Volume 119 Issue 1 January 2019 Welcome to 2019! Hope you all had a joyous holiday season. We changed our meeting this month to the second Thursday in the month, January 10 th ; not to confuse you, but to allow us all plenty of time to wind down from the busy holiday season and to gently ease back into our routines. This month s meeting is our annual business meeting and the Board has worked hard to develop a meaningful report that will present what our Chapter accomplished in 2018 and where we want to go in 2019. We will speak to our 2018 and 2019 goals, finances, meeting programs, membership and recruiting, social media initiatives, and surviving spouse programs. We need your input and ideas on these topics and others that you wish to share. LTC Dave Jensen, USA (Ret), President of the Alabama Council of Chapters (MOAA) and his wife Sissy, will join us for the meeting. Dave is the past President of the MOAA Chapter in Gadsden, AL. Dave will give a short talk on the Alabama Council (MOAA) initiatives for 2019 and swear in our new officers. I m excited about 2019 and the many opportunities we have to better the lives of our active duty and retired military members, the Coast Guard, the Public Health Service, NOAA, and their families. We have many exciting programs planned for our meetings in 2019 and MOAA National will join us for the October 2019 (tentative) program. We start 2019 with 170 members, 32 more than the beginning of 2018. Hopefully, all members will take the opportunity to regularly attend meetings and become active in Chapter affairs. Our next Meeting is January 10th; social hour begins at 6:00pm. Hope to see you all there! Respectfully, Wes Greater Birmingham Chapter Military Officers Association of America President Wes Cox, Col, USA (Ret) 1 st VP Mac Chandler, LTC, USA (Ret) 2 nd VP Don Lehman, LTC, USMC (Ret) Treasurer Doug Markham, CAPT, USN(Ret) Secretary Ginger Branson, LTC, USA (Ret) Past Pres. Tomas Ruffing, LTC, USA (Ret) Director Director Director Chaplain J.D. Crawford, Col, USA (Ret) Robert Williams, Maj, USA (Ret) Vacant Mac Chandler, LTC, USA (Ret) TOPS Liaison Al Wood, LTC, USA (Ret) Legislative Affairs Wes Cox, Col, USA (Ret) Personal Affairs Anne Hartline Surviving Spouse Liaison Donna Martin Newsletter Linda DeMarco, LTC. USA (Ret) Statement of Publication Officer s Call is the newsletter of the Greater Birmingham Chapter Military Officers Association of America. It is published once each month to inform the membership of issues and activities of interest to all. GBC MOAA is a non-profit 501(c)19 entity in the state of Alabama organized to represent the membership and to support the activities of the Alabama Council and MOAA National. MOAA and its affiliated chapters and councils are non-partisan. Advertising contained in the newsletter is not endorsed by MOAA or its affiliate the Greater Birmingham Chapter, and does not represent any recommendation to the membership. Opinions expressed in articles contained herein are not necessarily those of the membership as a whole or the Chapter. Questions should be directed to newsletter@moaabirmingham.org. 1
CHAPLAIN S CORNER Well, we did it, didn t we? We made it through another year of driving on 280, and we now get to celebrate 2019! HAPPY NEW YEAR! Do you remember way back in 1999, when the whole computer world was supposed to crash at midnight as clocks turned over to the new millennium? It didn t happen, did it? The sun came up in the morning, and life continued on. Funny thing about this world we live in the sun rises, and the sun sets, yet we keep on keeping on. As many of you know, I am a fan of Dr. Kevin Elko, the sports psychologist who works with many teams, among them the University of Alabama, helping the players to achieve greater levels of success. I subscribe to his Monday Morning Cup of Inspiration (www.drelko.com); it helps me and many others start our week on a positive note. His latest project is about BOLDNESS: Being Bold. So let s enter into this New Year with this in mind: Decide to BE BOLD, and love the Lord your God with all you heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself. What a great way to begin 2019. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!! 2
Thursday, January 10, 2019 Social Hour: 1800 hrs. Dinner: 1830 hrs. Cost: $26 per person. Payment for meal is due at the door (checks are preferred). You Location: can now review Danberry 2019 at plan Inverness, information, 235 Inverness including Center plan brochures Drive, Birmingham, and provider AL 35242. networks, for all 14 FEDVIP carriers. A plan comparison tool is also available for you to research plans and Reservations: Contact CAPT Doug Markham, 205-420-2631 or dgmarkham3143@gmail.com premiums (please based note new on where treasurer, you live. new View number up to three and new dental email) or vision by 1200 plans Noon side-by-side on Monday for easy comparison December3rd when to selecting make or the cancel right your coverage reservation. for you Note: and your Your family. reservation For information is not complete go to until you www.benefeds.com. have received a confirmation call or email. Menu: Mixed Grilled: Grilled Chicken Breast, Jumbo Shrimp, Grilled Lobster Tail over Wild Rice with Broccoli & Yellow Squash; Mandarin Orange Salad: Mandarin Oranges, Pecans, Goat Cheese over Arugula and Vinaigrette Dressing. Dessert: Strawberry Cheese Cake with Caramel Cash Bar: $5 (wine and mixed drinks); $3 (beer); Drink tickets available at registration desk. Driving Instructions - Danberry at Inverness, 235 Inverness Center Drive, Birmingham, AL 35242 Traveling from I-65 (South or North): Take the I-459 interchange toward Atlanta. Proceed north on I-459 and take Exit 19 onto Highway 280 toward Childersburg. Travel approx. 