Renew your dues please see page 5!

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1 VOL 37 No. 2 Apr 2010 GREATER CINCINNATI CHAPTER MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA AN AFFILIATE OF THE MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA WHERE: Renew your dues please see page 5! LUNCHEON: Financial Management Manor House Restaurant 600 Maple Trace Dr., Springdale, OH (Gathering Room) WHEN: FRIDAY, 14 May 2010 TIME: 11:30 AM Social Time 12:00 PM Luncheon Program follows Luncheon Featuring: Mr. Casey Boland of Hengehold Capital Management (Mr. Boland will address practical financial advice on saving and investing for retirement ) Hengehold Capital Management, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisory firm, has been serving the financial needs of clients and their families for over 20 years. We provide fee-only asset management, retirement planning and related tax strategies for clients preparing for or living in retirement. Casey Boland has over 16 years experience working with individuals and families. Casey and the team at Hengehold Capital Management specialize in helping people structure portfolio strategies that will allow them to maintain their wealth, income, and financial independence throughout retirement. Casey is a frequent financial commentator on WLW Radio where he provides practical financial advice on saving and investing for retirement. LUNCH RESERVATION: Friday, 14 May 2010 Manor House Restaurant Springdale, OH. Name: Rank & Service: Spouse/Guests: (ARE YOU A NEW MEMBER, OR FIRST TIME OUT? ) Entrée choices: (each meal includes Salad, Rolls & Butter & Iced Tea or Coffee) Lunch BUFFET $12.00 (Menu changes daily but always includes a selection of homemade soups, 3 salad selections, three entrees, two vegetable dishes and a side dish and includes Manor House bread pudding for dessert ) Total Reservations = Total $ Make Checks payable to GREATER CINCINNATI CHAPTER/MOAA and mail to LTC PAUL FELLINGER, 5493 Delhi Rd., Cincinnati, OH , (Phone (513) ) or paulf@shriverco.com. Please make reservations NLT than 12 May. No cancellations after that date.

2 2010 CHAPTER OFFICERS AND BOARD (phone # s are area code 513 unless noted) Executive Committee President LTC Tom Grimes, USA Immed PP CWO3 Kym Mader, USN st VP CWO3 Kym Mader, USN nd VP LTC James Hoeh, USAR Secretary MAJ Ed Knox, USAF Treasurer LTC Paul Fellinger, USAR Chaplain Vacant Legislative Ofc BG Tom O Brien, USA Past Natl Bd MAJ Isaac Mincy, USAF State Council PURPOSES OF THE GREATER CINCINNATI MOAA CHAPTER The purposes of Military Officers Association of America as stated by national are printed on the outside of each Newsletter. The corresponding purposes of our Chapter as stated in our BYLAWS, Article II are: (a) To promote the purposes and objectives of the Military Officers Association of America (b) To foster fraternal relations among retired, active and former officers of the uniformed services. (c) To protect the rights and interests of personnel of the uniformed services and their dependents and survivors. (d) To provide useful services for members and their dependents and survivors. (e) To serve the community and the nation. Delegate CAPT Jack Meyer, USN Alt Delegate LTC James Hoeh, USAR Committees Program CPT Dale Stalf, USA Membership MAJ Ed Knox, USAF Personal Affairs CWO3 Kym Mader, USN Historian Public Affairs Sympathy/ Welfare Vacant Vacant LTC Phil Tilley TOPS LTC Bob Knueven, USA R.O.T.C. CAPT Jack Meyer, USN CinMoaaNews CWO3 Kym Mader, USN Service Representatives Army Navy/CG/PHS CAPT Jack Meyer, USN Air Force LTC Jim Sholar, USAF Marine Corps MAJ Parker Lillie, USMC Your officers and Board members welcome your comments and suggestions on steps that may be taken to strengthen our Chapter and its benefits to all members. LOCAL Chapter: CinMoaa News is published to arrive at your home 10 days before each meeting. Articles and corrections for the News must be in the hands of editor 4 weeks before each meeting date. Mail to CinMoaa News, 8099 Pepper Pike, West Chester, OH Or chmader@fuse.net. For MOAA National information: Visit the MOAA Web Site - INTERNET ADDRESS TAPS If you know a member of MOAA who has past away, please let us know so we may pass it on. LT Bruce Jones, USN 21 Aug 2009 CWO Gerald S. Boss, USA MEETINGS - Mark your Calendars NOW! Watch for updates. NEXT BOARD MEETING - June 4th., Xavier Univ ROTC Gymnasium Time Spouses and guests are welcome at all meetings. NEXT MEETING July - TBD Sept 18th - Highland Hills Country Club followed by attendance at the US Army's Spirit of America event at NKU 2

