WELCOME

COL Brian Goodwin, RING

Appointed to Commander

RI Commandery

Companion Brian Goodwin, assumed command of the RI Commandery at the Annual Business Meeting, 12 May 2006.  Brian, is currently serving as the Chief of Staff, Joint Force Headquarters and has been an ardent supporter of the Commandery since he has been a member.  He enlisted in the Rhode Island Army National Guard in May 1972 where he served in the 1118th Engineer Company as a Dump Truck Operator. In April 1978 COL Goodwin attended OCS at the Rhode Island Military Academy where he graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant in April 1979 and was assigned to the 861st Engineer Company as a Platoon Leader. He was later transferred to the 243d Engineer Battalion where he served in numerous staff positions culminating as the Battalion Executive Officer. His present assignment is as the Chief of Staff, Joint Forces Headquarters located in Cranston, RI.

Other assignments within the Rhode Island National Guard include: Executive Officer, Detachment 4 Recruiting and Retention; Training Officer/Deputy Commandant, Rhode Island Military Academy; Executive Officer, 243rd Regiment (Regional Training Institute); Defense Movement Officer, Director of Logistics; Counterdrug Coordinator; Commander, 56th Troop Command; and Director of Military Support.   COL Goodwin is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic and Advance Course, Military Police Officer Advance Course, Infantry Officer Advance Course, Basic Airborne Course, Command and General Staff College, and the US Army War College. 
His civilian education includes a BS in Administration, Masters degree in International Relations and in Strategic Studies. His awards and decorations include: The Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Rhode Island Star with one oak leaf cluster.  We wish the best of luck to our incoming commander!

NEWSLETTER

During the past several years Companion Christos Evangelos prepared, edited and mailed the MOFW Newsletter.  He did an exceptional job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!        Commander Goodwin, the Executive Council, and the MOFW Companions would like to take this time to thank Chris for a Job Well Done!  COL Lynn Hague has volunteered to take on this new challenge and we wish her the best of luck.  If you have any articles or news you wish to share, please forward them to her at lynn.hague@us.army.mil or fax to 401-275-4221 or mail to 780 Hatchery Road, No. Kingstown, RI 02852.

OFFICERS FOR 2006

Cdr:                       COL Brian Goodwin

Sr. Vice Cdr:         COL (Ret) David Russell

Jr. Vice Cdr:          COL (Ret) Norman Lamothe

Secretary:              LTC John Ricottilli

Dep Sec:          LTC Arlene Mello

Registrar:         CW4 (Ret) Carolo Ciasullo

Dep Registrar: LTC Mark Habershaw

Treasurer:        COL Lynn Hague

Dep Treasurer: MAJ James Kenney

JAG:                CPT (Ret) Paul P. Baillargeon

Dep JAG:        COL (Ret) Paul Pederazini

QM:                 CW5 Marcel Cartier

Surgeon:          CPT Steven Petteruti

Chaplain:         LTC Robert Marciano

Auditor:          LTC (Ret) William Fielder

Nat’l Dele:      CDR (Ret) William Bundy

Newsletter:      COL Lynn Hague

17 Jul 06          Golf Tournament/Steak Fry

 31 Aug 06       Past Cdr/Exec Council Mtg

 26 Oct 06        Exec Committee Mtg

 16 Nov 06       Past Cdr/Exec Council Mtg

 11 Jan 07         Exec Committee Mtg

 25 Jan 07         Past Cdr/Exec Council Mtg

 15 Mar 07        Exec Committee Mtg

 27 Apr 07        Annual Business Meeting

 Post the dates on your calendar.  Incidentally, they are subject to change.  However, Companions will be notified one way or the other even if we have to use snail mail.  Questions regarding the dates and meetings can be directed to the Secretary, LTC Ricottilli at john.ricottilli@us.army.mil or 401-275-4260.

 The Past Cdrs/Executive Council meetings are open to all members.  Please contact LTC Ricottilli at least one-week prior to the meetings so we can give the O’Club the proper head count.

 The Executive Committees’ meetings are by invitation, however, any companion can attend.  This meeting is to discuss normal day to day business and to prepare an agenda for the Past Cdr/Exec Council Meeting.  The meetings are normally held at the Command Readiness Center, 645 New London Avenue.  Contact the Secretary, LTC Ricottilli if you are interested in attending.

GOLF ANYONE?

 When: 0700, 17 Jul 06

Where: Richmond Country Club, Hope Valley, RI

Who:  ANYONE!

How much:  $85 per person or $30 pp for the Steak Fry

**0800 hrs shotgun start, steak fry to follow.  Call LTC(Ret) Brindamour for more information at 401-275-4179.

All proceeds will benefit the MOFW Scholarship Fund.  COME AND SUPPORT THIS EVENT.  ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT  OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUND.