2.2 miles on Highway 280 and turn right onto Inverness Center Drive (Fresh Market shopping center on right). Travel approx. 1/2 mile and turn left into Danberry at Inverness. Traveling South on I-459: Take Exit 19 onto Highway 280 toward Childersburg. Travel approx. 2.2 miles on Highway 280 and turn right onto Inverness Center Drive (Fresh Market shopping center on right). Travel approx. 1/2 mile and turn left into Danberry at Inverness. Traveling West on Highway 280: Turn left onto Inverness Center Drive (Fresh Market shopping center on the left). Travel approx. 1/2 mile and turn left into Danberry at Inverness. Application for Membership/Renewal Greater Birmingham Chapter MOAA (Please print or type) First Name MI Last Name Grade Rank Preferred Name Name of Spouse Branch of Service: Army Air Force Navy Marines Coast Guard Other: Status: Active Duty Retired National Guard Reserve Former Member Surviving Spouse Mailing Address City State Zip Code Telephone #: Date of Birth: Email Address: National MOAA Membership Number: National Membership Type: Basic Premium Life Signature: Date: Renewal or New Membership (membership runs by calendar year) Regular Membership or Surviving Spouse: $20/year $35/2 years $50/3 years Supporting Membership ($50) or Sustaining Membership ($100) ROTC Affiliation (electronic communications only no cost) Mail this form to Greater Birmingham Chapter MOAA, P.O. Box 530153, Birmingham, AL 35253 3
Legislative Update January 2019 1. MOAA TRICARE Survey MOAA wants to know about your experience with military health care and the TRICARE program. We need all beneficiaries to take the survey. As with previous surveys, MOAA will use the data to assess trends and help shape legislation to directly improve access and quality of care for you and your loved ones. A recap from the past year indicates military beneficiaries have experienced unexpected increases in many of their TRICARE fees. (See moaa.org for survey results) 2. Federal Employees Dental and Vision Program Open season for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) closed Dec. 10. But if you missed the deadline, you still have a chance to sign up. Enrollment via the BENEFEDS website, as of Dec. 11, was still operational. It was unclear how long it would remain so, however. Beneficiaries who intended to enroll in Open Season but were unable to do so for reasons that were beyond their control, will be able to visit BENEFED.com to find out what options will be available to them, said Army Col. James Honey, chief of TRICARE Dental. 3. National Guard and Reserve Health Coverage Issue: Commendable progress has been made to provide operational reservists' families a continuum of government-sponsored health care coverage options throughout their military careers into retirement, but key gaps remain. Background: Operational reserve policy during two protracted wars makes evident the need for comprehensive health coverage options for servicemembers and their families. DoD recognized the need for government health coverage in the 1990s by agreeing to pay the Federal Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) premiums for DoD employees who served in the Guard-Reserve during periods of their active duty service. After 9/11, TRICARE coverage has gradually been expanded for G-R members. TRICARE programs available to Reservists today include: o o o o TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS). Congress enacted TRS for actively drilling Guard and Reserve families in 2005. Premiums are based on 28% of the cost of coverage for reservists assigned to the Selected Reserve. The 2015 monthly premiums are $50.75 for individual reservists in drill status and $205.62 for member-and-family coverage. TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR). A MOAA-proposed TRICARE option for gray area reservists was enacted in 2009, providing TRICARE Standard coverage at full premium cost for reservists eligible for retired pay at age 60. Rates for 2015 are $390.89 per month for member-only coverage, and $961.35 for TRR member-and-family coverage. TRICARE Standard. Career reservists with 20 or more years of qualifying service are entitled to TRICARE coverage at age 60 when they receive reserve retired pay. TRICARE for Life. Career reservists with 20 or more years of qualifying service are entitled to TRICARE for Life coverage at age 65. MOAA continues to support the remaining steps that will establish a continuum of health coverage for operational reserve families, including members of the Individual Ready Reserve subject to call-up. 4
PICTURES FROM DECEMBER GBC MOAA MEETING 5
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Steve Driggers 4 Sam Dayhood 6 Anne Hayes 8 90 Wes Cox 11 Sumter Coleman 12 Tammy Sample 14 Pat Marvin 18 David McCrorie 21 Doug Markham 22 Wayne Daniel 23 Heidi Mueninghoff 24 Bob Roper 28 Carolyn Bellamy 29 6
