Lt. Cmdr. Didio received an MOAA Challenge Coin from Col. Nagy along with a Certificate of Appreciation from the chapter. (Photo by George Bone)
Former Lt. William Myers, CEC, USN
The Catalina Mountain Chapter (CMC) of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) held a recent luncheon meeting on Nov. 18 at SaddleBrooke Ranch. The meeting began with a business session presided over by retired Col. William Nagy, U.S. Army, former President and Board of Director Member, during which members were updated on the chapter’s current and upcoming activities.
The day’s speaker was CMC member retired Lt. Cmdr. Steve Didio, U.S. Navy, who also serves as First Vice Commander American Legion Post 132 (Oro Valley).
Steve began his naval career as an enlisted man for nine years serving as a Sonar Maintenance Technician on two surface ships. Then, while a chief petty officer he was selected to attend Officers Candidate School in Newport, R.I., and was commissioned in 1986.
Steve then served as an Officer in the Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine Force in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets and in various staff assignments for 15 years. Steve retired from the Navy after more than 24 years of service, having completed five major deployments in support of strategic national defense objectives.
Lt. Cmdr. Didio made a PowerPoint presentation and discussed the many and varied community projects and services provided by the American Legion primarily focused on the needs of active duty and retired military personnel and their families.
Among these services is the proper disposal of unserviceable U.S. flags. The U.S. Flag Code states that when a flag is no longer serviceable, for example, torn, worn, tattered, frayed, or faded, it is no longer a fitting emblem for display. The American Legion Post 132 maintains drop boxes throughout our community for these flags, including two drop boxes in SaddleBrooke.
The December luncheon meeting of the CMC was held at SaddleBrooke Ranch Grill on Dec. 16 at a special starting time because some members were attending the Wreaths Across America Ceremony at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Marana.
Our December speaker was retired Major Gary Goebel, U.S. Air Force, whose career extended from 1967 through 1987 in a variety of Air Force aircraft from the F-105 Thunderchief and F-111 Aardvark during the Vietnam Conflict to the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Gary’s civilian career then continued with the Boeing Company until retiring in 2003.
Maj. Goebel discussed his military career and that of his father who was a Double Ace (11) victories while flying 61 missions in the then-new P-51 Mustang in the European Theater of Operations during WWII. His father then returned home and had not yet turned 21. Maj. Goebel also talked about the book authored by his father, “Mustang Ace,” as well as Maj. Goebel’s own literary endeavors, including “Tinman’s Tale,” reprising his military flying experiences.
If you are a former or present officer of the uniformed services interested in joining our organization, please contact Membership Chair, retired Lt. Col. Donald Timian, U.S. Army, by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 571-216-3679.
The membership of CMC encompasses the areas of Catalina, Oracle, parts of Marana and Oro Valley, SaddleBrooke, SaddleBrooke Ranch, San Manuel, and Sun City. For additional information, please visit our website at catalinamountainsmoaa.org.
The CMC and MOAA are nonprofit, Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(19) tax-exempt veterans’ organizations dedicated to maintaining a strong national defense and preserving the earned entitlements of members of the uniformed services and their families.