The Beacon. Snug Harbor Base s Newsletter Website:

Transcription

1 The Beacon Snug Harbor Base s Newsletter Website: Issue #30 March 2003 The creed of the USSVI is: "To perpetuate the memory of our departed shipmates who gave their lives in pursuit of their duties while serving their country. That their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States Government". NEW MEMBERS: Since the last newsletter, the following Shipmates have joined Snug Harbor. We would like to give them and their Ladies a big Welcome Aboard. We now have 166 Regular Members, 27 Associate Members, 111 Life Members and 48 Holland Club Members. My goal for 2003 is to get our membership to 200. If each one of you will get just one new member, we can surpass that goal. Donald Clark Palm Bay,Fl. Qualified on USS Remora (SS-487) 1961 Edmund Peresluha Cocoa Beach, Fl. Qualified on USS Spikefish (SS-404) 1960 William Meinert Merritt Island, Fl. Qualified on USS Atule (SS-403) 1959 Michael Artibee Palm Bay, Fl. Qualified on USS Tinosa (SSN-606) 1968 Herbert Ellingwood Satellite Beach, Fl. Qualified on USS Balao (SS-285) 1953 Richard Coons Coventry, RI. Associate Member Son of Ray Coons ETERNAL PATROL: The following submarines were lost during March - April and are still on ETERNAL PATROL Sailors, Rest Your Oars March 3, 1943 USS Perch (SS-176) March 5, 1943 USS Grampus (SS-207) March 15, 1943 USS Triton (SS-201) March 20, 1945 USS Kete (SS-369) March 26, 1944 USS Tullibee (SS-284) March 26, 1945 USS Trigger (SS-237) April 3, 1943 USS Pickerel (SS-122) April 8, 1945 USS Snook (SS-279) April 10, 1963 USS Scorpion (SSN-589) April 22, 1943 USS Grenadier (SS-210) Base Officers: The following are the Base Officers that serve you for the year Base Commander Gil Shaddock Vice Commander George Nault Treasurer Ray Coons Secretary/Veteran s Affairs Shawn Brown Chaplain/Base Historian Bob Chasse COB/Ways and Means Ray Goodwin Storekeeper Gil Shaddock The Beacon Writers/Editors Gil Shaddock, Shawn Brown Snug Harbor Web Tim VeArd, Gil Shaddock Lost Boat - USS Grenadier (SS-210) United States Submarine Veterans Inc. Snug Harbor Base 125 Elm Ave. Satellite Beach, Fl

2 2 Snug Harbor s The Beacon March 2003 DISTRICT COMMANDER ELECTION It is time to vote for the District Four Commander. The incumbent D4, Dennis Blado, is running for reelection. You can vote by filling out the ballot in this newsletter and mailing it to me, you can vote by , you can vote by phone or you can vote by a show of hands at the April meeting. The results of the election will be announced at the D4 convention in Panama City Beach, Florida the first weekend in May. If you intend to attend the D4 convention and have not yet made your reservations yet, you need to do so ASAP. The registration form was in the January 2003 newsletter. Ed Seguin receiving Holland Club Membership BASE COMMANDER S CORNER By Gil Shaddock NEW LOCATION EVALUATION I am still evaluating the move of our meeting location to the VFW Post in Melbourne. So far, the attendance at the meetings is still up to around 50. We have gained some new attendees and lost some of the old (I don t mean that literally) attendees. At the June meeting, I intend to poll the members that are present and see if the majority would like to stay at the VFW or move back to the American Legion in Sebastian. The VFW will have a new slate of Officers elected in June and I will have to renegotiate with the oncoming watch to see if we can continue to meet at the VFW. FINAL NOTICE FOR DUES FINAL dues notices have been mailed to the 10 members who have still NOT renewed their dues for In accordance with the USSVI Constitution and By-laws, any member who does not renew by 31 March will be dropped from the active rolls and lose their member in good standing status. This is an automatic action that is taken by the National Office. If they have not received your dues within a reasonable time after March 31 st, then you are dropped. So, if you are one of those 10 and you intend to remain in Snug Harbor Base, then please get your dues in to Ray Coons ASAP. HELPING ONE OF OUR OWN An active duty Chief Petty Officer Fredrickson, from the Submarine Base in Groton, and his wife perished in the nightclub fire in Warwick, RI on February 20. A Trust Fund has been established by USSVI for the surviving children. Donations to the fund are being received by Groton Base. If you would care to donate to this fund, make your checks out to USSVICF (Charitable Fund) and mark your checks For Fredrickson Fund and mail them to: U.S. SUBVETS, Attn: Fredrickson Fund, 40 School St., Groton, Ct SUBMARINE BIRTHDAY BALL This year s Submarine Birthday Ball which is hosted by the Naval Ordnance Test Unit at Port Canaveral, Florida, will be on May 17 th at the Double Tree Inn in Cocoa Beach. Cost will be $35 per person. Each of you will receive an invitation in the mail. The invitation will include choice of menu, dress code, RSVP card, etc. Snug Harbor Base has been requested to conduct the 50/50 drawing, the proceeds of which will go to one of the USSVI Charitable Funds. I will be looking for 3-4 volunteers to assist with the drawing. SECRETARY S REPORT By Shawn Brown ET Imitating a YN Base minutes for 1 February 2003: Today the Challenger is gone! HOLLAND CLUB MEMBER DINNER: Snug Harbor will be donating $50 for awards that are given at this dinner. Bill Britt was paying for these awards out of his own pocket. The National Secretary sent out an , asking if any of