The passage of the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included key provisions in addressing toxic exposures. 

ROA thanks Rep. Raul Ruiz of California for working to have these initiatives included in the NDAA.  Rep. Ruiz’s provisions tackle distinct areas of need regarding burn pits: training and the expansion of medical treatment. 

"ROA hails Rep. Ruiz’s wholistic approach to raising awareness and broadening treatment eligibility to take care of servicemembers who have been affected," said ROA‘s executive director, retired Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Phillips.

Section 725: Department of Defense (DOD) Burn Pits Health Provider Training Act, which requires DOD to implement mandatory training for all medical providers working under DOD on the potential health effects of burn pits.

Section 6602: Burn Pit Registry Expansion Act, which requires DOD and VA to expand the Burn Pits Registry to include Egypt and Syria.

Click here for ROA’s position paper on toxic exposure legislation.

Some things I like (like a whole lot/love) about Thanksgiving:

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday and time of year ….. it almost gets squeezed out by Halloween and Christmas, but it is such a special day. 

Thanksgiving is the gateway of the Christmas season.

I spoke with family and friends and asked them what makes Thanksgiving special to them. I’m sure that each of you can add to this list as well:

• The day is all about family ….. no gifts, just great food and great times together!
• Thanksgiving food is AMAZING!  We eat things that we haven’t had since last year: turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie and all sorts of other wonderful things.
• Football, football, and more football!
• Did I mention the turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie?
• A long weekend off.
• Opening of buck season …. Here in Pennsylvania.
• Radio stations begin playing “all Christmas, all the time.”
• Serving Thanksgiving dinners at a church, fire hall or local shelter.
• Passing out turkeys and food bags to people.
• Friendsgiving - love that extra thanksgiving time with close friends before being with family later in the week.
• Project Bundle Up (in Pittsburgh) to collect and distribute winter coats to those in need.
• Our hearts begin to bubble up with generosity as we head into the holiday season.
• Back together with family after COVID.  Wow, what a difference a year makes!
• BIG family dinner …. We even say grace; we don’t often pray before meals, but we do every Thanksgiving.  We should do that more often.

Yes, there is a lot that happens around Thanksgiving, but it seems that this day is special because of its focus …. To Give Thanks and to care for others! 

It is not overly commercialized like so many other days we celebrate during the year.  As we think of the good things we have, we can’t but help thinking of others less fortunate. For a lot of folks, Thanksgiving may be a difficult day. This might be the first holiday without a loved one; some may still be dealing with COVID and all the things that have come about because of it. 

We all know someone... Please reach out, check on them, set an extra plate for them if necessary.

Ronald Reagan shared a wonderful message to the nation in 1981.  “In this spirit Thanksgiving has become a day when Americans extend a helping hand to the less fortunate … Americans have always understood that, truly, one must give in order to receive.  This should be a day of giving as well of a day of thanks.”

Happy and blessed Thanksgiving to you and to your families!

Brig. Gen. Chaplain Bob Pleczkowski
U.S. Army, Retired
ROA National Chaplain

ROA Leaders,

As part of ROA’s Centennial Celebration, we have launched two new initiatives: a writing contest and a Member of the Week feature.

As part of ROA’s Centennial celebration, ROA is conducting a professional writing contest.

The winning articles will be published in Reserve Voice Magazine in the spring of 2022 and on ROA’s social media. Selection will be based on overall excellence, knowledge and support of the topic, significant and effective original thought, accuracy and completeness, adherence to high writing standards, and clarity, insight and respect for the audience.

Topic: ROA was formed in 1922, and in 1950 received its charter from Congress establishing ROA’s purpose to “. . . support and promote the development and execution of a military policy for the United States that will provide adequate national security.” Explain what that phrase means to you, if you think the reserve components do that adequately now, and how they can contribute in the future.

Applications are due no later than January 15, 2022. The online submission form and contest information are at www.roa.org/page/WritingContest.

