March 2010 

Volume 6, Issue 1 Spring Edition 

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant;

if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.

~Anne Bradstreet

 

AUSA ~ First Militia Report

PRESIDENT’S NOTES

It has been a busy and productive quarter and I sincerely appreciate the efforts of our Executive Council, Advisory Board of Directors, and especially each member of our chapter. Our continued success depends on your support.

We have maintained our chapter membership at an all time high and have also grown dramatically in Corporate Sponsors. While doing this, our chapter remains healthy and dedicated to supporting our soldiers and their families.

In February, we elected a new Chapter President and First Vice-President. Both COL (Ret) Don Workman and LTC Matt Johnson are well versed in chapter activities and eager to assume their duties on 1 July 2010.

Just this month we had another Corporate Sponsor Mixer and its success will be measured down the road by increased membership in this area. A hearty thanks to Ms. Melissa Mezick of Courtyard by Marriott for sponsoring this event.

Finally, I urge your participation in our annual golf tournament. This is the only fundraiser we conduct and its success is vital to funding programs for our varied support efforts.

 

Carl Smith, COL, U.S. Army (Ret) Chapter President

                                       

Thank you Corporate Sponsors! As a result of your commitment to our soldiers and their families, we have again gained over ten (10) new members in this operational year. We now have 28 sponsors as follows:

Aim Insurance of St. Augustine, Mr. Jamie Knox, 1576 U.S. 1 South. St. Augustine, FL

Arnett HIG & Air Conditioning, Inc, Mr. Jerod Meeks, 83 Orange St., St. Augustine, FL

Atlantic Automotive & Quick Lube Ctr, Mr. Jon Herring, 155 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine, FL

Bed Bath & Beyond, Mr. Lee Craig, 320 C B L Drive, St. Augustine, FL

Capstone Golf, Mr. Mike & Marcene Pullen, 707 Shore Dr., St. Augustine, FL

Century 21 St. Augustine Properties, Inc., Mr. Dirk Schroeder, 2820 A, US Highway 1 South, St. Augustine, FL

Courtyard by Marriott/Fairfield Inn, Ms. Melissa Mezick, 2075 SR-16, St. Augustine, FL

Craig Funeral Home, Mr. Rusty Hall, 1475 Old Dixie Highway, St. Augustine, FL

Elegant Events, Ms. Elizabeth Crosby, 3940 Barbara Terrace, St. Augustine, FL

Gregg T. Russell, DMD, PA, Ms. Genny Bell-McCarty, 2535 U.S. 1 South, Suite 2, St. Augustine, FL

Gypsy Cab Co., Mr. Patrick Morrissey, 828 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, FL

Herbie Wiles Insurance, Mr. Doug Wiles, 400 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd., St. Augustine, FL

Island Family Pharmacy, Mr. Ryan Blanco, 125 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine, FL

Jim’s Drywall, Mr. S. J. Smith, 68 S. Dixie Highway, St. Augustine, FL

KJ’s Products LLC, Mr. Kenny John’s, P.O. Box 861025, St. Augustine, FL

Leonardi’s Nursery, MSG (Ret) Kimberly Leonardi, 901 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, FL

Master’s Heating & Air Cond., Inc., Mr. Lou Argitis, 112 Tinto Way, St. Augustine, FL

National Guard Association of Florida, Ms. Mary Paul, P.O. Box 3446, St. Augustine, FL

The NCO Club of St. Augustine, SGT Susan Bush, 190 San Marco Ave, St. Augustine, FL

Parker Pools, Mr. Bobby Parker, 71 S. Dixie Highway, St. Augustine, FL

Riverside Dry Cleaners, Ms. Joanne Dobbs, 1976 U.S. 1 South, St. Augustine, FL

Runk Properties, Inc, Mr. Chris Runk, 1985 Mizell Rd., St. Augustine, FL

SafeSmart Inc., Ms. April Strider, 2385 Pellicer Rd., St. Augustine, FL

San Marco Terrace Rehabilitation & Care, Mr. Doug Hernandez, 189 San Marco Ave.,St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine, Officer’s Club, Ms. Donna Ponce, 82 Marine St., St. Augustine, FL

