The INTERCOM. Cape Canaveral Chapter, Inc. Military Officers Association of America Visit us at RADM Justice

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1 Five-Star Chapter Since 2004 The INTERCOM Cape Canaveral Chapter, Inc. Military Officers Association of America Visit us at Serving the Space Coast VOL. 43 NO 1 Issue Editor: 1LT Beverly Durham, USA (Ret) FEBRUARY 2018 Port Canaveral is a cruise, cargo & Naval port in Brevard County, Florida, located just south of Cape Canaveral with a skyline of huge cruise ships and the uniquely designed (pointed top) seven floor Exploration Tower. It has been on a move to better serve the Central region of Florida with an eye toward expanding its influence to the Southeast Area of the United States. The Port is an economic engine for Brevard County and the local community. Our February speaker, RADM Wayne Justice, USCG Retired and Port Authority Commissioner, will enlighten us with near-term and long-range plans for the Port. RADM Justice also serves on the Board of Directors for MOAACC and is our Legislative Affairs correspondent. RADM Justice has a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a Master s of Science from both Nova University, Southeast University (honors) and the Naval War College. He served 37 years in the Coast Guard, mostly on cutters conducting search and rescue, counter drug and illegal migrant patrols, retiring as a two-star Admiral. Particularly noteworthy are his three years in the White House as a Military Aide to the President and his term as Commander of the 5th Coast Guard District (NJ to SC). RADM Justice is keeping busy during his retirement ; in addition to his service as a Port Commissioner, he currently serves on the Board of Directors for four different organizations in Brevard County. RADM Justice has two children. Daughter Amanda, graduated from the University of Florida and she earned her Master in Fine Arts at Massachusetts Art and Design; she now works at New York University in NYC. Son Michael has both a Bachelors and a Master s Degree in Business Administration from Old Dominion University and now is a Norfolk Southern Rail Train Master in New Orleans. Please make your plans to attend the 20 February 2018 Luncheon at the IRCC Colony Club. As usual it will begin at 1130 and end at approximately We look forward to seeing everyone there. Make your reservation now by using the form on back of the Intercom or by contacting Mary McIntyre at or at mmcintyreluncheon@gmail. com. You can also make your reservation online at For your convenience, you can pay at the door with cash, check Port Canaveral Florida RADM Justice or with credit card, but prior reservations are required! Patrick Air Force Base, MPF Customer Support Section (DEERS/ID CARDS), has notified us that a change in processing all replacement and renewal of identification cards has been put into place. Specifically, this change affects ALL Military, Retiree, Civilian Dependents, DAV, newly retired and dependents, and those turning 65 going on Medicare/Tricare for Life ID cards. Effective immediately all new or replacement DEERS/ ID cards processing requires that the process be initiated by the individual online at military-personnel.html. Once the completed package is submitted, the member will be notified in 7-10 business days to come to the office to sign and receive their new card. Any questions, please call The Department of Defense (DoD) is removing SSNs from Common Access Cards (CACs) and Uniformed Services Identification (USID) Cards to protect the personal identity information of cardholders. Cardholders will have their DoD ID Number printed on their ID cards. This number also replaces the SSN as the Geneva Conventions serial number. Eligible beneficiaries will also have their DoD Benefits Number printed on their ID cards. Medical providers will use the DoD Benefits Number on new ID cards to validate eligibility and to process claims. Cards with the SSN remain valid until replaced. Changes to ID cards will be made upon ID card renewal. For more information regarding the SSN Reduction Plan, please visit February 1 TMBC, 19th Hole IRCC 8 TMBC, 19th Hole IRCC 9 Army Wives, Suntree Country Club, p4 13 On-The-Go, Florida Seafood, p5 15 TMBC, 19th Hole IRCC 16 Navy Wives, IRCC At Ease Club, p4 19 President s Day 20 MOAACC Luncheon, Colony Hall IRCC, p16 22 TMBC, 19th Hole IRCC

2 The Intercom NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE EDITOR 1LT Beverly U. Durham, USA CIRCULATION MANAGER Lt Col Robert H. Clark, USAF WEBSITE MAILING LIST Col Larry G. Sills, USAF ADVERTISING MANAGER Col Susan B. Neugebauer, USAF PHOTOGRAPHERS 1st Lt Gloria Makowski, USAF CW3 Amir Pish Pishdad, USA LTC Harry Skip Taylor, USA LTC Darrell Woehler, USA EDITORIAL CONSULTANT CAPT Alfred W. Schumann, USN PRESIDENT Col Gary D. Eppler, USAF FIRST VICE PRESIDENT (Programs & Speakers) CW3 Daniel L. Smith, USA SECOND VICE PRESIDENT (MEMBERSHIP & SUPPORT) MAJ Timothy D. Pishdad, USA SECRETARY (Acting) COL Thomas M. Tom Rozek, USAR TREASURER COL Jerry M. Gill, USA ASSISTANT TREASURER LTC William L. Bill Vanasse MASTER-AT-ARMS CPT John A. Jack Kerns, USA BOARD OF DIRECTORS (Term Expires January 2019) CPT R. Scott Robinson, USA RADM Wayne E. Justice, USCG COL John C. Murphy, USAR LTC Harry Skip Taylor, USA (Term Expires January 2020) CDR William Cox, USNR Eleanor Joy, Sp Mbr CWO4 Dan S. McIntyre, USCGR MOAACC Membership as of 31 January 2018 was 1447 of whom 347 are Life Members and 299 are Auxiliary Members. ASSISTANT SECRETARY (MEMBERSHIP) Janis E. Clark, Honorary AUXILIARY (AUX) LIAISON Mary E. Dunagan, AUX AWARDS Nominating Committee Maj Joseph J. Oblack, USAF CW4 Robert E. John, USAR CDR A Courtney Yelle, USN BREVARD VETERANS COUNCIL LCDR Dean Schaaf, USN BUDGET AND FINANCE COL Jerry M. Gill, USA Col William W. Brandon ll, USAF Capt Larry C. Jackson, USAF CAPE CANAVERAL LADIES LIAISON Cozette Merritt, AUX COAST GUARD LIAISON CW04 Dan S. McIntyre, USCGR CHAPLAINS CH (Lt Col) Thomas Unrath, USAF CH (MAJ) William P. Adams, USA CH (CDR) Mark Moreno, USNR CH (MAJ) William H. Otis, USA COMMISSARY/EXCHANGE REPRESENTATIVE MAJ Timothy D. Pishdad, USA ENTERTAINMENT Maj Joseph J. Oblack, USAF Dances: Capt Jody J. Jessen, USAF Mary E. Dunagan, AUX Cozette Merritt, AUX Ruth M. Oblack, Sp Mbr FACEBOOK Administrator MAJ Timothy D. Pishdad, USA HEALTH OF THE CHAPTER Capt Jody J. Jessen, USAF HISTORIAN Capt Larry C. Jackson, USAF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS RADM Wayne E. Justice, USCG MEDICAL AND VA CLINIC LIAISON 1LT Cheri M. Hawes, USA MEMBERSHIP CW3 Daniel L. Smith USA COL Jeffrey C. Rogers, USA (Vice) Roslyn Bates, AUX Lt Col Robert F. Carpenter lll, USAF MILITARY AFFAIRS COUNCIL/CBRCC LIAISON MAJ Timothy D. Pishdad, USA NAME TAGS COL Patrick J. Keane, USA Naval Ordnance Test Unit LIAISON COL Patrick J. Keane, USA PAFB CMDR S RETIREE COUNCIL LTC William A. Hampton, USA Capt David F. Conroe, USAF PROGRAMS Col Gary D. Eppler, USAF PUBLICITY Maj Tatiana Bohorquez, USAF SHIRTS & CAPS FACTORY Capt Jody J. Jessen, USAF SPEAKERS BUREAU Maj Andrea M. Eufrazio, USAFR STUDENT AFFAIRS (JROTC & ROTC) CWO4 Dan McIntyre, USCGR LTC Harry Skip Taylor, USA CDR William Cox, USNR SURVIVOR ASSISTANCE Lt Col Charles Shaw, USAF CAPT Don R. England, USN CAPT Robert C. Houle, USCG LTC Harry Skip Taylor, USA CH (Lt Col) Thomas Unrath, USAF TRANSITION & CAREER SUPPORT Capt Robert P. Hanrahan, USAF Col William W. Brandon II, USAF VETERANS RESOURCE COUNCIL/Melbourne CC LIAISON MAJ Timothy D. Pishdad, USA VETS BACK TO CLASS/JOE FOSS Inst CPT Donn Weaver, USA WEBMASTER CAPT Robert C. Houle, USCG Ruth M. Oblack, Sp Mbr, Asst WELCOME/LUNCHEON CHECK-IN CPT Jack Kerns, USA Gail Holder, Spouse Eleanor Joy, Sp Mbr Patricia A. Kerns, Sp Mbr Cozette Merritt, AUX Ruth M. Oblack, Sp Mbr Carlie Rogers, Spouse NOTE: Throughout THE INTERCOM, if a phone number is listed without the area code, the area code is 321. Be aware that some cellular services require that you use the 10-digit phone number (including the area code) to complete the call.

3 Thanks for the opportunity to serve as your President. I look forward to it, suspect that it will be challenging/rewarding, and be too short. As any person in a leadership position knows it takes the dedication of all team members for any organization to be successful. Therefore, I am asking for your support as an individual or a team member. MOAACC has a long history of success. We should build on that success as we explore additional meaningful opportunities to serve both MOAACC and our community in a positive way. First, let me say thank you to Jeff Rogers, Jody Jessen, Joe Oblack and Donn Weaver for their contributions as outgoing board members. We will continue to count on them as advisors, however. To incoming officers; Tim Pishdad 2nd VP, Tom Rozek Secretary, Bill Vanasse Assistant Treasurer and the new board members; Ellie Joy, Bill Cox and Dan Col. Gary D. Eppler, USAF (Ret) By RADM Wayne Justice, USCG (Ret) Be Informed Visit moaa.org/takeaction to send a message to elected officials asking them to support key legislation that affects the military. McIntyre - Welcome Aboard! You have some big shoes to fill. I am confident in your abilities to meet the challenges and lend your own perspectives to the board. To all the numerous committees/teams go a huge THANK YOU! For the past three years outgoing President Scott Robinson has been a driving force in MOAACC. He was responsible for the establishment of the Officers Call, the MOAACC Mobile Information/Recruiting Booth, the establishment of a centralized storage facility and improved relations with the military community. As one of our youngest active members, he spanned the age gap very well, got married, bought a house, established his own law firm, experienced the arrival of a son and at the end of his presidency was selected to become a partner in a law firm. The best thing he did during this period was to marry Sarah. That was Greetings MOAACC members! OKthe proverbial can has again been kicked down the road and there s a CR till 20 Jan. Please continue to support a LONG TERM budget agreement and a fully funded Defense Appropriation! In the meantime, MOAA National has its New Year s Resolutions here are our top 10 Goals for 2018: Action item: Ensure TRICARE reform sustains access to top-quality care and avoids disproportional fee increases. Who is affected? All military beneficiaries. The issue: Any reform must remember the decades of service that constitute a prepaid, in-kind premium worthy of a top-tier health benefit. The remedy: TRICARE reform should also take into account that veterans prepaid for their health benefits through decades of service and sacrifice. Action item: Sustain military pay comparability with the private sector. Who is affected? All active duty currently serving uniformed personnel and their families The issue: Budget pressures might tempt Congress to widen the gap between military pay and civilian-sector pay. The remedy: We must work to ensure annual military pay raises remain tied to the Employment Cost Index. Action item: Block erosion of compensation and non-pay and qualityof-life benefits. Who is affected? All currently serving uniformed personnel and their family members The issue: Future proposals likely will a very smart move Scott! As is the MOAACC tradition, Scott will serve as an advisor to the board for the upcoming year. MOAACC supports MOAA s mission of maintaining a strong national defense and ensuring our nation keeps its commitments to currently serving, retired and former members of the seven uniformed services and their families/survivors. MOAACC s three pillars; Legislative Liaison, Philanthropy, and Camaraderie are important as they support MOAA s mission. Our Legislative Affairs, MOAACC Scholarship Program, MOAACC Good Deeds Foundation, Social Programs, and Community Outreach Programs are all very important. In closing, I am amazed what MOAACC has done and can do when challenged. Put side by side with other MOAA Chapters, there are few that compare. As MOAACC continues to move forward there are Opportunities to Excel out there as this area is still a Target Rich Environment. We are open to your inputs and new ideas on ways to improve. Remember Never Stop Serving reduce non-pay and quality-of-life benefits such as the Basic Allowance for Housing, Special Incentive Pays, and commissary, exchange, and morale, welfare, and recreation benefits. The remedy: Oppose proposals to reduce the value of compensation or undermine long-term retention. Action item: Protect military retirement and COLAs. Who is affected? All new entrants into military service after Jan. The issue: Constraints might lead to further reductions in the value of the military retirement benefit earned after 20 years. The remedy: Extend the period of government matching funds beyond 26 years to actual retirement. Oppose any efforts to reduce or eliminate the mandatory 12-years-of-service bonus in the BRS. Action item: Sustain wounded warrior programs and expand caregiver support. Who is affected? More than 52,000 servicemembers who were wounded in action, 1,000 battle-injured with major limb amputations, 327,000 traumatic brain injuries, and hundreds of thousands of individuals with service-connected conditions acquired since Sept. 11, Legislative Continued on Pg 10 3

4 M O A A C C Army Wives The Army Wives and Friends will meet for lunch on Friday, 9 February 2018 at the Suntree Country Club. It s White Elephant time - our only fundraiser- so please bring lots of treasures to share. Rosa will also be there with her jewelry. Meet and Greet at 1130 for lunch at Menu is Walnut Cranberry Chicken Salad on Croissant with fruit. $12.95 payment with credit card. Please make your reservation with Nan Kinsella at no later than 6 February Roslyn Bates Navy Wives The next luncheon of the Navy Wives Club will be Friday, February 16th at Indian River Colony Club s At Ease Club. Social hour begins at 11:30AM and lunch is served at noon. Our speaker will be William A. Johnson, P.A., who specializes in elder law. Among his many areas are estate planning, long-term care planning, guardianship, incapacity planning, and will and trust litigation. Our menu selections are Shrimp Salad Plate or Chicken Piccata with Rice & Vegetables. Dessert will be Cherry Oblivion Ice Cream. For more information and reservations, please call Anne Bordy at no later than noon, Tuesday, February 13th. Remember, Spouses and Friends are always welcome. Ellie Joy Auxiliary Christmas Tea On Friday, 15 December, Roslyn Bates hosted the festive MOAACC Auxiliary Holiday Tea at IRCC. Twentynine members and their guests attended. Clowns from IRCC led the attendees in singing holiday songs and the clowns antics and costumes kept everyone laughing. The happy occasion had a note of sadness when Roslyn announced that as of January 1, 2018, she would be retiring and Mary Dunagan would be taking her place as Auxiliary Liaison. We all join in wishing Roslyn all the best and thanking her for all her wonderful work for the Auxiliary. We also join in expressing our appreciation to Mary Dunagan for taking on the job! Photo: On left, Roslyn Roz Bates, retiring from her position as Auxiliary Liaison, stands with her successor, Mary Dunagan, at the MOAACC Auxiliary Christmas Tea. MOAACC President Gary Eppler presents Bob Houle, Webmaster of the moaacc.org website, with the 2016 Col Marvin J. Harris Communications Award for the chapter website. From Left to Right MOAACC s VP Dan Smith, GDF President Donn Weaver, MOAACC 2VP Tim Pishdad, MOAACC Secretary and GDF Board member Tom Rozek, and MOAACC President Gary Eppler. Warmhearts in every sense: Just before Christmas last year, MOAACC s ace photographer, Amir Pishdad, Sr., captured a special Good Deeds Foundation (GDF) moment. Members of MOAACC and GDF presented a substantial check to PAFB and 45th Space Wing Commander (and MOAACC Member!) BG Wayne Monteith and the members of the Top Kick s senior NCO Council. Operation Warmheart funds are used all year round to support junior enlisted personnel and their families for emergencies and special gifts. In addition, GDF also provided another $1000 to the 45 Security Defenders Association and DEOMI who sponsor special community programs in Brevard related to canine outreach to children and attacking veteran homelessness, respectively. MOAACC and GDF members were proud to represent our chapter that day (12 Dec 2017) in this traditional philanthropic event. 4

5 On The Go Luncheon Meets the Second Tuesday each Month Date & Time: 13 FEB., Tues. -11:30AM Cost: Per Individual Location: Florida Seafood 480 W. Cocoa Beach Causeway (Hwy 520) Maj Paul E. Carpenter, USAFR (Michelle) Melbourne, FL Sponsor: Dan Smith Maj Robert Donoghue, USA Fayetteville, NC Sponsor: John Murphy LTC Alan D. Catron, USA Ret (Grace) Melbourne, FL Sponsor: Dan Smith CWO4 Aaron P. Sala, USCG Melbourne, FL Sponsor: Dan McIntyre Cocoa Beach, FL For Reservations or additional information: Phone: Mary Dunagan at (321) Cut off for reservations, cancellations 9 February The Intercom is published 12 times annually by the Cape Canaveral Chapter, Inc. an affiliate of the Military Officers Association of America of Alexandria, VA. Contents of The Intercom articles are the opinions solely of the authors and do not necessarily express the policy or official views of MOAA or the Cape Canaveral Chapter. Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Mailing Address: P.O. Box Patrick AFB, FL intercom.moaacc@gmail.com MOAACC President Lt Col Gary Eppler, USAF (Ret) welcomes MOAACC s newest life member, Maj Andrea Eufrazio, USAFR (Ret) For more information visit our website at or call us at (321) Our New Location: 2627 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Suite 105 Melbourne, FL (Offering a 25% Discount to Military Personnel) 5

6 This is a picture from 2009, the same year I graduated from UCF with my Bachelor s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and was hired as an entry-level Engineer at United Space alliance; that s me wearing a cleanroom coverall next to one of the Space Shuttle Orbiters at Kennedy Space Center. Back in 2006 I was the very fortunate recipient of a MOAACC Scholarship, which very much helped me during my studies at UCF. It was a great feeling receiving that award and a real honor, to myself and my parents (both veterans), and a big confidence booster to continue on despite the difficulties and challenges involved, not to mention a great help in the burden of paying for college tuition. Just recently I had the unexpected, yet very welcome, opportunity to be a donor myself and hopefully pay forward the wonderful gift that was given to me previously in the form of the Whiteside and Eskell Scholarship, and it feels great. I encourage others to do the same if they get the chance, to compound the prospects of others that are in the same shoes that we wore. Hopefully that donation can provide a needed benefit to those making their way today. It s amazing how much of a positive impact other people can have on our lives, from our friends and families, parents and teachers, law enforcement/first responders and military veterans, and all other types of mentors big and small. Thanks to caring people and organizations like MOAACC we can help ensure a better future together for the next generations of our country and our world. Thanks Again and Kind Regards, Stephen McKown 6

7 By CAPT Bob Houle, USCG, Retired What are the basic core financial skills your extended family needs to know about and be motivated to develop? How do you help them develop these skills? Where should they start? How can you get them to listen to you? What should you tell them? Let s start with the short answer: you can t tell them a thing. You show them, through your example. Remember, as your family s financial mentor, it s your responsibility to lead, not to direct. Trying to answer questions such as these often keep us from fulfilling our responsibility to help our family become financially secure and successful. What your family already knows, and you need to realize, is that you can t tell them, you can only show them through your example. Remember what was key to your successful military career? You developed the professional knowledge you needed to be successful in your military specialty and then, through your example, trained your unit so they could successfully perform the mission. That s how you do it. Lead through example. So, the question is not where they should start but where you should start. Fortunately, you ve come this far in life so many, if not all, the financial pieces are in place. In our series we focused on having the talk with your grandchildren. The impression we presented was letting you believe you were advising them about what they should be doing (and you perhaps wished you had done) at their young age. That s a valid starting premise and is part of the talk. But it s not the talk you need to have with your adult children now. And by acting on that talk you will develop the credibility that will cause them and your grandchildren to listen to your words of wisdom and encourage them to discover, on their own, what they need to be doing. The talk you need to have with your adult children is about your financial situation and your plans for using your legacy resources to benefit your family and charitable causes that you believe in. Core topics such as legal issues (estate plan?), health and continuing care coverage, your budget (income and expenses) and financial records (tax returns, bank and investment accounts, other records) form the framework for your family discussion. This talk with your adult children about your finances and your plans for them after your passing may be the most important conversation you ll ever have with them. This will not be an easy discussion for most of us but one that needs to take place before we re gone. Don t worry, your grandchildren will know about this adult discussion and will better appreciate the key leadership role you have in their family s affairs. They will listen to you once they realize you care enough about them and their future to have this talk with their parents. They will follow your lead and will discover the lessons you want to share with them on their own and apply the lessons of life you re trying to pass along to them. The example you set will guide them long after you re gone. Next month we ll return to our core theme of achieving financial security, independence and well-being through a solid savings and investment program. Guidance on the talk you should have with your immediate family will be picked up in the new educational series sponsored by our MOAACC Chapter s Survivor Assistance Team which begins in this issue of The Intercom. The PAFB Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program will provide free income tax return preparation from February 1 to April 17, 2018, for all Active Duty, Reserve and Retired Military and civilian personnel of the PAFB community. The PAFB VITA Program is sponsored by the PAFB Legal Office and Project Emeritus with support from United Way of Brevard. This service is provided by volunteer Tax Counselors who have been trained and certified by the IRS. The service will be provided at the PAFB Shark Center which is located adjacent to the Chapel in the South Patrick Housing complex (Pelican Coast). The Shark Center is on Harrier Ave. and can be accessed from South Patrick Drive or SR A1A via Shearwater Parkway, (the fourth traffic signal south of Pineda Causeway). The Shark Center is just north of the Chapel and the entrance to the VITA office is on the south side of the Shark Center. In order for your VITA Tax Counselor to prepare your return the following documentation is required: Picture I.D.; Social Security cards (or Military I.D. with social security number) and documentation of health insurance for the tax payer, spouse and all dependents listed on the tax return; Income statements for wages, interest, dividends, pensions, social security, and other (W-2s, and 1099s); expense statements to itemize deductions; a copy of last year s Tax Return; and the account number and routing number if Direct Deposit of refunds (or to debit payment of any taxes due) is desired. This service is free, however, there will be a food donation box available for your contribution of canned or boxed food for the local area food programs. The Youth of the PAFB Chapel programs will sort and distribute the food to the local food banks to help those in need. The Tax Return Preparation Assistance service will be available Monday through Friday from 0900 to Appointments can be made by calling

8 TRICARE is changing. Are you ready? By Tricare.mil Staff from Health.mil website On Feb 1, 2018, copayments for prescription drugs at TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery and retail pharmacies will increase. These changes are required by law and affect TRICARE beneficiaries who are not active duty service members. While retail pharmacy and home delivery copayments will increase, prescriptions filled at military pharmacies remain available at no cost. You can save the most money by filling your prescriptions at military pharmacies. Military pharmacies and TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery will remain the lowest cost pharmacy option for TRICARE beneficiaries, said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ann McManis, Pharmacy Operations Division at the Defense Health Agency. Using home delivery, the copayments for a 90-day supply of generic formulary drugs will increase from $0 to $7. For brand-name formulary drugs, copayments will increase from $20 to $24, and copayments for nonformulary drugs. without a medical necessity will increase from $49 to $53. At a retail network pharmacy, copayments for a 30-day supply of generic formulary drugs will increase from $10 to $11 and from $24 to $28 for brand-name formulary drugs. In some cases, survivors of active duty service members may be eligible for lower cost-sharing amounts. TRICARE groups pharmacy drugs into three categories: generic formulary, brand name formulary and nonformulary. You pay the least for generic formulary drugs and the most for non-formulary drugs, regardless of whether you get them from home delivery or a retail pharmacy. To see the new TRICARE pharmacy copayments, visit To learn more about the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, or move your prescriptions to home delivery, visit Tricare Prescription Costs from Your prescription costs depend on who you are, where you fill your prescription, and the type of drug. Active Duty Service Members You can get prescriptions filled from any pharmacy at no cost. You may be required to pay up front for prescriptions from network and non-network pharmacies. You'll get a full reimbursement when you file a claim with Express Scripts. Your provider must establish medical necessity for you to get non-formulary drugs at no cost. All Other Beneficiaries NETWORK PHARMACY OPTIONS Point of Service Generic Copays Brand Name Copays Non-Formulary Copays Retail Network (30-day supply) Note 1 Until Jan 31, 2018: $10 Starting Feb 1, 2018: $11 Until Jan 31, 2018: $24 Starting Feb 1, 2018: $28 Until Jan 31, 2018: $50 Starting Feb 1, 2018: $53 Note 2 Home Delivery Until Jan 31, 2018: $0 Until Jan 31, 2018: $20 Until Jan 31, 2018: $4 (90-day supply) Military Pharmacy (90-day supply) TRICARE is changing. Are you ready? Starting Feb 1, 2018: $7 Starting Feb 1, 2018: $24 No Change: Still $0 copay for all formulary drugs at military pharmacies 8 Starting Feb 1, 2018: $53 Generally not available without medical necessity Note 1: If you want a 90-day supply from your network pharmacy, you'll pay the cost for each 30-day supply. For example, a 90-day supply of a generic drug will cost $30 (for prescriptions filled until January 31, 2018). Copayments remain the same as 2017 rates for dependent survivors of Active Duty Service Members and medically retired service members and their dependents. Note 2: Some non-formulary drugs are only covered through Home Delivery. Check with Express Scripts before filling prescriptions for non-formulary drugs at a retail network pharmacy. Non-Network Pharmacy You'll pay more to get your prescription filled at non-network retail pharmacies. The costs are based on where you are, who you are and in some cases, what plan you're using You may need to pay up front and file a claim or reimbursement.

