VOL 42 No. 6 November 2015 GREATER CINCINNATI CHAPTER MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA AN AFFILIATE OF THE MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA WHERE: Renew your dues please see page 5! SPEAKER: Past President Recognition and Board Elections Manor House Restaurant 600 Maple Trace Dr., Springdale, OH (Gathering Room) WHEN: Friday, 4 December 2015 TIME: 11:30 AM Social Time 12:00 PM Brunch Program follows Luncheon It s that time of year again where we recognize our past presidents and elect our new Board members. You don t want to miss it. Come and thank those who have served the chapter in the past. Come to welcome those who will continue to serve the chapter and let them know your thoughts, ideas and give them your support. Nominees are as follows: LTC Al Brauer, USA - President CAPT Steve Drefahl, USN - 1st VP CAPT Mike Glaser, USA - 2nd VP CAPT Alan Echt, PHS - Secretary LTC Paul Fellinger, USAR - Treasurer Rev. Joseph L. Boone, USA - Chaplain BG Tom O Brien, USA - Legislative Officer/Director of Government Affairs The Chapter Board also wishes to thank Captain Jack Meyers, USNR for his 20 years of service to the board. He has served in numerous positions to include President, nominating committee representative, ROTC/JROTC Liaison and Personal Affairs Officer. Jack and Dorothy will soon relocate to the Twin Lakes Retirement Community in Montgomery. LUNCH RESERVATION: Friday, 4 December 2015 Manor House Restaurant Springdale, OH. Name: Rank & Service: Spouse/Guests: (ARE YOU A NEW MEMBER, OR FIRST TIME OUT? ) Entrée choices: Lunch BUFFET $12.00 (Menu changes daily but always includes a selection of homemade soups, 3 salad selections, three entrees, two vegetable dishes and a side dish and includes Manor House bread pudding for dessert ) Total Reservations = Total $ Make Checks payable to GREATER CINCINNATI CHAPTER/MOAA and mail to LTC PAUL FELLINGER, 5493 Delhi Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45238-5139, (Phone (513) 451-9881) or email: pwf5493@aol.com. Please make reservations NLT than 2 December. No cancellations after that date.
2015 CHAPTER OFFICERS AND BOARD (phone # s are area code 513 unless noted) Executive Committee President LTC Al Brauer, USA 677-8320 Immed PP BG Tom O Brien, USA 421-0118 1st VP CAPT Steve Drefahl, USN 752-4097 2nd VP CAPT Mike Glaser 675-0895 Secretary CAPT Alan Echt, PHS 573-0315 Treasurer LTC Paul Fellinger, USAR 451-9881 Chaplain Rev Joseph L Boone, USA 853-2051 Legislative Ofc BG Tom O Brien, USA 421-0118 Natl Bd RADM Larry Hereth, USCG 812 537-2968 Past Natl Bd MAJ Isaac Mincy, USAF 542-6145 Aux Liaison MAJ Diana Bloemer, USAF 729-2960 State Council 1st VP CWO3 Kym Mader, USN 759-0852 Chaplin Rev Joseph L Boone, USA 853-2051 Delegate CAPT Alan Echt, PHS 573-0315 Alt Delegate MAJ Ed Knox, USAF 674-7755 Committees Programs Vacant Membership LTC Paul Conrad, USA 697-6611 R.O.T.C. LTC Al Brauer, USA 677-8320 Reserve/NG CAPT Steve Drefahl, USN 752-4097 Historian LCOL Dick Probst, USAF 703-0754 Sympathy/ Vacant Personal Affairs TOPS LtCol Brad Hamant, USAF 439-3140 VA Brick Liaison BM2 Ben Staubach, USN 919-3659 CinMoaaNews/ CWO3 Kym Mader, USN 759-0852 Public Affairs Service Representatives Army COL Robert Greene, USA 859 689-4321 Navy Vacant Coast Guard CDR Charlie Bell, USCG 859 240-1943 USPHS CAPT Alan Echt, PHS 573-0315 Air Force MAJ Ed Knox, USAF 674-7755 Marine Corps Vacant PURPOSES OF THE GREATER CINCINNATI MOAA CHAPTER The purposes of Military Officers Association of America as stated by national are printed on the outside of each Newsletter. The corresponding purposes of our Chapter as stated in our BYLAWS, Article II are: (a) To promote the purposes and objectives of the Military Officers Association of America (b) To foster fraternal relations among retired, active and former officers of the uniformed services. (c) To protect the rights and interests of personnel of the uniformed services and their dependents and survivors. (d) To provide useful services for members and their dependents and survivors. (e) To serve the community and the nation. Your officers and Board members welcome your comments and suggestions on steps that may be taken to strengthen our Chapter and its benefits to all members. LOCAL Chapter: CinMoaa News is published to arrive at your home 10 days before each meeting. Articles and corrections for the News must be in the hands of editor 4 weeks before each meeting date. Mail to CinMoaa News, 8099 Pepper Pike, West Chester, OH 