MOAA MARCH 2014 Newsletter - Military Officers Association of

GREATER BIRMINGHAM CHAPTER
Military Officers Association of America
Volume 114 Issue 3
March 2014
From the President
The Chapter met on Thursday, February 6th at 6:00 pm at the Altadena VCC. There were 45 present including
the speaker and his wife. Lt Col Eric Cleveland, USAF Retired attended for the first time as a member. LTC
Tom Ruffing, USA Retired, and wife Sue joined at the January meeting and was also present. Anne Nelson
and Jackie Dunlap attended as new Auxiliary Members.
The speaker was Joe B. Davis, Ph.D., Director, Alabama Fusion Center. He serves as the senior intelligence
official for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Dr. Davis is also Colonel Davis, USA (Ret.) and is
member of the Montgomery Chapter MOAA. Everyone enjoyed Colonel Davis’s presentation since most of us
had never heard of The Alabama Fusion Center. All 50 states have a Fusion Center. The Fusion Centers were
established after the 9/11 attack to focus on both criminal and terrorist related information sharing and
intelligence analysis, and support of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies within each state.
The winner of the MOAA “Fun Fund” Drawing was Stewart Foss who drew the 7 of diamonds and won
$10.00. Our new jackpot is at $132. Since we started “Fun Fund” our chapter has received a total of $760.00.
There were two members and spouses present with February birthdays. Charlie Varano won the drawing for a
free meal ($26). He donated the funds to the Chapter.
Wally
TABLE OF COTETS
From the President
1
Chapter Officers/ Board Report
2
Application for Membership/Advertising in The Newsletter
3
CHAPTER MEETIGS
Meetings at the Altadena VCC on
the first Thursday of each month.
Social hour at 6 pm, dinner at 7
pm and program at 8 pm.
RIF/Affordable Care Act / Patriotic Photo Contest
4
FUTURE PROGRAMS
Chapter Meeting/Reservation Details/Program
5
USAA Auto Insurance Sponsor Ad
6
Police Chief, Brigadier General, USAR
Ridout’s Sponsor Ad/Taps/New Members/ COLA
7
May – RADM W. Clyde Marsh,
New Budget
8
2013 Budget
9
Editorial
10
April – A.C. Roper, Birmingham
Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs
Commissioner
EWSLETTER ARTICLES
Send to Jim Langley, Editor at
[email protected]
Volume 114 Issue 3
GREATER BIR MIN GH AM CH AP TER, MILI TARY OFF ICERS AS S OCIAT ION O F AMER ICA
PAGE 2
2013-2014 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President
1st VP
2nd VP
Treasurer
Secretary
Newsletter
TOPS
Chaplain
BOARD OF DIRECTORS (voting positions)
Lowell Womack, CAPT, USN (Ret)
979-1261
Past President
Charlie Marvin, LTC USA (Ret)
980-7413
Eldon Woodie, Col, USAF (Ret)
982-1544
Director
Ned Barrett, CAPT, USN (Ret)
991-3123
Sam Killian, USN, USN(Ret)
408-7721
Director
Mike Robinson, Col , USAF (Ret) 663-2891
Dick Ritz, CDR, USN (Ret)
639-4028
Director
Robert C. Williams, MAJ, USA (Ret) 798-3669
Ginger Branson, LTC, USA (Ret)
305-4128
Legislative Chair George Singleton, Col, USAF (Ret) 979-4169
Jim Langley, Sr., LTC, USA (Ret)
Chris Phillips, LTC , USA (Ret)
Doug Haviland, MAJ, USA (Ret)
APPOITED OFFICERS
980-1827
Personal Affairs
981-9790
Auxiliary Liaison
967-6432
Anne Hartline
Anne Hartline
823-1924
823-1924
MOAA Newsletters — to stay informed about events at other Alabama MOAA Chapters, visit www.almoaa.org. On that
site, click the “Chapters” link! Or to see the MOAA National news, visit www.moaa.org!
The Chapter’s Board of Directors met recently and made the following decisions that will be of interest to
you:
♦ Summer meetings will be luncheon meetings at the Altadena Valley Country Club on the first Thursdays of
each month.
