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Greetings and Salutations
Veterans and Chapter Membership. As everyone now knows we had a rousing
good time for our first meeting and ride of the New Year. It goes without
saying there was plenty of arm twisting, intimidation and just plain
whining and sniveling at the installation of new officers and board
members. As the recently appointed Veterans Representative for the
chapter, please allow me to introduce myself, and provide a small capsule
of information therein. My name is John A. Banks, and I am a retired
member of the United States Air Force. My tour of duty spanned twenty-one
years.
Of that time, twelve years
was on active duty, and nine in the reserves, retiring in September 1992,
with the rank of Master Sergeant with an assortment of awards and
decorations. My duty assignments included but were not limited to Western
Europe, Southeast Asia two tours and a variety of locations in the states
culminating in my retiring from the military through the office of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington D.C. My profession through out that
entire period was that of the following; Security Policeman-AKA (Military
Policeman), Security Specialist, Heavy Weapons Specialist, and Human
Security Shield. I am married, with two children. My wife Tereser A. Banks
is a working professional and presently is a Warden at the Federal
Correctional Complex, Victorville California. She also is a military
service member soon to be retiring.
As your Veteran Representative I am
extremely humbled by the overwhelming support I have received from you the
chapter body for this position. I will give it my best in providing
insightful timely information for all of our veterans, who have served so
proudly, diligently and selflessly. Since many of you are silver fox’s
such as myself, and most, probably have children or in some cases grand
children (smile) possibly serving on active duty, whatever is provided
pass it on. “Each one teach one, Each one reach
one, that is my motto”.
We will try and keep the veterans page
light and interesting, and in most cases limited to one page. After all if
you’re like me, the less I have to read the better off I am. It will
probably take me a month or two, to get the format down I am happy with.
Once that’s completed it should be smooth sailing.
Memoriam: The Veterans page
expresses its sincere condolences to Mark and Sue Vrabel on the untimely
lost of Marks father. He was a Veteran and as such we salute him.
Bulletin: Please read the latest
attached Agent Orange phamplet. It contains some note worthy information
that should be acted upon. There is a pot of gold, if in fact, you are
eligible for it. You should consider your spouse and loved ones remember
they served too.
Bulletin: For you home owners if
you are a disabled Veteran and depending upon the percentage of your
disability, you may be entitled to a substantial tax right off on your
home yearly. The form utilized to request this can be acquired at your
local tax assessor’s office. The real good news is a. The tax
rebate is retro active in many cases (check refund) b. The amount
of the tax right off can be as high as $100.000 dollars of the
assessed value. Check it out.
Bulletin: In the last couple of
years the Veterans Administration has raised our entitlement for the
purchase of homes twice, that is to say the home guarantee loan aspect.
Our previous rate was $359,650 our new rate, effective January
1,2006 is $417.000 dollars, not bad do you think?
Bulletin: This last bit of
information is that of vehicle registration. Again depending upon your
status as a Veteran, and whether or not there is a disability involved,
you may be entitled to a reduced rate. Only the department of motor
vehicle can say for sure. But what the heck, in this day of high prices
and inflation, every little bit counts right (smile).
John A. Banks, MSgt, USAF, Ret.-Hoo-rah
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