NOVEMBER 2007

November 2007 Vol. IX

General Joshua L. Chamberlain Chapter

The Companion

The quarterly newsletter of General Chamberlain Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars.

Important Dates

Chapter Luncheon Meeting

Falmouth, Maine

1 Dec. 2007 1130 hrs.

Guest Speaker

Admiral Gregory G. Johnson

USN (Ret)

Future Meetings

Staff Planning

17 January 2008, 1130 hrs Foreside Tavern, Falmouth

Chapter Luncheon Meeting

9 Feb 08 & l2 Apr 08

Foreside Tavern, Falmouth

Commander

Capt. Tim Politis

Commander’s Message

As we come to the end of 2007 we have had several changes that need to be mentioned that will lead me into the major thrust for my comments for this issue of The Companion.

After many years of service to the chapter and the state MOW State MOWW organization Major Richard Joseph has stepped down as the Treasurer of both effective October 31^st 2007. No amount of persuasion could convince him to stay on so reluctantly we are in need of a new Treasurer.

LTC David Duehring, our Adjutant, stayed retired just a briefly and was recruited to work for Homeland Security here in Maine. As I understand it, he used to work at Camp Keyes before his deployment and is now back at Camp Keyes. It appears that the apple does not fall far from the tree and he just can’t get away from Augusta. Congratulations to Dave on his new career. As a result of this recent move David will probably not be able to make our scheduled Thursday Staff meetings so I will be asking for a volunteer “Scribe” to take notes at our Staff Meetings and make sure David gets them.

Recruiting for our Chapter and for the National Organization is critical. We need new energized members, new ideas and greater numbers to continue and expand our current mission. We need to be active in recruiting, bringing our new members to meetings and getting them involved. I ask each of you to recruit 5 new members before the June meeting. Try to identify young Officers recently released from Active Duty in all branches of the service and invite them to a meeting. Share the MOWW Preamble with them and our Patriotic Mission. Share with them the camaraderie and the fellowship and the long grey line of those who served in WW 11, Korea, Vietnam, the First Gulf War and the conflicts in between.

We have a great speaker on deck for our next General meeting in Admiral G. (Grog) Johnson USN (Ret). I look forward to seeing you on 1 December at 1130 at the Foreside Inn in Falmouth.

Tim Politis

Capt. USMCR, Chapter Commander

Chapter News

The 8 September 2007 Chapter Luncheon was held at its new location at the Foreside Tavern in Falmouth. The luncheon meeting was well attended. The Commander introduced and brought into membership MG Thomas D. Kinley, USARNG (ret) and Lt. Peter S. Black, USN. The Commander used the occasion to place continued emphasis on the importance of recruiting and retention of new members through a functioning sponsorship program to be discussed at the October Staff Meeting.

The highlight of the Chapter Meeting was an outstanding presentation by our companion LTC David Duehring, MEARNG (Retired). Prior to his recent retirement, LTC Duehring completed a year of combat duty with the HQ, 240^th ENGR GRP MEARNG in Afghanistan. LTC Duehring skillfully integrated a wide selection of excellent color slides with a professional examination of our mission, operations and cooperation with the Afghanistan people. His presentation gave us a realistic look at our efforts in combating terrorism in that important country.

The autumn staff meeting was held 11 October 2007 at our new location. The Commander presented the future staff meeting and chapter luncheon meeting schedule for 2008. The current schedule is provided on the first page of this Chapter Newsletter.

There was a lively discussion covering finances, mission and courtesies for our guest speaker. It was agreed that the Chapter would pay for the guest speaker meal. The Chapter also would cover the cost of a new members’ first meal.

Major Joseph, our Chapter Treasurer, gave an updated financial report for both our operating account funds and The Captain Eberly Patriotic Education Fund. Those balance Sheets are available separately. However, it was agreed that all participants in a staff meeting or chapter meeting would pay $5.00 that would go to either the Eberly Fund or the Chapter Operating Account.

Col. Schlieper volunteered to form a committee to explore a chapter fund raising activity to be conducted solely by our chapter or in concert with another activity.

Col. Schlieper and Commander Jones are to be active liaisons to the Boy Scouts of American Eagle Scout Program.

Important Announcement!

FROM: Col Robert E. Barton, Region I Commander

TO: Region 1 Colleagues

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The Mid Winter Convention date is scheduled for December 8^th,2007 (Saturday).

