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CENTENNIAL
SALUTE
1st Quarter 2008
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE DENVER CENTENNIAL CHAPTER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY
Denver
Centennial Chapter
AUSA
Hosts Local
Soldiers at Annual
United Veterans
Association
Governor’s
Mansion Breakfast
Two soldiers of the 743d Military Intelligence
Battalion, CPT Ammilee Oliva and her First Sergeant,
Sergeant First Class Paul McCarthy, were hosted by
the Denver Centennial Chapter AUSA at the recent
Annual United Veterans Association Breakfast at the
Governor’s Mansion. They enjoyed a great breakfast
and were able to meet with many Veterans willing to Denver Centennial Chapter AUSA
offer assistance to unit soldiers. In addition they Presents Rocky Mountain USO with $4,000
enjoyed a tour of the Governor’s mansion.
Chapter President COL (R) Sam Thiessen and
executive board members present Hedi Margolis,
Center Manager, Rocky Mountain USO with a check
Denver Centennial Chapter
for $4,000, a portion of proceeds from the Denver
AUSA
Centennial Chapter’s 2007 Golf Tournament.
Supports Unit in AUSA * KBR
ARMY Ten-Miler Pictured are (listed alphabetically) Paul Baldwin,
November 6, 2007 Linwood Blackburn, Mort Blager, Chad Dalton, Steve
Ferency, Richard Little, Mark Mahoney, Hedy
Dear Mr. Thiessen, Margolis, MAJ Aaron McAdow, Gerald Owens, Charles
I would like to send my sincere thanks for your Rodgers, Sam Thiessen, and Linda Walters.
generosity and support of the 743d Military Intelligence
Battalion’s participation in the 23rd Annual Army 10-Miler.
In the tradition of testing our physical and mental strength
and the spirit of camaraderie among 17,628 of our military
peers, seven Birds of Prey joined formation behind the
In this Issue: Page
starting line. Veterans of the race and first-time
competitors alike pushed themselves through the
exhausting heat and pictorial scenes of the Nation’s capitol Denver Chapter Hosts Soldiers at UVA Breakfast .........1
to finish 128 out of 500 teams. Denver Chapter Supports AUSA Army 10-MilerTeam ....1
Denver Chapter Presents USO with $4,000 Check .......1
Individually, everyone also did well in their age/gender Army Reserve 100th Anniversary ...............................2
divisions. LTC Laura Potter - 1:30:17 (183 in Div); CPT Army Reserve Chief Seeks Private Industry Partners ....2
Scott Handler - 1:19:38 (305 in Div); CPT Bonnie Kovatch AUSA President: America's Land Forces Must Grow ......2
- 1:13:16 (41 in Div); CPT Ammilee Oliva - 1:18:43 (93 in AUSA 7th Region Conference, 3-5 April 2008 ...............3
Div); CPT Calina Snyder - 1:13:00 (11 in Div); 1LT Aaron UVC Thirty-Sixth Annual Awards Banquet ...................3
Henderson - 1:18:30 (374 in Div); and, PFC William Aurora Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon .........3
Weems - 1:16:51 (190 in Div). Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Coming to Thornton...3
On behalf of all of the Birds of Prey, thank you and the New Hospital at Fitzsimons - Project Eagle .................4
Centennial AUSA Chapter for your support. We would not Army testing enlistment incentive providing home/
have been able to participate without it. business funds ........................................................4
Disabled vets receive mileage reimbursement increase .4
Sincerely, State Education Benefits for Veterans ........................4
USPS Makes It Easier/Cheaper to Send Care Packages..4
//s// Denver Chapter 2008 Annual Golf Tournament Entry ....5
Laura A. Potter Denver Chapter 2008 Annual Golf Tournament .... Cover
Lieutenant Colonel, US Army
Commanding
AUSA: Voice for the Army – Support for the Soldier! - Page 1
Catch us on the Web: http://chapters.ausa.org/denver/
Army Reserve 100th Anniversary providers looking for help; he sells signal soldiers --
trained and experienced in using fiber optics -- to
1908-2008 One Hundred Years
communications companies; he suggests military
of Army Strong
police troops for jobs in civilian law enforcement.
