Judging a Book by Its Cover

Your cover photo depicting 75 years of heroes was outstanding, but what happened to the U.S. Air Force? Is it possible that they could find no heroes after Gen. “Hap” Arnold other than some Security Forces female in those silly blue fatigues? Whatever happened to the likes of Gens. Curt LeMay and Robin Olds? I’m afraid my alma mater is flying without a navigator again!

Lt. Col. R.M. Sullivan, USAF-Ret.
Miramar Beach, Fla.

Who demoted Gen. George Marshall to brigadier?

Lt. Col. James Bouchard, USAF-Ret.
Somers, Conn.

I am disgusted with the [January cover]. You display pictures of Halsey, MacArthur, “Chesty” Puller, Eisenhower, Pershing, Elvis Presley, and other publicity hounds. You did not include the one man who was commander of the largest military force of World War II and who did more to successfully win the war, Adm. Chester W. Nimitz. Why? Is it because he quietly did his job and did not seek the adulation of the press? Or is it because the publicity seekers are the ones that you consider as the heroes? I think you need a lesson in history.

CWO Lee F. Story, USN-Ret.
Gulfport, Miss.

Your January cover picture was a delight. Thank you.

Mrs. Dennis M. Hoffman
Huntingdon, Pa.

I am deeply disturbed by your inclusion of Robert Taylor and, especially, Elvis Presley in your cover collage and lead-in pages to your cover story. Of all the men and women who have served so valiantly and faithfully in the armed forces of the United States, why would you choose to include photos of a grandstanding Hollywood actor and a drug addict? [This was a] very poor choice on the part of the editors of a magazine that I usually enjoy reading cover to cover. 

Cmdr. Gary Dietz, USN-Ret.
via e-mail

The January 2004 cover picture was very good—except in Texas we like Chester Nimitz from Fredericksburg, Texas. Next time, maybe?

Lt. Col. W.H. Bergeron, USAF-Ret.
San Antonio

How could you leave Gen. William C. Westmoreland off the January 2004 cover? As a Vietnam veteran, I feel slighted at this omission.

Col. Oscar G. Price Jr., USA-Ret.
Pell City, Ala.

I’m Ivan Luke, the lone Coast Guard rep in the photo collage on your January cover. Well, actually on the fold-out flap, not the cover per se, but so are Hap Arnold, George C. Marshall, and Elvis, so at least I’m in good company! And either way, it was both an honor and a surprise to find myself in the picture. Thanks for the 15 minutes of fame! …

Being that I’m just a regular guy and not an actual hero, it will probably be a long time until my smiling face again graces a magazine cover, so I’m going to hang on to this one.

Capt. Ivan Luke, USCG
Newport, R.I.

I recall the published discussion in our former TROA magazine among members of two of the seven uniformed services, USPHS and NOAA, and subsequent assurances by TROA leadership around the use of the word “military” in the proposed name change to “MOAA.” 

I was disappointed that the January 2004 cover did not feature one USPHS or NOAA officer. I do not know when the USPHS or NOAA joined TROA. However, the USPHS can trace its origins to 1798 and NOAA to 1807; therefore, in my view, there are several USPHS and NOAA officers worthy of being considered to be among the honorable 24 pictured. 

Cmdr. Michael Iademarco, USPHS
Atlanta

Much Done, More to Do

In reviewing MOAA’s February issue, I’m reminded what a wonderful and all-inclusive lobbying effort on behalf of retirees and active duty [servicemembers] MOAA is conducting.

What little effort is required of us individually in order to make this effort a resounding success! In the February issue, it only required tearing out already prepared cards and sending them to our representatives. I personally went on MOAA’s Web Base and found my representative’s name lacking [from a list of cosponsors], so I fired off an e-mail encouraging him to climb aboard.

Politicians respond when they feel the heat from their local constituents. Readers’ cards, e-mails, and phone calls on each of MOAA’s topics will turn up that heat

Maj. Delzie C. Revels, USA-Ret.
via e-mail

MOAA has accomplished some outstanding gains for surviving spouses. Congratulations, and thank you. The next project is the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and the opportunity to rectify an injustice to the widows of military retirees. However, you need to carry it one step further.

I am a recipient of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), and when this started in 1994 my SBP was stopped. I have never been able to understand this. DIC and SBP are two different programs … from two different “pockets.” My husband chose to enroll in the SBP program when he retired, expecting it to be a help to me. …

There are many spouses who would qualify for this correction in benefits, and I certainly would like to see it happen! Is it possible to add this benefit to the adjustment in the payment deferential? Military retirees would have been much better served to place their monthly payments into a private annuity program. They have been misled by SBP and its promises.

Judith Hark
Hayes, Va.

Editor’s note: MOAA supports H.R. 1726 and S. 585, which would repeal the DIC offset to SBP.

California, Here We Come

Larry Tritten’s article, “Name That Town” (February 2004), was very enjoyable, but he should have left out the part about California’s name. While La Chanson de Roland does mention “Califerne” as being a place, it provides no detail about its location or its inhabitants. On the other hand, Amadis of Gaul by Garcí de Montalvo was published in 1510 and describes a place called California as an island near the Indies that was rich in gold and inhabited by bronze Amazon women who were robust in body with stout, passionate hearts. …

In 1524, when a politically embattled Cortés sent letters to Charles V in an effort to retain his governorship over Mexico, he included a report from an unnamed officer. It is about an island, a mere 10 days journey from Ciguatan (modern day Colima), that was inhabited only by women and was rich in pearls and gold. …

Granted, Cortés never actually said he found the passage to the Indies or even mentioned the name California; he let others jump to conclusions, and Spanish charts started showing an island by that name shortly thereafter. In fact, it took an official decree in 1747 to finally declare that California was not an island. But the name had already stuck—and the gold really was there! As for the robust bronze women with passionate hearts, they can be found at almost any beach in California or Baja California.

Lt. Mark S. Williams, USN-Ret.
via e-mail

New England Patriots

Rep. James McGovern (photo on page 19, January 2004) represents the city of Worcester, Mass., and the area to the west of Framingham. He, like all the representatives and both senators from Massachusetts, is a Democrat and not a Republican! Please be advised that Democrats in Massachusetts are just as patriotic as Republicans in this state.

Lt. Cmdr. W.B. Lyon, USNR-Ret.
Framingham, Mass.