January is the start of a new year and is centered on things like college football bowl games and the race for the National Championship. It is also a time when many evaluate the past year and make resolutions on how we are going to make the upcoming year better than the last. For some it is a pledge to lose weight, stop a behavior that we consider a bad habit or perhaps start or finish that chore that has been nagging you for some time.
I am going to ask a favor of you. All of you have either served in the military for a few years or perhaps even retired or you are a family member or spouse to someone who has served. Most of you are a member of at least one if not many organizations and there is something special about the comradery of service. This year can you decide to do something; volunteer to help with a project to help a veteran or kids within your community? Maybe share some of the valuable lessons that you learned in the service to your country with your kids or grandkids. Our younger generation is being deprived of what the word sacrifice really means because our educational system is trying to create a participation society and our kids no longer know how to cope with the concept of winning and losing. Perhaps teach what my college economics professor once said, “There is no such thing as a free lunch. Someone somewhere is paying for it.”
The Rogue Chapter has set an example for how to recognize the service of our war veterans with the WW2, Korean and now Vietnam Medallions. I urge all of you to find someone to present one of these medallions to. Maybe it is a family member or a neighbor or friend. The cost is $15 for the WW2 & $23 for the rest and the benefit to the veteran and their family is priceless. Get a picture of the presentation and send it to me along with the details of the presentation
Most of you reading this article are life members and I thank you for your membership. There are alson quite of few of you who have joined NCOA because you were coerced by a friend and did so out of a sense of guilt. Every one of you is a valuable member. The chapter just lost another WW2 Navy veteran and it pains me greatly when a member passes away, but to lose someone for failure to renew pains me even more because I wonder what I could have done to make that member feel like their membership was too valuable to give up. This chapter has been the “Large Chapter of the Year for NCOA” for many years which means that many of you have contributed either time or finances to support our efforts to make our respective communities a better place to live. We strive to make a positive difference and I pray that you also strive for the same thing. If you are up for renewal in 2023, please know that you are valued and needed!
If you have any ideas or suggestions, either contact me at retiredveteran89@outlook.com and I can assure you that your leadership will take note.
Strength in Unity & Leadership By Example,
MCPO (SCW) Terry M. Haines, USNR Retired
Chairman, Rogue Chapter #1260