Highlights
May 2015
Page 1
highlights
Mayport Chapter
Military Officers Association of America
May 2015
Volume XXIV No 4
Serving Mayport and the
Beaches
Jacksonville, Florida
What’s inside…
President’s
Message
1
Program
2
Calendar
2
Legislative
Affairs
3
Photos from April
Member Meeting
7
ROTC/JROTC
Report
9
FCoC Convention
2015 Info
10
Menu & RSVP
12
Military Officers
Association of America
380,000 + Members
From The Podium
CWO4 Patrick Ivory, USN (Ret)
W
ell, it’s May and certainly the days are
longer, the humidity is higher and
Mother’s Day and Memorial Day are approaching.
May 22-24th will be the Florida Council of Chapters annual convention at the World Golf Village,
Renaissance Resort, St. Augustine. I hope you will
take advantage of the close proximity to Jacksonville and register for the Convention. Also, May
25th at 1400, the annual Memorial Day observance
will be held at the Beaches Veterans Memorial Park.
This year’s theme is to recognize all the Chaplains
that have been lost in all the wars. I will be presenting a wreath for our chapter. I hope you will be able
to attend. Bring a folding chair for your comfort.
There are a few changes that you need to be
aware of. First, for May and June, our normal Sunday meetings will be held in the Medal of Honor
room at the CPO club. You get there by taking the
second right past the Ocean Breeze Conference
Center turn and then head towards the beach. The
meetings will be held at the same time on May 17th
and June 14th.
The next information you need to be aware of,
there are going to be some changes as to our meetings. Discussions with the management at Ocean
Breeze revealed that, because of the dwindling
number of attendees, coupled with the 25% increase in pay for the staff working on Sundays, the
Conference Center is losing money on the weekends. They also have several weddings scheduled
(Podium Continued on page 10)
“Happy Mother’s
Day”
Five Star
Excellence
Award
Every Year Since 2003
Visit Us on
Highlights
May 2015
MAYPORT CHAPTER (MOAA), INC.
2993 Bright Eagle Dr
Jacksonville, Florida 32226-4045
mpmoaa.org
The Mayport Chapter (MOAA), Inc. is a nonprofit corporation operated to promote the
objectives of the Military Officers Association of
America and for other purposes as set forth in the
Chapter’s Bylaws.
HIGHLIGHTS is the newsletter of the Chapter
published monthly for the information of the
members.
Editor and Web Master:
LCDR John Snyder, USN/Ret…...…….363-6030
MEETING TIME & PLACE
The Chapter meets at the Ocean Breeze
Conference Center, U.S. Naval Station Mayport,
Florida or, as specified in the calendar.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS for 2015
President:
CWO Patrick Ivory, USN/Ret...................757-9206
Vice President:
CDR Miles Dean, USN/Ret.......................... 497-5911
Secretary:
Mrs. Teresa Ivory........................................ 757-9206
Treasurer:
COL Bob Bachmann, USA/Ret.......................... 737-0568
Directors:
CAPT Robert Frampton USN/Ret.............. 642-7856
Carol Trentalance........................................ 821-8074
COL Jim Jandreau USA/Ret .................... 361-3068
Immediate Past President:
LCDR John Snyder, USN/Ret ............................ 363-6030
April Program
W
e are pleased to have Dr. Alan J. Bliss, Visiting Assistant Professor, University of North Florida as our
guest speaker. He will present a History of the St.
Johns River.
Dr. Bliss obtained his BA in History in 1999, his M.A. in
History in 2001 and his Ph. D. in 2010 all from the University of Florida.
He is a renowned speaker and author on Florida History
including; “Tampa’s Postwar Seaport Ambitions: The Origins of the Tampa Port Authority”, “Road Rules: Florida and the Coming of the Automobile”, “River City Roundtable: Jacksonville in Urban History”, “Water Warriors: Naval Action in Florida During the Civil War”, “Jacksonville’s Maritime History” to name a
few.
For twenty years, Alan Bliss held a U.S. Coast Guard Master’s license to operate passenger vessels up to 100 tons. He has managed marine-related businesses, and is an experienced coastal and offshore sailor. He has worked as a real estate appraiser, developer,
broker, and property manager, and has a record of civic and professional service.
CHAPTER CALENDAR
Chaplain:
Programs:
COL Bill Walker, USAR/Ret .....................268-7593
Membership:
Vacant ..............................................................................................
