10-10-2010 Lowcountry Military Retiree News

Lowcountry Military

RETIREE NEWS T

VOL. 2 NO. 10 • FREE • S ERVINg M ILITaRy R ETIREES & V ETERaNS IN ThE L OWcOuNTRy • OcTOBER, 2010 Courtesy of Diggle Publishing - Publishers of the Joint Base Charleston PATRIOT

Convention honors Congressional Medal of Honor winners Of the 3,450 Medals of Honor presented since the Civil War, just 87 are held by living heroes.

Earlier this month, Charleston welcomed 55 of the surviving winners during the annual Medal of Honor Convention.

Hosted by the South Carolina State Guard Foundation and The Citadel, and sponsored by The 2010 Medal of Honor Convention Host Committee, this gathering gave locals the chance to not only honor these heroes, but the opportunity to meet them during an autograph session held aboard the USS Yorktown at the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant.

The Medal of Honor – known unofficially as the Congressional Medal of Honor – is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. The award is generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress.

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samuel W. Goodman

Nicholas Oresko signs autographs at a book signing for the Medal of Honor Convention. Nicholas Oresko (born January 18, 1917) is a former United States Army Soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration (the Medal of Honor) for his actions in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. See photos on page 8.

Military Retiree Appreciation Day slated for Nov. 6 Joint Base Charleston is sponsoring a Military Retiree/Spouse Information Fair and Appreciation Day on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at the Charleston Club beginning at 9:00 a.m. This event is to provide information and to show appreciation to all our military retirees and spouses for their service to our country.

The Commander of Joint Base Charleston will give a briefing on current activities and an update on Joint Base Charleston. The keynote speaker will be from Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). Ms Barbara Perkins will brief on the retired payment system and MyPay

online access. The Honorable Al Cannon, Sherriff of Charleston County, will give a presentation on Homeland Security’s impact on the Charleston area.

Today’s military retiree has a constantly changing environment. There are modifications to existing Federal Programs, as well as additions and changes to benefits and base facilities that affect the retiree and his or her family Medical personnel will provide screenings and representatives from the Legal Office will be on hand to assist retirees.

There will be door prizes, assistance with ID renewal, a health fair and over 25 booths with information to help make

military retirees’ lives a little less stressful.

Contact CMSgt (Ret) Charles Short 843-963-2228 at Charleston AFB or SKC(Ret) George Drury 843-764-7480 NWS Charleston for further information.

The Air Force and Naval Retiree Activities Offices (RAO) serves as an information center for retirees of all military services, their spouses, including those spouses who are widows or widowers and also provides volunteer support to the 628th Air Base Wing activities.

The RAO recruits volunteers to support these base activities.

Published by Diggle Publishing Company • Publishing the Charleston Area’s Military Newspapers Since 1973

www.CharlestonMilitary.com • 843-972-2356 • Email: Chuck@CharlestonMilitary.com

2

EDITORIAL

October 2010

Lowcountry Military Retiree News

Don’t Let Social Media Be Your Holiday Grinch

By Lawrence Loesch Special to the Lowcountry Military Retiree News Social networking is growing and a plethora of online and electronic activity leaves us distracted and vulnerable during the busy holiday season. As Black Friday approaches, historically one of the busiest retail shopping days of the year, a new security concern is the level of information many Americans will share with their digital “friends.” While savvy marketers are using sites such as Facebook, Foursquare, Twitter and others to attract followers to their venues, thousands of people are “friending” virtual strangers and sharing intimate details of their daily habits including vacations and planned shopping expeditions. Digitally announcing plans could result in virtual “friends” discovering the optimal time to break into your home or office.

As a former Deputy Chief for the NYC Police Department and Vice President and General Manager for AlliedBarton Security Services, America’s leading physical security services firm, I believe it is important to be vigilant that our social media actions don’t create the opportunity for crime. I offer the following five tips to ensure a safer shopping experience minus the arrival of the social media grinch: 1) Be a Square on Foursquare and Facebook –Foursquare is a location-based social networking website founded last year that has surpassed over 3 million user registrations. Foursquare users “check-in” at physical venues using a mobile website, text messaging or a device-specific application. They are awarded points, and the user who visits a venue the most frequently becomes its virtual “mayor.” Finding out about new clubs or unique sales is exciting, but not at the expense of personal safety. While it is tempting to gather as many “friends” as possible on sites such as Foursquare

and Facebook, be conservative about the friends you accept. If you have never heard of someone who asks to “friend” you, decline. This virtual friend could be a stalker, or burglar. Telling strangers your schedule or location is tantamount to leaving your home unlocked while away. You’re making it easy to become a victim.

2) Don’t Walk or Drive While Texting - While the tragedy of driving and texting has received national attention, fewer people are aware of the perils of walking and texting. Some people become so preoccupied with emailing and text messaging on mobile devices that they can't make it down the block without crashing into other people or objects.

Emergency rooms are seeing more patients with injuries resulting from texting while walking or driving, and distracted texters are far more vulnerable to being robbed. If you are texting, focus on texting in a safe situation and stop other activities.

3) Don’t Get Personal Online – Many social media enthusiasts divulge far too much personal information online making it easier than ever to steal another person’s identity and tap into their credit lines. Many criminals can easily find names, birth dates, school and work history, and even home and work addresses for anyone.

When identifying aspects of our lives are readily available online, identity theft can rear its ugly head.

Whether you are connecting with friends or searching for gift ideas, be selective about what you share.

4) Don’t Be Spoofed by Phishers– ‘Tis the season to be jolly for scam artists who send emails with links to fake sites where they solicit credit card or other personal information. Spoof websites are designed to mimic the look of the genuine site and created to trick you into

sharing your information. The thief will generally email a message – referred to as phishing - saying that "you won a prize,” or "we require additional information." Be careful when shopping online. Email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information. Many phishers forge security icons so think before you click and share. Never click on a link from a potential spoof email. Forward it to spam@uce.gov and to the company, bank, or organization being impersonated.

5) Keep your Cyber Guard Up – Internet criminals often extract personal information from social networking sites by stealing passwords and by employing malware, which is malicious software that can secretly access a computer system without the owner's consent or knowledge. During the busy holiday season, don’t overlook the importance of standard maintenance. Keep your cyber guard up by ensuring your operating system and antivirus software is updated.

