The Council Communiqué Florida Council of Chapters

Military Officers Association of America

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Issue No. 112 February, 2012

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE CAPT DON FREESE, USN (RET)

The February Council Communique is traditionally dedicated to promoting the 2012 Florida Council of Chapters Convention at the West Palm Beach Marriott May 18 to 20. The Palm Beach Martin County Chapter, led by Con-vention Chair Marc Oliveri and Advertising Chair John

Morrison, is hard at work to make this another great convention. The Chapter got a head start by holding the 2012 Winter Council and Presidents’ Meeting January 13 to 14 at the Marriott. Sherry and I arrived two days before and stayed a day after the Winter Meeting at the Marriott and can attest to the great location, facility, staff and food at the Mar-riott. I had a reasonably priced “Blackened Cobia” dinner Wednesday night at the Marriott that was absolutely fantastic and probably the best fish dinner that I have ever had. A group of us went to City Place for an equally fine Italian dinner Saturday night. City Place is available by a free Marriott shuttle or a 10 to 15 minute walk. City Place reminds you of a combination of Key West and New Orleans with a lot of people having a lot of fun and is well worth the trip. The Convention has lined up a great list of speakers including Congressman Al-len West, VADM Norbert Ryan, and Major Trish Hayden, USAF FLANG. Ad-miral Ryan and Congressman West do not need an introduction. Major Hayden, USAFR is a Critical Care Nurse who has been recalled to active duty numerous times and had the honor to care for the severely wounded on the last Critical Care Air Transport (CCAT) flight out of Iraq to Germany. I have heard Trish speak at the Halifax and St. Petersburg Area Chapter Meetings. She is terrific and after hearing her you will know how so many lives of wounded ser-vicemen and women that would have died in previous wars are being saved. The WW II Greatest Generation is certainly well represented by the current Great Generation of servicemen, women and their families with people like Trish. As a special incentive to Register early Sherry and I are donating one free Mar-riott room night, a $93 value, for a drawing. The winner will be drawn from Registrations received by February 29th. Don’t miss out, Register today Sherry and I would like to add our personal invitation to attend the convention. We hope to see you at the Marriott and know that you will not regret attending! Don

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Somewhat surprising the two houses of Congress agreed on the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and passed the bill on 15 December 2011. This action was just under the wire as the exist-

ing continuing resolution would have expired on the 16th. The President signed the Act on 31 December amid some controversy regarding the handling of terrorists, including sus-pected terrorists. The final version of the NDAA did include some of our special interest issues, but most of our long-standing issues again failed to make the cut despite the numerous cosponsors to the attendant free standing bills. Almost without exception the issues failed because of associated costs. The January 2012 issue of Military Officer magazine contains an exten-sive list of 2012 legislative goals. Rather than reproduce the list or infer priority of issues through a partial listing , members are encouraged to refer to pages 40 through 47 of the magazine. During the third week of December Congress did pass what is called a “megabus”, as opposed to omnibus, bill. This bill provided funding for the nine departments that had not been otherwise funded by separate legislation through the remainder of fiscal year 2012. This relieves the government of the recurring anguish of dealing with repeated continuing resolutions and threatened shut-downs. At the last minute Congress passed a highly contentious and widely publicized stop gap bill to continue the social security vacation and extend unemployment benefits for two months. What was largely overlooked in the media coverage is that the so-called “Doc Fix” is included in this legislation. This means that when the 112th Congress convenes for its Second Session on 17 January it will only have until the first of March to pass a bill to continue these programs until the end of the year as has been reported to be Congress’ in-tent. The “Doc Fix” is of great importance to Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries as reasonable reimbursement to healthcare providers is dependent on legislation to correct the effects of the current faulty law. The press conference on 5 January at the Pentagon, featuring the President, Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, set the stage for what promises to be an all-out attack on the military, dependents and retirees. Most information coming out of the meeting is that the devil is in the details, and we will see the details in the President’s budget that will be released in early February. Cont on page 8

