From the Desk of the Chairman
2025 is finally here. I am sure that we are all tired of Medicare Advantage commercials and political ads and we all pray that this year will bring us many blessings. I want to wish all of you a Happy New Year and let 2025 be a blessing to you and your family and loved ones. Many make New Year’s resolutions, most that by February have already been broken. Here is one that I hope many will make and will still be in force by next January. Try this one. Make a difference in the lives of those around you. Lead your family by example and many have fallen into bad habits which we live to regret. I try to lead by example, and I try hard to live up to that desire. How about you? Let us all start this new year by making a positive difference in our lives within our families, our community and our nation. There is nothing wrong with changing course if we find ourselves going in the wrong direction. The one thing we all need to avoid is living with regret. I look at one of our own chapter members, MCPOCG Vince Patton, who without realizing it has touched the lives of so many men and women, not just in the Coast Guard, but life in general. He inspires me every day and I hope that his positivity has also touched you. Make a difference starting today!
The Rogue Chapter has now awarded over 1,430 Medallions. I know that there are many of you who served during a period that would qualify for one of the Medallions. Headquarters announced a contest recently to seek suggestions for the Global War on Terrorism Medallion design as well as a Medallion to cover all of the Campaigns between Vietnam and 9/11. I want to thank Mike Sklar and Woody Wooten in Florida and Audie Cooper in Oregon for stepping out and recognizing many veterans for their service.
I recently sent out emails reminding several members about an upcoming renewal and as part of that letter indicating some of the impact that our chapter has had. I also asked for feedback, and I got a great comment from a retired Air Force member about the Junior ROTC program. Feedback from all of you is exactly what I encourage and need. I can’t meet your needs or improve your chapter if I never hear from you. I and the editor of your newsletter work hard to give you information that will be of use to you, so please share your thoughts.
Having sat on the International Board of Directors in the past and also having been active in the Knights of the Square Table, I am familiar with what is going on within NCOA. This is a good organization and is only going to get better. It has been my experience that when couples work together to support any organization, the organization gets stronger. I encourage all of you who do not have a spouse and family as part of NCOA to bring them onboard into the auxiliary. Right now, out of 419 regular members, only 26 of you have a spouse of family member that is signed up. Just about all my family and a few other regular members have multiple members of their family signed up. There is lots of room for growth and equally important are a lot of fresh ideas that are not heard. Think about it and do something this year!
I would love to hear from all of you with your thoughts and suggestions. 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