Military Benefit Association's Blog

Military Thanksgiving History

militarybenefitassociation — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:09:02 +0000

The first national annual Thanksgiving of 1863 occurred during the Civil War and was not officially observed by the U.S. military. Providing a special Thanksgiving dinner for the troops was beyond the capabilities of the Commissary. Individual units, however, particularly those with New England roots, did find their own unofficial ways to celebrate the day.

In World War I, American troops celebrated Thanksgiving at camps in the United States and overseas. Soldiers and sailors from every region of America, men who often had little in common, gathered together to celebrate a unifying and patriotic holiday, a day that was uniquely American. This unifying theme was emphasized by the military Thanksgiving menu.

In Korea and Vietnam, combat rations were an improved version of World War II rations. Even for the front line troops, however, combat rations were not served at Thanksgiving. Troops were rotated off the front so that they could enjoy a full, hot Thanksgiving dinner behind the lines.

Over the years, the Thanksgiving menus for our troops over seas have remained relatively unchanged. Studies of over 100 military menus from 1917-1997 from Boston all the way to Saudi Arabia show that 100% of the menus included turkey, while about 98% offer dressing, 92% offer cranberry sauce, 89% offer gravy while over 96% of menus offered some type of pie.

Today, each of the military branches creates their own distinct Thanksgiving day menus, but they all use the same recipes created by a development department at “Natic Labs”. The food technologists focus on trying to meet the nutritional requirements and general consumer preferences of the military population.

Information via www.pilgrimhall.org/thanksot.html

Gift Cards Ensure No Airmen Left Behind this Holiday Season

militarybenefitassociation — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:30:37 +0000

Via- Air Force Retiree News Service

Release No. 11-06-10

Nov. 22, 2010

DALLAS (AFRNS) — A favorite time of year for thousands of military members serving overseas is just around the corner. While the holiday season and the gifts that accompany them always bring a sense of joy, time is running out for those considering sending mail to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

According to the Military Postal Service Agency, “space-available” mail should be postmarked no later than Nov. 26; parcel airlift mail, Dec. 3; priority and first-class mail, letters and cards, Dec. 10; and express mail military service, Dec. 18.

Regardless of the date sent, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service offers fast, easy and convenient gift cards (http://www.flickr.com/photos/aafespa/5182576790/) that anyone can include in a package or even have sent directly to loved ones serving overseas.

Exchange gift cards can be used at stores, ranging from 900 to 24,000 square feet, that have all the candy bars, protein shakes and magazines a servicemember could desire. The exchange has also partnered with food vendors such as Subway, Burger King and Pizza Hut to ensure troops get a taste of home.

“From milkshakes to sneakers, just about anything you would think of putting in a care package is already on the ground and in these stores,” said the Col. Virgil Williams, the exchange’s chief of staff.

The exchange’s infrastructure makes the gift cards both convenient for those looking to send support and the deployed troops who receive it. In fact, the exchange has developed partnerships with organizations including the American Red Cross and United Service Organizations to ensure donated gift cards reach servicemembers who need them.

“For many deployed servicemembers, a package is the closest they will get to their family this holiday season,” said Colonel Williams. “Exchange gift cards are a great way to ensure Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines are able to get what they want at any of 81 stores and more than 200 food vendors in contingency locations including Afghanistan and Iraq.”

Friends, family, and even civic groups can send exchange gift cards ranging from $10 to $500 by calling 800-527-2345. or logging on to https://shop.aafes.com/gcs/default.aspx. (Courtesy of AAFES)

For more retiree news and information, please visit www.retirees.af.mil.

Veterans Day a Day to Remember

militarybenefitassociation — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:04:02 +0000

All Americans remember and appreciate those who have served on active duty and thank them for their sacrifice and dedication to preserving our freedom. Veterans Day is an opportunity to commemorate the contributions of living veterans and is a day we fly the flag at full mast. Across the land, the grounds of virtually every state capital and county courthouse host monuments, memorials and plaques honoring those who served. They date back as far as the American Revolution and as recent as Iraq and Afghanistan.

As a nation, it is essential that we keep this date of November 11 as the one specifically reserved for the American people to demonstrate recognition in public or in private for the 23.8 million veterans living today.

Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have fully joined the ranks of America’s veterans, VFW generations who span WWI to the present day. We thank each and every one of you!

Wire-A-Cake for a Deployed One’s Birthday

militarybenefitassociation — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:07:10 +0000

Military Benefit Association is offering ANOTHER chance to send a cake to YOUR deployed loved one, compliments of MBA, through our good friends Wire-A-Cake!!

To be eligible, your service member MUST HAVE A BIRTHDAY IN NOVEMBER. To enter, please send his/her birth date and contact information for both you and your deployed loved one to:

cbooher@militarybenefit.org by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29.

A winner will be randomly selected via entry pool and will be notified by Military Benefit Association.

Good luck and thanks to all who participate!

Liberty Mutual Quote For Hope

militarybenefitassociation — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:27:17 +0000

Mlitary Benefit Association members are eligible to participate in the Liberty Mutual Quote for Hope campaign running September 1 through November 30, 2010.