St. Johns Family Funeral Home & Crematory, Mr. Randy Hudgins, 385 SR 207,St. Augustine, FL

Trusted Advisors Flagler LLC, Mr. M. Raymond Matuza, Suite 206B, 1301 Plantation Island Drive, St. Augustine, FL

William J. Glenos Specialist in Orthodenistry, Mrs. Karen Glenos, 107 Inlet Drive, St. Augustine, FL

 

 

May 13th GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Our dinner guest and speaker will be LTG William G. Webster, Commanding General, Third U.S. Army. 

Location:  Officer’s Club, St. Francis Barracks, St. Augustine, FL 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Third Region Conference: April 14-16 at Fort Benning, GA

Annual Golf Tournament: Monday, May 3rd at St. Johns Golf & Country Club.

4th Quarter General Membership Meeting: May 13th at Officer’s Club

Army Birthday celebration, Friday, June 11th at Officer’s Club

 

DONATIONS MADE THIS QUARTER:

$200.00 to co-sponsor FL Army National Guard annual NCO & SOY Awards Banquet.

$110.00 for watches for two individuals above (NCO & SOY)

 

 New Corporate Members!    28 Corporate Members now Supporting First Militia Chapter!

Don K. Workman, Interim First Vice President 

First  Militia  Chapters  welcomes  the  following  new members  since  our  last  newsletter:    Century  21,  St. Augustine Properties    Inc,   Dirk Schroeder;   San Marco Terrace  Rehabilitation  &  Care,  LTC  (Ret)  Doug Hernandez;  Riverside Dry Cleaners, Ms. Joanne Dobbs;  and  Runk Properties,  Inc., Mr. Christopher Runk. 

We  hope  Chapter Members will  use  the  Services  and Products  of  our  Corporate  Sponsors  ,  you will  find  a complete  list  of  our  Corporate  Members  in  this newsletter.   

Their dues play a big part in supporting our Soldier, 

Family,  Scholarship,  Retiree,  Veteran,  and  JROTC Programs    throughout  the  year.    Corporate Members are  welcome  to  advertise  on  our  Chapter  Website, www.firstmilitia.org.    Please  email    to Denise@Moultriecreek.us    and  it will  be  included  on the next Chapter Website update. 

 We  have  now  qualified  for  another  Cash  Incentive Award  this  year  by  increasing  our  Corporate Membership  by  ten  (10)  so  far  this  FY  year.    If  you know  of  a  business  or  organization  interested  in becoming  a  Corporate Member,  please  contact  Allen Crosby  at  (904)  797‐1660  or  contact  any  Executive Committee Officer. 

2010 Chapter Scholarship Program to open on 3 May 2010

The Chapter 2010 Scholarship Program will open on 3 May and close on 24 July 2010. Depending on the success of our funding raising effort with the May Annual Golf tournament, we anticipate $3000 allocated for this year's program. Scholarship award criteria for the applicant and sponsor remains as previous five years and can be found on the First Militia Chapter web site at www.firstmilitia.org. Applicants must be sponsored by an immediate family member that is a member of the Chapter or a JROTC cadet

May be sponsored by a Senior Army Instructor provided the SAI is also a member of our Chapter. The letter of instruction and application will be posted on the First Militia Web site by 1 May 2010. A selection board will convene the last week of July to select the best qualified applicants. Scholarship Awards will be presented at our 12 August 2010 Dinner and Meeting at Camp Blanding. For Further information please call Colonel (Ret) Don Workman at 904-794-2383 or email mrdworkman@aol.com.

