MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Central Florida Chapter F CUS Orlando > Four Star Chapter 2003,2004,2006,2009,2010 (Five Star) January 2015 Volume 58 Issue 1 President s Message COL William J. Gates, USAF, Ret President Inside this issue: DATES TO NOTE! Key Personnel & phone numbers 2 Help Your Survivors now Free Income Tax Preparation Chaplain s Message Annual General Membership and Ser- 4 Special Offer Navy Exchange Retired Officers Wives Club TOPS Insurance New Members Program Contributors Procedures for ID Cards Wheel Chair Ramp Project Volunteers Membership Application/Renewal 7 DATES TO NOTE! Thurs Jan 1, New Year s Day Sat, Jan 10 & Sat Feb 14,10:00 am: Board of Directors meeting at Ascension Lutheran Church Office Wed, Jan 21, Martin luther King Jr., Day Sat, Jan 24, MOAA Luncheon 3 5 6 HOLIDAY GREETINGS TO ALL! As 2014 slips into our memories, I have some reflections about our Central Florida Chapter. Our participation in the Ramp for a Veteran is strong and will continue this February. The JROTC Scholarship Program has sustained for the 14th year. The few of you that have met the cadet selectees know that we have truly identified some future leaders in whatever life choices they pursue. The golf tournament continues to be a fun event that raises funds for our JROTC Scholarship Program. The sad commentary is that only a handful of chapter members participate. Our monthly luncheon gathering is a significant disappointment. Our recent Christmas luncheon that was free to members had 22 attendees. We have over 300 members. So what does 2015 look like for the Central Florida MOAA Chapter? If it is to continue, I'm confident that the same few leaders will PRESS ON! Even though HOPE is not a plan, some new blood will step up and help to sustain the proud tradition that our Chapter represents. Without that impetus, we will continue to conduct business as usual until no one cares. I am prepared to present to the FL Council of MOAA a proposal to host the 2017 FL MOAA Convention. However, I do not feel confident that our Chapter can do this with the current level of membership participation. That presentation could happen at the mid-january 2015 Leadership Meeting in Ocala, FL. I will discuss this with the Board members. Do any of you have an input? This is my last, message to you. Thanks to Bob LePage stepping up AGAIN, your chapter is in good hands. JANUARY PROGRAM INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS CAPT Ernie Joy, USN Ret served 31 years of active duty as a surface warfare officer. He held several command posts at sea and ashore, and completed graduate school thru off duty education, culminating in a Ph.D. prior to retiring in1998. He taught at the graduate level and served as a university administrator before retiring from the workforce in 2008. Ernie is in his second year as East Central AVP on the staff of the Florida Council of Chapters. He has been active with the Cape Canaveral Chapter for about 6 years. Currently he chairs the Survivor Assistance Committee, the Scholarship Selection Committee, and the monthly Current Affairs Forum. In 2012 he served as Chapter President, following a year as 1st VP. As President, he initiated new fundraising opportunities for his Chapter's many philanthropic endeavors throughout Brevard County.
