I wish all Korean War Veterans Association, Inc. members a Happy New Year! We indeed need one that
straightens out our economic worries and puts us back on track, where we have some control of our finances, and
for most of us our 401K and IRA's that have seen a downturn in their worth.
I know that when you read this message you will have noticed the cover of our magazine. I have received some
messages that say it is about time that we let people know that we are Korea Veterans. At the same time I have
also received messages which say why in the world did you allow this change. So I believe some explanation is
necessary as to why the Board of Directors decided to change the name. First the name has not been changed. It
has had a statement added that says this magazine is about and for the Korea Veteran. And to our
many members who remember why it was called The Graybeards, it is still called The Graybeards. I
think this was a very good compromise that was decided by the Board of Directors, to let everyone who comes
across this magazine to understand that it is about and for all Korea Veterans. It should also be
noted that the Board of Directors made the decision on the wording and also the size of the print. The vote to
make a change was unanimous, with no objection by the eleven voting members available at the October 24, 2008
Board Meeting in Norfolk, Virginia. They were not only asked and given a picture of the actual cover, but it was
a unanimous decision by the entire Board of Directors as to what the cover wording would look like for each
edition.
You will find in this edition a Fund Raiser which only asks the Life Members, who no longer or never were
required to pay dues, for their help by donating funds for an edition of The Graybeards. Each edition
cost around $30,000. Those Life Members who have been members for only six years now are being furnished a free
magazine six times a year. If you look at the fact that we have nearly seven thousand (7,000) Life and POW
Members who do not pay dues, yet receive an edition, you can see what kind of financial problem we face each
year. Yes! It may be said if we had placed the Life Membership in a fund and drawn interest we would not have
this problem. You are right, but that should have been done at the start many years ago. Seven thousand (7,000)
members at $150 each would have been $1,050,000 times an average of 2.5% and would net us $26,250/year not quite
one edition. No one did the math and now we suffer from inflation and the cost of mailing and publishing is
higher than back in the good old days. The saying still stands that hindsight is always better than foresight.
We, as a Board of Directors, figured that out too late and changed the rate for Life Membership a couple of
years ago. I want to "Thank" the Fund Raising Committee for making this attempt to raise one edition funds. I
believe a fully paid Annual Membership Meeting is a great prize. A second Fund Raiser for the entire membership
will still be held this year.
The minutes of the Board of Directors and Membership Meeting were in your 2008 November - December The
Graybeards magazine. They will also appear on the website, approximately a month after any meeting, as well
as in The Graybeards magazine. This will give many who are interested in the actions taken by the Board
of Directors and the Membership, not to have to wait for results almost two months after the meetings when they
appear in The Graybeards.
I also want to remind you that a call for elections of four (4) Directors will occur this June. I ask that
all who are interested in running for these positions, to remember that they are not positions that are for
prestige, but require much of your time and ability to make decisions which are not always popular, but
necessary for the Good of the Order.
William F. Mac Swain
National President, KWVA/US