Partnering with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Liberty Mutual will contribute $5 to the fight against breast cancer for every auto, home and renters insurance quote completed. Visit www.libertymutual.com/qfh-mba or call 1-888-652-2145.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Foundation is the world’s largest breast cancer organization and the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.

Military Benefit Association Payment of Death Benefit

militarybenefitassociation — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:51:31 +0000

This notification is to reassure all Military Benefit Association (MBA) members and applicants that term life benefits are paid all at once, as soon as possible after the claim is filed. The only exception is the MBA Decreasing Term Monthly Income Plan, which pays its beneficiary a monthly income according to the plan selected by the member. Our definition of “lump sum” is one check for each beneficiary. In addition to the full death benefit, these payments include interest covering the period between the date of death and the date the check is processed. We believe the benefit belongs to the beneficiary, not the insurance company.

Thank you for your loyalty to Military Benefit Association.

Wire-A-Cake For Your Deployed Loved Ones Birthday!

militarybenefitassociation — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:09:17 +0000

Military Benefit Association is giving YOU the chance to send a cake to a deployed loved one FOR FREE, through our good friends Wire-A-Cake!!

To be eligible, your troop MUST HAVE A BIRTHDAY THE FIRST HALF OF AUGUST (Aug 1-15). To enter, please send you and your deployed loved one’s contact information to:

alee1@militarybenefit.org by MONDAY, JULY 26

A winner will be randomly selected via entry pool and contacted by Military Benefit Association to verify winnings.

Good luck and thanks to all who participate!

Who Should You Trust?

militarybenefitassociation — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:00:41 +0000

Who Should You Trust?

(For Supplemental Life Insurance)

It seems there is some confusion over the choices military members have if they want life insurance in addition to the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI). First of all, don’t let anyone tell you how much life insurance you need. No one knows your unique set of circumstances better than you do.

If you decide to buy life insurance, go with a reputable association sponsoring group term life insurance. The premium you are quoted will be the premium you will pay, providing your application is approved. Beware of a “bait and switch” offer where you are quoted very attractive premiums, but required to complete an extensive medical questionnaire. Consider this from Financial Web http://www.finweb.com/:

“When you first hear the terms and rates for the best term life insurance, the prices advertised are extremely low, generally speaking. The rates quoted in these ads are generally the preferred plus rates – for the customers in the best health.

“To get these rates, you must be in excellent health, not smoke or use tobacco, have no history of substance or alcohol abuse, be within the average weight category (not obese), have average (not high) blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

“The majority of people who get life insurance do not qualify for preferred plus rates, so when you compare rates, make sure you’re comparing the actual rate for which you qualify.”

Also, make sure you’re not penalized with a higher premium or no payout because you are in the military or have deployment orders. Good supplemental insurance for the military should not have clauses that limit payout for members on flight duty or when death occurs in an area of conflict.

Remember, whether or not you think you need additional life insurance now, you should have it prior to leaving the military. When you separate, your SGLI will terminate and you will be offered Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI). Compare the cost of VGLI coverage with your association-sponsored insurance. Chances are you can save money and have more benefit options available to you through the association. For more information on association-sponsored life insurance, contact 877-MBA-1020.

The Story and Origin of “TAPS”

militarybenefitassociation — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:30:24 +0000

In 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison’s Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moan of a soldier who lay mortally wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern. Suddenly, he caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, he enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for the son at the funeral. That request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. Out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of his dead son’s uniform. This wish was granted. This music was the haunting melody we now know as “TAPS” that is used at all military funerals. In case you are interested, these are the words to “TAPS”:
Day is done
Gone the sun
From the lakes
From the hills
From the sky
All is well
Safely rest
God is nigh.

(Via http://www.nefla.com/military/stories.html)

Captain Ed Freeman, an American Hero

militarybenefitassociation — Thu, 27 May 2010 18:03:45 +0000

You’re a 19 year old kid.

You’re critically wounded and dying in
the jungle somewhere in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam .
It’s November 11, 1967.

Your unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 yards away, that your CO (commanding officer) has ordered the MedEvac helicopters to stop coming in.

You’re lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns and you know you’re not getting out. Your family is half way around the world, 12,000 miles away and you’ll never see them again.

As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day.
Then – over the machine gun noise – you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter.
You look up to see a Huey coming in. But … It doesn’t seem real because no MedEvac markings are on it.

Captain Ed Freeman is coming in for you.

He’s not MedEvac so it’s not his job, but he heard the radio call and decided he’s flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire anyway. Even after the MedEvacs were ordered not to come, he’s coming anyway. And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load three of you at a time on board.

Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses and safety. And, he kept coming back! Thirteen more times, until all the wounded were out!! No one knew until the mission was over that the Captain had been hit four times in the legs and left arm.

He took 29 of you and your buddies out that day. Some would not have made it without the Captain and his Huey.

Medal of Honor Recipient, Captain Ed Freeman , United States Air Force,
died last Wednesday at the age of 70 in Boise, Idaho.

May God Bless and Rest His Soul.

I bet you didn’t hear about this hero’s passing, but we’ve sure seen
a whole bunch about Michael Jackson and Tiger Woods!

Medal of Honor Winner, Captain Ed Freeman