Social networking sites provide a wonderful opportunity to strengthen family and community ties. But don’t take the chance of making stalkers out of strangers by “friending” people you don’t know or creating an opportunity for theft by sharing too much information. While criminals are most prolific during the holidays, effective online safety requires a conscious awareness every day.

About the Author: Lawrence F. Loesch is Vice President/General Manager for AlliedBarton Security Services’ New York City region. Loesch served as a Deputy Chief for the NYC Police Department and has held corporate security positions for Credit Suisse First Boston and UBS/Paine Webber. He can be reached at: Larry.Loesch@alliedbarton.com.

The Lowcountry Military Retirees News is online and can be viewed or downloaded as a PDF at www.CharlestonMilitary.com

Please thank our advertisers for their support. Say, “I Saw It In The Military Retiree News!”

Interested in having the Retiree News distributed at your retail location? Call 972-2356.

The Lowcountry Military Retiree News is published every month by Diggle Publishing Co., (843) 4125861, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. government or U.S. military. Diggle Publishing Co. also publishes the base newspapers for the Charleston Air Force Base and the Naval Weapons Station.

Contents of the Lowcountry Military Retiree News are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by

Diggle Publishing Co. or any branch of the U.S. military services. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.

Editorial content is edited and prepared by Diggle Publishing Company. Sourced articles are provided by The Baguio RAO Bulletin. Other articles are submitted

by the Retiree Activities Office of the CAFB or NWS. Some articles are reprinted by permission of the Public Affairs Offices of CAFB and NWS. The deadline for submitting stories for space-available publication is ten (10) days before the end of the month for the following month’s publication. Our staff reserves the right to edit all copy submitted for publication.

Advertising space deadline: Ten (10) days prior to the end of the month for the following month’s publication. Advertising materials deadline: Five (5) days prior to the end of the month.

For more information, call 843-412-5861.

Advertising / Editorial Contacts Classified and display advertisements may be referred to Diggle Publishing Company, P.O. Box 2016, Mount Pleasant, S.C., 29465. To find out display ad rates, go to www.CharlestonMilitary.com or visit www.Diggle Pub.com. Phone: 843-412-5861 • Fax: 843-856-0358. Email: Chuck@CharlestonMilitary.com Publisher: Charles Diggle Editorial Advisors: Charles W. Short, CMSgt, USAF (ret), Retiree Affairs Office, CAFB / Art Foster, Volunteer Director, Retired Activity Office, MCAS Beaufort Editorial & Sales: Chuck Diggle Sales & Distribution: Sam Diggle

Lowcountry Military Retiree News

LOCAL BASE NEWS

October 2010

3

Air Force, Navy reach full operational capability on Joint Base Charleston

By Staff Sgt. Daniel Bowles Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs Come hail or high water, there was no stopping this train. Amidst a week of preparation, perspiration and rain, Joint Base Charleston officially achieved its long-awaited full operational capability Oct. 1.

At fourth and goal, the final week was a long way from initial operating capability, which began in January 2010 with stand up of the 628th Air Base Wing. Countdown complete, JB CHS has arrived at FOC ready to enter the new fiscal year as a fully operational joint base.

The inaugural day signifies a new chapter in South Carolina's Lowcountry military history at a time when senior U.S. military officials have said more is being asked of members of the Department of Defense than ever. Home to heroes of the wars of the 20th century and with history dating back to the Revolutionary War, the seeds of change fell on fertile ground in Charleston and have taken root.

JB CHS combines two historic bases into a single joint installation to support both Air Force and Navy missions, along with tenant commands, and all service members and their families. Capitalizing on best practices of both services, the base will continue to capture identified efficiencies, enhance warfighting readiness and maximize delivery of throughout the joint base.

Deservingly, inaugural day may have come with sigh of relief for some, as a day to celebrate or a welcome opportunity to reflect on past accomplishments. However the men and women of JB CHS chose to greet the day, one man in particular sees possibilities beyond what is past or present for Charleston. He calls the vision "continuous improvement."

Years from now, FOC celebrations long gone, the greatest result from the joint basing venture will be the people who've come and gone who can say they have bettered from it, and it from them, said U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor Charleston's Joint Basing Navy Rear Adm. Tim Alexander talks about the history of Naval Weapons Coordinator Lt. Col. Kevin Riley.

Station Charleston at the Joint Base Charleston inaugural ceremony Oct. 1, His beat on the joint base scene 2010, on the JB CHS-Weapons Station. Other guest speakers and distinguished began early on, in May 2007. He guests included 18th Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, 628th Air has observed nearly every chalBase Wing Commander Col. Martha Meeker, 628 ABW Deputy Commander lenge leading up to FOC. Navy Capt. Ralph Ward, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham and U.S. Congressman In his eyes, which have seen Henry Brown. Admiral Alexander is the Naval Region Southeast Commander. their fair share, the narrow road to installation support services that "true measure of success," he said, parallels the path of continuous improvement for all of Joint Team Charleston.

Are You at Risk for PAD? Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) occurs when extra cholesterol and other fats circulating in the blood collect in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to your limbs. This buildup – called plaque – narrows your arteries, often reducing or blocking blood flow. PAD is most commonly seen in the legs.

Nearly 75% of the people with PAD do not experience symptoms. Knowing the facts can save your life.

What puts you at risk for PAD? • Over the age of 50 • Diabetes • Current or past smoker • High blood pressure • High cholesterol • History of vascular disease, heart attack or stroke If you are concerned about PAD, call 402-CARE for a free doctor referral to the Roper St. Francis Heart & Vascular Center.

www.rsfh.com/heartandvascular

4

October 2010

LOCAL NEWS

Lowcountry Military Retiree News

October 21 session for citizens to learn about county government Learn how your tax dollars are spent – free, final quarterly session offers public insight into county government Charleston County Government is inviting residents into the classroom one last time this year, and the subject is local government.

For residents who want to know where their tax dollars go, the Charleston County Citizens’ Academy is offering the final of this year’s free, quarterly sessions on different topics to provide residents with a further understanding of county government.