Legislative Comments CAPT Bill Knehans, USN (Ret) Chairman, Legislative Affairs

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OFFICERS: President............................................................. CAPT Don Freese, USN “Sherry” 727-360-3102 donfreeseMOAA@aol.com Vice President......................................................Lt Col Jim Conner, USAF “Dottie” 239-542-5627 jmcfl@comcast.net Northeast Area Vice President .............................. COL Jim Gleason, USA “Candy” 352-333-8974 gleason6@cox.net Northwest Area Vice President ......................... CPT Neal Schneider, USA “Alicia” 850-932-9242 neals-pensacola@mchsi.com East Central Area Vice President. .......................... LTC Bob LePage, USA 407-298-7228 rnota011@aol.com West Central Area Vice President.....Maj Stephen M. “Skip” Hartnet, USMC “Kay” 727-733-8646 mudmarine3@verizon.net Southeast Area Vice President.......................... LTC John Morrison, USA “Myra” 561-842-8404 mmjm223@gmail.com Southwest Area Vice President. ............... Col Leonard Friedlander, USAF “Christa” 941-927-0996 lenfriedlander@verizon.net Secretary................................................................. COL Jon Gordon, USA “Mary” 941-923-2302 gordonlaw@worldnet.att.net Treasurer ..........................................................CWO4 Don Courtney, USA “Donna” 941-745-9564 donaldcourtney1@verizon.net Immediate Past President....................................... COL Troy Scott, USAR “Elke” 941-379-3023 entscott@verizon.net

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN: Budget & Finance ………………………………...Vice President Jim Conner Bylaw Proposals & Resolutions …………………MAJ Edward Lillich, USA “Chris” lillichc@aol.com Communiqué Editor ………………………………...LTC Marc Oliveri, USAR “Jenine” 561-753-7565 ltcoliveri@aol.com Legislative Affairs………………………………… Col Frances Martin, USAF “Rick” 386-684-2442 franmartin32148@yahoo.com Florida Legislative Affairs………………………..Lt Col Steve Murray, USAF “Beth” 850-668-1645 sermurray@embarqmail.com Florida Veterans Council & Leadership Forum ... .LTC Bob LePage, USA 407-298-7228 rnota011@aol.com Personal Affairs……………………………COL Howard O. McGillin, Jr., USA “Anne” 904-825-4066 hmcgillin@fmpllaw.com TOPS…………………………………………………..CAPT Mike McHugh, USN “Barbara” 904-992-6123 mc68hugh@aol.com Religious Activities……………………………..Ch (COL) Robert Morris, USA “Jackie” 850-893-6181 RLSIRROM@aol.com Web Site Coordinator & FMMC/IMMC Ed………...LCDR John Snyder, USN “Dottie” 904-221-3425 snyd7147@bellsouth.net Membership……………………………………….Maj. Kirk E. Faryniasz, USAF “A.J.” 813-677-2606 kfaryniasz@hotmail.com Convention Coordinator………………………………Col Ron Buchert, USAF “Shirley” 813-961-4129 rbuchert@msn.com Annual Convention Chair - 2012……………………LTC Marc Oliveri, USAR “Jenine” 561-753-7565 ltcoliveri@aol.com Annual Convention Chair—2013 …………………….COL Troy Scott, USAR “Elke” 941-379-3023 entscott@verizon.net Auxiliary Liaison………………………………………………..Mrs. Violet Smith 727-595-5543 alexgrammie@tampabay.rr.com

Florida Council of Chapters, MOAA

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Registration Form Please Print Clearly

Last name: _________________First Name: ____________Rank:________ Branch: _______ Address: ___________________________City: ______________State: _______ Zip: _______ Email: _______________________________ Phone: _________________________________ Spouse / Guest Name: _________________Your Chapter Name: _______________________ Additional Guests: _____________________________________________________________

Please read Carefully, fill out legibly and completely, copy for your records and submit early

Registration $25 x _______________ = ___________ President’s Reception $20 x _______________ = ___________ All Hands Breakfast $20 x _______________ = ___________ Lunch $20 x _______________ = ___________ Military Ball $50 x _______________ = ___________ Tours: Diva Duck $20 x ________________ = ___________ Flagler Museum $25 x ________________ = ___________ Convention Fee Sub Total ___________

