PMOAA Beaconpmoaa.org/documents/Newsletters/Dec2010.pdf · 2013. 3. 13. · and heartwarming story. Part of her presentation gave us an insight into the workings of TAPS (Tragedy

Pensacola Chapter Newsletter - December 2010 - Military Officers Association of America Pensacola Chapter Newsletter - December 2010 - Military Officers Association of America

PMOAA Beacon is published by

UPS Store 2927,

proud member of PMOAA

4051 Barrancas Avenue, Suite G

Pensacola, FL 32507-3482

Tel (850) 457-1099 Fax (850) 457-1022

PMOAA Beacon The City of Five Flags-Pensacola Florida

4 Star Chapter Award – 2002 5 Star Chapter Awards — 2003, 2004, 2005,

2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

http://www.pmoaa.org

1

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

PRESIDENT’S CORNER The PMOAA Annual Business Meeting was held No-vember 18, 2010, at one of our favorite venues, Azalea Trace community dining room with Azalea Trace resi-dents, Hal Boyles and Cecil Carlton serving as bartend-ers. Sixty members were afforded the opportunity to hear Mrs. Deborah Tainsh, Gold Star Mother of Sgt. Pat-rick Tainsh who was Killed in Action in Baghdad, Iraq on February 11, 2004. Mrs. Tainsh is the author of “Heart of a Hawk” one family’s sacrifice and journey toward heal-ing. Deborah received the Military Writers Society of America’s Spirit of Freedom Award for this inspirational and heartwarming story. Part of her presentation gave us an insight into the workings of TAPS (Tragedy Assis-tance Program for Survivors), a non-profit organization that provides grief support to the families of fallen mili-tary personnel. Deborah and her husband Sgt. Major David Tainsh, USMC (Ret) currently live in Panama City Beach, Florida. After her presentation, Deborah auto-graphed “Heart of a Hawk”, “Surviving the Folded Flag”, and “Dear Warrior and Hero…” with all proceeds going to the TAPS program. During the business meeting CDR Jim VonLorenz and LCDR Frank Beeby were unanimously elected as mem-bers of the Board of Directors replacing the hard to fol-low acts of Captain Harry Herman and Major George Gilbert. Committee Reports were presented by the Treasurer, Colonel Mike Cook; Membership by Captain Neil Schneider; Scholarship by Captain Jim Frazier; Sur-vivor Assistance by Christine Frazier; MBOC by Com-mander Vann Milheim; and Naval Hospital Liaison by Colonel Alex Ferry. Mrs. Elaine Ciardello was an-nounced as the new Auxiliary Liaison. The 2010 Membership Directory has been mailed to all who requested to be listed in the Directory. Any correc-tions or additions should be addressed to Mrs. Elaine Ciardello at [email protected] I extend my deep-est thanks to the following who participated in bringing the directory to fruition: Captain Frazier, Captain Her-man and Captain Schneider for ad solicitations, Mrs.

Elaine Ciardello for the data base and especially Tom and Kathy Kuklish who spent many hours in drafting and printing the new directory.

President LTCOL Walter R. Limbach, USMC (Ret) 850-473-9899 [email protected]

1st Vice President CDR William (Vann) Milheim USN (Ret) 850-969-9715 [email protected]

2nd Vice President CPT Neal J. Schneider USA (Ret) 850-932-9242 [email protected]

Secretary RADM Joan M. Engel USN (Ret) 850-473-9899 [email protected]

Treasurer COL Michael R. Cook USA (Ret) 850-916-7338 [email protected]

What’s Inside…

pg 1 President's Corner

pg 2 Legislative Update

pg 3 Update (continued)

pg 3 Taps

pg 3 Singles Group

pg 4 PMOAA Photos (Continued)

pg 5 Health Services Consumer Council

pg 5 It’s Time to Renew Your PMOAA Membership

pg 5 PMOAA 2011 Membership Renewal Form

pg 6 PMOAA Directors' Meeting

pg 7 Directors’ Meeting (Continued)

pg 7 Toys for Tots

pg 7 Auxiliary Corner

pg 7 ROWWA Luncheon and Meeting

pg 7 PMOAA December Reservation Form

8

Immediate Past President CAPT James L. Frazier USN (Ret)

850-484-9162 [email protected]

DIRECTORS CAPT Harry A. Herman USN (Ret) 850-857-4353 [email protected]

LTCOL Thomas R. Mayhugh, Sr. USAF (Ret) 850-941-2710 [email protected]

MAJ George Gilbert USA (Ret) 850-494-0716 [email protected]

COL Alex O. Ferry, USA (Ret) 850-696-2088 [email protected]

MAJ Tom Fitzgerald USMC (Ret)


I received the following note from Scholarship recipient Brian Koser: “Dear PMOAA members, Thank you again so much for the scholarship and dinner that you honored me with. My parents also extend their sincere thanks. I greatly anticipate this upcoming school year, and I will not forget your generous contribution to my pursuits. It was a pleasure to meet you all and I will keep you in my prayers. Sincerely, Brian Koser” I look forward to seeing you all at our formal Christmas Dinner Dance on Thursday 9 December, even though my lovely spouse left me for a trip to San Diego. As we move into the New Year, please mark your calen-dars for our annual Memorial Service to be held at the Pensacola Yacht Club on Thursday, 20 January 2011.

Walter Limbach

PMOAA November 2010 Photo

(

(Photos continued on page 4)

NonProfit Org

U.S. Postage Paid Permit No 326

Pensacola Chapter, MOAA P.O. Box 4979

Pensacola, Florida 32507- 4979 Return Service Requested

Deborah Tainsh, Guest Speaker and Gold Star Mother, and LtCOL Limbach

http://[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]












Require Medicare beneficiaries to absorb a greater share of health costs and impose TRICARE fee hikes and imple-ment enrollment fees for all TRICARE programs, Require employers who offer health care plans to reim-

burse the government for employees who opt to use Tri-care, Freeze military and federal civilian pay raises and allow-

ances for three years, Consolidate commissaries and exchanges and eliminate

CONUS dependent schools, Totally revise the military retirement system, vesting after

10 years but delaying annuities until age 60, Raise the Social Security retirement age to 69 and the

early retirement age to 64, Curtail future Medicare and TRICARE payments to doc-

tors (note: but stop the immediate 25% cut), and Require nondisabled vets to pay more to use VA facilities.

The Commission’s full report should be available at www.fiscalcommission.gov.

More recently, and independent of the Commission on Fis-cal Responsibility and Reform, the Debt Reduction Task Force has come out with an even sharper pencil for the Military Community. Co-chaired by former Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) and former Congressional Budget Office Director Alice Rivlin, this group started work last January at the privately funded Bipartisan Policy Center in Washing-ton. Its recommendations pose the most specific and imme-diate threat to life as we have come to know it for the entire Military Community.

