Across the nation, hundreds of thousands of taxpayers who are expecting refunds this month are instead getting letters informing them that because of a debt they never knew about – often a debt incurred by their parents – the government has confiscated their check.
Read more http://ow.ly/vNnQM
What one husband learned preparing for his wife’s impending death.
“What mortuary are you planning to use?”
Those are the last words a caregiver wants to hear when checking a loved one into hospice care, whether at home or in a specialized facility. The decision to enter hospice care already carries a sense of defeat. It means you generally aren’t going to try to save your loved one, but rather, seek to spare the person as much pain as possible on the impending road toward death.
The mortuary question evokes a hole in the cold, hard ground.
The hospice social worker who asked me that question when my wife recently entered hospice care understood that it blindsided me. I felt dazed and told her that I hadn’t thought that far ahead. She graciously moved down the intake form. But before leaving, she did me a favor by suggesting that I take care of the burial arrangements for Liz — who has frontotemporal dementia — as soon as possible.
Continue reading http://ow.ly/vNmAC
The National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) released the following statement by retired Maj. Gen. Gus Hargett, the NGAUS president:
“Nothing seems more distasteful to Army leaders these days than the notion of Congress creating a commission to take an outside look at how best to structure the force for 2020 and beyond.
“At recent congressional hearings and to reporters, the Army chief of staff and vice chief of staff quickly dismissed ? often angrily ? any merit to the idea. This begs an obvious question: Why are Army leaders so afraid of a commission?
“The answer is equally obvious.
“An independent look at the Army’s five-year budget plan, a scheme that briefed well inside the Pentagon, completely falls apart at contact with reality. It will become quickly apparent that it is a scheme built on a foundation of inflated active-component Army training and readiness in order to devalue the future capabilities of the Army National Guard.
“An unbiased review also would show that shifting all of the Army National Guard’s Apache attack helicopters to the active component saves no money while squandering the Total Army’s most experienced Apache pilots and maintainers. And contrary to what Army leaders told Congress last week, it would reveal that not one governor or adjutant general favors the Army Aviation Restructuring Initiative.
“And that’s just the beginning of what Army leaders have to fear from an independent commission. Such a look would show that the Army five-year budget plan clearly sacrifices the Total Force and the Army’s strategic depth in order to maintain the size and relevancy of the active component.
“Even General Frank J. Grass, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, was able to get around what appeared to be a Pentagon gag order at that Senate Armed Services Committee hearing last week to say that ‘it never hurts to have another look.’ He deflected most other questions.
“At the same hearing, the Army chief staff of staff said taking a year for an independent review could cost up to $1 billion. But rushing forward could cost the nation more. A lot more.
“His real concern, however, would appear not to be a delay or even $1 billion. It’s the possibility that a commission could recommend what many of our NATO allies are already doing: Rely more on reserve forces, like the Guard, to save money while maintaining defense capability.
“We need to do what’s best for America, not just what is best for one military institution.”
A new analysis finds that nearly every state falls short in key areas that measure retirement readiness. The report, recently presented at the National Institute on Retirement Security’s fifth annual retirement policy conference, gauges the relative performance of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in three key areas:
– anticipated retirement income
– major retirement costs like housing and health care
– labor market conditions for older workers.
No state ranks in the top group of states on all eight scorecard variables. The data underlying the scorecard indicate key areas of trouble that affect most or all states. For instance, the highest ranking state for workplace retirement plan participation in 2012 (Iowa) had only 54% of private employees participating in a pension or 401(k).
In addition, the number of states with more than 30% of older households experiencing a housing cost burden increased from 14 to 31 from the year 2000 to 2012.
These are the 10 states that score highest on the financial security scorecard for retirees: http://ow.ly/vNlzt
Nicholas Donald “Nick” Teves, 79, of Kāne‘ohe, a retired Shell Oil dealer, passed away on March 8, 2014. He was born in Honolulu.
He is survived by wife Roberta; daughters Donna and Linda Teves, and Marie-Ann Wetter; brother Gary; sister Sylvia; and seven grandchildren.
Webmaster comments: Nick was a Hawai‘i Air National Guard technician for many years, serving as the instrument-autopilot shop chief during the “Deuce” era. After opening his Shell station in the heart of Kailua town, he transitioned to Traditional Guardmember status and retired a few years later. An astute businessman and a friend.