♦ Approved the following donations from the Chapter: Birmingham National Veterans Day-$500, Blue Star
Salute Foundation - $200, Wreaths Across America - $300, Three Hots and A Cot - $500, and The Alabama
Veterans Memorial Park Memorial Day Program - $250, and Participate in the Birmingham National Veterans
Day Veteran of the Year Program by selecting a Greater Birmingham Chapter Veteran of the Year with a cost
of about $325. Nominations will be solicited in a few months.
♦ Continue the monthly free meal drawing from the members and spouses attending the meeting and having
birthdays in the month of the meeting. Plus those with birthdays will go first to the buffet line.
♦ Continue the December Christmas Party in the format of this past year. Continue the option of wearing uniforms and having a TOYS-FOR-TOTS representative at the meeting.
♦ Print and mail a Chapter Roster to members not attending the first meeting after the printing.
♦ Schedule two luncheon meetings for Auxiliary members.
♦ Continue sponsorship of 16 JROTC Units and 2 ROTC Units. Invite the MOAA Medal Award recipients
and their parents to attend one of the Chapter meetings. Support the college ROTC cades being commissioned
by presenting the Gold Bars.
♦ Continue the Fun Fund and Trivia Games at each meeting.
♦ Honor the wives with a red rose at one meeting during the year.
♦ Represent National MOAA for recruiting purposes at the Alabama National Guard Association Conference
in April.
♦ Support National MOAA’s 2014 recruiting program for both National Association Members and Chapter
Members.
Volume 114 Issue 3
GREATER BIR MIN GH AM CH AP TER, MILI TARY OFF ICERS AS S OCIAT ION O F AMER ICA
APPLICATIO FOR MEMBERSHIP/REEWAL (Please print or type)
GREATER BIRMIGHAM CHAPTER AL (02)
____ Renewal _____ New Member (membership runs by the calendar year)
____ Regular membership, Circle Your Choice ($20/yr or $35 for 2 yrs)
____ Supporting Membership ($50) ____ Sustaining Membership ($100)
____ Auxiliary affiliation (spouse of deceased service member) (no cost)
____ ROTC affiliation (electronic communications only) (no cost)
_____________________
First ame
______
MI
_________________________________
Last ame
PAGE 3
MILITARY
OFFICERS
ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICA
PO Box 530153, Birmingham, AL 35253
___________
__________
Grade
Rank
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
______________________ ___________________
_________________ _________________
Telephone umber
(Birth Date (mm/dd/yy)
Preferred ame
ame of Spouse
ational MOAA membership number: _________________ ational Member Type (Circle): Basic Premium Life
_____________________________ ________________________________ __________
Email Address
Signature
Date
Mail to: GREATER BIRMIGHAM CHAPTER, MOAA, PO BOX 530153, BIRMIGHAM, AL 35253
****Dues and Donations to the Chapter are Income Tax Deductible****
MEMORIALS
If you would like to send a memorial contribution to the Greater Birmingham Chapter MOAA, please send the
following information along with your check and return address to: Memorials, Greater Birmingham Chapter
MOAA, P.O. Box 530153, Birmingham, AL 35253.
In memory of: __________________________________________
By: ___________________________________________________
Family Address: _________________________________________
_________________________________________
A charitable donation receipt will be sent to the donor and an acknowledgment of the donation to the Family.
A
dvertise in this newsletter. This is an
example of a calling card ad. The cost is $25
per month with a minimum of 6 months for a total
of $150.
YOUR LOGO
For a quarter page, half page or whole page ad, call
President Lowell (Wally) Womack for a quote. The
Greater Birmingham Chapter Newsletter is sent to
hundreds of veterans in Alabama each month. The
funds from these ads support many worthwhile
veteran related projects.
YOUR AME
d/b/a Information
Address
Phone umber
E-mail Information
Other Contact Info.
Volume 114 Issue 3
GREATER BIR MIN GH AM CH AP TER, MILI TARY OFF ICERS AS S OCIAT ION O F AMER ICA
PAGE 4
Greater Birmingham Chapter MOAA to Sponsor
2014 Memorial Day Remembrance Program at
Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
On Sunday, May 25, 2014, at 3:00 pm, The Alabama Veterans
Memorial Park (AVMP) will recognize and salute veterans or active duty military who have been honored by their family, colleagues or friends with an
engraved StepStone paver. Our MOAA Board approved a donation for this event and
will be recognized in the printed program as a sponsor. In addition, we will have MOAA
members in uniform serving as greeters at the entrance to the park. MOAA spouses and
Auxiliary Members will assist with registration. If you are interested in participating,
please contact Anne Hartline (205)422-8885, [email protected].