3 FROM THE PRESIDENT Best Chapter meeting in recent memory, He gave an inspiring talk, It s easy to see how Mr. McDonald rose to the position he holds today, were some of the comments after Mr. Bob McDonald s presentation at the last general membership meeting of the Chapter. Mr. McDonald, a West Point graduate and former army officer, is the Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Procter and Gamble Company. Special thanks from all of us are due to BG Tom O Brien, who conceived, organized and then hosted this highlight in the history of our organization. Thanks also to the hard working Board of the Chapter and the record 125 attendees who enjoyed this presentation. We are overwhelmed by the support of other military units and military affiliated organizations, and we trust that this outpouring of patriotism and good will shall continue to the benefit of our Country and military forces. This meeting, which led directly to increased membership and participation in our organization, was indeed a great success! The Board is engaged in planning activities for the remainder of the year. Another highlight will be the September meeting being planned in conjunction with the U.S. Army s presentation of the Spirit of America. This uplifting free show, involving more than 300 soldiers, is scheduled in our area at the Bank of Kentucky Center, Highland Heights, Ky. on September 17 th and 18 th. Members who attended the MOAA State Convention last year saw this wonderful show where the history of the nation comes to life through historical reenactments, musical entertainment and precision military drill. We strongly recommend that you, your families and friends see this show. We will tell you how to get the required but free tickets in future newsletters. Tom Grimes LTC, USA, Ret, President. SENATE VOTES TO PROTECT TRICARE BENEFICIARIES (By Rick Maze - Staff writer) Although military and congressional leaders insisted it wasn t necessary, the Senate gave final approval Monday to a bill intended to reassure Tricare beneficiaries that national health care reform won t require them to buy additional health insurance or to pay a penalty if they do not. Called the Tricare Affirmation Act, the bill now on its way to the White House says Defense Department health coverage will be treated as minimal essential coverage under the new national health care law, which means that Tricare beneficiaries would not be subject to the $750 penalty created by Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act if they do not have private health insurance. The bill also says that health care coverage provided to non- appropriated fund employees of the Defense Department also satisfies the requirement of being minimal coverage. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., the Senate armed services personnel subcommittee chairman who shepherded the bill through the Senate, said he hoped passage quelled doubts. Following months of confusion surrounding military health care programs, we can now definitively tell our service members and their families today that their health care is secure, Webb said in a statement. As one who grew up in the military, served as a Marine in Vietnam and spent five years in the Pentagon, I know the special obligation we have to provide our military service members, their families, and our veterans with the very finest health care coverage available. Today, we can tell them that we ve continued to make good on that promise, said Webb, who grew up in an Air Force family. The Senate passed the bill, HR 4887, by voice vote and with no debate on its first day back after a two-week recess that followed passage of the historic health reform law. The House of Representatives passed the Tricare Affirmation Act on March 20 by a vote, on the eve of its passage of the health reform law, after questions were raised about whether military families and retirees might be hurt by the new law. The acting head of Tricare, Charles Rice, and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius both issued statements saying Tricare met the definition of essential coverage. But concerns have continued, fueled in part by some Republicans who are trying to get the reform law repealed, which is what led the Senate to pass the House bill. While the bill addresses the narrow question of essential coverage, it does not answer every concern about whether health reform, Public Law , will affect military members and retirees. Rice said in an April 2 statement that his agency was battling misinformation and was working to squelch rumors that Tricare benefits will be lost as a result of the new law. Passage of the Tricare Assurance Act was praised by representatives of major military and veterans group. Retired Navy Vice Adm. Norbert Ryan Jr., Military Officers Association of America president, said his group accepted assurances from congressional and administration leaders that Tricare was not going to be harmed, but the lack of statutory clarity was a source of concern to many. The bill, Ryan said, provides clarity beyond any doubt." 3

