2018 February

2018 February E L P A S O C H A P T E R O F M I L I T A R Y O F F I C E R S A S S O C I A T I O N O F A M E R I C A Nationally Ranked Five-Star Chapter • MOAA Affiliate from January 23, 1956 • Our 62nd Year Chapter Staff Emeritus <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">COL Margaret H. Baskfield </li><li style="flex:1">584-6826 </li></ul>593-1469 594-0444 585-9619 584-7682 566-4976 755-3387 755-3387 598-6058 598-0981 585-9106 533-5111 755-2325 598-6058 449-8944 533-5111 355-1849 842-9650 222-8307 598-3835 778-0948 Inside this issue: INPUT LTC Rafael G. Garcia CW3 Emiliano Gorgas Major E. Dexter Lyerly Mrs. Blanche J “Maggie” Maguire LTC James L. McLaughlin LTC Daniel J. Schulte Mrs. Kathleen Schulte MAJ Edwin S. Stone, III Captain Jeanne B. Thompson COL Martin C. Wehmhoner COL Robert Pitt 3deadline for President’s Message April 2018 Border Bulletin 5Luncheon Menu Program 3 March 2018 Guest Speaker 6The Border Bulletin NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE Editor: LTC William L. Moore 842-9650 EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Events Schedule COL Lennie Enzel 7Mrs. Judy Stone MG Edward Greer, USA 755-2244 MG William H. Riley, Jr. 584-8798 Advertising Manager: LTC William L. Moore <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a> Printer: Northeast Printing,755-6089 February 2018 • Vol 62 No 1 The Border Bulletin is the Official publication of the El Paso Chapter of The Military Officers Association of America P.O. Box 6144, Fort Bliss, TX 79906-0144. This bulletin is published Bi-monthly. Subscription is included in the annual dues of $20.00. Doc’s Corner COL Forrest Smith 9Mrs. Julie Pitt Mrs. Elma Smith Auxiliary Liaison LTC William Moore 10 COL Steve Barrett Army Nurse Corps History ... Mrs. Janet Rasmussen Mrs. Connie Sullivan 11 Personal Affairs Statement of Publication 12-13 The Border Bulletin is the newsletter of the El Paso Chapter, Military Officers Association of America. It is published bi-monthly, even months, to inform the membership of issues and activities of interest to all. elpasomoaa.org is a non-profit entity within the State of Texas organized to represent the membership and to support the activities of the Texas Council of Chapters and MOAA National. Advertising contained on the website and in the newsletter and directory are not endorsed by the Chapter and does not represent any recommendation to the membership. Opinions expressed in articles contained herein are not necessarily those of the membership as a whole or the Chapter. Questions should be directed to the Editor, at the Chapter office. The advertisements that appear in EP MOAA Images 15 Membership WM. DAVITT, EYE M.D. Eye Diseases • Lid Surgery • Research • BOTOX 18 Chaplain Corner 19 William F. Davitt III, M.D. 8815 Dyer, Suite 130 915-757-3937 <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a>Legislative this publication/website do not reflect an endorsment by MOAA or the El Paso Chapter. Levels of Excellence Runner-up Five-Star Chapter 2000 and 2001 2001 thru 2017 Communications Award Print Newsletter Five Star Winner Runner-up 2015 and 2016 2004, 2012, 2013 and 2014 2008 thru 2011 Communications Award Print Legislative Coverage <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Winner </li><li style="flex:1">2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012 </li></ul>9728-A Dyer St El Paso, TX 79924 PH 915.755.6089 Communications Award Website Five-Star Winner Runner-up 2015 and 2016 2010 thru 2013 2009 and 2014 2007 FAX 915.757.2452 Special Communications Award <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a>2EL PASO MOAA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE COL Forrest Smith, USA, Retired 1. MOAA National News. In January, MOAA National published the Top 10 Legislative Goals for 2018 in the newly formatted Military Officer magazine. There is an excellent detailed explanation of the background and remedy for each of these goals in the magazine. After 16 years of war, and with unpredictable political transitions in the coming year, the time has never been more important to “circle the wagons” and link arms in the fight to preserve your benefits and entitlements. We will discuss opportunities to collaborate on these goals throughout the year. I encourage you to join MOAA efforts at the local and National level, in our collective efforts to pursue the top 10 legislative goals for 2018. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">A. </li><li style="flex:1">Top 10 Legislative Goals for 2018. </li></ul>(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) Ensure TRICARE reform sustains access to top quality care. Prevent disproportional TRICARE fee increases. Sustain military pay comparability with the private sector. Block erosion of compensation and non-pay and quality of life benefits. Protect military retirement and COLAs. Sustain wounded warrior programs and expand caregiver support. End financial penalties to survivors and the disabled. Ensure the Guard and Reserve system adequately supports the requirements for an operational reserve. Ensure spouse and family support programs are aligned with current and emerging needs of an all-volunteer force. (10) Ensure timely access to VA health care and preserve earned veterans benefits. <a href="/goto?url=http://www.moaa.org/email" target="_blank">Note: Visit www.moaa.org/email, or call (800) 234-MOAA to subscribe to The MOAA Newsletter on a weekly, bi-weekly, or </a>monthly basis, and select topic areas of interest – and get periodic updates on goals and key actions. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">B. </li><li style="flex:1">New Military Officer magazine format. Editor Molly Wyman and the Rachel Barth, the Creative Director for </li></ul>Military Officer magazine, have combined efforts to execute an excellent revision of the magazine’s format, emphasizing “relevance and value across MOAA’s diverse membership.” In addition to the new format there are numerous informative articles to include an excellent presentation of the 2018 Transition Guide, and an excellent review of the 2018 NDAA in the Mission Critical Legislative news section, entitled “Final Text of FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act Released.” Well done ladies. 2. Supporting the El Paso Community. So what can you do to contribute to your El Paso military community and MOAA’s efforts to protect you benefits? A. Get Informed. Understand MOAA’s Top Ten Goals for the year, and track MOAA’s progress in fighting for your compensation and benefits. B. Get involved. (1) Communicate directly with your political representatives. You can send elected officials your own message of support utilizing MOAA National’s website, Legislative Action Center. You can also choose a MOAA-suggested message telling your elected leaders to stop defense bill personnel and compensation cuts. Your message will be pushed automatically to your House and Senate leaders. Communicate directly to your elected officials and be heard. It’s easy. Go to www. moaa.org, and use their simple tools. Its easy…and effective. (2) Become a MOAA Member and speak with one voice. Your membership entitles you to access to, and use of valu- able planning tools, and continuous lobbying efforts to preserve your earned military benefits. Join now by visiting www. elpasomoaa.org. “Professional Leaders belong to Professional Organizations.” Become part of the solution. Join MOAA. “Never Stop Serving”. Forrest Smith COL, USA, Retired President 3THE BORDER BULLETIN El Paso MOAA Outreach Foundation NAME The name of this organization shall be El Paso Chapter Outreach Founda- tion of the Military Officers Association of America, herein after referred to as the MOAA Outreach Foundation. Short Title: elpasomoaaoutreach.org. The El Paso Chapter Outreach Foundation is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are 100% tax deductible. DFAS Changes Mailing Address, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service announced it was changing mailing addresses for re- tirees and annuitants. Retired Pay correspondence should be addressed to DFAS, U.S. Military Retired Pay, 8899 E 56th St., Indianapolis, IN, 46249- 1200. Annuitant correspondence should be addressed to DFAS, U.S. Military Annuitant Pay at the same address. FOUNDATION UPDATE The Foundation received $550 monetary donations plus a variety of canned food items at our December MOAA meeting. A “Tip of the Hat” to everyone who made monetary and/or canned food donations for the Junior Enlisted Family Center, YMCA Food Pantry. We know the recipients are grateful for all of our charitable actions. As the value of the Foundation grows we will be able to provide more and larger donations to support our soldiers who are currently serving and those who have served in the past. It is our intent to provide the support that is deserved to organizations and fel- low veterans where it is most needed.. The actions of the Foundation Board have acted as intended in past few months. In the New Year it is our goal to provide the needed financial support to even more organizations and veterans who require our support to improve their quality of life. You may be proud of the actions of the Founda- tion as we participate together. Board of Directors: President Brigadier General Jack Kotter Vice-President Colonel Lennie Enzel Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Bill Moore Treasurer Ms. Elma Smith Programs Colonel Maureen Lofberg Advisory Director Colonel Forrest Smith 2017 Foundation Contributors Mrs. Ann P Niethammer Mrs. Kathern La Bounty Major General & Mrs Edward Greer Mrs. Rachel Bustos Brigadier General & Mrs. Jack Kotter Lieutenant Colonel