VOL 45 No. 1 January 2018 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! General Membership Meeting ROTC/JROTC Recognition Manor House Restaurant 600 Maple Trace Dr., Springdale, OH (Gathering Room) WHEN: Friday, 9 Mar 2018 TIME: 12:00 PM Social Time 12:30 PM Lunch Program follows Dinner Our first General Membership meeting for the year will be our ROTC/JROTC Recognition Luncheon. Those units scheduled to be represented are Miami Navy ROTC, Little Miami Air Force JROTC (new unit), Western Brown Army JROTC and Xavier Army ROTC (pending). Come out and support our young and new generation of service members. From our last Meeting Our New Board Members for 2018 Ed Knox receiving recognition for his 10 Past Presidents in attendance years on the board, his dedication and serving as President for three consecutive years, his service as Board Secretary, Membership Chairman and Alternate Delegate to Ohio State Council Lunch RESERVATION: Friday, 9 March 2018 Manor House Restaurant Springdale, OH. Name: Rank & Service: Spouse/Guests: (ARE YOU A NEW MEMBER, OR FIRST TIME OUT? ) Entrée choices: Dinner BUFFET $16.00 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 7 March. No cancellations after that date.
2018 CHAPTER OFFICERS AND BOARD (phone # s are area code 513 unless noted) Executive Committee President CAPT Steve Drefahl, USN 752-4097 Immed PP LTC Al Brauer, USA 677-8320 1st VP CAPT Mike Glaser, USN 280-6256 2nd VP CAPT Rex Settlemoir, USN 598-9549 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 Past Natl Bd RADM Larry Hereth, USCG 812 537-2968 Spouse/ Diane Lochocki, Surviving Sp. 560-0540 Surviving Spouse Liaison State Council Delegate CAPT Alan Echt, PHS 573-0315 Alt Delegate MAJ Ed Knox, USAF 674-7755 Committees Programs Vacant Membership CAPT Mike Glaser, USN 280-6256 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/ CAPT Roger Argalas, USCG 759-6267 Personal Affairs TOPS LtCol Brad Hamant, USAF 439-3140 CinMoaaNews/ CWO3 Kym Mader, USN 759-0852 Public Affairs Service Representatives Army COL Robert Greene, USA 859 689-4321 Navy CAPT Rex Settlemoir, USN 598-9549 Coast Guard CAPT Roger Argalas, USCG 759-6267 USPHS CAPT Alan Echt, PHS 573-0315 Air Force Lt Col Brad Hamant, USAF 439-3140 Marine Corps CAPT Rex Settlemoir, USN 598-9549 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 passed away, please let us know so we may pass it on. Maj George Lamb, USAF, Ret - 7/4/2013 Col Paul R Hunt, USAF, Ret - 9/1/2017 MEETINGS - Mark your Calendars NOW! Watch www.cincymoaa.org for updates. BOARD MEETINGS 2nd Friday of each month, 1200 - 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. (* Board meetings falling on the date of a member meeting are held after the member meeting) 2018 MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS AND DINING OUT Mark your calendars for our Membership Meetings and Third Annual Dining Out Membership Meeting - Friday, Mar 9, Noon, Manor House Restaurant, ROTC Recognition Membership Meeting - Friday, June 8, Noon, Manor House Restaurant Membership Meeting - Friday, September 14, 1800, Manor House Restaurant Dining Out - Saturday, November 10, 1800, Highland Country Club, Ft. Thomas KY Membership Meeting - Friday, December 7, Noon Manor House Restaurant Remember To Update Us On Your Address and Email When you move or change your email address, please let us know so we can continue to let you know what is going on with your local chapter, within the state and nationally. We would hate for you to miss out. 2
A Reminder that TRICARE Changes Are Coming Soon? For the most of the past year, MOAA has been working on the critical efforts required to implement key reforms of the TRICARE program (there are no changes to TRICARE For Life). This has included hours of communication and work with the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and many other stakeholders to prepare for these changes, which largely will take place on the first of the New Year. Important change coming Jan. 1, 2018, include: Consolidation of TRICARE s existing three regions into two; Consolidation of TRICARE s Standard and Extra into TRICARE Select; Shifting of TRICARE operations to the calendar year (beginning Jan. 1) rather than the fiscal year (beginning Oct. 1); New enrollment requirements starting with an open enrollment period December 2018; and A new TRICARE cost structure. Of particular interest to beneficiaries are TRICARE s changes to its fee structure. These changes likely will result in fee increases for many beneficiaries, as we have described in this recent article. MOAA has expressed its concerns to Congress and officials at the DHA. MOAA s continued efforts to compel the DHA to be transparent in its calculation of these new fees has started to bear some fruit. For instance, maternity care will continue in the same fee structure it is now (a single bundled copayment applied for the whole maternity episode of care). Additionally, some of the calculations for the new Select copayments have been reexamined and will result in some fee reductions. This is a bit of good news for beneficiaries. If you want to keep up with all the changes, sign for TRICARE s Take Command program at www.tricare.mil/ changes. Happy 2018! By CAPT Roger Argalas, Sympathy/Personal Affairs Committee With the new year upon us, it seems appropriate for your Personal Affairs Officer to share a few items regarding your money. (What is more personal than that?) That would be the increase in the military retirement income you will receive this year, the upcoming increase in TRICARE pharmacy