The MOAA San Diego–Miramar Chapter is proud to share our bi‑monthly Newsletter, created especially for our valued MOAA members. Each edition reflects our ongoing commitment to keeping members informed, engaged, and connected with the latest chapter activities, community initiatives, and opportunities to support fellow service members.
This publication is more than just an update — it is a celebration of the dedication, camaraderie, and shared mission that unite our chapter. We are honored to provide this resource to our very special members, whose continued involvement strengthens both our local community and the broader mission of MOAA
The MOAA San Diego–Miramar Chapter is proud to share our bi‑monthly Newsletter, created especially for our valued MOAA members. Each edition reflects our ongoing commitment to keeping members informed, engaged, and connected with the latest chapter activities, community initiatives, and opportunities to support fellow service members.
This publication is more than just an update — it is a celebration of the dedication, camaraderie, and shared mission that unite our chapter. We are honored to provide this resource to our very special members, whose continued involvement strengthens both our local community and the broader mission of MOAA
The MOAA San Diego–Miramar Chapter is proud to share our bi‑monthly Newsletter, created especially for our valued MOAA members. Each edition reflects our ongoing commitment to keeping members informed, engaged, and connected with the latest chapter activities, community initiatives, and opportunities to support fellow service members.
This publication is more than just an update — it is a celebration of the dedication, camaraderie, and shared mission that unite our chapter. We are honored to provide this resource to our very special members, whose continued involvement strengthens both our local community and the broader mission of MOAA.
We’re proud to share our latest MOAA September/October Newsletter, packed with updates, reflections, and resources for our community. A heartfelt thank-you to HT Linke for his editorial leadership, and to all our contributors who brought this issue to life with their insights and dedication.
Whether you're catching up on recent events, exploring upcoming opportunities, or simply staying connected, this edition is a testament to the strength and spirit of our chapter.
📰 Dive in, stay informed, and let us know what you think!
Gerard P. Cloutier, LtCol. USMCR (Ret)President, Miramar Chapter, MOAA
For full details, download the latest newsletter below!
Editor: HT Linke, COL/USA (Ret)
June to Aug 2025
Greetings, I hope that you’re all enjoying what our region has to offer this summer with family and loved ones! I wanted to start off with recognizing that the California reƟred military community has reached a long sought after milestone when Governor Newsom signed into law state tax exemption on military retirement pay and Surviving Spouse Benefits.
For full details, download the latest newsletter below!
We are pleased to invite you to our August Luncheon hosted by the Miramar and San Diego Chapters on Thursday, August 7th at 11:30 AM at Admiral Baker Golf Course.
This special gathering will feature Colonel Rich Marindale, USAF (Ret.) as our guest speaker. Col. Marindale brings a fascinating and rare perspective on aerial combat and drone operations, making this luncheon an event you won’t want to miss.
A former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and a University of Arizona ROTC graduate, Col. Marindale has flown:
In retirement, he took on a unique role as a civilian contract pilot flying the MQ-9 Reaper, a state-of-the-art remotely piloted vehicle (RPV or drone). During his presentation, he will compare and contrast his experiences piloting traditional fighter jets with remotely operated aircraft.
He will also share firsthand stories from deployments across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, providing insight into the evolving world of aerial warfare and the life of a modern drone pilot.
Editor: HT Linke, COL/USA (Ret)
April—May 2025
Greetings, members!
Greetings!! As we move into May & June, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for your continued support and engagement with our chapter. Whether you’ve attended a luncheon, supported legislative outreach, or simply stayed connected through our newsleƩer, your involvement keeps
our mission strong.
For full details, download the latest newsletter below!
Editor: HT Linke, COL/USA (Ret)
February—March 2025
Greetings, members!
As we step into March, I’m excited to share my first message as Chapter President, reflecting on my background, vision for our chapter, and key initiatives for the year ahead. Additionally, we have important updates on legislative efforts to exempt military retirement pay and survivor benefits from California state taxes.
Next Chapter Meeting: April 3rd at 11:30 AM – Admiral Baker Golf Club
Guest Speaker: Steve – Update on legislative efforts for military tax exemptions
For full details, download the latest newsletter below!