Legislative Affairs:
MG James Snyder, USA/Ret .................... 881-5656
Personal Affairs:
CDR Jerry Johnson, USN/Ret ....................249-1654
Chapter Events:
Mrs. Donna Snyder....................................................363-6030
ROTC/Junior ROTC:
CDR Gale Ruskosky, USN/Ret . . . . . ………564-2081
Data Processing:
LCDR John Snyder, USN/Ret . . . . . ……….…363-6030
AUX Liaison:
Barbara Gearhart........................................................ 744-1195
USO:
CDR Jerry Johnson USN/Ret.........................249-1654
TOPS:
CAPT Mike McHugh, USN/Ret ........................ 992-6123
Public Relations:
Vacant...............................................................................................
Printed by: ARC
7999 Philips Hwy, Suite 202
Jacksonville, FL 32256
2015 MEETING SCHEDULE
May 2015
CDR, Steve Souders CHC USN .............(360) 917-5939
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Page 2
May Board of Director Meeting
2 0930,
Location TBA
Jan 18, Sun, 1230 Ocean Breeze Brunch
Feb 15, Sun, 1230 Ocean Breeze Brunch
10 Mother’s Day
17
1230, Member Meeting Surf Club
Mayport NS Brunch
22 Florida Council of Chapters Annual
- Convention at the World Golf Village
24 Go to http://acmoaa.org to register
25
Memorial Day
Ceremony @ 2:00 PM at Beaches Veterans Memorial Park Mayport Rd and
Atlantic Blvd
June 2015
June Board of Director Meeting
6 0930,
Location TBA
Member Meeting Surf Club
14 1230,
Mayport NS Brunch
Army Birthday (1775) &
14 U.S.
Flag Day
Day &
21 Father’s
First Day of Summer
Mar 15 Sun, 1230 Ocean Breeze Brunch
Apr 19, Sun, 1230, Ocean Breeze Brunch
May 17, Sun, 1230, Surf Club Brunch
Jun 14, Sun, 1230 Surf Club Brunch
Jul
Summer Break
Aug Summer Break
Sep 17 THU, 1130 Ocean Breeze Brunch
Oct 18, Sun, 1230 Cypress Village Brunch
Nov 12, THU, 1130 Ocean Breeze Brunch
Annual Member Meeting, (Toys for Tots)
Election of Officer for 2016
Dec 4, Fri, 1800 Christmas Dinner Dance
(Toys for Tots) to be held at the Hampton Glen
Clubhouse (tentative)
Highlights
May 2015
Page 3
Legislative Affairs
MG Jim Snyder USA (Ret)
C
ongress took a 2 week Easter recess since our last edition so there has been less
legislative action than usual to report this month. The close-in focus remains the
HASC mark ups of the 2016 Defense Authorization Bill which is due by the end of the
month and congressional consideration of recommendations from the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission.
MOAA
Storms the Hill
—
Permanent
Doc fix
PERMANENT END TO DOC FIX ORDEAL However, a very positive legislative outcome was when Congress overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan doc-fix bill. Dramatic cuts in payments to physicians prevented. On April 16, President Obama signed
legislation preventing a 21 percent cut to providers who treat Medicare patients. After
returning from a two-week recess, Congress set aside partisan differences and passed a
long-term solution to provide stability to doctors who accept Medicare. By a vote of 928, the Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation that permanently replaces the formula
used to pay providers treating Medicare patients. The House passed its version of the bill
by a vote of 392-27 before adjourning for recess. Because TRICARE reimbursement
rates are tied to Medicare’s, this legislation affects TRICARE beneficiaries of all ages.