the Bases would like to support this instead. A vote was taken and it was unanimous that Snug Harbor would support this dinner for this year. USS RAZORBACK COMING BACK TO U.S.: As reported earlier, Turkey is returning the USS Razorback to the United States. But this is an expensive project. A crew of volunteers is being asked for to sail the boat back and a list is filling quick. To raise money, an auction of submarine memorabilia will be sold. (See article in this Newsletter for more information). NATIONAL CONSTITUTION: It s that time of year again to review the National Constitution and recommend changes. One of the ideas that has raised its head, maybe a raising of USSVI dues. Dues for USSVI are the lowest for any organization and expenses are rising every year, but dues have not been raised in many years. This is only in the talking stages. If you have an opinion one way or the other, bring it up at the base meetings or contact the Base Commander.

3 3 Snug Harbor s The Beacon March 2003 SECRETARY S REPORT (Continues): NATIONAL OFFICER ELECTIONS: It s also time for the nominating and electing of National Officers. Every member, except for associate members, will receive a ballot in the mail. Each member needs to fill out the ballot and return it to the Base Commander. It is recommended that everyone participates. If you need to know more information about the nominees, contact the Base Commander by or phone and he will try to help you. DUES NEEDED: As of this meeting, we are down to 19 members that have not paid their dues. The Base Commander has sent out a post card to each member. PELICAN HARBOR BASE: This Base has received it charter. This Base covers the Ft Lauderdale/Miami area. Base minutes for 1 March 2003: USS RAZORBACK AUCTION: Gil Shaddock sent a large set of Dolphins to the auction but they were broken in the mail. The auction is still looking for donated items. As a side bar, the USS Razorback is still looking for crewmembers to bring it back from Turkey. D4 COMMANDER ELECTION: Dennis Blado, the present D4 Commander is the only one running. At the next meeting, Snug Harbor will be taking a vote on our selection for D4 Commander, including any nominations from the floor. Your vote can be counted in three ways: , mail (see ballot at the end of this Newsletter) or voting at the meeting. Our Base Commander supports Dennis being the D4 Commander for another term. He has stayed involved with the Bases and has visited many of them. SUBMARINE BIRTHDAY BALL: The Birthday Ball is scheduled for the last part of May. Gil Shaddock is our representative at the Ball Committee and he will ensure that we all get invitations. More information to follow. SHIPMATE AND WIFE DIES IN FIRE: (See article in this Newsletter). Snug Harbor will be donating $100. Many other members donated money during the meeting. In the picture (left to right) Tom Stanton, Warren Zeiller, Jim Roese, William Vasquez Pelican Harbor Base Commander, Gil Shaddock Snug Harbor Base Commander and member of Base Development Committee, Bruce Bradbury, Ken Collins and Jim Johnston. Pelican Harbor Base meets on the 3rd Saturday of the month at 1300 hours at VFW Post # 1966, located at 350 SW 25th St., Ft. Lauderdale Florida. The Base Commander is William Vasquez, Phone or "wvasquez@earthlink.net". USS MASON COMMISSIONING (DDG 87): The USS Mason will be commissioned at the TRIDENT pier, Port Canaveral, on Saturday, the twelfth of April, 2003 at Civilian attire is Business Suit. All members should receive an invitation. Gil Shaddock has given each members address to NOTU. In the invitation you will receive information for tickets, hotels and the USS Mason. JAMIE FUND UPDATE: Ray Goodwin is the new caretaker for the Jamie Fund along with Joe Brown. He has been running the raffles for the Jamie Fund and keeping track of the status of the Jamie family. He presented at this meeting that the weather in North Dakota is very cold and that the family may need help. FLORIDA DRIVERS LICENSES FRAUD: Driver license information is available to others without the consent of the owner of the Driver license. The DMV is authorized to give out (sell) your personal information to anyone: (name, DOB, phone number, address, SS#, Medical disabilities, etc) with no problem. You can go to the State of Florida web site and block the DMV from passing on any of your information. License Check and click on ON LINE DRIVER LICENSE CHECK to verify if your driver's license is valid - once it verifies that your license is valid or not it will let you know whether or not your license is blocked and it will give you the opportunity to block it at that time by following the instructions. SECRETARY S REPORT COMPLETED OTHER PLACES TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT YOU Check this out...new Google Feature Type your telephone number into Google's search bar & click the search button...mapquest returns with a physical location of your phone number. People could use this feature to locate your home address, and receive explicit directions on how to get there from anywhere in the country. You can remove your name off this database-- To do this: Type in your full phone number...using dashes...like this: If your number appears in the mapping database, an icon resembling a telephone will appear next to the entry on the results page. Click on this icon and it will take you to a page containing a description of the service, and a link to request your number be removed!

