From: "Seva, Ray, DVS" <Ray.Seva@state.nm.us>

Subject: 2016 New Mexico Legislature (Daily Veteran-Related Legislation

UPDATE)

Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2016 18:03:46 +0000

[NMDVS Logo (ray's Email version)]

Good Morning—

This is the first of what will be a daily E-mail with an updateon veteran-related legislation for the 2016 New Mexico Legislature.

The New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services will provide this Daily Veteran-Related Legislation Update as a courtesy to our state’s veterans for the duration of the Session—which convened at noon on January 19 and adjourns at noon on February 18.

This daily update will contain information about all introduced veteran-related bills/memorials/resolutions--and show their status in the legislative process. The deadline for introduction of all legislation is February 3.

All bills must pass their assigned committee hearings before reaching the floor of the House or Senate for a full vote. If a bill is passed by both chambers, it is then sent to the Governor’s office for possible signature into state law.

___________________

Veterans and active-duty service members are encouraged to attend a bill’s assigned hearings to learn about and show support for these bills. Legislators do­ take note of large crowds as being indicative of a bill’s importance to the veteran community.

For more information about the 2016 Legislature, go to the 2016 Legislature website at http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/

DVS Legislation (2016 Legislature)

Bill:               HB17

Sponsors:    Garcia Richard (D43)

Title:            VETERAN REDEFINED TO QUALIFY FOR RESIDENT TUITION

Summary:    For purposes of qualifying for as resident tuition as a veteran, the definition of the term “veteran” has been revised to mean a New Mexico resident who is a citizen of the United States, was regularly enlisted, drafted, inducted or commissioned in the:

Subjects:     Veterans and Military Affairs; Higher Education; Family and Juveniles

Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee

Status:         01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee

History:        01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.

Bill:               HB73

Sponsors:    Hamilton (R38)

Title:            WNMU VETERAN PTSD VIRTUAL REALITY TREATMENT PROJECT

Summary:    (Similar to 2015 HB69) Relating to veterans; continuing a pilot project to treat veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder using virtual reality treatment devices; provides for therapist training; provides for virtual reality therapy curriculum development for the Master’s of Social Work program at Western New Mexico University; and makes an appropriation.

Subjects:     Higher Education; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs; Health and Medical Practice

Related:       2015:HB69

Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee

Status:         01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee

History:        01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.

Bill:               HB93

Sponsors:    Wooley (R66)

Title:            PROCUREMENT PREFERENCES: VETERAN BUSINESS, VETERAN CONTRACTOR & RECYCLED GOODS

Summary:    (Similar to 2015 HB557) Relating to procurement; amends the Resident Veteran Business Preference Act to impose limits on resident veteran businesses that may qualify for the 10 percent preference on public bids. Applies the preference to a resident veteran business, including all of its subsidiaries with annual gross revenues up to $3 million in the preceding tax year. Affects formal bids on purchases and public works contracts. Abolishes provision that would have authorized a 5 percent preference for recycled content goods beginning July 1, 2022. Abolishes provision that would have ended the 10 percent veteran contractor preference in 2022.

Subjects:     Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Veterans and Military Affairs; State Affairs and State Agencies; County Affairs; Municipalities/City Government

Related:       2015:HB557

Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee

Status:         01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee

History:        01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.

Bill:               HB113

Sponsors:    Maestas Barnes (R15)

Title:            MOBILITY LIMITATION INDICATORS ON OTHER SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES

Summary:    (Conflicts with HB25; essentially identical to 2015 HB464) Directs MVD to establish a design element for vehicle license plates that denotes significant mobility limitation that may be used on another special registration plate (i.e., veterans, radio operator, military, historical, etc.). The design element shall be available, by request, to a person with a significant mobility limitation who also qualifies for the other requested special registration.

Subjects:     Health and Medical Practice; Transportation; State Affairs and State Agencies

Related:       2015:HB464

Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee

Status:         01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee

History:        01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.

Bill:               HB165

Sponsors:    Ruiloba (D12)

Title:            ALTERNATIVE INSTRUCTOR LICENSES TO TEACH JUNIOR ROTC

Summary:    (For the Legislative Education Study Committee) Amends the School Personnel Act to provide for alternative instructor licenses for the instruction of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC).

Subjects:     Schools and Teachers; Veterans and Military Affairs

Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee

Status:         01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee

History:        01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.

