FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR OCTOBER 2014
PRESIDENT
FRA BRANCH 126
JAMES J. THOMAS
Phone 291-1575
PRESIDENT WEST JAX
VICE PRESIDENT
HERMAN ELROD
Phone 655-2211
UNIT 126 PRESIDENT
VERALYN THOMAS
Phone 291-1575
FLEET RESERVE HALL INC
ALVIN D. ROBY
Phone 264-6270
SECRETARY
MARTHA KLINIKOWSKI
Phone 221-7691
BRANCH CHAPLAIN
Vacant
Phone 291-1575
TREASURER / EDITOR
MEMBERSHIP
EDWARD H. GRIBBIN
Phone 269-3845
WILLIAM T. KULIER
Phone 771-5237
ADDRESS ALL MAIL TO: FLEET RESERVE HALL, 7673 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244-5111
HALL TELEPHONE (904) 771-2126
BRANCH WEB SITE:
www.westjaxfrabranch126.org
OCTOBER 2014 EDITION
NOTICE: The items or opinions published in the Branch 126 Newsletter are those of the contributor of that
particular article, and not necessarily that of the Editor, FRA Branch 126 Inc., or the Fleet Reserve Association.
Shipmate AQCS Frank H. Umble, USN, retired, received a letter of commendation and a lapel pin
denoting his 60 years of continuous membership in the FRA. The award was presented by Branch 126
President James Thomas in August 2014. Bravo Zulu! Shipmate Ulmer
OCTOBER 2014
Wednesday
Monday
Monday
Tuesday
Thursday
Saturday
Tuesday
Friday
01 Oct 1930
06 Oct 1930
13 Oct
14 Oct – 18 Oct
16 Oct 2000
25 Oct
28 Oct 1400
31 Oct
Branch Board of Directors meeting
West Jax Inc Board of Directors meeting
Happy Birthday US Navy (13 Oct 1775)
FRA National Convention (page 2)
Branch Meeting
Blue Angels Air Show at NAS Jax
Ladies Appreciation Luncheon (page 2)
Halloween
NOVEMBER 2014
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Monday
Tuesday
Thursday
Wednesday
02
03
04
05
10
11
20
27
Nov 0200
Nov 1930
Nov 0700
Nov 1930
Nov
Nov
Nov 2000
Nov
Goodbye Daylight Savings Time (sets clocks back 1 hour)
West Jax Inc Board of Directors meeting
Election Day!!
Branch Board of Directors meeting
Happy Birthday USMC (1775)
Veteran’s Day Parade (page 2 )
Branch Meeting & West Jax Nominations (page 3)
Happy Thanksgiving
Shipmates: WALTER E. STEVENSON
LORVALE SMITH
WILLIAM H. ANDERSON
of Jacksonville, FL for achieving 40 years of continuous
membership in the FRA. Bravo Zulu! Shipmates
The Korean War Veteran’s Association meets at the Branch Hall on the 4th Tuesday of each
month. The hall opens at noon and the meeting starts at 1300. The POC is Shipmate Henry
Moreland at (904) 384-2031.
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR OCTOBER 2014
BRANCH ACTIVITIES
THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER
JAMES J. THOMAS …….…291-1575
aquaspaceventure@aol.com
AL Roby …………………264-6270
James J. Thomas …………... 291-1575
1. I am happy to report that Branch 126 took 1st
Place in Americanism, Youth
Activities, Hospital and Welfare and
Public Relations for the Southeast
Region Group 2 Branches. We are
getting to be a smaller Branch in numbers, but our
programs are still top notch.
My bid for the SER VP and my wife’s bid for the
SER LAFRA VP did not go well and we did not get
elected.
The Regional Convention went very well at the
Ramada Inn on San Jose Blvd. For those staying at
the hotel, I heard no complaints in fact everyone
seem to be very happy with their rooms. The
Business sessions were not very moving. We did
change a by-law about how we actually take the
vote at the convention. We changed from doing it
by branch name to doing it by branch number
which puts the region in line with the national bylaws for voting at conventions.
Everyone in attendance voted for the change.
The new officers for the Southeast Region
are: President Larry Cox, Branch 269 and
VP Dave Davis, Branch 290. In the SE Region we
now have 43 branches, 24 branches were in actual
attendance with 12 registered by proxy and 7
branches not registered. We had 53 delegates in
attendance with Branch 126 having in attendance
Pres Thomasand Shipmates, Clinton “Bud Attebery,
Martha Klinikowski, Bill Kulier, Donald Rodely,
Donald Walsh and Elmer Wine along with Past
Branch 126 President Frederick “Pete” Petersen
from the Military Retirement Home at Gulfport,
MS.
Next year's Regional Convention will be hosted by
Branch and Unit 269 in Charleston, SC. Info on
hotel can be found at the Branch Hall on the
bulletin board.
