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) March2015 Volume 58 Issue 3 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 Retiree Appreciation Day Retired Officers Wives Club TOPS Insurance TAPS Program Contributors Procedures for ID Cards ROTC/JROTC Community Service Membership Application/Renewal 7 DATES TO NOTE! Sat, Mar 14 & Sat Apr 11,10:00 am: Board of Directors meeting at Ascension Lutheran Church Office Sun, Mar 8, Daylight Savings Time Begins Tues, Mar 17,St. Patrick s day Sat, March 21, MOAA Luncheon Fri, Mar 20, Spring Begins Each year we lose a number of our members who fail to renew their annual dues. At this writing we have 65 members in this category. While many of you are unable to attend our social functions and participate in our projects, your membership helps us urge Congress to look favorably on those bills before them we would like to see enacted. MOAA has close to 400,000 members and is a powerful voice speaking for a strong national defense and leading the way on compensation and benefit matters for the military community. There are over 400 local MOAA Chapter located throughout the nation and your membership helps us continue to push Congress to retain and seek improvement in the benefits you earned because of your service. CLHECK THE LABEL ABOVE YOUR ADDRESS. IF YOU HAVE NOT PAID YOUR DUES FOR 2015, PLEASE RECONSIDER AS YOUR VOTE IS CRITICAL AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL TO EN- SURE SUCCESS. Each year members of your Chapter present the MOAA ROTC/JROTC award to the 33 JROTC High Schools and the Army and Navy ROTC at UCF. The purpose of the award is to recognize as outstanding cadet or midshipman in his or her next-to-last year in the program who shows exceptional potential for military leadership and exceptional academic achievement in the case of the Marine Corps JROTC program I would like you to consider presenting one or more of these awards from the schools listed on page 5. Bob LePage MARCH PROGRAM 100 YEARS OF A GREAT LIFE LOUISE RIMMLER Louise Rimmler, wife of member LTC Carl Rimmler will have her 100 th birthday in April. Because our April meeting is committed to the JROTC awards, we are going to celebrate Louise s centennial at our March luncheon. Born in Judsonia, Arkansas on April 23, 1915, at age 9 Louise s parents took her to Rhode Island, where she lived most of life until she and Carl retired to Florida in She taught school for 35 years, starting out in a one-room schoolhouse for $800 a year. Louise s fascinating life will be illustrated with a Power Point presentation at our March 21 meeting.

2 Volume 58 Issue 3FOCUS Page e 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 Meeting March 21 ebruary 21, :00-12:00 Social Hour Lunch at 12:00 Location: We no longer meet at the Howard Johnson s Plaza Hotel and are searching for a new location. Bob LePage will let you know the new location when you call in your reservation. Reservations: Not later than noon, Tuesday March 17th. 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 3 FOCUS Page P 3 Chapter Board Meeting February 14, 2015 Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by President, LTC LePage, at 1000 hours at the offices of the Ascension Lutheran Church. LTC Johnson gave the invocation. LTC LePage led the Pledge of Allegiance. Quorum: Col Gates, COL Jung, COL Hacola, CAPT Rosen, LTC LePage, LTC Johnson, LTC Ruzich, LTCol Hines, LTC Gillett, CWO Hoy, Chaplain Sauer, and Ms. Green were present and constituted a quorum of the Board. Mr. Ross Cutler attended as a guest. Secretary s Report: Minutes of the January Board meeting were approved. Treasurer s Report: The February report was review and approved. Committee Reports: Recruiting: LTC Patterson will soon send out a letter to prospective new members. The information received from MOAA National Headquarters is the same that was put out at the convention. JROTC: COL Jung reported that 33 schools had been contacted about the Junior Leadership award. A medal and a certificate will be provided for an award to a junior at each of these schools. A monetary award of $100 will be made to an Air Force and to an Army ROTC cadet at UCF. Col Gates reported that nominations for JROTC Scholarships are due by 28 February. All nominees will personally appear before the Chapter selection board beginning at 0800 hours on 7 March at Ascension Lutheran Church. Old Business: LTC Ruzich reported that for the past seven years or so, we have, in conjunction with the Central Florida Center for Independent Living, built a wheelchair ramp for a local disabled veteran. Although we are ready to provide volunteers to participate in this project again this year, we have been informed that any MOAA volunteers participating in the project would have to have completed background checks pursuant to the federal Child Protection Act (1993) as amended to protect the disabled and elderly and as implemented in Florida by Florida Statute (1999). The cost of obtaining background checks for MOAA volunteers would probably be prohibitive. After considerable discussion, primarily between COL Jung, LTC Ruzich and LTC Gillett, agreement was reached to further study the law and its specific application to MOAA. New Business: COL Jung reported his efforts to find a new location for the Chapter s monthly luncheons. He had spoken to Seasons 52 and a local hotel. (Continued on Page 5) Chaplain s Message Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forthbproverbs 27:1 (Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures). The truth of that verse came home to Trixie and me very forcefully, recently. While in Virginia visiting our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren during a cold spell (9 degrees), Trixie slipped on a patch