Individual Membership Reaches New Plateau Don K. Workman VP Individual Membership As of 15 March 2010 Chapter Membership totaled 475 active members, 108% 2010 target goal of 440 members. First Militia remains on the AUSA Star Chapter List for Membership, exceeding our goal for 16 consecutive months. An Executive Council team effort is working hard to maintain and exceed our goal through the fiscal year to earn a cash incentive award from National Headquarters. Please welcome the following new members since our last newsletter: Mr. Christopher Runk, CW3 Kimberly Elam, CPT Rhonda Rickards, CPT Michael Southerland, SFC Thomas Robinson, CPT Benjamin Ruffner, PVT Ryan Skates, Mr. Dirk Schroeder, LTC (Ret) Tom Pomar, Ms. Joanne Dobbs, LTC (Ret) Doug Hernandez, Mr. Donnie Taylor, MSG (Ret) Kimberly Leonardi, Mr. Kevin Leonardi, Mr. Edmund Brantly, 1LT Robert Carter, Major Cecil Cauley, MSG Randy Dukes, SGM James Mast, PFC Rachel Medley, SFC Raymond Metych, SSG Dennis Noes, CPT Vernon Pinkney, SPC Mark Runson, SFC Christopher Steinbach, and Mr. Andrew Vanohlen. Thanks to these 26 new members for joining AUSA and First Militia Chapter! We look forward to your participation in the Chapter. We would also like to welcome recent transfers to our Chapter this quarter: SGT Branyn Burkhart, SSG John Mwangi, and LTG (Ret) Chuck Mahan Your help to our Chapter is absolutely vital to keep our membership climbing. Please continue by bringing guests to our Quarterly Dinner and Meeting, passing referrals to Chapter Officers and timely renewals of your membership. Please email Mrdworkman@aol.com for further information or assistance for new referrals, and membership applications for Individual or Corporate. New memberships and renewals can also be done on line at www.ausa.com then go to "Become a Member".

 

 

FAMILY PROGRAMS NEWS

CSM (Ret) Carolyn D. Wingard

The AUSA Newell Rubbermaid Family of the Year Award

This award recognizes an exceptional Army Family whose dedicated volunteer service significantly contributes to improving Army well-being and the well-being of the local community. The award is open to Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, Retiree and Army civilian families. Families do not need to be AUSA members. Current AUSA chapter officers and their families are not eligible.

Nominations for the AUSA Newell Rubbermaid Family of the Year Award must be submitted to the 1st Militia Chapter NLT 1 May 2010. Address to AUSA-1st Militia Chapter, (ATTN: Mary Paul) P. O. Box 3446, St. Augustine, FL 32095-3446.

CRITERIA:

• One or more members of family must have volunteered for a minimum of 2 years for community, installation or unit programs.

• Family must have demonstrated outstanding leadership in planning, organizing or directing a major event or program that has resulted in a tangible or intangible benefit to the community or Army families.

• Family must have a demonstrable pattern of volunteering and achievement which has been recognized by other awards.

• Family must have exhibited leadership in performing assigned duties that resulted in improved services and/or programs for service members and families or community.

• Family must have demonstrated volunteerism outside of what would be expected due to position in unit, place of employment or community.

Army National Guard Information Guide On Non-Regular Retirement

This guide is designed for anyone with an interest in how a member of the Army National Guard can earn retirement points credit, qualify for retired pay for non‐regular service, apply for retired pay, and all the many factors that affect each of these areas.   The link below will take you to a copy of the online guide. 

http://www.arng.army.mil/soldierresources/Documents/ARNG%20Information%20Guide%20for%20non-regular%20retirement%2015%20Apr%202009.pdf

TRICARE Newsletters Get the Word Out Electronically

With a few clicks of a mouse, TRICARE beneficiaries can sign up at www.tricare.mil/subscriptions to have the latest TRICARE benefit news sent to them electronically. All of the newsletters and bulletins TRICARE currently prints are available online and can be delivered electronically straight to an e-mail inbox.

