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Friday, March 18

Guest Speaker: Mr. James Belmont

Lexington VAMC Associate Director

(Ed. note: The last Bluegrass Bugle listed March 27 as the next

meeting date. The change to March 18 was made to avoid conflict

with Good Friday.)

James Belmont, Associate Director of the Lexington VA Medi-

cal Center, will address the March meeting of the Bluegrass chap-

ter at noon on March 18.

Mr. Belmont has direct responsibility for

Police, Fiscal, Logistics, Environmental Man-

agement, Human Resources, Health Admini-

stration, Canteen, Nutrition and Food, and

Engineering. He also supervises the Privacy

Officer and the Patient Advocates.

Mr. Belmont’s previous assignment was Associate Director at

the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System, Prescott, Ariz. In

that capacity he held overall responsibility for medical center oper-

ations while supporting administrative service lines, 900 employ-

ees and an operating budget of over $166 million. Prior to that he

had several positions of increasing responsibility at the Fayette-

ville, N.C., VAMC.

Mr. Belmont has a Master’s in Business (Health Care Man-

agement), a Bachelor’s in Health Care Administration and is a

graduate of VA Management Development and the Health Care

Leadership Institute as an Executive Career Field candidate.

Please RSVP for the March meeting to Pat Jones (contact info on p. 2)

NLT Wednesday Mar 9. Social time begins at 11:30 with lunch at noon.

The club will serve a buffet with meat choices, vegetables, salad, dessert

and drinks for $17, gratuity included.

About Lexington VAMC

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Two divisions, Leestown and Cooper, comprise

the Lexington VAMC with community-based out-

patient clinics located in Berea, Hazard, Morehead

and Somerset.

The Leestown Division, shown above, located at

2250 Leestown Rd., offers in-patient posttraumatic

stress disorder and substance abuse treatment,

nursing home care, hospice and respite services,

home based primary care, prosthetics and orthot-

ics, geriatrics, optometry, mental health as well as

primary care and women's health.

The Cooper Division, The Cooper Division, locat-

ed at 1101 Veterans Drive, adjacent to the UK

campus, offers emergency care, inpatient medi-

cal-surgical care, acute psychiatry, intensive and

progressive care units. The medical center is desig-

nated as the Polytrauma Site, where a team of ex-

perts coordinate care and services across the net-

work for severely injured soldiers.

The veteran population in Lexington's primary ser-

vice area is estimated at more than 83,000. The

medical center is part of the VA MidSouth Health-

care Network which consists of six VA medical cen-

ters in Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia with

community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in

those states as well as Arkansas, Mississippi, Virginia,

and Indiana.

IInnssiiddee tthhiiss iissssuuee…… p. 2

President’s corner – praise

for VA medical care Chapter officer contact info Proposed bill promotes flag

for military fallen heroes MOAA opposes proposed budgeted Tricare fee hikes

p. 3

Army Band concert planned

Guest speaker photo Member spotlight – Kentucky

Guard poster boy

Welcome guest

Member assumes command In memoriam…

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CCoonnttaacctt IInnffoo President

BG (ret) Les Beavers

(502) 226-3876

lesbeaversusma60@gmail.com

First Vice President

MAJ (ret) Marty Pinkston

(502) 695-1059 Marty_Pinkston@hotmail.com

Second Vice President

Col (Ret) Tom Little

(859) 338-3301

tlittlelex@gmail.com

Secretary

COL (Ret.) John Shotwell (859) 263-5436

jmshot0@g.uky.edu

Treasurer

Mrs. Pat Jones

(859) 271-2606

ppatcatfan@aol.com Sergeant-at-Arms

CW4 (ret) Ike Pinkston (502) 330-5569

ike.pinkston@outlook.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MOAAB

luegrassChapter Web: http://moaabluegrasschapter.web

s.com/ EDITORIAL POLICY

MOAA, including the Kentucky Council and the Bluegrass Chap-ter, is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization. Membership is open to officers from every branch of service - including active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retired, former officers, and their immediate families.