Event / Item P/P Cost Number Attending Total Cost

Military Ball Meal Choices

Name: Sirloin Medallions Grilled Chicken Local Fish Veggie Dish

_________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Are you interested in playing Golf Yes No

Hosted by: Palm Beach / Martin Counties Chapter West Palm Beach Marriott Hotel—May 18– May 20

Page 1 of 2

Choice of one entrée per person

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Hotel Room Accommodations Room Nights: One Room Two Rooms Thu May 17th x $93.00 per room __________ __ Fri May 18th x $93.00 per room ____________ Sat May 19th x $93.00 per room ____________ Sun May 20th x $93.00 per room ____________ Room One……. One King Bed Two Double Beds Room Two…… One King Bed Two Double Beds Sub Total _____________ Special Needs: _____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Total Convention Fees ( From pg 1 ) Sub Total ___________ Total Room Cost ( From pg 2 ) Sub Total ___________ Total Shirt Sale / Coin Sub Total ___________ Grand Total ___________

Convention Shirt $35.00 ea. Convention Coin at $10.00 ea.

Shirt: This wash and wear convention shirt is made of polyester fiber that absorbs perspiration and shuttles moisture to the surface. The shirt is an attractive black with gold lettering and a red white and blue MOAA logo. Comes in both men and women sizes. An extra charge of $3.00 for sizes 2XL or greater

Men size ________ Quantity _______x $35.00 = ____________ Women size ________ Quantity _______ x $35.00 = ____________ Coin is an 1.75” 3mm thick challenge coin. Plated in antique gold finish and comes with a pvc

envelope for easy storing Quantity _______ x $10.00 = ____________ Sub Total ____________

Page 2 of 2

Important Notes Make Checks payable to: Palm Beach-Martin Counties Chapter of MOAA (FCOC) P.O. Box 213002 Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33421-3002 Keep copies of checks and registration forms Dress: Convention: Florida Casual Military Ball: Formal

Marc and Jenine Oliveri, Convention Chairs 561-753-7565 ltcoliveri@aol.com

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Our New 2012 Convention Coin

Our 2012 Convention Golf Shirt

If you wish to save on postage and handling simply prepay for your items and you can pick them up at the Winter Presidents Meeting or at the 2012 Convention registration desk.

This newly designed 2012 convention coin is a 1.75”and 3mm thick challenge coin. It is plated in an antique gold finish and comes with a pvc coin enve-lope for easy storage. If coin is purchased separately the cost and shipping are listed below. If ordered with a convention shirt, listed above, you pay one simple shipping fee of $ 4.95 for both. Convention Price $ 10.00 S & H $ 3.95 Total $ 13.95

This wash and wear Convention Shirt is made of polyester fiber that absorbs perspiration and shuttles moisture to the surface for rapid evaporation. Colors remain vivid over time and it keeps its size and fit. The convention shirt color is an attractive black, with gold lettering and a Red, White & Blue MOAA logo. The shirt is available in both men and women sizes from Small to X-Large.

( All 2XL plus sizes will require an additional $3.00 to the cost of the shirt )

Convention Price: $ 35.00 S&H: $ 4.95 Total: $ 39.95

Men Shirt Size: S___M___L___XL___XXL___2XL___

Women Shirt Size: S___M___L___XL___

Coin Quantity __________

Make Check Payable to MOAA and mail to: (please reference convention shirt/coin purchase on check and make sure you state shirt size for man or woman)

Palm Beach Martin Counties Chapter of MOAA

P.O. Box 213002 Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33421-3002

561-753-7565

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Contact: LTC Marc Oliveri

561-753-7565

ltcoliveri@aol.com

Hotel Offers Free Parking Easy Access off I 95 Exit 70 State of the Art Exercise Room Pool Frequent shuttle service to City Place Free internet access Flat screen TV In room Safe Free shuttle service to and from airport 20% Discount at hotel restaurant

Local Attractions

Kravis Center for the performing Arts Norton Museum of Art Flagler Museum Link’s at Madison Green Golf Course City Place and Clematis Street Lion Safari Harriett Himmel Theatre Worth Ave Diva Duck – Intercostals Waterway Tour

Legislative Comments Col Frances Martin, USAF (Ret) Chairman, Legislative Affairs