On April 23, 2008, the Army
"We're getting a lot of synergy there now, being
Reserve will officially turn 100.
able to tell a potential soldier, 'How would you like
The U.S. Army Reserve is rooted to come work for us in the Army Reserve and go to
in the tradition of the American work for this company in your local community at
Colonists who would serve, protect and defend this the same time?" he said.
country whenever, wherever it was needed. George
The initiative hearkens back to Stultz's
Washington and Alexander Hamilton proposed a
experience as a young man transitioning out of the
contingency force to support the Army that would be
active-duty Army in 1979 into a "dual-hatted" role
centrally controlled by the Federal Government.
as a reservist and a civilian employee at Proctor and
In 1908, Congress established the Medical Gamble.
Reserve Corps to provide a reservoir of trained
The general said he would like the two forces --
Officers in times of war, then expanded the Reserve
military and civilian -- to work together again as
force in 1916 and 1920.
they did when he started at Proctor and Gamble,
Since 1990, Army Reserve Soldiers have been where Stultz, an operations manager, has worked
deployed to support every American military for nearly three decades.
operation, including peacekeeping and humanitarian
"If we can get that partnership together, it's the
missions. Army Reserve Soldiers will continue their
way we're going to sustain this all-volunteer reserve
tradition of distinguished service and sacrifice today
force for the future," he said. "It's going to be us
and into the future.
and the employers together succeeding."
Source: U.S. Army Reserve Web Page -
Source: John J. Kruzel, American Forces Press
http://www.armyreserve.army.mil/ARWEB (Mission)
Service
Army Reserve Chief Seeks Private Industry
Partners AUSA President: America's Land
Forces Must Grow Immediately
The general in charge of the Army Reserve has a
to Meet Range of Threats
deal for U.S. employers: If you agree to hire
qualified employees, he'll help you recruit them. AUSA’s President Gen. Gordon
R. Sullivan, USA, Ret., recently
Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz said the "Partnership for a
wrote an op-ed article on how
Shared Workforce" initiative emerged as a way to
important sufficient land forces are to our national
help the reserves and the private sector attract
strategy. The article appeared in the Feb. 18 issue of
young talent. Stultz said the concept was born of
the Army Times and is included in the information
similar challenges facing the entities -- namely, that
Gen. Sullivan has been providing to key members of
only about three in 10 young men ages 17-24 are fit
Congress and their staff during his recent visits to
to join the ranks of military or industry.
Capitol Hill.
"Employers of America are having the same
Specifically, the nation should commit itself to
problem (as the Army)," Stultz said. "They're
the following key points:
looking at that same work force out there and
saying, 'How many of those kids can pass a drug * Begin an accelerated development of a new
test who don't already have some kind of conviction national security strategy that is based on the
in their records? And how many have the aptitude to realities of the international environment and the
do the task we're needing in a much more efficacy of the instruments of national power
technological age?'" available to us.
Among other enterprises, Stultz said, the * Commit the nation to a significant expansion of
partnership has received particular interest from active-duty land forces end strength far beyond the
America's trucking industry, where the average growth to 750,000 soldiers, Marines and SOF
long-haul truck driver is more than 50 years old. already announced and build an active-duty land
Couple this aging work force with a shortage of force that approaches a million men and women.
qualified drivers, the general said, and young,
* Make the hard resource decisions. The
employable talent is hard to pass up.
aggregate defense budget must grow, and the
Stultz said similar pitches to place reservists in proportion allocated to the land forces must increase
civilian positions are gaining traction with industry substantially.
employers around the country. He plugs the
Source: AUSA Legislative Newsletter 2-19-08
reserve's cadre of X-ray technicians to health care
AUSA: Voice for the Army – Support for the Soldier! - Page 2
Catch us on the Web: http://chapters.ausa.org/denver/
AUSA 7th Region Conference, 3-5 April 2008 Thirty-Sixth Annual Awards Banquet
United Veterans Committee Of Colorado
ASSOCIATION of the UNITED STATES ARMY
MG JOHN S. LEKSON CHAPTER Sunday, April 6, 2008
P.O. Box 5068
Radisson Hotel Denver Southeast
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87186-5068
I-225 and Parker Road, Aurora, CO 80014
07 January 2008 The Honorable James B. Peake, Secretary of the
Veterans Administration has been confirmed as the
To: AUSA 7th Region State and Chapter Presidents guest speaker for the banquet. Lt. General Peake
From: MG John S. Lesson Chapter Albuquerque, New (Ret) MD, a West Point graduate, is a highly
Mexico decorated Vietnam combat veteran who later during
his distinguished career served as the 40th Surgeon
Subject: WARNING ORDER - AUSA 7th Region General of the United States Army.
