HAWAI I rine Vol. 21, No. 48 Serving Maine Forces PacMc, 1st PAM, MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Mann* Barracks Hawall,Camp H. M. Smith and 1st Radio Battalion. December 16, 1993 COLA for retirees delayed Retirees should receive entitlements on April 1. this change. They will continue April 1, 1994, increase in the Marine Corps News to receive COLA increases in COLA. January (for December, The delayed collection will not Payment of the annual Cost of entitlement), with the next one affect increased annuity benefits Living Adjustment for all payable on January 3, 1994. which become effective in nondisability military retirees will The reason for this action was December 1993. In other words, he delayed for three months as a to delay the increase in retired the SBP annuity for the result of provisions of the fiscal pay without affecting survivor participating retirees who die year 1993 Omnibus Reconciliation annuity payments. Therefore, the during the period December 1, (Public Law 103-66). The COLA increase in SBP costs resulting 1993, through February 28, 1994, that normally would have been from the COLA will also not be will be based on the COLA- paid on January 3, 1994 (that is, affected by the COLA delay. SBP adjusted annuity. December 1993 entitlement) rates and corresponding costs will the Retirees will receive a letter on will be paid on April 1, 1994. increase December 1, 1993, based This means that affected retirees on the 2.6 percent COLA increase. these issues from the director of Rather than collecting this their respective DFAS center in will be paid at current levels receipt of through February 1994. There increased SBP cost immediately, December. Following will be no retroactive COLA the Defense Finance and that letter, Marine retirees seeking for the months of Accounting Service will delay additional clarification can call payment toll free December 1993 through February collection of the additional costs their retired pay office at 1994. for the months of December 1993 the following number: DFAS - Retired military personnel with through February, until April 1, Kansas City Center Retired Pay a disability rating and recipients 1994. This action aligns the Customer Service Division, for all of Survivor Benefit Plan annuity collection of the increase in locations except Missouri, (800) 645- payments will not be affected by survivor benefit costs with the 2024. In Missouri, (800) 929-4213. Drinking and driving don't mix MP's to conduct gate-checks military police department will be providing drivers with a By Sgt. Lou Ramirez noncommissioned officer-in-charge free ride home. sa Wrilef of the traffic section. People are reminded that only It is important for people to drivers will be given free The joy, the laughter and the remember that gate checks are transportation home. parties which come with the not set out to harm people but are "The passengers will have to holiday season can all be turned used as a prevention method. It make arrangements elsewhere," sour by one factor-alcohol abuse. is a method which seems to be said Bob Cabral, vice president of As sad as it may sound, and working for the station. Century Cab. as hard as it may be to believe, Station records show that there Those who need transportation many times those who had the has not been an increase in drunk can call Century Cab at 528-4655. sense to be a part of the few and driving apprehensions during the Keys and drivers licence will have the proud participate in this holidays, which clearly shows that to be relinquished to the cab driver abuse. They forget about their people are more aware of the prior to getting transportation and careers, their families and most dangers in drinking and driving. will be returned upon arrival at importantly their own lives. "We are looking for a voluntary their destination. Every half hoer one alcohol compliance. We're not out to bust "We are doing this as a related death occurs on American people," Treichel said. voluntary service to the highways. Although the legal problems community. Who knows, we may Officials are convinced the best may in many instances be the save a few innocent lives in the way to decrease these unnecessary reasons which detour people from process," Cabral said. deaths is through prevention. drinking and driving, the main In addition to saving lives, the Taking a drink A prevention method used by reason should be their own lives. efforts to prevent drunk driving the station military police is a Approximately l',700 Americans by the cab company and friends, gate check A F/A-18 from VMFA-235 takes on fuel from a KC-135 while flying over the Big Island recently. For