Page 64 - OTHS-JUNE2026

PAGE 62 www.OverTheHumpSaver.com June 2026
NOT “HEY YOU” - IT’S ‘AU’ SA!

BY CHUCK N. BAKER

R egular readers know
from time to time
I just can’t resist
messing around with
words and phrases.
When I first read
AUSA, my mind saw “Hey You, SA”
hence the above headline. (Well, I
thought it was clever!)

Moving on, the number of legitimate
organizations helping veterans has
expanded in Nevada during the last
20 years. It seems that not any one
such group can offer a full slate of
services to the diverse needs of those
who served in the U.S. military. Most
groups serve segments of all the mil-
itary and active duty, while some are
more specific. Enter the Association
of the United States Army (AUSA) to and organizations as community vice chief begins and ends with one
the local mix of helpful organizations. partners. question: Does this make our soldiers
It’s actually been around for many ready to fight and win when called
years via internet, but now there is “My dad was a Marine, and instilled upon today?” Another feature of
a new president heading the local the greatness of the armed forces in AUSA is a regular Coffee Series in
chapter in Southern Nevada, who me. We were very structured but it which a leading individual is invited
connects with the Reno Gen. William made me appreciate veterans. Since to speak on a pertinent topic. It’s
C. Westmoreland chapter covering we don’t have an installation here, live in Washington and can be seen
the North. As its name suggests, the we work with the National Guard and on the internet. The most recent
organization’s focus is on the Army, Nellis. Our mission is to inform, con- speaker was Maj.Gen. Rebecca
but it does promote some general nect and educate military veterans McElwain, director of Army Budget,
military subjects. Up north it helps and their families with community
the VFW from time to time. And resources.” Office of the Assistant Secretary of
since the Army does not have a full the Army, who gave an update on
installation in the Silver State, both She explained, “When the govern- agency’s FY27 budget. I missed the
chapters promote the Army National ment shut down we did a big drive talk and the numbers, but Wow! that
Guard as well as Nellis and Creech Air for baby food for needy families at budget must be through the ceiling
Force Bases. Nellis. They could not accept money, and is needed to keep our military
but we could get them diapers and strong. (A personal note to veterans
Recently Jodi Blasquez was appointed formula and baby wipes. We were and their families. Published reports
to the position of President of Major able to give that to the Guard. It was say our short war in Iran has left us
Gen John C. Fremont Chapter in the a huge help.” with a depleted arsenal. I’m guessing
south. “We have 122 chapters and the proposed budget will help us
two million members world- wide.” A recent edition of the AUSA maga- resupply?)
She covers Mesquite to Pahrump to zine had an article that quoted Army
Boulder City and Las Vegas, and said Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher In any event, a firm salute to the
there are 6,050 members in Southern LaNeve about modernizing the AUSA and the work it does on behalf
Nevada. She also signs up companies Army. “Every decision I make as the of veterans and their families.