Thanks to these Retiree News readers who registered to “Follow Blog via Email”: Daniel “Stoney” Stone, Darryl “Yobo” Chung
click on photograph to enlarge
Honolulu – Military veteran organizations, Gold Star families, and key military and civilian officials were invited to the bill signing of HB2071 and HB1770 by Governor Abercrombie, held on Monday, April 7 at 12:00 p.m. in the Governor’s Ceremonial Room at the State Capitol. The bills were introduced by Rep. Mark Takai (D-Aiea), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans, Military, and International Affairs, and Culture and the Arts.
HB2071 designates the last Sunday in September as “Gold Star Family Day.” Rep. Takai stated, “Gold Star Family Day honors the family, friends and colleagues of the fallen who have sacrificed, who themselves have paid a price to preserve our freedoms that we enjoy today.” He added, “This day honors those who have given selflessly to their Nation and its citizenry and to their loved ones who remain.”
HB1770 requires notation of veteran status on state driver’s licenses and identification cards if desired by the applicant. “Through implementing this measure, veterans are able to disclose their status in a convenient manner. This not only improves efficiency but enables veterans to be recognized for their service, thus bestowing upon them the honor and respect they so deserve,” Takai said.
Invited guest speakers included Gold Star Fathers David Brostrom and Allen Hoe. Brostrom lost his son, First Lieutenant Jonathan Brostrom when enemy forces attacked an outpost with small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades in Wanat, Afghanistan. Hoe lost his son, First Lieutenant Nainoa Hoe to sniper fire while leading a foot patrol through Mosul, Iraq. First Lieutenant Jonathan Brostrom was 24 years old and First Lieutenant Nainoa Hoe was 27 years old.
“As members of the Legislature, we are in the unique position to insure the relationship between the military and our various communities remains healthy and continues to grow in positive ways,” Takai stated. “Working together we can and must provide the strong support our men and women in uniform deserve,” Takai added.
Rep Mark Takai is a lieutenant colonel serving with the Hawaii Army National Guard.
The 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery will host an Armory Memorialization Ceremony to officially rename the Battalion’s Wahiawa Armory as the “COL Francis A. I. “Miki” Bowers Armory”. The renaming honors Colonel Bowers’ service and accomplishments throughout his 31-year career as a Citizen-Soldier and member of the “Hiki No” Battalion. It will be a fitting tribute to an exemplarily Hawaiian Citizen/Soldier and a great way to emphasize the link between our current Hiki No Soldiers and past outstanding local Hawai‘i Army National Guard Citizen/Soldiers.
When: May 4, 2014 Time: 1000 Where: 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery Armory RSVP by April 30, 2014 808.672.1621 or ferdinand.r.simon.mil@mail.mil Scheduled to attend are Bowers’ family members, retired generals Dennis Kamimura and Clarence “Mert” Agena, and all the former 1-487 FA commanders and command sergeant majors.
Colonel Francis Andrew Imaikalani “Miki” Bowers, Jr.
In November 1965, Colonel Francis A.I. “Miki” Bowers, Jr. became the first commander of the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery Regiment, 29th Brigade. He remained the commander for over three years.
In 1968, Colonel Bowers and the 1-487 FA received activation orders and deployed to Vietnam as part of the 29th Brigade mobilization. After serving more than a year in Vietnam, he received the Bronze Star (with V device), the Legion of Merit and nine Air Medals.
Colonel Bowers retired from the Hawai‘i Army National Guard on July 7, 1979. He had the distinction of serving as the commander of three different Hawaii Army National Guard battalions during his career. He commanded the 2nd Mission Battalion, 298th Artillery, the 227th Engineer Battalion, and the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery Regiment.
Colonel Bowers had served in both a traditional role as an officer in the Hawai‘i Army National Guard and Army Reserve, and as an enlisted Soldier on Active Duty for a total of 31 years, 7 months, and 1 day.
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Colonel Bowers was a true Citizen-Solider. His civilian career has life achievements that parallel his military career. A Star-Advertiser article by Michael Tsai detailed Miki Bowers’ civilian life and his many accomplishments. He was a true Renaissance man.
The Hawai‘i Air National Guard (HIANG) held its annual “Launa ‘Ole” awards ceremony for outstanding achievement over the past year. Launa ‘Ole means “beyond comparison” or “without peer.”
Among the dignataries at this year’s ceremony were Governor Neil Abercrombie, Colonel (Retired) Walter Kaneakua of Representative Tulsi Gabbard’s office and State Representative Ty Cullen.