costs, as well as the dreaded federal and state income tax return preparation. First our COLA: You may know by now that military retirement income has increased by 2% for 2018. And the increase also applies to VA disability payments, as well as survivor benefits, social security, and federal civilian retiree benefits. But if you are currently covered by both Social Security and Medicare, much of the COLA will go to pay for your increased Medicare premium. Second, beginning February 1, 2018, there will be an increase in the cost of the drugs you order through the Tricare Pharmacy program. How big an increase? If you us a local pharmacy, look for a $1-4 jump for your 30 day supply. If you use the Pharmacy Home Delivery mail order program, y our copayment increases by $4-7 for a 90 day supply, with the biggest increase for generic formulary drugs. That cost was $0 but is now $7. Wow! Hint: Order your prescriptions and refills asap to avoid the February 1 increase. Finally, your income tax. Despite all the news about tax reform in Washington, not much has changed in preparing your 2017 tax return. Nevertheless, many of us have nightmares about this. And it can be expensive, particularly if you use a walk-in tax preparation service or your tax professional. So what to do? Here are a couple of suggestions. Have you hear of Credit Karma (creditkarma.com)? For many year, they have been known for providing free credit reports. Last year they began offering a free federal and state tax preparation service. It uses an interview format and can import your information from other tax software. Now this year they have also added free, no interest/no fee loans up to $1000 called the Earlybird Advance. I have been to their website and it seems easy to navigate. And they won t besiege you with email solicitations. There are no income limits, but there are some limitations on the forms they can prepare. Worth a look. If you are the type that prefers meeting with your tax preparer face to face, consider AARP s Tax Aide program. This is a free service and anyone can use it, Including nonmembers. The focus is on low and moderate income taxpayers, especially those 60 and older. But no one is turn away. Federal and state returns are prepared and efiled by trained individuals who volunteer their time. I know this is legitimate, because I have volunteered with AARP for the last 4 tax seasons. Returns are prepared from February 1 through the end of tax season. There are a number of locations throughout the Cincinnati area. Check out aarp.org/findtaxhelp or call 888-227-7669 for the most convenient one. Upcoming Articles Have you ever wondered where your ancestors came from? For Christmas I received a DNA kit to learn about my ancestry. Supposedly it can trace back many generations, detail their migration to the US, and even tell how much Neanderthal DNA I have! (Probably a lot) I plan to send in my sample this month. I ll share the results once they arrive. P.S. Don t forget to pay your 2018 chapter dues. 3
SURVIVING SPOUSE CORNER Selecting a Retirement Community (MOAA article By Patricia Farnsworth, Surviving Spouse Advisory Committee member) Planning for the retirement years is a really important task. The options are numerous, and because the retired population is growing, the choices are becoming more numerous every year. This is wonderful in some ways but can make the decisions more complicated. Making these decisions and perhaps moving into a retirement community can be accomplished more easily when a retiree is in good health and still able to make wise decisions. Choosing which belongings should be moved and which should be given away can be a hard task. Selecting the new residence and downsizing take careful consideration and sometimes difficult decisions. Older adults who choose an independent-living community often do so for reasons of convenience and socialization. Active, independent seniors who safely can manage their person-care needs and their medications are candidates for the independent-living units of the facilities. They might also want to maintain an active lifestyle, including travel and other activities. There is so much to consider when making this decision. Climate, cost, amenities offered, volunteer opportunities, church activities, whether it s pet-friendly, and any special need are only a few. Perhaps the decision should be influenced by proximity to family members, particularly children. Having children within easy visiting distance can be a great advantage, especially when their help is needed. Selecting a retirement facility that offers the opportunity to lead an active, independent lifestyle is important for those who have participated in many activities before moving to their new home. A continuing-care retirement community (CCRC) offers a full continuum of senior care, from independent living to assisted living and skilled nursing. Many also offer home care, memory care, and hospice services. Typically CCRCs are the choice of seniors eager to remain independent and active while lining up a plan for their future, too. A like plan community can be a good long-term solution for seniors who want a comprehensive senior-care community with a variety of options for now and for the future. Many communities offer a large number of amenities: Fitness and aquatic centers, Wellness clinics, carious dining venues, activity programs, housekeeping services, maintenance and landscaping, transportation to scheduled events, and spiritual services. One should seek a community that has a reputation for delivering