The final quarterly session will be held on Thursday, Oct. 21, with separate morning and afternoon sessions.

Residents may attend one or both of the sessions. The first three sessions were held on March 9, May 4 and July 20.

October 21 Morning Session, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.: County Services Location: Charleston County Emergency Operations Center (4045 Bridge View Drive; North Charleston)

Topics: • Transportation Sales Tax: RoadWise / Greenbelts • Mosquito Control • Zoning / Comprehensive Plan • Environmental Management Moderators: Kurt Taylor, Charleston County Deputy Administrator; Walt Smalls, Charleston County Assistant Administrator for General Services October 21 Afternoon Session, 1-5 p.m.: Community Services II Location: Trident One Stop Career Center (1930 Hanahan Road # 200; North Charleston) Topics: • Grants Development • Urban Entitlement • Stimulus Funding (ARRA)

• Workforce Development • Trident One Stop Career System and tour Moderator: Christine DuRant, Charleston County Community Services Director Citizens’ Academy is offered as one-day sessions on a quarterly basis. Topics throughout the year include the county budgeting process, garbage and recycling, law enforcement, the court system, emergency services, planning and zoning, and much more.

There is no formal registration required for the workshops; however, County staff would like to have an idea of the number of people who plan to attend the morning and/or afternoon sessions.

Residents should e-mail Mai Green at maigreen@charlestoncounty.org or call (843) 958-4000 if they plan to attend.

Charleston County reminds citizens of important election dates, deadlines The Charleston County Board of Elections and Voter Registration (BEVR) office reminds the public of important dates regarding the upcoming election on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010: • Saturday, Oct. 2 (now past): Deadline to register to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 2, 2010 General Election.

• Friday, Oct. 29: Deadline for mailing absentee ballots. For more information on absentee voting, visit: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/BEVR/absentee.htm • Saturday, Oct. 30: Board of Elections and Voter Registration office will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information on the location, visit: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/BEVR/index.htm#contact • Monday, Nov. 1: Deadline for in-person absentee voting is 5 p.m. For more information on absentee voting, visit: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/ BEVR/absentee.htm • Tuesday, Nov. 2: Election Day polls are open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. 7 p.m. is the deadline for absentee ballots to be returned. For more information on voting on Election Day, visit: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/BEVR/voting.htm.

• Friday, Nov. 5: Challenge/provisional ballot hearing and certification at 10 a.m. at the Elections Office located at 4367 Headquarters Road in North Charleston.

Charleston County recently announced that 400 more poll managers are needed to adequately conduct the Nov. 2 election. Poll managers are compensated $120 ($60 for training and $60 for working on Election Day) for each election they work, and they must work Election Day to be paid for the training session.

For more information on being a poll manager, visit: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/BEVR/pm.htm.

To download an application and employment verification form, visit: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/BEVR/D-Vote_PollMgr.htm.

For information on advertising, please visit www.CharlestonMilitary.com or call 843-972-2356

For any election related questions, contact BEVR as follows: Visit the Web site at http://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/BEVR/index.htm.

By e-mail at electionworkers@charlestoncounty.org By phone at (843) 974-6421

Lowcountry Military Retiree News

LOCAL NEWS

October 2010

5

Red Bank Road gets a much needed face lift

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jennifer R. Hudson Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs If you're stationed in Charleston, there is a good chance that at some point during your tour you're going to drive down Red Bank Road in Goose Creek en-route to Joint Base Charleston-Weapons Station.

Filled with pot holes, this two lane stretch of road has long been the nemesis of many a local Sailor and a boon to the pocket books of many auto mechanics. And, nothing says "Charleston summer" more than sitting in 100 degree heat waiting for emergency vehicles to clear an accident while traffic is at a standstill. But there is good

news to report; improvements are on the way.

Through recent funding, Red Bank Road is being repaved as construction crews work to widen the road. The South Carolina Department of Transportation is tackling the problem with a $1.3 million budget.

"It is great they are finally re-paving the road," said Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Chris Fitch. "The morning traffic can get really bad and there are not many alternatives to getting to where we need to go, especially if you are going to the main gate."

Despite rumors of more extensive renovations, SCDOT is only resurfacing Red Bank Road as well as widening the road two feet in order make the ride a little more comfortable for drivers.

No vehicle decals now required at Weapons Station Charleston By order of the Joint Base Charleston commander, vehicle decals will no longer be required to gain entry to the Weapons Station. Effective Oct. 1, 2010, access to both sides of Joint Base Charleston will require drivers to present a valid Department of Defense identification card. Additionally, all Air Base motorcyclists are reminded of the mandate to apply for a motorcycle identification card to ensure continued base access. Applications for cards are submitted through the 628th Air Base Wing Safety Office.

U.S. Air Force graphic

"Red Bank Road has always been a little rough and now the road is definitely friendlier on my suspension and front end alignment; a much smoother ride," said Naval Support Activity Command Master Chief Billy Cady.

The construction will have minimal impact on Joint Base Charleston-Weapons Station commuters as most work will be done between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Drivers need to reduce their speed when approaching the construction zone and watch for moving equipment.

The project is expected to be completed mid-October weather permitting.

Join H2U Today and Begin Your Journey to a Healthier Happier You.

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For more information, call 843.847.5068, or visit www.TridentHealthSystem.com.

TRICARE NEWS Successful Medicare and TRICARE pilot project scheduled to end this Fall

6

Lowcountry Military Retiree News

October 2010

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – TRICARE’s participation in a Medicare pilot project allowing TRICARE For Life beneficiaries living in South Carolina to maintain their health records electronically through an electronic personal health record (PHR) will soon be complete. The successful pilot project with My Personal Health Record, South Carolina (MyPHRSC) draws to a close Sept. 30, 2010.

“We are very pleased with our participation in the MyPHRSC pilot project and feel that the partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) gave our beneficiaries direct access to important health data,” said Rear Adm. Christine Hunter, deputy director, TRICARE Management Activity. “The pilot provided us with important information on how to securely and safely exchange data between systems.”