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This is election year. We are continually reminded that “Your Vote Counts”. To veterans, I’d like to add “Your Voice Counts”. Your MOAA voice, that is. Col Steve Strobridge

(USAF, Ret), MOAA Government Relations Director, recently revealed that in 2011 MOAA members used their ‘voice’ to generate 1.3 million messages to their elected offi-cials…820,000 emails through MOAA’s website. I was part of this effort and, hopefully, you were too. However, before we get too full of ourselves, only 67,000 members gener-ated those emails. That’s less than 20% of MOAA members. We can do better…and we MUST do better if we hope to influence our elected officials as they shape the defense challenges ahead. My question to you is, what is your chapter doing to make members aware that their ‘voice’ and impact are needed? Some suggestions:

Forward MOAA’s Legislative Alerts to chapter membership Help members who haven’t signed up for the alerts to enroll online so they will per-

sonally receive these alerts For those members who aren’t ‘computer savvy’ (there are some), print out

MOAA’s suggested letters and distribute them at chapter meetings Distribute information on how to contact Congressional representatives at chapter meetings (hint: the Florida Council of Chapters Legislative tab lists the information at www.moaafl.org/Legislative)

Our military training emphasized teamwork. Let’s use that training to work to-gether to help our elected officials make the right choices to keep our national de-fense strong!

Cont from page 2 It sounds as if we will be seeing a number of the recommendations that have come from re-cently assembled boards, panels, task forces, and commissions. We do have friends in Con-gress who share our opposition to instituting these recommendations, but there are those on the other side of the question, too. This could turn out to be a long hard fight, be ready to join the fray.

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Can you believe that it is February and we are only months away from the 2012 Convention? Now that the Winter Presidents’ Meeting is over and ac-cording to the survey results, it was a success. I will have more to say on that

in my editor’s corner. My Committee is busy working to put in place a very successful conven-tion. We will start the convention with our traditional “All Hand Breakfast” and VADM Ryan will be out guest speaker kicking of the day’s events. Immediately following the breakfast we will honor our deceased members with a Memorial Service. The Convention will be located at the West Palm Beach Marriott in beautiful West Palm Beach. Among the many events we have scheduled may I recommend the Diva Duck tour and certainly you cannot visit West Palm Beach without first seeing the home (The Flagler Mu-seum) of the gentlemen who contributed much to the development of South Florida, Robert Flagler. In addition to these events, we have scheduled interesting speakers, some military and some not. Most of the speakers will speak before lunch. Everyone knows what happens after a heavy meal. Our lunch break will be for approximately 1 ½ hours in duration and will follow the same theme as the Winter Presidents’ Meeting. It will be a New York Style Deli luncheon. Come hungry because you will not leave hungry. Don’t eat too much because we still have one or two more speakers to go. Our afternoon secession will be over at approximately 1430 hours and you will have some free or down time to enjoy the city or just sit back and enjoy the hotel. The hotel offers a gym, pool and a bistro lounge. In addition, during your down time, the hospitality suite will be open to all members who wish to just sit and drink coffee or soda. Maybe some wine?? The evening will begin at around 1730 hours where you can have you memorable photo taken by a professional photographer. We have an evening of entertainment scheduled for you that includes: a singer and of course our guest speaker the Honorable Allen West. West Palm Beach is shaping up to be a very exciting place to be in May. So help use make this event a very successful one. Your attendance and support is encouraged because without you it will be very lonely. To all the presidents, I ask that you show your support by taking out a congratulatory page in our convention book. I refer you to John Morrison’s letter on page 3 For more information and to view our convention video please visit our FCOC Website at (www.moaafl.org).

Marc Oliveri

ltcoliveri@aol.com

2012 Convention Chairman LTC Marc Oliveri, USAR, (Ret)

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Chaplain COL Robert Morris, USA (Ret) Chaplain, Florida Council of Chapters

Upcoming Events 16-19 Apr 2012 ……..Storming the Hill, Washington, D.C. 18-20 May 2012 ……..2012 Convention, West Palm Beach Marriott Hotel, Fl. 7 – 9 Jun 2013……...2013 Convention, Hyatt, Sarasota, Fl.