excellent service and performance while making sure each resident s life is touched in a meaningful way. Finding the best match is a challenge to be undertaken as early as possible. At the December Member Meeting, our group had several roles to play. I had the honor and privilege to Present a Spouses Pin and a Rose to one of our dedicated Members, Patti Fellinger. This is special and is a Thank You for your service and sacrifice as a military wife. We thank you for your sense of duty and deep devotion to our country and our MOAA Chapter as a military wife. Our group put together a basket of Cheer for the December Members Meeting. There were also several door prizes given out. It was a fun time for everyone. Our proceeds were $184 which will be given to the Cincinnati VA Hospital Veterans. We plan on shopping for the Vets from the Wish list the hospital furnished us. Thank you all for your support helping to make this event a success. Wishing everyone a New Year full of Joy, Peace and Love. Soon I am heading off South to warmer weather. Diane Lochocki, Liaison Surviving Spouse/Spouses Diane Lochocki/Patti Fellinger Xavier University ROTC Hall of Fame The Xavier University Army ROTC Alumni Advisory Board (RAAB) is seeking nominations of XU ROTC alumni for the 2018 XU ROTC Hall of Fame. Induction is scheduled to coincide with the 2018 Awards Ceremony (April 2018). Nominations must be submitted by Friday, February 9, 2018. Nominations will be reviewed and nominees will be notified by the RAAB no later than March 1, 2018. Please complete the nomination form at https://www.xavier.edu/militaryscience/hall-of-fame.cfm for your nominee to be considered for the 2018 Hall of Fame class. Greater Cincinnati Chapter Receives Highest Award Our Chapter received the highest award for chapter excellence, the 5 Star Level of Excellence Award for 2016. The award is based on a range of criteria including recruiting and retention of members, participation in legislative affairs, a strong board with key positions filled and a succession plan in place and community outreach. Our chapter scored the highest possible score in all categories. Congratulations to our membership for your ongoing support which made this possible. 4
2018 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 (2017) 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, multiyear or life). 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. NEW - You can now renew your membership online. Go to http://www.moaa.org/content/chapters-and- Councils/Chapters-and-Councils.aspx#Chapter-Dues There is no membership dues for Surviving Spouses. Chapter Membership Renewal Name: Rank: Your email address please: Member $28 for three years $19 for two years $10.00 for one year Surviving Spouse (surviving spouse of a deceased officer) No Cost 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---------------------------- WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS CAPT Brenton Ramsey, USN Capt John Lake, USAF Lt Col William Isler, Jr, USAF From the President - 2017 Year in Review Check out our 2017 Year In Review on our website. Read about our successful increase in membership by 20 new members. Checkout all we did in reaching out to our community including our Vietnam War Commemoration Program, our participation in the 37th National Veterans Wheelchair Games and the Navy Sabbath, our ROTC/JROTC Recognition program and our support of Toys for Tots. Read about our growing Spouses/Surviving Spouses group, a recap or our membership meetings and our Dining Out. See how your fellow members supported numerous military organizations beyond the chapter. Plus much more. Ohio Department of Veterans Services Announces New Ohio Veterans Homes Superintendent Columbus - Ohio Department of Veterans Services Director Chip Tansill recently announced Tyrone A. Pannell III as Superintendent of the Ohio Veterans Homes. Pannell replaces Interim Superintendent Andrea Klausing who will return to her previous role as Domiciliary Administrator at the Sandusky location. Tyrone brings years of experience in the healthcare industry and a deep understanding of the veteran community as he joins our team of administrators at the Ohio Veterans Home. I am confident that he will provide expert leadership and attentive management of our facilities in both Sandusky and Georgetown, said Tansill. Pannell, a decorated United States Marine Corps veteran, is currently the Wound Care Program Director for Fisher Titus Hospital of Norwalk, Ohio. Pannell received her bachelor s degree in Sociology and Law Technology from The University of Akron, graduate certificates in Health Care Administration and Management from Western Governors University, and certification in Business Law from the Marine Corps University. Pannell lives in Wellington, Ohio with his wife and children. He will begin duties as Superintendent on October 2. Calling All Women Veterans - Got Art? LIFE MEMBERSHIP FEES (Chapter Only) (Fee is based on your age, nearest birthday) Member Age up to 55 $161.25 Age 56 to 70 $127.50 Age 71 to 89 $ 93.75 Age 90 and over Waive ODVS is exited to announce that Ohio s women veterans are invited to submit artworks for a special showcase as part of Ohio First Lady Karen Kasich s quarterly program, Spotlight: Featured Artists at the Ohio Governor s Residence. Information on how to submit pieces will be released early 2018, but it s not too early to create your artwork. Spread the word! 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 4403 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