MyPHRSC gives users access to their Medicare information from the past 24 months, including medical conditions, hospitalizations and doctor visits. The tool also allows users to enter their own information such as medications, allergies and notes about the services they have received. CMS ensures strict privacy and security safeguards to protect all user data.

In January 2009, an agreement between

Medicare and the Department of Defense (DoD) allowed Medicare-eligible TRICARE beneficiaries in South Carolina to add TRICARE For Life pharmacy data to their PHR through a secure download from the DoD. The DoD notified CMS in May it had met DoD’s goals for participating in the pilot project.

During the pilot project 278 TRICARE for Life beneficiaries participated in MyPHRSC and added their TRICARE pharmacy data to their PHRs. TRICARE’s involvement in this pilot project provided valuable experience in the secure exchange of health information.

The DoD is working towards making more personal health data available to TRICARE beneficiaries in the coming years. Beneficiaries currently have access to a secure PHR through TRICARE Online (www.tricareonline.com). They may save select personal health data such as medication, allergy and demographic information to a Portable Document Format (PDF) file on their computer.

Although the TRICARE For Life pharmacy data is no longer available for the Medicare pilot project, eligible Medicare beneficiaries in South Carolina may continue to register for MyPHRSC at www.myphrsc.com.

Are you an OEF/OIF Veteran or Service Member?

Have you ever served in OEF/OIF?

If so, did you experience a traumatic event, such as combat or a serious injury? Do you find that you are still affected by it? Such as, do you notice that you feel jumpy, irritable or on guard?

Do you avoid situations that remind you of what happened, or have nightmares or unwanted memories of it?

And do you find that you drink alcohol or use drugs to help cope with how it affects you or to decrease tension?

If you are at least 18 years old, you may be eligible to participate in a brief, non-treatment research study being conducted by MUSC. You will be compensated for your time and information is kept strictly confidential.

If interested, call Amanda at 876-0736 for more information.

Please thank our advertisers for their support. Say, “I Saw It In The Military Retiree News!”

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TRICARE NEWS

Lowcountry Military Retiree News

October 2010

7

Bugged by bedbugs? TRICARE has answers

By Sharon Foster TRICARE Management Activity Many insects that invade military barracks or family homes can cause painful bites and skin rashes but there is one bug grabbing headlines for its blood sucking abilities - bedbugs. Once a huge problem in homeless shelters and rundown apartments, bedbugs have upgraded

their living quarters to upscale hotels, posh homes and military installations.

Wherever these pests may hide out, TRICARE officials would like to remind beneficiaries, although bedbugs are a nuisance, they are not known to spread disease and they do not present any significant health risk. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As with other non-urgent conditions, such as colds, minor injuries or rashes, bedbug bites do not require a trip to the emergency room,â&#x20AC;? said U.S. Public Health

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Service Cmdr. Aileen Buckler, M.D., population health physician analyst at TRICARE Management Activity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most bedbug bites can be treated in the same way that you would treat a mosquito bite - antihistamines or corticosteroids to reduce itching and allergic symptoms and antiseptic or antibiotic ointments to prevent infection.â&#x20AC;?

Begbugs, which belong to the Cimicidae insect family, are non-flying, oval shaped parasitic insects, about the size of apple seeds. They feed by sucking blood from animals and humans.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bedbugs can live in any area of the home and can reside in tiny cracks in furniture. They tend to be most common in areas where people sleep and generally concentrate in beds, including mattresses, box springs and bed frames. Other sites where bedbugs often reside include curtains, edges of carpet, corners inside dressers and cracks in wallpaper.

Bedbugs are most active at night. Their bites will feel itchy. Bedbug bites look like little red bumps (similar to mosquito bites) and they can sometimes occur in a line on the body.

Beneficiaries who think theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been bitten by a bedbug should wash the bites with soap and water. Calamine lotion or anti-itch creams normally help with the itching.

Ice and antihistamine may help relieve the discomfort as well.

Beneficiaries are warned not to scratch the bites too much because this can make them become infected. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rarely a person may have a very severe whole body allergic reaction to a bedbug bite and, if that occurs, emergency treatment may be needed,â&#x20AC;? said Buckler.

Although treating a bedbug rash isn't difficult, getting rid of the blood sucking pest is another story and a professional exterminator may be needed.

To keep bedbugs away, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends: â&#x20AC;˘ check secondhand furniture before bringing it home â&#x20AC;˘ get rid of clutter, especially around a child's bed, toys, clothing and stuffed animals â&#x20AC;˘ don't let sheets or blankets touch the floor â&#x20AC;˘ examine beds and hotel rooms when you travel â&#x20AC;˘ keep luggage off the floor when you travel Read more at www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/bedbugs-faq-fs.html and www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/Topics/bedbugs.htm.

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8

FROM

October 2010

THE

FRONT

Lowcountry Military Retiree News

Locals honor Medal of Honor recipients Visitors aboard the USS Yorktown at the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant, S.C., attend an autograph session by Medal of Honor recipients during the week of the Medal of Honor Convention held in Charleston

U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Adrian Cadiz

Retired U.S. Air Force Col.and Medal of Honor recipient Leo Thorsness prepares to enter the dining area at the Medal of Honor Convention Patriot Award Dinner during the Medal of Honor recipient introduction portion of the ceremony which was held at the Charleston Area Convention Center in Charleston, S.C. . The dinner was the last event of the 2010 Medal of Honor Convention.

U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Adrian Cadiz

Robert D. Maxwell a Medal of Honor recipient signs autographs and speaks with faculty and visitors to the C.E. Williams Middle School as part of the 2010 Medal of Honor Convention. The 2010 Medal of Honor Convention was held in Charleston and 55 of the 87 living recipients attended this year.

U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Adrian Cadiz

A boy holds his picture autographed by Medal of Honor recipients during an autograph session, Sept. 30, 2010, at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant

Drew Dennis Dix meets with Charleston School of Arts students as a part of the Medal of Honor Covention in Charleston, S.C., Oct. 1, 2010.

Drew Dennis Dix (born December 14, 1944) is a decorated United States military veteran and retired Maj. in the United States Army. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War; he was the first enlisted Special Forces soldier to receive the medal.

