Bluegrass

Bluegrass Chapter, Military Officers Association of America January 2017

NATIONAL RECOGNITION — Outgoing chapter president BG

(Ret.) Les Beavers (right) was presented with the MOAA

Leadership Award at the Annual Business meeting Nov. 18.

The certificate cited his vision and personal involvement as

Bluegrass Chapter president for the past six years. It was

signed by MOAA national president Lt.Gen. (Ret.) Dana

Atkins and delivered by outgoing first vice MAJ (Ret.)

Marty Pinkston.

New Defense Authorization Act reflects MOAA advocacy

President Barack Obama signed into law the FY2017 National Defense Au-

thorization Act (NDAA) on Dec. 23. MOAA issued the following statement that

day in response to the president signing the annual defense bill in advance of the

holidays.

“This is one of the most important and comprehensive defense bills passed in

many years, and we are pleased with the broad consensus on compensation and

healthcare,” said MOAA president and CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Dana Atkins.

Acknowledging the congressional achievement, Atkins said, “We appreciate the

magnitude of effort by the Armed Services committee members. Even in this tough

fiscal environment, Congress found a way to treat military people fairly, resolving

hundreds of differences between their respective versions of the bill, accommodat-

ing MOAA's and The Military Coalition's recommendations on most of them.”

Atkins also pointed out, “MOAA believes the health care reforms required in the

new law are positive steps toward our goal of improving beneficiaries' access to

quality health care and elimination of administrative hassles beneficiaries have ex-

perienced too often.

“All in all, the vast majority of NDAA issues reflect the positive outcomes of our

advocacy,” Atkins concluded.

The 2017 NDAA puts into law new requirements spanning many of DoD's pro-

grams. Most notably, it will entail sweeping changes for the military health care

system.

This legislation puts into law a number of MOAA's advocacy priorities. Specifi-

cally, it: (SEE NDAA, P2)

Inside this issue… P. 2 President’s Corner; NDAA (cont.); chapter contacts

P. 3 In memoriam, Nick Weiler; chapter donates to First

Strike singles; MOAA ramps up chapter recruitment, gives

talking points; EKU ROTC grad sustains family tradition

P. 4 November meeting highlights; 2017 meeting sched-

ule; ROTC winter commissions; 2016 fund drive meets

goals; January program background

P. 5 Chapter members honor Pearl Harbor vets; 2017

state military/veterans legislative preview; KDVA salutes

women vets at THVC

PRESENTATION: MALTA’S MILITARY HISTORY (program information on p. 4) WHERE: Equestrian Woods Country Club, 107 Clubhouse Drive, Nicholasville TIME: Social hour, 11:30, lunch at noon HOW MUCH: Buffet with meat entrees, vegetables, salad, dessert and drinks for $17, gratuity included RSVP: Please let Pat Jones (contact info on p. 2) know no later than Monday, Jan. 23, that you plan to attend and bring guests. To get to the clubhouse, go south on Harrodsburg Rd. (U.S. 68) about two miles past Man o’ War. Spring Crest Drive is the first right before the Bran-non Rd. intersection, and Clubhouse Drive is the next right.

Chapter Contacts Chapter Contacts (eff. 20 Jan 2017)

President

Col. (Ret.) Tom Peters

(859) 329-7320 thomas.peters03@gmail.com

First Vice President

COL (Ret.) Tom Little

(859) 338-3301

tlittlelex@gmail.com

Second Vice President

COL (Ret.) Jo Ann Wever

(859) 336-5938 J.wever@att.com

Secretary/

Newsletter editor

COL (Ret.) John Shotwell

(859) 263-5436

jmshot0@g.uky.edu

Treasurer

Mrs. Pat Jones

(859) 271-2606

ppatcatfan@aol.com

Chaplain

CAPT (Ret.) Jerry Cook (859) 533-7600

cooksurpri@att.com

Sergeant-at-Arms

COL (Ret.) Chris Dolt

(859) 494-3452

christopher.dolt@ morganstanley.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MOAABluegrassChapter Web: http://

moaabluegrasschap-ter.webs.com/

EDITORIAL POLICY

MOAA, including the Ken-tucky Council and the Blue-grass Chapter, is an independ-ent, nonprofit, politically non-partisan organization. Member-ship is open to officers from every branch of service - includ-ing active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retired, former officers, and their immediate families. The MOAA Bluegrass Chap-ter is a Sect. 501(c )(10) tax-exempt veterans organ-ization.

