July Meeting: 1:00 PM on 18 July, 2015 VFW Middletown Post #1170, 107 Evergreen Road, Louisville, KY

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1 11 June 2016 CHAPTER BULLETIN No MEETING SCHEDULE: Our next meeting will be: June Meeting: 1:00 PM on 20 June, 2015 VFW Middletown Post #1170, 107 Evergreen Road, Louisville, KY July Meeting: 1:00 PM on 18 July, 2015 VFW Middletown Post #1170, 107 Evergreen Road, Louisville, KY So mark your calendar and come on out for a little Airborne camaraderie and a good time. 2. WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN: All American Week is in the books, and what an All American Week it was. The Division rolled out the red carpet for us Old Timers. We headquartered out of Moon Hall on Smoke Bomb Hill, where most of us were able to stay. The Association had a hospitality room set up on the first floor that rocked every night. The Mess Halls were open to us, so you were able to have meals with the troops. It started Sunday night with opening of the Hospitality room. Monday morning at 0600 the Division Run. Wednesday was the Memorial Service at the Division Museum at Thursday was the JOAX, and Mini Division Review on Sicily DZ, from 0900 to This involved troops from ever unit in Division, and 17 C-17 aircraft. What a great demonstration of the Division s capabilities. Then that evening starting at 1800 we had our formal dinner. If have never been to an All American Week you owe it to yourself to attend, and if you have not been in the 82 nd no problem. We have all been under canopy. The next big thing is the 69 th National Convention, and 75 th Anniversary of the Airborne in Orlando Florida. This is shaping up to be the biggest convention in the last several years. Just 5 miles from Walt Disney World, and in the heart of Orlando. We are staying at the Rosen Center which is a whole city block, and you can t beat the prices. Haven t been to a convention in a long time, or never have been? Well you should think about this one, and you can find all the information in this bulletin, or on line at: The next thing I would like to talk about is the Paraglide. As you know plans have been in the works to try and bring back a hard copy of the Paraglide, for those that want to pay for this. Time is running out and to date we have not had enough troopers to sign up to get the hardcopy of the Paraglide off the ground. If you would like to start getting the Paraglide in your mailbox, then sigh up and pay your money. We have an outstanding young couple in Indianapolis that are putting in a lot of their own time and effort to make this happen. Here is the Link: The Association is still struggling to pay its bills, and membership is way down. We will survive! It s going to take a lot of work, and support from the membership. You can find all the information about the Associations financials, and other information on the Associations Website:

2 You can now renew your membership online at: I highly suggest that you visit it. We also have a link on the site to our quartermaster which is run by and anything you order on the chapter s page we get a percentage of. Plus there are some pretty sharp Chapter shirts, sweatshirts and jackets on there. Support Your Airborne Chapter! I look forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting! Airborne, All The Way! Lee Johnson Chairman, Kentucky Airborne Chapter 3. KENTUCKY S MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS: Enclosed are the membership statistics as of 13 Mar, Comparison of veteran membership totals with previous years is as follows: Total 2013 Total 2014 Current 2015 AAM s Total Curr. Total Del. Kentucky Chapter Yes it is time to re-up in your chapter. If your membership card has year 2014 then your membership has expired. 4. NEW, RENEWAL, REINSTATEMENT AND LIFE (AAM) MEMBERSHIPS: I d like to thank these members for renewing their memberships with the Kentucky Airborne Chapter or transferring their Life (AAM) memberships NONE for April 5. LOUIE MANION MEMORIAL FUND: The Louie Manion Memorial Fund is one way we support our charitable contributions to both the 82d Airborne Division Wounded Warrior Fund, and the Chaplain s Paratrooper Pantry on Ft. Bragg. If you wish to participate please send $12.00 (or as much as you feel comfortable with) to your Kentucky Airborne Chapter. When complete, make checks payable to: Kentucky Airborne Chapter Mail to: Kentucky Airborne Chapter 82 nd Airborne Division Association, Inc Flushing Way Louisville, KY Contributors for April 2015: Lee Johnson, Louisville, KY $ W ITHIN THE DIVISION AND FORT BRAGG a. Two Paratroopers of the 82d Airborne Division died during Parachute jumps in April. SPC. Nicholas Roberts, 27, of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, and PVT. Joshua D. Phillips, 19, of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division died from injuries sustained during separate parachute jumps. The Army is investigating the fatalities and has not released any further information. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Families of these young Paratroopers who died training to protect our nation. Please keep them in your prayers.