The purpose of StepStones is to show undying memory of those who have served or now serve.
StepStones can be purchased for any veteran living or deceased and any active duty military person from any
state. They are placed at the foot of the U.S. Flag in AVMP. They can be purchased for a tax deductible donation of $100 . The deadline to be included in the May Program is April 15. For more information call (205)
912-2019, or email [email protected].
AVMP is located off 459, Liberty Park exit 23. Instead of turning toward Liberty Park after exciting, turn toward the
opposite direction. At the dead end turn right to go to the park.
THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (ACA), COMMOLY KOW AS “OBAMACARE”
By Kathy Prout, vice chair, Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee
How will the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as “Obamacare,” affect...military retirees and their families
and survivors? Military retirees under the age of 65 will see a COLA in their TRICARE fees. Annual TRICARE Prime
fees will be $273.84 for individuals and $547.68 for families. TRICARE Standard option will increase from $152 to $156
a month. Those who are on CHAMPVA also are covered completely under the ACA.
TRICARE For Life (TFL) meets the minimum standards under the ACA, however, the requirement that all TFL beneficiaries enroll in TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery begins Feb. 14. Part of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act,
this was a compromise to avoid tripling pharmacy copayments. All TFL beneficiaries must enroll in home delivery
through Express Scripts for maintenance medications and remain in the program for a year, after which beneficiaries may
opt out of the program. Express Scripts might issue individual waivers on a case-by-case basis. Nursing home patients and
those who use a military treatment facility are exempt. Enroll online or by calling Express Scripts at (877) 363-1303.
However, Congress and DoD have proposed fee increases for TRICARE and TFL. MOAA is against these proposed fee
increases and is fighting the issue by educating Congress that claims that military health care costs are spiraling out of
control are untrue. To keep abreast of this, visit MOAA’sWeb Base. You can take action by emailing a MOAA-prepared
message to your senators and representatives. For those without Internet access, you may call MOAA’s Member Service
Center at (800) 234-MOAA (6622) for help with any of your concerns.
PATRIOTIC PHOTO COTEST: Enter MOAA’s annual patriotic photo contest by March 31 for a chance to
win up to $500 and have your work published in the July 2014 issue of Military Officer. Photographers may
submit only one photo in each of four categories — camaraderie, military family, on duty, and vintage. A panel
of judges will evaluate the entries based on creativity, photographic quality, and effectiveness. Official rules, entry forms, and submission information can be found on MOAA’s Web Base.
Volume 114 Issue 3
GREATER BIR MIN GH AM CH AP TER, MILI TARY OFF ICERS AS S OCIAT ION O F AMER ICA
SOCIAL HOUR: 1800 (6:00 pm)
DIER: 1900 (7:00 pm)
PAGE 5
COST: $26.00 per person
RESERVATIOS: Please make reservations (or cancellations) by
1200 (oon) on Monday, 3 March 2014.
Reservations may be made by telephone to CDR Dick Ritz at 639-4028 or e-mail at
[email protected]. Your reservation is not complete until you have received a conformation call or
e-mail.
LOCATIO: Altadena Valley Country Club, 2651 Alta Vista Drive, Birmingham, AL 35243.
Phone 967-5322. Located off Acton Road. Best access is Exit 17 of I-459.
MEU: Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Garden Rice, Squash Casserole, Salad Bar, Chocolate Cake, Hot Rolls,
Tea, Water and Coffee. Meal served buffet style.
PROGRAM: Jimmy W Langley, author of Delmont's Slang Blade: 1000 Of the Best Sayings from the Great
State of Alabama
PAYMET FOR MEAL: Payment for meals at the door by CHECK is preferred. CHECK STROGLY
RECOMMEDED.
March Program: Jimmy W Langley
Jimmy Langley is a published author of two books, Delmont’s Slang Blade and
Good Hearted Country Woman, covered by regional newspapers and magazines
including John Archibald of the Birmingham News. He is the current editor of the
Greater Birmingham MOAA newsletter.
He graduated from Jacksonville State University with a degree in Political Science
and from the University of Oklahoma with a Masters in Public Administration.
Mr. Langley was a Distinguished Military Graduate and received a Regular Army commission in 1971. He
served active duty tours as a Field Artillery Officer in Alaska, Fort Sill Oklahoma, and Korea. He retired as
a Lieutenant Colonel from the Army Reserve. His last assignments were with the 87th Maneuver Area Command in Birmingham and as a Command & General Staff College instructor.