9 On 16 December 2017 MOAACC celebrated the season at the annual Christmas Party. The evening was filled with fun and good cheer! 9 -Photos courtesy of Skip Taylor

10 Legislative Continued from Pg 3 Action item: Ensure the Guard and The remedy: MOAA continues to Reserve system adequately supports press for VA health care and benefit The issue: Reductions in resources requirements for an operational reserve. We ll work on these this yearsystem transformation. and funding for these programs. The remedy: MOAA is committed to Who is affected? Reserve components TAKE ACTION!! Please moving DoD and the VA to establish a more unified and integrated system The issue: As the demands on Guard of care and benefits. and Reserve troops have evolved, so Action item: End financial penalties has the need for benefits comparable TAPS to disabled servicemembers. to their active duty counterparts. Who is affected? Veterans with service-connected injuries ing legal protections for Guard and The remedy: Legislation strengthen- Martha McAlister Spouse of The issue: Veterans forced into disability retirements before completing a ployment and in consumer contracts LTG Robert C. McAlister, USA (Ret) Reserve members in their civilian em- full career are prohibited from receiving military retired pay concurrently and family support programs. Action item: Alignment of spouse 17 November 2017 with VA disability compensation. Who is affected? Every servicemember who has or will have a family 3 December 2017 Richard Hoyt, COL, USA (Ret) The remedy: Legislation to expand concurrent receipt for disabled retireessiders the needs of the entire family. Walter D. Spann Col, USAF (Ret) The issue: Remaining in service con- Action item: End financial penalties The remedy: Decrease the military 19 December 2017 to survivors. spouse unemployment rate. Increase Who is affected? Military survivors the synergy between family support Hilda Geist The issue: Military survivors whose and health care systems. Spouse of sponsors died of service-connected Action item: Ensure timely access to causes suffer from the widows tax, a VA health care. Lt Col John Geist, USAF (Ret) dollar-for-dollar offset of DoD s Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) from the VA s lion veterans, with 6.7 million receiv- Who is affected? There are 21 mil- 25 December 2017 Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Administration. Spouse of ing care from the Veterans Health Irene Botto The remedy: Legislation to eliminate The issue: The demand for VA health Lt Col David C. Botto, USAF (Ret) the SBP-DIC widows tax. care and benefits continues to grow. 26 December 2017 The Fritz Team Steve & Sheliah Fritz (LTC (R) Steve Fritz, MOAACC member) Coldwell Banker Paradise Our Specialties: Working with Military Families Out of Town/State Transactions Investment Properties YOUR REFERRALS WILL GENERATE $$$ DONATIONS TO MOAACC! Ask how a home sale or purchase with us would benefit MOAACC Florida Highway A1A Satellite Beach, FL (Cell) (Cell) (Office) Fritz.homes4u@gmail.com 10

11 Boots on the Ground Monitoring Interior & Exterior Electrical Water Windows Doors Pool Lawn Boats Storm Prep & Recovery All Aspects of Home Protection FREE GPS Reporting & Photos Reduce Your Risk When Away! We help protect your largest investment. Bonded, Insured, Fingerprinted Suntree Medical Associates Carl Saladino,MD Internal Medicine-Primary Care Board Certified-Practicing in Suntree since 1990 We take the time to listen, explain, and answer all of your medical questions. Let us serve you with same day appointments and a helpful staff. WE accept ALL TRICARE Programs Medicare & most insurances accepted CALL FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY We are ACCEPTING New Patients (321) rd Street #104, Off Suntree Blvd Routine Gynecologic care available Cynthia Williford, ARNP Susan Haines, NP-C Evelyn Torres, ARNP Full Mouth Reconstruction Dentures and Partials Crowns and Bridges Implant Prosthesis Non-Surgical TMJ Cosmetic Dentistry General Dentistry Geriatric Dentistry Family Dentistry Bite Problems Board Certified, American Board of Prosthodontics Retired, United States Air Force 35 Years of Experience, General & Prosthodontic Dentistry Former Chief of Prosthodontics Pease, Osan & Patrick A.F.B. MEMBER OF MOAACC Pathfinder Way, Suite 100 Rockledge, FL (Just West of Murrell/Eyster Intersection) Most Insurance Plans and Credit Cards Accepted Estate Planning Medicaid Planning Probate Probate Avoidence John C Murphy, Esquire Former MOAACC President Colonel (Ret), US Army Special Forces Former County Court Judge Call for an appointment. (321) Website: Office: 5575 US 1, Rockledge 11