Among a broad range of other proposals, the Rivlin-Domenici plan would dramatically alter the military retire-ment system by resurrecting recommendations of the 10

th

Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation (dating to 2008 and generally rejected):

Shifting military retirement to a 401(k)-style system involv-ing member contributions and variable government match-ing (depending on skill, retention needs, etc., each year), producing a defined annuity and a government funded Thrift Savings Plan, Basing retired pay on the highest five years' average basic

pay (vs. the current three years), Delaying eligibility for immediate retired pay until age 57

for those with 20 or more years' service, and Vesting retirement benefits for members with 10 or more years of service, commencing now for ACDU members with less than 15 years service. And, in addition to changes affecting broader civilian com-munities, such as increasing payment of Social Security payroll taxes and medical malpractice tort reform, the Task Force recommends: Modify CPI computation to dampen increases in COLA, Increase in Tricare fees for working-page retirees, with

step increases based on amount of retired pay (note: sounds like means testing) plus increases in some co-pays and an enrollment fee to enter Tricare Standard or Extra plans, Tricare For Life beneficiaries would begin paying unspeci-

fied cost-sharing fees (note: the Task Force did not recom-mend Tricare premiums or co-pays for ACDU members and families),

(Continued on page 3)

PMOAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING (Continued from page 6)

Gold Bar Ceremony: UWF ROTC unit will commission two (2) 2LTs at the commissioning ceremony on Friday,

10 December at 6 PM. LTCOL Limbach will attend and

present the Gold Bars.

Reservations: It was reinforced that if a member makes a reservation, agrees to pay at the door and then

is a no show, efforts will be made by the Treasurer to collect the money. Emergency situations are the excep-

tion.

Addition to Web Site: The webmaster received a re-quest to publish a link on the PMOAA website regarding

Mesothelioma information. A motion was made and

seconded that the link be published. Motion carried.

Military Officer Magazine: CPT Schneider will submit a photo and an article on COL Glenn Frazier, POW and

WW II veteran for publication in the MOAA Military Offi-cer magazine and the FCOC Communiqué. With per-

mission of the Gosport, their article will be used.

Communications Award Submission: After discus-sion regarding communication award submission, a mo-

tion was made by MAJ Gilbert, seconded by CPT

Schneider that PMOAA submit the Print Newsletters, Electronic Newsletters and the Web Site for the 2010

Communications Award. Motion carried. The Chapter President will prepare the appropriate documentation

for the 1 Feb 2011 deadline.

Beacon deadline: COB Wednesday, 24 November

Next Board meeting: Monday, 13 December at 1530 at Azalea Trace.

Meeting adjourned at 1655. Respectfully Submitted,

Joan M. Engel, Secretary

TOYS-FOR-TOTS

CDR Vann Milheim and Edward Jones are proud to support the United States Marine Corps Reserve’s “Toys for Tots” drive again this year. We are ready to receive your donations of new, unwrapped toys for girls and boys through December 9 during normal office hours. We will also offer a collection at this year’s PMOAA Christmas Dinner Dance. Help bring holiday cheer this year by supporting “Toys for Tots”, today!

CDR Vann Milheim

AUXILIARY CORNER Elaine Ciardello has assumed the position of PMOAA

Auxiliary Liaison. If you need information or assistance

with a problem or an issue of concern, please contact

her at 850-439-1892.

PMOAA DECEMBER DINNER DANCE Thursday, 9 December 2010

New World Landing (The British Room) 600 S. Palafox Street, Pensacola, Florida 32502

Hospitality Hour: 1730 - 1830 Dinner Served: 1830

Program: DJ Music & Dancing Attire: Formal

Menu Chicken Cordon Bleu, Parsley New Red Potatoes,

Green Beans, House Salad, Dinner Rolls w/butter,

Key Lime Pie, Iced Tea, Coffee, Cash Bar.

Reservations MUST be received by Sunday, 5 December 2010

– NO EXCEPTIONS-

Dinners are ordered on the basis of accepted reservations. Phone/email reservations are considered committed and

payable at the door.

Mail reservations to: CDR Vann Milheim, USN (Ret) 3001 Marcus Pointe Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32505-1818 Phone: 850-434-8266 Email: [email protected]

Reservations for ____ @ $25.00/person Total Enclosed $_______ Make check payable to PMOAA

_____ Check here if you would like a Singles Table Member Name _____________________ Spouse Name _____________________ Guest(s) Name _____________________

2

THE BITTER END By CAPT Owen Englander, USN, Retired

Chairman, National & Legislative Affairs, PMOAA

In use for some 1,200 years: the bitter end…from a sour taste… the limit of one’s ability to affect things… the last extremity…

or, more recently, what’s left of a line aboard ship when the line is fully paid out. In all, a fitting description of the lame duck session of the 111

th Congress as it relates to the Mili-

tary Community. At this editorial-driven early writing, there is not much good news beyond another six-week kick of the pending 23% cut in Medicare to the end of December. However, existing law will make the January bite in practi-tioner’s compensation about 25% if nothing else happens. There is still no Defense Authorization or Appropriation while we are at war in the Middle East and Asian Commu-nists again tweak our ally’s tail.

With regard to specific legislation: long standing legislative goals for the Military Community such as fixing the SBP-DIC Offset, full Concurrent Receipt, reform of a variety of Guard/Reserve issues, family issues such as hiring priority for dependent spouses, and so on will have to become new business for the 112

th Congress. Keep in mind the irony

that our Community’s largely conservative attitude has, in some constituencies, seen a lot of legislative supporters of things military go down to defeat on November 2

nd.

Readers will recall that I do not often ring up general quar-ters unless there are specific legislative targets to engage. We are entering what can only be described as “a target-rich environment.” The specifics will become evident in the next 60 to 90 days. It is certain that a demand for cost-offsets will shape the legislative battle field.

There are contrary money matters that we will have a hard time addressing. You would have to be freshly arrived from outer-space to be unaware of the general fiscal and mone-tary situation. The Administration is at once profligate in extending the domestic activity of government while be-coming tight-fisted with the Military Community, even as troops are deployed in combat. Nothing new here. SECDEF Gates carried his attitudes about Defense spend-ing on people-things from the Bush to the Obama Admini-strations. It was during the Bush Administration that De-fense Under Secretary Chu testified to the Congress that the DOD was interested in those serving, not those who had served. Were Defense not already motivated to cut and tighten up on anything that doesn’t go BANG… and not a few things that do…. comes now potentially deadly fire from both flanks.

The President’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsi-bility and Reform, Chaired by former Sen. Alan Simpson (R-WY) and Clinton’s former Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles, will propose stringent changes in both civilian and military programs ranging from health care funding to retirement age and pensions. Proposed initiatives affecting the Military and Veterans' Communities would impact life from COLA computation to overhaul of Tricare. Among other things:

Change the CPI to depress COLAs for all federal annuity programs and reduce COLAs for "early military retirees" (in previous proposals, such wording has meant "before age 60"),

7

THE RETIRED OFFICERS’ WIVES AND WIDOWS ASSOCIATION

DECEMBER LUNCHEON AND MEETING

The Retired Officers’ Wives and Widows Association De-

cember Christmas luncheon and meeting will be held at Scenic Hills Country Club. Thursday, December 9, 2010.