Bill:               HM3

Sponsors:    Garcia Richard (D43)

Title:            USS LOS ALAMOS

Summary:    Endorses the naming of a U.S. naval submarine as the USS Los Alamos.

Subjects:     Veterans and Military Affairs; Miscellaneous

Progress:     Introduced

Status:         01/19/2016 – Speaker's Table

History:        01/19/2016—H Introduced and placed on Speaker's Table.

Scheduled:  01/20/2016—House Calendar, 10:30 a.m., House Chambers

Bill:               HM8

Sponsors:    Armstrong (D17)

Title:            BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DAY

Summary:    Proclaims Saturday, January 30, 2016, as “Behavioral Health Day” in the House of Representatives.

Subjects:     Health and Medical Practice; Human Services; Veterans and Military Affairs; Aging

Progress:     Introduced

Status:         01/19/2016 – Speaker's Table

History:        01/19/2016—H Introduced and placed on Speaker's Table.

Scheduled:  01/20/2016—House Calendar, 10:30 a.m., House Chambers

Bill:               SB16

Sponsors:    Burt (R33); Adkins (R29)

Title:            UNIFORMED SERVICES RETIREES INCOME TAX DEDUCTION

Summary:    Amends the Income Tax Act to provide an incremental income tax deduction from net income for a uniformed services retiree or the retiree’s surviving spouse beginning in 2017 at the following levels:

Subjects:     Natural Resources (Parks and Wildlife); Taxation, Fees and Audits; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Labor

Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee

Status:         01/19/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees

History:        01/19/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.

                    01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Corporations & Transportation.

                    01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.

Bill:               SB29

Sponsors:    Brandt (R40)

Title:            DEGREE PROGRAM CREDIT FOR MILITARY COURSEWORK

Summary:    (For the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee) Requires public or private post‑secondary education institutions operating under New Mexico law (Chapter 21) to determine credit hours for military coursework or military service that is relevant and transferable for a degree program requirement.

Subjects:     Higher Education; Veterans and Military Affairs

Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee

Status:         01/19/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees

History:        01/19/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.

                    01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Education.

                    01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.

Bill:               SB99

Sponsors:    Martinez, Richard (D5)

Title:            REHAB HOUSING FOR VETS

Summary:    (For the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee) Appropriates $2 million (GF 2017) to the Department of Finance and Administration for FY 2017 for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to provide necessary rehabilitation for homes occupied by honorably discharged veterans in New Mexico whose taxable incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the area median income.

Subjects:     State Affairs and State Agencies; Land, Housing and Real Estate; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs

Progress:     Proposed for introduction

Status:         01/19/2016 – Prefiled in the Senate

Bill:               SB101

Sponsors:    Martinez, Richard (D5)

Title:            REHAB HOMES OF LOW‑INCOME VETS

Summary:    (Endorsed by the Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee) (Identical to SB99) Appropriates $2 million (GF 2017) to the Department of Finance and Administration for FY 2017 for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to provide necessary rehabilitation for homes occupied by honorably discharged veterans in New Mexico whose taxable incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the area median income.

Subjects:     State Affairs and State Agencies; Land, Housing and Real Estate; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs

Progress:     Proposed for introduction

Status:         01/19/2016 – Prefiled in the Senate

Bill:               SB105

Sponsors:    Beffort (R19)

Title:            EXPEDITING ISSUANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES

Summary:    Relates to expediting the process for issuance of occupational and professional licenses to persons who already hold a license that is current and in good standing issued by another jurisdiction in the United States.

Subjects:     Labor; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; State Affairs and State Agencies

Progress:     Proposed for introduction

Status:         01/19/2016 – Prefiled in the Senate

Bill:               SB116

Sponsors:    Munoz (D4)

Title:            GALLUP VETERANS’ SERVICES

Summary:    Appropriates $70,000 (GF 2017) to the Veterans’ Services Department for FY 2017 for the salary and benefits for one full‑time‑equivalent position to provide services to veterans in Gallup.