Bill Moore & Colonel C.J. Moore Colonel & Mrs. Forrest Smith Colonel Lennie Enzel Lieutenant Colonel B. J. Jackson Lieutenant Colonel Daniel & Mrs. Schulte We are in the process of creating a closer relationship with the Junior ROTC programs In El Paso and the ROTC programs commissioning new junior officers. The first action will be establishing a $500 scholarship for a ROTC cadet. Another imitative will be to provide the 2LT epaulets for UTEP cadets at their commissioning. Mrs. Ellen Pipken Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Sherman Rollins Colonel and Mrs. Joseph Betasso Mrs. Gaetana Broillet Mrs. Judith Colletti The Outreach Foundation continues to evolve and grow. Lieutenant Colonel Martha Caldwell Lieutenant Colonel Terrence & Mrs. Powers Captain Stephen & Mrs. Mendoza Service by Serving Others Jack Kotter BG, USA, Retired 4EL PASO MOAA February Guest Speaker Lunch Menu by the Texas Veterans Commission with the Patriotism Award for the Vet- erans Treatment Court. She received Congressional Recognition by Con- gressman O'Rourke for her work with the Treatment Court and her contribution in the Veteran Community. In 2014, Judge Barill received from the Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project the Outstanding Achievement in Legal Services Award for her Contribution with the Veterans Treatment Court. In 2013, she was selected as the Out- standing Jurist and received the award from the American Board of Trial February Baked Italian Beef Lasagna Green Bean Almandine Tossed Green Salad w/dressing, Roll w/Butter, Coffee, Iced Tea, and Water MOAA Cake Advocates. In 2012, Judge Barill also received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the 1ST Armored Division/ SEPTEMBER GUEST SPEAKER Old Ironside Association. And in 2006, Judge Barill was appointed by Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson, Supreme Court of Texas to service to the 8th Court of Appeals. Angie Barrill Judge Angie Juarez Barill, 346TH State District Court Judge, was elected in 2004 and is presently serving her 4TH term. Judge Barill started the El Paso Veterans Treatment Court in 2012, a program that serves to treat our active military and veterans who suffer from PTSD, TBI and other mental illnesses. She also handles a criminal and a civil docket. Meeting Program Saturday, 10 February She has also contributes annually to the International Military-Sergeant Major’s Academy-Fort Bliss regard- ing our Judicial System. She is presently a current member for the Juvenile Board, Current Law Library Board Committee Member, Founding Member of the LSPI advisory Board at UTEP and she has served for the last 10 years as the Presiding Chair of the El Paso County Bail Bond Board – which recently initiated E-Bond – the 1ST in the State of Texas. Underwood Golf Course Sequence of Events 11:00 — 11:45 11:45 — 1200 12:00 — 12:45 12:45 — 13:30 13:30 — 13:45 13:45 — 14:00 Social Hour Opening Ceremony Meal Service Judge Barill previously was elected as a Municipal Court Judge from 1993- 2003. Prior to being elected, she worked as a Sole Practitioner, was an Assistant City Prosecutor and an Adjunct Professor at UTEP. Program Door Prize Drawing Closing Ceremony In 2015 Judge Barill was recognized Please submit your Lunch Reservations no later than Monday, 5 February, 2018 Treasurer: MOAA PO Box 6144 El Paso, TX 79906-0144 All dinner reservations with payment to our postal mail box $20 Per Person Brigadier General Jack Kotter, President, El Paso MOAA Outreach Foundation and Colonel Forrest Smith, President, El Paso Chapter, MOAA greet each other at the 2 December 2017 Luncheon. REMITTANCE ENVELOPE ENCLOSED 5THE BORDER BULLETIN Report a Retiree Death February 10, 2018 March 25, 2018 April 14, 2018 May 28, 2018 June 9, 2018 February Membership Meeting Luncheon Bataan Memorial Death March April Membership and Luncheon Memorial Day 2018 EL PASO CHAPTER MOAA Monday - Friday: 0730 - 1700 915-568-5207 After Hours (Installation) 915-569-6950/6951 June Membership Meeting and Luncheon Flag Day EVENTS June 14, 2018 June 17, 2018 SCHEDULE Father’s Day Retiree and Annuitant Pay Dates for 2017 Entitlement Month January February March April May June July August September October November December Retiree Payment Dates Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018 Thursday, Mar. 1, 2018 Friday, Mar. 30, 2018 Tuesday, May. 1, 2018 Friday, June 1, 2018 Friday, June 29, 2018 Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018 Friday, Aug. 31, 2018 Monday, Oct. 1, 2018 Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018 Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 Monday, Dec. 31, 2018 Annuitant Payment Dates Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018 Thursday, Mar. 1, 2018 Monday, Apr. 2, 2018 Tuesday, May 1, 2018 Friday, June 1, 2018 Monday, July 2, 2018 Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018 Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018 Monday, Oct. 1, 2018 Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018 Monday, Dec. 3, 2018 Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019 FORT BLISS VISITOR POLICY As part of Fort Bliss’ continued efforts to improve installation access, five Visitor Control Centers (VCCs) will begin operating on the 9th of August. All visitors to Fort Bliss will need to obtain a Visitors Pass at one of the following VCCs before entering the installation: Buffalo Soldier, Chaffee, Old Ironsides (Global Reach), Sheridan, or Biggs Airfield Main (Sergeant Major Blvd). Visitor passes are good for a maximum of 30 days. Fort Bliss Visitor Control Centers The Buffalo Soldier VCC will operate from 5 a.m.-9 p.m. every day of the week, including holidays. The Master Sgt. Peña VCC will be closed to the public indefinitely for visitor passes, but will be open for un-cleared contractor processing only. The Sheridan VCC will be closed to the public indefinitely for visitor passes and will process foreign visitors and special access only. However, the Peña and Sheridan VCCs will be the primary automated installation entry registration points, operating between 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for AIE registration (Mondays-Fridays only). The specific start date for AIE registration will be published in the near future. The following hours still apply for Fort Bliss VCCs: the Chaffee VCC will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (including holidays), and the Old Ironsides VCC will operate from 5 a.m.-9 p.m. every day of the week, incluiding holidays. WBAMC Pharmacy Services Main Hospital Pharmacy Monday through Wednesday and Friday Last Thursday of every month Saturday 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM 915-742-2793 Closed Sundays and Federal Holidays Freedom Crossing PX Pharmacy <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Monday – Friday </li><li style="flex:1">8:30 AM – 6:00 PM </li></ul>9:00 AM – 5:00 PM 915-742-9017 915-742-1802 Saturday & Training Holidays Closed Sundays and Federal Holidays Soldier and Family Medical Clinic (SFMC) Pharmacy <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Monday – Friday </li><li style="flex:1">7:30 AM – 6:30 PM </li></ul>Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal Holidays Soldier Family Care Clinic (SFCC) Pharmacy Visitors to William Beaumont Army Medical Center are required to use the Fred Wilson Access Control Point and visitors to the McGregor Range Complex are required to use the McGregor Front Access Control Point. Hours of operation: 24 hours, 7 days a week, for both of these ACPs. <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Monday – Friday </li><li style="flex:1">7:30 AM – 6:30 PM </li><li style="flex:1">915-742-1400 </li></ul>Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal Holidays <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">Pharmacy Refill Services </li><li style="flex:1">915-742-1400 </li></ul>El Paso VA Health Care System Pharmacy There are four convenient options for refilling prescriptions which can then be mailed directly to your home. Choose any process that is easy for you to use: As a reminder, all drivers requiring entry to the installation must possess a valid state issued driver’s license, vehicle registration document, and proof of insurance for a pass to be issued. All vehicles are subject to random security inspections. All DOD ID card holders (military, dependent, retiree, and DOD/DA civilians) are authorized to escort those that do not possess a DOD ID card. Individuals being escorted must possess a valid form of government issued ID card (state driver’s license or ID card) and present it when entering at the Access Control Point. If an individual does not possess a valid form of government issued ID, they cannot be escorted and must obtain a pass at a VCC. DOD ID card holders escorting visitors assume responsibility for the escorted visitors. The authorized escort must remain with their guests at all times while they are on the installation. • Call the automated phone system at (915) 564-6100 ext. 6110 or 1-800-672-3782 ext. 6110. • Follow the directions to process your refill. • Mail in your refill slips. • Drop the refill slip in the mail-out box located in the pharmacy. <a href="/goto?url=http://www.myhealth.va.gov" target="_blank">• Use the MyHealtheVet Website: www.myhealth.va.gov </a>Please note, window service at the Pharmacy will be limited to new prescriptions only. So, for all refills, please use one of the 4 options listed above. Thank you in advance for using these new steps which should improve the speed and efficiency of getting your prescriptions from the El Paso VAHCS Pharmacy.

2018 February

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