Social time will begin at 11 AM followed by lunch at 11:30

AM. The Christmas program will be Larry and Gale Book playing and singing Christmas music. Reservations are

required; send checks to ROWWA, P.O. Box 1193, Gulf

Breeze, FL 32562. Reservations must be received by Saturday before the luncheon. For additional information,

call Jeannie Harris at 677-9089 or Jo-Ann Price at 934-6300.

New members from all branches of the uniformed ser-vices and guests are welcome. ROWWA meets the sec-

ond Thursday of each month. Eileen Brotherton,

Publicity Chairwoman, ROWWA

http://www.fiscalcommission.gov/



TAPS

LTGEN Robert P. Keller, USMC (Ret) – November 2010

have served. Encouragement and compensation for service has to be more than the psychic income of the patriot’s call-ing if a standing volunteer force, willing to accept the un-precedented demands of unconventional wars such as Iraq and Afghanistan, is to be maintained.

SINGLES GROUP

Here comes the EARLY BIRD – your calendar of events for 2011. Please clip it out and/or mark your own calendar. Hosts/hostesses please remember that I need to know the location of the meeting on the third Sunday of the month prior in order to get it into the Beacon on time.

In January-March, we are going to meet on the third Wednesday of the month for lunch at 11:30 AM. Wednesday, 19 January – Please volunteer to host Wednesday, 16 February – Mertie Biondo Wednesday, 16 March – Joanne Moriello Friday, 29 April – Gisela Vogentanz Thursday, 26 May – Margaret Wade Thursday, 23 June – Rhetta Giuli Thursday, 28 July – Please volunteer to host Thursday, 25 August – Please volunteer to host

Just a gentle reminder: Christmas Party, Friday 10 Decem-ber at my house at 5 PM. Merry Christmas!

Gisela Vogentanz (478-9292).

This information will be provided to CAPT Englander who graciously agreed to serve as the Bylaws chair.

Veteran’s Day Parade: RADM Engel suggested that PMOAA members marching in the Veteran’s Day parade be in some kind of a uniform. Suggestions were made as follows: khaki pants, blue blazer with MOAA insig-nia, MOAA ball cap, and white shirt with MOAA logo. This will be discussed at a later date but well in advance of the 2011 Veteran’s Day parade to facilitate purchase of items. Standardization of attire would enhance officer representation at the parade.

USO Donation: PMOAA will present a $500 donation to Heidi Blair on Thursday, 2 December 2010 at 1000 hours at the USO office at the Pensacola Regional Air-port.

PMOAA 2011 Schedule of Events: CDR Milheim and board members discussed location of future events and potential speakers for next year. Anticipate a rough draft will be published in the January Beacon.

NEW BUSINESS Upcoming Events: CDR Milheim reported a change in location for the Christmas Dinner Dance because of ir-reconcilable differences with MBOC. The Club First Menu only applies to functions that are held Tuesday through Thursday during the day time hours – it does not apply to evening functions. Letters voicing displeasure were sent to appropriate personnel. The Christmas Din-ner dance will now be held at New World Landing and will be a plated dinner for $25.00. It was suggested that reservations be made via the PMOAA web site. A DJ will be available for 3 hours for your dancing pleasure. CDR Milheim will continue to negotiate with the Officers Club for potential functions in 2011and will attend the MBOC Advisory meeting next month.

New Directory Cost: A motion was made by MAJ Gil-bert, seconded by CDR Milheim that the publisher be reimbursed $775 to cover the cost of initial printing plus additional printing of directories for new members. Mo-tion unanimously approved. RADM Engel will deliver the check.

Suggestion for Location of Board Meetings: CPT Schneider suggested board meetings be held at various homes vice Azalea Trace. After discussion, a motion was made by CAPT Frazier, seconded by COL Ferry that meetings will continue at Azalea Trace unless a board member volunteers to host a meeting elsewhere. Motion carried.

New Directors: LCDR Beeby and CDR VonLorenz, new directors, will be invited to attend the December board meeting for orientation. LTCOL Limbach will take for action.

(Continued on page 7) 6

PMOAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING 23 November 2010

President Limbach called the meeting to order at 1530 hours at Azalea Trace with the following members pre-sent: LTCOL Limbach, CDR Milheim, CPT Schneider, COL Cook, RADM Engel, CAPT Frazier, COL Ferry and MAJ Gilbert.

Members Absent: LTCOL Mayhugh, CAPT Herman and MAJ Fitzgerald.

Treasurer Report: Official audit results are still pend-ing. Once outstanding bills are paid, the balance in the general fund is good. Scholarship collections to date are over $1300 which does not include the $300 just re-cently received. Thanks to all who have recently do-nated in honor of or in memory of someone. Motion was made by CAPT Frazier, seconded by CDR Milheim to accept the treasurer report as presented. Motion car-ried.

OLD BUSINESS COMMITTEE REPORTS Membership: CPT Schneider explained the Give Me 10 campaign as it relates to Active Duty and Former members. The Give Me 10 campaign will continue next year. The Lost Patrol (expired membership in MOAA) was discussed. MOAA membership expires the end of December. Nine PMOAA members on the list will be contacted after the first of the year to solicit MOAA mem-bership renewal.

Scholarship: CAPT Frazier is soliciting essay topic suggestions from committee members. His goal is to have the 2011 essay topic posted on the PMOAA web site no later than 3 January 2011.

NH Liaison: Col Ferry reported that the Naval Hospi-tal campus is now tobacco free. Relay for Health, Flu shots for seniors and Healthcare maintenance issues dominated the last Health Services Consumer Council meeting. See report in the December Beacon.

PMOAA Strategic Plan: COL Ferry reported that additional input has been received. The suggestions have been taken under advisement for discussion when the plan is reviewed next year.

Membership Directory: CAPT Frazier reported that the 2010 Membership Directory has been mailed. If errors or omissions are noted, please contact the data base manager, Elaine Ciardello. An addendum will be pub-lished at a later date with corrections and addition of new members and will be disseminated in the Beacon.

Biennial Review of Bylaws: LTCOL Limbach, as of this date, has received no input from chapter members. He suggested that an item be added requiring an external audit be done whenever the Treasurer position changes. 3

THE BITTER END (Continued from page 2)

Increase co-pays in the Tricare retail pharmacy network to as much as $45 for a 30 day supply of brand-name medicines that are off-formulary (note: the recommenda-tions also reduce co-pays to zero for generic drugs), Freeze Defense spending for five years (note: DOD

spending for FY2010 was 4.7% of GDP, 1.1–1.4% lower as a percentage of GDP than the amount spent on de-fense during the peak of Cold-War military spending in the late 1980s.), and

Reduce the active force by 275,000 billets (note: while service members are already doing three and four tours in the “sandbox”).