This is the first invitation to our April luncheon, on Thursday, April 3rd at 11:30am at Adm Baker Golf Course.
Our guest speaker will Steve Cross of the USS Midway Museum Speakers Bureau. Steve will provide us with a little Work War II history with the topic of “The Early Carrier Raids leading up to the Doolittle Raid April 18, 1942.”
For 2025, the cost for our luncheons at Admiral Baker will be $30 per person. Please confirm your attendance and pay via the Zelle banking app to miramarchapter@gmail.com or using the attached reservation form with a check (made out to "Miramar Chapter, MOAA") mailed to Darryle Grimes NLT March 31st. Wes Schermann normally handles these duties but will be unavailable this month, please forward your RSVP’s, payments, etc. to Darryle.
We'll see you on April 3rd!
Thank you,
Gerard P. Cloutier, LtCol. USMCR (Ret)
President, Miramar Chapter, MOAA
This was the first invitation to our inaugural luncheon of 2025, which took place on Thursday, February 6, at 11:30 AM at Admiral Baker Golf Course.
A distinguished journalist, author, and USMC and USN veteran. She served on multiple overseas deployments, has worked as a TV reporter, and was a featured author at the 2024 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at the University of Southern California.
Amy Forsythe has been at the ‘tip of the spear,’ armed with a camera and microphone as she covered combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Amy has served more than 30 years in uniform, on active duty and in the reserves, and continues to be a leader in the San Diego veteran community. She is highly sought after for her communications experience and media savvy.
Serving as a combat correspondent and later becoming a Navy Reserve Communications Officer has taken her to other overseas locations, including Romania, Poland, Germany, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Guam, and Palau, where she covered military exercises and operations.
In between overseas deployments, Amy worked as a TV reporter covering military and veteran topics in San Diego County. She is a proud graduate of Cal State San Marcos (2005) and the University of San Diego (2009) and has completed numerous courses at the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, MD.
Amy is the host of several multimedia projects, including the American Legion’s Be The One podcast, KOCT Today, and other programming that highlights community leaders in North San Diego County.
Major “MOAA National issues” (website):
http://www.moaa.org/Content/Take-Action/Top-Issues/Top-Issues.aspx
Continue to CHECK this NEWSLETTER, the CHAPTER WEBSITE, and MOAA WEBSITE for UPDATES on NATIONAL, CALIFORNIA, and LOCAL ISSUES
MOAA
For Ready Reference Contact Information, LINKS, Record Retrieval/Replacement, Service Retiree Publications, TRICARE, VA Organizations, Fact Sheets, Benefit Forms, U.S. Senate Directory, Representatives Directory, Committees, Military Lodge Information, Military Base Information, Crisis Lines, Toll Free Numbers for Contacting Information.. Website is listed on Page 1.
Acts under consideration that members should be contacting their Representatives about!!:
H.R. 1282/SB.344 The Major Richard Star Act
H.R. 1413 Arlington National Cemetery (ANC)
AB-2200 California Guaranteed Health Care
H.R. 2537/SB. 1823 BAH Restoration Act
H.R. 3232/SB.1588 Respect for Grieving Military Families Act
AB 1361 California 100% rated Veterans Real Estate Exemption Act
SB-871 Property taxation: homeowners/veterans/disabled veterans’ exemptions,
H.R. 4518: Veteran Caregiver Application and Appeals Reform (CARE)
Go to MOAA, VFW, DAV, and other Veterans Organization Legislative Sites and remain up-to-date on these and other bills, and contact your Representatives for support.
SB 73 Employment Policy: Voluntary Veteran’s preference
SB-82 Property taxes: Disabled Veteran’s exemption; eligibility letters
AB 718 VALVET Study of Mental Health among Women Veteran
AB 883 Expedite Application in Department of Defense Skill Bridge program
SB-3885: Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act.
H.R. 1815/SB-495: Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act
SB-726 Property taxation: exemption: disabled homeowners
SB-811 Teacher Credentialing: Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact
SCA-6 Property taxation: veterans exemption.
