MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA. Central Florida Chapter. President s Message

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1 MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Central Florida Chapter F CUS Orlando > Four Star Chapter 2003,2004,2006,2009,2010 (Five Star) November 2015 Volume 58 Issue 10 LTC Robert M. LePage, USA, Ret. President Inside this issue: Key Personnel & phone numbers Meals/Reservations Information Nominees for Office Chapter Board Minutes Chaplain s Message Legislative Information 4 Life Membership Retired Wives Club ID Card Procedures Insurance New Members Help Your Survivors Now Proposed 2016 Budget Volunteers The Navy Exchange When You Send In Your Dues Membership Application 7 DATES TO NOTE! Sun, Nov 1, Daylight Savings Time Ends Sat, Nov 7 & Sat & Dec 12,10:00 am: Board of Directors meeting at Ascension Lutheran Church Office Wed, Nov 11, Veterans Day Sat, Nov 21, MOAA Luncheon President s Message On November 11th we celebrate Veterans Day and at our luncheon on November 21st we will honor our members and their wives who have passed away during the past year. Chaplain, CW4, Dick Sauer, USA, Ret., will read the Invocation followed by members singing America the Beautiful. Chaplain Sauer will give a brief Spiritual Message and then read the name of each deceased member. After each deceased name is read there will be a TOLLING OF THE BELL By CAPT Bob Rosen, USN, Ret. After all deceased have been recognized, attendees will sing Amazing Grace followed by Benediction. This is a very moving ceremony and if you have never attended one I highly recommend it. I would like to share with you a poem my father, LT COL Milton LePage wrote during World War II. My dad served his country for 30 years. Posthumous What are these laurels that they wear? A Silver Star or two! How they must smile up yonder there! Marching the vault of blue! Theirs was a life that men might live. True to their soldier toil! Richly of service did they give! Proud of their native soil! We cannot give, we cannot take, Their glory or their fame! Three silver stars-late tribute make Poor homage to each name. Bob LePage NOVEMBER PROGRAM ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING SERVICE OF REMEMBERANCE AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS Article VII, Section 1 of the Chapter bylaws states There shall be annual business meeting of the Chapter during the month of November for the adoption of the budget for the following year, annual reports to the members and the transaction of other business as may be appropriate. Such an annual meeting is also required by regulations of the State of Florida for continuation of our status as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. See page 2 for the 2014 budget approved by the Board and to be recommend to the membership for adoption at this meeting. In addition, the Chapter will have our annual Service of Remembrance which is appropriate since November is the month in which the nation honors all veterans, past and present. Also, Nominees for Office will be considered by the membership. Nominees are listed on page two (2).

2 Volume 58 Issue 10 FOCUS Page 2 Chapter Communications Numbers Office Phone Office FAX Number (Mark FAX messages For MOAA ) Mailing Address: MOAA CFC, Inc. PO Box Orlando, FL KEY PERSONNEL/OFFICERS (All telephone numbers preceded by (407) PRESIDENT LTC Robert M. LePage, USA, Ret Rnato011@aol.com FIRST VICE PRESIDENT LTC John Ruzich, USA, Ret jruzich25@earthlink.net SECOND VICE PRESIDENT COL Richard G. Jung, Sr rickjungsr@gmail.com SECRETARY LTC Michael Gillett, USA, Ret mgillett@cfl.rr.com ASSISTANT SECRETARY Mrs. Patricia Green, AUX deg06@aol.com TREASURER LT COL Joseph Hines, USAF, Ret jovinth@centurylink.net ASSISTANT TREASURER CW4 Dick Sauer, USA, Ret dsauer@compuserve.com DIRECTORS COL Roger Hakola, USA, Ret Zfreedom@aol.com LTC Sylvester Johnson, USA, Ret sbj32746@bellsouth.net CWO Robert L. Hoy, USA, Ret rhoy13@cfc.rr.com DIRECTORS CAPT Robert S. Rosen, USN, Ret capbob1936@yahoo.com LTC Mike Patterson, USA, Ret dmphome@earthlink.net Mrs. Patricia A. Green, AUX deg06@aol.com IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT COL William J. Gates, USAF, Ret Rnato011@aol.com STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS NOMINATING COMMITTEE CAPT Bob Rosen, USN, Ret MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE LTC Mike J Patterson, USA, Ret PROGRAM COMMITTEE LTC Robert M. LePage LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE LTC Michael Gillett CHAPLAIN & PERSONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Chaplain (CW4) Dick Sauer dsauer@compuserve.com OTHER COMMITTEE CHAIRS AUDIT COMMITTEE COL Carolyn A. Fost, USAR, Ret cfost@cfl.rr.com RESERVATIONS COMMITTEE LTC Robert M. LePage Rnato011@aol.com CHAPTER NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE LTC Robert M. LePage, USA, Ret THE OFFICER REPLACEMENT SYSTEM (TOPS) LTC John Ruzich, USA, Ret jruzich25@earthlink.net ROSTER/MEMBER DATA BASE LTC Robert M. LePage, USA,Ret Mrs. Patricia Green, AUX Web Site Coordinator Mr. Michael Paquin Michael.pquin@gmail.com CHAPTER LUNCHEON Saturday November 21, :30-12:00 Social Hour Lunch at 12:00 Location ELKS LODGE N. PRIMROSE ORLANDO, FL Menu #1 New York Steak #2 Grouper Salad with house dressing Beverage: Coffee, Tea and Water included. Desert: Surprise Price: $20.00 including gratuity Reservations: Not later than noon, Tuesday November 17, Call: Bob LePage at (407) OR Rnato011@aol.com If you must cancel your reservation, please do so as early as possible regrettably, we must bill no-shows for the cost of the meal. At the September Board of Directors meeting, the following slate was selected for presentation to the membership at the November meeting. In addition, in accordance with Chapter Bylaws, nominations may be made from the floor at the meeting. Persons nominated shall have agreed to being nominated and to serve if elected. President: LTC Robert M. LePage, USA, Ret. First VP: LTC John J. Ruzich, USA, Ret. Second VP: COL Richard G. Jung, Sr., USA, Ret. Secretary: Mrs. Patricia A. Green, Auxiliary Assistant Secretary: LTC Michael E. Gillett, USA, Ret. Treasurer: CW4 Dick Sauer, USA, Ret. Assistant Treasurer: LT COL Joseph Hines, USAF, Ret. Directors CAPT Robert S. Rosen, USN, Ret. LTC Mike Patterson, USA, Ret Mrs Patricia A. Green, Auxiliary Directors COL Roger Hakola, USA, Ret. LTC Sylvester Johnson, USA, Ret. CWO Robert Hoy, USA, Ret Published monthly except July by the Military Officers Association of America Central Florida Chapter, Inc. P.O. Box , Orlando, FL, The Chapter is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, affiliated with National MOAA and the Florida Council of Chapters, MOAA, but not associated with the Department of Defense. The views expressed are not necessarily those of MOAA, the Florida Council of Chapters, or the Department of Defense.