4 4 Snug Harbor s The Beacon March 2003 MEMBERS LADY ON ETERNAL PATROL It saddens my heart to report the loss of one of our member s lady: HELEN HELLER Helen Heller ( ) Lady of Dave Heller, went on Eternal Patrol on March 3, Helen was a faithful attendee at our meetings and will be sadly missed by all of us. Our sincere sympathy and condolences go out to Dave and his family. No photo or other information available We will miss her! TOMMY COX RETIRES FROM MUSIC Special Notice to ALL Submariners and Music Lovers: There comes a time in every life, to take time to retire. As a common saying says" Take time to smell the roses" The music of Tommy Cox will outlive all of us, because modern technology can record the music on a CD. What does not last forever is the production of CD's. This notice is to inform you that production has stopped. The shows scheduled for Groton in May will be, as Tom has said, "be my final swansong for music public appearances. I will fill the orders as long as I have CD's in stock." When sales of stock on hand are gone, no more sales. Ordering information is on web site listed below. For more information on Tommy, his music, and the CD's see Web pages that are still online at: (guest book only) SHIPMATES FAMILY NEEDS HELP If you have watched any Television, or picked up any Newspaper in the last week, then you know of the tragedy of the terrible fire in RI last week that took the lives of 97 people. What you may not know unless you are in the local area is that one of our Shipmates, and possibly his wife perished in this fire. Our Shipmate MMC (SS) Daniel John Frederickson and his wife Tracy were at "The Station" on Thursday Evening when the fire broke out. Chief Frederickson's remains have been identified, and his wife, Tracey, is still listed at missing, though she is presumed dead also. Chief Frederickson was stationed at NSSF New London, and was 7 months away from being eligible to retire. He and his wife lived in RI with two children from their first marriage. Chief Frederickson had 4 children of his own who resided with his ex wife in WA. The oldest child is 17. The whole local community has been impacted by this fire which needlessly took the lives of 97 people. Many people had other friends who were either up there at that bar, or who often go there. But the loss of one of our shipmates and his wife, leaving those children behind has really hit home. It is in tough times like this that Submariners, and their families draw closer together, and provide support for each other to do what we can to help out. It is in tough times like these that we as Submariners are more like one big family instead of hundreds of smaller ones. So we as SUBVETS will be doing several things to do what we can to help the children of our friends Daniel and Tracy Frederickson. I'm sure that they would do the same if it happened to one of us instead. First we will be holding a Charity Dinner to raise money. This dinner will be a Pasta Dinner to be held on Sunday 23 March at our clubhouse from 4-7 pm. There is no set price for the dinner it is by donation of whatever the attendee's would like to give. Any one is welcome to attend, and we are going to do our best to hopefully feed about 400 people over that time. Additionally, U.S. SUBVETS Groton Base will be coordinating the fund raising locally, and from SUBVETS BASES across the country with assistance from the U.S. SUBMARINE VETERANS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION (USSVCF). The USSVCF is a Non-Profit, Charitable Organization that is part of the USSVI National Organization. Information on the USSVICF can be found on their home page at The USSVCF has set up a Charitable Fund called the Frederickson Fund, which comes under the Brotherhood Fund to make any donations charitable and tax deductible. All funds raised will be sent to this fund and later distributed for their children, as requested by the Executors of the estate for the Frederickson s. The Frederickson Family Fund page is here Donations may either be mailed to the address on the form, or to U.S. SUBVETS Attn: Frederickson Fund 40 School Street Groton, CT Linked on that page is a form that should be completed and mailed with your donation. Please make a special notation both on this form and your checks that the money is designated towards the Frederickrson Fund. Checks should be written to USSVCF Additionally if you would like to use your credit card for a safe and secure donation, this can be done through PayPal which is a secure method of making your donations. The URL for the PayPal Donation is here Again, in the notation section of the Paypal account indicate the donation is for the Frederickson Fund Before, I close, I want to share part of an that I received from RADM Tracy, Commander Submarine Group Two. Although his comments are to me, he says it plain and clear when he says "SUBVETS assistance and support is greatly appreciated...and this great organization put "family and brotherhood first" in all that you do." That's all of you that he is talking about. That's you guys out here and elsewhere who are the ones who are going to make the difference with your support and donations. Also, the members of the USSVCF deserve a lot of credit for turning around so quickly in support and establishing the Frederickson Fund. Article received from the Groton Base Commander.

