FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JULY & AUGUST 2013
PRESIDENT PRESIDENT WEST JAX
FRA BRANCH 126 FLEET RESERVE HALL INC
JAMES J. THOMAS ALVIN D. ROBY
Phone 291-1575 Phone 264-6270
VICE PRESIDENT UNIT 126 PRESIDENT
HERMAN ELROD VERALYN THOMAS
Phone 655-2211 Phone 291-1575
SECRETARY BRANCH CHAPLAIN
DONALD F. WALSH Vacant
Phone 282-4650 Phone 291-1575
TREASURER / EDITOR MEMBERHIP
WILLIAM T. KULIER EDWARD H. GRIBBIN
Phone 771-5237 Phone 269-3845
ADDRESS ALL MAIL TO: FLEET RESERVE HALL, 7673 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244-5111
HALL TELEPHONE (904) 771-2126 BRANCH WEB SITE: www.westjaxfrabranch126.org
JULY & AUGUST 2013 EDITION
NOTICE: The items or opinions published in the Branch 126 Newsletter are those of the contributor of that particular article, and not necessarily that of the Editor, FRA Branch 126 Inc., or the Fleet Reserve Association.
Shipmate Al Peter Tolled the Bell as the names of the recently deceased were read at the FRA Branch 126 Memorial Service conducted at Jacksonville Memory Gardens on Sunday, 26 May 2013. We had a good turn out and good weather this year.
JULY 2013
Monday 01 July 1930 West Jax Board of Directors meeting
Wednesday 03 July 1930 Branch Board of Directors meeting
Thursday 04 July Independence Day! Fly your Flag!
Thursday 18 July 2000 Branch Meeting
AUGUST 2013
Monday 05 Aug 1930 West Jax Inc BOD
Wednesday 07 Aug 1930 Branch BOD
Thursday 15 Aug 2000 Branch Meeting
Wednesday 21 – 25 Aug Southeast Region Convention (page 2)
SEPTEMBER 2013
Monday 02 Sept 1930 West Jax Inc BOD
Wednesday 04 Sept 1930 Branch BOD
Thursday 19 Sept 2000 Branch Meeting
Tuesday 24 Sept 1400 Branch Birthday Dinner (page 2)
Branch 126 Salutes:
Shipmate Albermale B. Blache of Greencove Springs, Florida for achieving 60 YEARS of Continuous Membership in the Fleet Reserve Association!
Shipmate Allen L. Daugherty of Jacksonville, Florida
for achieving 50 YEARS of Continuous Membership in the Fleet Reserve Association!
Shipmates Lenore T. Kimble of Cresent City, FL; Samuel W. Shive of Middleburg, FL; Merald R. Woods of Jacksonville, FL and Emory T. Drake of Vidalia, Ga for achieving 40 YEARS of Continuous Membership in the Fleet Reserve Association! Bravo Zulu… Well Done Shipmates!
1
FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JULY & AUGUST 2013
THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER .. James J. Thomas (904) 291-1575
1
FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JULY & AUGUST 2013
1
FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JULY & AUGUST 2013
1. Change to SBP annuity accounts…… All Annuity applications now require the submission of a photocopy of the annuitant's Social Security Card. If the annuitant does not submit a photocopy of the Social Security card with the application, the annuity will be established and the annuitant will have 90 days to submit the photocopy. If it is not received in 90 days, the account will be suspended and no further payments will be made until a photocopy of the card is received.
(copied from Shift Colors 2013)
2. When furloughs are implemented, most military commissaries will close one day a week on Mondays. The closures will be for up to 11 days between July 8 and Sept. 30. The 148 stores that routinely close on Mondays would also close the next normal day of operation. Other than the furlough day, there are no other changes planned for store operation hours. Furlough notices are scheduled to be delivered to Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) employees between May 28 and June 5. DeCA has 247 commissaries with more than 16,000 employees operating in 13 countries and two U.S. Territories.
(copied from Shift Colors 2013)
3. We had a joint Installation of Officers Ceremony in the Hall starting at 1000 on Saturday, 1 June followed by a luncheon on the same day. Everyone really enjoyed our lunch at the Olive Garden and all agreed that we should do the same next year. We enjoyed the food and shared the afternoon with our shipmates and ladies in a very nice relaxed atmosphere. For those that weren't able to attend those functions…. we missed you!
4. The Orange Park Independence Day Parade will not be held this year.
5. This Branch newsletter is published monthly except for this combined July/August issue. You may receive it by mail or by Email upon your request the the Editor. You can also view this and past newsletters at the Branch Web Site at www.westjaxfrabranch126.org
If you have any questions with regard to FRA stuff, my telephone number and email address is at the top of this page. If I don't have an answer I will try and find one for you.