3 Volume 58 Issue 10 FOCUS Page 3 Chapter Board Meeting Chaplain s Message MOAA Board Meeting October 10, 2015 Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by President, LTC LePage, at 1002 hours at the offices of the Ascension Lutheran Church. LTC Johnson gave the invocation. LTC LePage led the Pledge of Allegiance. Attendees: Col Gates, COL Hakola, CAPT Rosen, LTC LePage, LTC Johnson, LTC Gillett, LTC Patterson, Lt. Col Hines and Mrs. Green were present and constituted a quorum. Secretary s Report: Minutes of the September Board meeting were approved. Treasurer s Report: The October report was reviewed and approved. Committee Reports: Recruiting: LTC LePage reported that 54 new members were recruited this year. This exceeds last year s new membership of 37. Golf Tournament: The tournament will be held on Friday October 23 rd. Approximately golfers have signed up to play, included four UCF ROTC cadets. The value of the silent auction items exceeds $13,000. This is up from $8,000 last year. Nominations: The nominations are complete and were approved by the Board. The slate of nominees is the same as last year except the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and the Secretary and Assistant Secretary are switching positions. Next Board Meeting: November 7, 2015 Next Luncheon: October 17, 2015 Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 1016 hours. Respectfully submitted, Michael E. Gillett LTC USA Ret Secretary Happy Thanksgiving! I expect you ll receive this newsletter before November 26 th, so I can offer you that greeting before the festive day arrives. I hope you have an enjoyable Thanksgiving with family members, friends or both. Thanksgiving Day is unique among our holidays a religiousthemed observance that all can celebrate. Unlike Christmas, Yom Kippur, Buddha s birthday or that of one of the Hindu deities, Thanksgiving is not tied to any particular faith, so people of all beliefs can celebrate it together. For those of us who dedicated ourselves to military service or support of one in military service, I believe Thanksgiving has special meaning. We thank our God for a country like ours and for the privilege of having served it in or in support of its uniformed services. As we look around the world and most of us have seen first hand what other parts of it are like we gain extra appreciation of how fortunate we are to live in a land as prosperous and free as the United States. As in recent months we ve seen people fleeing by the hundreds of thousands from troubled lands of the Middle East and surrounding regions, we can be very grateful not to be experiencing here the horrors they are so desperate to escape. We also need to be thankful to still be alive and able to give thanks for the Lord s blessings. We re all aware of comrades who fell in battle soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen who did not come back as did we. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, as the poem For the Fallen notes. They did not live to experience the joys of family, friends, and all this world has to offer. We grieve their loss, and on this Thanksgiving Day, we should thank our God that we were spared their tragic fate. So I say again, Happy Thanksgiving! In His love, Chaplain Dick

4 LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION BY LTC Michael Gillett, USA, RET. STEPS TO SUBSCRIBE TO MOAA'S WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE AND CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS ONLINE A. Subscribe to MOAA's free weekly legislative update: 1. Click "Login" at First time login? Have MOAA member # and your address handy and click "Create Web Login" & follow prompts. 2. When logged in click Account then "My Subscriptions & Notifications". 3. On next screen, enter your address and click "Search". 4. Your profile page will come up. Check the MOAA Legislative Update box (and any other newsletters you'd like to receive). Click on "Home" in upper right corner to return to home page. B. Take action anytime or when prompted by MOAA's weekly update: 1. At the MOAA home page ( click "Take Action". and select "Legislative Action Center" in the drop down menu. 2. Under featured alert, click "Take Action". 3. Confirm or correct your zip code and click "Go" 4. Review/edit the suggested and complete your sender info at bottom 5. Important: if using your own computer, check the box that says "Remember Me" at bottom of form, then click "Send Message" C. Find where your legislators stand on MOAA supported bills and send them an about those they have not yet co-sponsored: 1. At the MOAA home page ( click "Take Action". 2. Click on "Legislative Action Center" then "Elected Officials". Enter your zip code and click "Go" 3. Click on "Bills" under any of your legislators 4. Click on "Send Message". Review or edit the suggested message, verify your contact info is correct, and click "Send". 5. Repeat these steps for each bill your legislator hasn't co-sponsored. 7. Repeat for each of your legislators. D. No computer? Call MOAA member services (800) and listen to the current legislative update, then call your congressmen. Thanks for adding to MOAA's ONE POWERFUL VOICE! Copyright 2015 Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), all rights reserved. Part or all of this message may be retransmitted for information purposes, but may not be used for any commercial purpose or in any commercial product, posted on a Web site, or used in any non-moaa publication (other than that of a MOAA affiliate, or a member of The Military Coalition) without the written permission

