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Thunderbird News 1 Thunderbird News AFSA Chapter 985 January – April 2015 Edition 5, Volume 13 AFSA “Thunderbird” Chapter 985 Hosted CMSgt of the Air Force #12 CMSgt Eric Benken Trustee Shelby Platt and several of Chapter 985 members met with Chief Benken and discussed AFSA related issues and the future of the Air Force as seen from the past to the present. President Rachael Long organized event and members were able to ask questions and brief what our local chapter does to support Tinker and local community. Headlines 1. Chapter Activities CMSAF #12 Benken 2. Executive Council Awards/Installation of New Officers 6. Adopt a Vet Program 7. Letter to Membership 8. Membership Article 9. Community Outreach 10. Legislative 12. Chapter Leadership 13. AFSA Application 15. Capwiz (Legislative) 16 Mailer Page Join us Next Month We meet in the Tinker Club on the 2nd Thursday of the month 1130 hrs Chapter 985 Website!

Transcript of Thunderbird News - AFSA Chapter 985 :: Homeafsa985.org/documents/Newsletters/Thunderbird...

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Thunderbird News

AFSA Chapter 985 January – April 2015

Edition 5, Volume 13

AFSA “Thunderbird” Chapter 985 Hosted CMSgt of the Air Force #12 CMSgt Eric Benken

Trustee Shelby Platt and several of Chapter 985 members met with Chief Benken and discussed AFSA related issues and the future of the Air Force as seen from the past to the present. President Rachael Long organized event and members were able to ask questions and brief what our local chapter does to support Tinker and local community.

Headlines

1. Chapter Activities CMSAF #12 Benken 2. Executive Council

Awards/Installation of New Officers

6. Adopt a Vet Program 7. Letter to Membership 8. Membership Article 9. Community Outreach 10. Legislative 12. Chapter Leadership 13. AFSA Application 15. Capwiz (Legislative) 16 Mailer Page

Join us Next Month We meet in the Tinker

Club on the 2nd Thursday of the month 1130 hrs

Chapter 985 Website!

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CHIEF BENKEN AND TEAM TINKER MEMBERS!

AFSA Chapter 985 gets support from the Top Leadership! Colonel Azzano attended general membership meeting and praised chapter members for their contributions to the base and local

area. Their volunteerism help reduced out of pocket cost for young Airman for morale events and created a safe environment during holiday seasons for members not going home to have fun!

985 Rocks Chapter 985 General Membership Meeting, Installation, Awards Ceremony - 12 February 2015

Chapter Important Events

Jan-2015 DSACO’s Kylee’s Kitchen – 16, 23, and 30 January DSACO’s Club – TBD Veterans Bingo – 19 January Regional Food Bank Pack n’ Sort – 24 January

City Rescue Mission – 30 January

Feb-2015 DSACO’s Kylee’s Kitchen – 13, 20, and 27 February DSACO’s Club – 06 and 20 February Regional Food Bank – 14 February City Rescue Mission – 22 February Veterans Bingo- 16 February Mar-2015 Bone Marrow Recruitment Drive – 13, 14, and 15 March Kuhlman Cemetery Project – 14 March DSACO’s Kylee’s Kitchen – 6, 13, 20, and 27 March Regional Food Bank – 18 and 21 March Veteran’s Bingo – 16 March

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CMSgt (Ret) Trustee Nick Pivrnec installed the new elected/appointed officers for the coming year: President – TSgt Rachael Long, Vice President - MSgt Joseph Tolley, Senior Advisor/Historian - MSgt (Ret) Terry Turner, Trustee/Airman Activities Coordinator - SrA Rafe Holmes, Trustee – SMSgt Tyron Taylor, Trustee – MSgt Brian Brewer, Trustee – MSgt Charity Dice, Trustee – TSgt Greg Reyes, Trustee- MSgt Don Botkins, Treasurer – MSgt Eric Dale, Secretary – SrA Michelle Herrera, Chaplain-MSgt Zachary Merkl

February 12, 2015 – General Membership Meeting, Annual Installation of Officers/Awards Recognition Honoring Chapter

Achievers, Chapter Supporters, and Airman and NCO of the Year

Outstanding Chapter Supporters

Acrylic Statuette of Appreciation in recognition of volunteer excellence during our 2014 annual fundraiser (worked 11 or more hours out of the 300 volunteers donating 1,200 total hours): Terry Turner, Brian Brewer, Jet Albisa, Betty Worley, Greg Reyes, Sarah Brewer, Christina Wolfe, Rafe Holmes, Alexis Wolfe, Ray Nguyen, Richard Porter, Courtney Rachel, Sean Duncan, Brian Pardito, Rachael Long, and Richard Porter.

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Volunteers of the Year Retiree Category: CMSgt (Ret) Nick Pivrnec and Betty Worley, Family Matters Category: Kay Pivrnec, Active Duty Category: SrA Rafe Holmes

Presidential Volunteer Service Awards Silver-Senior Advisor Terry Turner, Kay Pivrnec, Nick Pivrnec, Betty Worley, Latoya

Irving Bronze-Greg Reyes, Don Sullivan, Shelby Platt, Rachael Long, Timothy Ossinger, and Kathy Ossinger

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Legislative Award Winner Trustee Richard Porter (PCS’d)

President’s Award Winner Trustee Charity Dice

Member of the Year

Outgoing Vice President and New President Rachael Long

Chapter 985 traditionally each year recognizes members who have excelled and continue to make chapter 985 a great organization. It has been said by many past achievers, chapter recognition luncheon is one the best events they have ever attended. SMSgt (Ret) Donald Sullivan Leadership Award Winner Trustee Brian Brewer and Senior Advisor Terry Turner

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Outgoing Historian Don Sullivan Presentation

Chapter 985 – Best of the Best! Airman and NCO of the year SrA Latoya Irving and TSgt

Richard Porter (PCS’d)

President Zachary Merkl closed the day's ceremonies thanking Outgoing council for a great year and the chapter members are truly dedicated to successful chapter. President Rachael Long expressed how excited she was to take the lead and look forward to working with new executive council.

Past Chapter Vice President/VFW Oklahoma State Commander SMSgt (Ret) Michael Devenitch serves on the Adopt a Vet Program committee. He distributed this following announcement and also briefed it to the Tinker AFB First Sergeants Council: Every Veteran has earned the right to have a proper and final honor. Army veteran Billy Ray served his country honorably in the Army from 1973 to 1981. Billy was a homeless man with no known family. Adopt him for one hour this Friday. Help us give Billy a final send off.

ADOPT A VET PROGRAM! (Final Salute) A reminder to us all too never forget or leave a service member behind

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Services with full military honors will be held this Friday (April 11th) at 10 a.m. at Dignity Memorial, Sunny Lane Funeral Home, 4000 SE 29th Street, Del City, OK 73115. Following the service the Patriot Guard will escort him to Fort Sill for graveside honors at 1 p.m. Please join other volunteer family members for this final farewell to a veteran. As a result of Mike’s efforts, 25 or more Air Force uniforms were in the audience, some with spouses. At least 5 chapter members attended; Mike and Chapter Senior Advisor Terry Turner, Trustee/First Sergeant Brian Brewer, Historian Don Sullivan and Lifetime member Gerard Ernest. (Mike and Terry had to take annual leave to attend). Program Chaplain Charles Anderson said he was overwhelmed by the response. This was the best turnout for the 16 funerals in 3 years that he has officiated. Adopt a Vet will continue to be publicized because every veteran deserves a final farewell! War has been declared on you and the winner either keeps your benefits or takes them away. AFSA reads thousands of pages of legislation to ensure no verbiage is included that will be passed and made law that will reduce your Quality of Life. Years ago, a few elected officials made several attempts to raise Tricare Fees for Retirees by a significant amount. AFSA stopped it. Another Example would be pay raises, Congress along with current administration wanted to have a zero percent increase. The Military coalition along with AFSA was able to keep pay increases for active duty. Although they were reduced, members still received a small wage increase. America needs you, the Air Force needs you and finally AFSA needs you. You our 1 of over 100K members that represent freedom. When AFSA contacts a member of congress on your behalf, you bet elected officials wants to know how many potential votes are on the line before they read the first sentence of your letter or email. We highly recommend contacting us and renewing your membership. We also need you to recruit a family member over 18. Why you ask? If we grow to 200 or 300 thousand members, our voice grows as well! Return on investment: You help save your benefits and get representation daily lookin g out for your best interest.

Letter To Our Membership by Trustee/Senior Advisor Terry Turner and

Trustee Greg Reyes

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Housing Healthcare Pay raises Insurance From local chapter you will have the opportunity to volunteer and help organizations in local community provide shelter for the homeless, food for the needy, morale events sponsorships, party events in recreational areas! It doesn’t stop there. Finally, membership night where you get to mingle with people who have the same interest as yourself. We look forward to seeing you at our next monthly or quarterly meeting.

“Membership” by Lifetime Trustee Don Sullivan

The British origin of this expression spoke of taxes; owe a penny it may as well be a pound (sterling). According to the Cambridge Dictionary & Thesaurus, it’s presently something you say that means since you have started something or are involved in it, you should complete the work although it has become more difficult or complicated than you had expected.

What an apt description of AFSA members in today’s environment! Of the over 106,000 members worldwide it used to be only 22 were paid employees at headquarters. I don’t know the current number, but it’s still close. They do a terrific job, as does the remaining volunteers at all levels of our great organization. This past week AFSA encouraged a 5-day letter writing campaign (a different benefit topic each day) for members to write their legislators to promote/protect hard earned benefits as the bills are being finalized. Action alert reminders were sent, the recommended letters already drafted and the Voter Voice tool primed and ready for member response. Now that’s “in for a penny, in for a pound” by AFSA leadership.

When I came in the Air Force in 1954, the enlisted had no voice. In fact “quality of life” was not part of our language in that age. Our founders’ vision coupled with those that dared press for AFSA’s inception has changed all that. Because of their aspiration, the enlisted force became a more inherent and acknowledged team member of the total force.

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Chapter members commit invaluable time and efforts to leadership and volunteer roles formulating and fulfilling objectives of involvement designed to recognize excellence and help others, evidencing that we are our brother’s keeper. How gratifying to recall these special individuals, from the past to present, that applied themselves to these most worthwhile causes. The faces change, but the level of dedication continues. A favorite chapter slogan that accompanies photos featuring these achievers is “Service before Self has a Face!” As expected, they go on to have very successful careers – they are the giving kind – they excel and serve “in for a penny, in for a pound!” Thanks to all for your service!

Our Airmen Activities Coordinator Program (AACP) continues to flourish aiding our community, on-base and off, by providing volunteers from our chapter. From January thru April 2015, we furnished 100 volunteers that donated 500 hours for the following projects: VA Home Bingo (Norman), Regional Food Bank, OKC Animal Welfare Division, City Rescue Mission (Feeding The Homeless), Special Olympics Winter Games, Adopt a Veteran Elementary School Testing, and Oklahoma City Marathon.

Community Humanitarian/Outreach by Airman Activities Coordinator

Trustee Rafe Holmes

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You can see we do not lack for caring volunteers that are motivated to helping those in the community who need it most. We are lucky to have such amazing individuals who are willing to sacrifice everything it takes to give a lending hand no matter circumstances. We can always use more. The more volunteers we have, the more projects to help others we can support. Volunteer opportunities are distributed via email on our website list server. If you know someone that wants to receive these announcements, please have them go to http://afsa985.org/mailman/listinfo/mailinglist_afsa985.org and sign up. Thank you so much for your hard work team. It really shows and because of dedicated people like you we are thought of as one of the leading volunteer organizations in this community. Following is a photo collection of some of the events for this period:

Membership Goals for 2015: Recruit 75 New Members, Retain 100, Increase Membership to 1,400 Total and be Among the Top 25 Largest Chapters in AFSA

“Legislative” by Trustee Richard Porter

Budget Release

The President released his budget proposals for Fiscal Year 2016.

Not unexpected are the proposals made for the DoD budget. The Department is proposing changes that will ensure, they claim, to offer a competitive compensation package to recruit and retain the Joint Force of the future. The reforms include modest annual military pay raises over the next 5 years, slowing the rate of growth in basic housing allowances, creating a single fee- for-service TRICARE plan, and decreasing commissary subsidies.

Basic Pay Raises

• The FY 2016 President’s budget proposes a 1.3 percent increase in military basic pay. This is less than the 2.3 percent increase under the formula in current law, which calls for a military pay raise to equal the annual increase in the wages and salaries of private industry employees as measured by the ECI.

• In addition, out year pay raise planning factors currently assume limited pay raises will continue

through FY 2020, with increases of 1.3 percent in FY 2017, 1.5 percent in FY 2018 and FY 2019, and 1.8 percent in FY 2020.

Slow BAH Growth to Achieve a 5 percent out-of-Pocket Cost

• FY 2016 proposal gradually slows the annual BAH increases by an additional 4 percent over the next 2 to 3 years until rates cover 95 percent of housing rental and utilities costs.

• In areas where average rates increase, DoD will slow the growth of that increase until the 5 percent

target is reached. The rate protection feature will also remain in effect. No one who is indicates that the BAH rate should decrease, currently living in a particular area will see their BAH decrease. If the

survey data in an area only members moving into the area will receive the lower rate, consistent with

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the current rules.

• Reduce Commissary Subsidy (Minor changes to FY 2015 proposal)

• Consolidated TRICARE Health Plan (See below article in health care section)

There are many more proposals contained in the Budget. However we believe many of them will not see the light of day in actual legislation. We will monitor very closely those items, which will make changes in programs and let you know what is happening on Capitol Hill.

The Clay Hunt Suicide Act Signed into Law

On February 12th the first veteran’s law passed by the new 114th session of Congress was signed into law. TREA and numerous other VSOs and MSOs pushed last year for the passage of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act. We just ran out of time during the lame duck session. So immediately after the start of the 114th session of Congress Rep Tim Walz (D-MN), Rep Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee Rep Jeff Miller (R-FL) in the House and Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CONN) reintroduced it in the Senate. It passed both houses unanimously.

The law intends to increase access and quality of mental health care at the VA by improving peer support and outreach; attracting more psychiatrists to the VA by repaying some of their education loans and requiring annual evaluations of the VA’s mental health practice.

Contacting your Elected Officials:

Step 1: Determine who your

Senator/Representative is:

House: http://www.house.gov/

Senate: http://www.senate.gov/index.htm

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HELPFUL LINKS CAPWIZ website: www.capwiz.com and www.congress.org

Other Helpful Legislative Websites:

Legislative Information from the Library of Congress:

http://www.thomas.gov U.S. Senate: http://www.senate.gov U.S. House of Representatives: http://www.house.gov Chapter 985 website: www.afsa985.org Division 3 website: http://www.afsadiv3.org

AFSA Headquarters: https://hqafsa.org

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