N O W H E A R T H I S! S P O K A N E C H A P T E R M I L I T A R Y O F F I C E R S A S S O C I A T I O N O F A M E R I C A

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1 N O W H E A R T H I S! S P O K A N E C H A P T E R M I L I T A R Y O F F I C E R S A S S O C I A T I O N O F A M E R I C A President Dave Melges, LCDR, USN (Ret.) (509) mail@melges.net 1st Vice President & Travel POC Richard H. Oates, LtCol, USMC (Ret.) rhoates@roadrunner.com 2nd Vice President, Mbrship. Chair & Newsletter Coordinator Clif Collier, LtCol, USAF (Ret.) clifcoll@msn.com Secretary Dave Melges, LCDR, USN (Ret.) (509) mail@melges.net Treasurer Alan Davis, LCDR, USN (Ret.) rota_al@yahoo.com Auxiliary Liaison, Widows & Wives Beth Ann Daigre bethanndaigre@comcast.net IPP & Social Chair Rufus Hoefer, LTC, U.S. Army (Ret.) rands@comcast.net Director, Chief Recruiter, Newsletter Editor Marilyn Hunt, CDR, USN (Ret.) cinc@frontier.com Director & Veterans Home Chair Cindy Kelley, AUX missuscindy@aol.com Director, ROTC, Support the Troops Robert Imle, LtCol, USAF (Ret.) robertmargaretimle@gmail.com Director, Chaplain & Social Comm. Betty Krafft, LCDR, USN (Ret.) bkrafft@spocom.com Director & Social Committee Barbara Thornbrugh, AUX bjthornbrugh@comcast.net Director & Website Coordinator Greg Sassman, LTC, USA (Ret.) (509) gsassman@centurylink.net Personal Affairs Chairman Kay White kaywhite4@comcast.net Volume XXV Number 3 Bring Something to the 14 JUNE Social for SUPPORT THE TROOPS 2015 Chapter Social Dates 22 Mar Northern Quest Casino 26 Apr Mirabeau Park Hotel 14 Jun Eagles & Pappy Boyington Museum Hayden ID 13 Sep Highlands Golf Course Grill & Tap, Post Falls 25 Oct Coeur d Alene Resort 6 Dec Mukogawa Ft. Wright 5 Star Chapter President s Message By Dave Melges 2015 Widows & Wives Club Meeting Dates May 2015 How good does it get? We re having a BBQ at the June social at Eagles Lodge #4080 in Hayden, Idaho, just five miles north of I-90. We ll have a lively history of our U.S. flags by Stan Wills, President of the Spokane Sons of the American Revolution, and you can also visit the Pappy Boyington Field museum next door. Also, mark your calendars for MOAA Nite with the Spokane Indians on Saturday, 15 AUG. See pages 3 and 6 for more details on both events, and page 5 for the BBQ reservation coupon. Several things have happened in past weeks that could greatly influence the security of the United States. The House Armed Services Committee passed a nearly $612 billion defense policy bill adopting many of the recommendations of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission. Thankfully, this legislation continues to provide military family access to health care via TRICARE, as well as subsidies for state-side commissaries. It also contains a provision for getting the military and VA on the same page for health records, making them more transportable and accessible. However, the item in the bill that concerns me most is the controversial provision that would change the retirement system to a blended plan where the troops and the government contribute to Thrift Savings Plan accounts. The average E-7 who retires on 20 would lose about $250,000 in retirement benefits and an 0-4 would forfeit about $325,000. On a much more serious note, it could entice the most experienced service members to take their expertise to the private sector before completing 20 years of service. These senior enlisted and midgrade officers are the backbone of the United States military and Congress is unwittingly inviting them to leave prematurely. Please contact your Senators and Representatives ASAP! (Addresses on page 2). 6 Jan Darcy s 3 Feb Thai Bamboo 3 Mar Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar 7 Apr Beverly s CDA Resort 5 May Anthony s Restaurant 2 Jun Ripples on the River Red Lion 7 Jul Red Lion Templin s Post Falls 4 Aug Rusty Moose 1 Sep Corbin Park picnic 6 Oct Bistro on Spruce 3 Nov Max Restaurant Mirabeau Park 1 Dec Peacock Room, Davenport Hotel

2 Welcome New Members Arlie Guillotte, Aux Char Hitter, Aux MAJ Ryan Satterthwaite, USAF, and wife Tami, Spokane Taps LtCol Eddylou Fred Donovan, USAF (Ret.) (4/25/15) Col Nick Gaynos, USAF (Ret.) (4/1/15) MAJ Dolphus E. Guillotte, U.S. Army (Ret). (4/14/15) LtCol James Hitter, USAF (Ret.) (4/4/15) Member Recruiters Our Hat Is Off To: Chapter 2015 MOAA 2015 Marilyn Hunt 1 1 Bob Imle 1 Dave Melges 2 TOTALS 1 4 CHAPTER SCOREBOARD 2015 Spokane Chapter, MOAA 2014 Newsletter Second Runner Up! LtCol Eddylou Fred Donovan August 12, April 25, 2015 By Marilyn Hunt Long time chapter member, LtCol Eddylou Fred Donovan, USAF (Ret.) passed away on 25 April As many of you already know, Fred was involved in a terrible car accident on the Monday after Easter, 6 April 2015, that left her with a broken arm, broken leg and traumatic brain injury. She passed away while at Hospice House in Spokane. A memorial