What may be again lost in the shuffle is the difference between entitlements legislated as social programs and earned benefits provided under both implicit and actual contract between the government and Service members. Keep in mind that when Colonel Bud Day took his case concerning life-time health care promised to those who signed up prior to December 1956 to the Supreme Court the Supremes found that the case was valid at face but that Congress had the responsibility to fix things. In any event, I can not help but feel that the melding of military benefits with the larger civilian community makes such distinctions more and more difficult to press.

We understand the problems, and most readers probably share my agreement that a lot has to give from among a lot of citizens to set right the fiscal and monetary damage visited upon the nation over the past few years. What is appropriate depends upon whose ox is gored. In the ab-sence of inflation there is no COLA for Defense and VA annuitants in 2010 and 2011. Yet taxes and utility charges rise and public employees receive pay raises not particularly tied to merit. We see what are, taken together, huge amounts of money sent abroad for ostensibly good works that can not now be afforded and may actually be supporting some really “bad guys.” We see what are, in sum, huge amounts of money being spent at home on niceties that are better afforded in times of plenty. AM-TRAK rolls whether or not passengers ride. And do not dare even think about defunding NPR/PBS in favor of commercial support…. Too emotional? Earlier this year POLITICO carried the observation: “Don’t bother trying to count up the number of agencies, boards and commis-sions created under the new health care law. Estimating the number is “impossible,” a recent Congressional Re-search Service report says….”

So in the two or three months until specific legislation again comes to public view it might not be a bad idea to remind your Congressional delegation that… we gave at the office. And remind those Senators and House mem-bers how many other Departments, Agencies, Commis-sions and myriad Sacred Cows there are to consider be-fore imposing the massive perturbations that would occur among ACDU, Guard/Reserve and Retired folks if we are asked to retool our lives on the fly.

I continue to hold that the sacrifices of military life warrant a special place for those who serve and those who

Christine Frazier, Broker Associate CRS, GRI, CDPE, Notary Public

ERA Old South Prop. Inc.

6218 N 9th Ave.• Pensacola, FL 32504 850-304-7773 cell 850-484-9162 phone & fax

North Florida Chapter CRS, Membership Committee www.pensacolachristine.com

Four BR + library, 3.5 baths, travertine floors, granite countertops, formal dining + brkfst nook & bar, soak away stress in whirlpool tub or walk into surround shower big enough to need no door. Trey ceiling re-cessed lighting, collectibles niches, kidney shaped, heated salt water pool, oversized 3 car garage, hurri-cane shutters, whole house generator, $535,000.


HEALTH SERVICES CONSUMER COUNCIL

The 28 October 2010 was the last meeting of the Health Services Consumer Council for the year 2010. Just as in previous meetings the major focus was on Health Care Maintenance with reference to Healthy Life Styles and Con-sumer Education. These points were referenced by the Naval Hospital Pensacola (NHP) Executive Officer indicat-ing how these two factors have an impact on cost contain-ment for the Government.

The most significant message at this meeting was the dec-laration that NHP will be a NO TOBACCO campus as of 18 November 2010. That is, no tobacco may be smoked or chewed while within the posted boundaries of the NHP. This includes all active duty service members, all civilian employees and all visitors including inpatients and outpa-tients. Further, NHP ask all tobacco users to not smoke in their cars, nor in the parking lots or in the gazebos on the property. This policy is in effect at all times around the clock. To begin the implementation of this policy, NHP initi-ated in January 2010 major support groups as well as medical interventions, and behavioral therapies to assist those smokers to cease tobacco use.

Assisting in providing the correct care of clients, a Relay Health program has been initiated. Once enrolled in this program, the focus is “Connecting Patients and their Pro-viders within the Patient Centered Medical Home.” This program’s goal is directed at faster and better connections with the Health Care Providers. Consumers of NHP ser-vices are strongly encouraged to enroll in the “Relay Health program.”

Again, we were reminded that the “Flu Season is Here” and strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as a preventative measure against seasonal Influenza. Call Central Appoint-ments (505.7171) to schedule an appointment. In the same light of being proactive, we were reminded that Dia-betes is an ongoing health concern and becoming more frequently diagnosed. More information about Diabetes is available at 505.6367.

Naval Hospital is now on “Facebook” joining U.S. Navy Medicine commands throughout the world providing patient-centered information about local and regional activities at the facility. “The ultimate goal,” stated by the NHP Com-mander is improving patients’ lifestyles and lives.

Alex Ferry

IT’S TIME AGAIN TO RENEW YOUR

PMOAA MEMBERSHIP

Enclosed in this newsletter is our annual renewal form. Please note your mailing label. If it reads “JAN11” your dues for 2011 are due at this time. Some members have paid one or two years in advance, and their label will read “JAN12”, etc. Those members do not need to renew at this time. However, it is important that all of you complete and/or update your personal information to help us keep our data base up-to-date. Your national membership number is indicated on the mailing label for your MOAA magazine. Finally, please give consideration to including a generous contribution to our scholarship fund. We need your help!

The new Directory has just been published. If you notice any errors, please notify Elaine Ciardello, our data base manager as soon as possible.

2011 PMOAA MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM

Please Print FULL NAME (Last) (First) (Middle) RANK/SERVICE: Circle: AD; RET; RESERVE;GUARD; AUXILIARY SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER ADDRESS PHONE NUMBER E-MAIL ADDRESS (For Official Chapter Communications/Use) Circle one: I am OR I am not a member of National MOAA. MY MOAA number is: Do you want your name, address, phone number, e-mail address published in the PMOAA directory? Yes No Might like to serve as a Chapter Officer or as a Director: Yes No Might like to serve on a Chapter Committee: Me: Yes No

Spouse: Yes No _____ Membership Dues: $20.00/person/year _____ Auxiliary Dues: $20.00/person/year _____ Social Member: Free but must renew membership. See PMOAA Bylaws, Article 1 Section A.3 for membership criteria. _____ TAX-DEDUCTIBLE SCHOLARSHIP CONTRIBUTION _____ TOTAL ENCLOSED Please make check payable to: PMOAA

Mail to: Membership, PMOAA P.O. Box 4979 Pensacola, FL 32507- 4979

4

5

All Photos Courtesy of Elaine Ciardello/Christine Frazier

l/r Betty Jacques, Wanda Riley, Ethel Tamburello, Mertie Biondo, Standing Gisela Vogentanz and Anna-Francis Apap

l/r Jan Baker, Judy Gilbert, Kim Edens, Jeannine Lucas and MAJ Molly Werner USA

Art and Harriette Ruberg - New Members

CAPT Don Applegate and Peggy, CDR Robert Romaine, LTCOL Bert Stumpe and Hammy

Jeanne and CDR George Gedney

Dondy and CDR Henry T. Buckley

Norma and LTCOL Elwin Reichert Hal Boyles and Cecil Carlton - Evening Bartenders


HEALTH SERVICES CONSUMER COUNCIL

The 28 October 2010 was the last meeting of the Health Services Consumer Council for the year 2010. Just as in previous meetings the major focus was on Health Care Maintenance with reference to Healthy Life Styles and Con-sumer Education. These points were referenced by the Naval Hospital Pensacola (NHP) Executive Officer indicat-ing how these two factors have an impact on cost contain-ment for the Government.