To All Shipmates - Loyalty, Protection and Service. J. J. Thomas
BRANCH ACTIVITIES
AL Roby …………………264-6270 James J. Thomas …………... 291-1575
21-25 AUGUST 2013 – Myrtle Beach, SC
The 68th FRA Southeast Region Convention will be held at the Springmaid Beach Resort at 3200 South Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Phone (843) 315-7100
The room rate is $89.00 plus tax. Reservations must be made at 1-800-770-6985 prior to 23 June to qualify for this rate. Use reservation Code 11822 (Fleet Reserve Association) and ask for reservations in the Palmetto Bldg.
All rooms are equiped with WI FI, refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot. Free Parking. Small pets are permitted for a fee of $25.00 daily. Check in time is 4pm.
24 September 2013 – Wow! Branch 126 will be celebrating its 64th Anniversary with a dinner at Golden Corral on Blanding Blvd in Orange Park, Florida from from 1400 – 1600 (2 to 4 pm), Tuesday, 24 Sept 2013.
The dinner is FREE for all Branch 126 members, Unit 126 members and their significant other or driver. We hope to see you there!
14 – 20 Oct 2013. Chattanooga, TN
The 86th FRA National Convention will be held in the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel from 14 – 20 October 2013. Room rates are $89.00 plus a local tax of 9.25% and a hotel tas of 8%. Free parking and a coffee pot in each room. Refrigerators are available for $15 per day. Reservations must be made at 1-800-872-2528 not later than 22 Sept 2013.
Elimination of the DoD Vehicle Decal Program NAVADMIN 146/13 discusses Navy policy eliminating the requirement for vehicle decals for base access, effective 1 July 2013.
Vehicles must continue to be licensed, registered, inspected, and insured in accordance with state and local laws, but installation access shall be accomplished by vetting personal ID.
For rental vehicles, the rental contract serves as licensing, registration, and proof of insurance.
1
FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JULY & AUGUST 2013
The West Jax Fleet Reserve Hall Inc
President’s Corner
Al Roby ………………………264-6270
1. The Medical Equipment locker: We have many wheel chairs loaned out with a few available for check out at this time. These are high demand items so please be sure to bring them back as soon as you are done with them. We also have a good supply of canes, crutches, potty chairs & assorted equipment to loan out.
2. The PAPER BIN has been removed from the back lot as we were not getting paid for the newspapers. Please stop bringing your newspapers to the Hall.
IN MEMORY OF OUR DEPARTED SHIPMATES
Shipmate ADRC Herman R. Wilks, USN, Retired, age 95, reported to the Staff of the Supreme Commander on 21 April 2013.
Shipmate Herman Wilks was predeceased by his wife. He was a resident of Annapolis, MD.
Chief Petty Officer Wilks cremains were interred with Military Honors at the National Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida.
FRA graveside Honors were conferred by Branch 126 Shipmates Ed Gribbin, Bill Kulier, David Pippin, Donald Rodely and James J. Thomas.
The Editor’s Corner
1. Please remember that this newsletter covers both July and August so you will not receive your next newsletter until September.
2. I had a knee replaced on 23 April 2013, spent 3 days in the hospital. Then I was sent home and set up for a visiting nurse with theraphy at an orthopedic center a few miles from the house. …. Sounded like a great plan until I got home and had to negotiate some stairs, the bed was too low and then came the pain and muscle spasms. …. After 3 days at home I wimped out and they sent me to a Life Care Center where I received 24 hour care and physical theraphy for the next 30 days. It was great! ….. Had I gone there directly from the hospital I would have been sooner than 30 days. ….. Since I have both Medicare and Tricare for Life everything was covered. Medicare paid 100 percent of the Life Care Fees for the 1st 21 days and then paid 80 percent for the next 9 of 79 days available, while Tricare for Life paid the remaining twenty percent. This is my story of what can happen when you listen to orthopedic center or medical people and don’t check things out in advance. ……. After I was in the Life Care Center some of my Shipmates came to visit and they had gone through the same thing. Who knew?
Bill Kulier
FLAG SALES
Al Peter …………..……. (904) 777-0781
Johnny Johnson…………(904) 771-1736
All Nylon and the Cotton Bulldog flags have sewn stars & stripes while the other Cotton flags have printed stars & stripes. We have the following flags in stock.
