chevalier “Chevy” Renken, 52, of Honolulu, a mason and a Hawai‘i Army National Guard veteran, passed away on April 21, 2014. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Karen; son Isaiah; daughters Chevelle, Porsche and Mercedes; brother Elmore; sisters Diana Mahi and Joanna, Penny, Cindy and Bonnie Renken; and four grandchildren
The Social Security Administration is planning to resume mailing Social Security statements to some workers beginning in September 2014. The paper statements will be sent to workers ages 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 who are not registered for online statements or currently receiving benefits. These previously annual mailings to workers were suspended in April 2011 to save money, and the ability to view statements online was added in May 2012. Here’s how to make the most of your benefit statement.
Read more http://ow.ly/wM55m
The Hawaiian Islands seen from the air in 1930, from the Internet Archive, a website run by the Penn Museum. The long name is the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. http://j.mp/1gV61mz
Information taken from a Twitter post by Ryan Ozawa https://twitter.com/hawaii
The Military Affairs Council (MAC) of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii today joined Governor Neil Abercrombie in a proclamation ceremony designating May 2014 as the 29th Annual Hawaii Military Appreciation Month and to honor service men and women from the U.S. Pacific Command and the component commands for the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Hawaii National Guard for their community service contributions. Read more http://ow.ly/wLIgQ
The Honolulu Star Advertiser published a pull out section on Military Appreciation Month. Go to: http://ow.ly/wLImU
View the electronic copy of the Winter/Spring 2014 Hawaii Military Guard. This is the guide for military personnel transferring to Hawaii. The guide provides a complete summary of base services available.
Have patience, it is a slow load. Use the thumbnail view (first icon on the bottom left when the guide loads) to move quicker through the guide.
All seven members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff testified Tuesday on the need to slow growth in military compensation and apply dollars saved to underfunded readiness accounts for training, equipment and spare parts.
But their united front for easing current budget burdens cracked over the notion of slashing savings for commissary shoppers.
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos called the proposal to cut commissary appropriations, from $1.4 billion yearly down to $400 million within three years, and the projected cut in average shopper savings from 30 percent down to 10 percent, “a sore point for me.”
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