Medal of Honor recipient Hershel W. Williams jokes after autographing a young patron's book during an autograph session, Sept. 30, 2010, at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum.

U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez

U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez

Lowcountry Military Retiree News

October 2010

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October 2010

BRIEFS & EVENTS

US Submarines Veterans to meet

Historic bases merge in Hawaii

The United States Submarine Veterans Inc. Charleston Base will meet on 14 October 2010 at the Fleet Reserve Association on Wisteria Drive in Goose Creek SC. Dinner will be available at 5:30 PM, Social Hour at 6:00 PM and the meeting will start at 7:00 PM. Bring a shipmate and come out and have some fun.

Point of contact is MMCM(SS) Edward Stank, Retired @ 843 569-6012 or stanke@bellsouth.netj15

Two historic Oahu military bases have formally merged.

Naval Base Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base became one installation Friday.

They're among 26 installations across the country that are combining to become 12 joint bases as the military strives to become more efficient.

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam commander Capt. Richard Kitchens says it's a challenge to bring 1,100 civilian Air Force employees to the Navy's human resources system. But he says officials are anticipating and addressing potential problems.

Pearl Harbor and Hickam have been close but distant neighbors for decades. They're right next to each other on Oahu's southern edge, but each has its own school, golf course, bowling alley, church and other facilities.

Retired chief joining Air Force’s retiree council RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFRNS) -- A new face will share the head of the Air Force Retiree Council table at its annual meeting next year. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, who retired in November 2009, is succeeding retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray.

Chief McKinley’s appointment was announced by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz. The chief joins retired Lt. Gen. Steven R. Polk, who left active duty in February 2006, as council co-chair. The co-chairs serve as personal advisers to the chief of staff and the secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding retirees and their families.

Meeting at the Air Force Personnel Center here each May, the council receives briefings on the Air Force’s current structure and key topics from senior members of the Air Staff and other Air Force elements. This information helps the 20-member panel address issues submitted from 108 base retiree activities offices worldwide.

Subjects range from proposed increases in TRICARE fees to publication of the Afterburner to various benefit and entitlement enhancements. The council forwards its recommendations on key issues to the Air Force chief of staff and subject matter experts.

A native of Mount Orab, Ohio, Chief McKinley entered the Air Force in 1974, took a break in service in 1977, and re-entered the Air Force in 1982. His background includes various duties in medical and aircraft maintenance, and as a first sergeant and command chief master sergeant at wing, numbered air force and major command levels. He served as the 15th chief master sergeant of the Air Force. Chief McKinley currently lives in Oklahoma.

Retirees can write to General Polk or Chief McKinley at: HQ AFPC/CCU, 550 C STREET WEST STE 8, RANDOLPH AFB TX 78150-4713.

Answers to Puzzle on Page 15

NOAA Unveils Special Collection of Civil War Maps and Nautical Charts In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in 2011, NOAA has assembled a special historical collection of maps, charts, and documents prepared by the U.S. Coast Survey during the war years. The collection, “Charting a More Perfect Union,” contains over nearly 400 documents, available free from NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey website.

“People are planning now for their visits to Civil War sites next year, and we want to give them an opportunity to visualize the terrain, ports, and coasts as they were from 1861 to 1865,” said Meredith Westington, NOAA’s chief geographer. “Most people wouldn’t think of turning to NOAA for historical Civil War documents, but the agency has an amazing legacy.”

Coast Survey’s collection includes 394 Civil War-era maps, including nautical charts used for naval campaigns, and maps of troop movements and battlefields. Rarely seen publications include Notes on the Coast, prepared by Coast Survey to help Union forces plan naval blockades against the Confederacy, and the annual report summaries by Superintendent Bache as he detailed the trials and tribulations of producing the maps and charts needed to meet growing military demands.

In the nation's early years, the United States lost more ships to accidents than to war. In 1807, President Thomas Jefferson established the Survey of the Coast to produce the nautical charts necessary for maritime safety, defense and the establishment of national boundaries. By 1861, Coast Survey was the government’s leading scientific agency, charting coastlines and determining land elevations for the nation. Today, the Office of Coast Survey still meets its maritime responsibilities as a part of NOAA, surveying America’s coasts and producing the nation’s nautical charts.

In his annual report on Dec. 15, 1861, Coast Survey Superintendent Alexander Bache wrote, “it has been judged expedient during the past year to suspend usual foreign distribution” of reports on the progress of maps and charts. Distribution of maps, charts, and sketches almost tripled in the 1861 “due to the demands of the War and Navy Departments.” However, because the Coast Survey could not easily ascertain the loyalties of private citizens, private distribution of maps was severely restricted among “applicants who were not well known having been referred to the representative of the congressional district from which the application had been mailed.”

The Civil War special collection is accessible through a searchable database at http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/history/CivilWar.

Lowcountry Military Retiree News Gilligan’s Restaurants recycles over 1,400 bushels of local oyster shell to DNR this season Gilligan’s Restaurants’ partnership with the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) resulted in more than 1,400 bushels of local oyster shell being recycled this past oyster season. SCDNR will place the shell back into local waters to assist in the formation of new oyster beds.

This is the first year Gilligan’s has participated in the shell recycling program. Ben Dyar with SCDNRs Oyster Shell Recycling & Planting Program and Office of Fisheries Management “couldn’t be happier with our partnership this year.

Gilligan’s has been a great asset for the recycling program.”

Only two other area restaurants serviced by SCDNR came close to the amounts Gilligan’s recycled, each totaling less than 850 bushels. Every other participating restaurant came in below 200 bushels.

Gilligan’s is looking forward to continuing the partnership during the next oyster season.

For more information on Gilligan’s Restaurants and their commitment to sustainable seafood practices, visit their website (www.gilligans.net).

Show your support of service members and veterans with the new National Resource Directory state widget The National Resource Directory (NRD), an online resource for Service Members, Veterans and those who support them, now has a state widget. The NRD state widget allows individuals and organizations to display resources tailored by state and subject area on their own websites, blogs or Facebook fan pages. The NRD state widget can be personalized by color scheme and size, and can display resources by either popularity or by newest additions to the site. Creating an NRD state widget is easy and maintenance free as it automatically updates when new information is added to the NRD. A collaborative effort between the U.S. Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs, the NRD provides Service Members, Veterans and their families with access to thousands of resources to support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration.