The most significant message at this meeting was the dec-laration that NHP will be a NO TOBACCO campus as of 18 November 2010. That is, no tobacco may be smoked or chewed while within the posted boundaries of the NHP. This includes all active duty service members, all civilian employees and all visitors including inpatients and outpa-tients. Further, NHP ask all tobacco users to not smoke in their cars, nor in the parking lots or in the gazebos on the property. This policy is in effect at all times around the clock. To begin the implementation of this policy, NHP initi-ated in January 2010 major support groups as well as medical interventions, and behavioral therapies to assist those smokers to cease tobacco use.

Assisting in providing the correct care of clients, a Relay Health program has been initiated. Once enrolled in this program, the focus is “Connecting Patients and their Pro-viders within the Patient Centered Medical Home.” This program’s goal is directed at faster and better connections with the Health Care Providers. Consumers of NHP ser-vices are strongly encouraged to enroll in the “Relay Health program.”

Again, we were reminded that the “Flu Season is Here” and strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as a preventative measure against seasonal Influenza. Call Central Appoint-ments (505.7171) to schedule an appointment. In the same light of being proactive, we were reminded that Dia-betes is an ongoing health concern and becoming more frequently diagnosed. More information about Diabetes is available at 505.6367.

Naval Hospital is now on “Facebook” joining U.S. Navy Medicine commands throughout the world providing patient-centered information about local and regional activities at the facility. “The ultimate goal,” stated by the NHP Com-mander is improving patients’ lifestyles and lives.

Alex Ferry

IT’S TIME AGAIN TO RENEW YOUR

PMOAA MEMBERSHIP

Enclosed in this newsletter is our annual renewal form. Please note your mailing label. If it reads “JAN11” your dues for 2011 are due at this time. Some members have paid one or two years in advance, and their label will read “JAN12”, etc. Those members do not need to renew at this time. However, it is important that all of you complete and/or update your personal information to help us keep our data base up-to-date. Your national membership number is indicated on the mailing label for your MOAA magazine. Finally, please give consideration to including a generous contribution to our scholarship fund. We need your help!

The new Directory has just been published. If you notice any errors, please notify Elaine Ciardello, our data base manager as soon as possible.

2011 PMOAA MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM

Please Print FULL NAME (Last) (First) (Middle) RANK/SERVICE: Circle: AD; RET; RESERVE;GUARD; AUXILIARY SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER ADDRESS PHONE NUMBER E-MAIL ADDRESS (For Official Chapter Communications/Use) Circle one: I am OR I am not a member of National MOAA. MY MOAA number is: Do you want your name, address, phone number, e-mail address published in the PMOAA directory? Yes No Might like to serve as a Chapter Officer or as a Director: Yes No Might like to serve on a Chapter Committee: Me: Yes No

Spouse: Yes No _____ Membership Dues: $20.00/person/year _____ Auxiliary Dues: $20.00/person/year _____ Social Member: Free but must renew membership. See PMOAA Bylaws, Article 1 Section A.3 for membership criteria. _____ TAX-DEDUCTIBLE SCHOLARSHIP CONTRIBUTION _____ TOTAL ENCLOSED Please make check payable to: PMOAA

Mail to: Membership, PMOAA P.O. Box 4979 Pensacola, FL 32507- 4979

4

5

All Photos Courtesy of Elaine Ciardello/Christine Frazier

l/r Betty Jacques, Wanda Riley, Ethel Tamburello, Mertie Biondo, Standing Gisela Vogentanz and Anna-Francis Apap

l/r Jan Baker, Judy Gilbert, Kim Edens, Jeannine Lucas and MAJ Molly Werner USA

Art and Harriette Ruberg - New Members

CAPT Don Applegate and Peggy, CDR Robert Romaine, LTCOL Bert Stumpe and Hammy

Jeanne and CDR George Gedney

Dondy and CDR Henry T. Buckley

Norma and LTCOL Elwin Reichert Hal Boyles and Cecil Carlton - Evening Bartenders


TAPS

LTGEN Robert P. Keller, USMC (Ret) – November 2010

have served. Encouragement and compensation for service has to be more than the psychic income of the patriot’s call-ing if a standing volunteer force, willing to accept the un-precedented demands of unconventional wars such as Iraq and Afghanistan, is to be maintained.

SINGLES GROUP

Here comes the EARLY BIRD – your calendar of events for 2011. Please clip it out and/or mark your own calendar. Hosts/hostesses please remember that I need to know the location of the meeting on the third Sunday of the month prior in order to get it into the Beacon on time.

In January-March, we are going to meet on the third Wednesday of the month for lunch at 11:30 AM. Wednesday, 19 January – Please volunteer to host Wednesday, 16 February – Mertie Biondo Wednesday, 16 March – Joanne Moriello Friday, 29 April – Gisela Vogentanz Thursday, 26 May – Margaret Wade Thursday, 23 June – Rhetta Giuli Thursday, 28 July – Please volunteer to host Thursday, 25 August – Please volunteer to host

Just a gentle reminder: Christmas Party, Friday 10 Decem-ber at my house at 5 PM. Merry Christmas!

Gisela Vogentanz (478-9292).

This information will be provided to CAPT Englander who graciously agreed to serve as the Bylaws chair.

Veteran’s Day Parade: RADM Engel suggested that PMOAA members marching in the Veteran’s Day parade be in some kind of a uniform. Suggestions were made as follows: khaki pants, blue blazer with MOAA insig-nia, MOAA ball cap, and white shirt with MOAA logo. This will be discussed at a later date but well in advance of the 2011 Veteran’s Day parade to facilitate purchase of items. Standardization of attire would enhance officer representation at the parade.

USO Donation: PMOAA will present a $500 donation to Heidi Blair on Thursday, 2 December 2010 at 1000 hours at the USO office at the Pensacola Regional Air-port.

PMOAA 2011 Schedule of Events: CDR Milheim and board members discussed location of future events and potential speakers for next year. Anticipate a rough draft will be published in the January Beacon.

NEW BUSINESS Upcoming Events: CDR Milheim reported a change in location for the Christmas Dinner Dance because of ir-reconcilable differences with MBOC. The Club First Menu only applies to functions that are held Tuesday through Thursday during the day time hours – it does not apply to evening functions. Letters voicing displeasure were sent to appropriate personnel. The Christmas Din-ner dance will now be held at New World Landing and will be a plated dinner for $25.00. It was suggested that reservations be made via the PMOAA web site. A DJ will be available for 3 hours for your dancing pleasure. CDR Milheim will continue to negotiate with the Officers Club for potential functions in 2011and will attend the MBOC Advisory meeting next month.