Volume 57Issue 11 FOCUS Page 2 Chapter Communications Numbers Office Phone 407 298-7228 Office FAX Number 407-646-4213 (Mark FAX messages For MOAA ) Mailing Address: MOAA CFC, Inc. PO Box 141025 Orlando, FL 32814-1025 KEY PERSONNEL/OFFICERS (All telephone numbers preceded by (407) PRESIDENT COL William J. Gates, USAF, Ret. 788-8923 E-mail: Gator15pat@hotmail.com FIRST VICE PRESIDENT LTC John Ruzich, USA, Ret. 359-7273 E-mail: jruzich25@earthlink.net SECOND VICE PRESIDENT COL Richard G. Jung, Sr. 802-4035 E-mail: rickjungsr@gmail.com SECRETARY LTC Michael Gillett, USAR, Ret. 772-5487 E-mail: mgillett@cfl.rr.com ASSISTANT SECRETARY Mrs. Patricia Green, AUX 774-7933 E-mail: deg06@aol.com TREASURER LT COL Joseph Hines, USAF, Ret. 788-3696 E-mail: jovinth@centurylink.net ASSISTANT TREASURER CW4 Dick Sauer, USA, Ret. 497-4252 E-mail: dsauer@compuserve.com DIRECTORS 2012-2015 2015 COL Roger Hakola, USA, Ret. 299-1222 E-mail: Zfreedom@aol.com LTC Sylvester Johnson, USA, Ret. 805-0518 E-mail: sbj32746@bellsouth.net CWO Robert L. Hoy, USA, Ret. 324-7616 E-mail: rhoy13@cfc.rr.com DIRECTORS 2012-2014 2014 CAPT Robert S. Rosen, USN, Ret. 880-6279 E-mail: capbob1936@yahoo.com LTC Mike Patterson, USA, Ret. 240-7609 E-mail: dmphome@earthlink.net Mrs. Patricia A. Green, AUX 774-7933 E-mail: deg06@aol.com IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT LTC Robert M. LePage, USA, Ret. 298-7228 E-mail: Rnato011@aol.com STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS NOMINATING COMMITTEE CAPT Bob Rosen, USN, Ret. 880-6279 MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE LTC Mike J Patterson, USA, Ret. 240-7609 PROGRAM COMMITTEE LTC Robert M. LePage 298-7228 LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE LTC Michael Gillett 772-5487 CHAPLAIN & PERSONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Chaplain (CW4) Dick Sauer 497-4252 E-mail:dsauer@compuserve.com OTHER COMMITTEE CHAIRS AUDIT COMMITTEE COL Carolyn A. Fost, USAR, Ret. 657-7219 E-mail: cfost@cfl.rr.com RESERVATIONS COMMITTEE LTC Robert M. LePage 298-7228 E-mail: Rnato011@aol.com CHAPTER NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE LTC Robert M. LePage, USA, Ret. 298-7228 THE OFFICER REPLACEMENT SYSTEM (TOPS) LTC John Ruzich, USA, Ret. 359-7273 E-mail: jruzich25@earthlink.net ROSTER/MEMBER DATA BASE LTC Robert M. LePage, USA,Ret 298-7228 Mrs. Patricia Green, AUX 774-7933 Web Site Coordinator Mr. Michael Paquin 754-6063 E-mail: Michael.pquin@gmail.com CHAPTER LUNCHEON Saturday Meeting January 24, 2015 11:00-12:00 Social Hour Lunch at 12:00 Location: Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel, Wymore Rd., Altamonte Springs, Florida. Second traffic light on 436 West of I-4, one (1) block South of 436. Menu #1 Roast Beef with Mashed Potatoes and Carrots. #2 Salmon Topped with Lemmon Sauce with Mashed Potatoes and Carrots. Both with Cole Slaw, Rolls, Butter, Coffee, Water, Iced Tea and Mini Red Velvet Cake. Price: $16.50, including gratuity Reservations: Not later than noon, Tuesday January 20th. Call: Bob LePage at (407) 298-7228 OR e-mail 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. JANUARY PROGRAM (CON T) The following members were selected at our November 2014 meeting as Chapter officers for the following year: President: LTC Robert M. LePage, USA, Ret. First VP: LTC John J. Ruzich, USA, Ret. Second VP: COL Richard G. Jung, Sr., USA, Ret. Secretary: LTC Michael E. Gillett, USA, Ret. Assistant Secretary: Mrs. Patricia A. Green, Auxiliary Treasurer: LT COL Joseph Hines, USAF, Ret. Assistant Treasurer: CW4 Dick Sauer Directors 2015 2016 CAPT Robert S. Rosen, USN, Ret. LTC Mike Patterson, USA, Ret Mrs Patricia A. Green, Auxiliary Directors 2013 2015 COL Roger Hakola, USA, Ret. LTC Sylvester Johnson, USA, Ret. CWO Robert Hoy, USA, Ret Published monthly except July by the Military Officers Association of America Central Florida Chapter, Inc. P.O. Box 141025, Orlando, FL, 32814-1025. 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.
