By Ed
Marquez
The Board of Directors has been discussing ways that Totah TROA could
become more active in the community. This discussion has been carried
trough several of the last meetings.
President Al Garcia asked me expound on some of the ways the Board has
discussed concerning how our members could become more actively involved
in the community. Several of the ideas involve more participation in
veterans events such as the Veterans day parades and the like. Although I
believe these to be significant contributions in increasing awareness of
our organization, my passion lies with a more one-on-one approach.
The military
service academies all have liaison officers in each state and in many
communities. These liaison officers help prepare potential service academy
appointees with the various activities that may lead to an appointment.
They often speak to students in the local high schools and colleges about
the advantages of attending a service academy and the subsequent rewards
of being an office in one of the military services. They also help
potential candidates complete the required paper work that accompanies an
application to the service academy. The liaison's or Blue and Gold
offices, as they are called in the Navy, also assist with other aspects of
the screening process the occurs during the annual selection of the
current year’s crop of new cadets.
I think that this organization has some people who would make
outstanding service academy liaison officers. These folks should consider
volunteering for service as liaisons. The remainder of the organization’s
members could then act as a support structure for the liaisons.
In this way, Totah TROA could create a substantial impact on the youth
in our community, our service our military branches and ultimately the
interests of our national defense.
As a final thought, we should also talk to our local military
recruiters and provide assistance to them. One of the things we could do
is provide them names of youths who are interested in military service.
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By Larry
Brewer
Two weeks ago, TROA reported that Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM),
Chairman of the powerful Senate Budget Committee, had committed to TROA
President Lt Gen Mike Nelson (USAF-Ret) that he would seek full funding to
meet the health care needs of the entire military community -- retirees,
active duty members, their dependents and survivors, both for FY2001 and
future years.
True to his word, Chairman Domenici held a press conference on February
27 to announce his introduction of S. 394, the "Urgent Defense Health
Appropriation Act, 2001," which would provide $1.2 billion in
supplemental health funds for FY2001.
This emergency funding measure would make up the gap between last
year's FY2001 DoD budget request and the amount needed for active duty and
retiree health programs for the current fiscal year. It would cover the
cost of health care upgrades approved in the FY2001 Defense Authorization
Act, including:
Chairman Domenici's proposals, if approved by Congress, would fully
fund the defense health program for the first time in recent memory.
Chairman Domenici's key leadership support sends a powerful signal that
Congress intends to honor the lifetime health care commitment to those who
have served their nation, and do it without cutting funds for other needed
readiness or quality of life programs.
This is TROA's principal goal for FY2002, and we're grateful for Sen.
Domenici's strong leadership action.
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By Ed
Marquez
MEDICARE Part B Enrollment Reminder
The TRICARE Senior Pharmacy Program (TSRx) becomes effective on April
1, 2001. Eligible beneficiaries reaching age 65 April 1, 2001 or later
must be enrolled in MEDICARE Part B to take advantage of TSRx. If you
haven't automatically been enrolled in MEDICARE Part B, you should
immediately take the steps necessary to enroll before March 31, 2001 by
contacting your local Social Security office or calling 1-800-772-1213.
Enrollment in MEDICARE, Part B is also a requirement to be eligible for
the TRICARE For Life Program (TFL) that becomes effective on October 1,
2001.
If you are 65 and older and have not enrolled in MEDICARE, Part B
before March 31, 2001 your effective date to be eligible for TFL would be
July 1, 2002 since you will not be able to enroll in MEDICARE Part B until
the next MEDICARE enrollment open season that will run from January 1,
2002 to March 31, 2002. Those beneficiaries who have employee sponsored
health care past age 65 can delay enrollment in MEDICARE Part B until such
time as the employee sponsored health plan is terminated. However, those
beneficiaries will not be eligible to use TFL until such time as they are
actually enrolled in MEDICARE Part B.
France Honors WWII Veterans with "Thank-You-America
Certificate"
The French Government is issuing a certificate to recognize the
participation of all American and allied service members who took part in
the Normandy landing and contributed to the liberation of France.
Eligible veterans must have participated in the Normandy landing and
liberation of France, on French territory and in French territorial waters
and airspace, between June 6, 1944 and May 8, 1945. The certificate will
not be issued posthumously.
To apply eligible veterans must submit an application form with a copy
of documented proof of their service in France between June 6, 1944 and
May 8, 1945. Please send a copy, the documentation will not be returned.
Once completed the application form should be sent to the nearest
Consulate General of France. For a list of French Consulates in the U.S.
and an application form please visit the following web site: http://www.info-france-usa.org
If you do not have access to the Internet TROA members may call
1-800-245-8762 to request an application form and list of French
Consulates in the U.S.
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By Al
Garcia
In a few days spring will be upon us and we welcome the warmth and the
significance of this time of year. We have had a cold winter but we have
not suffered the perils of snow packed roads and slippery streets.
However, the cost of heating is nothing to sneeze at. However, we remember
being kept warm and comfy by our parents who did not have gas and oil heat
our homes and cook. Our lifestyle is different and we have to grin and
bear the cost of living today.
Ed Marquez have us a chance to become involved in a very worthwhile
project. One of our objectives is to help promote patriotism and service
to our country. The idea is to help where we can to instill in the youth
that duty, honor, and country are an essential aspect of living in a
country such as ours. By getting involved in what Ed proposed, becoming a
military academy mentor, we would be helping the Chapter with this
objective. Have you called Ed and told him you are interested?
We are still a small Chapter but we do get coverage in The Retired
Officer Magazine. Hope you have had a chance to see the short blurb
and photo on page 50 of the March 2000 issue.
Larry Johnson is the chairman of the recruitment committee. He has
accepted the responsibility of coordinating the efforts of bringing new
members to the Chapter. Each of us must help in this effort for any
organization is only good as its members make it. We are counting on each
of you.
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