3 b. After a nine-month deployment in Afghanistan, the last troops of the 82d Combat Aviation Brigade returned home to Fort Bragg on 6 May. c. Command Sgt. Maj. LaMarquis Knowles relinquished responsibility of the 82nd Airborne Division to Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Green during a change of responsibility ceremony on Fort Bragg, April 27. NOTE: These articles and more can be read at the FT. Bragg Paraglide newspaper that is published weekly on Thursday. Also, please visit the 82nd Airborne Division website for past and current Division information NATIONAL CONVENTION: Registrations continue to be received for this year's National Convention in Orlando, FL. Please remind your members to mail their registration to Caroline Grimsley, 1910 E. Gachet Blvd., Lakeland FL and to reserve their room with the Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Drive, Orland, FL. Hotel reservations can be made at Included in the Winter 2014 Paraglide, and also posted online, is the 69 th Convention Program Book Advertisement Specifications and Rates page. This allows Chapters, Members and Businesses the opportunity to support the Association. The deadline for submission is 20 June th ANNIVERSARY UNITED SATES ARMY AIRBORNE AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS: The 75 th Anniversary of the United States Airborne & Special Operations will be held and celebrated on 12 August 2015 during the 69th National Convention in Orlando, FL. For more information please contact Carl Bludau-Event Executive Chairman , Allen Schoppe-Project Treasurer , or Ron Rath- Executive Committee Registration and information on these events were published in the Paraglide and also on the Association's website at the Events link. 9. ASSOCIATION ED FUND: ADDRESS CHANGE: The Association's Education Fund has its own 501 (c)(3) bank account and its new address is 82D Airborne Division Association Education Fund, Inc., P.O. Box 87482, Fayetteville, NC We are combining the Association, Wounded Warrior Fund and Education Fund post office box addresses in an effort to reduce Association costs. It never to late two donate to the Ed Fund! The Children of Life Members are eligible, along with recently discharged paratroopers. This year we gave the most scholarships, 108, and the most money, $142,000, in the history of the Educational Fund. Be proud in our Association because no other military associations does this for their members and troops. 100% of all donations go into the 82 nd Education Fund. It's our investment in tomorrow, Send donations to the 82d Airborne Division Association Educational Fund, Inc., P.O. Box 87482, Fayetteville, NC WOUNDED WARRIOR FUND: The Association WW Fund is 501(c)(3) tax exempt for ALL contributions. WW contributions should be mailed to: 82nd Abn Div Assoc WW Fund, P.O. Box 87482, Fayetteville, NC The most recent contribution list and form was published the Spring issue of the Paraglide, also available at the WW link on the Association website. 100% of all donations go to support 82 nd Wounded Warriors. 11. UPCOMING ASSOCIATION EVENTS: Chapter publicity of and member attendance at these upcoming Association Chapter and Regional events is encouraged. Registration and hotel information for these events can be found on the Association webpage "Events" link, and also in the Winter Paraglide.

4 a. 53rd ALL OHIO AIRBORNE DAYS, 1-3 October 2015 is at Cleveland, OH and is hosted by the John Towle MOH, Cleveland Chapter. POC is Vice Chairman Sean Jennings or The host hotel is Holiday Inn Cleveland West b. SUN CITY ALL-AIRBORNE FESTIVAL VII 2015, 1-5 July 2015, is at El Paso, TX and is hosted by the Benavidez-Patterson All-Airborne Chapter. POC is Treasurer Rick Trevizo the host hotel is Wyndham El Paso Airport or reservation code: or 82nd Airborne Division Association. c. ANNUAL SOUTHWEST MEMORIAL AIRBORNE DAYS REUNION, 5-7 June 2015, is at Houston, TX and is hosted by the Texas Lone Star Chapter. POC is Allen Schoppe ; the host hotel is Double Tree by Hilton Hobby Airport in Houston, TX TREE, reservation code: ADA or 82nd Airborne Division. 12. E-NEWS BULLETINS: Subscribe to the E-News Bulletin, sponsored by Multiview and updated biweekly, to find out more about what is going on within the Division by going to the Association's webpage under Bulletins: The Association receives royalties based on the number of subscribers. Please support the Association by subscribing now! 13. VETERANS UPDATE: a. Dual-Service Couples Could See Housing Allowances Slashed, May 28, 2015 Tom Philpott: The Senate Armed Services Committee has inserted language in its version of the fiscal 2016 defense authorization bill that takes a different view. It seeks to end what some lawmakers perceive as an income windfall for dual-service couples by linking BAH payments to what these families actually pay to rent housing at new and future assignments. If the full Senate and, later this summer, the full House were to agree to this change, it would be a dramatic compensation cut for dual-service families whose total numbers have grown over the last several years with military recognition of gay and lesbian marital status. Under current law, a dual service couple with no children assigned to the same locale can each draw BAH at a lower without dependents rate. If the couples have a child or children, the more senior ranking member can draw BAH at a higher with dependents rate while the other member continues to draw BAH at the lower without rate. The Senate bill, in both circumstances, would allow only the higher-ranking member in dualservice marriage to draw any BAH, though at the higher with-dependents rate. The other member would be ineligible for BAH. To prevent couples from circumventing this proposed change in law by living in separate residences while assigned to the same area, the Senate committee would direct that the new BAH limit apply to couples who are assigned within normal commuting distance from each other. b. Senate Accepts Plan to Squeeze Commissary Benefit, Week of May 25, 2015: The Senate Armed Services Committee has accepted a Defense Department plan to pare taxpayer support of base grocery stores, which if enacted into law would lower shopper savings at least two percentage points next year as well as cut store operating hours and other shopper services. Defenders of the benefit for military families and the military resale industry fear the committee's action, if it becomes law, would be a significant first step toward devaluing, or even phasing out, discounted on-base shopping at stateside bases. For more details, see this Military Advantage blog post.

5 c. Congress Rejects Plans to Reform TRICARE, Week of May 18, 2015: Both the Senate and House armed services committees have rejected two TRICARE reform plans, one from the Obama administration to raise fees and consolidate the three option health benefit, and a second from the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to replace TRICARE entirely with a menu of civilian health insurance options. Both ideas went too far to win support in Congress this year. Indeed only the Senate panel is willing to back even another round of pharmacy co-pay increases for brand name drugs filled off base. Read more about the proposed changes to TRICARE benefits and plans d. Senate Panel Backs Pay Raise & Retirement Changes, Week of May 18, 2015: Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee's Personnel Subcommittee, voted to include a troop pay raise of 1.3 percent rather than 2.3 percent for fiscal The Defense Department proposed the lower figure, which compares to a 1- percent bump in basic pay service members received the past two years. But it's less than the 2.3 percent estimated increase in private-sector wage growth, which military pay is supposed to track by law. They also voted to support legislation that would offer troops a 401(k)-style retirement plan by 2017 with matching contributions and full vesting after two years. Read the full article on Military.com. e. Volunteer at VA: Week of June 08, 2015, This summer, thank a veteran, and volunteer the gift of time. Serve as a volunteer at your local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility. For more information, visit the #VASummerofService webpage at or the Department of Veterans Affairs at vasummerofservice@va.gov. f. US and UK Paratroopers Increase Training amidst Russian Aggression: Jun 11, 2015 by Matthew Cox, The 82nd Airborne Division is now training more frequently with airborne units in the United Kingdom to expand the effectiveness of the U.S. Global Response Force. Over the past couple of years, the 82nd -- which provides the conventional Army's forced entry capability to the Global Response Force strategy -- has been working to develop relationships with allied airborne units to become more efficient on the joint battlefield. The U.S. and U.K. militaries agreed to increase their level of cooperation as Russia continues to mass forces on Ukraine's border execute fly overs near NATO exercises. g. Pentagon Backs 401(K)-Like Plan in Military Retirement Overhaul: Jun 10, 2015 by Brendan McGarry, The U.S. Defense Department supports overhauling the decades-old military retirement system with a new 401(K)-like plan that troops could take with them after they leave the service. The Pentagon on Wednesday released details of the proposal, which mirrors one of the most controversial recommendations earlier this year from the independent Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission. Like the commission's proposal, the new retirement system would for the first time offer a 401(k)-like definedcontribution plan to the vast majority of troops -- more than eight in who leave before the 20-year mark and don't receive any retirement pay. The Defense Department said troops enrolled in the new Thrift Savings Plan would initially receive matching contributions from the department of 1 percent of his or her basic pay. They would be fully vested after two years of service and eligible for additional matching contributions of up to 5 percent after four years of service. The commission had proposed a similar plan. The Pentagon also said troops would also be eligible for a bonus, or continuation pay, after eight to 16 years of service, depending on their branch of service, which would have the flexibility to set the rate. The commission had proposed that active-duty service members would be eligible for a lump-sum continuation payment equal to 2.5 months of basic pay after 12 years provided they agree to stay in the military for another four years.

6 14.. U.S. COMBAT JUMPS JUNE: Date Unit Operation Pers Country A/C Type Jump 06 Jun 44 82nd Overlord 6418 France C-47 Night/CE/Mass Tac 06 Jun st Overlord 6638 France C-47 Night/CE/Mass Tac 22 Jun 71 MACV-SOG, TM One Zero 4 Vietnam C-130 Night/CE/HALO 23 Jun PIR Gypsy 1030 Philippines C-47 Day/CE/Mass Tac 15. CONTACTING CHAPTER HQ: For whatever reason you would like to talk with us, please do. We always love hearing from follow troopers. We try and make it as easy as possible, and here are all the ways to do it: KENTUCKY AIRBORNE CHAPTER 82 nd Airborne Division Association, Inc 4913 Flushing Way, Louisville, KY Phone: kyairbornechapter@yahoo.com Website: Kentucky Airborne Chapter is on Facebook AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY AND THEN SOME! Chairman Kentucky Airborne Chapter 82 nd Airborne Division Association Encl: 4 OFFICIAL: Joe Steen

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