Providers technically had payments cut by 21 percent on April 1 while Congress was in
recess. Since then, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has relied on administrative lag times from when Medicare receives claims to when it actually makes payments
to avoid imposing the pay cuts. The legislation is part of an effort to move away from a
fee-for-service model and shift towards a value-based payment system. The fix changes
the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula, a flawed legislative mechanism used to pay
medical providers who see Medicare and TRICARE patients. The SGR was designed to
incentivize providers to control medical spending by rewarding physicians when the rate
of spending on physician services fell below the growth in gross domestic product
(GDP). However, medical inflation consistently outpaced overall inflation, leading to
scheduled cuts. Cuts to reimbursement rates lead to many providers dropping TRICARE
and Medicare patients. Fearing a dramatic disruption in access to care for millions of
Americans, Congress prevented the cuts 17 times between 2003 and 2015. However,
each time Congress delayed action, the amount of scheduled cuts and cost of a permanent fix grew. Throughout it all, MOAA members sent nearly 1 million messages to their
elected officials urging a permanent resolution. A permanent deal helps sustain Medicare
and TRICARE for Life benefits. “MOAA members can be proud that they did their part
to help millions of Americans keep their health providers. With over 1 million messages
sent to Congress, one thing is certain: MOAA members represent a powerful voting
bloc,” said MOAA’s Deputy Director for Government Relations, CAPT Kathy Beasley,
USN (Ret). MOAA thanks Congress for coming up with a bipartisan solution to the doc
fix ordeal.
(LA Update Continued on page 5)
May 2015
Highlights
Page 4
May 2015
Highlights
Page 5
(LA Update Continued from page 3)
The biggest MOAA effort of the month was the annual Storm the Hill:
MOAA Storms the Hill on pay, TRICARE and sequestration.
MOAA council and chapter presidents from all 50 states, accompanied by members of the national board of directors and headquarters staff, plus members of MOAA’s Currently Serving Advisory Council, Currently Serving Spouse Advisory Council, and Auxiliary
Member Advisory Committee stormed Capitol Hill April 15 and visited nearly all 535 senators and representatives in support of key legislative priorities. Stormers met with their legislators to discuss key military personnel issues that affect the stability of the all-volunteer
force and well-being of military families.
MOAA stormers asked their elected officials to:
•
Sustain military pay and benefits;
•
Reject disproportional TRICARE fee increases that shift costs onto beneficiaries while reducing access;
•
Eliminate harmful sequestration cuts, which threaten national security; and
•
Address remaining inequities for disabled retirees, survivors, and recalled Guard and Reserve personnel.
Hill-stormers’ personal efforts were bolstered by a full-page ad in The Hill newspaper on Wednesday sponsored by MOAA and our
partner PenFed Credit Union.
We were gratified at members’ response to the alert we sent last Friday asking you to support this effort by emailing your legislators.
MOAA members sent nearly 18,000 messages to Capitol Hill, and many legislators and staffers referenced the messages during their
meetings with the MOAA stormers.
The daylong event culminated with a dinner for MOAA Council and Chapter leaders and their spouses, featuring keynote speaker Rep.
Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.
Retired Air Force Gen. Charles Robertson, chairman of MOAA’s board of directors, introduced Chairman Thornberry and closed the
evening by thanking the stormers who had taken to Capitol Hill earlier that day to engage their congressional representatives.
To learn more about this year’s Storming the Hill issues, check out the fact sheets stormers left behind for their legislators.
Also in the news:
A 60-Vote Threshold for Bigger Defense Budgets
A short-term fix to the military's budget concerns has passed the House and Senate. To get around spending caps, a budgetary maneuver could allow $38 billion in extra defense spending by boosting the off-budget overseas contingency account to $96 billion. That is larger than the $58 billion requested by the Pentagon. Extra funding could be available to cover basic programs, not just war-related costs,
as long as spending flexibility is provided. What to watch: Senate rules allow a point of order to be raised against the extra spending, a
move that could be overcome if 60 senators agree. That could prove difficult, as deficit hawks could oppose extra spending that isn't offset and some Democrats could oppose a move that gives more money to the Defense Department but provides no relief to non-defense
programs. Source: AUSA
Can Your Commissary Benefit Be Saved? The Defense Commissary Agency has been a tantalizing target in the three years Congress has
been grappling with how to cut the defense budget. Congress isn't alone in eyeing the commissary for cuts. The fiscal year 2016 defense
budget request and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission have also proposed changes in funding and
(LA Update Continued on page 8)
Highlights
May 2015
Page 6
Chapter President Pat Ivory welcomes CAPT Clarence Hill USN Ret and Past National Commander of the American Legion and chapter
member with COL Bill Walker USA Ret and CAPT Bob Frampton USN Ret
Left: CAPT Jim Dunne
USN Ret, COL Marv
Feldman USAF Ret and
Carole Feldman
Right: AnneMarie Mullen
and Ethel Consoli, standing.
Standing Guard
Highlights
May 2015
Page 7
April Meeting
MG Jim Snyder USA Ret
Addressed the current
Drawdown of the Army
Pat thanks MG Jim Snyder for his presentation
with a set of MOAA glasses
Ma
rv F
e
win ldma
n
50/ s
Pri 50
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s
win
ory
i Iv Prize
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Te oor
D
Jerry Johnson
wins
Free Brunch
Highlights
May 2015
Pertinent Telephone Numbers
I.D. Cards /DEERS NavSta Mayport:
(904) 270-5571
Retired Pay NavSta Mayport:
(904) 270-5363 or direct to
Chuck Venable, ext 149
Retired Activities Office NAS Jax:
(904) 542-2766, ext 124/126
Casualty Affairs NavHospital
NAS Jax:(904) 542-7584
Local Social Security Office:
(904) 730-5555
Florida Dept of Veterans Affairs:
1-800-827-1000, ext 7432
National MOAA Personal Affairs:
1-800-245-8762, ext 116
TRICARE For Life Help Line:
1-866-773-0404
TRICARE Senior Pharmacy (TSRx):
1-877-363-6337
Page 8
(LA Update Continued from page 5)
operation of commissaries to save money. The 2016 Budget reduces commissary funding
by $330M/yr for 3 years, resulting in an estimated 30% reduction in savings. Other ideas
to reduce commissary costs being considered is to potentially consolidate commissaries
and all service exchange services into a Defense Retail Organization, converting General
Schedule and Wage Grade employees to Non-Appropriated Funds employees to reduce
retirement costs. 28% of those employees are military spouses. Source: AUSA
The chapter has a number of members
of the Board of Directors that have
reached the point that they have indicated 2015 is the end of their service in
the chapter. As such we must identify
individuals to fill in the following positons:
SHARING & CARING
President,
1st and 2nd Vice President,
Secretary,
Treasurer,
Program Chairman,
Event Planning Chairman,
Membership Chairman,
Newsletter Editor/Chairman,
Database Chairman and
Webmaster.
Do you know any member or spouse of a
member who is ill or passed away?
If so, please contact
Carol Trentalance
821-8074
our Chapter's
Sharing and Caring committee person
for an appropriate card to be sent.
You answered the call to service when you joined the military. Now we
are asking that you consider a call to service for the Mayport Chapter.
Please let Pat Ivory know which of the above positions you can fill.
R
esidents of the Beaches communities are invited to participate Monday, May 25,
as Memorial Day is observed at Beaches Veterans Memorial Park [BVMP] in
Atlantic Beach. The event begins at 2 p.m.
A number of celebrations will be held at BVMP that day, to include one for the
“Greatest Generation.” Members of the “Greatest Generation,” male and female alike,
are invited to attend the May 25 gathering, to be recognized as special guests of BVMP.
Special seating arrangements are being made for them.
BVMP is situated next to American Legion Post 316, at the intersection of Atlantic
Boulevard and Mayport Road in Atlantic Beach. It’s adjacent to the Mayport Flyover and
under a 20’ by 30’ American flag, flying atop an 80’ flagpole that was raised for the park’s
dedication on Veterans Day 2010.
Highlights
May 2015
Page 9
ROTC/JROTC Report
By CDR Gale Ruskosky, USN (Ret)
The Mayport Chapter of MOAA presented the MOAA Medal and Certificates to
ROTC and JROTC cadets who demonstrate exceptional potential for military leadership. Congratulations to the following MOAA award recipients:
MAYPORT
CHAPTER
RECOGNIZES
OUTSTANDING
ROTC and
JROTC CADETS
AT AWARDS
CEREMONIES IN
APRIL
University of North Florida
Army ROTC
First Coast Senior High School
Navy JROTC
Cadet Abigail Fellows
Cadet Victoria Rice
Cadet Samantha Carter
Paxon School of Advanced Studies
Army JROTC
Bishop Kenny High School
Navy JROTC
Cadet Alysia Rouse
Cadet Christian Tam
Cadet Jaelyn Reyes
Cadet Caitlyn Lucey
Andrew Jackson High School
Air Force JROTC
Sandalwood High School
Air Force JROTC
Cadet Craig Aiken
Cadet Preenaomi Williams
Cadet Erin Pitre
Cadet Gabriela Rodriquez
William H. Raines High School
Army JROTC
Samuel W. Wolfson High School
Army JROTC
Cadet Shanice A. Milton
Cadet Maurice Cater
Cadet Stephanie Nevarez
Cadet C. Austin King
MAYPORT CHAPTER PRESENTED $300 SCHOLARSHIPS
TO
GRADUATING CADETS
AT
HIGH SCHOOL JROTC
AWARDS CEREMONIES
IN APRIL
Congratulations to the following MOAA Scholarship recipients:
Paxon School of Advanced Studies
Army JROTC
William H. Raines High School
Army JROTC
Cadet Chad Tripp
Cadet Derrick Clark
Samuel W. Wolfson High School
Army JROTC
Cadet Madison J. Owens
Highlights
May 2015
Page 10
(Podium Continued from page 1)
on those days. The board had already been looking at alternatives
to the Sunday brunch and had discussed moving the meeting to
lunch time during the week. The issue with Ocean Breeze has
forced our hand to try the alternatives. Therefore, the following
will be the schedule of meeting dates and times.
