MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

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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) April 2015 Volume 58 Issue 4 President s Message LTC Robert M. LePage, USA, Ret. President Inside this issue: DATES TO NOTE! Key Personnel & phone numbers Meals /Reservations Information Chapter Board Minutes Chaplain s Message Legislative 4 Board Minutes Con t MOAA Leadership Medal Presenters Life Membership Retired Officers Wives Club TOPS Insurance Free Income Tax Preparation Help Your Survivors Now Volunteers New Members Procedures for ID Cards Navy Exchange Saves You Money Membership Application/Renewal 7 DATES TO NOTE! Wed, Apr 1, April Fool s Day Sat, Apr 11 & Sat May 9,10:00 am: Board of Directors meeting at Ascension Lutheran Church Office Sun, Apr 5, Easter Sunday Sat, Apr 18, MOAA Luncheon The key to success in any business or community organization is recognition. I find it amazing just how many people, including active and retired military, don t know what MOAA (Military Officers Association of America) is and our mission. It is one of the leading organizations that pushes Congress to enact legislation favorable to active and retired military and their spouses. We, as a Chapter, need to become more involved in our community and to this end I would encourage your suggestions on the type of community activities we might become involved. Participating in community activities and events such as our Ramp Project will allow our members to work with community leaders and organizations and provide our talents and experience to those projects and charities they are promoting. In doing this they will become aware of MOAA. I would appreciate your input on how you feel our community can become aware of MOAA. Please send your ideas or recommendations to me at my address: Rnato011@aol.com At our luncheon this month we will honor the top 10 JROTC cadets from the 33 schools who have a JROTC program. This will be our 15th year of these awards. We have come a long way from the initial $2,000 to our current $10,000 in awards. If you have never attended one of these ceremonies, you will enjoy seeing these sharp young men and women. Bob LePage APRIL PROGRAM JROTC CADETS OF THE YEAR We have a great program for you in April. This is the month we recognize the top JROTC Cadets of the year. We have 33 high schools who have JROTC programs and they submit their top one or two cadets for consideration. Each Cadet selected will receive $1,000. In addition, each cadet will receive a plaque recognizing his or her achievement. The scholarship award money comes from those of you who have so generously contributed and $5,000 donated by Lockheed Martin Corporation. The cadets will be in their dress uniform and be accompanied by their parents and the high school JROTC Senior Instructor.