 

Army Emergency Relief Campaign Set to Begin The 2010 Army Emergency Relief Campaign will begin March 1, 2010 at Warner Barracks, and Army wide. The campaign is conducted annually between March 1 and May 15. Additionally this time frame enables local campaigns to coordinate and complete the campaign in time to meet the mandatory allotment start date, which is June 1, 2010. The three reasons for the annual campaign are to Promote awareness of AER and programs that are available to active Soldiers, Retirees, widows and family members; the campaign provides a wonderful opportunity for all active duty and retired Soldiers to contribute to the welfare of their fellow Soldiers; and Campaign donations insure that AER meets the requirements for status as a non-profit, tax exempt 501 organization. AER not only provides training for unit representatives or Key persons, but also supplies posters, flyers and other publicity materials and information. For more info go to www.aerhq.org .

Extensions Mean Current Regional Contractors Will Serve TRICARE

Contract extensions issued by TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) mean TRICARE beneficiaries in the United States will not need to learn new phone numbers and websites any time soon. Current regional health care contractors will continue to provide services to beneficiaries until March 31, 2011. A formal transition period of at least 10 months ensures that beneficiaries and stakeholders get the information they need well in advance, and allows enough time to establish new processes and test interoperability. In addition to the sustained protests filed by Humana and Health Net, UnitedHealth filed an agency level protest regarding the West Region award to Tri West, delaying transition for the entire United States.

For more information, please go to: www.TRICARE.com

Military Family Appreciation Day

The first Annual (we hope) Military Family Appreciation Day will be in St. Augustine at the Mark W. Lance Armory on Sat 9 Oct 10 from 2-6. We will have activities for all members of the family as well as resources and live entertainment. We will also serve hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks. We need our WILLING TO HELP members to contact me at 904-315-4620 or to volunteer their services for this important event. We will need people to help us raise the money for the event as well as getting donations from local merchants, cook, help with children’s activities, set up, clean up, etc! NOW IS THE TIME TO VOLUNTEER. CSM (Ret) Carolyn D. Wingard, VP Family Programs,

1st Militia Chapter 904-315-4620; wingardc@comcast.net      

 

Our Deployed Members Still Actively Engaged in AUSA

LTC Rob Keating submitted this photo. He is our First Vice President currently deployed to Kuwait. He is shown here with MG Gregg Martin,

Deputy CG AFCENT(3rd Army), CSM (Ret) Donald Thomas, AUSA National, and Mr Randy Williams, AUSA Kuwait Chapter President.

 

                                                      

 

 

 

 

 

16th Annual First Militia Chapter Golf Tournament 

The 16th Annual Golf Tournament will be held Monday 3 May 2010 at the St. Johns Golf & Country Club.  Please join us as a player, sponsor, or both.  The tournament will be a four‐person captain’s choice format with a field of 36 teams.  Lunch and an awards ceremony will immediately follow the tournament at the golf course. 

All funds raised go directly towards supporting Soldiers and their Families.  For more information please contact LTC Arnold Leeks at (904)823‐0376 or email Arnold.leeks@us.army.mil. 

 

 

 

 

Do We Have Your Email Address??

Don Workman/ Interim 1st VP

If you are reading this Chapter Newsletter on a postage paid printed copy, we need your email address if you have one! We currently have over 165 members with no email address which costs us over $70+ in postage each quarter just to mail this newsletter. We can provide you these newsletters, invitations to Quarterly Dinners, and special events and save the Chapter postage money. Please send to Doris Simonetti at dsimonetti@ausa.org or do it yourself at www.ausa.org and go to "Member Login" Thank-you!

Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment. ~ Ellis Peters

 

  Paid Reservations for Quarterly Dinner and 

Meeting are now Required 

We would appreciate your assistance in helping us improve operating costs and services at our Quarterly Dinners.  Timely “RSVP’s” help us get an accurate headcount to our Cater to avoid a 

shortage   or an overage of meals.  Paid reservations in advance are now required.  Paid reservations also allows us to have nametags readily available for all attending and speed up time of check in and reduce costs of no‐shows.   Our goal is to get invitations out three weeks in 

advance of dinner meetings, your paid reservation response by the RSVP date on the 

invitation would be appreciated.