5 Volume 58 Issue 10 LIFE MEMBERSHIP IN THE CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER Life membership in the Chapter is available on a Sliding Scale dues fee schedule as noted below: * Age 46 50: $375 * Age $326 * Age $299 * Age 61 65: $269 * Age 66 70: $238 * Age 71 75: $204 * Age 75 and above $135 It you have already paid your dues for 2015 and desire to convert to a Chapter Life Member, deduct the amount you already paid ($10 or $15 as appropriate). RETIRED OFFICERS WIVES CLUB The Luncheon meeting will be Tuesday November 17th at the Elks Club, 12 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando. The Program will be POW table with UCF AFROTC. The Social hour will begin at 11:00 a.m. and lunch will be served at noon. Call Reservations Chairman Shirley Clark at PROCDURES FOR ID CARDS Army Reserve Center 3701 Corrine Dr., Orlando, FL (407) M-F & National Guard Armory 8385 Daetwyler Dr., Orlando, FL (407) Tuesday & Thursday Naval Support Activity Orlando Science Dr, Orlando, FL (407) , 4315 Walk-ins: M-F Appointments on Line: Patrick AFB, Cocoa Beach (321) MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL (813) PSD NAS Jacksonville, FL (904) /8/9 FOCUS Page 5 INSURANCE MOAA has worked with Marsh Affinity Group Services, a service of Seabury & Smith, Inc. since 1981 to administer Group Insurance Plans. These plans have been negotiated exclusively on behalf of MOAA members and their families. As an active duty or retired MOAA member, you may qualify for insurance to complement your and your family's military entitlements. Choose from TRICARE Supplements, Term Life insurance, Long Term Care insurance and others. For more information, go to HELP YOUR SURVIVORS NOW If you have a family, one of the most important things you can do during your lifetime is laying out the plans to take care of your family after you die. Upon your death, your survivors can expect to receive certain payments and benefits from the federal government, but it s up to you to help your survivors. MOAA has several publications, listed below, which will give you an excellent start in this process. You can request these documents by or by calling Help Your Survivors Now A Guide to Planning Ahead - Survivor Benefit Plan Security for Your Survivors - Survivor s Checklist First Steps for Moving On Also, you can request assistance in Orlando from the Retired Activities Office Phone: and Fax: Office hours are 10:00 am 2:00 pm Monday through Friday. Personnel at this office are all retired military and they can provide you with the various agencies and telephone numbers to include notifying the retired finance center. Your survivors should know the location of your insurance policies, retirement orders, birth certificate, your current Retiree Account Statement and any other documents of importance before and after your death. NEW MEMBERS CDR RANDY FIEBRANDT, USCG, Ret.

6 Volume 58 Issue 10 PROPOSED BUDGET 2016 EXPENSES AMOUNT 2016 Community Services Boy Scouts Girl Scouts SG Komen Cancer Fund VA Homeless Wish List Community Services - Other Ad (Florida Convention) Bulk Mail Permit Chapter Awards Chapter Roster Corporate Filing Fee Florida Council Dues Luncheon Guests Membership Campaigns MOAACFC.com Newsletter Postage Newsletter Prep Newsletter Printing Office Supplies, Repairs PC & Copier PO Box Rental Postage, Misc President's Expenses UCF ROTC Awards TOTAL EXPENSES INCOME 2016 Auxiliary Dues Regular Dues Community Service Donations Interest Inc Life Member Fund Unspecified Donations TOTAL INCOME VOLUNTEERS CAPT Thomas Bates has over 1,500 hours at ORHS as a Spiritual Care Volunteer. Mrs. Mary Wooden averages 40 hours per month combined with Quilting Angels and active in her community Crafts group. LTC Bob LePage volunteers two afternoons each week at Hospice of the Comforter in Altamonte Springs. FOCUS THE NAVY EXCHANGE SAVES YOU MONEY Navy Exchange prices are an average of 15.8% below the competition. This savings is determined by "Market Basket" surveys. The Navy Exchange Service Command hired an independent consulting firm to conduct price surveys three times per year. Prices are compared on 350 exchange items, in eight geographic