of black ice at night, fell down, and broke her wrist. It required surgery and insertion of a plate and screws to get the bones back together again. A relatively small number of people regrettably lose an arm. That makes life quite difficult, but, in time, they learn to get by as well as possible with just the one remaining arm. However, it=s a difficult progression and takes a lot of time to adapt. For Trixie, who temporarily has lost the use of one arm while it=s in a huge cast, life has likewise become quite complicated. When you aren=t accustomed to getting by with one arm, washing, dressing, eating, and all the other normal functions of life become very difficult and she needs a lot of help. I have to help her up most of the time when she gets out of a chair (she also has two bad knees, and without both arms to lift herself up, she often can=t make it on her own). I have to help her wash and get dressed, fetch many things for her, and so forth. Our daily lives have been completely transformed until she can regain use of her other arm. As I clean out the bird cage and perform other undesirable tasks, I have to remind myself that the Lord didn=t promise us a bed of rosesbhe only promised His people the grace to bear up under whatever difficulties come their way. Trixie and I obviously aren=t Long Rangers when it comes to facing adversitybit comes into every life. Another verse we are claiming at this time is: But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2Corinthians 12:9). My prayer for you is that you, too, can claim this promise when unexpected hardship comes your way. In His love, Chaplain Dick

4 LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION BY LTC Michael Gillett, USA, RET. HISTORY REPEATING On February 2, the administration unveiled its FY 2016 budget proposal. The record $4 trillion proposal includes a significant boost to the Pentagon s baseline budget. The proposed budget calls for the largest increase in acquisition spending in more than a decade and far exceeds sequestration s budget cap of $499 billion. Despite these increases, the administration continues to call for cuts to military people programs of military personnel. The request is strikingly similar to the administration s budget proposal last year and once again calls for a military pay cap, an increase in out-of-pocket housing costs, and higher TRICARE fees. On February 2, the administration unveiled its FY 2016 budget proposal. The record $4 trillion proposal includes a significant boost to the Pentagon s baseline budget. The proposed budget calls for the largest increase in acquisition spending in more than a decade and far exceeds sequestration s budget cap of $499 billion. Despite these increases, the administration continues to call for cuts to military people programs to slow growth of military personnel. The defense budget did not include any recommendations from the recent Military Compensation and Retirement Commission which released its long awaited report on January 29. The request is strikingly similar to the administration s budget proposal last year and once again calls for a military pay cap, an increase in out-of-pocket housing costs, and higher TRICARE fees. The FY 2016 budget proposal regurgitates many of the cuts proposed last year. The Pentagon insists the cuts are necessary to trim spending on pay and benefits. The budget cites growing personnel costs that have increased 85 percent since However, this fails to acknowledge that much of increased personnel spending since 2001 was requested by the service chiefs to restore compensation that had been slashed throughout the 1990s and resulted in severe retention problems. The administration budget continues to target military personnel costs despite the fact that costs have steadily declined over the past five years. More importantly, the recent changes to pay and benefits have already started to bend the curve of personnel costs downward. Personnel growth has declined from its 2011 peak. If enacted, these cuts would represent four giant steps towards repeating the short-sighted cuts of the 1990s, which led to retention and readiness problems in the past Send your legislators a message to remind Congress that military compensation and benefits are critical to sustaining a high-quality all-volunteer force. 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 Issue 2 FOCUS Page 5 CHAPTER BOARD MINUTES (Cont) This month's luncheon on 21 February will be held at Dennys at I-4 and Lee Road, the location of our holiday luncheon in December. A permanent luncheon location will be discussed and a survey will be taken at this luncheon. Next Board Meeting: March 14, 2015 Next Luncheon: March 21, 2015 (location TBD) Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 1050 hours. Respectfully submitted, Michael E. Gillett, LTC USA Ret, Secretary 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 Edgewater High School Gateway High School Liberty High School Lyman High School Maynard Evans High School Mount Dora 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 Retiree Appreciation Day 28 March 2015 The Venue Auditorium at The CFE Arena University of Central Florida Gemini Blvd, North Orlando, Florida For further information call the Fort Stewart Retirement Services Office at (Melvin Dougherty) or (Julie Lovelady) or the Ft Stewart RSO at USAr m y. S te war t. USAG.MBX. D N R - Re tir e me n t - ServiceServices@mail.mil 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 March 17th 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 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) TAPS The Chapter extends deepest sympathy and sincerest condolence to the family and friends of: Mrs. Jeannie Austin, Aux., who passed away December 21, 2014.

