In This Issue:

Legislative Update

President's Page

Special points of interest:

The ABM Treaty

By LT. Elliott A. Riggs, USNR

Sun Tzu, 500 BC

“Pearl Harbor” will probably happen again. This time the attack will be on the U.S. homeland. This time it could be either a military strike weapon of mass destruction or a terrorist attack causing a crippling effect on our public and private sector information systems, on which the entire American economy and way of life depends. Military and/or terrorist missiles are also effective delivery systems for chemical and/or biologic weapons.

For the first time in our history, since the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor 60 years ago, the entire United States is fully vulnerable to missile or smuggled-in weapon attacks.

International terrorists and rogue regimes are savoring the prospect of striking hard at the U.S. according to U.S. Intelligence Agencies. Cuban dictator, Fidel Castro, remarked recently on his trip to Iran that “the United States was plagued with vulnerabilities that smaller countries could exploit.”

The U.S. is also now exposed to an “electronic Pearl Harbor.” This could entail a surprise attack on the U.S. ‘s fragile electronic systems that keep the economy and society running. The Pentagon is concerned about almost daily attempts to penetrate their computer security systems. The State of California, undergoing energy problems, has identified thousands of attempts recently to penetrate their energy grid, mostly from Chinese sources. Concerned about the lack of security efforts during the last 8 years, President Bush has instructed V.P. Cheney to lead a group to draft a national terrorism response plan by 1 October. This is a unique challenge since this is the first time in our history the armed forces cannot defend the U.S. from foreign threats. For example, how would the U.S. Army surround and defend the U.S. power grid?

President Bush is running into considerable opposition to his proposal to abandon the 1972 ABM Treaty, signed with the Soviet Union. This Anti-ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM) forbids effective missile defense against nuclear, biological or chemical warheads on ballistic missiles. (It should be pointed out that Article XV of the treaty provides, that either party to the treaty, may withdraw from it if the treaty’s provisions jeopardize the country’s “supreme interests.” Six months following a notification of withdrawal, the ABM Treaty is nullified).

Who are those that are most opposed to Mr. Bush’s new missile defense initiative? Who are those that say these efforts will undermine the strategic balance, encourage nuclear proliferation, start a new arms race and increase the likelihood of nuclear war? They are:

1. Chinese Defense Minster, Chi Haotian

2. Leadership of the Russian General Staff

3. The North Korean Communist Party Newspaper, Rodong Simnun

4. Liberal Senate Majority Leader, Tom Daschle (D.- S.D.) (USAF 1969-72).

Two weeks after President Bush’s inauguration, he sent Defense Secretary Rumsfeld to Europe to make clear to our allies that the U.S. would defend itself regardless of world opinion. As a result of this trip, opposition from the predominantly Socialist governments in Europe diminished.

President Bush made a major missile defense policy address on May Day. Within 48 hours House Minority Leader, Richard Gephardt (D.- Mo.) (USANG, 1965-71) met with a dozen of his colleagues behind closed doors as to what to do next. Tom Daschle did the same. They resolved to resist the President’s plan to deploy a defensive system against a long range missile attack. Richard Holbrooke, Clinton’s Ambassador to the United Nations, was dispatched to warn Europe’s Socialist leaders that if they didn’t become more assertive on missile defense “The Americans would decide for them.” Observing that no European leader had publicly criticized Bush’s 1 May speech, Holbrooke admonished, “The Europeans must speak their mind to the American Government before it’s too late”.

The third week of May things began to deteriorate for Bush’s position due to extraordinary efforts by Congressional liberals. Liberal Sen. James Jeffords of Vermont (USNR, 1959-90), an opponent of missile defense deployment, defected from the Republican Party and threw control of the Senate and Senate committees into the hands of Democrats. 2 The results of the Congressional Democrat’s secret meeting, two days after President Bush’s speech on National Missile Defense (NMD) was the following strategy:

1. Tell taxpayers it will cost too much.

2. Make sure NMD is not “technologically feasible”.

3. Deny adequate funding for research and development and procurement.

4. Cut out funding for key NMD components.

5. Warn that other countries oppose missile defense while encouraging Socialist governments in NATO to keep opposing the Bush Plan.

6. Exploit fissures within the Bush Administrations.

The decision to inflict mortal damage to the U.S. in 1941 may have made little sense to us, but another nation (for its own reasons) decided to undertake it. The attack on Pearl Harbor however, proved to be an act of suicide. So today, what if a rogue state (or China or Russia) just merely threatened to launch a missile against an undefended U.S. for resisting its acts of local aggression? Think about it. North Korea, North Vietnam, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Palestine, Syria.

Those that oppose President Bush’s NMD initiative, suggest that it will lead to proliferation of nuclear weapons. The opposite is true. If potential aggressors are told that one category of weapons - nuclear missiles - will never be defended against, it does not take much to conclude that any aggressor will do whatever is necessary to acquire those weapons. Russia and China have sold weapons, components and technology to anyone who will buy them. Yet, the U.S. intelligence was surprised when both India and Pakistan unveiled their “nonproliferated” weapons.

There may well be another reason for China’s and Russia’s fury at the idea of the U.S. deploying missile defenses. If either has an offensive agenda, they may well feel that our defense system could frustrate their plans. If the U.S. waits for our proponents to agree to let us defend ourselves, it may be too late.

Secretary of State, Cohn Powell, is brushing aside warnings by Russian President, Vladimer Putin, that he will upgrade Russia’s strategic nuclear arsenal if the United States deploys a missile defense system.

During the Cold War, if we didn’t understand all the ramifications to a question, and the Russians were in favor of something, your surest bet was to be against it.

In the history of the world, nations, tribes and allied associations have always planned to thwart known weapons or tactics. When in the history of the world, has an unsubjugated people not prepared for a known threat or attempted to counter a known weapon held by their adversaries?

It is recommended that the Totah Chapter of TROA, actively support President Bush’s effort to establish an effective national ABM shield. It is further recommended that the Totah Chapter of TROA, communicate their support directly to President Bush as well as to members of New Mexico’s Congressional delegation. Further, to furnish copies of any support communications to the President of the New Mexico Council of Chapters and to each TROA Chapter in New Mexico.

I have freely drawn on material prepared by J. Michael Waller, Joseph Curl, Frank J. Gurney Jr., Casper W. Weinberger, Jack Spencer, Jamie Dettmer, Paul Johnson, Bill Gertz and Rowan Scarborough.

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Summer Picnic

By Eileen White

The time for the annual Totah Chapter Summer Picnic is almost upon us. Here is the report from the organizing committee:

Location: The picnic will be held at the home of Don and Eleanor Castle, 5416 Villa View Drive in the Pinon Hills area of Farmington.

Date/Time: July 28,2001 at 6:00 P.M..

Food to be provided: Barbequed Brisket.

Food to Bring: The remainder of the food items will be “Pot Luck.” Please bring your choice of side dish, vegetable dish, salad, or dessert. One of the Picnic Committee members will call to verify attendance and arrange for your pot luck contribution.

Beverages provided: Wine, beer, tea and coffee will be provided. Soft drinks will be provided by the culinary “challenged.” Other beverages will be on a BYOB basis.

Everyone is encouraged to bring something to be auctioned off during the picnic. Home-made crafts, baked goods, collectibles or anything else that you think might raise an interest in your fellow members. Money raised from the auction will be used for the coming year’s activities.

Don’t forget that the stained glass donated by Peggy Johnson will be given away by drawing during the picnic.

COME JOIN YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS!!

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Legislative Update

By 1LT Larry Brewer, USMC

The recently enacted Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-16) raised the contribution limits for the military Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) that DoD will implement in November 2001. Under prior law, the most service members could contribute from basic, special, incentive, and bonus pays—called the elective deferral limit—was $10,500 per year. Under the new law, this limit is raised to $11,000 for the taxable year 2002; and it increases by $1,000 a year from 2003 to 2006, when it caps at $15,000. However, there still remain maximum limits for contributions from basic pay. In 2002, no more than 7% of basic pay can be contributed to the TSP. This grows by a percentage point each year (8% in 2003, 9% in 2004) until 2006, when the limit is lifted completely. Finally, those who receive tax-free income in a combat zone can contribute more. The total allowable contribution limit for these members has increased from the previous limit of $35,000, or 25% of total compensation, to a straight $40,000 a year. Only active duty and Selected Reserve (“drilling reserve”) service members are eligible for the TSP.

New Assistant Defense Secretary for Force Management Policy, Charles Abell, announced the release of new training materials and support for funeral honors at a meeting Thursday with Service representatives and military/veterans service organizations. The meeting was hosted by The American Legion at its national headquarters.

Two years ago, as a result of growing dissatisfaction over the dwindling capacity of the Services to perform funeral honors for the increasing number of deceased veterans, Congress established minimum requirements for providing honors to families requesting them. The rules mandate a minimum two-person uniformed service honors detail, the folding and presentation of the flag, and the playing of Taps, preferably by a live bugler, if available. One of the members of the detail must be of the same service as the deceased veteran. Prior to these changes, the decision to provide military honors was at the discretion of local commanders. The law also authorized reimbursement of expenses and training for veterans’ organizations and other authorized participants. More than 91,000 military funeral honors were performed in 2000, a 110% increase over the previous year.

Mr. Abell announced the release of a new 20 minute training video to demonstrate the proper protocol for the participation of military and veterans service organizations in performing funeral honors. The tapes are being distributed to these organizations and to active, Guard and Reserve units throughout the country. DoD also announced training programs for organizations wishing to be certified as “authorized provider partners.” Authorized providers usually perform pallbearer, firing party, and bugler functions. They may not be substituted for the uniformed service detail.

TROA is pleased to see that DoD and the Services are continuing efforts to provide a dignified final tribute to the nation’s deceased veterans.

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Calendar

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Patriotism

Submitted By CDR Larry Johnson, USN(Ret)

Today is Flag Day.

I think of it as a day to honor our country and show patriotism. As I went out this morning to put up my flag, I looked up and down my street and could not find another one being displayed. I see this as a sign I am trouble with. We as United States citizens no longer respect the flag and do not respect our nation. Many of our people have lost their patriotism or pride for country.

We as retired military officers recognize these signs because the military services are patriotic. Service life may change but the basics remain the same.

The United States has become a nation separated into special interest and/or cultural groups. What happened to President Kennedy's advise ---Ask not what my country can do for me but what can I do for my country. We have become a ME FIRST nation and seem to have lost the WE part that made this country great. What we need is more "unifiers" and less "dividers."

Our nation's history is no longer taught in the schools. The "news" media is always negative. The good side gets no attention. The positive voice for the USA has almost been silenced. We must get past the current culture of blamers of all society's woes on the US and get back to pride in our national accomplishments. Pay no attention to the negative bilge of the media and see out the positive. This nation of ours is the greatest on the face of the earth.

However, there is hope. Our TROA Chapter efforts with the local high school JROTC programs seem to be bearing fruit. These youngsters seem to be enthusiastic towards military training and national service. It is possible that this generation may get the country back on the right track. The hope for any nation is its youth.

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President's Page

By LTC Alfonso Garcia, USA(Ret)

Dear Fellow Chapter Members and Spouses:

The Summer Picnic Committee is planning a terrific social on Saturday, July 28. This will take place at Don and Eleanor Castle's residence. The Committee members are excited to see to it that their plans come to fruition without a hitch. Each of you are asked to bring an item or two or more to donate for the fund raising auction. Everyone has something that you want to show off but can live without it so that someone else might enjoy it. For example, arts and crafts items made by you. Some of you are great cake and pie bakers. Others might have a tool or appliance that you can afford to be without so someone else can enjoy it. These donations will give joy to the highest bidder and at the same time help the Chapter raise some funds.

I know that some of you are not going to be in town due to vacations or other commitments. We will miss your presence, but that can't be helped. HOWEVER, HOW ABOUT DONATING SOMETHING ANYWAY. I would like this to be a total Chapter participation effort. Will you do that? Any of the Chapter officers will be glad to pick up your donation. Call on us at: Earl or Helen at 325-6383, Terry or Betty at 632-5499, Al or Heidi at 327-0149.

I have been in contact with the President Elect of the New Mexico Council of Chapters. He has accepted the dates of September 7 & 8 to hold the Council quarterly meeting here in Farmington. We want to be good hosts for this meeting and we will ask for your input as to what we should do during the time when the Council is not involved in meetings. Most members bring their spouses.

Please continue to enjoy your summer vacations. Hope to see as many of you as possible at the Summer Picnic and those of you that will be out of town Have FUN..