New Directory Cost: A motion was made by MAJ Gil-bert, seconded by CDR Milheim that the publisher be reimbursed $775 to cover the cost of initial printing plus additional printing of directories for new members. Mo-tion unanimously approved. RADM Engel will deliver the check.

Suggestion for Location of Board Meetings: CPT Schneider suggested board meetings be held at various homes vice Azalea Trace. After discussion, a motion was made by CAPT Frazier, seconded by COL Ferry that meetings will continue at Azalea Trace unless a board member volunteers to host a meeting elsewhere. Motion carried.

New Directors: LCDR Beeby and CDR VonLorenz, new directors, will be invited to attend the December board meeting for orientation. LTCOL Limbach will take for action.

(Continued on page 7) 6

PMOAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING 23 November 2010

President Limbach called the meeting to order at 1530 hours at Azalea Trace with the following members pre-sent: LTCOL Limbach, CDR Milheim, CPT Schneider, COL Cook, RADM Engel, CAPT Frazier, COL Ferry and MAJ Gilbert.

Members Absent: LTCOL Mayhugh, CAPT Herman and MAJ Fitzgerald.

Treasurer Report: Official audit results are still pend-ing. Once outstanding bills are paid, the balance in the general fund is good. Scholarship collections to date are over $1300 which does not include the $300 just re-cently received. Thanks to all who have recently do-nated in honor of or in memory of someone. Motion was made by CAPT Frazier, seconded by CDR Milheim to accept the treasurer report as presented. Motion car-ried.

OLD BUSINESS COMMITTEE REPORTS Membership: CPT Schneider explained the Give Me 10 campaign as it relates to Active Duty and Former members. The Give Me 10 campaign will continue next year. The Lost Patrol (expired membership in MOAA) was discussed. MOAA membership expires the end of December. Nine PMOAA members on the list will be contacted after the first of the year to solicit MOAA mem-bership renewal.

Scholarship: CAPT Frazier is soliciting essay topic suggestions from committee members. His goal is to have the 2011 essay topic posted on the PMOAA web site no later than 3 January 2011.

NH Liaison: Col Ferry reported that the Naval Hospi-tal campus is now tobacco free. Relay for Health, Flu shots for seniors and Healthcare maintenance issues dominated the last Health Services Consumer Council meeting. See report in the December Beacon.

PMOAA Strategic Plan: COL Ferry reported that additional input has been received. The suggestions have been taken under advisement for discussion when the plan is reviewed next year.

Membership Directory: CAPT Frazier reported that the 2010 Membership Directory has been mailed. If errors or omissions are noted, please contact the data base manager, Elaine Ciardello. An addendum will be pub-lished at a later date with corrections and addition of new members and will be disseminated in the Beacon.

Biennial Review of Bylaws: LTCOL Limbach, as of this date, has received no input from chapter members. He suggested that an item be added requiring an external audit be done whenever the Treasurer position changes. 3

THE BITTER END (Continued from page 2)

Increase co-pays in the Tricare retail pharmacy network to as much as $45 for a 30 day supply of brand-name medicines that are off-formulary (note: the recommenda-tions also reduce co-pays to zero for generic drugs), Freeze Defense spending for five years (note: DOD

spending for FY2010 was 4.7% of GDP, 1.1–1.4% lower as a percentage of GDP than the amount spent on de-fense during the peak of Cold-War military spending in the late 1980s.), and

Reduce the active force by 275,000 billets (note: while service members are already doing three and four tours in the “sandbox”).

What may be again lost in the shuffle is the difference between entitlements legislated as social programs and earned benefits provided under both implicit and actual contract between the government and Service members. Keep in mind that when Colonel Bud Day took his case concerning life-time health care promised to those who signed up prior to December 1956 to the Supreme Court the Supremes found that the case was valid at face but that Congress had the responsibility to fix things. In any event, I can not help but feel that the melding of military benefits with the larger civilian community makes such distinctions more and more difficult to press.

We understand the problems, and most readers probably share my agreement that a lot has to give from among a lot of citizens to set right the fiscal and monetary damage visited upon the nation over the past few years. What is appropriate depends upon whose ox is gored. In the ab-sence of inflation there is no COLA for Defense and VA annuitants in 2010 and 2011. Yet taxes and utility charges rise and public employees receive pay raises not particularly tied to merit. We see what are, taken together, huge amounts of money sent abroad for ostensibly good works that can not now be afforded and may actually be supporting some really “bad guys.” We see what are, in sum, huge amounts of money being spent at home on niceties that are better afforded in times of plenty. AM-TRAK rolls whether or not passengers ride. And do not dare even think about defunding NPR/PBS in favor of commercial support…. Too emotional? Earlier this year POLITICO carried the observation: “Don’t bother trying to count up the number of agencies, boards and commis-sions created under the new health care law. Estimating the number is “impossible,” a recent Congressional Re-search Service report says….”

So in the two or three months until specific legislation again comes to public view it might not be a bad idea to remind your Congressional delegation that… we gave at the office. And remind those Senators and House mem-bers how many other Departments, Agencies, Commis-sions and myriad Sacred Cows there are to consider be-fore imposing the massive perturbations that would occur among ACDU, Guard/Reserve and Retired folks if we are asked to retool our lives on the fly.

I continue to hold that the sacrifices of military life warrant a special place for those who serve and those who

Christine Frazier, Broker Associate CRS, GRI, CDPE, Notary Public

ERA Old South Prop. Inc.

6218 N 9th Ave.• Pensacola, FL 32504 850-304-7773 cell 850-484-9162 phone & fax

North Florida Chapter CRS, Membership Committee www.pensacolachristine.com

Four BR + library, 3.5 baths, travertine floors, granite countertops, formal dining + brkfst nook & bar, soak away stress in whirlpool tub or walk into surround shower big enough to need no door. Trey ceiling re-cessed lighting, collectibles niches, kidney shaped, heated salt water pool, oversized 3 car garage, hurri-cane shutters, whole house generator, $535,000.


Require Medicare beneficiaries to absorb a greater share of health costs and impose TRICARE fee hikes and imple-ment enrollment fees for all TRICARE programs, Require employers who offer health care plans to reim-

burse the government for employees who opt to use Tri-care, Freeze military and federal civilian pay raises and allow-

ances for three years, Consolidate commissaries and exchanges and eliminate

CONUS dependent schools, Totally revise the military retirement system, vesting after

10 years but delaying annuities until age 60, Raise the Social Security retirement age to 69 and the

early retirement age to 64, Curtail future Medicare and TRICARE payments to doc-

tors (note: but stop the immediate 25% cut), and Require nondisabled vets to pay more to use VA facilities.

The Commission’s full report should be available at www.fiscalcommission.gov.