PPRREESSIIDDEENNTT’’SS CCOORRNNEERR The Bluegrass Chapter is privileged to have the Asso-

ciate Director of Lexington’s VA Medical Center as

guest speaker for this month’s meeting.

The VA health care system has taken a vicious beat-

ing in public forums over the past several years. Some of

the abuses revealed were despicable, and appropriate

steps have been taken by the federal government to

prevent reoccurrence of such mismanagement. How-

ever, the bad publicity has tended to overshadow the

extraordinary contributions the vast majority of dedi-

cated men and women of VA health care have made

to veterans’ welfare since its origination during the Civil

War.

We’re indeed blessed to have a VA medical center

with two large divisions in Lexington and outreach cen-

ters in other communities to serve more than 80,000

veterans who call Central Kentucky home. While media

have exposed abuses in VA care in a few areas of the

country, I think that most veterans who’ve been served

by the Lexington VAMC would comment favorably on

the commitment of its health care workers and other

professionals, as well as its legion of volunteers.

BG Leslie E. Beavers (Ret.)

On another matter,

I’m pleased that so

many members have

renewed membership

for 2016. For the few of

you who’ve yet to

ante up, the renewal

form is on the back of

this newsletter.

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State Rep. Tommy Thompson (D-Owensboro), has introduced legis-

lation [HJR76 (BR1340)] that would designate the Honor and Remem-

ber Flag as a state emblem to honor service members who have given

their lives in the line of duty. The ensign was originated by Honor and Remember, Inc., an organ-

ization founded in 2008 to promote a new national flag honoring indi-

viduals who died in military service to America as part of a national

campaign of remembrance. A number of national veterans’ organiza-

tions, including MOAA, have endorsed the flag. As of Jan. 1, 20 states

had adopted the flag as a state symbol of remembrance.

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The president’s FY 2017 budget request released in early February

includes $48.8 billion for the DoD Military Health System but would

shift more of the cost burden to military beneficiaries.

MOAA's president, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, de-

scribed the TRICARE-reform plan laid out in the defense budget as

including limited quantifiable benefit fixes mixed with numerous benefi-

ciary fee hikes.

“We were hoping to see some specific proposals to address well-

documented problems with access, continuity of care, referrals, National

Guard and Reserve programs and other documented health care issues,

but so far, we're left asking, 'Where's the substance?' ” said Atkins.

He expressed concern that the proposed budget envisions a broad

array of fee hikes, mostly affecting retired service members and their

families and survivors.

“We've been heartened by our discussions with leaders and staff

members of the House and Senate that they're focused on improving

The health care benefit and the reform focus aren’t just about raising

fees for beneficiaries,” Atkins said.

“But the budget proposal seems to be mostly about the fees,

with only a few sentences on possible program improvements.”

On the plus side, MOAA expressed support for the proposal to

reduce the retiree cost-share for in-patient care, as well as initia-

tives to change co-pays to flat fees rather than a percentage of the

bill.

“However, a number of proposals concern us,” Atkins cau-

tioned. “Our initial assessment is that the full array of fee changes

would mean about a $500 to $600 annual increase for retired

families under 65 who use in-network providers and an increase of

more than $1,000 a year for those using out-of-network providers.

One obvious concern is how robust the network will be. One of

the main access problems is that many doctors don't want to be in

the current network. We'd like some assurance that will be fixed.”

To keep on top of this issue or other legislative matters or high

interest to MOAA click http://www.moaa.org/Content/Take-

Action/Top-Issues/Top-Issues.aspx.

PP.. 33 BBLLUUEEGGRRAASSSS BBUUGGLLEE MMaarrcchh 22001166

Featured guest –

The Bluegrass chapter welcomed COL (USA, Ret.) Dave Patton to the January meeting. He

represented the Halifax Chapter, Daytona Beach, FL.

January guest speaker – COL Mark Needham (USA, Ret.), Bechtel Parsons

science and technology manager (and site manager for the Batelle Memorial

Institute) for the Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant in Rich-

mond, chatted with chapter member Marilyn Miracle after his presentation at

the January meeting. COL Needham is a former Ft. Knox garrison commander.

