As a fundraising project, the ROA Walla Walla Chapter has brought a long-standing tradition to life.

The initiative honors not only veterans who are currently being laid to rest but also those who passed long ago and may not have family members visiting their graves. The chapter aims to pay tribute to all veterans by laying a wreath on veterans' headstones to remember and honor those who served.

This year, they had the privilege of laying approximately 660 wreaths. Each wreath represents a memory and a deep sense of gratitude.

On a chilly and overcast morning on December 14, 2024, the Walla Walla community honored America’s heroes during the annual Wreaths Across America Day. Community members—including Veterans, Non-Veterans, men, women, and children—gathered to pay their respects at the Fort Walla Walla Post Cemetery and Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens.

Central to the mission of the Walla Walla Chapter for the past three years is the commitment to remember, honor, and teach others about the sacrifices made by veterans. Volunteers devote their time to placing wreaths on the headstones and reciting each soldier’s name. The dedication and leadership of individuals such as Maj. Lonnie E. Mettler, Command Sgt. Maj. Terry R. Atchison, and Staff Sgt. Chad E. Bro drove this initiative.

They successfully engaged with local businesses, family members, and friends to secure the necessary funds to acquire wreaths. They successfully organized volunteers to assist with this initiative through their coordinated efforts.

Each year, fresh evergreen wreaths symbolize the community’s continued respect and honor for the sacrifices made by those brave individuals. This deeply rooted practice serves as a memorial, reminding everyone of the essential contributions of veterans and the families who support them.

Wreaths Across America Day is vital in bringing our community together and invites us all to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served. The efforts of the Walla Walla Chapter serve as a heartfelt reminder of our shared obligation to honor and remember our veterans.

By doing so, we cultivate a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation within our community, recognizing those who have given so much courage and dedication.

FORT BELVOIR – The Exchange Credit Program celebrated its collaboration with Discover Global Network in a big way—53 feet long, to be exact.

Six new MILITARY STAR card tractor-trailers—53-foot rolling billboards— are on the road across the United States reminding service members, military families, Veterans and Department of Defense and Coast Guard civilians that the card, now powered by Discover, is the one card for their military lifestyle.

The trailer design was officially unveiled outside the Fort Belvoir PX on March 26. The Army & Air Force Exchange Service administers the MILITARY STAR card, which is accepted at all exchanges, commissaries and other partners across military installations.

“This stunning trailer makes it crystal clear,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull. “The MILITARY STAR card is truly the one card that supports the military community. From young service members establishing credit, to helping military families while PCS’ing, the Exchange Credit Program is a Quality-of-Life force multiplier.”

MILITARY STAR’s collaboration with Discover allows the card to be accepted by additional services and providers on military installations, including concessionaires, name-brand restaurants, third-party vendors, certain Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities and more.

To celebrate the new trailers, MILITARY STAR Day was in full force at Fort Belvoir with complementary food truck lunches, 10% savings on in-store purchases with the card and double points on all transactions.

In 2024, MILITARY STAR delivered more than $470 million in value to the military community. Benefits include:

• 10% off first-day’s purchases.
• 5 cents off every gallon of gas at Express fuel locations.
• 10% off food purchases at participating Exchange restaurants.
• Free standard shipping on ShopMyExchange.com orders.
• Unlimited 2% rewards everywhere the card is accepted.

To apply for card and learn more, visit MyECP.com.

From ROA Executive Director
Jeffrey E. Phillips
Maj. Gen., USA (Ret.)

Members of the Reserve Organization of America:

It is with profound sadness that we bring to you the news of the death Sunday in Waterloo, Iowa, of ROA’s beloved lifetime member and leader, retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Evan L. Hultman. Click here for General Hultman’s obituary.

General Hultman – “Curly” – perhaps more than any member in memory personified the founding purpose and spirit of ROA. Like the founders, he was a veteran of world war who returned home to help forge a new post-war America, ever mindful of the need for military readiness. He committed himself unreservedly and joyously to family and community. He joined ROA in June 1947, serving in leadership roles through some of our association’s most momentous decades. His service peaked as national president from 1981-1982, and executive director from 1986-1993.

Curly recognized the importance of international coordination among NATO allies and was an early and steadfast champion of the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers, the CIOR, an organization of reserve NATO officers. He was one of only two officers to be named by CIOR an honorary chairman for life.

Curly received the Army’s Distinguished Service Medal from President Reagan in 1984 and the U.S. Secretary of Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal in 1994, as well as decorations from the Czech Republic and the crown prince of Denmark.

Curly Hultman’s life was devoted to others. During that lifetime, he was recognized with awards and recognitions from presidents, royalty, and the influential that could fill walls.

