Renew your dues – please see page 5!

MOAA Ohio Council of Chapters 2019 State Convention Guest Speakers: Col Terri Coles, Congressman Brad Wenstrup, & LtGen

Atkins and more.

WHERE: Quality Hotel Conference Center 5901 Pfeiffer Rd., Blue Ash, OH

WHEN: Friday, 20 Sep 2019 - Sunday, 22 Sep 2019

MOAA Ohio Council of Chapters 2019 Convention “Continuing to Serve”

The plans for the 2019 Ohio Council of Chapters are well underway and the Greater Cincinnati Chapter is very excited to be hosting this year’s convention the weekend of September 20-22. We have a great venue at the Quality Hotel Conference Center in Blue Ash which is right off the I-71, is easily convenient to anyone coming south on I-75 and less than 15 minutes from downtown Cincinnati. The hotel has given us a great rate for the weekend at $89 a night (without taxes) and has extended that rate to include Thursday and/or Sunday night for anyone looking to spend an extra day or two in Cincinnati. Breakfast is also included every morning at the hotel. The link for this special deal is https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/NK48T0. It promises to be an exciting weekend, starting off with a social at the hotel on Friday the 20th from 6-9 pm to allow everyone to get settled in and meet their fellow MOAA members from around Ohio. The convention starts in earnest on Saturday morning with our opening ceremonies starting at 0830. At 0900 we will begin with our morning speakers with our focus being on “Continuing to Serve”. Those speakers will include Col Terri Coles, USA (ret), MOAA’s Senior Director of Council and Chapter Affairs, Tracy Butts form the Cincinnati VA hospital, speakers from the Ohio State University and Xavier University Veterans offices and a speaker from the Butler County Veterans office. Our invited lunch speaker is Congressman Brad Wenstrup from Ohio’s Second Congressional District who serves on the House Armed Services and Veterans Affairs committees and who is also an Army Reserve officer and an Iraqi War veteran. Finally, our dinner speaker will be LtGen Dana Atkins, USAF (ret) the president and CEO of MOAA. For those of you who were at the 2017 convention, you will remember LtGen Atkins as a personable and inspiring speaker. On Sunday morning, we will conclude the convention with the quarterly Ohio Council of Chapters meeting. The cost for this year’s convention is $65 for MOAA members and $60 for spouses. You can register by either completing and mailing in the registration form included in this newsletter or by clicking on this link to register online. We are still looking for additional volunteers to help with the convention and if you are interested

please contact Mike Glaser (michael.h.glaser@gmail.com). In addition to the convention, for anyone looking to spend an extra day or two in Cincinnati, Cincinnati’s annual Oktoberfest celebration is being held that weekend and the Cincinnati Reds will be home at Great

American Ballpark on Sunday versus the New York Mets. Continue to watch both the council homepage (http://www.ohiomoaa.org/index.htm) and the Cincinnati MOAA homepage (http://www.cincymoaa.org/) for updates.

VOL 46 No. 4 July 2019

GREATER CINCINNATI CHAPTER MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

2019 CHAPTER OFFICERS AND BOARD (phone #’s are area code 513 unless noted)

Executive Committee President CAPT Steve Drefahl, USN 752-4097 Immed PP LTC Al Brauer, USA 677-8320 1st VP CAPT Mike Glaser, USN 280-6256 2nd VP CAPT Rex Settlemoir, USN 598-9549 Secretary CAPT Roger Argalas, USCG 759-6267 Treasurer LTC Paul Fellinger, USAR 451-9881 Chaplain Vacant Legislative Ofc BG Tom O’Brien, USA 421-0118 Natl Bd Past Natl Bd RADM Larry Hereth, USCG 812 537-2968 Spouse/ Diane Lochocki, Surviving Sp. 560-0540 Surviving Spouse Liaison

State Council Delegate CAPT Mike Glaser, USN 280-6256 Alt Delegate Vacant

Committees Programs CAPT Brent Ramsey, USN 828 734-1146 Membership CAPT Mike Glaser, USN 280-6256 R.O.T.C. LTC Al Brauer, USA 677-8320 Reserve/NG CAPT Steve Drefahl, USN 752-4097 Historian Vacant Sympathy/ CAPT Roger Argalas, USCG 759-6267 Personal Affairs TOPS LtCol Brad Hamant, USAF 439-3140 CinMoaaNews/ CWO3 Kym Mader, USN 759-0852 Public Affairs