areas throughout the United States with such retailers as Wal- Mart, Target, Circuit City, and Sears. The results showed that customers save an average of 15.8% (excluding sales tax savings). In the State of Florida, the total savings would be 21.8% which includes the 15.8% average plus the 6% sales tax. At Navy Exchange Orlando, the savings can be significantly more when grocery food items are included because the Orlando Food Store prices food items similar to a military commissary. Another way the Navy Exchange helps the customer save money everyday is through its' Price Matching Policy. We will match the price of any identical item, sold in a local store - same brand, manufacturer, size, and model number. Simply bring in a current, local competitor's ad for the identical item and we will match the price. Price differences greater than $50 require a supervisors approval. Exceptions include concessionrun operations, commissary prices, fine jewelry items, special orders, gasoline, automotive parts and labor/ service charges, going-out-of business sales, flea markets, clearances, and percent and dollar off specials, internet sites, etc. WHEN YOU SEND IN YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES- REMEMBER One of our Chapter s major Community activities is the ROTC/JROTC MOAA Awards program. A related program is the Cadet of the Year program. These two programs involve 32local area high schools JROTC and two ROTC units at the University of Central Florida. The importance of these programs cannot be over emphasized. the discipline, teamwork and respect for authority which they learn as Cadets will make them better citizens. The medals, certificates and cash awards represent an investment by the Chapter of over $9800,600.. In addition, the Community Service Program provides funds to a number of charitable organizations. We would appreciate any contribution you might consider for these programs. Please indicate if you would like your contribution to go to the JROTC/ROTC Program or the Community Service Program. Please make your check payable to MOAA CFC, Inc. and mail to: PO Box , Orlando, FL

7 MAKE COPIES OF THIS PAGE AND GIVE THEM TO FRIENDS ELIGIBLE TO JOIN THE CHAPTER MOAA CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION or RENEWAL Central Florida Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Eligible persons: Retired, Former or Active duty Commissioned or Warrant Officers of the seven uniformed services of the United States, and surviving spouses (eligible for Auxiliary Membership) of persons who would have been eligible, if living. Applicants for membership in the Central Florida Chapter are required to be members of National MOAA. Dues are presently $15 per year ($10 for Auxiliary) for calendar year 2016 Please complete all applicable portions below and mail check payable to MOAA, CFC, Inc to the address indicated in Amount enclosed box, below. This is my membership Application, or Renewal (Note, if this is a Renewal, complete the form only if there are changes otherwise, just print your name on the form and sign and enclose your check) 1. NAME (please print, first, MI, last 2. Address City FL, ZIP 3. Telephone # Spouse (if applicable) 4. address, if 5. Birth date 6. National MOAA (TROA) member # (from mailing label of The Military Officer magazine) For Regular Membership (Check as applicable) Retired Officer Former Officer Active Duty Officer Rank/Grade Service: Army Navy Marine Corps Air Force Coast Guard USPHS NOAA For Auxiliary Membership (Complete items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, above, plus the following) Deceased Spouse name (First, MI, Last) Spouse service Grade/rank YOUR PARTICIPATION IN VARIOUS CHAPTER ACTIVITIES IS URGENTLY NEEDED AND WILL BE MOST SINCERELY APPRECIATED. PLEASE CHECK ONE (OR MORE) AREAS YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP IN: Meeting programs Ceremonies (Patriotic events) Chapter Officer Personal Affairs Membership recruitment Newsletter (editor, get ads, etc.) Reservations (take phone calls, check in members at meetings) ROTC/JROTC (coordinate program and/or make presentations at schools awards functions) OTHER ALL APPLICANTS PLEASE SIGN: New member referred by Amount enclosed: Dues Regular $15 $ OR Auxiliary $10 $ ROTC/JROTC (Voluntary) $ Community Service (Voluntary) $ Total enclosed $ Please make checks payable to: MOAA CFC, Inc.* and mail to: PO Box Orlando, FL Publish my name in the roster Yes No

8 PLEASE LET US KNOW WHEN YOU WILL BE TEMPORARILY AWAY OR PLAN TO MOVE!! A returned newsletter means the Chapter has wasted approximately $1.00! Military Officers Association of America Central Florida Chapter PO Box Orlando, FL RETURNED SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S.POSTAGE PAID MID FL-FL PERMIT NO NOTE: If the top line of this mailing label reads 12/31/15, your dues are DUE please see page 7. - _ label