THE GATHERING
~ a completed ~
REGIONAL
MILITARY RETIREE GRASS ROOTS
SUMMIT MEETING
held in
Lawton Oklahoma

An OVERVIEW (Part One)
By Jack Hollinsworth

After a few days of consideration of all that transpired during "THE GATHERING" in Lawton and catching up on my e-mail, both pre- and post-Summit, I submit the following as a personal overview of the conference and its outcome.

1. While I was disappointed at the low turnout, after two (2) days reflection, I have come to the conclusion that it may have been to MRGRG’s benefit in that those stalwarts who did show up proved, at least to me, that they are the true movers and shapers of the MRGRG movement. Because of the limited turnout, everyone pretty well had their say and the inputs were all valuable and needed. Dissention drives the democratic system and "THE GATHERING" proved the validity of this proposition.

2. Post-Gathering inputs, show some mis-understanding with regard to the outcome of the Summit, and to this end I want to repeat and re-enforce, the MRGRG objective as stated in the, "OPERATION RAPID FOCUS", brochure everyone received at the conference, and that is: To induce the Congress of the United States of America, to inact legislation, which provides no-cost quality health care, to all Military Retirees and their eligible dependents, past, present, and future, in accordance with promises made by duly authorized representatives of the U.S. Government to the Military Retiree during his or her term of service. It must be clearly understood that the foregoing is the sole objective of the MRGRG and as such remains its top priority.

3. To achieve MRGRG’s objective in the period following the 2002 Elections, we require organization, mass (voters), and finance. Resolutions intended to achieve the forgoing were adopted during "THE GATHERING" by way of the democratic process following spirited debate.

4. At present time there are several resolutions pending in Congress which, while they do not achieve the MRGRG prime objective, do benefit Military Retirees. By the democratic process, "THE GATHERING" elected to actively support the legislation (concurrent receipt, FEHBP, SBP) during the expansion and organization phase of "Rapid Focus" on our way to the elections of 2002. I cannot see where this course of action in any way degrades or replaces the primary objective of MRGRG. (EARNED HEALTH CARE)

5. Those in attendance at "THE GATHERING" must recognize and applaud the courage of the minority in voicing their opposition to the measures adopted, with regard to, paragraph five (5), above. I sincerely urge all hands to consider the loyal opposition and their honest dissent because without that dissent, there is no liberty or democracy. After all, doesn’t MRGRG and its objective represent loyal dissent vis-à-vis the U.S. Congress and its broken promise to the Military Retiree and his dependents?

An OVERVIEW (Part Two)
By Jack Hollinsworth

The “MOVERS AND SHAPERS” comment in my overview of “THE GATHERING” was not intended to be-little or insult anyone, The sentence following the “MOVERS AND SHAPERS” comment, clarifies the comment in that, because of the limited turnout, the GATHERING focused on the issues before The Military Retiree. A Positive course of action was adopted by the attendees, “Moving” MRGRG toward a course of action which will “Shape” the movement in the months and years to come. Those few who attended “The Gathering” were and are responsible for this outcome, and I’m sure that what was decided reflects the aims and desires of those who, for whatever reason, (Finance, health, ETC) could not attend. It should be noted, that more than a few who had scheduled to be there had to cancel, a situation we all understand. Several attendees had to leave in the middle of the conference for family emergencies and other situations beyond their control. No one, and certainly not I, can fail to know and fully appreciate to long standing and effective efforts of those who have fought this fight for so long, and without whom, we would not be where MRGRG is today. The “Movers and Shapers” remark is of historic note only VIS-À-VIS the outcome of “THE GATHERING”. I am responsible for it and therefore am accountable for it. With this in mind, I apologize for any offense the statement gave. I am not looking for any recognition for my work on the gathering nor the work I have done on the billboards. My only reward will be the full restoration of “EARNED” “PROMISED” health care for all Military retirees. Those wishing a pat on the back for their efforts, (to me), are in the
wrong fight, this is a “WE” thing not an “I/ME” thing.

Press Release
Information Bulletin Number 1 Dated: October 1, 2001
Distribution: All members and News Media and the Military Retiree Grass Roots Group
By Joe Levinson and Jack Hollinsworth

The Military Retired Grass Roots Group (MRGRG) including members of many major Retired Veterans Groups, Veterans organizations and Military Coalition members from accross the United States Gathered at Lawton Oklahoma, home of Fort Sill Army Base, for a three day retreat, to discuss numerous Active and Retired Military Bipartisan Opportunities.

1). Consensus of the members present resolved to:

a. Support the President of the United States, the Congress and The Armed Forces, in a bipartisan way, for the conduct of War Operations, to eliminate terrorist attacks, utilizing all means at their disposal.

b. Encourage the Congress and the Nation to REDRESS the WRONGS perpetrated on the members of the Armed Forces, Active and Retired. Thus, insuring that the same WRONGS WILL NOT BE PERPETRATED ON OUR ARMED FORCES, WHICH ARE NOW IN HARMS WAY.

c. Utilization of all media available, including, but not limited to Billboards, Television, Radio, Newspapers, Telephone, Phone Banks, Direct Response, Circulars, Sports Scoreboards, Talk Shows, Letters, Faxes, Emails, Speaker bureaus, Social Clubs, Veterans Organizations, Register and get out the Vote Squads, Grass Roots organizations, Friendly Protest Marches, Political organizations in a bipartisan manner, Trailers, Fairs, Mall booths, Petitions, Contribution Rally's and all other ethical, collateral means that will not compromise our bipartisan associations or demean our Military or Government.

2). Insure that the Congress and the Nation, are aware of the Bills now on the floor of the Congress that have the potential of partially redressing the wrongs. The following Bills are not in order of priority, as our list of Wrongs are not Vertical but are Horizontal. These Bills, such as;

a. Restoration of Pay, (Concurrent Receipt of Disability pay and Retired pay) without making the recipient pay for his own disability as has been done for many years. All eligible Federal Government, Congress and their employees are currently receiving Concurrent Receipt. It is only fair and equitable that Retired and Service Disabled Veterans enjoy the same benefits.

b. Revise the Law to allow Widows or Widowers to receive Survivors Benefits returned back to the original percentage. These Benefits were paid for by the Armed Forces Members spouses. They were promised and contracted to the members by the Department of Defense and the Congress over 35 years ago.

d. Restoration of fully earned health care benefits without cost, that was part of the service contract promised to the retired Veterans and their dependents, if they completed 20 or more years of active service to our country. Moreover, charges of Medicare Component part B to the over 65 age group of Retirees should be eliminated.

e. Restoration of fully earned health care benefits to all active, retired and their dependents without cost regardless of age.

f. Revise the former spouse protection act to more equitably provide for the distribution of retiree pay without bankrupting the retiree. Many members are forced to, grossly and unfairly, contribute additional retired pay earned long after they were divorced and/or separated from their spouse.

g. Numerous other bills redressing the wrongs perpetrated on the military and their spouses are in committee or being proposed by lawmakers. These bills will be addressed by conference or at the next retreat of the MRGRG.

# # #

For additional information or for clarification
or discussion of this press release contact:

Joe Levinson
512 295 4492 - Email joetiger6@aol.com - FAX 512 295 9732
or:
Jack Hollinsworth
580 439 6577 - Email Jhollinsw@yahoo.com - FAX 580 439 8957

THE GATHERING
a
REGIONAL
MILITARY RETIREE GRASS ROOTS
SUMMIT MEETING
in
Lawton Oklahoma
(the original web page)

Skip to the list of invitees and
military retirees who have committed to attend

(home)