DVIDS video http://ow.ly/vAuFp
Congratulations to all of our Hawaii Air National Guard “Launa ‘Ole” Award winners!
Outstanding Airman of the Year
SrA Edward Siaosi, 154th Operations Support Squadron
SrA Ken Hayashi, 201st Intelligence Squadron
Outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year
TSgt Melissa York, 109th Air Operations Group
TSgt Shane Gloor, 154th Security Forces Squadron
Outstanding Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year
MSgt Fred Gebauer, 109th Air Operations Group
MSgt Nicholas Marzan, 154th Security Forces Squadron
Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year
MSgt John Kim, 109th Air Operations Group
Outstanding Company Grade Officer of the Year
Capt Nicole Vazquez, 109th Air Operations Group
1Lt Jonathan Laurion, 201st Intelligence Squadron
Outstanding Field Grade Officer of the Year
Maj Matthew Masuyama, 154th Force Support Squadron
Maj Francis Shen, 109th Air Operations Group
The REMEOs recently took a tour of the new 199th Fighter Squadron operations facility Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. Lt Col Kristof “JAG” Sills conducted the tour.
The REMEOs are retired fighter pilots and navigators who served in the 199th Fighter Squadron. There are flyers from the 1950s through the recent years that have monthly get-togethers. 
click on photograph to enlarge
In the photo above are:
Back row: Harold “Ninja” Fujii, Tai “Mynah” Hong, Joseph “Primo” Ah New, Robert Maguire, Robert “BD” Darrow, Gerrit “Oz” Osborne, William “Rocket” Spillane, Geoffrey “Thunder” Avery, Melvin “Humphrey“ Souza, Kent “KG” Gammel, John “Saigon” Lee, Bruce “Ace” Ellinwood (hidden), Richard Hastings, Ken “Dusty” Sussel
Kneeling: David “DYFL” Lung, John King, Leroy “Stringer” Perry, James “Gooch” Haruguchi
Sitting: Alan “Bizarre” Robinson, Gaylord “Lordy” Dowson, Wayne “Wildman” Wakeman, Harold “Shaka” Schatz
In case you’re wondering ROMEO is the acronym for “Retired Old Men Eating Out”.
Special thanks to Dick Hastings, who provided the photograph and helped with some of the names.
On April 7, 2014, Hawai‘i Air National Guard’s 169th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron changed its name to one that better aligns itself with its mission.
DVIDS video http://ow.ly/vxPQb
The massive 8.2 magnitude earthquake in Chile last week brought on the specter of tsunami hitting Hawai‘i. There were questions about evacuation zones and what exactly to do. Checking during an impending tsunami is not the time to do research.
The Tsunami Hazard Information Service provides residents and visitors of the State of Hawai‘i easy, online access to the State’s tsunami evacuation zone maps as well as information about potential risks, how to prepare, and what to do in the event of a tsunami.
This service was created by the NOAA Pacific Services Center in partnership with the State of Hawai‘i. To find out if you are located in a tsunami evacuation zone, read more http://ow.ly/vpSbR
The Hawai‘i Air National Guard’s Sentry Aloha Team recently wrapped up their largest and most successful aerial exercise to date . This event integrated over ten different flying squadrons, including units from Ohio, Massachusetts, Alaska, California, and Georgia, along with the Active Duty Army and Navy.
The large scale exercise held in the largest Supersonic unrestricted Airspace in the United States allowed the F-22s, F-16s and F-15s to run scenarios where they where largely out numbered and tasked to defend areal assets such as refuelers and cargo aircraft performing air drops. The units executed nearly 400 sorties and racked up thousands of flight training hours during this Sentry Aloha.
DVIDS video http://ow.ly/vAsQi
Air National Guard Video by TSgt Andrew Jackson 154th Wing Public Affairs 808-733-4258 andrew.jackson.3@us.af.mil andrew.jackson.hi@gmail.comEvery wondered about TRICARE Standard, a benefit for retired Guardmembers. For most members, you are covered starting at age 60 (when you get your blue retired ID card) and continues until reach age 65.
Currently TRICARE Standard remains a free benefit. TRICARE is part of the Department of Defense budget, not a standalone program like most Veterans Affairs programs. With budget shrinking, the DoD proposed a fee structure for TRICARE programs in their budget submittal.
The link below connects to the 2014 TRICARE Standard Handbook.