In his civilian career, Mr. Langley took an early retirement from BellSouth Communications and then
worked in the nonprofit sector. He is now a writer and an artist.
He serves as President of the Hoover New Horizons Board of Directors, a 2000 member organization of
Hoover Alabama seniors. He is a former Chair and current member of the YMCA Hargis Board of Directors. He is the Director of Camp High Hopes, a camp for intellectually challenged adults. He was honored,
along with daughter Laura, by having The Langley Center, a community center on the campus of AIDS Alabama named for them.
Mr. Langley is currently a resident of the Ross Bridge Community of Hoover Alabama and was originally
from Vernon in Lamar County Alabama. He is married to the former Ann Whitehead of Nashville. He is the
father of a 41-year-old son, Wayne. He and Ann lost their only child, Laura, at age 22, in a car accident in
2012.
Volume 114 Issue 3
GREATER BIR MIN GH AM CH AP TER, MILI TARY OFF ICERS AS S OCIAT ION O F AMER ICA
PAGE 6
Volume 114 Issue 3
GREATER BIR MIN GH AM CH AP TER, MILI TARY OFF ICERS AS S OCIAT ION O F AMER ICA
PAGE 7
Honoring Memories, Celebrating Lives
Ridout’s Valley Chapel has proudly served the Birmingham community since 1951. From the beginning, our goal
has been to do as much as we can to help families, neighbors, and friends through their deepest sorrows.
Our affiliation with the Dignity Memorial® network allows us to build on that tradition by offering exclusive
benefits. As a result, we’re finding that more and more people are turning to us to help them pre-plan their final
arrangements.
To schedule a private consultation, contact LTC Mac Chandler, USA Retired at (205) 879-3401 or
[email protected]
EW MEMBERS
Col Dane R. Martin, USAF Retired and wife, Debbie.
MEMBER UPDATE OR TAPS:
Lee McCaslin spent several weeks in the hospital. He is now at HealthSouth Lakeshore Rehab and expected
to come home during the week of February 24th.
COL Earl (Mac) McCrary, USA Retired, died on February 2nd. We learned of the death in a letter from his
sister. Mac moved from this area about two years ago and afterward we had trouble keeping up with him.
A Memorial Gift to the Chapter in Memory of Col Richard D. Mathews, USAF Retired was made by his
wife, Mary A. Mathews
COLA WATCH
For the past two months, MOAA and its 380,000 members have spoken out against the harmful cost-of-living (COLA)
cuts passed in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. And last week, Congress finally listened by passing a partial repeal of
the COLA cuts for working-age retirees.
Volume 114 Issue 3
GREATER BIR MIN GH AM CH AP TER, MILI TARY OFF ICERS AS S OCIAT ION O F AMER ICA
Greater Birmingham Chapter (AL02) MOAA
Budget For 2014
Receipts:
Dues Estimate Current Members + New Members
Donations Based on 2013
Advertising/Sponsorships
Gold Bar Program - National Payment With 10 Basic Memberships
Working National Guard Convention - National Payment
New Chap Mem - 25 @ $10 Each From National
Retaining 95% of Memberships in 2014
Fun Fund Estimate
Total Receipts
Expenses:
Misc. Reimbursements to Lowell Womack Based on 2013
Estimate 12 Speaker Meals @ $26 each
Cost of Meals for ROTC Cadets and Families Receiving Medals
Misc. Expenses Based on 2013
Newsletter Copying and Mailing
Alabama Council of Chapters Dues
Birmingham National Veterans Day Sponsor Donation
Chapter Veteran of The Year Expense
SBSSFI Donation
Wreaths Across America
Donation to Three Hots & A Cot
Ala. Veterans Memorial Park Memorial Day Program Sponsor Donation
Cards and Postage to Sick Members
Free Meal Per Mo. for B'day Drawing (Some Donated Back)
Printing & Mailing Roster
Christmas Dinner Expenses
Total Expenses
NET RECEIPTS
2,000.00
155.00
2,340.00
250.00
200.00
250.00
250.00
600.00
6,045.00
490.00
312.00
500.00
350.00
490.00
150.00
500.00
325.00
200.00
300.00
500.00
250.00
250.00
273.00
400.00
400.00
5,690.00
355.00
PAGE 8
Volume 114 Issue 3
GREATER BIR MIN GH AM CH AP TER, MILI TARY OFF ICERS AS S OCIAT ION O F AMER ICA
PAGE 9
Greater Birmingham Chapter (02) MOAA
Budget and Actual Year Ended 12/31/2013
Receipts:
Dues Estimate Current Members + New Members
Donations Based on 2012
Advertising/Sponsorships
Gold Bar Program - National Payment
Working National Guard Convention - National Payment
New Chap Mem - 25 @ $10 Ea From Nat'l (Actual 19)
Retaining 90% of Memberships - Nat'l Not Determine Yet
Fun Fund
Total Receipts (Corrected for error in original budget)
Expenses:
Misc. Reimbursements to Lowell Womack Based on 2012
2013 Budget
2,859.00
260.00
2,340.00
250.00
250.00
250.00
500.00
Actual 12/31/13
1,930.00
155.00
2,340.00
0.00
200.00
195.00
500.00
529.00
6,709.00
5,849.00
520.00
491.73
Est. Speaker Meals - 13 Actual @ $26 ea.