To learn how to create an NRD state widget, visit www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov.

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa to celebrate Military Appreciation Day with free golf The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is celebrating Military Appreciation Day on Thursday, October 21, 2010. As a way of saying “thank you” to members of the armed forces, the Resort is offering a free round of golf to both active and retired members of the United States military. Service men and women who would like to participate need to show proper military identification at check in, and should reserve a tee time in advance.

Discover the course that Golfweek magazine included in its 2005 “America’s Best” listings and Golf Digest named in 2004 as “one of the ten best courses in the United States that is 100 years old or more.” Designed by the legendary Donald Ross, the golf course at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is rated as the 8th best in North Carolina. All veterans and active service members are eligible to participate in Military Appreciation Day at The Grove Park Inn. For more information, please contact The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa at 800.438.0050 or 828.252.2711; visit www.groveparkinn.com, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ewgrove and Facebook at www.facebook.com/groveparkinn.

BASE INFO

Lowcountry Military Retiree News

October 2010

11

Texting and chatting? Think twice!

By Eric Sesit Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

Home Loans for Veterans VA home loans with 100% financing are still available for eligible veterans.

Call us to find out more about this program.

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PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company (NMLS #: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in SC. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.

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Despite numerous public awareness campaigns, many base personnel continue to insist on driving while texting or talking on cell phones, and despite statistics showing seatbelts save lives, many drivers are still flexing their personal freedom by not wearing proper seatbelt restraints.

In order to combat this disturbing trend, Joint Base Charleston will be implementing a new policy dealing with offenders, November 1, 2010.

If caught driving on Joint Base Charleston, either the Navy or Air Force side, without a seatbelt, or while texting or using a cell phone without a hands-free device, the consequences will be severe.

The first offense will result in an Armed Forces Traffic Ticket, three driving record points for cell phone infractions, four points for seat belts and an 18-calendar day suspension of driving privileges on any installation.

A second offense will cost an additional

AFTT four-point ticket and a 90-day suspension of driving privileges.

If the first two punishments don't get a person's attention and they are caught a third time, the individual will be hit with an AFTT five-point ticket and a full oneyear suspension of driving privileges on any installation.

If at any time an individual is found to be operating a vehicle while under suspension, an automatic two-year revocation of driving privileges on any installation will immediately be invoked.

These measures are instituted to emphasize the importance of the law and the safety of all JB CHS military and civilian members. The policy goes into effect November 1, and applies to everyone entering the installations.

Avoid the hassle and humiliation of not being able to drive on base. Buckle-up and remember to use a proper restraint device for children.

And if you have to text or talk on the phone, pull over or invest in a hands-free device.

12

October 2010

FINANCES

Lowcountry Military Retiree News

Debt settlement companies: different from credit counseling Ads from debt settlement companies claiming they can help you pay off your credit card balances for pennies on the dollare are everywhere these days. Debt settlement involves negotiating with credit card companies and other creditors to lower the principal amount you owe, then paying it off in a single lump sum. This is different than credit counseling, which typically involves negotiating a lower interest rate and payments, then paying off the debt in full over time.

Unfortunately too many debt settlement companies are bad apples. These promise things they have no intention of delivering, charge too much to do too little, and utterly vaporize your credit history. Last summer the FTC finally stepped up to the plate and put out new rules for debt settlement companies that will cost them money and probably save hapless consumers from abuse. And now those rules are starting to go into effect. As of 26 SEP the rules require them to tell the truth.

They: • Require debt relief companies to make specific disclosures to consumers; • Prohibit them from making misrepresentations; and • Extend the telemarketing sales rule to cover calls consumers make to these firms in response to advertising.

What this means in plain English is that debt settlement companies can‘t overstate the success of their programs. They are also required to disclose potential negative side effects of a debt settlement. For example, many debt settlement companies have in the past assured consumers that settling a debt wouldn‘t negatively impact their credit score. This is complete hogwash. Paying less on a debt than is owed will nearly always lower your credit score.

Starting 27 OCT another new FTC rule

requires them not to charge you anything until they do something. While telling the truth may prove difficult for some debt settlement companies, it‘s this new rule that‘s really going to hurt. Because rather than charge up-front for their services like they typically do now, they‘ll have to wait until at least one of the following occurs: • The debt relief service successfully renegotiates, settles, reduces, or otherwise changes the terms of at least one of the consumer‘s debts; • There is a written settlement agreement, debt management plan, or other agreement between the consumer and the creditor, and the consumer has agreed to it; and • The consumer has made at least one payment to the creditor as a result of the agreement negotiated by the debt relief provider.

In other words, until the debt settlement company actually performs, they don‘t get paid.

Another rule that will go into effect on 27 OCT requires them to keep all customer funds in a segregated, insured account. These rules don‘t apply to all companies, just the for-profits.

And don‘t think that just because there are new rules that prohibit wrong-doing that it won‘t occur anyway. After all, we‘re talking about companies that, at least in some cases, employ commissioned salespeople who take complete advantage of the broke, innocent,

Stop-Loss Pay update Eligible soldiers, veterans and their beneficiaries now have until Dec. 3 to apply for retroactive stop loss special pay following an extension in the continuing resolution signed by the president Sept. 30. The new Dec. 3 deadline extends the original Oct. 21 cutoff for applications and allows eligible recipients more time to apply for the benefit.

Persons eligible for the benefit include active, retired and former members as well as Reserve and Guard members who served on active duty while their enlistment or period of obligated service was involuntarily extended, or whose eligibility for separation or retirement was suspended as a result of stop loss. Legally designated beneficiaries for personnel affected may also apply.

To file a claim, eligible individuals may find additional informaiton and download a stop loss claim application at www.defense.gov/stoploss

and desperate – not normally the type to follow rules.

Bottom line if you‘re in debt trouble, it would be prudent to avoid debt settlement companies. Instead, talk to a credit counseling organization, or a bankruptcy lawyer.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service agencies, as well as some others, belong to an organization called NFCC, or the National Foundation of Credit Counselors.