5 5 Snug Harbor s The Beacon March 2003 MEMBERS IN THE SPOT LIGHT LARRY HALL Larry was born on February 24, 1925, in Marlboro, Massachusetts to Ester Hall, a housewife and George Hall, a U.S. Coast Guard Commander of 32 years. He joined the Navy in 1942, survived on submarine, USS Guardfish (SS217) where he made nine war patrols. His duties were in the rating of Torpedoman and Machine Gunner. His proudest moment was during his 8 th patrol, his submarine sank five ships in one night and then three more the next morning. What a score! The biggest thing that he misses about the Navy My old shipmates. We do still get together every year. Not that there are many of us left. CHARLES A. LASCH Charles was born to Milton and Jean on April 17, 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Remaining a student until he joined the Navy in September 29, 1947 where he went to Naval Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. He did many jobs while he was in the Navy: Independent Yeoman on three submarines, Personal Aide and Administrative Assistant to seven Admirals, Squadron Secretary and Personnel Officer, Comptroller/Management and Plans Officer, Recruit Examining Officer and various other administrative billets. Wow. Funniest moment: Going over the hill at the North Pole. What he misses about the Navy: EVERYTHING. Doing now: Fully retired caring for wife who is physically incapacitated. We at Snug Harbor salute you ready two. SPACE A TRAVEL Test to Open Stateside Space-A Air Travel to Military Families. A one-year test starting April 1 will permit space-available air travel within the continental United States by family members who accompany their military sponsors. Defense transportation officials said dependents of active-duty members and military retirees will be eligible. Their travel priority during the test will be the same as their sponsor's. The test ends March 31, Current regulations allow dependents to travel space-a with sponsors to, from and between overseas points, but prohibit their travel point-to-point within the continental United States. Active duty and retired military members already have space-a privileges stateside and overseas. To register for space-a travel, active-duty sponsors must be on leave or a pass and remain in that status while awaiting travel and through the entire travel period. Retirees may sign up 60 days in advance but not before the test begins April 1. (Generally, space-a is the seats left on military aircraft after official duty travelers and cargo are accommodated. Space-A travelers are assigned various seating categories; for instance, active duty members on emergency travel receive a higher priority than leisure travelers. The Air Force's system is the best known, but all the services offer space-a using their own rules and policies.) For more information on the space-a privilege, its rules, registration process, travel procedures, tips, and dozens of frequently asked questions, visit the Air Force Air Mobility Command space-a Web site at: NOTES FROM SPACE-A WEB SITE: 1. Information concerning Space-A policy may be obtained by sending an message to mailto:amc-lgtp@scott.af.mil PLEASE DO NOT SEND REQUESTING FLIGHT INFORMATION--YOU MUST CONTACT TERMINALS DIRECTLY 2. The following Space-A related information is available online at - AMC Passenger Operations: * Tips for Traveling Space A * Registration * Continental United States (CONUS) AMC Terminals * Eligibility * Commercial Gateways * Baggage Immigration and Border Clearance Requirements * Selection Process * AMC Passenger Operations * (Includes mailing addresses/phone numbers/ etc.) * Space Available (Space A) Travel Questions and Answers * Space Available Base Telephone Numbers

6 6 Snug Harbor s The Beacon March 2003 D4 CONVENTION IN PANAMA CITY The schedule for this event can be found in the January Beacon Newsletter. This event is scheduled to start on the 1 st of May and end on the 4 th of May. As many of our members can tell you, Gil Shaddock and George Nault are but two, this is an outstanding event with lots to do and see. All reservations are the responsibility of the individual guest. The activity forms are to be mailed back to John M. Duncan, 1487 Highway 79, Bonifay, FL , with payment (activity form attached at the end of the January Newsletter or you can contact Gil Shaddock at or Shawn Brown at and we will send you the form). If there are any questions or problems, you can contact John M. Duncan