Volume 58 Issue 1 FOCUS Page P 3 HELP YOUR SURVIVORS NOW If you have a family, one of the most important things you can do during your lifetime is laying out the plans to take care of your family after you die. Upon your death, your survivors can expect to receive certain payments and benefits from the federal government, but it s up to you to help your survivors. MOAA has several publications, listed below, which will give you an excellent start in this process. You can request these documents by e-mail: www.moaa.org or by calling 1-800-234-6622. - Help Your Survivors Now A Guide to Planning Ahead. - Survivor Benefit Plan Security for Your Survivors. - Survivor s Checklist First Steps for Moving On. Also, you can request assistance in Orlando from the Retired Activities Office Phone: 407-646-4204 and Fax: 407-646-4212. Office hours are 10:00 am 2:00 pm Monday through Friday. Personnel at this office are all retired military and they can provide you with the various agencies and telephone numbers to include notifying the retired finance center. Your survivors should know the location of your insurance policies, retirement orders, birth certificate, your current Retiree Account Statement and any other documents of importance before and after your death. 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) 646-4204. TAPS Happy New Year! Chaplain s Message That s a greeting we hear often each December 31st and January 1 st. As the calendar we use turns over to a new year 2015 in this case the hope is always that it will be a good year, for us individually, the nation, and the world as a whole. With terrorism seeming to gain greater and greater footholds around the globe, with civil unrest and rebellion in many places, that little baby depicted in so many cartoons around the start of the year faces a challenging future indeed. There s nothing you and I can do single-handedly about these multiple problems, but, as the song goes, Place your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee. Whatever our faith, Christian or other, we can and should look to the Lord, especially in such difficult times. Remember, He s still on the throne, and nothing can occur on this troubled earth if He puts a stop to it. In the Old Testament/Hebrew scriptures, the Lord allowed Satan to test the ancient patriarch Job, but he put a specific limit on how far he could go in causing him grief (Job 1:12). In the New Testament we re invited to come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). As we seek a happy new year, we would do well to take that wish to the Lord in prayer. He can and does do great things! May you receive His rich blessings in 2015! In His love, Chaplain Dick The Chapter extends deepest sympathy and sincerest condolence to the family and friends of: LTC Ralph D. Cantrell who passed away October 9, 2014 and is survived by his wife Nancy.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP AND SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE MEETING 15 NOVEMBER 2014 President Gates called the meeting to order at 12:00 pm. Chaplain Sauer gave the invocation and President Gates led the Pledge of Allegiance. The annual business meeting and Service of Remembrance was conducted in conjunction with lunch. President Gates began the business meeting by giving a presentation on the state of the Chapter. 2014 accomplishments included in March the installation of a small portable ramp, fence repair, and yard work at the home of Gary Shaw, a Winter Park veteran. In April we had the Annual JROTC awards ceremony in which $1,000 each was awarded to seven outstanding cadets from Central Florida high school JROTC detachments. Additionally in separate ceremonies, MOAA Leadership Medals were presented to the top Junior leader at each JROTC high school. In May, Gold Bars were presented to newly commissioned officers at UCF ROTC detachments. In October, the Annual Golf Tournament and Silent Auction was a rousing success with over 80 participants. LT COL Hines, Treasurer, reported the chapter was financially sound and presented the 2015 budget for approval. The membership voted to accept the 2015 Budget as presented. CAPT Rosen presented the slate of Officers and Board Members previously approved by the Board. Nominees for Offices included: President: First Vice President: Second Vice President: Secretary: Assistant Secretary: Treasurer: Chaplain: LTC Robert M. LePage, USA, Ret LTC John J. Ruzich, USA, Ret COL Richard G. Jung, Sr., USA, Ret. LTC Michael E. Gillett, USA, Ret. Mrs. Patricia A. Green, Auxiliary LT COL Joseph Hines, USAF, Ret. CW4 Richard Sauer Directors 2013 2015 COL Roger Hakola, USA, Ret. LTC Sylvester Johnson, USA, Ret. CWO Robert Hoy, USA, Ret. Directors 2015 2016 CAPT Robert S. Rosen, USN, Ret. Mrs. Patricia A. Green, Auxiliary LTC Mike Patterson, USA, Ret. As there were no further nominations from the floor, the slate of Officers and Board Members was approved by a unanimous vote of the members. The business meeting was concluded and lunch was served. At the conclusion of lunch, Chaplain Sauer began the Service of Remembrance with an invocation. After the singing of America the Beautiful, Chaplain Sauer presented a Spiritual Message. Next Chaplain Sauer read the names of the following deceased members with CAPT Rosen tolling the bell after the reading of each name: COL Allen W. Brown MAJ George P. Foster LT COL Harold L. Griffith MRS. Laura Hernandez LCDR Phillip A. Hoche CDR Henry L. Martin LCDR Michael M. Pajak MRS. Gloria Roeder LTC Louis O. Treadway MRS. Gloria Wilkinson USA, Ret. USAF, Ret. USAF, Ret. Auxiliary USN, Ret. USN, Ret. USN, Ret. Auxiliary USA, Ret. Auxiliary The Service of Remembrance concluded with the singing of Amazing Grace and a benediction offered by Chaplain Sauer. The meeting was adjourned at 1:20 pm. Respectfully submitted, Michael E. Gillett Secretary, USA, Ret.