1. The 87th FRA National Convention will be
2. The calendar is approaching the Thanksgiving and
Christmas time frames and we need to start thinking
about those that aren’t in very good shape
financially.
The Ladies Auxiliary will be
making up baskets of food for
both holidays. There is a big
basket at the hall where you can
place your non perishable food
donations.
If you would rather make a
monetary donation you give the donation to the
Branch President to pass to the Unit President.
All Nylon and the Cotton Bulldog flags have sewn
stars & stripes while the
other Cotton flags have
printed stars & stripes.
We have the following
flags in stock.
3x5’ Nylon Flag---$21.00
4x6’ Nylon Flag--- $30.00
5x8’ Nylon Flag--- $40.00
3x5’ Cotton Flag Set-- $15.00
3x5’ Nylon POW/MIA Flag---- $ 25.00
8x12’ Nylon Flag ……………………… $120.00
We now have the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast
Guard 3x5 Flags in stock for $22.00
Contact Shipmates Al Peter or Bill kulier to
purchase a Flag.
held in the Omni Bayfront in Corpus Christi, Texas
from 14-19 October 2014. The FRA room rate is
$109 plus tax. Reservations can be made at 361-8871600 and be sure to mention that you are with the
FRA.
2. Ladies Appreciation Luncheon:
Branch 126 will host a Ladies Appreciation
luncheon at the Golden Coral Restaurant on
Blanding Blvd in Orange Park, Florida from 1400
to 1600 (2 to 4pm) on 28 October 2014.
The
dinner is Free to Unit 126 ladies and at cost to all
others.
3. Veteran’s Day Parade. Tuesday, 11 Nov
2014 We meet at the Hall at
0830 and go downtown as a
group to avoid parking issues.
Walk in the Parade or ride on
the trailer. Wear comfortable
shoes, a Branch Shirt and/or
Branch Ball Cap and bring
along a jacket. The important
thing is to be there!
You need to Sign up in the Hall or call the Branch
President at 291-1575 to add your name to the list
of those who plan to be in the parade as the City
wants the list in advance!
FLAG SALES
Al Peter …………..……. (904) 777-0781
Bill Kulier………………(904) 771-5237
To All Shipmates - Loyalty, Protection and Service.
James J. Thomas
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR OCTOBER 2014
The Ship’s Store
Al Peter ……………. (904) 777-0781
Branch 126 Apparel
IN MEMORY OF OUR
DEPARTED SHIPMATE
Ball Hat ………..… $6.00
Polo Shirt (Blue) … $27.00, size S, M, L, XL
Bowling Shirt ……. $41.00, sizes, M thru 3XL
Fore n Aft Cap ….. $45.00 & Up (special order)
ADC Wilbur H. North, USN, retired, age 96,
an FRA Shipmate since 1974,
reported to the Staff of the
Supreme Commander on 7
September 2014.
Shipmate North was a resident
of Jacksonville, FL . His passing
was reported by his daughter,
Chief Petty Officer North was laid to rest in
Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park,
Florida.
Membership Report
Branch 126 Membership
Membership on 31 Jul 2014 is 398
New Members………………………...0
Reinstated Members……………….….1
Transferred Members……………….....0
Terminated Members………………….3
Deceased Members…………………....3
Non payment of dues………………….0
Members Past due…………………......9
Shipmates due to renew membership.....8
Comments/Notes:
Reinstated member: Leonardo D. Cajusay.
Deceased members:
1. ADCS Abermale B. Blache,
2. YNCS David W. Pippin.
3. AMS1 Norman R. Pattie
Pictured are Branch President Thomas (L)
and VP Jack Elrod displaying the four 1st
Place Ribbons the Branch won at the FRA
Southeast Regional Convention. We are the
Top Group II Branch in Americanism, Public
Relations, Youth Activities and Hospital &
Welfare!
Editors Note: I am learning how to use a
much newer version of MS Office so there
will be some un-intential blank spots here and
there.
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR OCTOBER 2014
Legislative Affairs ………………………………………………………….……………Donald Rodely
The Veterans Administration (VA) Aid and Attendance (A&A) Pension provides benefits for veterans and
surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing
and undressing or taking care of the needs of nature. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in
a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an assisting living facility also
qualifies.
To qualify for A&A it needs to be established by your physician that you require daily assistance by others
to dress, undress, bathing, cooking, eating, taking on or off of prosthetics, leave home etc. You DO NOT have
to require assistance with all of these. There simply needs to be adequate medical evidence that you cannot
function completely on your own.
The A&A Pension can provide up to $1,704 per month to a veteran, $1,094 per month to a surviving spouse,
or $2,020 per month to a couple*. A Veteran filing with a Sick Spouse is eligible for up to $1,338 per month*.