More recently, and independent of the Commission on Fis-cal Responsibility and Reform, the Debt Reduction Task Force has come out with an even sharper pencil for the Military Community. Co-chaired by former Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) and former Congressional Budget Office Director Alice Rivlin, this group started work last January at the privately funded Bipartisan Policy Center in Washing-ton. Its recommendations pose the most specific and imme-diate threat to life as we have come to know it for the entire Military Community.

Among a broad range of other proposals, the Rivlin-Domenici plan would dramatically alter the military retire-ment system by resurrecting recommendations of the 10

th

Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation (dating to 2008 and generally rejected):

Shifting military retirement to a 401(k)-style system involv-ing member contributions and variable government match-ing (depending on skill, retention needs, etc., each year), producing a defined annuity and a government funded Thrift Savings Plan, Basing retired pay on the highest five years' average basic

pay (vs. the current three years), Delaying eligibility for immediate retired pay until age 57

for those with 20 or more years' service, and Vesting retirement benefits for members with 10 or more years of service, commencing now for ACDU members with less than 15 years service. And, in addition to changes affecting broader civilian com-munities, such as increasing payment of Social Security payroll taxes and medical malpractice tort reform, the Task Force recommends: Modify CPI computation to dampen increases in COLA, Increase in Tricare fees for working-page retirees, with

step increases based on amount of retired pay (note: sounds like means testing) plus increases in some co-pays and an enrollment fee to enter Tricare Standard or Extra plans, Tricare For Life beneficiaries would begin paying unspeci-

fied cost-sharing fees (note: the Task Force did not recom-mend Tricare premiums or co-pays for ACDU members and families),

(Continued on page 3)

PMOAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING (Continued from page 6)

Gold Bar Ceremony: UWF ROTC unit will commission two (2) 2LTs at the commissioning ceremony on Friday,

10 December at 6 PM. LTCOL Limbach will attend and

present the Gold Bars.

Reservations: It was reinforced that if a member makes a reservation, agrees to pay at the door and then

is a no show, efforts will be made by the Treasurer to collect the money. Emergency situations are the excep-

tion.

Addition to Web Site: The webmaster received a re-quest to publish a link on the PMOAA website regarding

Mesothelioma information. A motion was made and

seconded that the link be published. Motion carried.

Military Officer Magazine: CPT Schneider will submit a photo and an article on COL Glenn Frazier, POW and

WW II veteran for publication in the MOAA Military Offi-cer magazine and the FCOC Communiqué. With per-

mission of the Gosport, their article will be used.

Communications Award Submission: After discus-sion regarding communication award submission, a mo-

tion was made by MAJ Gilbert, seconded by CPT

Schneider that PMOAA submit the Print Newsletters, Electronic Newsletters and the Web Site for the 2010

Communications Award. Motion carried. The Chapter President will prepare the appropriate documentation

for the 1 Feb 2011 deadline.

Beacon deadline: COB Wednesday, 24 November

Next Board meeting: Monday, 13 December at 1530 at Azalea Trace.

Meeting adjourned at 1655. Respectfully Submitted,

Joan M. Engel, Secretary

TOYS-FOR-TOTS

CDR Vann Milheim and Edward Jones are proud to support the United States Marine Corps Reserve’s “Toys for Tots” drive again this year. We are ready to receive your donations of new, unwrapped toys for girls and boys through December 9 during normal office hours. We will also offer a collection at this year’s PMOAA Christmas Dinner Dance. Help bring holiday cheer this year by supporting “Toys for Tots”, today!

CDR Vann Milheim

AUXILIARY CORNER Elaine Ciardello has assumed the position of PMOAA

Auxiliary Liaison. If you need information or assistance

with a problem or an issue of concern, please contact

her at 850-439-1892.

PMOAA DECEMBER DINNER DANCE Thursday, 9 December 2010

New World Landing (The British Room) 600 S. Palafox Street, Pensacola, Florida 32502

Hospitality Hour: 1730 - 1830 Dinner Served: 1830

Program: DJ Music & Dancing Attire: Formal

Menu Chicken Cordon Bleu, Parsley New Red Potatoes,

Green Beans, House Salad, Dinner Rolls w/butter,

Key Lime Pie, Iced Tea, Coffee, Cash Bar.

Reservations MUST be received by Sunday, 5 December 2010

– NO EXCEPTIONS-

Dinners are ordered on the basis of accepted reservations. Phone/email reservations are considered committed and

payable at the door.

Mail reservations to: CDR Vann Milheim, USN (Ret) 3001 Marcus Pointe Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32505-1818 Phone: 850-434-8266 Email: [email protected]

Reservations for ____ @ $25.00/person Total Enclosed $_______ Make check payable to PMOAA

_____ Check here if you would like a Singles Table Member Name _____________________ Spouse Name _____________________ Guest(s) Name _____________________

2

THE BITTER END By CAPT Owen Englander, USN, Retired

Chairman, National & Legislative Affairs, PMOAA

In use for some 1,200 years: the bitter end…from a sour taste… the limit of one’s ability to affect things… the last extremity…

or, more recently, what’s left of a line aboard ship when the line is fully paid out. In all, a fitting description of the lame duck session of the 111

th Congress as it relates to the Mili-

tary Community. At this editorial-driven early writing, there is not much good news beyond another six-week kick of the pending 23% cut in Medicare to the end of December. However, existing law will make the January bite in practi-tioner’s compensation about 25% if nothing else happens. There is still no Defense Authorization or Appropriation while we are at war in the Middle East and Asian Commu-nists again tweak our ally’s tail.

With regard to specific legislation: long standing legislative goals for the Military Community such as fixing the SBP-DIC Offset, full Concurrent Receipt, reform of a variety of Guard/Reserve issues, family issues such as hiring priority for dependent spouses, and so on will have to become new business for the 112

th Congress. Keep in mind the irony

that our Community’s largely conservative attitude has, in some constituencies, seen a lot of legislative supporters of things military go down to defeat on November 2

nd.

Readers will recall that I do not often ring up general quar-ters unless there are specific legislative targets to engage. We are entering what can only be described as “a target-rich environment.” The specifics will become evident in the next 60 to 90 days. It is certain that a demand for cost-offsets will shape the legislative battle field.

There are contrary money matters that we will have a hard time addressing. You would have to be freshly arrived from outer-space to be unaware of the general fiscal and mone-tary situation. The Administration is at once profligate in extending the domestic activity of government while be-coming tight-fisted with the Military Community, even as troops are deployed in combat. Nothing new here. SECDEF Gates carried his attitudes about Defense spend-ing on people-things from the Bush to the Obama Admini-strations. It was during the Bush Administration that De-fense Under Secretary Chu testified to the Congress that the DOD was interested in those serving, not those who had served. Were Defense not already motivated to cut and tighten up on anything that doesn’t go BANG… and not a few things that do…. comes now potentially deadly fire from both flanks.