Service Representatives Army COL Robert Greene, USA 859 689-4321 Navy CAPT Rex Settlemoir, USN 598-9549 Coast Guard CAPT Roger Argalas, USCG 759-6267 USPHS CAPT Bill Heitbrink, PHS 347-3193 Air Force Lt Col Brad Hamant, USAF 439-3140 Marine Corps CAPT Rex Settlemoir, USN 598-9549

2019 MEETINGS - Mark your Calendars NOW! Watch www.cincymoaa.org for updates.

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PURPOSES OF THE GREATER CINCINNATI MOAA CHAPTER

The purposes of Military Officers Association of America as stated by national are printed on the outside of each Newsletter. The corresponding purposes of our Chapter as stated in our BYLAWS, Article II are:

(a) To promote the purposes and objectives of the Military Officers Association of America (b) To foster fraternal relations among retired, active

and former officers of the uniformed services. (c) To protect the rights and interests of personnel of the

uniformed services and their dependents and survivors. (d) To provide useful services for members and their

dependents and survivors. (e) To serve the community and the nation.

Your officers and Board members welcome your comments and suggestions on steps that may be taken to strengthen our Chapter and its benefits to all members.

This newsletter is published by the Greater Cincinnati Chapter, which is an affiliate of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). MOAA and it’s affiliated chapters and coun-cils are non-partisan. Articles in this newsletter are the opin-ions solely of the individual authors and do not necessarily express the policy or opinions of the newsletters editor or pub-lisher and do not reflect an endorsement by the Chapter or the National organization of MOAA, unless so indicated. Adver-tisements that appear in this publication also do not reflect an endorsement by MOAA or this affiliate.

TAPS

If you know a member of MOAA who has passed away, please let us know so we may pass it on.

Board Meetings 2nd Friday of each month, 1200 - American Red

Cross Building* 2111 Dana Ave., Cincinnati, OH

Conference Call in is available. Contact a board member for more details.

Spouses and guests are welcome at all meetings. (* Board meetings falling on the month of a member meeting are held the Friday after the member meet-

ing)

2019 Membership Meetings / Convention / 4th Annual Dining Out

- - Ohio Council Convention - Sept 20 –22, Quality Hotel, Blue Ash

- Dining Out - Saturday, November 2, 1800, Highland Country Club, Ft. Thomas KY - Membership Meeting - Friday, Dec 13, 1200, Manor House Restaurant

For MOAA National information, Click on the links below:

General Information Legislative Updates

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8 Things to Know About VA’s New Urgent Care Benefit

(By: MOAA Staff)

VA beneficiaries will have access to private-sector ur-gent care as of June 6, one of several parts of the VA MISSION Act that will take effect that date. Regulations surrounding this portion of the wide-ranging plan was released June 5. Click here to read them. Below is a quick summary, from that document and other fact sheets provided by VA in recent weeks. Want to know more, or have specific questions about your health care needs? Visit the VA’s health care web portal for department contact information, or visit your local VA Medical Center (click here to find it.)

1. You’re probably eligible. Veterans who are en-rolled in VA health care and have received care from VA or a VA community partner with 24 months can receive care from participating community providers. 2. You don’t need to tell VA. Prior authorization isn’t required, but that doesn’t mean you can walk into your nearest urgent care center without doing some homework. 3. You need to confirm provider participation. Bene-ficiaries must ask their provider if they are part of VA’s contacted network, then tell the provider they want to use their VA benefit. The provider will confirm eligibility; if there’s no confirmation, expect to get a bill for the full cost of treatment - and to get no help from VA paying it. 4. You can find participating providers online. Head here to access a locator map hosted by VA’s urgent-care contractor, TriWest. To find VA facilities or non-urgent care community providers, continue using VA’s Online location finder. Be sure you are using the right tool for the job: VA-approved community care providers may not be part of VA’s urgent care network, for example. 5. You can’t use urgent care for excluded services. Preventative care and dental services aren’t covered. Nei-ther are life-threatening cases, which fall under VA’s emergency care coverage (learn more here). Consult VA if you’re not clear whether your ailment qualifies. The only preventative-care exception: Per VA guidance, you’re covered for a flu shot. 6. You might have to pay $30. Copayments are broken down by VA priority groups. Here’s the breakdown:

- Beneficiaries in Priority Groups 1 through 5 get three zero-copay visits in a calendar year. Each visit after that costs $30. - Priority Group 6 beneficiaries must pay $30 for all visits, unless the visit is “related to a condition covered by a special authority,” per VA - in other words, related to ailments caused by service-connected toxic exposure, military sexual trauma, and similar service-related issues. Consult VA for specifics. The first three visits connected to these issues have zero copay; they’ll cost $30 after that. - Beneficiaries in Priority Groups 7 and 8 pay $30 per visit.