by phone. The number is Best wishes to all of you and hopefully we will see you in May as always, keep it HOT, STRAIGHT AND NORMAL. Sponsored by SEAWOLF BASE PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLORIDA RAZORBACK ON-LINE AUCTION 1. The on-line auction is set to start on March 24th. NO BIDS WILL BE TAKEN BEFORE THAT DATE! 2. The pictures of each item, rules, donor's names, procedures are all located at % of the proceeds of this will go to the Razorback Foundation, which needs money for the return of the boat from Turkey to the U.S. and repairs to her prior to the trip. The boat is set to make quite a few stops on the East Coast and will eventually end up as part of the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum at North Little Rock, Arkansas. 4. This is the 4th auction on-line I've held to benefit "museum submarines" which has garnered over $8000 today. I anticipate this one to reach $6000+ because of the quantity (234 items) and quality of the donated items. My partner is this effort is Gil Raynor of Houston, TX who volunteered to store and ship the items and take the pictures for me. 5. As you run across the donors of the items on the Net or in person, please give them a big BZ. 6. This is a bid by type arrangement but remember that bids BEFORE 3-24 will not even be acknowledged. 7. Look over the items and make your shopping list. Thanks; Ron Martini: rontini@attbi.com VETERAN S AFFAIRS VA CATEGORY 8 CARE SUSPENSION VA has been unable to provide all enrolled veterans with timely access to health care services because of the tremendous growth in the number of veterans seeking VA health care. More than half of all new enrollees have been in Priority Group 8. This demand for VA health care is expected to continue in the future. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi has suspended additional enrollments for veterans with the lowest statutory priority which are Category 8. His rationale in doing this is to ensure the Veterans Administration has capacity to care for veterans for whom our Nation has the greatest obligation. These are vets with military-related disabilities, lower-income, and those needing specialized care like veterans who are blind or have spinal cord injuries This suspended category includes veterans who are not being compensated for a military-related disability and who have higher incomes. The suspension of enrollment affects only veterans in Priority Group 8, the lowest group in VA's eight-level system for setting health care priorities, who had not enrolled in VA's health care system by January 17. Priority Group 8 veterans already enrolled will be "grandfathered" and allowed to continue in VA's health care system. Work is underway with the Department of Health and Human Services to determine how to give Priority Group 8 veterans aged 65 or older who cannot enroll in VA's health care system access to the "VA+Choice Medicare" plan. When finalized the plan calls for VA to participate as a Medicare+Choice provider. Eligible veterans would be able to use their Medicare benefits to obtain care from VA. In return, VA would receive payments from a private health plan contracting with Medicare that would cover costs. The "VA+Choice Medicare" plan would become effective later this year as details are finalized between VA and the Department of Health and Human Services. DD214 INFORMATION Military Records/DD-214: All retirees and veterans need copies of their Report of Separation (DD Form 214 or equivalent) available and stored in a secure place known by their next of kin. The retained documents should be either the original or government certified true copies. If you do not have them on hand you can obtain them by using a "Request Pertaining to Military Records Standard Form 180 (Rev-2/02)" which can be downloaded at _records/standard_form_180.html. The mailing address is listed on the form. You can also obtain this form from your RAO/RSO. The multipurpose three-page form is applicable to all Active service, Reserve service, and National Guard personnel for submission by the individual concerned, next of kin, or legal guardian. Ensure you request three (3) Undeleted Copies under Section II. All copies provided by NPRC have a raised seal imprint signifying that they are certified true copies. If you are certain that your records are at NPRC, you can fill out a request using the web and then mail/fax in a signature page. This will speed up the processing time.