The President’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsi-bility and Reform, Chaired by former Sen. Alan Simpson (R-WY) and Clinton’s former Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles, will propose stringent changes in both civilian and military programs ranging from health care funding to retirement age and pensions. Proposed initiatives affecting the Military and Veterans' Communities would impact life from COLA computation to overhaul of Tricare. Among other things:

Change the CPI to depress COLAs for all federal annuity programs and reduce COLAs for "early military retirees" (in previous proposals, such wording has meant "before age 60"),

7

THE RETIRED OFFICERS’ WIVES AND WIDOWS ASSOCIATION

DECEMBER LUNCHEON AND MEETING

The Retired Officers’ Wives and Widows Association De-

cember Christmas luncheon and meeting will be held at Scenic Hills Country Club. Thursday, December 9, 2010.

Social time will begin at 11 AM followed by lunch at 11:30

AM. The Christmas program will be Larry and Gale Book playing and singing Christmas music. Reservations are

required; send checks to ROWWA, P.O. Box 1193, Gulf

Breeze, FL 32562. Reservations must be received by Saturday before the luncheon. For additional information,

call Jeannie Harris at 677-9089 or Jo-Ann Price at 934-6300.

New members from all branches of the uniformed ser-vices and guests are welcome. ROWWA meets the sec-

ond Thursday of each month. Eileen Brotherton,

Publicity Chairwoman, ROWWA

http://www.fiscalcommission.gov/



PMOAA Beacon is published by

UPS Store 2927,

proud member of PMOAA

4051 Barrancas Avenue, Suite G

Pensacola, FL 32507-3482

Tel (850) 457-1099 Fax (850) 457-1022

PMOAA Beacon The City of Five Flags-Pensacola Florida

4 Star Chapter Award – 2002 5 Star Chapter Awards — 2003, 2004, 2005,

2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

http://www.pmoaa.org

1

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

PRESIDENT’S CORNER The PMOAA Annual Business Meeting was held No-vember 18, 2010, at one of our favorite venues, Azalea Trace community dining room with Azalea Trace resi-dents, Hal Boyles and Cecil Carlton serving as bartend-ers. Sixty members were afforded the opportunity to hear Mrs. Deborah Tainsh, Gold Star Mother of Sgt. Pat-rick Tainsh who was Killed in Action in Baghdad, Iraq on February 11, 2004. Mrs. Tainsh is the author of “Heart of a Hawk” one family’s sacrifice and journey toward heal-ing. Deborah received the Military Writers Society of America’s Spirit of Freedom Award for this inspirational and heartwarming story. Part of her presentation gave us an insight into the workings of TAPS (Tragedy Assis-tance Program for Survivors), a non-profit organization that provides grief support to the families of fallen mili-tary personnel. Deborah and her husband Sgt. Major David Tainsh, USMC (Ret) currently live in Panama City Beach, Florida. After her presentation, Deborah auto-graphed “Heart of a Hawk”, “Surviving the Folded Flag”, and “Dear Warrior and Hero…” with all proceeds going to the TAPS program. During the business meeting CDR Jim VonLorenz and LCDR Frank Beeby were unanimously elected as mem-bers of the Board of Directors replacing the hard to fol-low acts of Captain Harry Herman and Major George Gilbert. Committee Reports were presented by the Treasurer, Colonel Mike Cook; Membership by Captain Neil Schneider; Scholarship by Captain Jim Frazier; Sur-vivor Assistance by Christine Frazier; MBOC by Com-mander Vann Milheim; and Naval Hospital Liaison by Colonel Alex Ferry. Mrs. Elaine Ciardello was an-nounced as the new Auxiliary Liaison. The 2010 Membership Directory has been mailed to all who requested to be listed in the Directory. Any correc-tions or additions should be addressed to Mrs. Elaine Ciardello at [email protected] I extend my deep-est thanks to the following who participated in bringing the directory to fruition: Captain Frazier, Captain Her-man and Captain Schneider for ad solicitations, Mrs.

Elaine Ciardello for the data base and especially Tom and Kathy Kuklish who spent many hours in drafting and printing the new directory.

President LTCOL Walter R. Limbach, USMC (Ret) 850-473-9899 [email protected]

1st Vice President CDR William (Vann) Milheim USN (Ret) 850-969-9715 [email protected]

2nd Vice President CPT Neal J. Schneider USA (Ret) 850-932-9242 [email protected]

Secretary RADM Joan M. Engel USN (Ret) 850-473-9899 [email protected]

Treasurer COL Michael R. Cook USA (Ret) 850-916-7338 [email protected]

What’s Inside…

pg 1 President's Corner

pg 2 Legislative Update

pg 3 Update (continued)

pg 3 Taps

pg 3 Singles Group

pg 4 PMOAA Photos (Continued)

pg 5 Health Services Consumer Council

pg 5 It’s Time to Renew Your PMOAA Membership

pg 5 PMOAA 2011 Membership Renewal Form

pg 6 PMOAA Directors' Meeting

pg 7 Directors’ Meeting (Continued)

pg 7 Toys for Tots

pg 7 Auxiliary Corner

pg 7 ROWWA Luncheon and Meeting

pg 7 PMOAA December Reservation Form

8

Immediate Past President CAPT James L. Frazier USN (Ret)


DIRECTORS CAPT Harry A. Herman USN (Ret) 850-857-4353 [email protected]

LTCOL Thomas R. Mayhugh, Sr. USAF (Ret) 850-941-2710 [email protected]

MAJ George Gilbert USA (Ret) 850-494-0716 [email protected]

COL Alex O. Ferry, USA (Ret) 850-696-2088 [email protected]

MAJ Tom Fitzgerald USMC (Ret)


I received the following note from Scholarship recipient Brian Koser: “Dear PMOAA members, Thank you again so much for the scholarship and dinner that you honored me with. My parents also extend their sincere thanks. I greatly anticipate this upcoming school year, and I will not forget your generous contribution to my pursuits. It was a pleasure to meet you all and I will keep you in my prayers. Sincerely, Brian Koser” I look forward to seeing you all at our formal Christmas Dinner Dance on Thursday 9 December, even though my lovely spouse left me for a trip to San Diego. As we move into the New Year, please mark your calen-dars for our annual Memorial Service to be held at the Pensacola Yacht Club on Thursday, 20 January 2011.

Walter Limbach

PMOAA November 2010 Photo

(

(Photos continued on page 4)

NonProfit Org

U.S. Postage Paid Permit No 326

Pensacola Chapter, MOAA P.O. Box 4979

Pensacola, Florida 32507- 4979 Return Service Requested

Deborah Tainsh, Guest Speaker and Gold Star Mother, and LtCOL Limbach

http://[email protected]












Documents

PMOAA Beaconpmoaa.org/documents/Newsletters/Dec2010.pdf · 2013. 3. 13. · and heartwarming story. Part of her presentation gave us an insight into the workings of TAPS (Tragedy