Conference
See:
On behalf of the 7th Region President Jack Isler, http://unitedveteranscommittee.com/veterans_even
and the New Mexico State President Joe Loisel, I am ts_in_colorado.htm
privileged to invite you to attend the 2008 7th
Region Conference. Our host hotel will be the Or Contact:
Albuquerque Marriott on Louisiana Boulevard just Paul Baldwin 303.972.3546
north of Interstate 40.
Aurora Chamber of Commerce Awards
The theme of our conference will be "Support to Luncheon
the Guard and Reserve," and will feature speakers in
support of that theme, as well as other current Friday, May 9th
topics. Holiday Inn, I-70 and Chambers Road
(Details to Follow on Chapter Web Page.)
Registration will begin at 1400 hours on
Wednesday afternoon, 2 April 2008.
Thursday will be a full day of meetings with the
NM Adjutant General, BG Montoya, as the luncheon
speaker.
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Coming to
Friday morning will be a bus trip to the New Thornton for Independence Day
Mexico Veterans Memorial … followed by a visit to
the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland AFB. With great pride and enthusiasm the Thornton
Lunch on Friday will feature Mahlon Love, the Veterans Memorial Foundation announces Thornton
Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for New will be the host for the Vietnam Traveling Memorial
Mexico. The President’s Reception will be Friday Wall.
evening.
The Foundation, working in conjunction with the
Saturday morning will be wrap up meetings, city of Thornton, has arranged to have this
including elections. The soaring Eagle Banquet will extraordinary memorial present from July 3 to July
be Saturday evening. Featured speakers will be LTG 7, 2008 - most fittingly during the city’s
[Ret] Ed Baca, former Chief of the National Guard Independence Day celebration.
Bureau, and LTG [Ret] Roger Thompson, Vice
President, AUSA. The Wall will be available for public viewing 24
hours a day on those dates at the multipurpose
Please make your room reservations as soon as fields at the Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation
possible, by calling the Albuquerque Marriott, 2101 Center (11151 Colorado Boulevard, Thornton, CO
Louisiana Blvd, NE at 1-800-334-2086 or 80233).
www.marriott.com/ABQNM. Ask for the AUSA 7th
Region Meeting. Rooms are blocked at $87.50 plus [The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is a 3/5
tax [about $99 total] per night. Cutoff date for the scale of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington
special rate is 19 March 2008. D.C. It covers 288 feet with each wing being144 feet
in length and is over six feet tall. It is made from
Sincerely, 3/16 in. aluminum plate with a backing frame, and
//s// is powder coated black with the names highlighted
in white. It is engraved with the over 58,000 names
Larry A. Blair of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the
Chapter President Vietnam War.]
505-821-1386, cell 505-249-1035
For details see: http://www.travelingwall.us/ or
For additional details see: http://www.thorntonveteransmemorial.org/news/ind
http://chapters.ausa.org/denver/events/ ex.html
AUSA: Voice for the Army – Support for the Soldier! - Page 3
Catch us on the Web: http://chapters.ausa.org/denver/
Army testing enlistment incentive providing
home/business funds
The Army has begun offering a new enlistment
incentive to prospective recruits in five test markets
that provides money to make a down payment on a
home or start a business.
Through the new Army Advantage Fund (AAF),
people joining the active Army are eligible for up to
$40,000 for a five-plus year enlistment, and those
The New Hospital at Fitzsimons - Project Eagle
enlisting in a reserve component are eligible for up to
In mid January the Project Team, the Joint $20,000 for a five-plus year enlistment. The AAF
Venture Team and Lynette Roff, Director Eastern applies only to those choosing certain military
Colorado Healthcare System (ECHCS), reviewed the occupational specialties (MOS).
project to date.