AArrmmyy BBaanndd ppllaannss aarreeaa ppeerrffoorrmmaannccee The U.S. Army Field Band is scheduled to perform at UK’s Sin-

gletary Center April 2 at 7 p.m.

As the Musical Ambassadors of the Army, the Concert

Band, Soldiers' Chorus, and Jazz Ambassadors travel thousands of

miles each year presenting a variety of music to audiences through-

out the nation and abroad. Through these concerts, the band fosters

the support of the American people for members of the armed forc-

es and supports diplomatic efforts around the world.

The concert is free and open to the public; however, tickets are

required. To obtain tickets contact the Singletary box office at

(859) 257-4929. To learn more about the spring tour, contact the

band’s Sergeant Major David Bullman at (301) 677-5237.

Taps …. The Bluegrass Chapter

mourns the passing of long-

time member Col. Walker

(“Russ”) Reynolds, USAF,

who died in January at age

97.

Col. Reynolds was a veter-

an of the WWII Pacific cam-

paign and the Berlin Airlift of

1948. Last year he was in-

ducted into the Kentucky

In command –

Congratulations to chapter member 1LT Logan Weiler III who recently assumed command of 2123rd

Transportation Co., Kentucky National Guard.

Aviation Hall of Fame

and took part in the

Freedom Flight to

Washington, DC.

Member Spotlight

CCWW44 HHaarrllaann ““IIkkee”” PPiinnkkssttoonn

CW4 Ike Pinkston’s distinguished military and

civilian careers have intertwined and complemented

each other for more than 40 years.

Ike joined the Kentucky Army National Guard in

1971 and graduated from the Army’s helicopter flight

training program just barely past his 19th birthday. He

later attended the UH-1 Maintenance Test Pilot

School and the OH-58 Instructor Pilot course.

He spent a three-year active-duty tour as a medevac

pilot at Ft. Stewart, Ga., then left active duty for Em-

bry Riddle Aeronautical University to complete a B.S.

in aeronautical science.

He returned to Kentucky to work as a full-time

Guard employee in several capacities before taking a

job with the Kentucky Dept. of Education as an educa-

tional financial analyst, auditing school transportation

programs and teaching maintenance management clas-

ses. Ike then went to work as Director of Vehicle

Maintenance for Jefferson County Public Schools, at

the time the eighth largest school transportation pro-

gram in the U.S.

While working civilian jobs Ike

continued his ARNG career, serv-

ing with the 35th Aviation Brigade

and later as Kentucky State Stand-

ardization Instructor Pilot for the

OH-58 training program. His mili-

tary time totaled more than 25

years.

POSTER BOY – during the early 1970s

CW4 Pinkston was literally the face of

Guard recruiting, appearing on posters

and flying to high schools throughout the

state on behalf of the Kentucky Guard.

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Thomson-Hood Veterans Center Director Ben Swegert will be on

hand at the March meeting to accept the Bluegrass chapter’s annual

donation. A check for $4750 will provide for a portable oxygen concen-

trator to facilitate veteran outside activities and two wide-screen televi-

sions for resident recreation.

CW4 Pinkston

Bluegrass Chapter

Military Officers Association of America

Mrs. Pat Jones

1660 Atoma Drive

Lexington, KY 40511

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID

LEXINGTON, KY PERMIT NO. 398

Last, first, middle name: Rank: National MOAA member no: ________ Spouse name: Email address: ________ Date of birth (month/day): Street address – city, state, Zip code: ________ Month/year entered service________________ Month/year separated________________________________________ Phone number: Cell number: Military status (circle all that apply): Active Duty Drilling National Guard/Reserve Retired

Separated honorably ROTC (1 year free) Widow(er) (no charge) Branch of service (circle one): USA USMC USN USAF USCG NOAA USPHS Want to make a donation? General use: $________ Vets: $_______ ROTC scholarships: $_______

Total enclosed: $________________

Bluegrass Chapter, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) New Membership/Membership Renewal/Donations

Please complete this form and your dues check payable to: BGMOAA. Mail the form and check to our return address. Membership (new/renewal)=$25; widow(er)