Each week during the centennial, ROA will highlight a “Member of the Week.” Selected members will be featured on ROA’s website and social media. These "Members of the Week" will be the personal face of ROA as we enter our second century of service to America.

Visit ROA’s website at www.roa.org/page/MemberofWeek to submit yourself or a fellow member to be highlighted as a Member of the Week.

Use the online form to share your image, comments on why you are proud to be an ROA member, and/or how ROA has benefitted you in your military or civilian career. If you are currently serving ROA in a volunteer role, please mention that as well.

You may also nominate someone to be a Member of the Week. If you do, please be sure to provide your name and contact info in the comments.

Share this Information

The success of ROA’s programs hinges on member involvement; please share this information with fellow members.

In recognition of outstanding service, leadership, and patriotism to his country, the Daughters of the American Revolution presented retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ken Robinson, with the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Medal of Honor on Nov. 11, 2021.

The award was presented by Chapter Regent Holly Gibson of the El Presidio Chapter.

As an honorably retired military veteran, serving more than 34 years as enlisted and officer, Robinson has earned numerous medals and accolades for his service including the Legion of Merit Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals and he served in the Vietnam War and the Gulf War.

Further, he has dedicated himself to giving back to military and veteran service organizations. In addition, Ken Robinson is the example of a great citizen because he also gives back to his community. 

Rebecca Call, El Presidio Chapter Chair of the Americanism Committee shared that Ken Robinson is a true patriot.  His dedication and devotion, selfless demeanor and many years of post-military career community service organizations and community civic groups, provide the credentials that make him a well-established and respected contributing member and supportive agent of any veteran and civic community service organizations he serves.

From left to right (above): Daughters of the American Revolution El Presidio Chapter Regent Holly Gibson, retired Army Lt. Col. Ken Robinson and Chapter Chaplain Rebecca Call pose for a photo during the presentation of the DAR Medal of Honor Nov. 11, 2021. Below is a photo of the award.

How are the DAR medals of Honor awarded? Patriotic Awards DAR presents two prestigious awards to American citizens for outstanding contributions to the nation. The DAR Medal of Honor is awarded to native-born American citizens and the Americanism Medal is awarded to naturalized citizens. Each year awards are given to honor those working with veterans.

How many members are in daughters of American Revolution? Founded back in 1890, The Daughters of the American Revolution has chapters all across the 50 states of the United States. There are also various chapters in other countries including Canada, Australia, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom among many others. The organization has now more than 800,000 members all across the globe with varying nationalities.

Two Medal of Honor recipients are chosen by the DAR organization each year. The DAR Medal of Honor is the most prestigious award given by the DAR. The recipient must have made unusual and lasting contributions to our American Heritage by truly giving of themselves to their community, state, country and fellowman.

Who are the recipients of the DAR Medal of Honor? Among the recipients were Webb Hayes, the son of former U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes, and two prominent Marine Corps officers, Hiram I. Bearss and David Dixon Porter. 

Other recipients include: Barbara Bush, and Tom Brokaw, NASA Flight Director Eugene Kranz, retired Army Gen. B.B. Bell (2014), Vietnam Veteran Donna Roew (2017), Judge John Clifford Wallace (2017), Donald Wayne Pettigrew (2018), retired Air Force Col. Leon F. ‘Lee’ Ellis (2018), Trace Atkins (2019), Shari L. Duval (2109), artist Mary Whyte (2020), and Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston (2020), retired Army Master Sgt. Christine Falkowski (2021), and retired Army Lt. Col. Ken Robinson.

Learn more about the Daughters of the American Revolution at dar.org.

UnitedHealthcare’s 2021 Virtual Wellness Series continues through quarter four.

You can attend these sessions from any computer or device with internet access. To have the best experience we suggest you view the session from a Firefox or Chrome browser. 

Please reach out to us directly at uhcfeds@uhc.com if you have questions.

Click here to View Webinar Options and Register