7 7 Snug Harbor s The Beacon March 2003 DD214 INFORMATION CONTINUES To use this option, go to: (note there are underscores ( _ ) in both of these web site addresses.) At the bottom of the page, click on the red oval labeled, "Request Military Records". Figure on at least two to six months to obtain copies of your records dependent on what you are requesting. A DD-214 takes about two months. This document or its equivalent will be required for you or your dependents/next of kin to obtain ID cards by mail, Social Security benefits, burial benefits and burial flag, VA benefits, educational benefits, medals, etc. For personnel who separated prior to FEB 1950 you will have to provide an equivalent. For service during WWII the Separation Document was generally War Department (WD) Form NPRC will sometimes issue a Certificate of Service if the records were lost in the 1973 fire. This document is recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs as the legal equivalent of a Separation Document/DD Form 214. Check with the agency involved as to what is acceptable as there are 69 documents that were issued prior to this date that could be proof that the individual was a veteran. Copies of your other military records can also be obtained using the Standard Form 180. The address to write to is indicated on the back of the form and is dependent upon the providing custodian and record requested. A nominal fee is sometimes charged dependent upon the type of service requested for which you will be notified if applicable. Service personnel/retirees have access to almost all information contained within their service jackets. The next of kin, if the veteran is deceased, and Federal officers for official purposes, are authorized to receive information as specified in the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act. All other requesters must have release authorization signed by the veteran or his next of kin. Reserve officers who retire and begin receiving retired pay at age 60 are not given a DD Form 214. Instead, these officers are provided a letter authorizing retired pay at age 60, which is sufficient documentation of retirement for that category of retiree. After you receive your DD Form 214 copy it is possible to record it with your local clerk of the court to ensure that your survivors have a copy readily available when needed. However, in these days of fraudulent identities from identity theft it may be something you want to reconsider. These DD Form 214s have your social security number and enough personal data to cause a real problem in the wrong hands. Current Department of Defense policy is to recommend that the Separation Document NOT be recorded at the county court house. This record in many locales can be obtained by anyone for a nominal fee. Once entered into county records, removal usually requires a court order. Copies in the hands of your attorney, spouse, or adult child are a far better idea. A safety deposit box is usually sealed upon the death of box holder and placing a Separation Document in a safety deposit box may cause difficulties in immediate retrieval upon the death of the veteran/retiree. A possible solution is to place a copy in a Tupperware (or equivalent) container in your refrigerator. This serves several purposes: 1-The document is protected. 2-It is easy to retrieve. 3-In the event of a fire the document will be protected as the refrigerator is well insulated. In a prolonged fire, the heavy refrigerator may fall through a burning floor into a basement and it can be located faster in the rubble than a small fireproof safe. 4-Should water get inside the refrigerator, the Tupperware (or equivalent) container will keep the document dry. TRICARE SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE The National Defense Authorization Act of 2001 reduced the Fiscal Year Catastrophic Cap for retirees and their families from $7,500 to $3,000. The cap for active duty sponsors and their families remains at $1,000. What this means is that once the accumulated deductibles and cost shares reach the catastrophic cap in a fiscal year, TRICARE will pay the full-allowed amount for covered services through the end of that fiscal year. The only thing the family will pay through the rest of the fiscal year will be the 15% surcharge associated with services by a non-participating provider and expenses associated with use of the Point of Service option by Prime enrollees. This change has caused many retirees to reconsider the need for a TRICARE supplement. If a retiree and spouse purchase a supplement with a premium of $25 per person per month and a $300 deductible, each beneficiary must pay at least $450 before the supplement will start to pay. This does not include the annual $300 premium. Thus your out of pocket expense before you would receive any payback is $750 [i.e. TRICARE Deductible $150 + Supplement Deductible $300 + Premium ($25 x 12) $300 = Total: $750 ] If a reasonably healthy TRICARE Standard retiree and spouse each visits a participating physician four times a year at $100 per visit, and each visit is associated with $150 in lab fees and two brand name prescriptions from a network pharmacy, their projected annual cost would be: Office Visits: 4 x $100 = $400 ($100 deductible, $225 TRICARE cost share + $75 patient cost share) Lab Work: 4 x $150 = $600 ($50 deductible, $ TRICARE cost share + $ patient cost share) Prescriptions: 8 x $9 = $ 72 co-pay paid by patient Total Patient Payments = $ (i.e. $100 + $75 + $50 +$ $72) Using the above example of four visits per patient, a reasonably healthy couple with a supplement would pay $1,500 ($750 X 2) each year. The same couple using TRICARE Standard with no supplement would pay $869 ($ X 2) each year. Even if the sponsor or spouse has major surgery due to accident or illness, the Catastrophic Cap will limit liability in any fiscal year to $3,000. Remember: to obtain the full protection afforded by the cap, the patient should use providers who accept TRICARE. There are several exceptions that should be noted: Pharmacies cannot access information concerning catastrophic caps. The patient will probably have to pay the normal $9 co-payment (brand name) and file a claim for reimbursement. Additionally, the 15% surcharge associated with the use of a non-network provider is not subject to the catastrophic cap. It is, however, normally reimbursed by most TRICARE supplements. TRICARE Supplemental Insurance policies noted at are underwritten and administered by private companies. The comments above are just an example of some of the issues to

8 8 Snug Harbor s The Beacon March 2003 consider. Anyone considering the purchase of a supplement should evaluate the details of the particular product against any personal preferences or unique circumstances. If you wish to discuss specific aspects of your needs for health care coverage, you should contact a Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator at the nearest military hospital. VA COPAY INCREASE PROPOSAL The fine print in the President's budget contains some surprises for veterans seeking health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs. For example, veterans whose disabilities are not service connected and who don't pass the "means test" would face a $250 a year enrollment fee. They also would see co-payments for outpatient visits jump 33 percent, from $15 to $20, and find prescription drug co-payments more than doubled, from $7 to $15. (The "means test" kicks in for earnings of $24,600 per year or more if single, $29,576 with one dependent, plus $1,653 for each additional dependent.) Also, long-term nursing home care would be restricted to veterans with a disability rating of 70 percent or greater. HERO OF THE PAST REAR ADMIRAL JOHN S. COYE, JR. Rear Admiral John S. Coye JR., U.S.N. (RET) was born April 24, 1911 in Berkeley, California. RADM Coye was a highly decorated Naval Officer in WWII with six patrols as skipper of the submarine, U.S.S. Silversides. Admiral Coye was the son of a chemist and concert pianist. Upon graduation from high school in Wilmington, DE, he worked as a tool and die maker until his matriculation to Annapolis on June 14, He was a direct descendant (fifth great nephew) of John Parker, Captain of the Minutemen at Lexington, Massachusetts, in Upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1933, he began thirty-five years Naval career included command of a submarine division, a submarine tender, the USS FULTON, a submarine squadron and a heavy cruiser, the USS ROCHESTER. Interspersed were attendance at the Armed Forces Staff College and Naval War College, PCO school in New London, ASW development work on the Second Fleet staff and the strike warfare section in OpNav. CDR Coye and his crew sank the third highest tonnage in the Pacific and he received the Navy Cross with two Gold Stars "for extraordinary heroism". As a flag officer, he was COMNAVMARIANAS in Guam, COMPHIBGRU THREE in Coronado, Chief of Staff to AFSOUTH-NATO IN Naples, Italy and retired from COMTRALANT, Norfolk, Virginia, in In 1968, Jack retired to Coronado, California, for thirty years of sailing and racing on his Cal-25, "Sea Dog". Rear Admiral John Starr "Jack" Coye, Jr., USN (Ret), died on 26 November, 2002, in Ojai, California. He was 91 Years old. ANOTHER DEX ARMSTRONG STORY DIESEL SUBMARINES, Gods' gift to nineteen year old idiots In the days of diesel subs, sailors could still tie knots...read flashing light...navigate without the aid of electronic crutch devices...learn the location and operation of EVERYTHING on the boat...see their targets...effect most repairs at sea...watch seawater coming in at 400 feet...tolerate motion pictures that anyone with half a brain would have walked out on five minutes into the first reel...live with roaches, fruit flies and mechanized dandruff...chiefs could hold Morning Quarters in their skivvies wearing a Mexican sombrero...and if it was three days to payday...the sonuvabitch could possibly be completely sober...it was a day before they invented the YALLUR-BLOO concept of port and starboard finger-pointing crews...one boat, one crew NO MANAGE DE TROIS...two boys and a girl kinda stuff. Diesel boats always knew who brung em to the dance. It was a time when skippers wore raggedy ass steaming hats when underway...because they were lucky charms and a silent F*** THE WORLD statement. The magnificent guys who kept the old worn out bastards running...continually breathing life into the dead, were