6 Volume 58 Issue 1 FOCUS Page 6 ROTC/JROTC,COMMUNITY SERVICE AND RAMP PROGRAMS We would like to thank the following members for their generous support of the above programs. COL Robert A. Brooks Lt Col A. J. Cardarelli MAJ Alfred J. Conti Mrs. Annie M. Curtis CAPT Anna M Delarot LT Col Anthony Denicole Jr. RADM Alene B. Duerk COL Richard C. Dunn Mrs. Marie Farnsworth COL Carolyn A. Fost Mrs. Mary E. Foshee LTC Michael E. Gillett MAJ Barney E. Gillen Mrs. Patricia A. Green COL Roger J. Hakola COL William P. Hayman Mrs. Mildred W. Herring COL Franklin M. Hunderford CAPT John P. Kaiser MG Larry B. Lauer Mrs. Peggy H. Maddox CAPT Walter E. Marquardt Mrs. Glenda McClure CAPT Barbara A. Mencik MAJ GEN Douglas S. Metcalf Mrs. Judith W. Meyers Mrs. Carmela S. Miller MAJ Robert E. Pender CDR David P. Polley CAPT Clifford H. Price CDR Bruce P. Rand COL Carol L. Reagles Mr. Lawrence A. Redmond CAPT Robert S. Rosen Mrs. Margaret Rossrucker CDR Lucille A. Ryerson MAJ Neil Ryerson LTC Don W. Shaffer Mrs. Irma L. Solomons LTC Robert West, Jr. LTJG Margaret S. Wiggs Mrs. Elizabeth R. Wimberly Mrs. Mary A. Winter Lt Col Richard W. Wyatt PROCDURES FOR ID CARDS Army Reserve Center 3701 Corrine Dr., Orlando, FL (407) M-F & National Guard Armory 8385 Daetwyler Dr., Orlando, FL (407) Tuesday & Thursday Naval Support Activity Orlando Science Dr, Orlando, FL (407) , 4315 Walk-ins: M-F Appointments on Line: Patrick AFB, Cocoa Beach (321) MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL (813) PSD NAS Jacksonville, FL (904) /8/9 WHEN YOU SEND IN YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES REMEMBER One of our Chapter s major Community activities is the ROTC/JROTC MOAA Awards program. A related program is the Cadet of the Year program. These two programs involve 32local area high schools JROTC and two ROTC units at the University of Central Florida. The importance of these programs cannot be over emphasized. the discipline, teamwork and respect for authority which they learn as Cadets will make them better citizens. The medals, certificates and cash awards represent an investment by the Chapter of over $9800,600.. In addition, the Community Service Program provides funds to a number of charitable organizations. We would appreciate any contribution you might consider for these programs. Please indicate if you would like your contribution to go to the JROTC/ ROTC Program or the Community Service Program. Please make your check payable to MOAA CFC, Inc. and mail to: PO Box , Orlando, FL 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 LTJG Barbara Humphrey, Former USN 2151 Portlight Dr., Unit Orlando, FL COL William R. Perry, USA, Ret. 400 E. Colonial Dr. Apt Orlando, FL LT William A. Simmons, USN, Ret Yellow Rose Dr

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 NOTE: If the top line of this mailing label reads 12/31/14, your dues are DUE please see page 7. - _ label