The Annual Region I Convention date is June 7^th, 2008 (Saturday)

Both meetings will be held at the following address:

St. Johns Masonic Lodge

351 Middle Street

Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801

If you have never visited this Lodge which is housed in a majestic old mansion, you will be amazed by its size and beauty. There is ample parking directly across the street.

Time of arrival is 0900 hrs to 0930 hrs. Coffee and donuts will be available. The meeting will begin at 1000 hrs.

The cost of the meal will be $20.00 per person.

More information will follow regarding meal choices and directions to the Lodge.

Thank you.

Sincerely and fraternally

Bob Barton

(Received via e-mail on 13 Nov.)

For any that would like to car pool to Portsmouth. Please meet at the Foreside Tavern in Falmouth not later than 0745 hours for a NLT 0800 hours departure.

This should put us at the meeting place at 0900 which is the start of registration and coffee and donuts. I have received permission from the Tavern to park in a corner away from the Tavern

Al White

Membership

New Members Recognized:

MG Thomas D. Kinley, USA

COL Henry Winger, USAF

LTC George Philip, USMC

CPT James S. Levis Jr., USMC

LT. Peter S. Black, USN

WO1 Dana E. Lane, USA

Companion of the Quarter

Major General Earl L. Adams

General Adams brilliant military career started in 1957 when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant from the University of Maine ROTC program.

He served on active duty during the period of 1958 to 1960 serving as an executive officer in a unit of the 4th Infantry Division.

His Maine Army National Guard career from 1962 to 2000 culminated in his appointment as Maine’s Adjutant General and Commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans, and Emergency Management.

He was federally recognized as a Major General on 30 September 1997.General Adams’ Maine Army National Guard career was varied in that he served as Battalion Commander of the 152d Field Artillery Battalion, Recruiting and Retention Officer, Plans, Operations and Training Officer, and Chief of Staff prior to his appointment by the Governor to be the Adjutant General.

He was nationally recognized when he established a program with the Canadian Military Forces allowing the artillery battalion to train at the Canadian Forces Base in Gagetown New Brunswick. This saved days of travel time by the unit which previously had to train at Fort Drum New York. General Adams earned many awards including the Distinguished Service Medal.

General Adams has been a perpetual member of the General Joshua Chamberlain Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars since April 1999. During his tour as Commander he led by example by bringing in new members and encouraging others to do the same. He also increased attendance at Chapter meeting by having interesting guest speakers.

General Adams and his wife Sheila reside in Pittston, Maine.

Deployments for the Maine Army National Guard

Deployments for the Reserve Components have become a way of life since the Gulf War. Prior to the Gulf War and the fall of Communism every soldier prepared for the possibility to go to war if the “balloon went up”. But, thankfully the cold war remained cold.

Since the Gulf War, Maine Army National Guard units and individual soldiers have deployed around the world in support to the Global War on Terrorism. The following depicts deployments that have been completed by the Maine Army National Guard.

Dates	Personnel	Unit	Country
Feb 03 - Mar 04	131	112^th MED CO (Air AMB)	Iraq
Feb 03 - Mar 04	151	1136 TRANS CO (-)	Kuwait
Mar 03 – Dec 03	6	OSACOM	Afghanistan
May 03 – Jun 04	28	113D FWN	Iraq
Jul 03 – Nov 03	18	E-120^th ATS FWD 1-3	Afghanistan
Aug 03 – Jun 04	7	DET1, 169^th MP CO (FW1)	Cuba
Sep 03 – Aug 04	11	ANA I (TF Phoenix	Afghanistan
Dec 03 - Feb 05	519	113D ENGR BN TF OLYMPIA	Iraq
Jan 04 - Feb 05	120	152 FA BN FWD	Iraq
Jan 05 – Apr 06	127	152 MAINT CO (-)	Iraq
Mar 05 – May 06	5	ANA II	Afghanistan
Apr 05 - Jun 06	6	TF Saber	Iraq
Jun 05 – Sep 06	6	G – 26^th AVN	Iraq
Jan 06 – Mar 07	171	SECFOR I	Iraq
Jan 06 – Mar 07	82	240^th ENG GP	Afghanistan
Apr 06 – Jul 07	86	SECFOR II	Iraq

As a former member of the 240^th Engineer Group that deployed to Afghanistan this past year as Task Force Chamberlain, I can gratefully say that we performed duties for which we were trained. However, many units and soldiers have deployed to perform a variety of critical missions outside of their designated specialty. With these changing times and missions one fact always remains constant in the Army.... “we are soldiers first’