45069. Or E-mail chmader@fuse.net. For MOAA National information: Visit the MOAA Web Site - INTERNET ADDRESS HTTP://www.moaa.org TAPS If you know a member of MOAA who has past away, please let us know so we may pass it on. MEETINGS - Mark your Calendars NOW! Watch www.cincymoaa.org for updates. BOARD MEETINGS 2nd Friday of each month, 1230 - American Red Cross Building 2111 Dana Ave., Cincinnati, OH Conference Call in is available. Contact a board member for more details. Spouses and guests are welcome at all meetings. MEMBER MEETINGS Future Member Meetings to include topics on Local Law Enforcement, & LTC Kari Feb 12, 2016 - Dr. Kathleen Chard of Cincinnati VA Medical Center PTSD studies update Keep watching for more details 2
New Project HERO (Healing Exercise Rehabilitation Opportunity) launched in Ohio Former ODVS Director Tim Gorrell and U.S. Senator Rob Portman announced a new Project HERO (Healing Exercise Rehabilitation Opportunity) between Ride 2 Recovery (R2R0 and General Electric (GE) to provide veterans an outlet through cycling and other activities. I am thrilled that this Project HERO Ohio has partnered with GE to build the first of many regional community Project HERO programs that feature regularly scheduled bicycle rides throughout the week led by expert staff and volunteers, said COL Barbara Springer (USA Ret), National Director Project HERO. This Project HERO/GE program, headquartered in Cincinnati, OH will save lives by restoring hope and purpose with vets helping vets providing a way for life. The program is highly successful because: Project HERO provides expertise, training, events and site location support to promote recovery and rehabilitation. R2R expert staff customize to suit individuals needs, making it possible for almost everyone to participate in the program. R2R designs and builds custom-adapted bicycles, trikes and hand cycles for any injury. Cycling is an activity in which almost all patients with physical and psychological disabilities can participate. 62% of R2R Project HERO participants report a decrease or elimination of prescription drug use. Commissioned Corps Receives Presidential Unit Citation In an Oval Office ceremony on September 24, the President of the United States presented the first Presidential Unit Citation to the Commissioned Corps. President Obama recognized the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps for it work as a uniformed service working on the frontlines of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. The President said, Last year, as Ebola spread in West Africa and I said that fighting this disease was more than a national security priority it was a critical example of American Leadership. These professionals from the US Public Health Service were some of the Americans on the frontlines of that effort. We had several chapter members deployed to West Africa as part of this effort. Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2015 The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame will induct the Class of 2015 in a ceremony at 11 a.m. November 5 at the Lincoln Theater in Columbus. The Ohio veterans community and the public are cordially invited to attend and honor the 20 Ohioans in this year s class as they join the 478 others who are enshrined in the Hall. The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame was established in 1992 to recognize the post-military achievements of veterans in community service after their military service ended. Charter members of the Hall s Class of 1993 included the six Ohio military veterans who were elected President of the United States and all Medal of Honor recipients from Ohio. Honorees of the past 22 years include astronauts, government officials, police officers, community leaders, and veterans advocates. The Lincoln Theater is located at 769 E Long St, Columbus, OH 43203. Class of 2015 William H. Adams Jennifer L. Baun Ernest H. Bowman Todd A. Briggs Michael L. Dehart Dennis DeMolet Thomas V. Francis George E. Freeman Jr. Waverly Glover Philip R. Gregg 3 Johnnie D. Hatfield Albert H. Horn Jr. David L. Kolbe Philip S. Meeks Janice Messenheimer-Courtney William J. Richards Nathan D. Shaffer Charles D. Van Voorhis Peter R. Wilkinson Lynn E. Wolaver