4 AUXILIARY CORNER Court Ruling Creates Dilemma for Military Survivors Members, Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee The year 2009 generated a new twist in the continuing battle to repeal the Survivor Benefit Plan/Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (SBP/DIC) offset for military survivors. On Oct 22, 2009, DoD announced it would not appeal an August 2009 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals in the case of three survivors (Sharp v. U.S.) who sued the government to keep both their VA survivor benefits and their military SBP annuities. At issue is a 2004 law that restored DIC payments to veterans surviving spouses who remarry after their 75th birthday. Before the law change, survivors lost DIC upon remarriage at any age. In July 2007, the three survivors filed a lawsuit claiming the unique wording of the 2004 law entitled survivors who remarry after age 57 to receive both SBP and DIC, without offset between the two. The U.S. court of Federal Claims ruled in favor of the survivors, and the government filed and appeal. The U.S. Court of Appeals issued a string rejection of the government s appeal, and the Pentagon s decision not to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court ends the discussion. While this ruling is a step forward in eliminating the onerous SBP/DIC offset, it creates a bizarre predicament for some military survivors and adds salt to their SBP/DIC wounds. With this ruling, younger SBP/DIC eligible widows who want to remarry before reaching age 57 face a huge financial penalty. On the other hand, the ruling produces an unrealistic dilemma for military widows over age 57 who have chosen not to remarry. For those surviving spouses, the reinstatement of both benefits can take place only if they remarry. It makes no sense for the marital status of a surviving spouse to play any role in determining these benefits. After all, the deceased service member paid for both benefits for his or her spouse SBP was paid for with retired pay, while DIC ultimately was paid for with his or her life. There is no legitimate reason to have two standards in the law one that allows payment of full SBP and SIC for survivors who remarry after age 57 and another that forces a dollar-for-dollar offset between the two benefits for all others. The Sharp case just adds more fuel to the offset bonfire. MOAA and the Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee still are seeking full repeal and will use the case to show the already gross inequity has been compounded further. Keep writing your senators and representatives. OIC (Operation International Children) Status On February 27, chapter members and our project partners of the Messiah Lutheran Church Youth Group assembled another 306 school kits. To date, our project has shipped 2,784 school kits to our deployed troops for distribution to school children not bad when our initial goal set in 2004 was 30 kits! We have received a $2,000 challenge from a non-member supporter. A portion remains to be matched and donations continue to be matched dollar for dollar. We recognize there are increasing demands for our contributions everywhere, yet our troops still need our help with this great project. Please send checks marked OIC to LTC Paul Fellinger, 5493 Delhi Rd., Cincinnati, OH It s still OIC, but the name has changed to Operation INTERNATIONAL Children to recognize the broader engagement in U.S. troops, since kits now go to Afghanistan as well as Iraq. OHIO Veteran s Hall of Fame Applications due by June 30 Each year 20 Ohio veterans are recognized for their service to the community subsequent to the conclusion of their military service. To date, five regular and two honorary members of the Greater Cincinnati Chapter have been elected to the Veteran s Hall of Fame. We re sure there are other well qualified folks out there. Guidelines and forms can be found at: Look them over and let us know of your eligibility. Captain Jack Meyer ( ) or LTC Jim Hoeh ( ) will be happy to consult with you. Cincinnati Chapter members: 2000 Barbara Rounds-Kugler COL AR 2006 Jim Hoeh LTC AR 2002 Walter Foster CAPT NA 2007 Thomas Griffin (Hon) MAJ AF 2003 Henry Heimlich (Hon) LT NA 2009 Jack Meyer CAPT NA 2005 John Erby 1stLT AR 4

5 10 th Annual Armed Forces Day Golf Outing Saturday 15 May 2010 To Benefit Joseph House for Homeless Veterans Send Reservations to: Joseph House PO Box Cincinnati, OH Questions? Call Pat Coburn or Bill Malone Holly Hills GC (513) North US 42 Waynesville, OH Lunch & Registration Starting at 11 AM Shotgun Start 1:00 PM 18 Hole Scramble Complimentary Non-Alcoholic Beverages Throughout the Day Dinner Immediatley Following the Event Raffle - Prizes Golfing Skill - Eagle Game Cut Here Captain/Sponsor Name Address City/State/Zip ( ) I hate golf but want to support the JH mission with the following donation: *Includes 4-Some **Military 4-Some Number in Group *Silver Star Sponsor ( ) $1,000 *POW/MIA Recognition ( ) $500 **Bronze Sponsor ( ) $200 Hole Sponsor ( ) $100 4-Some ( ) $200 ( ) $50 Individual