Sun May 17th Mayport Surf Club – Medal of Honor Room
Sun June 14th Mayport Surf Club – Medal of Honor Room
July and August – Summer Break
Thu Sept 17th – 11:30 am to 1:00 pm Ocean Breeze Conference Center
October – Cypress Village
Thu Nov 12th - 11:30 am to 1:00 pm Ocean Breeze Conference
Center
Fri Dec 4th—6:00 pm Christmas Party Tentative
Pat Ivory
Florida Council of Chapters
2015 Convention
May 22 - 24
At World Golf Village Renaissance Hotel
Celebrating St Augustine 450th
Tours, Golf, Military Ball and MOAA Updates
VADM Norb Ryan USN Ret
will be Keynote Speaker at Sat Breakfast.
Register online at http://acmoaa.org
Hosted by Ancient City Chapter
For those who are unaware,
Mayport Chapter is assisting Ancient City Chapter with the Convention. We are “Hosting” the
Saturday morning Breakfast
Meeting in which Admiral Ryan
will be speaking. As such, as
many of you as possible should
make reservations to attend that
meeting.
We have been assisting with
raising funds to support the convention with ads and sponsors.
May 2015
Highlights
Page 11
Highlights
May 2015
New Members
Membership Report
2015 Membership Scoreboard as of 4/20/14
Retention
Page 12
Recruitment
Total
Members
Description
Life
Target
49
121
15
185
Actual
51
102
3
156
Performance
—
84.3%
20.0%
84.3%
Remarks
Set by Board of
Directors for 2015
Notice of Meeting Location Change
The next two meetings (May and June) will be held at the “Surf Club”, the old
CPO club on Naval Station Mayport. It is located two blocks north of the
Ocean Breeze Conference center. Take the second street past Ocean Breeze and
drive toward the beach.
None. If you know of a Former Officer they are eligible for membership in
MOAA and our chapter. Think about
asking them. This is a vast source of
members and many might be the
“young blood” we need to infuse new
life in the chapter.
Membership Drive
Every Member
Get a
New Member
By the end of
2015
Do your part
Reservations for the Mayport MOAA
May Member Brunch Meeting
Sunday May 17, 2015
Surf Club—
Club—Medal of Honor Room
Naval Station Mayport
Social hour 12:30 PM, Brunch 1:00 PM
Donna Snyder must receive reservations
NO LATER THAN May 13, 2015
Cost is $20 per person
Please reserve ___ for a Total $________
(Checks will be accepted at the door for those who
made their reservations online. Please mail check to the address below.)
Enclose check (for total) payable to: MAYPORT MOAA
Names of Attendees: _______________________________________
Address and Phone: _______________________________________
Note: If none of the members of your party have access to the base please
include their Date of Birth and the last 4 digits of their SSN
when making your reservation
(You may make your reservations online @ http://mpmoaa.org )
Mail your reservations with check to:
Donna Snyder
8692 Hampshire Glen Dr S
Jacksonville FL 32256
Or Call Donna at 363-6030
Menu
Tossed Green Salad w/ assorted dressings
Fresh Fruit Salad
Scrambled Eggs w/ chives
Crispy Bacon
Chicken Marsala
Rice Pilaf
Sautéed Garden
Vegetables
Dessert Station
Coffee, Iced Tea, Water
Cash Bar