12 Since 1984 your Chapter has awarded 243 scholarship grants totaling $630,000 to deserving descendants of military personnel. The program is designed to serve the educational needs of your sons, daughters, and grandchildren. The program is also open to students who are residents of Brevard County and meet all eligibility criteria. We need your support to ensure that eligible students learn about this opportunity and submit an application. If you have a descendant who is currently or will be in their junior year of college or beyond, please alert them to the chapter s website where we have posted the complete eligibility criteria and procedures to apply. Deadline for applications and materials to be received is 15 June This information may be found by selecting Scholarship from the tab bar at the top of the homepage. Please don t delay the sooner they get started the better. The MOAACC point of contact for questions is Lt Col Joe Tichich USAF Ret., Contact him at Ulrike Appelt Bill and Joy Dickson Gary D. Eppler Vincent Hatton Rosemary John Cozette Merritt In Memory of MG John Cleland Lynn W. Kling Toni McHenry Marie Regan Paul Reynolds John A. Ritner Cathryn Volanakis In Honor of Robert R. Head & Jack D. McKown Steven P. McKown Happy Valentines Day February 14 12

13 Submitted By CH (MAJ) Bill Otis, USA Retired As I look at the February calendar, I see the celebration of President s Day and I thought of George Washington, our first President and a distinguished leader. What were his thoughts on religion, I pondered. In researching it a bit, I found an article written by the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, in which the author wrote: George Washington considered religious freedom to be very important, as did many of his countrymen. Prior to the Revolution, many groups had been victims of religious persecution to varying degrees, in both Europe and the American colonies. Shortly after his inauguration as president, they began writing to him, to ask how the government he was leading would treat them. In letter after letter, Washington wrote back that the only being to whom Americans owed an explanation of their religious beliefs was God. When the Virginia Baptists wrote about their qualms that the new Constitution did not specifically guarantee freedom of religion, they went on to say that they knew they were in good hands with Washington at the head of the government. The President responded that he would never have signed the Constitution if he thought it would endanger the religious rights of any group. He then went on to remind them that I have often expressed my sentiments that every man, conducting himself as a good citizen, ought to be protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of his own conscience. To a Jewish congregation in Rhode Island, he noted that, It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support. It was interesting to read that there were people who believed that Washington, as well as others considered to be the Founding Fathers, were only referring to Christians, and didn t really intend to be applying this to other religions. Many of the other religions were not actually in America at the time. It appears to be quite clear, based on what we read above, that George Washington believed that the Jewish people had religious freedom. Also worth noting is the fact that some 10-20% of the slaves in the country were of the Muslim religion, and Washington clearly expected people from other parts of the world would come to America with their religious beliefs. In 1784 Washington asked his agent to acquire tradesmen with specific skills to work at Mount Vernon. He said, If they are good workmen, they may be of Asia, Africa, or Europe. They may be Mahometans [Muslims], Jews, Christian of any Sect or they may be Atheists. His only request was that they be good workers. Contact us at FREE CONSULTATION FOR MOAA MEMBERS, PLUS A 25% DISCOUNT ON SERVICES Wills & Trusts Special Needs Trusts for Disabled Children & Adults Guardian Advocacy & Guardianships Full Service Probate & Trust Administration Medicaid Qualification for Nursing Home Placement VA Aid & Attendance Robin M. Petersen, Former JAG Officer Military Brat Board Certified in Elder Law by the National Elder Law Foundation VA Accredited Attorney MOAA Lifetime Member Tracy A. Glover, Esq. Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Army JAG, retired MOAA Member 321 Sixth Avenue Indialantic, FL ElderLawCenterBrevard.com 13