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7 2010 DUES ARE DUE! Please pay now- IF you haven't done so. To determine whether your dues are paid, please check your address sticker on the other side of this form. The year is shown for the latest year for which your dues are paid. (Life members show LIFE). If your number is (2005) or lower, please return this form (with your name sticker on reverse) along with a check for your dues to bring you up to current year. Please mark your selection of dues (one year, multi-year or life). For those of you who receive your newsletter by , your dues date is located in the TO line of your after your name. If you are moving out of state and don t want to continue your chapter membership or have any other status change, please let us know. Also please indicate on your check the year(s) your dues are for. Membership Renewal. Your address please: LIFE MEMBERSHIP FEES Regular Member $28 for three years $19 for two years $10.00 for one year (Fee is based on your age, nearest birthday) Auxiliary Member (as the surviving spouse of a deceased officer) $14 for three years $9.50 for two years $5.00 for one year Please renew as a LIFE member. (Please circle amount in fee schedule.) Regular Auxiliary Age up to 55 $ $80.00 Age 56 to 70 $ $63.75 Age 71 to 89 $ $46.90 Age 90 and over $ $ 5.00 Make check payable to: Greater Cincinnati Chapter / MOAA Mail Renewal form and check to: MAJ Ed Knox, 881 Yorkhaven Rd., Cincinnati, OH cut here Dues Form cut here WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS - COL Neil Ray, USAF, (Ret) - LT Rob Reinhart, USCG - MAJ Brian McDonald, USA (Act) - CPT Nicholas Saroka, USA (Act) - CPT Bob McDonald, USA - MG John Peabody, USA (Act) - CAPT Brian D. Moriarty, USMC - MAJ Robert Perry, USAF (Ret) LAST MEETING Top Procter & Gamble Executive is Guest Speaker - Mr. Bob McDonald was the Chapter s guest speaker at its March 4 th luncheon at Highland Country Club. Mr. McDonald is Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Procter & Gamble and is a graduate of West Point. He gave an inspiring talk about the lessons he learned as both a Boy Scout and a cadet at USMA that he has applied throughout his career at Procter & Gamble. One hundred, twenty-five (125) people attended the luncheon, the highest in recent memory. CHAPTER CHARITABLE CONCERNS Your Board of Directors approved two contributions at its April Board meeting. The first is a request to sponsor a hole at the Joseph House Golf Outing for $100. This event is an activity that the Chapter traditionally supports. The second is in response to a request from Judy Fellinger, wife of LTC Paul Fellinger, Jr. and daughter-in-law of Chapter treasurer Paul Fellinger. LTC Fellinger is commander of the 1 st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment and has deployed his unit to Afghanistan from Germany. Mrs. Fellinger has started a unit exercise program for the family members of those deployed soldiers. Her program is called I Ran to Afghanistan. As the family members exercise, they keep track of their miles. Those whose groups successfully cover the distance from Germany to Afghanistan and back 6200 miles receive a t-shirt. Mrs. Fellinger is requesting donations to cover the cost of printing the t-shirts. The Board approved a $100 donation to the cause. Flyers for the Joseph House golf outing and for the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 10 golf outing are attached. 5 2

8 Greater Cincinnati Chapter MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA 8099 Pepper Pike West Chester, OH Postmaster: Dated material, Please Expedite NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID CINCINNATI, OH PERMIT NO 6122 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED PURPOSES OF MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA TO inculcate and stimulate love of country and flag; TO defend the honor, integrity, and supremacy of our National Government and the Constitution of the United States; TO advocate military forces adequate to the defense of our country; TO foster fraternal relations between all branches of the various services from which our members are drawn; TO further the education of children of service personnel; TO aid active and retired personnel of the various services from which our members are drawn and their dependents and survivors, in every proper and legitimate manner; TO present their rights and interests when service matters are under consideration; and TO foster the integrity and prestige of uniformed service. from the Preamble to the Association s Bylaws