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' Jim Whittington '
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Designed to
Keep the Military Retiree Medical Care Broken Promise Issue Alive

Beckie Thrash at the 27 March 1999 Laurel, MS, meeting

The following two speeches, by Beckie Thrash, was extracted from e-mails sent to the MRGRG e-mail network by Jim Whittington.

-------- Original Message --------

Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 18:29:11 -0600
From: "Whittington" < jimw8869@megagate.com >

To All:

What follows will be the FIRST of two speeches that my Daughter gave at two
different meetings in Laurel, MS. The one below was given on 27 Mar. 99.

Beckie is a 12th Grade English Teacher in Laurel,MS.

I have said before, I have Four Hero's --they are: My wife of 53 years, and
my three Children.

The second speech will follow shortly. There is a message in both speeches.

"Don't give up--Stand together, united".

You have permission to pass these speeches around the net, use in a web page
or quote if you so desire.

If we all got involved it would be like what the Japanese Admiral, Yomomoto
said shortly after the beginning of World War 2. He said: "We have awakened
a sleeping giant"

We can become that "sleeping giant" AGAIN.

NOTE: Don't look for mistakes. This old man has a hard time typing anymore.

Thanks
Jim Whittington
Laurel, MS.

BROKEN PROMISES
By Beckie Thrash

Looking out over this sea of handsome and distinguished retirees, it is
truly a pleasure to be here today and be part of such an important event.

Being a teacher, I often have to come up with ideas in which to motivate my
students. In so doing, I try to come up with things that will catch their
eye and ear. Today, I have an acronym that I feel is appropriate for such an
occasion.

Bold in attitude and character.

Respect for myself, my fellowman and my country

Always mindful of what has been instilled in me

True to my country and my flag

In case you haven't figured it out, it spells "BRAT"

Yes, I am an Air Force BRAT and the proud daughter of United States Air
Force Msgt, Jim Whittington.

Growing up, I was blessed to have two parents who instilled in me the
virtues of pride, honesty, and love of country.

The Air Force was not my Dad's career but our family's career. I might also
add it was a career which my Dad chose, not made to enter.

Just like many of you, he wanted to serve his country in any and all
capacities. He did not wait for Uncle Sam to call; He stepped forth gladly
ready to serve anywhere and anytime for this great country of ours. In so
doing, He and all of you were promised numerous things that now are trying
to be taken away.

Today, even with the imposing threat of losing all benefits, if called, He
and all of you would gladly step up and serve your country once again.

The government spends billions of dollars a year to help other third world
countries, and yet, we cannot take care of our "Retired Military" that
served so dutifully. Our government has become so complacent in where their
obligations lie concerning all of you.

It is time to become one voice concerning these issues. Some may think this
to be a futile effort on your part, but they are wrong. Just in you being
here today shows that you will fight to the end for what was promised and
inevitably rightfully yours.

Ironically, we teach our children that a promise is a promise yet our
government believes it does not have to adhere to a promise---a promise that
you would have full medical benefits upon retirement for the rest of your
life. Do we have a double standard?? We can afford to pay our state and
federal politicians exuberant salaries, yet we cannot meet our obligations
to our "Retired Military".

Respectfully sirs, I say there is something wrong with this picture.

To this day, even with the threat of this promise being broken, all of you I
am sure stand tall, proud, and respectful of our flag, national anthem, and
your respective military theme songs.

So I say don't give up but rally to your cause just as our ancestors rallied
to the causes they believed in. Believe me, it will not be for naught.

Stand proud and strong and be one voice: Promises are meant to be kept---not
broken.

Thank you
Beckie Thrash.

Jim Whittington--MSGT--USAF--RET--1951-1972

 

-------- Original Message --------

Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 18:51:09 -0600
From: "Whittington" < jimw8869@megagate.com >


To All:

This is the second speech given by my Daughter at meetings we had in
Laurel, MS.
You may pass around the net, use in web pages etc. etc.
The message is: Stand together.

Thanks
Jim Whittington
Laurel, MS.

BROKEN PROMISES
SECOND EDITION
BY
Beckie Thrash

Retirees, distinguished guest, ladies and gentlemen

Once again, it is indeed an honor to be here to reflect back over the past
year and a half and remember all the hard, unending energy that has gone
into this important campaign to restore all medical benefits to military
retirees and their spouses.

We have watched what started out as a small "wisp" of smoke on march 27,
1999, in Laurel, MS., grow into a flicker of a flame and now a full
"blaze"---A nationwide endeavor, and you fine ladies and gentlemen are the
Olympians of this flaming torch.

It is because of all of you. You have never once strayed or given up your
fight for what was promised to you when you entered your chosen armed
services and needless to say, what you earned for your service to your
country.

To paraphrase my favorite President, Ronald Reagan, "YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING
YET.!"

In the past year and a half, you have not lost sight of your vision and you
are steadily moving toward the goal of making the government hold true to
the Promises it made to each of you. You have stood steadfast and worked
tenaciously for your fight to restore what was taken away from you.

Many times in teaching seniors, I ask, "what is it you don't understand
about a certain lesson?" Well, today, Ladies and Gentlemen I would like to
pose the question to our government: "WHAT IS IT THAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND
ABOUT "BROKEN PROMISES?"

Ladies and Gentlemen, don't buckle under to the red tape you are being fed.
We are burning up cyberspace with updates, raising billboards, talking to
everyone we come in contact with, holding retired military summits, and
keeping the media abreast and aware of what is taking place with this
important endeavor.

We are tired of the same old clichés of "we don't have the money!"
especially, when I hear on the news that we have just spent billions of
dollars on another study to watch the mating habits of yet another UNKNOWN
BIRD!!!

In fact, effective October 1, 2000, the defense budget has voted to allocate
$ 8.5 million dollars to Gallo Wineries to study the affects of alcohol on
the brain. To quote Judge Judy: "excuse me sir, but do I have STUPID written
across my forehead??" What in the world does Gallo Wine have to do with
defense?

Another cliché is "we are working to give you partial benefits."

Well,, I am here to say. "you were not offered crumbs and you will not be
satisfied in taking crumbs or leftovers." I am tired of our military
retirees being treated like second class citizens.

I am sad to say that many have passed away during this endeavor, but they
helped and fought up until the end. I dare say many of you might not reap
the benefits of this campaign, but you are not doing it for yourselves but
for present men and women and men and women in the future who will make the
Armed Services their career.

In closing, I just want to say how proud I am of each of you for your
strength, courage, and endless hours of hard work. You may have had a few
setbacks, but the war is not over.

Continue to carry the flame high and proud. Don't ever sway in what you know
to be right. Your message---your torch "to restore military health
benefits---"KEEP THE PROMISE".

Again, thank you for allowing me to be a part of this important campaign.

Beckie Thrash


Jim Whittington--MSGT--USAF--RET--1951-1972

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