January 2021 Volume 27, Number 1
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OM RRIS C MUNI . HA CAT N J IO VI NS R A A W . M A L R O D C TAMPA CHAPTER — A FIVE STAR CHAPTER OF MOAA NATIONAL JANUARY 2021 VOLUME 27, NUMBER 1 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT UPCOMING EVENTS COL CHARLES DALCOURT USA RET 7 January 10:00 AM GREETINGS! Board of Directors Meeting out the year our members stood up, resentative Learned will field your 8 January 1:00 PM Zoom Meeting: Veteran’s Issues spoke out, and kept pressing for- questions about the forthcoming Town Hall with Rep. Andrew Learned ward. We initiated Zoom sessions Florida legislative session. This is a (see page 2) when in-person luncheons went great opportunity to advocate for away. Members continued to raise ongoing MOAA initiatives as well as 14 January 11:30 AM funds for programs and individu- our new priorities for 2021. Chapter Luncheon Meeting als in need. Just recently, our board Colombia Centennial Museum, Ybor City members initiated Operation Buddy • On 8 and 9 January, the Flor- and ZOOM online - Buffet menu: 1905 salad, Check to check-in, engage, and ida Council of Chapters will host its Leadership Forum virtually. This was chicken and yellow rice, beef and fresh sau- enjoy a few moments on the phone teed vegetables, green beans, Cuban bread with members across the Chapter. originally scheduled as an in-person conference in Orlando. What’s great with butter and chocolate cake. Cost $30 We remembered that we are differ- either check or cash - Reservations ONLY ent from the average citizens…we about an unfortunate change of venue is that now, the event is open with seating limited to 50 are still Warriors. As such, it is our Call 813-676-4676 responsibility to exert every effort for all members to attend. There will Greetings to all and Happy New See page 6 for additional details to continue with the business of our be several interesting sessions with Year! Notwithstanding ups and organization; to lead whether tired great speakers that are of interest downs, valley and mountaintop ex- 14 January or facing fierce threats. Our mission to our MOAA Tampa Chapter. Please periences, time continues to pass, Installation of the 2021 is bigger than the challenges COV- look forward to an email contain- and we are inevitably ushered into Board of Directors ID-19 or campaigns can bring about. ing registration information and an a new year. I think more than any Thank you for not being distracted… agenda for your review. other year in recent history, 2020 for focusing on our fight. has indelibly etched its place in our • On 14 January, the Chapter will memories. This past year spawned On behalf of the MOAA Tampa meet at The Colombia Centennial REMINDER: individual growth, an appreciation Chapter Board of Directors, welcome Museum for our monthly luncheon. for one’s health, and showcased the to 2021. We have a great year ahead This venue was selected as our new PUBLICATION DEADLINE luncheon site. The Chapter has re- sacrificial work performed by our of us and look forward to several ad- FOR THE FEBRUARY medical professionals at all echelons vances in our services and advocacy. ceived best-in-class support from of care. I am thankful for the many the staff of the Colombia Restaurant ISSUE IS lessons learned in 2020. Instruction Starting Strong and this venue exceeds all require- in personal and professional resil- ments for the health and security of 2O JANUARY 2021 To kick off this new year, there are our members. ience; the winnowing of routines to several initiatives launching that determine what’s important; and the you’ll want to be a part of. • In January we will also estab- NOTICE: if you have a change of ad- learning many families experienced lish a new committee focused on dress, please notify our membership • On January 8th, we’ve been in spending more time together, are transitioning servicemembers and team--Bill Schneider at 813 977-2572 all positive takeaways from a year of granted an incredible opportunity their spouses. Mr. Paul McAneny will [email protected] or Tom South 813 “inconvenience.” to spend time with Representative lead the “Transitions Committee” 975-5025 [email protected] Andrew Learned (D-Brandon) via and has already garnered the sup- In all, our Tampa MOAA Chapter Zoom. In this special session, Rep- stayed the course in 2020. Through- port of (cont’d p.2 ) LEGISLATIVE LOWDOWN As we enter the new year and un- still plenty of work to be done during ibility in TRICARE pharmacy copays. BY LTC REGINALD WILLIAMS, dergo a change of administration, this time, to include averting a poten- MOAA’s Government Relations team tial government shutdown and pass- • Address barriers to accessing care USA RET continues to evaluate the legisla- ing critical defense legislation. within the military health system, in- For more information, visit MOAA tive landscape from the previous cluding TRICARE coverage gaps and National’s Legislative Action Center year and throughout the this year MOAA is looking toward the 117th mental health care access challeng- to inform the overall objectives that Congress, as well as the changes in es. the administration’s leadership and frame our legislative priorities. At the • Protect family support programs, time of writing this article, we are priorities that may impact our ser- vicemembers past and present. and ensure military-provided servic- working under a Continuing Resolu- es (housing, PCS, child care) are af- tion (which may extend through Sep- Here is a preview of MOAA’s legisla- fordable, readily available, and meet tember 2021). MOAA remains focus tive priorities for the coming session, quality standards. its efforts to protect pay, healthcare, which we are already working to in- and other benefits our Veterans have fluence during the incoming admin- • Sustain pay raises for the troops earned. At the chapter level, we must istration’s transition. You will also see and COLA raises for retirees. continue take action by advocating these in the January issue of Military • Ensure Coast Guard members are through our Congressperson or di- Officer. paid during a government shutdown. rectly to the President. This month’s efforts are centered on MOAA’s leg- These objectives are broad and topi- • Sustain Veterans Health Adminis- islative priorities and advocating for cal in nature. They are subject to re- tration (VHA) foundational missions passage of the FY 2021 budget and finement and interpretation depend- and services. NDAA. ing on the latest legislation, as well as activities on the Hill or within the • Achieve equity of benefits, protec- Here Are MOAA’s Legislative Priori- administration and its departments. tions, and administrative support ties for the 117th Congress for Guard and Reserve members con- • Protect the value of the military sistent with their active-duty coun- The 116th Congress ended its ses- health care benefit. terparts. sion Dec. 18, though House and Sen- ate leaders can extend it if necessary • Protect the military health system’s (con’t page 2) to pass year-end legislation. There is pharmacy benefit, and achieve flex- JANUARY 2021 THE RETROSPECT PAGE 2 (President’s Message Cont’d) MOAA National for fewer, yet they still occur. The impact that COL rington, our Chapter’s Secretary, this month for program support and assistance. This is an awe- Carol Zieres (U.S. Army Retired) has made in this more information. We look forward to your active some step towards meeting the needs of the local Chapter and the personal example she has set for participation in 2021. Whether one hour a week demographic exiting service, while also exposing me, places her among the best servant leaders or two days a month, every hour helps the Team transitioning servicemembers to ways in which I have had the pleasure to know and serve with. move towards the endzone. Thanks in advance! they can “give back” after retiring or separating Carol’s humility, perseverance, intellect, and experi- from the military. Please take a moment and read ence has driven action and set the standard. She Closing Out: more about Paul, his career, and his current activi- has labored tirelessly in this organization for years. As I end this month’s comments, I am filled with ties in this month’s member spotlight. He’s truly a Carol has served as the Chapter’s Treasurer, Presi- thanks for the progress made this past year. De- blessing to our team. dent (2017-2020), Webmaster, and Editor of The spite the constraints imposed by the COVID-19 Retrospect. The time and energy Carol devoted to pandemic, we have continued to support MOAA’s In additional to the aforementioned activities, we our Chapter, both out front and behind the scenes, advocacy efforts online and have remain connect- will launch several new endeavors to continue is beyond noteworthy – it is truly admirable. ed to the Florida Council of Chapters. Our Area improving our digital and social media products. Vice President, Mr. Benny Blackshire, is engaged Ms. Carol Zieres spearheaded several changes to Oh, she also happens to start off this year’s line- and serves wonderfully as a communications both our newsletter and the Chapter’s website. up of Members of the Month. We will formally bridge for our Chapter and others. This month, Carol passed the baton as Editor of acknowledge Carol on 14 January at the Chapter The Retrospect to Ms. Sara Marks. Sara will con- luncheon. Nonetheless, I ask that you please take Your Board of Directors is engaged with estab- tinue to introduce new content to the newsletter a moment to call or send Carol a note this month lishing, refining, and revising Chapter policies and and add material to our Facebook page.