Col. George Tate
US Army Retired
Still Serving Proudly-Writer
George Tate is a retired colonel, US Army. He is a graduate of the US Army War College and US Army Command and General Staff College, and held staff and command assignments in the United States, in Vietnam, and in Germany. Recipient of the legion of merit(2), MSM3), air medal, bronze star medal2) and joint service commendation medal, he completed a masters degree in public administration Summa Cum Laude from Penn State and attended the George Washington University Law School. He served, after Army retirement, as executive director for the American Retirees Association and has testified to Congress on the subject he most frequently writes (ferociously!)about; the Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act, USFSPA. "That law" says Tate, "discriminates against America's warfighters and is the most egregious law ever enacted by the US Congress!"
Col Joseph V. Potter
USAF Retired-Writer
Brigadier General, VSM (Ret.)
Brigadier General, AVR
Brigadier General, USV
Joseph V. Potter was born in San Diego, California, in 1941 and graduated from San Diego State University in 1963. He received a regular commission through Air Force ROTC and was designated a Distinguished Military Graduate. He earned three master’s degrees from the University of Colorado, Pepperdine University and the University of Hawaii, and completed all coursework leading to a doctorate (ABD) in Educational Administration from Penn State University. He is a graduate of Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College, Air War College and the National Defense University. He retired from the Air Force as a Colonel with 28 years of service and accepted a commission with the Vermont State Militia from the Governor as a Brigadier General. He served at Norwich University, the nation’s oldest (1819) private military college as Vice President, Commandant of Cadets and National Services academic division chairman. He retired in 1993. In 2002, General Potter was appointed as a Brigadier General, Deputy Commander and 8th Brigade Commander in the American Volunteer Reserve (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota and Oklahoma).
General Potter was a command pilot and his flying assignments included F-102 and F-101 fighter-interceptor aircraft, F-100 and A-37 tactical fighter bombers and 0-1, 0-2 and 0V-10 forward air control aircraft. He served three tours in Vietnam and flew over 400 combat missions. Having attended Basic Airborne Training at Fort Benning, GA and Jumpmaster School at Fort Bragg, NC, General Potter is a master parachutist with over 250 tactical and high altitude, low opening (HALO) parachute jumps. His joint assignments included the 1st Infantry Division, 1st Australian Expeditionary Force, U.S. Special Forces, 25th Infantry Division, III Mobile Armored Corps, Combined Field Army (ROK/US) and Joint Task Force-Panama, where he served as Deputy Commander and participated in Operation JUST CAUSE, the U.S. invasion of Panama. He has served as a flying squadron commander, tactical unit detachment commander, wing vice commander, command inspector general and air division vice commander and chief of staff. He served as an associate professor and staff officer at the USAF Academy, Penn State University and the Air Force Institute of Technology.
General Potter’s military decorations and awards include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, 21 Air Medals, 7 Meritorious Service Medals, 2 Air Force Commendation Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 6 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards w/ "V", Combat Readiness Medal, 2 National Defense Service Medals, Vietnam Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, 2 Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbons, 3 Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbons, 6 AF Longevity Service Ribbons, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, 3 Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry w/Palm and 2 silver stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and Republic of Korea Defense Minister’s Award, Korea Defense Service Medal, Republic of China Defense Medal. Additionally, he has received the Order of the Silver Rose medal (for Vietnam veterans who have suffered disabilities related to Agent Orange) and the Republic of China Badge of Honor.
General Potter has a black belt in Judo and was selected to the Outstanding Young Men of America in 1968 and 1972. He is married to the former Norma Lee Miles of El Cajon, California. They have two daughters: Lisa (Potter) Kalua at Hickam AFB, Hawaii and Lana (Potter) Dorman of Gatesville, TX.
Silver Star - Legion of Merit - Distinguished Flying Cross - 21 Air Medals
Contributing Writer
Dennis Egge
Dennis served 20 years aboard three ships in the US Navy Pacific Fleet and another 20 years as a defense electronics contractor field service engineer. He became a Uniformed Services Family Law policy reform advocate in 1984, as a member of the American Retirees Association, becoming its President, in 2003.
The American Retirees Association is a California Chartered 501C19 non-profit organization. Its executive offices, located in Arlington VA provides access to members of congress and pentagon officials. Representatives, located in each State educate those who serve in harms way, regarding the potential harm hidden in provisions of their federally mandated family law policy.
Les Wood
Served in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years, ran a small family business for 30 years, retired and then came out of retirement to help manage another small family business in Montana. He has been active in church, politics, and public speaking on behalf of “Our Constitutional Rights”.
He also writes a newsletter for the benefit of good health choices versus treating the symptoms. He has contributed a monthly column to "The Veteran’s Voice" for the past several years. You can reach him direct at les@gorgaskets.com
