moaa feb 2018...dues are just $43 a year. in 2014, military retirement pay cola was limited to cpi...
TRANSCRIPT
The LanternPalm Beach-Martin Counties Chapter
Military Officers Association of Americawww.moaafl.org/chapters/PBMCC
February 2017 Issue 2017 was not... a great year for the Surface Navy. Two highly publicized collisions with civilian vessels took the lives of seven teen sa i l o r s . As someone whose year-and-a-half at sea qualifies me for absolutely nothing... as I was simply cargo on board those ships, I must still wonder what’s going on? Those
destroyers were bristling with modern radars and detection systems. How could they possibly not see huge civilian cargo ships? Chapter member Captain Ken Lee, US Navy (Retired), who served as the commanding officer of the nuclear submarine USS Gato, has read the accident reports and, with the eye of someone who knows, will talk to us about what’s going on. He has a distinct advantage in reading those reports. Besides understanding what happened, he can also read between the lines. This should be very... interesting! If you have not been to a MOAA event recently, you might want to make this one. Incidentally, the event will be a luncheon at Sandpipers Cove at Old Port Cove in North Palm Beach. Recently, the Choates joined Jill and me for dinner at Sandpipers. Oh, boy. Sandpipers has a new chef and they cut their prices. The meal was excellent. Our corporate membership runs out in April. If we can get five chapter members to join, we’ll do the corporate membership again. Normal membership runs $267 a year. Five chapter members joining and it’s $150 each per year. Look for the corporate membership info separately. Incidentally, the start time for the February
luncheon is 1pm. And parking at Sandpipers is pretty tight. If at all possible, car pool there. Maybe, meet a friend at the shopping center across US1 and ride the last quarter mile together. And they have a guarded gate. We need to give them a list of attendees five days in advance. (We need to pay them, too. In other words... sign up early!) In January, we had Colonel Art DeRuve do his “salute to veterans.” It was very interesting. He discussed the contributions made by veterans since the birth of our nation. He obviously listened in class when he attended the Army War College. Probably the biggest challenge we have is securing good, entertaining, and interesting speakers for events. It’s great when we don’t have to look any farther for speakers than the chapter directory. If you have a good story to tell, and you are not afraid of getting in front of a crowd to tell it, talk to me. (As a military officer, you had better not be afraid of getting in front of a crowd!) Also in January, we discussed my proposal to amend our bylaws to allow non-officers to join the chapter. After some spirited discussion, we voted to table the proposal for a few months. Among other things, chapter member Commander Art Samuels offered to get involved in recruiting. Having a new person involved is awesome. New people bring new ideas. I am excited! Also, new member Major Jacqui Morris-Hayes offered to become the Director for JROTC. I am thrilled. She is a retired Army Reserve Civil Affairs Officer who worked in schools in her civilian job. She loves being involved with kids. Of course, one of the biggest things we do is support the local JROTC Programs. It would be great if we could do more for the kids. Jacqui, you have your marching orders!