Recruiter s Corner Dues renewal season is underway! Second notices for Chapter dues renewals have been sent out. We appreciate the support and encourage all members to renew. Local dues go to support the many initiatives and events that we sponsor. Attention new members Please come to a meeting and join in the fellowship and comradery. There are many of you that we have not yet met. Also, your MOAA challenge coin in waiting for you! Ad sponsors for 2019 We have advertisement sponsors in our monthly newsletter that go a long way in helping to defer chapter expenses. Renewal/new sponsorships will begin in January. If you or a business owner that you may know would be interested in supporting our chapter newsletter with an ad, please email me below and I will send an sponsor ad packet to them. Thank y0u very much! Semper Fi, Don Lehman, LTC, USMCR (retired) Membership Chair don.lehman1@gmail.com 7
Armed Forces Officers Wives Club Please join us January10, 2019 At The Club 11:30 am Speaker Jim Baggett The Monumental, the Mundane and the Macabre: Discovering 19th-Century Life in Alabama Letters and Diaries To make reservations, please contact Jane Galik before December 10th, 2018 ladyg8r74@gmail.com 205-664-8163 The purpose of this organization is to foster friendship among the wives of active, retired alive and deceased officers of the Armed Forces, and female officers to promote cultural and educational needs and provide group fellowship. Meetings are held the second Thursday of each month from September through May at various locations. 8
MOAA Surviving Spouse Virtual Chapter 02 Next meeting: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 4 :00 pm, CST Speakers: Adm Walt Doran USN (ret), MOAA Chairman of the Board Lt Col Shane Ostrom, USAF (Ret), CFP, MOAA Director of Finance and Benefits Information Purpose is to provide: 1. a national forum for surviving spouses of uniformed services officers, 2. a common space to communicate with each other, 3. information about concerns pertinent to each of us and our families, and 4. a platform to advocate for protection of rights for our members and our dependents. Additionally, this can be a reliable source for surviving spouses who live in remote areas, who are housebound, who have jobs and children, or who might be unable to participate at the chapter level. MOAA s board of directors chartered this virtual chapter March 5, 2018. It is MOAA s second virtual chapter; the first is for uniformed services nurses. The Surviving Spouse Virtual Chapter is an affinity group, with members who can share information in a virtual environment with colleagues seeking to work together as they each adjust to a new life. Some of the topics that will be addressed, include: 5. Are you a new surviving spouse? Do you need information on where to go, who to talk to, the first steps, and then what to do next? 6. Did your spouse serve in Vietnam? Could he or she have been the victim of Agent Orange? 7. Are you eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)? How do you apply? 8. Are you a recipient of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)? What are your benefits? 9. What is SBP/DIC? The widows tax? The Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance? 10. Rules on remarriage 11. Information you need to know about TRICARE, dental care, and vision care You are invited to join this exciting new initiative which will meet quarterly via telephone conference call for about an hour. We all have busy lives, and you can participate to the degree you wish. For additional information or to join the MOAA Surviving Spouse Virtual Chapter, contact Gail Joyce (817-573- 15240, Micki Costello (540-372-2066) or Pat Farnsworth (727-220-1853). You can also email mssvc@moaa.org There are no dues. The only requirement to join is membership in MOAA national. The link to the application is: http://www.moaa.org/content/personas/family/surviving-spouses/surviving-spouses.aspx 9
GREATER BIRMINGHAM CHAPTER OF MOAA INFORMATION Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) Enrollment Extended Sign-ups for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) have officially extended for three months, officials at the Office of Personnel Management have informed MOAA. Open Season ended Dec. 10, however OPM has granted a "belated enrollment phase" for potential beneficiaries who missed the first deadline. Sign-ups should be granted until about mid- March. Personalized MOAA Nametags MOAA nametags are available for $8.50 each through J.D. Crawford. The nametags are black lettering on white, and they are approximately business card size with magnetic backs. Mail your name, rank and branch of service (or other information as applicable, i.e. surviving spouse, etc.) along with $8.50 for each nametag ordered to James D. Crawford, 3076 Brookhill Drive, Birmingham, AL 35242. Make checks payable to James D. Crawford. Greater Birmingham MOAA Coins The new Greater Birmingham Chapter MOAA Challenge Coins are now available to order for only $10 per coin! This coin will make a wonderful gift and must-have for any challenge coin collection. You can also order coins by contacting: LTC (ret) Don Lehman at don.lehman1@gmail.com. Display cases are available for $1 each, and orders to be mailed should add $1 per coin. 10
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`````` Our upcoming dinner meetings will be 10 January 2019 and 02 February 2019 16