[( Honcho Stuff - continued from page 2 )
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Don Collins, our 'ancient 18th artist' reports that his recent eye surgery
was a 'whopping success', that he has 20-25 vision, 'he can now paint and
draw with both hands since he no longer has to fuss with his monster magnifying
glass, and his Doctor says he doesn't even have to use his reading glasses
to watch those young dancing girls on TV... if he so desires!
We congratulate Don and look forward to a wealth of more fine artistic
material from such a very talented artist.
Collins has noted that you, our readers - the 18th Vets - have been just
as dawdling about sending him cartoon ideas, as you have been about sending
"There I Was..." experiences to us for posting in our newsletters.
[We do want to thank early' Foxy Few' section leader - Col. Howard 'Scrappy'
Johnson for sending his very informative contribution about 'Mo' Moreland's
gutsy attack on the ammo trains at Taejon early in the Korean War; it's
appreciated.]
Collins' Gramps! cartoon, above, will strike a 'deja vu' note with many
of you who've reveled in the great pleasure of telling your attentive grandkids
about the heroism you displayed in your youth, and most especially, about
the people you've personally worked with, known and admired during your
time in the service.
From personal experience I can vouch for the fact that just 'telling about'
your experiences is not enough for our modern youngsters .. they grow up
and they remember 'key parts' of what you've told them, but they want to
tell their friends, and even pass along to their own offspring - the 'rest
of your stories...' And there's the rub; if you haven't put those experiences
down on tape, or video .. or in writing... those great bits of history
are going to wither, float away and die .. even before you fly off to your
own Valhalla in the western skies.
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Isn't it about time to honor your own future kin, by leaving them a written
record which they and their children's children can use to bask vicariously
in the reflected glory of your historic wartime actions?
Whether you personally considered your wartime performance to be unique,
or unusual, does not matter. The conditions you lived under in a strange,
faraway land, the daily sacrifices you made on behalf of your country,
even the proud fact that you stepped out and served when you were called
... no matter which cog you occupied in the vital gears of the then-new
USAF team's... initial combat effort, be assured - you were needed!
So get with it! Get up into the attic and find those old letters you wrote
home 'way back in the early fifties .. there's a wealth of 'memory triggers'
sitting there going to waste. Get your granddaughter or grandson ... the
computer experts, to help you. You talk, they write! But do it now... your
days of lucidity are numbered...
A not-so-secret goal of ours - now possible, because of Jim Heath's expertise
in building our own 18FWA website - is to eventually insert at least one
photo next every deceased person's name, to honor each and every one of
our 18th vets .. whether they died in wartime, or survived to a ripe old
age and passed away in their beds. And for those who perished in combat,
we strive for a brief summary of their final mission or service. Can't
you please help us? - Bud B.
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RETIREES' MILITARY LODGING
Military retirees can check the availability of billeting at military facilities
anywhere in the world through one toll-free call. The number (800) 462-7691
connects callers with a central reservation system that can provide information
on availability's and book rooms.
GUARD YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION
Starting July 1, 2001 the four major credit bureaus in the US were allowed
to release your credit info, addresses, & phone numbers to anyone who
requests it. To 'opt out' of release of your info, you can call 1-888-567-8688
and you can take care of anyone else in the same household while making
only one call, you'll just need to know their social security number. Be
sure to listen closely, the first opt out is only for two years, make sure
you wait until they prompt you to press '3' on your keypad to opt out for
good. (submitted by Andy Meyer)
IF YOU LOSE YOUR PURSE OR WALLET
You've heard horror stories about fraud committed if your name, address,
SS#, credit, etc. is taken.
The author of this piece, who happened to be an attorney, had firsthand
knowledge, because his wallet was stolen and within a week the thieves
had ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA
credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received
a PIN number from DMV to change his driving record information online,
and more.
But he learned some critical information to limit the damage in case this
happens to you or someone you know. As everyone always advises, cancel
your credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll free numbers
and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where
you can find them easily. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction
where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent,
and is a first step toward an investigation, if any.
But here's what is perhaps most important: Call the three national credit
reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name
and SS#. Most of us would never think to do that - the author was advised
by a bank that called to tell him an application for credit was made over
the Internet in his name. That vital credit bureau alert means any company
that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have
to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
In his case, there were records of all the credit checks initiated by the
thieves' purchases, none of which he knew about before placing the alert.
Since the alert, no additional damage was done, and the thieves threw his
wallet away, where someone found it and turned it in. It seems to have
stopped them in their tracks.
The credit bureau numbers are:
Equifax1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Admin (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271 |