SURVIVING SPOUSE CORNER Agent Orange Sharon DeVaney, Vice Chair, Surviving Spouse Advisory Committee After my husband died unexpectedly from a heart attack and the shock work off, I began to learn about Agent Orange and the part it might have played in my husband s death. Like may veterans his age, he served in Vietnam, and I thought he might have been exposed to Agent Orange. He was a forward air controller and flew small planes over combat areas from 1967-68. After he returned from Vietnam, he was assigned to Strategic Air Command as a B-52 pilot. During 1970-71, his temporary duty assignments took him from Minot, AFB, N.D., to Thailand, where he flew bombing runs over the war zone. We had a speaker from the VA at one of our monthly MOAA luncheons. He talked about Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). He wasn t specific about who was eligible, but it seemed my husband s death might qualify me for DIC. I already had met with personnel at the VA soon after my husband s death so I would understand my benefits. I was disappointed with the reception and the information I received. I was reluctant to return to the VA to learn more about DIC. Then I met someone who was actively encouraging widow and widowers to attempt to find out about the benefits their spouses had earned through their service. I used the Internet to learn more about Agent Orange and found a list of presumptive diseases on the VA website. I realized the cause of death on my husband s death certificate was on the VA s list of presumptive conditions, which includes ischemic heart disease, hairy cell and other B-cell leukemia, Parkinson s disease, prostate cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin s disease, non-hodgkin s lymphoma, or multiple myeloma. I made another appointment with the local VA. Fortunately, my appointment was with someone who was very understanding. I was asked to bring all paperwork that showed my husband had been stationed in Vietnam sometime between Jan. 9 1962, and May 7 1975. I brought a stack of papers, including c copy of the Red Cross telegram notifying my husband of our son s birth in May 1968. The VA representative reviewed my paperwork and prepared an application. A few months late, I was awarded DIC. If your spouse or a family member served in Vietnam and he or she has been diagnosed with one of the presumptive diseases, be sure to learn about possible benefits. For more in-depth information regarding DIC eligibility and the application process, visit the DIC section of the VA s website. If you believe you are eligible for DIC after reading through the information, we suggest you contact a local accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) to assist you in filing a claim. MOAA s Website Gets a New Look Last month, MOAA unveiled its new website that s designed to make content easier to navigate, increase member awareness of the association s products and services, boost the number of visitors, and increase membership. Some of these changes include: a fresh design. The design will feature MOAA's new logo and high-quality photography. intuitive navigation. Prominent and intuitive navigation capabilities will allow members to easily locate relevant information based on their career stage or area of interest. a responsive design. The new website will allow visitors to access and view content quickly and easily via a desktop computer, tablet, or mobile device. To help affiliate leaders, MOAA s communications and council and chapter affairs team created a webinar on Navigating the MOAA Website. So take a moment to view the webinar and learn about the changes and new features of MOAA s website. Missing in America Project It s the Right Thing to Do! The purpose of the MIA Project is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations. To provide honor and respect to those who have served this country by securing a final resting place for these forgotten heroes. To learn more about this project or looking for a volunteer opportunity, check out their website at MIAP. 4
2015 CHAPTER DUES ARE DUE! Please pay now- IF you haven't done so. To determine whether your dues are paid, please check your address sticker on the other side of this form. The year is shown for the latest year for which your dues are paid. (Life members show LIFE). If your number is (2014) or lower, please return this form (with your name sticker on reverse) along with a check for your dues to bring you up to current year. Please mark your selection of dues (one year, multi-year or life). For those of you who receive your newsletter by email, your dues date is located in the TO line of your email after your name. If you are moving out of state and don t want to continue your chapter membership or have