For more information on the Army Advantage
Fitzsimons Credit Union was acquired in mid- Fund, go to: http://www.goarmy.com/aaf/
December and closing on the UPI property is
Disabled veterans receive mileage
anticipated in February or March. An agreement
reimbursement increase
between the Department of Interior, the Department
of Veterans Affairs and the City of Aurora has been More than a million eligible
reached that will allow the transfer of the City of veterans will see their mileage
Aurora pool deed to ECHCS. Once these two items reimbursement more than double for
are accomplished, all necessary land will have been travel to Department of Veterans
obtained. Affairs medical facilities.
The increase helps veterans -- especially those
To date the project has received $168.3 million in
living in rural areas -- offset some of the gasoline
funding. Hearings were held in February with the
costs for traveling to VA health care facilities.
House Veterans Affairs Committee to discuss funding
for the VA construction in the FY09 budget. Denver The 2008 appropriations act provided funding for
will be competing with Orlando and Las Vegas and at VA to increase the beneficiary travel mileage
this point $20 million is the figure targeted for reimbursement rate from 11 cents per mile to 28.5
Denver. This along with the residual funding from cents per mile. The increase became effective Feb 1.
the previous years will allow the existing buildings While increasing the payment, VA, as mandated
on the Fitzsimons site to be demolished, the by law, also equally increased the deductible
infrastructure for utilities to be developed, and amounts applied to certain mileage reimbursements.
construction of the Central Utility Plant and one of The new deductibles are $7.77 for a one way trip,
the parking garages to be initiated. and $15.54 for a round trip, with a maximum of
$46.62 per calendar month; however, these
The current Denver Veterans Affairs hospital,
deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial
located at 9th and Clermont Street, opened in 1950
hardship to the veteran. (Courtesy of VA)
with 500 beds. It was built at a cost of $10 million
dollars and, at the time, employed 600 people. The State Education Benefits for Veterans
hospital has evolved over the years as new buildings Many US states now offer educational assistance
and services have been added to meet growing and benefits for veterans, their family members and
demand and the changes in technology. The number for military survivors. Military.com has developed a
of veterans seeking care over the years has searchable online summary of educational benefits.
increased dramatically and the health care delivery Learn more at http://education.military.com/money-
system has experienced monumental changes. for-school/state-veteran-benefits.
However, expanding the current facility has been
hampered by the land available at that location. Postal Service Makes It Easier and Cheaper to
Send Care Packages
The new hospital will be a state of the art facility Effective March 3,
of approximately 1.57 million square feet on 31 2008, the U.S. Postal Service will offer a new, larger
acres that will provide many new services to our Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box enabling customers to
veteran patients. It will be located on the southeast ship 50 percent more than with the current box. It
corner of the former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center will be offered at a discount to overseas military
just east of Children's Hospital, north of Colfax addresses. There will be a special version of the box
Avenue and immediately west of RTD's planned light for the military, with a $2 discount, if shipped to an
rail station. It will replace the current structure of Army Post Office or Fleet Post Office (APO/FPO)
687,000 square feet that resides on 13 acres. address. The USPS website has valuable tips for
Source: sending mail to troops stationed overseas:
http://www.denver.va.gov/projecteagle/index.asp http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/
AUSA: Voice for the Army – Support for the Soldier! - Page 4
Catch us on the Web: http://chapters.ausa.org/denver/
DENVER CENTENNIAL CHAPTER
AUSA GOLF TOURNAMENT
FOUR PERSON SCRAMBLE
Raccoon Creek Golf Course
7301 West Bowles Ave, Littleton, CO
28 July 2008
0700 Registration - 0800 Tee Off
ENTRY FEE $125 per PERSON
(Includes Lunch, Prizes and Cart w/Global Positioning System)
Team Prizes Guaranteed for 1st through 4th Place (EVERY team received prize last several years)
Individual Prizes for Longest Drive, Closest to Pin, Longest Putt and any Hole in One
Charity Auction for Great Prizes After Golf (golf trips, golf outings, hotel resort packages, etc)
Mulligans @ $5.00 each. (Maximum of 4 Mulligans per player)
Registration deadline - 14 July 2008
Full payment must accompany entry.