And Spring arose on the garden fair, Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere; And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast rose from the dreams of its wintry rest. ~Percy Bysshe Shelley, "The Sensitive Plant"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Second Corporate Mixer “A Success”

The 1st Militia Chapter held its 2nd Corporate Mixer hosted by Corporate Sponsor Courtyard by Marriott on SR 16.  The purpose of the corporate mixer is to personally thank our corporate sponsors for what they do for our organization.  Ms Melissa Mezick of the Courtyard by Marriott provided wonderful refreshments and hor‐de‐vors as well as a great atmosphere in which to “mix”.  The corporate sponsors present were Mr. Lee Craig (Bed, Bath and Beyond), Mr. Dirk Schroeder and LTC (Ret) Don Pomar (Century 21 – St Augustine Properties, Inc), COL (Ret) Kenny Johns 

(KJ’s Products, LLC), SFC (Ret) Mary Paul (National Guard Association of Florida), Ms April Stride and Ms Cindy Toole (SafeSmart, Inc) and LTC (Ret) Doug Hernandez and Mr Donny Tayler (San Marco Terrace Rehabilitation and Care Center).   District 3 County Commission, Mr. Ray Quinn and the Assistant Adjutant General of the Florida National Guard, BG Michael Fleming also attended.  Chapter President, COL (Ret) Carl Smith and his wife Bev, as well as the incoming Chapter President, COL (Ret) Don Workman and his wife, Marrietta personally welcomed each corporate sponsor and thanked them for their support of the 1st Militia Chapter.  The next corporate mixer will be held in September.   

 

First Militia Chapter Officers

Chapter President Carl Smith, COL (Ret)

(904)797-8380

First Vice President (Interim) Don Workman, COL (Ret)

(904)764-2383

Second Vice President Ray Quinn SGM (Ret)

(904)797-5622

Secretary Lisa Craig, COL

(904)823-0510

Treasurer Carol McClure, LTC

(904)823-0350

VP for Individual Membership Don Workman, COL (Ret)

(904)794-2383

VP for Corporate Membership Allen Crosby, CSM (Ret)

(904)797-1660

VP for Awards Greg Moore, LTC (Ret)

(904)823-0696

VP for Scholarships Don Workman, COL (Ret)

(904)794-2383

VP for Operations Bob Carroll, SGM (Ret)

(904)262-2629

VP for Soldier Support Mike Hosford, State CSM

(904)823-0102

VP for Public Affairs Cox, Debbie, Maj (Ret)

(904)823-0690

VP for Family Programs Carolyn Wingard, CSM (Ret)

(904)829-9108

VP for Volunteer Support Barbara Addair, Ms.

(904)823-0196

Editor, First Militia Report Rhonda Rickards, CPT

(904)823-0550

We Salute our Original AUSA Members! Don K. Workman VP Individual Membership In reviewing our individual membership records, I found three of our First Militia Chapter members that have been members of AUSA from nearly 60 years since it was formed in 1950. Original Lifetime members are LTC (Ret) Howard Parks of Ponte Vedra, Fl and longtime resident of St. Augustine, Colonel (Ret) George Taylor of St. Augustine. LTC James Whitter of Jacksonville has been faithfully paying his dues for 60 years! That's commitment to our Army and AUSA. Thank-you old soldiers and patriots. If there are others in our Chapter that might have been missed please let me let know, they should be recognized.  

DID YOU KNOW??? Provided by Topeka Chapter Newsletter For all military ID military card holders, you can get a 10% discount at two Home Improvement Stores, Home Depot and Lowes anytime. Show your ID card and get a good discount for those home projects. Home Depot does not advertise this like they do for special holidays like Veterans Day and 4th of July.