Subjects:     State Affairs and State Agencies; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs

Progress:     Proposed for introduction

Status:         01/19/2016 – Prefiled in the Senate

Respectfully,

Ray Seva

Public Information Officer,

New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services

(505) 362-6089 cell

www.dvs.state.nm.us<http://www.dvs.state.nm.us/>

Subject: FW: VFW Action Corps Weekly, December 4, 2015

Date: Fri, 4 Dec 2015 15:26:15 -0700

                             December 4, 2015

In This Issue:

1. VFW Testifies at Senate Hearing

2. VA Implements Changes to the Choice Program

3. VFW Participates in Congressional Roundtable

4. Avoid Higher TRICARE Copayments for Maintenance Drugs

5. SECEF Opens All Career Fields to Women

6. Draft Registration for Women?

7. Remember Pearl Harbor

8. MIA Recovery Update

1. VFW Testifies at Senate Hearing: On Wednesday, the Senate Veterans'

Affairs Committee held a hearing entitled, "Consolidating Non-VA Care

Programs." The purpose of the hearing was to evaluate the strengths and

weaknesses of the Choice Program, looking for ways to improve how veterans

receive care in their local communities. VFW Legislative Director Ray Kelley

testified on behalf of the Independent Budget (IB), laying out the IB's

vision for the future of non-VA care. He offered several suggestions,

including strengthening partnerships with local providers, removing

arbitrary distance and wait time requirements, and improving access to

emergency and urgent care. The IB plan is based on the findings of several

surveys on the satisfaction and preferences of VFW members. Improving health

care access by streamlining the non-VA care program is a top priority for

the VFW. To watch a video of the hearing and read the testimony, click here:

<http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/KXLOVQOEUC/11085759801>

http://www.veterans.senate.gov/hearings/consolidating-non-va-care-programs12

022015.

2. VA Implements Changes to the Choice Program: This week, VA made several

changes to the Choice Program in response to the VFW's advocacy, recent

legislation and the work of other stakeholders. The first change requires VA

to consider a veteran's health care conditions when determining eligibility.

Moving forward, veterans who have health care conditions that limit their

ability to travel to a VA medical facility for treatment will be eligible to

receive care closer to home, regardless if they live less than 40 miles from

a VA outpatient clinic. VA's examples include: "routine and simple

procedures, such as simple tests or treatments like an allergy test or an

immunization, may be sought through the Veterans Choice Program. Similarly,

if a veteran needs repeated appointments for a course of treatment, such as

chemotherapy."

The second change expands eligibility to veterans who live more than 40

miles from a full-time VA primary care physician. This means that veterans

who live within 40 miles of a VA outpatient clinic that does not have a

full-time primary care physician will become eligible for the program.

The third change requires that VA work with the Choice Program's

administrators (TriWest and HealthNet) to contact veterans who become

eligible for the Choice Program to schedule appointments. Before this

change, veterans were required to call the Choice Program's call center

(866-606-8198) to initiate their Choice Program appointments. Now, HealthNet

and TriWest will contact veterans directly to schedule their appointments,

similar to when a VA specialty clinic contacts a veteran to schedule an

appointment when the veteran has been referred to the clinic by his or her

primary care provider. Veterans with questions about the Choice Program or

those who want to check on the status of their appointments should continue

to contact the call center. To learn more about the Choice Program or find

out if you are eligible, visit:

<http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/NGZNVQOEUD/11085759801>

http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/. 

3. VFW Participates in Congressional Roundtable: On Wednesday, VFW Senior

Legislative Associate Carlos Fuentes participated in a House Veterans'

Affairs Committee roundtable on VA employment practices. The discussion

focused on ways Congress can ensure VA has the authority to recruit, employ,

and retain high quality health care employees. Fuentes stated that VA needs

to improve the recruitment and retention of doctors and nurses to ensure

veterans have access to the health care they need. Fuentes also informed the

committee that VA faces high turnover and attrition of frontline staff who

answer phones, schedule appointments, and conduct other administrative tasks

that are essential for the operation of VA medical facilities. Fuentes

recommended that Congress give VA more flexibility to quickly hire frontline

staff. To learn more about what the VFW is doing to improve veterans' access

to care, visit our VA Watch webpage at:

<http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/BDTLVQOEUE/11085759801>

http://www.vfw.org/VAWatch/.

4. Avoid Higher TRICARE Copayments for Maintenance Drugs: In October,

TRICARE implemented a change made by the National Defense Authorization Act

that requires select brand name maintenance drugs to be filled at military

pharmacies or through TRICARE home delivery. The new rule allowed

beneficiaries to get two 30-day refills of an affected drug from a retail

pharmacy. For many, those two refills will run out in December and their

next prescription refill needs to be through home delivery or at a military

pharmacy. Those who do not move their prescriptions will be required to pay

the full cost at retail pharmacies. Active duty service members, overseas

beneficiaries, and other beneficiaries who are prescribed generic drugs can

continue using retail pharmacies. To learn more about the rule change,

request a waiver, or learn how to switch to home delivery or a military

pharmacy, visit:

<http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/OTGWVQOEUF/11085759801>

http://www.tricare.mil/RxNewRules. For a list of affected prescription

drugs, visit:

<http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/FUERVQOEUG/11085759801>

http://www.health.mil/selectdruglist.

5. SECEF Opens All Career Fields to Women: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter

announced his decision yesterday to open all remaining military occupation

specialties to women. The move could open up about 220,000 combat arms

branch positions primarily in the Army and Marine Corps, as well as

opportunities in the Navy SEALs and Air Force pararescue and tactical air

control party fields, among others. In making the announcement, Carter

stressed that equal opportunity doesn't necessarily mean equal participation

in all specialties, and that there would be no quotas. DOD has 30 days in

which to present its plan to Congress. VFW National Commander John

Biedrzycki said women have served honorably and bravely throughout our

nation's history. "We support this new opportunity that allows them to

continue to serve in career fields previously barred, not because of their

ability, but solely because of their gender," he said. "Serving in direct

line units, and especially in behind-the-line special operations units, are

privileges that have to be earned, but as long as the standards for the job

are maintained, then the VFW wishes everyone much success." Read more at:

<http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/ERNSVQOEUH/11085759801>

http://www.defense.gov/News-Article-View/Article/632536/carter-opens-all-mil

itary-occupations-positions-to-women?source=GovDelivery. 

6. Draft Registration for Women? With the elimination of the combat

exclusion clause, the next question is whether women will now be required to

register with the Selective Service System. According to officials, stay

tuned. No decision will be made until Congress has had time to review the

Defense Department report, which will include their views on whether the

Military Selective Service Act should be changed. With few exceptions, all

18 to 25-year-old American male citizens are required to register. Failure

to do so is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a

$250,000 fine. The Selective Service System, which is a small, independent

federal agency within the Executive Branch, is on standby and prepared to

act as directed. Right now, 16 million 18 to 25-year-old American males are

registered; adding women would more than double their workload.

7. Remember Pearl Harbor: VFW Posts and members nationwide will be

commemorating the 74th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor on Monday,

Dec. 7, to include VFW National Commander John Biedrzycki, who will be

joined by members of the VFW Department of Hawaii for the ceremony that this

year is being held on Naval Base Pearl Harbor. That ceremony will stream

live at:  <http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/MBSUVQOEUI/11085759801>

http://www.pearlharborevents.com/live-stream/. Visitors to Washington, D.C.,

are invited to attend ceremonies at the National World War II Memorial at

1:53 p.m. Read more here:

<http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/AIFCVQOEUJ/11085759801>

http://www.wwiimemorialfriends.org/. 

8. MIA Recovery Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency recently

announced identifications of remains and burial updates for one Marine and

three soldiers who had been missing in action from World War II, Korea and

Vietnam. Returned home are:

-- Marine Corps Cpl. James D. Otto, 20, of Los Angeles, will be buried with

full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Dec. 8. He was killed

in action on Nov. 20, 1943, while fighting on the Pacific island of Tarawa.

He was assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine

Division. Read more at:

<http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/BHGIVQOEUK/11085759801>

http://www.dpaa.mil/NewsStories/NewsReleases/tabid/10159/Article/632492/mari

ne-missing-from-world-war-ii-accounted-for-otto.aspx.

-- Army Sgt. Robert C. Dakin, 22, will be buried with full military honors

on Dec. 12 in his hometown of Waltham, Mass. He was assigned to Company L,

3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, when he was

lost in North Korea on Dec. 12, 1950.

-- Army Sgt. Billy J. Williams, who was assigned to the 2nd Reconnaissance

Company, 2nd Infantry Division, was lost in North Korea on Feb. 14, 1951.

-- Army Sgt. 1st Class Billy D. Hill, 21, of Fallon, Nev., was assigned to

the 282nd Aviation Company, 14th Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group,

1st Aviation Brigade, when he was lost in Vietnam on Jan. 21, 1968.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 1, 2015

VA Makes Changes to Veterans Choice Program

Changes Remove Barriers and Expand Access to Care

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced a number of changes to make participation in the Veterans

Choice Program easier and more convenient for Veterans who need to use it. The move, which streamlines eligibility requirements, follows

feedback from Veterans along with organizations working on their behalf.

“As we implement the Veterans Choice Program, we are learning from our stakeholders what works and what needs to be refined,” said VA

Secretary Robert A. McDonald. “It is our goal to do all that we can to remove barriers that separate Veterans from the care they deserve.” To

date, more than 400,000 medical appointments have been scheduled since the Veterans Choice Program went into effect on November 5, 2014.

Under the old policy, a Veteran was eligible for the Veterans Choice Program if he or she met the following criteria:

Enrolled in VA health care by 8/1/14 or able to enroll as a combat Veteran to be eligible for the Veterans Choice Program;

• Experienced unusual or excessive burden eligibility determined by geographical challenges, environmental factors or a medical condition

• impacting the Veteran’s ability to travel;

• Determined eligible based on the Veteran’s current residence being more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA medical

• facility.

Under the updated eligibility requirements, a Veteran is eligible for the Veterans Choice Program if he or she is enrolled in the VA

health care system and meets at least one of the following criteria:

• Told by his or her local VA medical facility that they will not be able to schedule an appointment for care within 30 days of the date the

• Veteran’s physician determines he/she needs to be seen or within 30 days of the date the Veteran wishes to be seen if there is no specific

• date from his or her physician;

• Lives more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA medical facility with a full-time primary care physician;

• Needs to travel by air, boat or ferry to the VA medical facility closest to his/her home;

• Faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling to the closest VA medical facility based on geographic challenges, environmental

• factors, a medical condition, the nature or simplicity or frequency of the care needed and whether an attendant is needed. Staff at the

• Veteran’s local VA medical facility will work with him or her to determine if the Veteran is eligible for any of these reasons; or

• Lives in a State or Territory without a full-service VA medical facility which includes: Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire (Note: this

• excludes New Hampshire Veterans who live within 20 miles of the White River Junction VAMC) and the United States Territories

(excluding Puerto Rico, which has a full service VA medical facility).

Veterans seeking to use the Veterans Choice Program or wanting to know more about it, can call1-866-606-8198 to confirm their eligibility

and to schedule an appointment. For more details about the Veterans Choice Program and VA’s progress, visit: http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact.

James Albino

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs

Department of Veterans Affairs

Email: james.albino@va.gov

Phone: 202-461-7385

Friday, December 4th - Dart Tournament

Monday, December 7th - Pearl Harbor Day

Thursday, December 10th - House Committee meeting - 5:30 PM

Thursday, December 17th - VFW and Auxiliary meeting - 6:30 PM

Friday, December 25th - Christmas Day - Canteen closed

Thursday, December 31st - New Years Eve

                                                  Official end of WWII

Friday, October 2nd - Dart Tournament - Hamburgers starting at 4:00 P. M.

Thursday, October 8th - House Committee Meeting at 5:30 P. M.

Monday, October 12th - Columbus Day

Thursday, October 15th - VFW and Auxiliary Meeting at 6:30 P. M.

                                              Pack troop care packages at 4:30 P. M.

Saturday, October 24th - Auxiliary Council of Administration in Clovis.  Department President Janet Huft's Homecoming.

                                             Anyone wanting to attend contact Laverne or Lou Beth.

Saturday, October 31st - Halloween     BOO!!!

Monday, September 7th - Labor Day

Thursday, September 10th, House Committee meeting at 5:30 PM 

Friday, September 11th - Patriot Day

Thursday, September 17th - Constitution Day

                                                   VFW and Auxiliary meeting 6:30 PM  Pack Troop Care Packages 4:30 PM

Friday, September 18th - National POW/MIA Recognition Day

Sunday, September 27th - Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day

Friday, August 7th - Cooking Hamburgers from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM or until they are all gone

                                    Dart Tournament

Sunday, August 16th - District 7 meeting in Hobbs at 11:00 AM

                                         Lunch after the meeting.  Members are asked to bring a side dish and/or a dessert.  All help will be appreciated.

Thursday, August 13th - House Committee Meeting at 5:30 PM

Thursday, August 20th - Troop packages packed starting at 4:30 PM

                                            VFW and Auxiliary meeting at 6:30 PM

Thursday, July 9th - House Committee Meeting - 5:30 PM

Saturday July 11th - Auxiliary Council of Administration - Post 401 - Albuquerque - 9:00 AM

Thursday, July 16th - VFW and Auxiliary meeting - 6:30 PM

  Old Man and a Bucket of Shrimp

   

      This is a wonderful story and it is true. You will be glad that you read it, and I hope you will pass it on. 

   

It happened every Friday evening, almost without fail, when the sun resembled a giant orange and was starting to dip into the blue ocean.

 

Old Ed came strolling along the beach to his favorite pier.

Clutched in his bony hand was a bucket of shrimp. Ed walks out to the end of the pier, where it seems he almost has the world to himself. The glow of the sun is a golden bronze now.

 

Everybody's gone, except for a few joggers on the beach. Standing out on the end of the pier, Ed is alone with his thoughts...and his bucket of shrimp.

   

Before long, however, he is no longer alone. Up in the sky a thousand white dots come screeching and squawking, winging their way toward that lanky frame standing there on the end of the pier.

  

Before long, dozens of seagulls have enveloped him, their wings fluttering and flapping wildly. Ed stands there tossing shrimp to the hungry birds. As he does, if you listen closely, you can hear him say with a smile, 'Thank you. Thank you.'

   

In a few short minutes the bucket is empty. But Ed doesn't leave. He stands there lost in thought, as though transported to another time and place .

 

When he finally turns around and begins to walk back toward the beach, a few of the birds hop along the pier with him until he gets to the stairs, and then they, too, fly away. And old Ed quietly makes his way down to the end of the beach and on home.

 

If you were sitting there on the pier with your fishing line in the water, Ed might seem like  'a funny old duck,' as my dad used to say. Or, to onlookers, he's just another old codger, lost in his own weird world, feeding the seagulls with a bucket full of shrimp.

 

To the onlooker, rituals can look either very strange or very empty. They can seem altogether unimportant ....maybe even a lot of nonsense.

   

Old folks often do strange things, at least in the eyes of Boomers and Busters.

   

Most of them would probably write Old Ed off, down there in Florida ... That's too bad. They'd do well to know him better.

   

His full name:  Eddie Rickenbacker. He was a famous hero in World War I, and then he was  in WWII. On one of his flying missions across the Pacific, he and his seven-member crew went down. Miraculously, all of the men survived, crawled out of their plane, and climbed into a life raft.

   

Captain Rickenbacker and his crew floated for days on the rough waters of the Pacific. They fought the sun. They fought sharks. Most of all, they fought hunger and thirst. By the eighth day their rations ran out. No food. No water. They were hundreds of miles from land and no one knew where they were or even if they were alive.

Every day across America millions wondered and prayed that Eddie Rickenbacker might somehow be found alive.

   

The men adrift needed a miracle. That afternoon they had a simple devotional service and prayed for a miracle.

They tried to nap. Eddie leaned back and pulled his military cap over his nose. Time dragged on. All he could hear was the slap of the waves against the raft...suddenly Eddie felt something land on the top of his cap. It was a seagull!

   

Old Ed would later describe how he sat perfectly still, planning his next move. With a flash of his hand and a squawk from the gull, he managed to grab it and wring its neck. He tore the feathers off, and he and his starving crew made a meal of it - a very slight meal for eight men. Then they used the intestines for bait. With it, they caught fish, which gave them food and more bait....and the cycle continued. With that simple survival  technique, they were able to endure the rigors of the sea until they were  found and rescued after 24 days at sea.

   

Eddie Rickenbacker lived many years beyond that ordeal, but he never forgot the sacrifice of that first life-saving seagull... And he never stopped saying, 'Thank you.' That's why almost every Friday night he would walk to the end of the pier with a bucket full of shrimp and a heart full of gratitude.

 

Reference: (Max Lucado, "In The Eye of the Storm", PP...221, 225-226)

   

PS: Eddie Rickenbacker was the founder of Eastern Airlines. Before WWI he was race car driver. In WWI he was a pilot and became America's first ace. In WWII he was an instructor and military adviser, and he flew missions with the combat pilots. Eddie Rickenbacker is a true American hero. And now you know another story about the trials and sacrifices that brave men have endured for your freedom.

   

As you can see, I chose to pass it on. It is a great story that many don't know...You've got to be careful with old guys, you just never know what they have done during their lifetime.