service was held at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake on 1 May and several members attended. Our chapter member, Phil Kowzan, played Taps. Fred became the chapter Treasurer in January 2000, and then served in that capacity or as Secretary or a Board member through December Board members had real respect for her fine character, decorum, intelligence, friendliness, professionalism, great sense of humor, and dedication. Her budgets were always carefully prepared and vigorously presented. She had a great fondness for baseball and the New York Yankees in particular, and she was the person who initiated our attendance at Spokane Indians games. She also helped at chapter socials with check-in and raffle tickets. Fred was a wonderful lady, always polite and gracious, a veteran to the core, and a true patriot. JROTC Scholarship Funds on hand as of 5/5/15: $1446 Legislative Letters, Postcards & s as of 5/5/15: Raffle Donations: MAR: $185 COL Spady Koyama JROTC Scholarships; APR $160 Widows & Wives (for Wreaths Across America); JUN : Newby-ginnings; SEP MOAA Scholarship Fund; OCT: Spokane Veterans Home; DEC: ROTC/JROTC Unit Support. Total to date: $345 Widows & Wives: Homeless Veterans: 601 items including deodorant, gloves, kitchen gadgets, knit caps, men s pants, mouth wash, razors, shampoo, shaving cream, soap bars, socks toothpaste/brushes/floss, toilet paper. I respected Fred greatly, and she will always have a special place in my heart and memory. I felt a certain kinship with her because we had both spent a career as women in the military. I was especially touched by her generosity for our Support the Troops project. We once received a thank you note from a unit to which we had sent several boxes of items. The note said they were very grateful for what we d sent because they didn t yet have a BX, so they couldn t even buy a T-shirt. Fred simply could not bear the thought of some solider in Iraq or Afghanistan not having a clean T-shirt, so she sent dozens of them after that (along with many other things). It turns out that her generosity was not limited to the military, as she often sent presents for no occasion at all. Fred used to sign her s with More later. Sadly, there won t be any more later, but we will remember her fondly. Page 2/May 2015

3 Stan Wills History of the American Flag 14 June Social Presentation, Eagles Lodge, Hayden ID In addition to having a scrumptious BBQ at the Eagles Lodge in Hayden, Idaho, on 14 June, we ll also have a lively presentation by Stan Wills, President of the Spokane Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Chapter #1 and Curator of the Spokane Flag Museum (the only flag museum on the west coast). He will wear his Revolutionary War uniform as a Major in George Washington s Army, and bring a dozen flags to give us a colorful, animated presentation on the history of our U.S. flags. 14 June is Flag Day, which is why it s appropriate to have a Son of the American Revolution tell us about our nation s flags. Stan Wills is a retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Fire Control Technician who served 20 years on submarines. In civilian life, he also serves as: SAR Chapter Registrar & Flag Historian and Registrar, 1812 Society (one of his relatives served with Andrew Jackson). He s also a member of: Sons of Republic of Texas (relatives helped establish Texas as a state prior to 1846) Sons of Former Texas Rangers (relative was a Texas Ranger in 1871) Westerners Spokane Corral (men & women who preserve Western History) Inland Wildlife Council (men & women who promote wildlife conservation) Last, but definitely not least, he s a retired farmer! Please come share a tasty BBQ with us, enjoy Stan s presentation, and visit the Pappy Boyington Field Museum next door. It s stuffed with military memorabilia, including items from Auxiliary member Ann Holmberg s husband, Col Harry Holmberg, USMC (Ret.), who passed away on 31 May Harry earned his doctorate in Education, and his love of teaching led to training units across the United States in Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical, Warfare. Ann donated her husband s swagger stick and also his sword that cut the USMC 210th anniversary birthday cake. The entry wall of the museum shows a hanging tapestry with the USMC insignia and Col. Holmberg s name. A montage of his early years depicts his commission upon graduation as a 2LT at the University of Southern California (USC), his time on the CA-11 MTU Commander 4th Division Command Staff., and reference to a memorial plaque at the Marines Memorial Hotel in San Francisco, which says: In Memory of Colonel Harry C. Holmberg, USMC, Proudly served 40 years. August 22, 1933-May 31, 2013 Secretary Wanted Spouses May Apply Those attending the April social voted to amend Article 4 paragraph 1 of the chapter bylaws, so members and spouses of