MOFW WEBSITE UPDATE

Membership and Scholarship applications; Scholarship Fund; Westerly Armory Restoration; Schedule of Events and the Annual Business Meeting.

MOFW SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

The MOFW Commandery awarded scholarships to the following students:

Christopher J. Gormley           $625.00

Sarah E. Kincaid                     $625.00

Mathew D. Goulding              $625.00

John B. McDonough               $625.00

Our Scholarship fund is slowly growing and we are building a strong financial base that in years to come will be self supporting.  It takes time.  Maybe some one out there will make a major donation, or leave a few rubels in their will and last testament and shorten the time span.  Hey! Anytime you have some extra cash laying around we can always use a donation.  Don’t wait for a special occasion. LTC Jeannine Vachon will be accepting scholarship applications until the deadline of 28 February 2007.  You can obtain a copy of the application and rules by contacting LTC Jeannine Vachon  jeannine.vachon@us.army.mil or 401-275-4129,  OR visit our website at www.rimofw.org.  All applications should be mailed to MOFW, P.O. Box 41642, Providence, RI 02940-1642.

COMBAT INFANTRYMEN’S MONUMENT

Join the excitement of honoring all combat infantrymen, past, present, and future, who are on the front lines protecting freedom for every American.  Here’s an opportunity for you, your family, business or organization, to leave your legacy immortalized as part of the memorial.  Your contribution serves as a lasting symbol of civic involvement and pride. 

Current donations have amounted to nearly $32,000.  This represents 75% of the total goal.  Cash donations are now being accepted and better yet you can purchase one or more bricks. Contact LTC(Ret) Albert Guarnieri Jr. at 401-231-9258   or mail your donation to Combat Infantrymen’s Association, Inc., Co A 1^st Battalion, 1^st Regiment, 42 Manning Street, North Providence, RI 02911.

MOVING??????  HAVE MOVED???

Please ensure you notify the RI Commandery Secretary, LTC John Ricottilli if you have moved or are moving.  He can be reached at john.ricottilli@us.army.mil or P.O. Box 41642, Providence, RI 02940-1642.  If you have an email address, we’ll take that too.

BASEBALL ANYONE?

22 June 2006 is Armed Forces Night at McCoy Stadium.  The Pawtucket Red Sox are playing the Columbus Clippers at 7:05 p.m.  There will be an all service color guard, RI’s own 88^th Army Band, 13 Gun Salute by the Guards of Thunder and Presentation of Colors by RI Veterans Groups.  Tickets are $3.50.  Contact Mrs. Kelley at 401-275-4202.  You must pay for and pick up your tickets in advance at 330 Camp Street, Providence.  Tickets and seats cannot be reserved in advance.

HAVEN’T PAID YOUR DUES?

Mail your dues to LTC John Ricottilli at MOFW, P.O. Box 41642, Providence, RI  02940-1642.  Please provide an updated mailing address, phone number and email if you have one.  Dues are $20.00 annually or for  life membership are:

         Under 50yrs    = $360

         To 54 yrs         = $300

         To 59 yrs         = $260

         To 69 yrs         = $200

         To 75 yrs         = $100

         Over 75 yrs     = FREE    

GOT Scholarships!

Learn to use scholarships to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses.

While looking for money for school many servicemembers, veterans, and their families tend to overlook the over $300 million of military - and veteran - related scholarships and grants. These scholarships often go unclaimed due to the following misconceptions:

• Military education benefits eliminate the need for scholarships and grants.
  • False - The truth is that Tuition Assistance is limited to about $750 a class and usually only covers tuition and a limited amount of fees. This means that you have to pay for books, fees, and other items. There are hundreds of scholarships and grants specifically designed to supplement these education related costs, so you don't have to.
• Scholarships are too difficult to win and applying requires too much work.
  • It is true that some scholarships require a written essay. But, it is important to remember that scholarship and grant applications vary widely, and some require nothing more than a short application. Besides you should think of it this way: It may be the only essay you ever get paid to write.
• Scholarships are too difficult to find.
  • False - Many scholarships go unclaimed because students don't know where to look. Fortunately, there is a great online resource to help servicemembers find the scholarship and learn how, where, and when to apply. Visit the Military.com's Scholarship Finder today and get started on your way to finding free money for school.

Here are some quick tips to help your search:

• Do your homework. Take advantage of the free online scholarship search at Military.com's Scholarship Finder. The Scholarship Finder lists over 1,000 scholarships from a variety of sources.
• Don't limit yourself. You qualify for non-military related scholarships too. Visit your local library to find scholarship directories that list awards based on age, state of residence, cultural background, and field of study.
• Search in your military community. Many service aid organizations and associations, like the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, offer scholarships, grants, and low interest loans to help cover education expenses. Click here to find out more about your Service Aid Organization's education assistance programs.
• It's never too soon to start your scholarship search. Many scholarship application deadlines are as early as a year in advance.