Volume 58 Issue 1 FOCUS Page 5 SPECIAL OFFER! An opportunity to win a free meal at a Chapter meeting and here is how it works: Make copies of the membership application/ renewal from on page 7. Insert your name (please print) on the bottom line of the form on the line New Member Referred By. Give the forms to friends, neighbors, work associates, etc, who are former officers or retired officers or a widow or widower.of a former officer.. For every new member s application received with one year s dues payment and with your name on the form s bottom line, we will receive a complimentary meal at one of the regular Chapter meetings. THE NAVY EXCHANGE SAVES YOU MONEY Navy Exchange prices are an average of 15.8% below the competition. This savings is determined by "Market Basket" surveys. The Navy Exchange Service Command hired an independent consulting firm to conduct price surveys three times per year. Prices are compared on 350 exchange items, in eight geographic areas throughout the United States with such retailers as Wal- Mart, Target, Circuit City, and Sears. The results showed that customers save an average of 15.8% (excluding sales tax savings). In the State of Florida, the total savings would be 21.8% which includes the 15.8% average plus the 6% sales tax. At Navy Exchange Orlando, the savings can be significantly more when grocery food items are included because the Orlando Food Store prices food items similar to a military commissary. Another way the Navy Exchange helps the customer save money everyday is through its' Price Matching Policy. We will match the price of any identical item, sold in a local store - same brand, manufacturer, size, and model number. Simply bring in a current, local competitor's ad for the identical item and we will match the price. Price differences greater than $50 require a supervisors approval. Exceptions include concession-run operations, commissary prices, fine jewelry items, special orders, gasoline, automotive parts and labor/service charges, going-out-of business sales, flea markets, clearances, and percent and dollar off specials, internet sites, etc. 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 407-359-7273. 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 www.moaa.org. RETIRED OFFICERS WIVES CLUB The Luncheon meeting will be Tuesday January 20th 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 407-831-2544. NEW MEMBERS CAPT Thomas W. Gibb, USN, Ret. 2270 Springs Landing Blvd. 407-774-5167 Longwood, FL 32779-0000 LCDR Kathleen Bell, USN, Ret. 505 Sabal Lake Dr., Townhouse #105 407-760-9952 Longwood, FL 32779-0000
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. Lt Col A. J. Cardarelli MAJ Alfred J. Conti CAPT Anna M Delarot LT Col Anthony Denicole Jr. RADM Alene B. Duerk COL Richard C. Dunn COL Carolyn A. Fost LTC Michael E. Gillett Mrs. Patricia A. Green 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 Mrs. Judith W. Meyers 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 LTC Don W. Shaffer LTJG Margaret S. Wiggs Mrs. Elizabeth R. Wimberly Mrs. Mary A. Winter Lt Col Richard W. Wyatt WHEEL CHAIL RAMP PROJECT Ladies and Gentlemen, Many of you know that I am the project coordinator for a wheel chair ramp build that is performed annually for a local veteran. For the past five years, the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)along with several other organizations gather volunteers and perform a day of construction. Typically, the ramp is complete and ready for a deserving veteran to use at their place of residence at no cost by the end of that day. This is coordinated with Orlando's Center of Independent Living (CIL) and typically performed in February as part of their Rampage Campaign. In the past, at least one of the ramp recipients in the CIL system had served in the military and were a veteran. This year, that isn't the case so far. In an effort to identify a veteran in need of a ramp, I have reached out to the Wounded Warriors Jacksonville office and several POCs at the Orlando VA Clinic, but without success. Now I'm reaching out to you. Do you know of a veteran that needs a wheelchair ramp constructed at their home at no cost? John Ruzich MOAA Ramp Build Project Coordinator 407-832-7601 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 141025, Orlando, FL 32814-1025 PROCDURES FOR ID CARDS Army Reserve Center 3701 Corrine Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 (407) 643-2322 M-F 0730-1120 & 1230-1500 National Guard Armory 8385 Daetwyler Dr., Orlando, FL 32862 (407) 650-4303 Tuesday & Thursday 0900-1530 Naval Support Activity Orlando 12217 Science Dr, Orlando, FL 32826 (407) 380-4513, 4315 Walk-ins: M-F 0730-1600 Appointments on Line: https://rapids-appointments.dmdc.osd.mil 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.
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. E-mail address, if applicable @ 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 141025 Orlando, FL 32814-1025 Publish my name in the roster Yes No
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 141025 Orlando, FL 32814-1025 RETURNED SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S.POSTAGE PAID MID FL-FL PERMIT NO. 93206 NOTE: If the top line of this mailing label reads 12/31/14, your dues are DUE please see page 7. - _ label