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An Invitation for Aviators
To honor the courage it takes to be a pilot in the military and to give veterans a sneak preview, the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum invites all military aviators and their family members to be among the first to celebrate the opening of the new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Dec. 9. More than 200 aircraft and 135 spacecraft will be on display, including the space shuttle
Enterprise, an SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft, the Dash 80 prototype of the Boeing 707, the
B-17 Flying Fortress named Swoose, an F-4 Phantom fighter, the b-29 Superfortress
Enola Gay, and the de Havilland Chipmunk aerobatic plane.
Due to space limitations, attendance is limited to 4,000 people on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are $15 and are limited to four per veteran. To purchase tickets, call (866) 814-4441, or visit
www.one-stop-registration.com/smav. Veterans unable to attend the open house can participate in the public opening Dec. 15. For information about the center, visit
www.nasm.si.edu/museum/udvarhazy.
MOAA's
2004
Convention
MOAA’s 2004 Convention
Mark your calendar now for MOAA’s 2004 Convention, to be held Oct.
13–17 in Nashville, Tenn. Join fellow members for what promises to be MOAA’s finest convention ever—
a mix of fun, food, music, camaraderie, and a host of informational sessions.
MOAA has reserved a block of rooms for its members at the downtown Renaissance Nashville Hotel. MOAA members can make their reservations
online, or call the hotel at
(800) 327-6618. Indulge yourself next fall with a trip that will provide you with a wonderful time and lasting memories. We look forward to seeing you in Nashville in October 2004.
Give That Hero a Raise!
Even heroes need to pay their bills, right? That’s why, as of October 2003, the
VA has increased the monthly payment 136 living recipients of the Medal of Honor receive from $600 to $1,000.
The recent pay increase was authorized by the Veterans Benefits Act of 2002, which also set a formula for future increases based on the annual rate of inflation. Previously, each increase literally required an act of Congress. The last raise was in 1998.
“This increase reflects in small part the thanks of President [George W.] Bush and a grateful nation for the uncommon valor and bravery of these veterans,” says
VA Secretary Anthony Principi. “They are living examples of sacrifice, love of country, and dedication to duty.”
Time for a Checkup
Despite a rise in identity thefts more than half of all people over age 60 never check their credit report, according to InCharge Institute of America, a national organization specializing in personal finance education and credit counseling. Even more worrisome, Federal Trade Commission data shows that 22 percent of all identity theft victims are over the age of 50.
“This is truly alarming,” says Robert Barrett, president and chief executive of InCharge. “This is just one more example of seniors being victimized, particularly by those who may be more technologically savvy. At a time when identity theft is considered by the
FBI to be the fastest growing crime in America, it is more important than ever to stay on top of this. People simply are not taking this warning seriously enough.”
Rebecca Stiehl, vice president of education for InCharge, urges younger generations to help elders check their credit reports for possible fraud. “Just like we press our parents to go to the doctor, we need to press them to regularly check their credit report. Talk ... about the risks, give them real-life examples, and provide them with phone numbers.”
To receive a copy of your credit report, contact all three credit reporting agencies:
OK to Copy?
Photocopying a military ID is prohibited by law, right? So why is it, when you go to your local military hospital or civilian doctor, the medic or someone in hospital administration asks to make a copy of your id? In this case, you can hand over your card without fear. Paragraph 1.6.7 of DoD Instruction 1000.13 states, “Photocopying [military
ID
cards] to facilitate medical care processing, check cashing, or administering other military-related benefits to eligible beneficiaries are examples of authorized photocopying.”
Scholarship Spotlight
Some people are content to stay put and live in a small world—but not Melissa McGowan, daughter of Lt. Col. John and Katherine McGowan, ARNG, of Waukee, Iowa.
Wanting to experience other cultures firsthand, this active Marquette University junior has studied abroad in Argentina, worked with Hispanic children who lived in government housing in San Antonio, and volunteered to teach English to Spanis 28h-speaking inmates at the county jail in Milwaukee. She also is a member of the S.T.A.R. Leadership Program and the National Spanish Honor Society, Sigma Delta Pi. McGowan says all of these opportunities have shaped her college experience and prompted her to pursue yet another study-abroad opportunity in Santiago, Chile, this year.
In recognition of her 3.0 GPA and numerous activities, McGowan received a $500 designated scholarship and a $3,250 interest-free loan from The Scholarship Fund of MOAA for the 2003–2004 school year. For more information about the scholarship fund, see “ Dreaming a
Future,” on page 62.
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