July is here, and with it, we celebrate the 4th of July as a day when we recognize our Independence. We have parades, family gatherings with BBQs, and fireworks displays. July 27 is the day we acknowledge the armistice ending the fighting in Korea back in 1953. However, the Korean War has not yet been officially declared over. There is a difference between a truce and an official end of a war. July 28, 1914, marked the beginning of WW1.
I hope to see many of you in San Antonio this month. We will be announcing the winner of the Korean War Medallion design contest. I also want to thank all the members and chapters who have responded to my request to get actively involved in recognizing not only WW2 veterans but their immediate families. Because of this medallion program, NCOA has received a lot of recognition for the educational benefits of the presentation to families. This program, more than just about all that we have gotten involved with over the years, has triggered feelings of patriotism and support from the public for what we are doing. I have recruited numerous new members because of this program because they want to belong to a group doing something meaningful for their families and our country. My chapter alone has awarded over 200 of these medallions and gotten numerous newspaper articles and TV stories that have brought financial support from the community to keep this program going. If I can do it, so can you.
I want to thank a rising star in the Air Force, Chief Master SGT (select) Gerald Morey, the Vice President of your Board of Directors. The work that he has put in on putting together a program of professional development that can benefit our membership as well as all active duty that will be attending our upcoming conference. Specific thanks go out to him because he was able to bring Kristen Christy as one of the keynote speakers for our conference. As a subject matter expert on the subject of resilience, she will provide valuable thought-provoking input that can address the issue of veteran suicide, which has become a national crisis as well as a personal issue for many of you.
I also want to thank in advance our Executive Director Joe Terry as well as key staff members Tina Kish, Roxanne Baber & our Legislative Director Levi Sadr for the hard work that they have put into supporting each of you for the past year and for the preparation for the upcoming conference. I also want to acknowledge the leadership and dedication of our National President, Paul Kingsbury. You may have heard the phrase, iron sharpens iron before, and I can tell you that your staff and leadership team are working hard on your behalf, and NCOA is stronger today than it has been in a long time because of these people.
If you have any ideas or suggestions, either contact headquarters or 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
Chairman, International Board of Directors