2 Volume 58 Issue 4 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 Gator15pat@hotmail.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, USAR, 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 April 18, :00-12:00 Social Hour Lunch at 12:00 Location: Seasons 52, 463 E. Altamonte Dr. Altamonte Springs, FL Menu #1 Grilled Flat Iron Steak #2 Maple-Glazed All-Natural Roasted Half Chicken #3 Seasame Grilled Salmon Salad Beverage: Coffee, Tea, Soft Drinks and Water included. Desert: Mini Indulgence Dessert Flight Price: $24.00 including gratuity Reservations: Not later than noon, Tuesday April 14, 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. CITRUS CLUB MEMBERSHIP I am Captain Robert S. Rosen, USN (Ret), a life member of MOAA, a longtime member, past President, and a current Board Member of our Central Florida Chapter of MOAA. I am also a member of the Board of Governors of the Citrus Club. The Citrus Club is a very prestigious private business club in Orlando. It offers excellent opportunities for social and business networking. The regular initiation fee to join is $750. The Citrus Club is a private club with limited membership. Prospective members must be invited to join and be sponsored by a current member. There are many levels of membership from Young Executive to Platinum and Signature Gold Unlimited. Each membership level has different benefits and a different monthly fee. The club serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner; has private business rooms with computers, printers, and phones available for members free use; a spa; and many social functions. The club has recently completed a $4 million dollar renovation. The club encompasses the entire 18th floor of the building at the corner of Orange and Jackson Street in downtown Orlando. This club was designed for professionals, like yourselves, in mind. I would be happy to sponsor you into the Citrus Club. Call me at or me at captbob1936@yahoo.com for additional information; and to set up a tour of the Club. Bob Rosen" 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 4 FOCUS Page P 3 Chapter Board Meeting MOAA Board Meeting March 14, 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. COL Gates gave the invocation. LTC LePage led the Pledge of Allegiance. Attendees: COL Gates, COL Jung, Capt Rosen, LTC LePage, LTC Gillett, CWO Hoy and Ms. Green were present. Secretary s Report: Minutes of the February Board meeting were approved as corrected. The award given to the ROTC cadets at UCF will be $200 per cadet, rather than $100, as stated. Treasurer s Report: The March report was reviewed and approved. Committee Reports: Recruiting: LTC LePage reported that 54 members haven t renewed their membership. Of the 34 new members last year, 23 haven t paid their dues. JROTC: Col Gates reported that nominees for JROTC Scholarships were interviewed by the selection board composed of COL Jung, LTC Gillett, LT Cutler and CWO Hoy on March 7, The quality of the applicants was outstanding. New Business: COL Jung reported he had signed pursuant to authority granted by the Board a contract with Seasons 52, Altamonte Springs, for the Chapter s March 21 luncheon. The cost will be $24 per person with a guarantee of $576. COL Jung was authorized by the Board to contract with Seasons 52 on similar terms for the April, May and June luncheons. Next Board Meeting: April 11, 2015 Next Luncheon: March 21, 2015 Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 1125 hours. Respectfully submitted, Michael E. Gillett LTC USA Ret Secretary Chaplain s Message If you missed our March luncheon, you missed a special time, as we celebrated the centennial of Louise Rimmler. Louise and husband, Lieutenant Colonel Carl Rimmler, have been faithful members and regular attenders for many years. We had a This Is Your Life Power Point presentation on Louise s 100 years and her and Carl s marriage of 72 years at that luncheon; she has had a fascinating life, and the couple have packed a lot into those 72 years. We did the presentation at the March luncheon even though her birthday is April 23 (1915) because our April luncheon is committed to the Junior ROTC program. This being the April newsletter, though, we want to take notice here of this very special time in the Rimmler s lives. Born in Arkansas, Louise s parents moved to Rhode Island when she was eight. She grew up there, attending public schools and Rhode Island College of Education (RICE). Her small town didn t have a high school, so she had to be bussed several miles to the nearest one, in Providence, RI. Her bus back in those depressionera days was a truck, on which she sat on a crude bench in the truck bed. Louise s first job was teaching in a one-room school house for $850 a year (not week, not month, but year!). She saved enough to make a return trip to Arkansas to visit her original home and relatives, and met Carl on the train returning to Rhode Island. Wasting no time, they were married four months later. God saw Carl through several hazardous island invasions in the Pacific Theater during World War II, and He has kept them ever since, through her 35 years teaching and as principal of the same elementary school she attended as a child, and through travels that have taken them to every part of the globe. It s a pleasure to salute this amazing lady and this distinguished couple on Louise s 100 th year and their 72 nd year of marriage. May the Lord continue to bless them in all their days to come. In His love, Chaplain Dick