at the main gate and died in preventable crashes in 1992, may also save a Marine's or more on the exercise see page A-4. the back gate. about one third of them under the sailor's pride, dignity and career. "We are hoping that by passing age of 25. "If you're going to go out the word that there will be gate Other efforts are also being drinking and driving; you will be checks, people will think twice taken to prevent these deaths. caught," said Sgt. Mathew Becker, before drinking and driving," said Century Cab, a local cab company military police, crime prevention Na Keiki 0 Manana chorus SSgt. James Treichel, station has volunteered their services and department. to perform Christmas concert Secretary of Defense submits by Julie Mall local Hawaiian favorites such children in grades 4-6. It is one resignationi ti o e as on few to tthe Pres id ent MWR "Christmas the Beach of of the public elementary Waikiki," "Skate-Boarding school choir groups recognized Enjoy the sounds of Santa," "Here Comes Santa in for excellence and outstanding Joint Public Affairs Office for his resignation. tion and experience and a razor- a Red Canoe," and "Mele performances. Na Keiki "I have been working continu- sharp mind to the job. Christmas through the voices 0 In an unexpected the children from Na Keiki Kalikimaka," as well as Manana make yearly concert announcement ally for two decades to help build Aspin, during his short term as of Dec. 15, the Secretary of 0 Manana, a children's chorus traditional Christmas music tours sharing the spirit of aloha Defense a strong American military. It's Secretary of Defense, faced many such as "Silent Night," "Little and Christmas goodwill. The submitted his resignation to Pres- time for for me to take a break and tough and challenging issues such from Manana Elementary ident Bill Clinton. Drummer Boy," "The 12 Days performance is presented by undertake a new kind of work," as homosexuals in the military, School. The chorus will be Les Aspin will become performing a free concert on of Christmas" and more. Outrigger Hotels of Hawaii. the first Aspin stated in a letter of resig- the situation in Somalia as well as cabinet member to resign from the nation to the president. personal health problems. Dec. 21, 7 p.m. in the Stall& presidentially Na Keiki Manana was Don't forget to register for appointed cabinet According to wire reports, Clin- "Dealing with these changes Theater. 0 January 20, after serving in the The chorus will be singing organized in the fall of 1977 for some of the exciting door prizes. ton accepted the decision with have made it a tough year for us position for one year. Aspin sigh- 'great sadness' and praised Aspin all - tough issues, tough calls," ted personal reasons as the cause for bringing a lifetime of dedica- Aspin said. KANEOHE BAY Inside and all through the base, Hawaii No aCnBosHtehseRwnelreSightfroTbeMzfeonrA,e nCSohrisAnsotmwTasin the place. No children in flannels were tucked into bed, Marine They all wore cool shorty pajamas instead. This Christmas is different from those of back home, There's no snow shoveling or freezing, for that we don't moan. to take the In front of the quarters Marines (or their spouses), Were stringing bright lights on the shrubbery and houses. The sleeping keikis were dreaming in glee, holidays off Hoping to find body boards under their tree. They all knew that Santa was well on his way, On a fast flying outrigger instead of a sleigh. Joint Public Affairs Office He touched down on the coastline up near Kahaluu, Delivering presents to kanes and tutus. The luminous moon gave the air station a glow, The Hawaii Marine next And lighted the way for Saint Nick, far below. edition will be Jan. 6, 1994. He wore fresh pressed cammies and a Marine Corps belt buckle Sun Press will be producing And as he climbed in the outrigger he gave a gruff chuckle. two special military edition There weren't any chimneys, but we all know why, newspapers during this period In Hawaii, Kris Kringle comes through the lanai. in place of the Hawaii Marine. A long run And soon he arrived and got right to work, The Joint Public Affairs Marines made an Impressive showing at the Honolulu He hadn't a second to linger or shirk. Office will continue to be open Marathon He stopped at each place and stayed but a minute, throughout the holidays and Emptying his pack of the goodies stuffed in it! a limited number of personnel Ads B4 Then before he departed, he treated himself, will be available for coverage Ilio1Mr To a glass of fresh Guava juice left on the shelf. of A-2 various unit training and C3 IklOs And wiping his whiskers with the back of his hand, special interest events.