OfficersPresident ………………..COL Paul Loschiavo, USMC “Jill” 561-745-1434 [email protected]
1st Vice President ……LTC Bob DiPilla, USA “Sandra” 561-744-0787 [email protected]
2nd Vice President COL Bill Danzeisen, USA “Joan” 561-747-0109 [email protected]
Treasurer ……………….Col Tomas Choate, USMC 561-625-6710 [email protected]
Secretary ………………..you
Immediate Past President ..LTC Marc Oliveri, USAR “Jenine” 561-753-7565 [email protected]
President Emeritus …LTC John Morrison, USAR [email protected]
DirectorsNewsletter Editor ….LTC Albert (Skip) Barnes USAF
“Carol” 561-512-5744 [email protected]
VA Hospital Liaison….CDR Bob Harshman, USN “Ann” 561-627-5389 [email protected]
JROTC ……………Maj Jacqui Morris-Hayes, USAR
Personal Affairs ………..…CAPT Sam Hembree, USN “Dee” 561-248-3171 [email protected]
Legislative Affairs…….COL Steve Dukkony, USA 561-744-2431 [email protected]
Communications …. you
Chairpersons:Chaplain ………………….LTC John Catterall, USA 561-429-2526 [email protected]
Dinner Greeters & 50/50 …..LTC Ray Elderd, USA “Agnes” 561-351-3318 [email protected]
In January, I attended Marc Oliveri’s State Council Leadership Forum in Orlando. Marc is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, a chapter member, former chapter president, and current state Council president. In the Leadership Forum, representatives of each of the Florida chapters meet with all the heavies from MOAA National. Like most people, I get myopic and forget that MOAA exists to foster support of all military people. There are lots of champions for aircraft, ships, and tanks, but not nearly as many for military people, both serving and no longer actively serving. MOAA is front and center when it comes to pushing Congress to take care of military people and veterans. I appreciate your continuing to pay dues to both the chapter and National. This year, the military received a 2.1% pay raise. That means that my retirement pay went up about a thousand dollars. MOAA is not solely responsible for this but they sure helped a lot. And they have been significant in the battle to keep Tricare fees from increasing dramatically. Less than a hundred bucks a year in dues to National and the chapter resulted in over a thousand dollars in retirement income. Boy, that’s almost as good as bitcoin! I got to talk one-on-one with Lieutenant General Dana Adkins, the president of MOAA National. What a dynamic guy! I’d bet dinner at a fancy restaurant that he drives his staff nuts. It sounds like he must be going full speed when he’s sleeping. He’s got a solid grasp of all things MOAA. With over 355,000 members, MOAA carries significant weight on Capital Hill. MOAA is by far the most influential of the military organizations. MOAA has eleven registered congressional lobbyists. The next largest military association has but two. General Adkins meets regularly with Secretary Mattis and the Director of the VA Shulkin. And he is tenacious in getting in front of legislators. He does a great job representing us. Speaking of representing us, National MOAA dues are just $43 a year. In 2014, military retirement pay COLA was limited to CPI minus one. Through MOAA’s efforts, that minus one was repealed. That alone equates to an additional $125,000 more over the lifetime of the average retired military person. Not bad for an investment of $43 a year. Shoot... that is better than bitcoin. Incidentally... all chapter members are supposed to be members of MOAA
National. Yearly membership is National is $43. Of course, they also have “life memberships,” the cost of which is dependent on your age. If you are hesitant to send them any money, you can also sign up for free as a “basic” member. You won’t get the magazine in paper but you will get access via the internet. Incidentally, the “free membership” is intended for junior officers. Last I looked... we don’t have many junior officers... If you are not drawing retired pay, keep in mind that you are helping those who are serving on active duty. And you are helping to keep the brightest serving. This is so important to national defense. And, thank you... for paying your dues to this chapter. We try hard to support the local JROTC Programs, the Missing in America Project, and the Wounded Veterans of South Florida. That $35 a year is what allows us to lend a hand. Like most folks, I’m a creature of habit. Every morning, when I get up, I read the Palm Beach Post, the Wall Street Journal, and the Early Bird Brief. So, what’s the Early Bird? It’s an email put out every business day by the publishers of the Military Times. It contains summaries and links to just about every article published in a bunch of publications about all things pertaining to national defense and the services. If you are interested in this (and what officer is not?), just Google “Early Bird Brief.” The Early Bird Brief is free. Incidentally, I switched to the online versions of the Post and the Journal a couple years ago. My recycle bin is basically unemployed at this point. Yes, we still get the paper version of the Sunday Post. Jill... likes the ads.