Is there anyone besides me who will be glad when 2012 is over? It is not that I am wishing my life away, it is just that I am getting very tired of these extended political campaigns. The candidates have already raised and spent millions on mostly negative commercials. Based on these commercials, no one is suitable to hold the high office of President of The United States of America. Irrespective of Political Party we shall be more likely to be voting “against” rather than “for.” In spite of this, the worst thing that we can do as responsible citizens, is to wash our hands, and do nothing. Not to vote, is to vote!

As Florida Council Chaplain, I would never publicly support a particular Party, although I do, as a pri-vate citizen, have my opinions and intentions. In November I do plan to cast my vote for the various of-fices on the ballot. Privately, we can share our feelings, but there is no place for this at any of our MOAA meetings of the Council or the Chapters. MOAA must keep the door open, regardless of who holds the various offices at all levels of government. Hopefully, our elected officials will keep the promises made to our Armed Forces over the years and will appreciate the service and sacrifices made by those in uniform and their families. According to reports that come out of MOAA National, the number of people in government with mili-tary experience dwindles with each passing year. This being the case, we must keep contact with our rep-resentatives and Presidents. Mail in those letters that come with our monthly magazine, and make a few phone calls. Is it too much to ask that we pray for those who serve in government? When was the last time that you offered a prayer for these men and women? As a last thought, please remember that within our Council and Chapters, there are friends who might think a bit different than we ourselves. Surely we have Independents, Democrats, Libertarians, and Republicans among our membership. The “Good Book” tells us to love one another and be kind to one another, and I want to hear an “Amen” from all of us.

I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Col Frances Martin, USAF (Ret) Chairman, Legislative Affairs for the Florida Council of Chapters effective February 1 2012 relieving CAPT Bill Knehans, USN (Ret). Fran is well qualified as she is a Two term Immediate Past President of the St John River Valley Chapter and former three term Councilmember for the Interlachen Town Council. Welcome aboard! Bill and Jean your service is appreciated and will not be forgotten. Fair Winds and Following Seas to our friends! CAPT Don Freese, USN (Ret)

A Message from The Editor

The Council Communiqué is the newsletter of the Florida Council of Chapters, Military Officers Association of America, and is published bimonthly: February, April (Convention Issue), June, August, October, and December. A current issue of The Council Communiqué can be found at the Florida Council of Chapters Web Site: http://www.moaafl.org/. Opinions expressed by writers are their own, and may not express the positions of the FCOC or the MOAA.

The Council Communiqué Page 11 Decem-

IN GOD WE TRUST!

LTC Marc Oliveri USAR (Ret), Editor

This Publication is intended for the Florida Council of Chapters, Florida’s 41 Chapter’s Leaders, MOAA Leaders and all 8,000 Chapter Members in Florida

The Council Communiqué Florida Council of Chapters Military Officers Association

Inside this issue: ♦ President’s Message ………………………………… 1 ♦ Legislative Affairs ………..………………………… 2 ♦ Indian River Colony..……………………………….. 3 ♦ Convention Registration form………….………… 4 & 5 ♦ Coin and Shirt Sales Flyer ……… …………………. 6 ♦ 2012 Convention Flyer…… ……………………….. 7 ♦ Additional Legislative Comments...…………..…….. 8 ♦ Convention Chairman Message ………… …………. 9 ♦ Chaplain’s Message……………….. …………………10 ♦ Message from the Editor …………………………… 11

The Florida Council of Chapters held their annual Winter Presidents Meeting in West Palm Beach in January of this year. From the comments received at the meeting and from the responses of 45 of 79 prospective survey recipients the meeting was an overall success. I will have more to report to you in our next edition of the Communique’. In the April issue we will have some pictures of the winter meeting and a commentary from Jim Conner our council vice president. In the meantime don’t forget to register for the upcoming 2012 Convention. You can register online by going to our website at www.moaafl.org and clicking on to the convention registration tab. We have even made it easier to pay for the convention by adding Pay Pal if you don’t want to pay by check.

Don’t forget to sign up early and take advantage of Don’s offer. (See page 1-President’s Message)

See you at the Convention

Marc