Bluegrass Bugle January 2017 p.2

“May you live in interesting times.” That’s an old expression purportedly translated

into English from a Chinese curse. An ironic hex because the phrase, “interesting times,”

implies conflict and chaos, while “uninteresting times” of peace and tranquility are pre-ferred by most people (not to mention cats, dogs, and our cousins, the orangutans).

According to Wikipedia, the curse isn’t found in any known Chinese historical docu-

ments. Maybe it was invented by Ben Franklin about three pints into a happy hour in a

Philadelphia tavern.

Whatever the source, actual curse or idle apocrypha, 2016 by anyone’s definition was

an interesting year in terms of the nation’s direction. And 2017 is likely to exceed that

level of interest with little peace and tranquility. What does this have to do with MOAA? A lot, actually. In the article beginning on the

first page in this newsletter, MOAA President/CEO Lt.Gen.(Ret.) Dan Atkins, praised mem-

bers for their advocacy in helping ensure that the latest National Defense Authorization

Act (NDAA) the President signed last month reflected many positive outcomes, particularly in the areas of military

compensation and health care. MOAA members peppered Capitol Hill with about 250,000 letters, emails and phone

calls that helped to influence Congress, particularly Armed Services committee members, to treat military people fairly

and accommodate most of the recommendations of MOAA and The Military Coalition. The incoming administration is perceived by many to be more military friendly than the one it replaces. We’ll see.

About the only thing we can predict is unpredictability. And change. An administration that takes a business approach

to government might result in reduced spending on inefficient programs and practices to the ultimate benefit of the

Pentagon. We used to say that "sacred cows" made the best hamburgers. A few of those blessed bovines may head

to the slaughterhouse in the coming years. The only thing we know for certain is that things will be different, and it’s

impossible to predict their outcomes.

Since its founding, MOAA, initially as The Retired Officers Association (TROA), has emerged as the leading lobby-

ing organization on behalf of uniformed service members, retirees, veterans and their families. Its effectiveness has been constant, regardless of the party affiliation of the administration. And that proficiency depends directly on the

vocal support of individual chapters and members across the U.S., as demonstrated by the latest budgeting cycle.

I trust that some of the correspondence to Congress relating to MOAA’s positions on NDAA came from Bluegrass

Chapter members. As I assume chapter leadership, I echo the MOAA mantra, “Voice matters,” and that includes yours.

FROM P1 NDAA Secures a 2.1 percent military pay raise versus the

1.6 percent pay raise proposed by the administration.

The 2.1 percent pay raise matches the average Amer-

ican's, as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics'

Employment Cost Index.

Stops the force drawdown and actually increases

manpower levels, especially for the Army, Air Force

and Marine Corps.

Requires an array of reforms to improve beneficiaries'

access to timely and high-quality health care.

Protects currently serving and retired beneficiaries

from a variety of steep TRICARE fee increases pro-

posed in the administration's budget.

Rejects a Senate proposal to cut housing allowances

by $10,000 to $30,000 a year for dual-military

couples and other service members who share hous-

ing.

Provides needed survivor benefit improvements: (a)

extending the Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance

(SSIA) until May 2018 at $310 per month, and (b)

increasing Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for

survivors of reservists who die during Inactive Duty

Training, to match benefits provided for active duty

deaths.

The long list of health care improvement requirements

are aimed at addressing the systemic and chronic prob-

lems MOAA and others have highlighted with beneficiary

access (appointments and referrals), quality of care and

safety and consistency of care.

They include changes in contracting, appointment and

referral processes and holding medical providers and com-

manders more accountable for productivity and consistency

of beneficiary-centric care, especially in military facilities.