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15 Submitted By Lt Col Chuck Shaw, USAF (Ret) This month starts what I hope will be a regular recurring short article for the Intercom on the Lessons Learned from providing Survivor Assistance to members, AUX members and spouses. It seems that each assistance scenario we experience provides an opportunity to learn more about how best to handle the paperwork mill the loss of a loved one creates. These Lessons Learned tidbits will also be posted on the MOAACC Survivor Assistance webpage in the near future. For those that use computers, the link to the MOAACC Survivor Assistance webpage, which is your portal to a lot of information besides the Lessons Learned is Be sure to scroll down on the webpage to see all the links to information! The page will be getting a lot more attention in 2018, to make it better, and we welcome your suggestions for what will be helpful for you! OK, so our first Lesson Learned is for those of us that use the services of USAA for insurance, banking, investments, etc. I recently assisted a Surviving Spouse get a problem quickly get cleared up with USAA that resulted from her getting well meaning but inexperienced survivor assistance help in dealing with USAA. The result was her household insurance had been allowed to lapse without her being notified. She only found out after she attempted to file a claim for some water damage. USAA did not advise her with a legal notification of the lapse due to the issue. Talking to the claims department simply seemed to make the situation more confusing for the Survivor as to why it had lapsed and worse, how to clear things up. The Lesson Learned is for the Survivor or anyone assisting a survivor, to call the USAA Survivor Relations department as their first call to USAA. Their number is: Have the deceased USAA Member number handy The Survivor Relations personnel are simply amazing. They are experts in the issues Survivors experience and how to resolve them usually on the spot. And if they cannot resolve them they put you in contact with the exact right people at USAA to deal with the issue. When I called them with the Surviving Spouse I was assisting on the line with me to them, it only took a very short time to have the Household Insurance Policy reinstated and transferred to the survivor (and a quick review by them of the policy resulted in a reduction in the premiums!!), and clear instructions on how to have the deceased s USAA Subscriber Savings Account closed and the tax free funds sent to the survivor. Don t know what a USAA Subscriber Savings Account is? If you have insurance with USAA you have one. Tune in next month to find out more about them!!! If you have any questions, requests for info desired on the webpage, or have Survivor Assistance Lessons Learned to share, please do not hesitate to call/txt me at or me at candcshaw@gmail.com. Scholarship CorpORATION Board of Directors Brig Gen Gordon P. Masterson, USAF Secretary Roslyn Bates, AUX Treasurer LTC Steven G. Turner, USA CAPT Ernest H. Joy II, USN Col Susan B. Neugebauer, USAF CDR Fred J. Reeg Jr., USN CDR A Courtney Yelle, USN Scholarship Finance Committee Treasurer LTC Steven G Turner, USA Assistant Treasurer Roslyn Bates, AUX Scholarship Selection Committee CAPT Ernest H. Joy II, USN LT Cheri M. Hawes, USA CDR Charles R. McRae Sr., USN Cozette Merritt, AUX Lt Col Joseph G. Tichich, USAF Scholarship Donor Relations Committee CDR A Courtney Yelle, USN Contributions to the MOAACC Scholarship Fund should be sent to: P.O. Box , Patrick AFB, FL Good Deeds Foundation President CPT Donn A. Weaver, USA Vice President RADM Wayne Justice, USCG Treasurer COL Jerry M. Gill, USA Secretary Vacant Board Members: Lt Col Bob Carpenter, USAF LT Cheri Hawes, USA CW4 Robert John, USAR RADM Wayne Justice, USCG COL Tom Rozek, USAR LTC Harry Skip Taylor, USA Committee Chairs: CAPT Scott Hartley, USCG Lt Paul Van Hemel, USMC Lt Col Brian Whalen, USAF Chapter Club Activities THURSDAY MORNING BREAKFAST CLUB TMBC meets each Thursday at 0800 at the 19th Hole, Indian River Colony Club (IRCC). Col Gary D. Eppler, USAF MONTHLY LUNCHEON - 11:30 AM Meets the 3rd Tuesday at Colony Hall IRCC. Reservation Form, Program and Menu on page 16. Mary McIntyre (mmcintyreluncheon@gmail.com) Dave Conroe (d_conroe@yahoo.com) CURRENT AFFAIRS FORUM Meets 3rd Thursday every other month starting January (odd-numbered months) at the 19th Hole, IRCC immediately following TMBC. CAPT Ernest H. Joy II, USN ON-THE-GO Meets 2nd Tuesday for lunch at local restaurants. Details on page 5. Mary E. Dunagan, AUX NOTE: Throughout THE INTERCOM, if a phone number is listed without the area code, the area code is 321. Be aware that some cellular services require that you use the 10-digit phone number (including the area code) to complete the call.

16 The Military Officers Association of America, Cape Canaveral Chapter (MOAACC) P.O. Box , Patrick AFB, FL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/DIRECTORY UPDATE Please mail to above address or register online at moaacc.org New Chapter Annual New Chapter Life Change of Information Name Spouse s Name Street Address City Telephone Rank Check appropriate boxes: State Service Zip Member DOB Retired Active Duty Widow(er) Spouse of Member Regular Reserve MOAA National Membership No. Sponsor s Name Nat l Gd. Former Officer (See MOAA magazine label) Chapter Membership $20 Active Duty/Drilling Reserve: First Year - No Cost Life Membership Age Fees Age Fees $ $ $ $ $ No Cost $235 Life Membership payable over three consecutive months. Make Check payable to MOAACC or pay online at MOAACC.org Dues and Fees include subscription to THE INTERCOM. Luncheon Reservation Form (At Colony Hall, IRCC) (11:30 AM) Reservations must be made by completing this form and mailing it to: MOAACC Attn: Mary McIntyre, P.O. Box , Patrick AFB, FL or RSVP/pay on line at moaacc.org or by calling Mary Mcintyre at or at mmcintyreluncheon@gmail.com. How many? Check Enclosed $ Pay at the door Regular Lunch Name Light Lunch Singles Table (Print Please) Reservations must be received no later than Thursday prior to date of Luncheon. Cancellations will be accepted through Thursday prior to luncheon date by calling Mary McIntyre at LUNCHEON - February 20, 2018 Indian River Colony Club is located at 1936 Freedom Drive, Viera (Melbourne), FL Colony Hall, IRCC (11:30 AM) Program: Port Canaveral Update Menu: Hot Meal: Chicken Piccata, Rice and Vegetable Salad Meal: Chef Salad All: Cherry Pie Price: $16 Make/Cancel reservations by Thursday 15 Feb. Contact Mary McIntyre at Home Instead CAREGivers can provide a variety of services. Some include: Companionship Care Personal Care Meals & Nutrition Transportation Household Duties Respite Care Hospice Care Support Services Laundry Call for a free, no-obligation appointment