members may now serve as Secretary, Treasurer, and Elective Directors. This means that anyone who is a spouse of a chapter member may volunteer to be Secretary. Dave Melges has been serving as both President and Secretary since January, and he would gratefully give the job over to someone else and let them use his digital recorder if they so desire. So, if you re a spouse of a chapter member and you can take notes, type them into a computer, and send them by , you could be of immense help. The Board meets on the first Saturday of each month at 9:00 AM at Valley Hospital, except we don t meet in August. Meetings are normally less than two hours and we have a good time Can you give us a hand? Yes? Then please contact Dave at or mail@melges.net, or call / any other board member. NOW HEAR THIS! Is published at least 6 times per year by the Spokane Chapter, Military Officers Association of America, P O Box 466, Veradale WA Editor: Marilyn Hunt cinc@frontier.com Advertising limited to members/spouses only. No subject matter that would preclude non-profit mailing. Page 3/May 2015

4 TRICARE and Turning 65 By Kathy Prout, Chair, MOAA Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee If you are about to turn 65, say goodbye to TRICARE and hello to TRICARE For Life (TFL) and Medicare. This transition does not happen automatically, so make sure you take the appropriate steps to ensure a smooth transition. You will be required to sign up for Medicare Part B during the Social Security initial enrollment period, which is about three months before your 65th birthday. Make your appointment early! It can take a month or more to get an appointment. Start online at Make sure to bring to the appointment your birth certificate, marriage license(s), divorce decree(s), Social Security card, Military ID, driver s license, and previous year s tax records. Medicare rates are based on your income, so rates vary. TFL covers all uniformed services retirees, survivors (including certain former spouses), and other service members who might be disabled and are Medicare eligible and enrolled in Medicare Part B. There are no fees with TFL as there are with TRI- CARE. Before you can begin using TFL, you must: 1) enroll in Medicare Part B; 2) have an accurate, up-to-date record in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS); and 3) have a valid military ID. Medicare becomes your primary insurance, and TFL becomes your secondary payer to Medicare for a Medicare-eligible condition. However, TFL covers some conditions that Medicare does not. In those cases, TFL will be the primary payer, and you will have a copayment. Otherwise, anything not covered is a personal expense. Be sure to ask whether a drug or test your doctor orders is covered by Medicare. If not, it could become an unexpected, expensive bill. If you are not in receipt of Social Security, Medicare will bill you quarterly. If you receive Social Security payments, Medicare Part B will be deducted from this compensation. When a provider accepts Medicare Assignment, that provider agrees to accept the Medicare approved amount as payment in full for any claim filed. A Medicare-approved provider who does not accept Medicare Assignment must file a claim and cannot bill you for more than 115 percent of the Maximum Medicare Allowable Charge (MMAC). Medicare will reimburse 80 percent of the MMAC. TFL will pay the balance up to 115 percent of the MMAC. Traveling overseas? There is no Medicare coverage overseas. The beneficiary pays out of pocket for medical expenses. TFL is available as TRICARE Standard overseas. There is a $3,000 catastrophic cap a family per fiscal year. Travel insurance is recommended to cover these additional fees and cost shares. If you are a MOAA member and have provided MOAA with your birth date, a copy of the publication Aging into Medicare and TRICARE for Life will be sent to you on your 64th birthday. This publication explains everything. Please share your birth date with MOAA. This will give association representatives the ability to assist you with Medicare and other benefits. Aging into Medicare and TRICARE for Life is also available to Premium and Life members at Legislative Contacts President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington DC Washington Senator Patty Murray 10 North Post St, Suite 600 Spokane WA Fax Senator Maria Cantwell 920 W. Riverside, Suite 697 Spokane WA Fax Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers United States House of Representatives 10 N. Post St, 6th floor Spokane WA Fax Idaho Senator Mike Crapo 610 W. Hubbard Suite 209 Coeur d Alene ID Fax Senator Jim Risch 610 W. Hubbard, Suite 213 Coeur d Alene ID Fax Representative Raul Labrador, United States House of Representatives 1250 Ironwood Dr. Suite 243 Coeur d Alene ID Fax Page 4/May 2015

