Race reality

I read the February [2005] Military Officer article [“Talking Race”] about the four black members’ racial experience in the armed services. It seems to me they did not tell the harsh realities of racism as compared to what I experienced from 1952 to 1979.

In 1968, I returned from Vietnam to Fort Bragg, N.C., to join my wife and children. My wife had made a contract to purchase some property, and when I arrived, the real estate agent went ballistic because my wife, being a white female German-American, was married to me, a black Afro-American.

… All our children turned out to be productive Americans. … Not bad for interracial military children.

— CWO Maurice L. Smith, USA-Ret.
via e-mail

Poker players

In the January 2005 issue [“Ante Up”] the picture of President Harry Truman playing poker did not identify the other participants. The person facing us in the flowery shirt was my mother’s brother, Clark McAdams Clifford, special assistant to the president.

... Clark Clifford was a great storyteller and one in particular dealt with one of those poker games. The chief justice thought he had a winning hand until the president out drew him on the last card. The chief justice was about to let forth an epithet like many of us would utter in a poker game but caught himself in mid sentence and congratulated the president on his good fortune. All had a big laugh over this.

— Col. Clifford M. Kurrus, USAR-Ret.
Manchester, MO

Deduction inaccuracies

Congratulations on the “new look” of the Military Officer magazine. …

In the “Rapid Fire” section [February 2005] you have some inaccuracies regarding the general sales tax deduction. Receipts are not required to take [this] deduction for tax year 2004. IRS Publication 600 provides tables by state, which may be used. In addition to the state sales tax rate, local sales taxes are also deductible. This deduction is available in all states and is not restricted to those states with no state income tax. For example, the state of Illinois does not tax retirement income. When [calculating] state/local sales tax outlined in [IRS Publication] 600, many of our retired citizens will have a larger deduction by using the sales tax versus state income tax paid. Of course, you must itemize to obtain this deduction.

— Col. Aaron J. Wolff, USA-Ret.
via e-mail

Veterans left out

Each year I receive [the DoD] payment statement and see my retirement pay going toward my 100-percent veteran disability pay. I’m grateful for the assistance. However, with the concurrent receipt bills being passed, I’m being left out. I only have 17 years of service—not 20. In 1976, I was not allowed [to return to active duty] because I was confined to a wheelchair. Many veterans like me are being omitted in the bills. Is that right?

— Lt. Col. Hank Brandli, USAF-Ret.
Melbourne, Fla.

Editor’s note: MOAA agrees the current law unfairly treats medical retirees with less than 20 years of service. We are working with our House and Senate champions on this and expect legislation will be introduced soon to extend this group eligibility for Combat-Related Special Compensation.

Thanks, Blum!

Having spent most of my military career as a member of the National Guard (ARNG and ANG), I believe that General [H. Steven] Blum’s 2004 annual meeting address was outstanding [January 2005]. His message was one that should be reprinted in the mainstream press. He truly expresses the dedication and patriotism of these citizen soldiers and the professional commitment of their leaders. We owe all of them an unending debt of gratitude.

— Lt. Col. Robert S. Zetzer, USAFR-Ret.
via e-mail

It’s the Shenandoah In the “Your Views” comments, February 2005, I think the writer may have had Shenandoah in mind [instead of the] Indianapolis when he recounted the Navy’s dirigibles.

— Cmdr. H.A. Franck, USN-Ret.
via e-mail

Identity fraud

In the article “Stop, Thief!” [“Rapid Fire” February 2005] you recognize the national problem of identity theft. I was pleased to read that veterans will now have a new health card, which will provide better personal information protection.

… What a mistake it was when they decided to replace service serial numbers with an individual’s Social Security number. It will be interesting to see if the agency that made this mistake will take action to correct it.

— Lt. Col. Courtney Smith Jr., USA-Ret.
via e-mail

Decades of sacrifice

… Our military is stretched thin as it bears the burden of war and nation building. The National Guard and Reserve are filling the void left by years of cuts in our active force. The United States has not asked its citizens to sacrifice by paying a war tax or drafting its citizens into the military to fill the void. If a grateful nation can afford to have a standing military, then the United States can afford to pay the bill for their veterans and retirees who have sacrificed. … I am grateful to MOAA and The Military Coalition for standing up for military retirees and veterans. If they did not, who would? Keep up the great work!

— Maj. Cliff Maumenee, USA-Ret.
via e-mail

Caption switch

The article “Heavy Metal” [February 2005] is very interesting. I believe the photo of the AH1 Cobra Helicopter on page 47 is actually a submarine. The submarine on page 48 is actually a helicopter.

— Lt. Col. J.L. Neely, USAR-Ret.
via e-mail

Postcard delay?

It dawned on me as I was signing the letters to the House of Representatives included in the last Military Officer [February 2005], that my experience with sending letters to my [legislators] is a lengthy delay because they are routed to somewhere in the Midwest for screening for potential anthrax, etcetera. …

I will continue to respond to MOAA’s initiatives, but I wonder if the snail mailings are worth the time and effort? Are MOAA and The Military Coalition getting [their] bang for the buck?

— Col. Arville L. Hickerson, USA-Ret.
via e-mail

Editor’s note: MOAA’s lobbyists assess the value of various communications between constituents and elected officials. The cards, letters, and e-mails do make it through and have a strong impact on legislators. Please continue to lend your voice to the cause because MOAA can only make progress if we have the support of members who care to weigh in.