SJR-4 Veterans Health Care
H.R. 1277/SB. 596 Military Spouse Hiring Act
H.R. 1045/SB.956 TRICARE Young Adult
AB 988 Miles Hall Lifeline and Suicide Prevention Act
H.R. 542/SB-141: Elizabeth Dole Home-and Community-Based Services for Veteran and Caregivers Act
San Diego Military Advisory Council
409 Camino Del Rio S, Ste 302
San Diego, CA 92108-3507
SDMAC worked to support several bills. For additional information on current action on bills go to SDMAC website.
In San Diego County, veterans are encouraged to visit the VA Regional Office (8810 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego to complete their application and speak directly with representatives.
CALVET, Veteran Services:vetservices@calvet.ca.gov
CALVET Veterans Services. For those not receiving information from this organization, please go to their site, stay up to date on services provided. Major information is provided in their newsletters.CALVET will continue to assist veterans in transition to next stage in lives through education/training opportunities. Check CalTAP webpage for training opportunities, previously recorded webinars, and additional information.
Note from Darryle Grimes, President MOAA Miramar Chapter
(See Insert on November Newsletter)
Remembering the “Forgotten War”, HONORING VETERANS OF THE KOREAN WAR. Join us as we express our gratitude for our nations’ Korean War Veterans, their families, and those who still remain missing in action…the event that sparked the creation of the MT. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. No Cost Event – Open to the Public, Free Parking and Shuttle Service from the Mt Soledad Presbyterian Church and French American School.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2024 (11AM – 12PM) at the:
MT. SOLEDAD NATIONAL VETERANS MEMORIAL
6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive South
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 384-2405
soledadmemorial.org/event/veterans-day-event/
Senator.Cabellero@Senate.ca.gov Chair of Senate Appropriations Committee
Senator.jones@senate.ca.gov Vice-Chair of Appropriations
Senator.atkins@senate.ca.gov Senate President pro Tempore
Mark.McKenzie@sen.ca.gov Senate Appropriations Staff Director
Anna.Velazquez@sen.ca.gov Senator Cabellero’s District Director
Robert.ingenito@sen.ca.gov Appropriations Committee Staff Member
GovPressOffice@gov.ca.gov Governor Press Office
Michael.Chen@asm.a.gov Senator Ramos’s Staff Member
breitenj@msn.com Jeffrey J. Breiten, 3rd Vice-President Legislative
Affairs,
All,
I would like to thank you for your support. AB46 died in the Appropriations Committee. Please reach out to your team, Chamber of Commerce who supported us on this bill. We send out Major Kudos to everyone, all of the various Chamber of Commerce throughout the state, PORAC (Peace Officers Research Association of California [one of the state’s largest police associations]), Members of Congress – (Representative Mike Levin, Representative Adam B. Schiff, and Representative Julia Brownley. It should be noted that our Members of Congress were not called out by name).
As we reflect on the positives, we should take note that somethings take time. Which is why we cannot stop now. We need to keep the momentum in motion. Expect another effort during the next legislative year.
On August 15, the California Senate Appropriations Committee did not vote on AB46, which means it died automatically. Thank you everyone for all your support. This was the first time we had 26 Co-Sponsors in support.
In Closing, as of 15 August 2024, California remains the only state in the country that fails to provide an exemption on military retirement. According to recent DoD data, California’s military retiree population continues to decline, and for an 11th straight year California’s military again declined.
Respectfully,
E. Fred Green, Jr.
Tel: (619) 787-2244
SAN DIEGO MILITARY ADVISORY COUNCIL (SDMAC) at admin@sdmac.org.
Mailing Address:
San Diego Military Advisory Council
409 Camino Del Rio S, Ste 302
San Diego, CA 92108-3507
SDMAC worked to support several bills. For additional information on current action on bills go to SDMAC website.
In San Diego County, veterans are encouraged to visit the VA Regional Office (8810 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego to complete their application and speak directly with representatives.
CALVET, Veteran Services:vetservices@calvet.ca.gov
CALVET Veterans Services. For those not receiving information from this organization, please go to their site, stay up to date on services provided. Major information is provided in their newsletters. CALVET will continue to assist veterans in transition to next stage in lives through education/training opportunities. Check CalTAP webpage for training opportunities, previously recorded webinars, and additional information
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