5 Spokane Chapter, MOAA Sunday, 14 June 2015 P.O. Box 466 Eagles Lodge Aerie #4080, 1520 W. Wyoming Ave. Hayden ID Veradale WA :30 Social time, 1:00 Meeting, 1:15 p.m. BBQ begins Chefs are Board Members! Guest Speaker: Stan Wills, Sons of the American Revolution, will present a history of U.S. flags Stan will wear his Revolutionary War uniform as a Major in George Washington s Army, and bring a dozen flags to give us a colorful, animated presentation on the history of our U.S. flags. You may also visit the Pappy Boyington Field Museum next door. As you know, Gregory Pappy Boyington was Commanding Officer of VMF-214 (Black Sheep Squadron). He was born in Coeur d Alene, Idaho, raised in St. Maries, and awarded the Medal of Honor after his release as a POW. Mail reservation so we receive it by Saturday, 6 June. We need to know your food preference in order to purchase the right amount. MENU CHOICES: Hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, potato salad, 4 bean salad, brownie bites & ice cream. My check in the amount of $ is enclosed ($15.00 X no. of reservations). Make check to Spokane Chapter MOAA and mail to chapter mailbox above. (Note: those who choose to visit the Pappy Boyington Museum will be charged $5 at their door). If you need to cancel a reservation, contact Barbara Thornbrugh (509) NLT Sunday, 7 June for a refund. Name: member/guest (circle one) Hamburger, Hot dog, Chicken (please circle) Name: member/guest (circle one) Hamburger, Hot dog, Chicken (please circle) Name: member/guest (circle one) Hamburger, Hot dog, Chicken (please circle) Sunday 14 June, Eagles Lodge, Hayden ID. Social starts at 12:30, meeting 1:00, BBQ at 1:15 p.m. DIRECTIONS TWO OPTIONS: I-90 to Idaho Exit 11 (Ramsey Rd./Northwest Blvd.). North on Ramsey 5.2 miles to Wyoming Ave.. Turn right. Eagles ahead on right I-90 to Idaho Exit 12 (Hwy. 95). North 5.1 miles on 95 to Wyoming Ave. Turn left, go.7 miles to Eagles on left. Questions? Call Rufus Hoefer (509) or Barb Thornbrugh, Please bring: 3 return address labels & $1.00 per person for pre-stamped legislative postcards Something for the raffle and Support the Troops, or gloves & white socks for homeless veterans Membership Chair/Committee REQUEST, CHANGE OF ADDRESS or PHONE, or Spokane Chapter, MOAA TEMPORARILY AWAY: P.O. Box 466 Clip and complete this form and send it to the Veradale WA address on the left so we can update our database. Thank you. NOTE: We do not send junk or spam. Also, we do not give away, sell or trade your address. Member name: (Please print clearly) [ ] I would like to be added to the chapter list. I specifically request to (check all that apply): [ ] Receive the chapter newsletter by [ ] Receive important information in a timely manner. [ ] My address is (Please print clearly) [ ] My mailing address, address, and/or phone number has changed to: [ ] I will be temporarily away starting and returning. I do / do not (circle one) wish to receive the newsletter while I m away. If do please send it to: Signed: Page 5/May 2015

6 WE RE ON THE WEB! Spokane Chapter Military Officers Association of America P.O. BOX 466 Veradale WA Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit No Spokane WA Change Service Requested WASHINGTON Need a Ride to a Chapter Social? Call Anyone Listed Below IDAHO Clif Collier Ralph Shrigley Floyd Geiger MOAA Nite with the Spokane Indians Saturday 15 August Baseball is back with a MOAA nite with the Spokane Indians. August 15 th is the date. The time is 6:30pm. The place is Avista Stadium, 602 N. Havana. August 15 th is Military Appreciation night and MOAA members are invited. We have tentatively arranged for 20 seats for Spokane MOAA guests. The seats are $11.00 per seat and they all have armrests, just for us! Calling Rufus Hoefer at (509) can reserve tickets. (Just leave a message). Or you can Rufus at 1rands@comcast.net. This is a great opportunity to join our active duty and retired brothers and sisters and see a wonderful ball game. Tickets will be available at the will call window. Cut-off date for the tickets will be Monday, August 8 th. Darby Moore, Spokane Indians Group Sales Coordinator, is taking care of us and would be happy to answer any of your questions. She can be reached at the stadium at (509) Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with the first pitch scheduled at 6:30 p.m. This information is being included in the newsletter a long time before the game, but we will send out an to remind you as the date approaches. Casualty Assistance Officer: Bernie Fritz is the casualty assistance officer for Fairchild AFB and surrounding area. He is in Bldg. 240 at 7 W. Arnold St., If you leave a message, he will call you back. Page 6/May 2015 FAFB Retiree Activities Office Bldg. 240, 7 W. Arnold St., The Retired Affairs Office needs volunteers. Serving at the RAO is a perfect excuse to travel out to the base and visit the exchange/commissary at the same time. Call them!