AFVOA Newletters of Year 2007

Page 4 of 68 For most of them it would be a first time experience to be at sea. The editorial team wishes to place on record their sincere gratitude for this magnanimous gesture of the Coast Guard. 4. Maj gen R K Swamy, AVSM, VSM, the new Commandant of the Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai has been very gracious in inviting our veterans and their spouses for a movie in their auditorium, followed by a sumptuous lunch with the Gentlemen / Lady Cadets in the new Cadets’ Mess and conducted tour around the Academy. It was a very interesting and informative trip. We express our deep sense of gratitude to the Commandant and his Staff for ensuring a very well planned and organized tour of the Academy. 5. As we grow in age, we should adopt a mature attitude. Wisdom should enable us to remain balanced and composed. We, the erstwhile “firebrands” should try and mellow down for our own good. Remember, our hearts should not get strained by getting agitated or angry. Our grandchildren sometimes say ”Cool it, Cool it…” and so on during their routine conversations. The acronym perhaps stands for Composed, ordinate, outstanding and level headed, as we all veterans ought to be. If we realize that there is a lot in this slang usage, we would perhaps benefit. Let us resolve in the New Year to be “Tender with the young, Compassionate with the aged and suffering, Sympathetic with the strong, Tolerant with the weak and wrong, Because, sometimes in our lives, we would have been all these ourselves” Have a nice day, read on. “ Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” - Seneca From The President’s Desk. MUSINGS FROM MINNEAPOLIS 6. At the outset , my wife and I thank you all for the overwhelming messages of greetings on New Year & Pongal, which impressed our children to no end! We again take this opportunity on the auspicious occasion of our 58th Republic Day celebrations, to reciprocate your good wishes full of warmth and camaraderie! We also heartily congratulate the members of the Executive Committee & all others under the able guidance of our Patron & the past Presidents for all the good work. 7. The winter here , is mild as per local norms, with just some standing snow and the backyard pond has just frozen. I have tried out snow clearance around the house and our old days at the High Altitudes and the Glacier are a popular talking point! I was aghast to learn that a whole lot of people, depend on heavy snowfall for a living, like snow mobile / plough operators, ski resorts and skating rinks. Global warming & El Nino are hot topics on the News! 8. We follow the news thru TV ( incl Sun TV ) & Star Tribune. There is regular and adequate coverage on Health Insurance and Veterans’ affairs; I note that the obituary references, when a veteran passes away, includes the American National Flag to honour him. I also find that there is a Veteran Services Helpline at the County level. The Veterans Clubs are also active at district level, where there is a subsidised bar and diner & a rare gesture where smoking is permitted. Here they meet formally once a week, 1 PM, Wednesdays, with a dance band session to wind up. But, I hear that the veterans are mainly II WW, Korea / Vietnam. The recent veterans are busy pursuing subsidised higher education or setting up