7. Seriously, get a flu shot. Regardless of your priority group, there’s no copay for urgent care visits that involve only a flu shot. 8) You’ll get a bill from VA. Beneficiaries won’t be asked to pay out-of-pocket at the provider, according to a VA fact sheet. The provider will bill VA, and VA will bill the beneficiary (if applicable).

Vietnam Veteran Recognition

On May 18th (Armed Forces Day) the chapter was very pleased to present 60 Vietnam Veterans lapel pins to mem-bers of the American Legion Post 484 (Mt. Washington). Participating were chapter members BG Tom O’Brien, USA Retired, CAPT William Heitbrink, USPHS Retired, CAPT Steve Drefahl, USN Retired and LTC Paul Fellinger, USA Retired. The chapter was especially hon-ored for the first time to present special lapel pins and cer-tificates to surviving family members of veterans listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington. These “Certificates of Honor” are available to immediate family members (parents, children, siblings and spouses). Please contact LTC Al Brauer, USA Retired to start the

planning process if you know some-one that would qualify for the “Certificate of Honor” program. L to R Bill Harris (Post 484). CAPT Heitbrink, CAPT Drefahl, Post Cmdr. Steve Ervin, BG O’Brien, LTC Fellinger

Surviving Spouse/Spouses Corner

The Surviving Spouses need our help. They need us to call Senator Rob Portman to Sign on to bill S.622 (The Widows Tax). S.622 is to eliminate the SBP/DIC Offset for Surviving Spouses. If the Spouse receives Survivor Benefit Plan (which you pay for) and is entitled to De-pendency & Indemnity Compensation from the VA due to service connected death, the spouse will loose the SBP (that the deceased paid into)) and the amount is usually about $1,000. a month in income. SBP is an insurance Plan. Please call Senator Portman’s Office in Cincinnati 513-684-3265 or the Washington DC Office 202-224-3353. If he has signed on, say thank you for supporting our Mili-tary Families we are most grateful for you help. If he has not signed on say something like, “The 65,000 surviving spouses really need him to sign on and show his support for the Military Family as this is so close to going for-ward”. Please see that the Senator receives this message. Thank you. At this time this bill may now be Amendment SA269 to the defense Budget. In any case this bill needs to be passed. Want more information???Call me 513-560-0540. I want to encourage the Surviving Spouses and Spouses to come out to the Convention in September. I will be there and could use some company. Anyone that would like to help with the convention I would be most grateful. Give me a call. Enjoy the summer,

Diane Lochocki, Surviving Spouse/ Spouse Liaison 513-560-0540

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Air Force Program - cont’d

Airmen who complete the course will be commissioned as second lieutenants. The first test course begins in August. Once both test courses are completed, leaders will evaluate the program and determine whether additional test courses should be launched. One of the most significant points in the shortened courses will be shifting the mindset from leading as an NCO to leading as an officer, said Col. Peter Bailey, com-mander of the Air Force OTS. Senior NCOs focus on mis-sion accomplishment, while officers lead from a broader perspective that includes training and equipping an organi-zation, he said. “The toughest thing about being an officer is balancing mission accomplishment with taking care of people,” Bai-ley said. Just like their comrades who complete the 40-day course, Bailey said he hopes senior NCOs take away a greater responsibility to influence and lead the next gener-ation of airmen. “It takes respect and dedication,” Bailey said. “My big-gest hope is they realize this fact and use it to build upon the rest of their careers.”

When Can You Render a Salute If Not In Uniform?

Take This Quiz (by CAPT Roger Argalas, Sympathy/Personal Affairs Committee)

This is the time of year when veterans and active-duty military personnel not in uniform attend a number or pat-riotic events (Memorial Day, D Day 75, Flag Day, Inde-pendence Day, etc.). While attending, is it ever appropri-ate to render the military-style hand salute if not in uni-form? And if so, under what circumstances?

Is it :

1) Never appropriate when not in uniform? 2) During the playing of the national anthem? 3) During the passing of the American flag? 4) During the raising or lowering of the American flag? 5) If wearing a patriotic organization’s official head-gear? 6) Appropriate at any time for any occasion while at-tending patriotic events?

You will find the answer below. But first, some histo-ry. The federal law that provides guidance dates back to 2007 and was expanded in 2008. At the time, the Secre-tary of Veterans Affairs, Dr. James B. Peake said: “The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation’s armed forces. This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation’s flag.” So the answer is: items two through five. The 2007 provision authorized the hand salute during the raising, lowering, or passing of the flag; the expansion in 2008 covered the playing of the national anthem.

Air Force Program Will Turn Senior En-listed Into Officers in 14 Days

(by Amanda Dolasinski, MOAA Staff Writer)

How long does it take to train an officer? For some sen-ior enlisted airmen, the answer may be as little as two weeks. Select senior noncommissioned officers (SNCO) will have a change to speed through the service’s Officer Training School (OTS) in as little as 14 days, as part of two beta test courses at the Officer Training School-Accelerated Commissioning Program will be offered at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., beginning this summer. The courses, which include 36 SNCO candidates apiece, will take the place of the traditional 40-day OTS curricu-lum. “We want to tailor our training to our airmen,” said Brig. Gen. William Spangenthal, director of operations and communications for Air Education and Training Command. “If they already know how to do the basics, could we zero in on those skills that make them an of-ficer?” The course was designed to produce officers more effi-ciently by cutting out skills airmen already have mastered and instead focusing on leadership skills. Eligibility is open only to senior airmen who have completed the Sen-ior Noncommissioned Officer Academy course and have been selected for OTS through the normal board process.

Freeze Your Credit Report. It’s Now Free! (by CAPT Roger Argalas, Sympathy/Personal Affairs Committee)

In case you missed the news, effective last September, a new federal law allows you to freeze and unfreeze your credit report at no charge. Were you a victim of the Equifax data breach? Or are you just concerned about the safety of your credit history? In either case, read on.

What does a credit freeze do? It prevents undesirable people from applying for a credit card or other line of credit in your name. If you thinking that this sounds too good to be true, I can attest that it works and it really is free. In the aftermath of the major data breach, Congress responded with two actions: free freezes and extended fraud alerts.

First the freeze. Prior to the new law, it normally cost a certain amount ($3-$12) each time you wanted to freeze or unfreeze your credit report. Under the new law there is no cost. The freeze remains in effect until you unfreeze your account, such as when you want to apply for a new credit card.

As for fraud alerts, they signal lenders that your data may have been compromised (148 million of us are in that category) and to be extra cautious about extending new credit. Fraud alerts are less robust than freezes. Fraud alerts must be regularly renewed but the new law has ex-tended their life from 90 days to one year, sometimes even longer. How do you freeze your credit report? It requires you to go to each of the three major credit bureau websites (Equifax, Experian, and Transunion), follow the instruc-tions, and select the security freeze option. Unfreezing is a similar process. Not complicated at all. And well worth the time it takes to safeguard your credit.

Now, if we could get rid of those robocalls...

Military Officers Association of America

Ohio Council of Chapters

Biennial State Convention 20-22 September 2019

“Never Stop Serving”

Quality Hotel Blue Ash

5901 Pfeiffer Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242

Registration Form -> Return NLT 30 August 2019 <-

First Name: _____________________ Last Name: _____________________________

Rank: ________ Branch: ___________

Retired/Former/Active

Surviving Spouse Spouse/Guest Name: _______________________

Primary Phone: ____________________ E-Mail: ___________________________

Chapter: ____________________________________________

Member Full Convention: Friday evening: Meet and Greet, heavy hors d’oeuvres (cash bar);

Saturday: Meeting Breaks, Luncheon, and Banquet

@$65 per person = $________

• Luncheon ONLY @$28 per person = $________

• Saturday Banquet ONLY _____@$40 per person = $________

Spouse/Guest Full Convention @ $60 per person = $_________

MOAA National Member (Non-Chapter member) @ $75 per person = $_______

• Luncheon ONLY @$30 per person = $________

• Saturday Banquet ONLY _____@$45 per person = $________

TOTAL $________

Banquet Meal Choices (Saturday Night):

Chicken Parmigiana #______

Shrimp Alfredo #______

Vegetarian Lasagna #______

Make check payable to: Greater Cincinnati MOAA and mail to:

MOAA State Convention

c/o Mike Glaser

6788 Brookville Road

Oxford, OH 45056

Or see: Event Bright Link at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/moaa-ohio-council-of-chapters-state-2019-

convention-tickets-60541807175?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete

Lodging: Quality Hotel, Blue Ash, OH. The hotel is directly off the I-71 at the Pfeiffer Rd exit, just north of

Cincinnati. Room rate is $89 per night, plus tax. This rate will be honored Thursday through Sunday

(departing on Monday) for anyone wishing to spend some time visiting Cincinnati and includes breakfast for

those staying at the Hotel. The link for room reservations is open now at:

https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/NK48T0

2019 CHAPTER DUES ARE DUE! Please pay now- IF you haven't done so.

If you receive the newsletter by mail, please check your address sticker on the other side of this form. The year is shown for the latest year for which your dues are paid. If your number is (2018) or lower, please return this form (with your name sticker on reverse) along with a check for your dues to bring you up to current year. Please mark your selection of dues (one year, multi-year or life). If you are moving out of state and don’t want to continue your chapter membership or have any other status change, please let us know. Also please indicate on your check the year(s) your dues are for. NEW - You can now renew your membership online. Go to http://www.moaa.org/Content/Chapters-and-Councils/Chapters-and-Councils.aspx#Chapter-Dues. There is no membership dues for Surviving Spouses.

Chapter Membership Renewal

Name: _____________________ Rank: ____________ Your email address please:_______________________

Member ___$28 for three years ___$19 for two years ___$10.00 for one year Surviving Spouse (surviving spouse of a deceased officer) _____ No Cost

Please renew as a LIFE member. ____ (Please circle amount in fee schedule.)

Make check payable to: Greater Cincinnati Chapter / MOAA Mail Renewal form and check to: LTC Paul Fellinger, 5493 Delhi Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45238-5139

-------------------------- cut here ---——--------- Dues Form ---------------------cut here----------------------------

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

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MEMBER LIFE MEMBERSHIP FEES (Chapter Only)

(Fee is based on your age, nearest birthday) Age up to 55 $161.25 Age 56 to 70 $127.50 Age 71 to 89 $ 93.75 Age 90 and over Waive

ROTC/JROTC Presentations

LTC Bob Knueven, USA Retired at Ripley HS with JROTC Cadet Jacob Castle.

LTC Al Brauer, USA Re-tired at Live Oaks Career Campus with JROTC Cadet Josh Johnson.

LTC Paul Fellinger, USA Retired at Diamond Oaks Career Campus with JROTC Cadet Logan Risch.

CAPT Frank Mendralski, USN Re-tired at Scarlet Oaks Career Campus with JROTC Cadet Aaren Eling. Many thanks to all chapter members that volunteered their time to attend ROTC/JROTC Award Ceremonies.

MOAA Cruise to Normandy

Recently a few of our chapter members took the MOAA Cruise to Normandy to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day. LTC Paul Fellinger and son LTC Paul Fellinger Jr., were able to get in a day of golf at the Golf Club at Entretet, France with Charleston residents CAPT (Ret) “Ollie” Oliver, USN & wife Connie.

Legislative Affairs (by BG Tom O’Brien, Legislative Officer)

Congress is debating the next Defense Authorization Bill. There is good news for the active military with a proposed 3.1% pay raise. Also, there is nothing about an increase in Tricare fees in either he House or the Senate versions. However, the House Armed Services Com-mittee has a provision which would cut 18,000 medical billets from the armed services. MOAA and other mili-tary groups believe this to not be in the best interests of the force. Please contact your Congressman and indi-cate your opposition to this proposal.

Greater Cincinnati Chapter MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA 8099 Pepper Pike West Chester, OH 45069-2842

Postmaster: Dated material, Please Expedite

PURPOSES OF

MILITARY OFFICERS

ASSOCIATION

OF AMERICA

TO inculcate and stimulate love of country and flag;

TO defend the honor, integrity, and supremacy of our National Government

and the Constitution of the United States;

TO advocate military forces adequate to the defense of our country;

TO foster fraternal relations between all branches of the various services from

which our members are drawn;

TO further the education of children of service personnel;

TO aid active and retired personnel of the various services from which our

members are drawn and their dependents and survivors, in every proper

and legitimate manner;

TO present their rights and interests when service matters are under

consideration; and

TO foster the integrity and prestige of uniformed service.

—from the Preamble to the Association’s Bylaws

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED