Volume III, No. 10 January 2020

Indian River Chapter MOAA P.O. Box 644047 Vero Beach, FL 32964-4047

Indian River Chapter Since 1983

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Do you know someone who is a retired or former military officer or widowed spouse of an officer, but not a member of our chapter or MOAA? If so, ask them to join and contact Carroll Oates at 954-494-8742. January 2020

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Total Membership -129 December 2019 State of the Chapter Report • Regular - 97 • Associate -12 • Surviving Spouse -18 • Member Emeritus – 1 Honorary Affiliate -1 MOAA national does not recognize our 12 Associate members, just Regular and Surviving Spouse mem- bers. The FCOC recognizes all membership types, Mission Statement however. As a local affiliate of the Military Officers Association of America, we represent the interests of military of- ficers, their families and survivors and advocate for a Financial Status - $15,169 balance strong national defense, while providing needed sup- This total is as of 18 December 2019. Our income port to the community and its members residing in In- comes solely from dues, member donations, grants dian River County. etc. Vision Statement Become the premier organization to provide continu- Awards ing leadership and support to veterans in Indian River County. Awarded the MOAA 5 Star Level of Excellence Award in June for 2018. Our close relationship with Veterans Council IRC keeps us attuned to local veteran’s issues By any standard we are an excellent Chapter. Existing Programs • Vets in the Classroom Membership Status – Total 140 December 2018 • Honor Flight (Space Coast) • • Regular Members 102 Memorial Day/Veterans Day Flags and water • • Surviving Spouse - 25 Victory Center Military Store support • • Associate - 12 Sponsor in VCIRC golf tourney • • Member Emeritus – 1 Luncheon Meetings – Speaker Series (Terry Treat) 2019 additions and subtractions • JROTC Medals –Sebastian HS • Gains 11 • Participate in FCOC workshops • Losses – 21 (lapses, moves, deaths) • Participate in FCOC State Convention + ad in pro- gram Non-response to Dues Renewal Notices January 2020 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (Continued from Page 2.) 2019 OFFICERS AND BOARD President • Military Family Initiative Community Outreach Grant. With the Veteran’s Council, we applied for LTC Robert Albrecht, Jr. 257-6678 and received $5000 MOAA Military Family Initia- 1st Vice President tive Community Outreach Grant. We spent this money to help a veteran who needed emergency LTC Carroll Oates 954-494-8742 home repairs. Membership Chair • We provided two,$1500 Scholarships as part of 2nd Vice President the Veterans Council partnership with Indian Riv- er State College (IRSC). MAJ Terry Treat 703-304-4935 • We supported the Vero Beach HS Band trip to Program Chair London with a donation of $2500. Secretary LTC James Blake 561-791-8467 Communications Legislative Affairs • Newsletter and Social Roster - Robert Scheppy LtCol Jay Torres 540-850-5113 • Publicity- Mike Di Scipio - Exposure in local Treasurer newspapers COL Patricia Ryan 401-369-1280 • Communiqué Input - FCOC Newsletter Chaplain • Email System – almost 50% open rate; 111 on our list LtCol Eric “Rip” Wieler 794-9719 • Website – FCOC Template Links to Communiqué, Immediate Past President Action Alerts at MOAA org, Articles, Pictures, LtCol Jim Rannazzisi 703-303-3672 Meeting Schedule Editor CPT, USA Robert Scheppy 925-1117 New Initiatives Board of Directors • On line Chapter dues payment system Col Carlos Halcomb 696-0094 • Sponsorship Gold Star Mothers Walk-a-thon COL Darryle “Sam” Kouns 978-6543 • MOAA Insurance Plans Advertising program. CAPT Eric Menger 532-6132 • USAA Sponsorship for MOAA 2020 LtCol Jay Torres 540-850-5113 Rayma Murray 231-1935 Improvement areas – need more involvement (Surviving Spouse Liaison ) • Position Vacancies (Publicity Committee needs photographers for our Luncheons and events. Vic- CDR John Papageorge 231-4581 tory Center Military Store needs managers.) LtCol Eric “Rip” Wieler 234-4111 • Membership – need more members to join MOAA Public Relations national-even as a free, Basic member COL Mike Di Scipio 217-8112 MAJ Terry Treat 703-304-4935 Bob Albrecht President NEVER STOP SERVING

January 2020 TREASURER’S MESSAGE OUR SPEAKER FOR JANUARY 17, 2020 By Patricia Ryan, Treasurer Ralph D. Turner, DBA, MHA, MPA, FACHE 1. We would like to extend thanks to the following members for their generous donations to both the Chief Operating Officer scholarship fund and the general fund. Besides dues, The Cleveland Clinic Health System your donations are what keep us afloat (See what I did there...snuck a little Navy reference in...):

Ralph assumed responsibilities as the Chief Operating Officer for the Cleveland Clinic Indian Carroll Oates, Don and Joanne Wickstrand, River Hospital 18 March 2019. Frederick Finney, Bob Albrecht, John and Kim Previously, he served as the Executive Director of Patient Palazzolo, Carlos Halcomb, Walter Flynn. Mike Di Support Services for the Scipio, Rayma Murray, Henry Swiftney, Albert Ham- Cleveland Clinic enterprise, mett, Anthony Dzielski, Stephen Kudriavetz, John located in Cleveland, Ohio, of McConnell which the duties were inclu- sive of integrated health sys- 2. We would also like to extend our thanks to those tems responsibility for food and nutrition services; who were brave enough to pay their 2020 chapter dues laundry, linen and textile operations; and patient cus- online for the first time! We had about 30 folks who tomer services including the renowned red coats, ser- took advantage of this process, and greatly appreciate your patience while National worked out some kinks. vice express and patient transportation

During his tenure at University of Wisconsin Health 3. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to pay System, Ralph served as Vice President for Facilities, online, or hand me your check, or mailed one to our Support and Emergency Medicine Services (EMS). PO Box, please do so while you have it fresh in your Among his accomplishments, he also administered mind. The chapter thanks you! several on-time and under-budget construction pro- jects, in addition to successful implementation of the 4. A reminder that in each newsletter, our editor in- patient ambassador program to improve customer ser- vices. cludes the flyer for the upcoming luncheon. Please get your check in the mail ASAP so that our lunch count Ralph also spent four years at MedStar Washington at the club is accurate. The past few months we have Hospital Center (2008-12) as Vice President, Support actually had to pay for lunches for folks who said they Services and four years at The Walter Reed Army would pay at the door, but then did not attend. Medical Center as Director of Clinical Engineering Services, and Deputy Director of Logistics. Ralph’s 5. Any questions regarding dues or luncheon pay- 30 years of healthcare experience also included 21 ments, please give me a call at (401) 369-1280. years as a member of the Health Services Command ———————————— of The Army where he reached the rank of Warrant Officer Four. 2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS A native of Georgia, Ralph holds a Bachelor of Sci- The election was held in December 2019. ence in Business Administration and Management, and a Master of Science in Health Care Administra- Lt.Col. Eric Wieler USMC/Ret tion from the University of Maryland, as well as a COL Darryle Kouns USA/Ret Master of Public Administration from Troy Universi- ty. He recently completed his Doctorate in Business CDR John Papageorge USN Administration from the University of Wisconsin. Col Carlos Halcomb USAF/Ret

Rayma Murray, Surviving Spouse ———————————————- CAPT Ericson Menger USNR/Ret LtCol Jay Torres, USMC/Ret January 2020 His instructions were not to attack inside the perime- AN ARTICLE OF INTEREST ter, because his Marines could handle that part of the fight. So, AJAX-1’s task was to keep North Vietnam- By John Papageorge ese troops from reinforcing. With that, it could be seen This article you are about to read is true. about ¾ of a mile from Lance Cpl.’s position was full In April of 1968, the TET offensive in Vietnam was of enemy troops moving to reinforce the existing well under way and the battle for Khe Sanh was rag- force. ing. The commander of Third Marines, Third Battal- At this point, AJAX-1 warned the young Marine to ion was in contact with Fleet Commander and needed “Get the Hell out of there”. His reply was “Start at his help for close ground support. It seems North Viet- position”. AJAX-1 again implored the Marine to “Get namese troops had penetrated the Marine Corps base the Hell out”. And he kept repeating that as the F4s perimeter and they requested immediate air support. rolled in for attack. Before the attack was over, from The order came down from Command to CAG ie the coordinates given, ¾ to a mile was completely Commander of the Air Group. ablaze. It was now 0330. Flight Commander (AJAX-1) and three other crews met for breakfast and briefing in the Ready Room before flight. They were given details of the breach of perimeter and that the Marines had fallen back to a second line of defense.

Photo: A napalm air strike in Vietnam Photo: A Navy F-4 over Vietnam “Get the Hell out of there.” History will show the Marines did beat back the ene- The planes (F4s) were armed with ordinance, includ- my within the perimeter. Upon returning to the ing napalm and ZUNI carousels on each wing for ship,AJAX-1 immediately tried to contact base com- close ground support. As the situation was very fluid, mander as to Lance Cpl. Butler’s condition. No an- they would receive further information from ground swer ever came. He made two or three other attempts control as they arrived on scene. USS Ranger CV61 to learn if the Lance Cpl. was alive, all to no avail. was approximately 18 clicks from the Vietnam coast. So, the flight was only minutes from the target. A short time later, AJAX-1 separated from the Navy and is still haunted to this day as to whatever hap- Upon arrival on scene, AJAX-1 contacted ground con- pened to Lance Cpl. Michael Butler, Third Marines, trol. A young Marine answered the call and said “Sir, Third Battalion from Jackson, Miss. AJAX-1 finally this is Lance Cpl. Michael Butler”. AJAX-1 asked contacted Michael Butler and he is now an old man for instructions. Before the Lance Cpl. could answer, who remembers everything vividly. There is more to it was clear the battle was raging inside the perimeter. this story, but it’s for another time. AJAX-1 asked for coordinates, received them and then assured the young Marine of compliance. ———————————- January 2020

Veterans eligible solely under this act who are not en- LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS rolled in or are not eligible to enroll in VA health care, or who are enrolled in VA health care, but do not pos By Jay Torres sess a Veteran Health Identification Card will not have access to DoD and Coast Guard installations for in- “A chapter must be politically nonpartisan. How- person commissary, exchange, and MWR retail privi- ever, a legislative committee can and should make leges, but will have full access to online exchanges a deliberate effort to inform its membership of can- and American Forces Travel. didates' positions.” recipients and Veterans with 100% What Benefits Does Your State Offer Veterans? service-connected disability ratings are eligible for DoD credentials under DoD policy. Veterans must be A new searchable database assembled by a bipartisan enrolled in the VA health care system to receive a think tank allows users to find more than 1,800 state- VHIC. level benefits for members of the military community, ———————— offering visibility to many programs that often go un- derutilized by those who’ve earned such benefits. PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNS DEFENSE AU- THORIZATION AND SPENDING BILLS The State Veteran Benefit Finder (https:// www.cnas.org/publications/reports/state-veteran- Widows Tax Repealed benefit-finder), published by the Center for a New On December 20th, President Donald Trump signed American Security (CNAS), identifies 1,814 benefits into law two key bills--the 2020 National Defense and allows users to find them based on state, benefit Authorization Act and a spending bill that continues type, and beneficiary type. The list shows the wide government operations to September. array of programs offered, from education and tax breaks that could save veterans thousands of dollars, The Authorization Bill includes a 3.1% pay raise for to assistance with absentee voting forms or VA bene- the active military and phases out the “Widows Tax” fits claims. over the next three years, with survivors receiving full benefits on Jan. 1, 2023. The repeal of the Widows More Commissary & Exchange privileges for Vets! Tax, a financial penalty affecting over 65,000 military survivors across the country was a MOAA priority. The Defense Department has announced expanded The massive, $738 billion annual defense policy bill Commissary, Military Service Exchange, and MWR also creates the long-sought Space Force, covers eve- access Jan. 1 and established a standard for physical rything from how many planes and ships the military access to military installations. can buy, to reforming privatized military housing. For more on what is in the NDAA and provisions of the Veterans who are eligible and want to take advantage language regarding the Widows Tax, go here to the of in-person benefits must have a Veterans Health MOAA website. Identification Card (VHIC). Primary Family Care- givers must have an eligibility letter from VA’s Office —————————- of Community Care. MEDICARE PART B PREMIUM RATE IN- CREASE FOR 2020 Veterans use VHICs for identification and check-in at For our retired members, the good news was the 1.6% VA appointments, but will also use them for base ac- Cost of Living increase for Social Security and retire- cess under the new program. ment pay for next year. The bad news is your Medi-

care Part B premium will increase with the New Veterans eligible solely under this act who are eligible Year. Starting 1 January, the standard Medicare Part to obtain a Veteran Health Identification Card must B premium will be about $9 more a month and benefi- use this credential for in-person installation and privi- ciaries in higher income brackets will see larger in- lege access. The card must display the Veteran’s eligi- creases. For more information and revised cost tables bility status (i.e., PURPLE HEART, FORMER POW and income brackets, see the article here on the or SERVICE CONNECTED). MOAA website.

January 2020 the Navy to become an engineer. By 1930 he was a Chief Watertender and, 11 years later, was serving aboard the USS Utah at Pearl Harbor. FORGOTTEN CASUALTIES OF PEARL HARBOR The morning of December 7th, Peter Tomich was at By Kris Cotariu Harper, EdD his duty station in the fire room when the Utah was suddenly struck by two torpedoes. He was experi- Every American, adult through school-age, knows the enced enough to know that a massive explosion would importance of December 7, 1941 in our nation’s histo- certainly follow if the water reached the hot boilers ry. On that day, at 7:55 in the morning, “the United and, as the ship was capsizing, he ordered the sailors States was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval on watch to abandon the engineering spaces. Tomich and air forces of the Empire of Japan” (Roosevelt, ensured all fireroom personnel evacuated their stations 1941), most significantly, at Pearl Harbor, Ha- and remained alone to close the valves that would sta- waii. The losses at Pearl Harbor were devastating – bilize the boilers. When the Utah capsized, he was 2,388 lives lost; 165 aircraft destroyed; 23 ships sunk, trapped inside. two of which, 78 years later, remain at the bottom of Pearl Harbor: USS Arizona and USS Utah. Peter Tomich was the first Medal of Honor recipient since the Indian Campaigns in the 1880s for whom no known relatives could be located. When a destroyer was named in his honor in 1943, the decision was made to award his Medal to the ship itself and on Jan- uary 4, 1943, Rear Admiral Monroe Kelly awarded the Medal of Honor to the USS Peter Tomich (DE- 242).

In 1946 the ship was decommissioned and it became necessary to identify a new trustee for the Med- al. When the governor of the State of Utah, Herbert B. Maw, declared Peter Tomich an honorary citizen of Peter Tomich, USS Utah that state, custody of his Medal of Honor transferred to the governor’s office where it remained until 1989. The Utah, sometimes referred to as the forgotten casu- alty of Pearl Harbor, was the oldest of the ships at In 1989, the MOH was transferred to the newly-built, that day. Built in 1909 and a veteran of Peter Tomich Hall at The Senior Enlisted Academy in WWI, she was used as a training and target Newport, RI. Peter Tomich’s Medal of Honor re- ship. When the attack first began, the men of the Utah mained Newport until 2005 when his family was iden- didn’t quite realize it was an attack rather than just tified and located. On May 18, 2006, Tomich’s MOH another training mission. I can imagine the thoughts was presented to his cousin’s grandson, retired Croa- running through their minds: Why are we having a tian Army LTC Srecko Herceg Tonic, on-board the drill on a Sunday morning? Why are we having a drill USS Enterprise in Split, . in port? Who put live bombs on those airplanes? ————————

At 8am, as was normally done, the men of the Utah raised the American flag – but she never made it to the top of the mast. It was during those few minutes that reality dawned: the United States was under at- tack. The flag on the USS Utah remained at half-mast throughout the air raid and until much later in the day.

Peter Tomich, a native of the Austro-Hungarian Em- pire, served on the Utah and remains entombed there. In 1913, at the age of 20, Tomich immigrated to the United States with a cousin. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the beginning of the First World War and became a naturalized citizen. When his enlist- ment ended in January 1919, Peter Tomich enlisted in January 2020

JANUARY CHAPTER LUNCHEON REGISTRATION IRC Luncheon, Friday January 17, 2020 Vero Beach Yacht Club, 11:30 AM

Our Jan 17th Luncheon Speaker is Ralph Turner, COO of the new Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital. Ralph is a retired USA CWO4 who served 21 years in the Army’s Health Services Command. He will be speaking about the ongoing transformation of Indian River Hospital by the Cleveland Clinic. If you have been, or expect you sometime will be, treated at Indian River Hospital, you will definitely want to hear what our speaker has to say!

Menu Choices: (1) Chicken Parmesan over Angel Hair Pasta (2) Meat Lasagna (3) Chef’s Salad

For any questions feel free to email Kelly Menger at [email protected]

------Tear Line ------Send reservations and payment by 5:00 PM

Friday January 10, 2020

VERO BEACH YACHT CLUB

Name (s)______

Menu Choices: $22.00 per person $

(1) Chicken Parmesan over Angel Hair Pasta $______

(2) Meat Lasagna $————-

(3) Chef’s Salad $————

TOTAL $______

Please make the check payable to IRC-MOAA. Mail to: IRC-MOAA, P.O. Box 644047, Vero Beach, FL 32964