MAKE PAYMENT TO: “DENVER CENTENNIAL CHAPTER, AUSA”
MAIL TOGETHER WITH THIS ENTRY FORM TO: Linda Walters, Double Tree Hotel - Sales
Office, 4440 Quebec St, Denver, CO 80216
If you have any questions call Linda Walters 303-262-7726 (lindawalters@dtrlhilton.com)
Sam Thiessen 303-669-4785 (Sam_Thiessen@msn.com) or Chad Dalton 303-520-7761
(chaddalton@aol.com)
PLAYERS NAME PHONE NUMBER E-MAIL ADDRESS
1. ____________________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________________________________
AUSA is an IRS registered Non-Profit Organization. Proceeds of this tournament are used to
promote the United Services Organization (USO), together with the welfare of Active Duty,
Reserve/National Guard and Retired military personnel and veterans.
Please provide Team Captain/POC with phone number, mailing address, and e-mail address below.
NAME __________________________________________ PHONE NUMBER __________________
ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________ E-MAIL ADDRESS ________________________
COMMENTS: ____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
AUSA: Voice for the Army – Support for the Soldier! - Page 5
Catch us on the Web: http://chapters.ausa.org/denver/
The Denver Centennial Chapter
The Association of the
Association of the United States Army (AUSA)
United States Army (AUSA)
Annual Golf Tournament - 28 July 2006
A private, non-profit educational organization
that supports America's Army - Active, National Guard,
Reserve, Civilians, Retirees and family members.
Check out the advantages of: Individual Membership
Corporate Membership
Sustaining Membership
7301 West Bowles Avenue - Littleton, Colorado www.ausa.org
Phone: 303.932.0199
Voice for the Army – Support for the Soldier
Entry Fee: $125 per Person
Includes Lunch, Prizes and Cart w/Global Positioning The Denver Centennial
System Chapter of the AUSA
For Additional Details & Registration Form thanks
See http://chapters.ausa.org/denver/events/ Steve Ferency
Senior Sales Manager,
Or Contact Renaissance Denver Hotel
Linda Walters 303-262-7726, Sam Thiessen 303-
for printing its Newsletters
669-4785, or Chad Dalton 303-520-7761
AUSA is an IRS registered Non-Profit Renaissance Denver Hotel
Organization. Proceeds of this 3801 Quebec Street, Denver, Co 80207
tournament are used to promote the Telephone (303 399-7500 – Facsimile (303) 336-5353
United Services Organization (USO), www.renaissancedenver.com
together with the welfare Active Duty,
Reserve/National Guard and Retired
military personnel and veterans.
Jim Kumpost
CSM, US Army, Retired
9652 South Cove Creek Drive
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129-5775
Denver Centennial Chapter AUSA
“HOST - AUSA SPRING REGION MEETING - 2007"
CHAPTER OF EXCELLENCE
STAR CHAPTER - SUPERIOR CHAPTER - MERIT CHAPTER
AWARD FOR BEST NEWSLETTER
INSTITUTE OF LAND WARFARE HONOR ROLL
232ND ARMY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION SUPPORT
ARMY HISTORY SUPPORT
BEST SUPPORT OF RECRUITING COMMAND
HONORABLE MENTION FOR BEST WEBSITE
HONORABLE MENTION FOR GREATEST INCREASE IN CORPORATE
MEMBERSHIP
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT COL (R) L. M. “Sam” Thiessen
VICE PRESIDENT COL (R) Charles A. Rodgers
2ND VP COL (R) Richard L. Little
SECRETARY MAJ Alan Smith, USAR
TREASURER COL (R) Lindy Blackburn
EVENTS
3-5 Apr 08 AUSA 7th Region Conference, Albuquerque, NM
6 Apr 08 UVC 36th Annual Awards Banquet, Aurora, CO
23 Apr 08 Celebrating 100 Years - U.S. Army Reserve
9 May 08 Aurora Chamber Awards Luncheon, Aurora, CO
3-7 Jul 08 Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, Thornton, CO
28 Jul 08 Annual Golf Tournament - Raccoon Creek
AUSA: Voice for the Army – Support for the Soldier!
Catch us on the Web: http://chapters.ausa.org/denver/