Many families overlook the A&A Pension as it pertains to veterans who are still independent, but have an
ill spouse. Keep in mind that in this situation, if the spouse's medical expenses completely depletes their
combined monthly income, the Veteran can file as a Veteran with a sick spouse.
Eligibility must be proven by filing the proper Veterans Application for Pension or Compensation. (Form
21-534 surviving spouse) (Form 21-526 Veteran.) This application will require a copy of DD-214 or separation
papers, Medical Evaluation from a physician, current medical issues, net worth limitations, and net income,
along with out-of-pocket Medical Expenses.
Basic Pension - The VA classifies any veteran at the age of 65 to be permanently and totally disabled regardless
of your physical state. The classification of "Disabled" entitles the veteran or widow for a Basic Pension if
he/she meets the net worth and income criteria. The same is true for the surviving spouse. No Physician's
Statement is required for filing for Basic Pension. To be eligible for Basic Pension: A veteran alone must have
countable income LESS than $11,830 a year* A veteran with a spouse must have countable income LESS than:
$15,493 a year*
One thing you can expect is that it will take between 4-6 months on average for your application to be
processed and to receive a determination letter. Many families can't afford to pay for care while waiting for
the pension to be approved and funds to be released, which places an additional burden.
Some Assisted Living Facilities will work with you if they know the resident qualifies for A&A. Fortunately,
all benefits are retro-dated back to the original filing date.
If you or your loved one is 70 or older, you should request the application process be expedited. The VA's
own law states that applications for benefits for a veteran/widow 70 or older are to be given priority. It is
advised that you include a cover letter with the application noting this request.
RESOURCES FOR ASSISTANCE For additional assistance, contact the US Department of Veterans Affairs US
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20420
1 (800) 827-1000
 For additional VA benefit applications, visit, www.va.gov/vaforms
 Information on VA benefits may be obtained at www1.va.gov/opa/feature
 VA benefits fact sheets are available at, www.vba.va.gov/benefit facts/index.htm
Note: A relative of our Editor obtained this help for his mother who needed to be in an assisted living facility.
He saw a Duval County Veterans Serice Officer who helped with the paperwork and obtained the assistance
from VA about 6 months later. Yes, there is a lot of paperwork involved, but the time spent is well worth your
effort. When you anticipate the need for this type of help..do not hesitate…. contact a County or City Veterans
Service Officer and get going with the paperwork.
Donald Rodely
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR OCTOBER 2014
NAVAL OFFICERS and PETTY OFFICERS
A group of sailors and a group of Naval Officers take a train to a conference. Each Naval Officer holds a ticket.
But the entire group of Petty Officers has bought only one ticket for a single passenger. The Naval Officers are
just shaking their heads and are secretly pleased that the arrogant Petty Officers will finally get what they
deserve.
Suddenly one of the Petty Officers calls out: "The conductor is coming!". At once, all the Petty Officers jump
up and squeeze into one of the toilets. The conductor checks the tickets of the Naval Officers. When he
notices that the toilet is occupied he knocks on the door and says: "Ticket, please!" One of the Petty Officers
slides the single ticket under the doors and the conductor continues merrily on his round.
For the return trip the Naval Officers decide to use the same trick. They buy only one ticket for the entire
group but they are baffled as they realize that the Petty Officers didn't buy any tickets at all. After a while one
of the Petty Officers announces again: "The conductor is coming!" Immediately all the Naval Officers race to a
toilet and lock themselves in.
All the Petty Officers leisurely walk to the other toilet. Before the last Petty Officer enters the toilet, he
knocks on the toilet occupied by the Naval Officers and says: "Ticket, please!"
Moral of the story? -- Officers like to use the methods of the Petty Officers, but they don't really understand
them.
Shipmate GMTC Walter E. Stevenson, USN, retired received a letter of commendation and
lapel pin denoting his 40 years of continuous membership in the FRA. The award was
presented by Branch 126 President James J. Thomas in August 2014.
Attaining a New Member requires a personal touch.
During the FRA Regional Convention I was talking with past National Executive Secretary/President
George Kay and he stated that a “Personal Touch” was needed to recruit new members.
He and A few of our past National Presidents were having breakfast at the Ramada Inn while
attending the SER Regional Convention. A gent at the next table overheard part of their conversation
and asked about the FRA. Turns out he is a Doctor and had been in the NJROTC in college – they told him
about the FRA… he liked what he heard and they signed him up!
The message here is that the days of handing someone an application and getting a new member no
longer works. You need to explain what the FRA is and What the FRA does. A little salesmanship can go a
long way.
I remember an old CPO telling me that If I thought I was indispensible I should put my hand in a
bucket of water, then pull it out and look for the whole. It made sense as there were always younger
sailors coming Aboard to fill the “holes” or available billets. However, we are starting to see the holes in
many FRA Branches including our own. We need to recruit!!! Bill Kulier
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