4 LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION BY LTC Michael Gillett, USA, RET. MOAA to Congress TRICARE Status Quo Is Unacceptable In recent testimony before the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, MOAA President Vice Adm Norb Ryan, USN (Ret) told Congress that the status quo of TRICARE was simply unacceptable, but urged Congress to carefully consider any changes to the program. MOAA was invited to testify on the recommendations by the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC) to reform the Military Health System (MHS). The MCRMC has advanced proposals that will produce a seismic change to the MHS. MOAA has significant concerns regarding changes that drastically overhaul TRICARE, as well as create a joint readiness command. The commission recommends increasing health care choice by dismantling TRICARE. Under the commission s proposal, active duty family members, retirees under age 65, and reserve component members will move into a system similar to the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP). When fully implemented, retirees under age 65 will face a four-fold increase in health care premiums. Military families will also have higher fees if they deplete their proposed health savings allowance. Under this proposal, families may delay medical care in order to save money, said MOAA s Deputy Director of Government Relations, Karen Golden. MOAA s survey of 7,500 beneficiaries showed that eight out of ten prefer TRICARE to a health plan similar to what federal civilians use. The commission also recommends creating an additional joint readiness command to ensure inter-service consistency of policy and budget oversight over the three-service system. However, the commission s joint readiness command proposal does not entail budget authority, only participation in the budget process. The proposal could create more bureaucratic layers and confusion without additional value. MOAA testified and offered constructive solutions for changes to the current system. Ryan said that problems with TRICARE, like rising costs, barriers to access, and poor customer service, can be addressed in a systemic manner without resorting to its elimination. MOAA has consistently said that the largest barrier to an efficient and highly reliable health care organization is the three-service system. Establishing a unified medical command with a single budget authority will produce efficiencies and cost savings. The Commission, Congress, and the military community are all seeking the same objective: a health care delivery system that is far more efficient, effective and sustainable than the current system, said Ryan. The MCRMC health care proposals represent a shot across the bow of the DoD and should serve as a catalyst for the Pentagon to quickly push through long needed structural reforms under the direction of Congress. Ryan urged Congress to carefully consider any changes to TRICARE and cautioned that changes will have a longterm impact on military medical readiness and career retention. 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 of MOAA. All retransmissions, postings, and of this message must include this notice.

5 Volume 58 Issue4 FOCUS Page 5 TAPS The Chapter extends deepest sympathy and sincerest condolence to the family and friends of: Mrs. Jeannie Austin, Aux., who passed away December 21, MOAA ROTC/JROTC MEDAL We are looking for Officers to present the MOAA Leadership Medal at the following schools: Acclaim Academy Celebration High School Colonel High School Cypress Creek High School Gateway High School Liberty High School Maynard Evans High School Oak Ridge High School Osceola High School Poincianna High School St. Cloud High School Timber Creek High School University High School William R. Boone High School If you are interested in presenting the MOAA Medal Award at any of the above schools, please contact Rick Jung at OR at rickjungsr@gmail.com Central Florida MOAA Chapter TOPS I am the Central Florida MOAA Chapter TOPS (The Officer Placement System) representative. This is a new position in our chapter and with your help; we have an opportunity to assist fellow officers in career transition. Do you remember how unsure you were when you departed military service for a civilian career? Did you ask others how they did it and about their experiences? I d like to invite you to help others by joining the national or local network of volunteers to provide advice on your current or previous profession. If you are an officer in a career transition, please request our help. For more information, please contact me at jruzich25@earthlink.net or John Ruzich, LTC, USA, Ret. 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 RETIRED OFFICERS WIVES CLUB The Luncheon meeting will be Tuesday April 21st at the Elks Club, 12 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando. The Program will be Retro Dance Group. The Social hour will begin at 11:00 a.m. and lunch will be served at noon. Call Reservations Chairman Shirley Clark at 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 2013 and desire to convert to a Chapter Life Member, deduct the FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION The Orlando Retired Activities Office (RAO) will offer free assistance to military retirees in preparing their 2014 IRS tax returns. Taxes will be completed in the RAO office, room 125 of the VA building at the former Naval Training Center. Appointments are mandatory and may be made by calling (407)

6 Volume 58 Issue 4 FOCUS Page 6 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. VOLUNTEERS CAPT Thomas Bates has over 1,005 hours at ORHS as a Spiritual Care Volunteer. Mrs. Reba Dellamonico has been a volunteer at Florida Hospital for over 28 years with 5,000 plus hours. 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. NEW MEMBERS Mr. Raymond Stone, Former LCDR 3936 S. Semoran Blvd, # Orlando, FL LT Col John C. Thomas, USAF, Ret. 349 Grand Canal Dr Kissimmee, FL Wife: Beth 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) 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 concession-run 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.

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) (formerly The Retired Officer Association (TROA) 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 2015 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 _ label