3x5’ Nylon Flag---$21.00
4x6’ Nylon Flag--- $30.00
5x8’ Nylon Flag--- $40.00
3x5’ Cotton Flag Set-- $15.00
3x5’ Nylon POW/MIA Flag---- $ 25.00
8x12’ Nylon Flag ……………………… $120.00
We now have the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard 3x5 Flags in stock for $22.00
Contact Shipmate Johnny Johnson or Al Peter to purchase a Flag.
Branch 126 Membership Report
Edward Gribbin …….…….269-3845
Branch 126 Membership
Membership on 30 April is 444
New Members………………………....0
Reinstated Members……………….…..0
Transferred Members……………….....0
Terminated Members………………….7
Deceased Members……………....2
Non payment of dues…………….5
Members Past due…………………...... 5
Shipmates due to renew membership....17
DECEASED SHIPMATES
1. ATC William H. Clinton, USN, Retired
2. ENC(SS) Frank Hrapsky, USN, Retired
The list of members who are “past Due” is posted on the Bulletin Board in the Hall. Look it over and if you see a familiar name give them a call for a friendly reminder. "Bill (Pops), We will miss you at the lake. It will not be..."
- Robert Buckstein
· "I was thinking about Bill and what came to mind was how..."
- John Curtin
· "Chief Kennedy – smooth sailing – Flynn Rvah-7 AMS-2"
- Robert Flynn
· "May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of..."
- Joe LaFon (RVAH-13, NAS-Sanford,)
1
FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JULY & AUGUST 2013
Eyeglasses for Retirees: If you are retired military and eligible for other medical services, you are authorized to receive the following quantities of Standard Issue spectacles per year (MS9/S91A/Half Eyes/FS9):
MS9 Frame S91A Frame
Half Eye Frame Female S9 Frame
Standard issue Eyewear Choices and Sizes
· 1 clear pair of Bifocals/Trifocals (Multi-focals)
· 1 tinted pair of Bifocals/Trifocals if prescribed by your Optometrist/Ophthalmologist
If you choose not to request Bifocals/Trifocals, you can receive:
· 1 pair of Distance Vision and 1 pair of Near Vision spectacles
· 1 pair of Distance Vision tinted spectacles is authorized if prescribed by your Optometrist/Ophthalmologist
If you are less than 50 miles from a military health clinic with optometry services, you should take your prescription for spectacles to them so that they may measure you for proper fit. They will order your spectacles from the appropriate facility and mail them to you.
The NAS Jax Hospital Optimology Clinic is on 2nd Deck and will fit you for FREE Eye glasses for off base prescriptions from 1300 to 1500 on Wednesday and Fridays. Then they will mail the eye glasses to your home!
If you are more that 50 miles from a military health clinic with optometry services, you may follow these instructions to order your glasses. Open the form DD771 found at http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nostra/order/Documents/DD771_2010.pdf , and save it to your computer. [this form is created to save the information you type into it]
1. Fill out the top section with your "name, "retiree", and "last 4", along with your shipping and contact information. About halfway down the form, indicate which standard issue frame you desire. Make sure to save the form with the information you added.
2. Print the partially completed form, and take this with you to your eye exam. Ensure that the examining facility writes the prescription, and includes your pupillary distance (PD) on the form.
3. If your examining facility needs eyesize, bridge or temple information, they may find this at http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nostra/order/Documents/Stnd%20Eyewear%20Choices%20%20Sizes.pdf
4. If you currently have Standard Issue frames please provide the frame size and temple length. (found inside the frame)
5. There must be a DD771 for each request for eyewear.
6. Send the following information to NOSTRA: One copy of the completed DD771 form,
o Your mailing address and a daytime phone number and email address if available
o Orders are subject to DEERS eligibility check
8. You may submit your order for eyewear by email, fax or standard mail.
o Email your order to: or
o Fax your order to: 757-887-4647. Make sure you write: "Retiree Order" on the fax.
Call NOSTRA Customer Service at 757-887-7611 / 7152 / 7299 / 7476 right after you send your fax to insure they received it and that all the information is included to fabricate your orders.
o Standard Mail to: NOSTRA, 160 Main Road, Ste 350, Yorktown, VA 23691-9984
You may also call or email NOSTRA Customer Service Department if you have any problems or questions. Customer Service hours are M-F, regular business days, from 0630 to 1700, Eastern Time. [Source: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nostra/order/Pages/Retiree.aspx Jan 2012 ++]
The Korean War Veterans Association will meet in the Branch Hall at 1300 hours on the 4th Tuesday of each month. POC is Henry Moreland at (904) 384-2031.