any other status change, please let us know. Also please indicate on your check the year (s) your dues are for. Chapter Membership Renewal. Name: Rank: Your email address please: Member $28 for three years $19 for two years $10.00 for one year Auxiliary Member (as the surviving spouse of a deceased officer) $14 for three years $9.50 for two years $5.00 for one year Please renew as a LIFE member. (Please circle amount in fee schedule.) Make check payable to: Greater Cincinnati Chapter / MOAA Mail Renewal form and check to: LTC Paul Fellinger, 5493 Delhi Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45238-5139 -------------------------- cut here --- --------- Dues Form ---------------------cut here---------------------------- LtCol Tyler Moore, USAF, ACT LtCol Jason Bender, USAF, ACT WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS LT Karl Feldman, PHS, ACT Annual Armed Forces Sabbath Holy Cross Immaculata Church in Mount Adams Sunday, Nov 8, 2015 Mass Time: 11am Gather at 1030 LIFE MEMBERSHIP FEES (Fee is based on your age, nearest birthday) Regular Auxiliary Age up to 55 $161.25 $80.00 Age 56 to 70 $127.50 $63.75 Age 71 to 89 $ 93.75 $46.90 Age 90 and over Waived Waived CAPT Ron Hall, USPHS CPT Alexander Eversoll, USA, NG Our chapter is a sponsor, and some of our group has donated bunting for the holidays. Everyone is welcome. Come show your support. You can contact BG Tom O Brien at (513) 421-0118 for more details. NO COLA IN 2016 It s official: there won t be a 2016 COLA for people collecting military retired pay, Social Security, VA compensation, or survivor benefits. Falling gas prices are a key reason why the inflation index (and your COLA) tanked over the summer. Retired pay increases are made each year to maintain the same level of purchasing power each servicemember had at retirement. This is accomplished through annual COLA s which are based on the BLS Consumer Index (CPI) - the measure of inflation. While most COLA increases are automatic, Congress must approve COLA s for veterans each year. This is largely so lawmakers can return to their home districts and say they did something for local constituents. One question we get every year is Why is the retired COLA (higher or lower) than the active duty pay raise? The simple answer is they re tied to different things. COLAs are tied to changes in consumer prices, whereas active duty pay raises are (supposed to be) tied to the average American s pay growth, as measured by BLS Employment Cost Index (ECI). In many years from the mid-1970 s through the mid-90 s, COLAs were higher than active duty pay raises, primarily because active duty pay raises were capped below the ECI. The track record for keeping annual retired pay COLAs up with the CPI has been far better, in part because inflation has been relatively low for many years. In the late 1990 s, chronic retention problems (from all those years of pay raise caps) led Congress to plus up active duty pay, so those raises were larger than COLAs from 1997-2005. More recently, the retiree COLA has exceeded the pay raise percentage in two of the past three years. So what happens now, and what s the implication for the 2017 COLA? Because inflation for the full fiscal year actually declined by 0.4 percent, that means we ll start 0.4 percent in the hole in measuring cumulative inflation for the January 2017 COLA. 5
Greater Cincinnati Chapter MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA 8099 Pepper Pike West Chester, OH 45069-2842 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID CINCINNATI, OH PERMIT NO 6122 Postmaster: Dated material, Please Expedite ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED PURPOSES OF MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA TO inculcate and stimulate love of country and flag; TO defend the honor, integrity, and supremacy of our National Government and the Constitution of the United States; TO advocate military forces adequate to the defense of our country; TO foster fraternal relations between all branches of the various services from which our members are drawn; TO further the education of children of service personnel; TO aid active and retired personnel of the various services from which our members are drawn and their dependents and survivors, in every proper and legitimate manner; TO present their rights and interests when service matters are under consideration; and TO foster the integrity and prestige of uniformed service. from the Preamble to the Association s Bylaws