Paul
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Officers Call!Feb 2nd, 5pm
Hilton on Singer Island
http://www.moaa.org/takeaction/?tab=Legislative-Action-Center
Article submitted by Col Jim Isitt
A WWII Vet Was Docked Pay For Escaping His German Captors And Now He Wants His $13 BackBy JAMES CLARK on July 26, 2017T&P ON FACEBOOK
A veteran who survived a plane crash and capture by the Germans during World War II has an axe to grind with the Department of Defense, and it centers around $13.Andy Ramotnik flew 42 successful combat missions as a 20-year-old radio operator in the Army Air Corps during World War II, until he was shot down on his 43rd mission and captured. After nearly two years in captivity, he escaped and rejoined American troops in Austria, not far from where he was held.
Following his captivity, Ramotnik received a check for $554 — $1 for every day in captivity — but in his eyes, the military came up short, according to WLTV, a Jacksonville, Florida ABC news affiliate, which first broke the story of Ramotnik’s miraculous survival, capture, and escape.With the check was a letter from the Department of War that said Ramotnik was being docked $1 for each day he was on the run — or $13 total. According to letter, under the War Claims Act, the government “does not provide for the payment of benefits during a period of escapement.”“That’s the reason I’m unhappy!” Ramotnik exclaimed in an interview with WLTV.
More than 70 years later, that still doesn’t sit well with the 94-year-old veteran — who lives in Jacksonville, Florida.Now, Ramotnik wants that money back and an explanation from the Department of Defense. “I’m paying a penalty?” Ramotnik asked. “Why? I did good.”
The mission that set it all in motion launched on Oct. 4, 1943. Ramotnik’s B-25 was on a bombing run to take out a German military target in Italy, when the aircraft’s right engine was hit. As the B-25 plummeted toward the earth, Ramotnik parachuted to safety, but he was floating down toward German lines and was captured moments after he hit the ground.
After he was interrogated in Frankfurt, Germany, Ramotnik was transferred to Stalag 17-B a prison camp in Krems, Austria, where he was held for the next 19 months, but he wasn’t idle. The first time Ramotnik escaped was during a forced march, when he and a fellow prisoner made a break for it, but their freedom was short-lived, and they were captured a few days later. They tried again, and in April 1945, pulled off the same stunt, ducking their captors on an unguarded forced march. This time, Ramotnik and his brother-in-arms got away. Not long after their escape, the two heard the news: The Allies had won.
They met up with American troops and were granted a 90-day rest period before Ramotnik received his discharge, and then, the letter and the check.
His goal now? He just wants to close the books on the whole ordeal, and not feel like he’s been penalized for doing his duty.
January Dinner at Abaco
MOAA PO Box 8171
Jupiter, FL 33468-8171
Name:______________________________________________Choice:______________________
Guest:______________________________________________Choice:______________________
$27ppYour choice of Chicken Ceasar Salad, Philly Cheesesteak, or Fish Tacos
Feb 15th, 1pm116 Lakeshore DriveNorth Palm Beach, FL 33408
Lunch
Your choice of:Chicken Caesar Salad
Grilled chicken breast, crispy hearts of Romaine, focaccia croutons and shaved Parmesan and a classic Caesar dressing
Philly Cheesesteak Shaved Prime Rib with caramelized onion & cheese sauce in a
soft hogie roll.
Fish Tacos Fresh Fish, Spicy Mayo, Avocado, Cabbage in a Flour Tortilla.
French Fries
Coleslaw or Fruit
Key-lime Pie Please note: Reservations are needed by Feb 10th !!
***Please renew now!! For just $35 you get a strong advocate for retiree and active duty benefits. You also get to join your MOAA friends at our great dinners and Officers Calls!!
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COL Paul Loschiavo, USMC 561-745-1434
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Upcoming Events:
February:
Officers Call at the Hilton on Singer Island, Feb 2, 5pmLunch at Sandpiper, Feb 15, 1pm
March:
Officers Call, location TBD Mar 2, 5pmDinner at Mirasol, Mar 22, 6pm
April:
Officers Call, location TBD, April 6, 5pmDinner at Abaco, (with the JROTC), April 19, 6pm