Another national organization that repre-

sents credit counseling agencies is the Association of Independent Credit Counseling Agencies, or AICCCA. You can find NFCC members near you via their Find a Counselor Now page at www.nfcc.org/FirstStep/firststep_01.cfm.

You can find AICCCA members near you by using their state by state lists at http://aiccca.org/find.cfm.

[Source: Money Talks News Stacy Johnson article 24 Sep 2010 ++]

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Lowcountry Military Retiree News

AT YOUR HOME

October 2010

13

Tips for Fall and Winter Yard Work Fall is the time of year when many do-it-yourself gardeners wind down their activity and begin to think about closing up the shed for the season. However, the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the nation’s lawn and landscape association, notes that early fall is a great time to plant trees, shrubs, and some annuals as well as to plan a winterizing strategy.

Fall is actually one of the best times to landscape, giving plants time to establish new roots during the cool season so they are ready to put on lush, healthy, new growth next spring. Fall is also an important season to pay attention to maintenance and upkeep of the yard, and to start preparing for winter dormancy.

Early fall is the time to • Plant spring perennial bulbs such as Daffodils, Tulips, and Narcissus, as well as fall or winter annuals such as Mums and Pansies.

• Plant trees, shrubs, and grasses.

• Pull weeds. Do it now and you’ll have fewer weeds next season.

• Rake and remove the leaves in the yard to avoid damage to the grass so you can enjoy a healthier lawn next summer.

Late fall is the time to • Give trees and shrubs a deep watering after the leaves on the trees drop and just before turning off the outside water for the season.

• Cut most perennials back close to the ground.

• Wash garden sprayers with soapy water before storing.

• Clean, oil, and sharpen gardening tools before storing for the season.

• Shut off water lines to the outside before the first freeze.

For consumers who are looking for assistance maintaining their lawns and landscapes or installing new ones, finding the right landscape professional is essential says PLANET. Consumers may contact their local, state, or national trade associations for referrals, or can visit the PLANET website at http://www.LandcareNetwork.org/ findaprofessional to find a landscape professional or lawn care specialist near them. ++

+

14

October 2010

RETIREE RESOURCES Arlington National Cemetery For general information call 703-607-8000. Contact the Interment Services Branch at 703-607-8585 regarding funeral arrangements and eligibility requirements. Please note that the Arlington National Cemetery staff does not make pre-arrangements. Visit the Web site at www.arlingtoncemetery.org

MISCELLANEOUS

Lowcountry Military Retiree News

HONOR FLIGHT LOWCOUNTRY www.HonorFlightLowcountry.com What is Honor Flight? The Honor Flight Network was created with the mission of ensuring that each WWII veteran be given the opportunity to see THEIR memorial in Washington DC. The “ordinary people who saved the world” are provided this one-day trip at no charge to them.

Armed Forces Retirement Home-Washington Campus Phone toll free 800-422-9988 or fax 202-730-3492. For general questions send an e-mail to publicaffairs@afrh.gov and specify “DC” in the subject line. Visit the Web site at www.afrh.gov.

What happens after the flight? Honor Flight veterans are treated to a well-deserved heroes welcome when they return to the Charleston International Airport.

Armed Forces Retirement Home-Gulfport Campus Closed because of Hurricane Katrina, the Gulfport campus was severely damaged and is currently being rebuilt. Phone 228-604-2205. For general questions, send an e-mail to publicaffairs@afrh.gov and specify “Gulfport” in the subject line.

Visit the Web site at www.afrh.gov.

Who pays for the Honor Flight? The Honor Flight Network receives NO government funding.

Trips cost around $50,000. All funds come from corporate and private sponsors. 100% of all donations go directly to the veterans and their Honor Flight.

Armed Forces Vacation Club The Armed Forces Vacation Club is a space-available program offering Department of Defense-affiliated people affordable condominium vacations at more than 3,500 resorts worldwide.

For more information, visit www.afvclub.com/default.asp.

Delta Dental Plan for Retirees For inquiries, call 888-838-8737 or visit www.ddpdelta.org.

DOD Lodging Reservations Air Force, 888-235-6343 (AFLODGE) -- after the prompt, dial first three digits of base name -- or visit http://dodlodging.net/; Army, 800-462-7691 (GOARMY-1) or visit www.armymwr.com/portal/travel/lodging/; Navy, 800-628-9466 (NAVY INN) or visit www.navy-lodge.com; Marine Corps, visit www.usmc-mccs.org/lodging Medicare Call 800-633-4227 or visit www.medicare.gov.

Pay Matters Call the Defense Finance and Accounting Service-Cleveland Center toll free at 800-321-1080; fax 800-469-6559. SBP annuitants may use the same voice toll-free number, but the fax is 800-982-8459.

Social Security Call toll free 800-772-1213 or visit the Web site at www.ssa.

Tricare The Web site is www.tricare.mil. Choose from one of three regional numbers: West, 888-874-9378; North, 877-874-2273; South, 800-444-5445; overseas, 888-777-8343. If you are a Tricare for Life member, you can call 866-773-0404. Call the Tricare Information Center at 877-363-6337. For Tricare Retiree Delta Dental Plan inquiries, call 888-838-8737 or visit www.ddpdelta.org.

Tricare Mail-Order Pharmacy Program (Express Scripts, Inc.) In United States, call toll free 866-363-8667; or overseas, call 866-275-4732. Visit the Web site at www.expressscripts.com/TRICARE. VA matters For benefit inquiries, call 800-827-1000; life insurance 800-6698477; status of headstones and markers, 800-697-6947; special issues such as Gulf War/radiation/Agent Orange/Project Shad call 800-749-8387; and GI Bill and education matters call 888-442-4551. Visit the Web site at www.va.gov.

Is medical support provided on the flight? Honor Flight Lowcountry does provide medical support on each flight to Washington DC. There are doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who’ve donated their time to serve on the flight.

What provisions are available for the veterans? Veterans are provided with t-shirts, meals, snacks, and a deluxe tour bus in addition to wheel chairs, oxygen and scooters as needed.

How can I get my friend/family member on the flight? Visit www.HonorFlightLowcountry.com to download a veteran’s application.