Yet I daresay that the signal honor for Curly Hultman is that above all he served family, community, nation, and his fellow service members, veterans, and their families.

His was a life well led, and an inspiration to us all.
Thank you, Maj. Gen. Evan L. “Curly” Hultman. May your towering and loving spirit find peace in God’s grace.

From ROA National President
Layne R. Wroblewski
Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.)

My fellow members:

With a heavy heart, I share the deeply saddening news of the passing of one of our most esteemed leaders, Major General Evan “Curly” Hultman. On Sunday, he transitioned from our beloved homeland into the serene embrace of the universe, touching the face of God at the remarkable age of 99.

Many of you had the privilege of knowing General Hultman personally. He dedicated his life to uplifting thousands, if not tens of thousands, of service members, community members, and legal professionals. He was a brilliant lawyer who served Iowa as Attorney General and maintained a law practice for many years. The Army recognized his exceptional leadership qualities and honored him to lead the Army Reserve from 1983 to 1984. His contributions were acknowledged by multiple Presidents, including President Reagan, who awarded him the Distinguished Service Medal. Once more called to serve, General Hultman became a pivotal figure in the success of the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers, earning the title of Honorary Chairman for life. He significantly impacted our association as National President from 1981 to 1982 and later served as our transformative Executive Director from 1986 to 1993.

Curly was truly the voice of wisdom in our association. His presence was invaluable; leaders sought his counsel during national meetings where he was present. He shared in our joy during the rededication of General Pershing’s statue near the Willard InterContinental Washington Hotel, standing proud in full dress uniform to salute in his 90s.

In the coming days and weeks, we will honor and celebrate General Hultman’s incredible life and legacy. It is both a privilege and a profound responsibility for us to carry on his legacy, knowing that we can never truly fill the shoes he wore. His strength, humility, and passion are irreplaceable qualities. He was a true hero; our association and nation have lost a majestic warrior and a dedicated servant. We will forever cherish his memory. 

The Department of the Southeast (DOTS), composed of members from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma, strengthened team building and concluded a successful winter meeting in Baton Rouge, La. from January 24-25. 

The event was hosted by Col. Clay and Montez Legrande and the South Louisiana Chapter.  Twelve chapter leaders, eight spouses and three new members attended. The group enjoyed southern hospitality at a reception at Clay's home Friday evening, culminating with the showing of WWII-era rifles and a lively historical discussion.

LSU’s ROTC building hosted Saturday’s conference.  A full day’s agenda included discussion of ROA national level current events and legislative issues by ROA National President Lt. Col. Layne Wroblewski, review of DOTS’ governing documents by Cmdr. Ed Isom and Wroblewski, a Department National Council update by Col. Shirley Martin and service and chapter briefings by other members. 

Lively discussions occurred about converting space-orientated Air National Guard forces into Space Forces (with no Reserve units), restructuring USAF wings to align with HQ’s A-Staff concept, and ideas and feedback how to engage with Generation Y and Z drilling reservists.  Some members participated through a Zoom conference call.  The next meeting will be July 26, 2025.

After the business meeting, the entire group visited the Louisiana State University Rural Life Museum in Baton Rouge for a superbly given guided tour and lecture on 19th century history in rural Louisiana using historic structures of enslaved persons as the basis.  It was very enlightening.  The weekend culminated with a scrumptious Cajun dinner at a well-known local restaurant. 

On Feb. 5, the Kroger Family of Pharmacies rejoined the TRICARE Pharmacy Program network. This means that TRICARE beneficiaries now have access to over 2,200 additional network pharmacies across 35 states. These pharmacies are in rural, suburban, and urban locations.

Kroger Pharmacy is a retail network pharmacy, which means that you’ll pay network pharmacy copayments if you fill your prescriptions there. As described in the TRICARE Costs and Fees Fact Sheet, the retail network pharmacy copayments* are:

• Generic formulary drugs: $16
  
• Brand-name formulary drugs: $43
  
• Non-formulary drugs: $76
  

*These copayments are for up to a 30-day supply of your prescription. (Note: Some non-formulary drugs and maintenance medications may not be available at retail network pharmacies.)

Not sure if you have a Kroger Pharmacy nearby? Other Kroger Pharmacy brand names include:

• Baker's Pharmacy
• City Market
• Dillons
• Fred Meyer
• Fry’s
• Harris Teeter
• King Soopers
• Mariano’s
• Pick’n Save
• QFC
• Ralphs
• Smith’s
  

You can use the Find a Pharmacy tool to search for retail network pharmacies near you. There are also other options to fill your prescriptions. You can get your drugs:

• At military pharmacies
  
• Through TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery
  
• At other network pharmacies
  
• At non-network pharmacies