Cost of Meals for ROTC Cadets and Families Rec. Medal
Misc. Expenses Based on 2012
Newsletter Copying and Mailing
Alabama Council of Chapters Dues
Birmingham National Veterans Day Donations Expense
SBSSFI
Wreaths Across America
Support Committee National Cemetery
Epaulettes for ROTC Cadets
Cards and Postage to Sick Members
Renting a Projector from Altadena VCC
Donation to Three Hots & A Cot
Donation to Toys For Tots
Christmas Tips to Altadena Waiter & Kitchen Staff
Free Meal Per Mo. for B'day Drawing (Some Donated Back)
0.00
156.00
660.00
500.00
65.00
800.00
200.00
150.00
0.00
80.00
240.00
70.00
250.00
100.00
260.00
338.00
0.00
289.59
489.04
62.00
750.00
200.00
150.00
500.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
250.00
100.00
260.00
200.00
Printing & Mailing Roster
Printing of Chapter Membership Application
Christmas Dinner Expenses
Total Expenses
300.00
400.00
500.00
375.16
317.19
262.00
Net Receipts
5,251.00
5,034.71
1,458.00
814.29
Note: Some guess work in seperating some income & expense items. However the total receipts
less payments per the check register is an follows:
Receipts Calendar Year 2013
Payments Calendar Year 2013
Net Receipts CalendarYear 2013
15,342.00
14,568.73
773.27
GREATER BIR MIN GH AM CH AP TER, MILI TARY OFF ICERS AS S OCIAT ION O F AMER ICA
Volume 114 Issue 3
PAGE 10
Age is relative. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were? If you’re only as old as you think, I had better
get started thinking soon. I often say I wish I was 20 years old and had the money and knowledge of life that I have now.
Wait a minute; I probably would be dead in the grave by now. Big Jim Folsom, former Governor of Alabama briskly campaigned in the small towns of Alabama. He would bring a country band, a pint, and a ham sack to collect contributions. It
was the 1960s when he came to the courthouse in Vernon. Big Jim was “over the hill” in politics but still kept running for
Governor. In the courtroom, he wore bib overalls and took off his shoes. I will never forget the profound words he said, "For
Big Jim, it used to be wine, women, and song. But now that I'm older, it's Metracal, same old gal, and sing along with Big
Jim." (Metracal was one of the first liquid diet drinks.)
I just let my mind wander, and it didn't come back.
Ain't it nice that wrinkles don't hurt?
By the time I made it, I'd had it.
I am retired. I wuz tired yesterday and I am tired again today.
Some men want a BMW; I don't care about the W.
Thelma wuz at the beauty parlor two hours and that wuz only for ah estimate.
I'm so old, when I eat out at a fancy eatin' place, they want my money up front.
Funny, I don't remember being absent minded.
Information provided from:
• www.moaa.org, [email protected], and [email protected] (provided by MOAA (© 2004 Military Officer Association
of America. All rights reserved.).
• www.military.com
• Alabama Council of Chapters: www.almoaa.org.
MILITARY
OFFICERS
ASSOCIATION
PO Box 530153, Birmingham, AL 35253
Your Bham Chapter membership
expires in December of the year at
the end of your name!
Our next meeting dates are 6 Mar & 3 Apr 2014