What’s an Honor Flight Guardian? Guardians play a significant role on each Honor Flight trip.

The responsibility of the guardians is to ensure that each veteran has a safe and memorable experience. A primary duty of a guardian is to assist the veteran in getting to and from the airport and physically assisting the veteran during the flight and at the memorials. Guardians pay their own way on the Honor Flight and the trip is included with a $500 donation.

What can I do to help the Honor Flight Network? The best thing you can do to help the Honor Flight Network is to spread the word! If you know a WWII veteran, please, get them registered for the next Honor Flight. Of course, your donations, no matter how small, are always welcome and needed to cover the costs associated with the flight. Honor Flight Lowcountry is a 501(C)(3) organization.

Honor Flight Lowcountry PO Box 12308 Charleston, SC 29422 (843) 906-0399

Reach the local military retirees with your message.

Your ad could go here!

Call 972-2356 today or visit www.Charleston Military.com

Hurricane Tip of the Month Hurricane season will continue through November, with the highest probability of a major hurricane occurring between now and October. Due to a hurricane's capacity for damage, preparation is the key.

This month’s hurricane tip is: Is your roof sheathing properly installed? During a hurricane, wind forces are carried from the roof down to the exterior walls to the foundation. Homes can be damaged when wind forces are not properly transferred to the ground. Roof sheathing, the boards or plywood nailed to the roof rafters or trusses, can fail during a hurricane if not properly installed. You can examine the sheathing from the attic. If many of the nails have missed the rafters, you may need to re-nail the sheathing. If you're putting on a new roof, make sure the sheathing complies with current recommended practices. Personal preparation is always your first line of defense. To help prepare, the 2010 South Carolina Hurricane Guide is available for download at www.scemd.org.

ENTERTAINMENT

Lowcountry Military Retiree News

October 2010

15

October Crossword CLUES ACROSS 1. Scallywag 6. Part of actomyosin 11. Dr. Ross on “ER” 14. Shaft horsepower (abbr.)

15. Nerd 16. Mama 18. Nonreligious person 21. Talk (Olde English) 23. 19th C. couples dance 25. Carried out systematically 26. Heroic tales 28. Fawning in attitude or behavior 29. Ardent followers 31. Personal computer 33. Household god (Roman) 34. M.D. designation 35. Exterior faces of an object 38. More leprose 40. Orchis mascula 44. Pallidly 45. Mama partners 47. Organisms of the same ancestor 48. Removed a fish skeleton 50. Direct toward a target 51. Famous chair designer 56. Old world, new 57. Did the job 62. Move sideways 63. Incontrovertible truths CLUES DOWN 1. Reddish browns 2. 38th state (abbr.)

3. Atomic # 18

4. Million gallons per day (abbr.)

5. Long bench with back 6. Brew 7. Stocky short-legged harness horse 8. Toward 9. Not out 10. Greek goddess of vengeance 11. Albanian dialect 12. Atomic # 58 13. A bumpkin 14. 40th state (abbr.)

17. Person born in Media 19. Patti Hearst’s captors 20. Clothe 21. Small torn piece 22. Lays pavement 24. Hip living quarters 25. A kept animal 27. Scad genus 28. Skin lesions 30. Holiday (informal) 31. Whined 32. Co-founder of The Cleveland Clinic 35. Highly seasoned dried sausages 36. Slightly insane 37. Not happy 38. Prevents harm to creatures 39. Civil and religious muslim leader 41. Scientific workplace 42. Yeddo 43. Flat sections of a door 46. Sew up the eyelids of hawks and falcons 49. White House city

See the Answers on Page 10 51. Snakelike fish 52. Sweet fruit juice beverage 53. Metric ton 54. Extremely high frequency 55. A very large body of water

Jokes of the Month

War Veterans Two crusty old war veterans, sitting in front of the fireplace at the retirement home: “Dave, it seems so long since I last made love to a woman. How long has it been for you?”

“Nineteen forty-five,” says Dave solemnly.

“Heck, that’s a long time!” exclaims, Jim. “Not really,” says Dave, puzzled. “It’s only twenty-thirty now.”

The next guy he sits by has uncontrollable spastic twitches in his right leg, causing him to kick the seat in front of him, and even kicks Fred a few times.

So Fred asks him, "What is wrong with you?"

Again the answer is, "I got this in the war."

Fred moves.

The next guy poor Fred sits by begins erratically flailing his left hand. Fred says, "Let me guess, you got that in the war?"

His reply was, "No, I got it out of my nose. I can't get it off of my hand."

The Bus Ride Fred mistakenly gets on a bus full of war veterans, but upon discovering it is going his way, decides to stay on for the ride.

He sits down next to a guy that jerks his head to the left every few seconds, over and over. This really bothers Fred so he asks him, "What's wrong with you?"

The reply is, "I got this in the war."

Fred finds this pretty disturbing so he switches seats.

Senility?

An elderly couple was celebrating their sixtieth anniversary. The couple had married as childhood sweethearts and had moved back to their old neighbourhood after they retired.

Holding hands they walked back to their old school. It wasn’t locked, so they entered, and found the old desk they'd shared where Andy had carved 'I love you, Sally.'

On their way back home, a bag of money fell out of an

58.

59.

60.

61.

Chinese distance measure Initials of “Titanic” star Prior to AD Exclamation “I’ve got __!”

armored car, practically landing at their feet. Sally quickly picked it up, but not sure what to do with it, they took it home. There, she counted the money: fifty-thousand dollars!

Andy said, “We've got to give it back.”

Sally said, “Finders keepers.”

She put the money back in the bag and hid it in their attic.

The next day, two FBI men were canvassing the neighborhood looking for the money and knocked on the door.

“Pardon me, but did either of you find a bag that fell out of an armored car yesterday?”

Sally said, “No.” Andy said, “She's lying. She hid it up in the attic.”

Sally said, “Don't believe him, he's getting senile.”

The agents turn to Andy and began to question him. One says: “Tell us the story from the beginning.”

Andy said, “Well, when Sally and I were walking home from school yesterday ...”

The first FBI guy turns to his partner and says, “We're outta here.”

16

Lowcountry Military Retiree News

October 2010

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