dirty, greasy, unshaven beasts of the sea...and the kind of guys that would have taken a gin mill apart piece by piece if anyone ever used the term POOPIE SUIT in connection with any piece of clothing they owned or ever planned to own. A smokeboat chef could turn a goddam paratrooper boot and the contents of a parrot cage deck into the best meal you ever ate...and not be bashful in telling you how damn lucky you were to be riding with him...it was a time when on extended battle stations boat sailors pissed in the bilges or pit log well...a time when torpedoes outweighed cars and you could only feed twelve men a sitting. If you were a "wrong side of the tracks" diesel rider you can remember when all you heard from Naval Supply was..."jeezus Christ, where 'n the hell did you get that? They quit making them sonuvabitches ten years ago." It was a time when good men wore thirteen button blues...and barmaids whispered in your ear..."i get off at 1:00AM...If you wanta git in my pants, stick around." It was a time when you could punch a juke box six times for two-bits...and gas was thirty-five cents a gallon...and a pack of Luckies set you back twenty five cents. An E-3 base pay was $127 a month and recruiters didn't promise you anything but a way to spend four years of your life beyond the city limits of the burg you hailed from. It was a time when ships were constructed of steel and you couldn't find five pounds of plastic in a shipyard. There was no such thing as a Family-Gram...you either sweet talked some guy in the radio shack into sneaking something into official radio traffic to the Squardon or you just spent the run having no idea what in the hell was going on beyond the vents. In short...to sum it up...whatever diesel boats were...they gave you a wonderful life based on patriotic deprivation rubbing shoulders with guys you would keep up with all your life. DEX

9 9 Snug Harbor s The Beacon March 2003 SNUG HARBOR SHIP STORE The Ship Store has many items of interest. The latest is a Bolo tie with the USSVI emblem as the tie clasp. I will have them at the meeting or if you would like items through the mail, send your checks to: Gil Shaddock 125 Elm Ave. Satellite Beach, FL You can view other items at the Snug Harbor web site at (click on Ship's Store). EASTERN REGION PATCH Gentlemen, I have set up a source for the attached patch. It will be four inches diameter "all embroidered". I have ordered and paid for a minimum 50 pieces to establish the source. After I have sold the fifty pieces I have contracted for, I will forward the vendor for your Base SK to buy directly from. Please disseminate the information to the bases about the patch, it is intended to show Eastern Region solidarity and inspire camaraderie within the region. Ask those wishing a patch to send me their address and a check for $4.00. This will cover the patch and most of the shipping costs. My intent is to get out a Regional Patch not to make money on it. Pat Ulmen - Plank Owner USS TROUT SS Rodman Rd., Endicot, NY pulmen@juno.com "HOLLAND CLUB" PRIDE RUNS DEEP THE FIVE MOST DANGEROUS THINGS IN THE US NAVY A Seaman saying, "I learned this in Boot Camp..." A Petty Officer saying, "Trust me, sir..." A Lieutenant JG saying, "Based on my experience..." A Lieutenant saying, "I was just thinking..." A Chief chuckling, "Watch this sh**..." APRIL AND MAY MEETINGS The April meeting will be on April 5 th at 1000 and will be at VFW Post # 4206 S. Dairy Rd. in Melbourne, Fl. The May meeting will be on May 10 th (rescheduled due to D4 convention) and will be a combined meeting/picnic and will be held at Goode Park Pavilion in Palm Bay. The picnic will start at The Base will furnish the hot dogs/hamburgers, beer and soda. The Ladies are requested to bring a covered dish. An attached map will assist you in finding Goode Park Pavilion. The RED STAR on the map is at the intersection of Port Malabar Blv d. and Bianca. Turn North on Bianca and follow it about ½ mile and it will dead end at Goode Park Pavilion. If you need more information, go to the Snug Harbor website at and click on "Next meeting" and there is a map showing the location. If you need further directions, please send me an . Hope to see you there. BIRTHDAYS April and May Birthday s April Bob Bridges Thomas J. Burke William H. Harrison Robert V. Johnson Joseph Most Henry S. Rogowski May Philip Agacinski John Byron Herbert K. Ellingwood John A. Genasky George J. Herold Gordon L. Mayo Marvin Ruzansky Dan Wiese Sandra J. Brown James J. Earley William D. Hunter Charles A. Lasch Donald J. Rogers Michael C. Tobin Malcolm E. Baird Lucille L. Choate William J. Fried John C. Graham Ronald Martin James L. Nickle Bevan E. Travis Ernest J. Zellmer Map to Picnic Area in May Until next time... keep a Zero Bubble AHOOOOOOOOOOOOOGA

10 10 Snug Harbor s The Beacon March 2003 District Commander Ballot YR 2003 Vote for your candidate choice. Ballot period allows 30 days to vote per National C & B requirement. Base CDRs will tally ballots and forward results to the ERD. Voting can be conducted by E mail, Base meetings tally or receipt of actual ballot but must have member name affixed and be retained by the Base Secretary. CHECK ONE Nominee: Dennis Blado Other Nominee: Vote period: Member Name: Date: