FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JUNE 2015

PRESIDENT PRESIDENTWEST JAX

FRA BRANCH 126 FLEET RESERVE HALL INC

JAMES J. THOMAS ALVIN D. ROBY

Phone 291-1575 Phone 264-6270

VICE PRESIDENT UNIT 126 PRESIDENT

HERMAN ELROD VERALYN THOMAS

Phone 655-2211 Phone 291-1575

SECRETARY BRANCH CHAPLAIN

MARTHA KLINIKOWSKI Vacant

Phone 342-5032 Phone 291-1575

TREASURER / EDITOR MEMBERSHIP

WILLIAM T. KULIER EDWARD H. GRIBBIN

Phone 771-5237 Phone 269-3845

ADDRESS ALL MAIL TO: FLEET RESERVE HALL, 7673 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244-5111

HALL TELEPHONE (904) 771-2126 BRANCH WEB SITE:

JUNE 2015 EDITION


NOTICE: The items or opinions published in the Branch 126 Newsletter are those of the contributor of that particular article, and not necessarily that of the Editor, FRA Branch 126 Inc., or the Fleet Reserve Association.

JUNE 2015

Monday 01 June 1930 West Jax Board of Directors meeting. Wednesday 03 June 1930 Branch Board of Directors meeting
Saturday 06 June 1000 Joint Branch & Unit 126 Installation Ceremony (PAGE 2)

Sunday 14 June Flag Day!

Sunday 21 June Happy Fathers Day!

Thursday 18 June 2000 Branch meeting

Sunday 21 June Summer begins

July 2014

Wednesday01 Jul1930Branch Board of Directors meeting

Saturday04 JulMuster for Parade. (PAGE 2)

Monday06 Jul1930West Jax Inc Board meeting

Thursday16 Jul2000Branch meeting

Branch President James J. Thomas presented a framed Certificate of Achievement with an FRA medal & ribbon to NJROTC Cadet Russell Whitaker.

The award was presented during a formal ceremony at Fleming Island High School in May 2015. Branch and Unit 126 presented 26 such awards to Cadets in area high schools in 2015.

The Korean War Veteran’s Association meets at the Branch Hall on the 4th Tuesday of each month. The hall opens at noon and the meeting starts at 1300. The POC is Shipmate Henry Moreland at (904) 384-2031.

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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JUNE 2015

THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER

JAMES J. THOMAS …….…291-1575

1. Elections were held at the Branch meeting of 21 May 2015. The following Shipmates were re-elected for a ( ) Term:

President: ……….. James J. Thomas (7)

Vice President: …Jack Elrod (7)

Secretary: ……….Martha Klinikowski (2)

Treasurer: ...……. Bill Kulier (7)

Board of Directors:

Clinton Attebery (50) James Cates (1) Edward Gribbin (10) Albert Peter (5) Al Roby (30+) Donald Rodely (12) Donald Walsh (30+) Elmer Wine (5)

2. A combined Branch & Unit Installation Ceremony will be held in the Branch Home starting at 1000 on Saturday, 06 June 2015. Branch and Unit members are encouraged to come out and show their support for the Shipmates and Ladies who stepped forward to fill the billets required to keep the Branch and Unit functioning for the rest of us.

3. The Shipmates of Branch 126 will host a dinner in honor of the newly installed Branch and Unit Officers. Dinner will follow the Installation Ceremony at the Olive Garden restaurant on Blanding Blvd in OrangePark, Fl immediately following the Installation Ceremony at 1100 or so.

This free dinner is a closed function for Branch & Unit 126 members and their significant other/driver.

Please remember that we have some Shipmates and Ladies who would like to attend our functions, but have driving issues. Give them a call and bring them along whenever possible.

USMC Commandant Selected to be Next Chairman of JCS President Obama announced Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford’s nomination to replace Gen. Martin Dempsey as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a position that requires Senate confirmation.

Gen. Dunford was nominated to be the 36th Marine Corps Commandant on June 5, 2014 and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 17, 2014.

BRANCH ACTIVITIES

AL Roby …………………264-6270 James J. Thomas …………... 291-1575

Independence Day Parade – 4 July 2015

The Shipmates and Ladies of Branch & Unit 126 will participate in the Independence Parade. Please muster in the 1st Baptist parking lot in Middleburg, Fl at 0800 to help decorate the trailer and to avoid road closings for the Parade.

Wear your Branch Shirt, Ball Cap or whatever and bring the family, children and grand children as we will have plenty of room on the Trailer. This parade starts early to avoid the Heat of the day and is well attended by paraders and spectators!

Branch 66th Birthday - 15 September 2015 – Wow! Branch 126 will be celebrating its 66th Anniversary with a dinner at Golden Corral on Blanding Blvd in Orange Park, Florida from from 1400 – 1600 (2 to 4 pm).

The dinner is FREE for all Branch 126 members, Unit 126 members and their significant other or driver. We hope to see you there!

Navy Mandatory Retirement Board to Start in August The Navy is scheduled to start a senior enlisted continuation board with forced retirement authority beginning on August 3, 2015. The board will begin a performance-based review of E-7s, E-8s and E-9s with at least 19 years of service and three years in grade as of February 28, 2015.

Past retirement boards have searched for indicators such as reduced performance rating or misconduct in a chief’s record.

Last year’s board reviewed 7,017 personnel records and issued 161 forced retirements. The Navy is expected to release list of chiefs who are eligible for review by June 8, 2015.

We thank Blanche M of Jacksonville, Florida

for her generous donation to our

Branch News Letter Fund.

We appreciate your support!

Drugs Not Covered by TRICARE

Prescription drugs and other products not covered include:

  • Drugs used to treat a non-covered condition
  • Drugs prescribed for cosmetic purposes
  • Homeopathic and herbal preparations
  • Fluoride preparations
  • Food supplements
  • Multivitamins (prenatal vitamins with a prescription are covered)
  • Weight Loss Products
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) products, except for:
  • Insulin and diabetic supplies
  • Smoking cessation products covered by the Smoking Cessation benefit "
  • Drugs Demonstration that lets you get your prescription filled for certain over-the-counter (OTC) drugsfrom network pharmacies and home delivery (in most cases) for free!
  • The following OTC drugs are available:•Cetirizine •Loratadine tablets •Prilosec OTC •Omeprazole (generic of Prilosec OTC) and Levonorgestrel (Plan B One-Step Emergency Contraceptive) that isonly available to females who can bear children; no age restrictions, no written prescription needed. You can get Plan B at retail network and military pharmacies only.
  • You’ll need a written prescription for the OTC drugs listed above from your provider except for Plan B). You can get prescriptions filled for non-covered drugs, but you have to pay the full amount.

Note: This came from a lengthy listing at Tricare that I shortened so it would fit in this Newsletter.

Bill Kulier

The Ship’s Store

Al Peter ……………. (904) 777-0781

Branch 126 Apparel

Ball Hat ………..… $6.00

Polo Shirt (Blue) … $27.00, size S, M, L, XL

Bowling Shirt ……. $41.00, sizes, M thru 3XL

Fore n Aft Cap ….. $45.00 & Up (special order)

FLAG SALES

Al Peter …………..……. (904) 777-0781

Bill Kulier………………(904) 771-5237

All Nylon and the Cotton Bulldog flags have sewn stars & stripes while the other Cotton flags have printed stars & stripes. We have the following flags in stock.

3x5’ Nylon Flag---$21.00

4x6’ Nylon Flag--- $30.00
5x8’ Nylon Flag--- $40.00
3x5’ Cotton Flag Set-- $15.00
3x5’ Nylon POW/MIA Flag---- $ 25.00
8x12’ Nylon Flag ……………………… $120.00

We now have the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard 3x5 Flags in stock for $22.00
Contact Shipmates Al Peter or Bill kulier to purchase a Flag.

MEMBERSHIP

Edward Gribbin …….…….269-3845

Membership on 30 Apr 2015 is …. 386

New Members………………………...0

Reinstated Members……………….….0

Transferred Members……………….....0

Terminated Members………………….0

Deceased Members…………………....1

Non payment of dues………………….0

Members Past due…………………...... 4

Shipmates due to renew membership....15

Deceased Shipmates:

1. PRPSE LCDR Robert L. French, USN, Retired

TRICARE Beneficiaries Being Targeted in Phone Scam-The Defense Health Agency, Office of Program Integrity has received a significant number of contacts from TRICARE beneficiaries concerning unsolicited attempts by "call centers" to encourage them to provide personally-identifiable information and health information so that they (the callers) can allegedly provide prescribed cream medications to the TRICARE beneficiary.

TRICARE and its contractors never call and ask for personal information or health information. Be wary of unsolicited attempts by any entity asking for personal or health information, either by phone or in person. For more information, visit

IN MEMORY OF OUR DEPARTED SHIPMATE

PRPSE LCDR Robert L. French, USN, retired, age 87, an FRA member since 1954, reported to the Staff of the Supreme Commander on 19 May 2015.

He joined the Navy in 1945 attending Aviation Radio Aerial Gunnery Schools upon reporting to Bombing Squadron 4 aboard USS Tarawa(CV-40).

In Jan 1953 he was an AL1, on aP2V Aircraft patroling the Straights of Formosa. The aircraft with a crew of 12, was shot down by the communist Chinese. The aircraft ditched in the South China Sea. He was mentioned in an“All Hands” (April 1954) article written by his VP-22 Patrol Plane Commander about the ditching and the 2nd ditching of a PBM Seaplane that came to their rescue. Bob was awarded a Purple Heart and continued on with his career retiring as a LCDR on 1 Sept 1975.

Shipmate French joined FRA Branch 152 at Barbers Point, Hawaii in 1954. He served 3 consecutive tours as Branch 126 President (1981-1984) and a year as Regional President Southeast (1985-1986). He remained an active member of FRA serving on National Committees and the Branch 126 Board of Directorsuntil overcome by health issues in 2013.

Shipmate French was predeceased by both his first wife, Sue Evelyn; and his second wife Barbara. He is survived by three sons, eight grandchildren, and ten great-granndchildren.

Lieutenant Commander French was laid to rest with Military Honors in Jacksonville Memory Gardens, Orange Park, Florida.

FRA Honors were conferred by Branch 126 Shipmates James Thomas, Bill Kulier, Paul Hetz, Donald Rodely, Johnny Johnson, Al Peter, Clinton Attebery along with PNP Beese, RPSE Larry Cox, PRPSE Bolz, PRPSE Hill and PRPSE Robinson.

NOTE: ( I pulled up the article about the ditching and failed rescue attemp by typing Robert L. French, USN in the search line and got the entire April 1954 issue of “All Hands Magazine!”)

The Branch maintains a Memorial Book located in a 3 ring binder just inside the entrance door. This book containsa listing of Shipmates and Ladies who deceased each year since 1988.

IN MEMORY OF OUR SHIPMATES & LADIES WHO DEPARTED May 2014 – May 2015

BRANCH 126

ADCSAlbermale B.Blache

YNCMAllenBurket

PT1Charles V.Burgess

LCDR Robert L. French (PP)

CWO3Raymond N. Hale

LCDR Bartlett W.Logan

AOCTommyLong

COLJoseph F.Nardo

AMHCGary R.Nickless

ADCWilbur H.North

AMS1NormanPattie

YNCSDavid W.Pippin (PP)

AECRoy A.Smith

ETCSCarl G.Williams Jr.

AOCWilliam L. Wischert

UNIT 126

Mary Kuyrkendall

Marcia Stilwell

A2015 Branch Memorial Day Service Booklet hasbeen published.

  • The names of the Shipmates and Ladies who deceased from May 2014 to 19 May 2015 are listed in the Program. These names were were read as the “Bell was Tolled” during our Memorial Service.
  • The names of all the Branch & Unit 126 Shipmates and Ladies who deceased during the last 40 years or more are contained in the booklet.
  • We also have a few back year issues of the Booklet for most years; excluding 2013 when a Booklet was not published.

The Booklets are available to the famlies of our deceased Shipmates and Ladies upon request to the Branch newsletter editor. Bill Kulier, (904) 771-5237, or seen a letter to the Hall.

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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JUNE 2015

What is the difference between the Fleet Reserve and the Fleet Reserve Association?

The Fleet Reserve is an entity you are transferred into when you retire from Active Duty so there is a ready pool of experienced people to call up in time of war. It is part of the military.

The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) is a Veterans Group you can join while you are on Active Duty, Retired or a Veteran of the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard! It is part of the Veterans Coalition of organizations that lobby the congress to improve and maintain veteran’s benefits. Whereas, the VFW and American Legion lobby for all veterans, FRA lobbies for benefits specific to the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

Why Join The Fleet Reserve Association? Because we have people in Washington, DC who lobby the members of Congress to improve and protect the Benefits for active duty, retired or veterans of our Sea Services: the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

Why Join FRA Branch 126? We have been in existence for over 65 years and are located at 7673 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32244. We own the land, the building and the equipment. We are financially stable so the only thing you need to pay is your annual dues to the FRA.

  • We are family oriented with no smoking and no full time bar!
  • We have Free Dinners for our members and their significant other 3 times a year.
  • We participate in the Veteran’s Day and Independence Day Parades with Shipmates, Ladies and their children or grandchildren riding on the trailer.
  • We sponsor an Academic Postal Exam competition with Awards to outstanding NJROTC High

School students nationwide.

  • We run an FRA Americanism Eassay Contest for local school children in grades 6 to 12.
  • We make annual contributions to Navy-Marine Corps Relief, USO, K9s for warriors, Wreaths Across America, Scouting, NJROTC and youth athletic programs.
  • Our annual Sholarship Program will start in the spring of 2016.
  • We loan out wheel chairs and medical equipment
  • We send out a monthly newsletter to our members and their widows.

Check out our Web Site at: We hold a monthly meeting on the 3rd Thursday of the month starting at 2000 (8pm). Stop by on a meeting night and see who we are and what we do.Questions? Call me at (904) 771-5237 or send an email to and put FRA Branch 126 in the subject line.

New DoD Allotment Rule Protects Troops from Lending Scams

The Department of Defense (DoD) has made improvements to the allotment system to create greater protections for service members. The policy change in new paycheck allotments is to prevent unscrupulous commercial lenders from taking advantage of troops and their families.

The change in DoD's Financial Management Regulation will prohibit service members from allotting pay to buy, lease or rent personal property.

This policy change will eliminate that aspect of the allotment system most prone to abuse by unscrupulous lenders that prey on service members. This will significantly improve protections for all service members and their families, while not significantly reducing the flexibility to use allotments for a number of legitimate purposes.

Current allotments are not affected, but service members will no longer be able to make new allotments for the following types of purchases:

  • Vehicles, such as automobiles, motorcycles and boats;
  • Appliances or household goods, such as furniture, washers and dryers;
  • Electronics, such as laptops, tablets, cell phones and televisions; and
  • Other consumer items that are tangible and moveable.

Allotments still can be used for savingsaccount deposits, investments, supporting dependents, paying insurance premiums, mortgages and rent, make Combined Federal Campaign contributions, and U.S. government debt repayments. Another line of protection for service members and their families is included when starting new allotments through MyPay and manually on DD Form 2558. The new allotment rule applies to active-duty members and not military retirees or DoD civilians.

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