One major aspect affecting TRICARE Standard benefi-

ciaries is a change to this program, effective Jan. 1, 2018,

to a preferred provider organization called TRICARE

Select. Another big difference is all non-Medicare-eligible

retired beneficiaries will be required to formally enroll

every year in either TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select,

starting in 2018. Previously, only TRICARE Prime re-

quired a formal annual enrollment.

Lt.Gen. (Ret.) Dana Atkins

MOAA President/CEO

“All in all, the vast majority of NDAA issues reflect the positive outcomes of our advocacy.”

Thomas Peters Col., USAF (Ret.)

President, Bluegrass Chapter

In memoriam

Chapter members lose son, brother in tragic accident Nicholas Koch Weiler, 37, son of CW4 Logan Weiler Jr.

(Ret.) and brother of 1LT Logan Weiler III was struck from

behind and killed instantly on Nov.18, 2016, while driving

across the Ravenel Bridge in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Nick was preceded in death by

his wife, Ashley. In addition to his

father and brother, Nicholas is

survived by his mother, Rhonda.

A lifelong resident of Lexing-

ton, Nick was a graduate of Lafa-

yette High School and attended

UK. Nick served as a Kentucky

pre-trial officer of the court for 15

years. Following the death of his wife, Nick relocated to Mt.

Pleasant where he was a photographer and videographer on

“Wahoo” a sport fishing yacht out of Charleston.

Nicholas (Nick) Weiler

CHAPTER DONATES TO “FIRST STRIKE” –

members MAJ (Ret.) Marty Pinkston

(right) and CW4 (Ret.) Ike Pinkston

(left) drove to Clarksville, Tenn., last

month to deliver the chapter’s donation

to help out single soldiers from 1st Bat-

talion, 502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne

Division (First Strike). The battalion is

commanded by LTC Shawn Umbrell,

formerly the PMS at UK’s Army ROTC

unit. Accepting the award at the unit’s

home base at Ft. Campbell are Sarah

Basham (2nd from left, wife of 1-502

Command Sergeant Major James Ba-

sham), and LTC Umbrell’s wife Becky. In

a note of appreciation Becky and Sarah

subsequently wrote to the chapter,

“First Strike can’t thank MOAA enough for your generous donation. Our single soldiers will return home knowing they are loved and appreciated by so many people.”

p.3 January 2017 Bluegrass Bugle

MOAA is encouraging chapters to

accelerate recruiting this year. The

2017 Chapter Recruiting Program

will provide a single effort to recruit

new chapter members.

More tools and better information

to chapters will help recruit and

retain chapter members more effec-

tively. The focus of the Chapter Re-

cruiting program is on recruiting

new chapter members using the

recruiting-members lists provided by

National MOAA. In early spring

national MOAA will provide a re-

cruiting list to each of its chapters

which can serve as the foundation

for the chapter’s annual recruiting

campaign.

The recruiting list will now only

contain the names of current nation-

al MOAA members who live in each

chapter’s proximity, but who do not

belong to the chapter. In addition,

MOAA will

per iod i ca l l y

ask national

MOAA mem-

bers who aren’t chapter members to

share their email addresses with

their local chapter. Each recruiting

list will incorporate all the national

MOAA (non-chapter) member email

addresses that have opted in for this

correspondence from those living

within a chapter’s geographic area

for membership.

Two additional times (summer

and fall), a follow-up recruiting list

will be sent to each chapter. This list

will be much shorter and only con-

tain the names of national MOAA

members in good standing who

moved into the chapter’s catchment

area since the last recruiting mem-

bers list was sent out together with

any deaths reported to MOAA. The ultimate goal for MOAA is to

remain the premier military advocacy

organization that can affect legisla-

tion and make a difference in the

quality of life for all members of the

military and their families. The chap-

ter system is critical to attaining that

goal.

National MOAA board of directors approved the formal affilia-

tion of councils and chapters in 1953

Over 440 affiliates nationwide

Councils and chapters are independent, self-governing, self-supporting organizations who voluntarily choose to affiliate

with national MOAA for the purpose of cooperation and mutual

support in attaining common goals

Personal/professional responsibility to never stop serving

Affiliate members are highly encouraged to be national MOAA

members

Grass-roots advocacy: influence local, state, federal legisla-

tion

Community Ambassadors: opportunities to volunteer locally

Support JROTC, ROTC, newly commissioned officer programs

Provides opportunities for local networking for second career service members

Camaraderie with a purpose: maintain connection to the mili-

tary family by developing close and lasting friendships with

other members with similar backgrounds and interests

EKU ROTC GRAD — 2LT Patrick Riley (left) was commissioned by EKU ROTC PMS LTC Darell Robinson (right) following a family tradition. Ri-

ley’s father is a retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant, his older brother an Army Staff Sergeant and most recently his younger brother completed Army basic training. The lieutenant was presented a MOAA gold bar by MAJ (Ret.) Marty Pinkston. (UK and MSU ROTC winter grads are featured

on p. 4. )

Bluegrass Bugle January 2017 p.4

Chapter sets 2017 schedule Mark your calendar now to make sure you

don’t miss any 2017 meetings.

Unless announced otherwise, all meetings

will take place at noon (social time at 11:30)

at the Equestrian Woods Country Club, 107

Clubhouse Drive, Nicholasville on the follow-

ing dates: Jan. 27 (officer installation); Mar.

24; May 26; July 28; Sep. 29; Nov. 17

(annual business meeting).

NEW OFFICERS — Chapter Presi-

dent-elect Col. (Ret.) Tom Peters

(left photo) conferred with newly

elected 2nd Vice COL (Ret.) Jo

Ann Wever. The new slate of offic-

ers was approved by unanimous

voice vote by chapter members

who attended the November meet-

ing. The officers will be installed

Jan. 27. The complete list of new

and re-elected officers is on p. 2.

Special guest Kristina Cherish-

neiva, (center photo) a native of

Ukraine, served in the U.S. Army

and now works as a nurse at Lex-

ington VAMC. She was a guest of

Treasurer Pat Jones. At right, LTC

Tom Krupp, UK Army ROTC Profes-

sor of Military Science, provided a

short briefing about his unit’s

training and operations.

Chapter recognizes ROTC

winter grads with gold bars

NEW ROTC GRADS — Chapter member and UK alum MAJ (Ret.) Marty Pinkston presented MOAA gold bars last month to the follow-

ing new officers at UK. ROW 1 (L-R): 2LT Raven Starks (a KSU grad through UK’s satellite ROTC program); 2LT Sterling Lewis, 2LT Mitch Kline. ROW 2 (L-R): 2LT Erik Fatkin, 2LT William Johnson, and 2LT Sean Miller. Below, chapter member and MSU grad COL (Ret.) Fred-

die Waggoner presents gold bars to MSU ROTC grads 2LT Zachary Lambert and 2LT Lauren Higgins. MOAA has announced that it is discontinuing the Gold Bar Program nationally, but individual chap-ters may keep it as a local initiative.

Holiday THVC/ROTC donation goals met We thank all members who contributed generously to the chapter’s holiday

year-end drive, particularly those who responded to a New Year’s Eve appeal

when it appeared, to use a football expression, we were in the red zone, just

short of the goal line. Those last-minute contributions were just enough to put

us over the goal line and into the end zone.

Because of the chapter’s benevolence, residents of the Thomson-Hood Vet-

erans Center will soon be able to appreciate a top-of-the-line Broda brand

wheelchair that provides tilt-in-space positioning for extra comfort. The dona-

tions will also cover a MacBook Air Laptop for residents to check out for use in

the rooms (THVC now has Wi-Fi capability) and an iPad for use in the Eisen-

hower unit.

The donations also make it possible for the chapter to extend the scope of

scholarships for area ROTC units, increasing both the award amount (to $300)

and including for the first time ROTC cadets at Morehead State University. The

IRS reinstated the chapter’s tax-exempt status for charitable donations.

January program — Malta’s military history

Though it’s less that half the size of Fayette County, the island of Malta has served as a

strategic hub in the Mediterranean for more than two millennia. It became part of the Roman, then Byzantine Empires after the Punic wars and was conquered by Arabs who were overthrown by the Normans of Spain during the Medieval period. In a dramatic battle in 1565 the Knights

of St. John (latter known as the Knights of Malta) fended off an Ottoman force of more than

40,000 led by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, effectively preventing the Ottoman Empire from expanding into Western Europe. After several centuries of peace and prosperity, Malta was invaded by Napolean in1798, who

was subsequently vanquished by the British three years later, making the island part of the British Empire. With its location between North Africa and southern Europe, Malta gained strategic importance during WWII. Gen Dwight Eisenhower

established a command post there to plan and execute the successful Allied invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky). Chapter secretary Col. (Ret.) John Shotwell recently visited Malta and will provide an illustrated presenta-

tion of Malta’s military history. Also, BG (Ret.) Les Beavers will provide a Washington update. Fort San Angelo (1500s), Valletta, Malta

Bluegrass Chapter members make 75th Pearl Harbor anniversary event memorable

PEARL HARBOR COMMEMORATION — Chapter

member COL (Ret.) Larry Arnett (at left), who

was the event’s guest speaker, greets Pearl

Harbor survivor David Walker, age 99. At center

is the other Day of Infamy survivor in attend-

ance, Vaughn Drake, 98. A third survivor who

was expected to participate, Herman Horn, 96,

was not strong enough to travel from his resi-

dence at Thomson-Hood Veterans Center in

Wilmore. He was represented by his daughter.

The annual event held on Dec. 7 at the Oleika

Shrine Temple in Lexington included a number

of World War II veterans. At right, chapter mem-

ber CWO4 (Ret.) Don Dixon, who has organized

the commemoration every year for decades, is

interviewed for a news segment broadcast on

Lexington’s ABC affiliate, WTVQ-36. The Blue-

grass Chapter contributed $100 to the event.

p.5 January 2017 Bluegrass Bugle

State 2017 legislative pre-filed bills

include new veterans centers Kentucky lawmakers convening for the 2017 legislative session

that begins this month will be weighing bills proposing new veterans

centers in Bowling Green (BR 69/BR 58/BR 157) and Magoffin

County (BR 200).

About 20 acres of land have already been donated for the facility

in Warren County. Magoffin County has the state’s highest unem-

ployment rate.

Kentucky currently has three veterans centers in Wilmore, Han-

son, and Hazard, with a fourth to open soon in Radcliff.

The 2017 legislative session convenes during Jan.-Mar. Other

pre-filed bills of military/veterans interest include:

BR 298/BR 373 — a comprehensive act relating to enhanced

secure identity documents that would include a provision allow-

ing active duty military service members to renew operator’s

licenses and personal ID cards by mail.

BR 238 — an act that would reduce motor vehicle property tax

rates for certain disabled veterans.

BR 369 — a proposed constitutional amendment that would

fully exempt property taxation for totally or permanently disa-

bled veterans.

BR 32 — an act that would direct the Transportation Cabinet

to designate a bridge on U.S. Highway 23 in Greenup County

as the “Greenup County Korean War Veterans Bridge.”

BR 11 — a proposed Constitutional amendment that would

exempt from property taxation certain veterans’ organizations

that have qualified for exemption from federal income tax.

BR 277 — an act the would prohibit authorization of a state

veterans nursing home unless the facility will accommodate the

total number of beds allotted to the state by the VA.

THVC WOMEN VETS FETED — The Kentucky Dept. of Veterans Affairs pro-

vided a special Christmas dinner for women residents at Thomson-Hood

Veterans Center in Wilmore. Guest speaker LuWanda Knuckles, Kentucky

Women Veterans Coordinator, shown above with resident Dorothy Farmer, who recently celebrated her 99th birthday, helped distribute Christmas

stockings, gift bags, and hand-made angel centerpieces to the veterans.

Give your mailperson a rest …

If you’re still receiving this

newsletter via USPS home

delivery and you’re okay with

the email version instead,

please let us know and pro-

vide us with your email ad-

dress. It’ll save the chapter

postage and printing costs.

Bluegrass Chapter Military Officers Association of America Mrs. Pat Jones 1660 Atoma Drive Lexington, KY 40511 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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.