FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR NOVEMBER 2013
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
NOVEMBER 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.
NOVEMBER 2014
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Monday
Tuesday
Tuesday
Thursday
Wednesday
02
03
04
05
10
10
11
20
27
Nov 0200
Nov 1930
Nov 0700
Nov 1930
Nov
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)
Happy 90th Birthday FRA (1924)
Veteran’s Day Parade (page 2 )
Branch Meeting & West Jax Nominations (page 3)
Happy Thanksgiving
DECEMBER 2013
Monday
Wednesday
Sunday
Thursday
Sunday
Tuesday
Thursday
Thursday
01 Dec 1930
03 Dec 1930
07 Dec
11 Dec 1200
14 Dec 1400
16 Dec
18 Dec 2000
25 Dec
West Jax Inc Board of Directors meeting
Branch Board of Directors meeting
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Unit Chritmas Party for All Hands (page 3)
Family Christmas “Covered Dish” Dinner (page3)
Hanukkah begins at sunset
Branch Meeting
Merry Christmas
Shipmate:
LT JERALD T. AKERS
of Green Cove Springs, FL for achieving 60 years of continuous
membership in the FRA.
Bravo Zulu! Shipmate!
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) 3842031.
Happy Thanksgiving from your news letter crew! Bill & Flo Kulier, JJ & Vera Thomas,
Al Peter, Ed Gribbin, Al Roby, Johnny Johnson and Jack Elrod!
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR NOVEMBER 2014
THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER
JAMES J. THOMAS …….…291-1575 aquaspaceventure@aol.com
1. We had a turnout of 38 Shipmates and Ladies for the Branch 65th Birthday Celebration Dinner at the Golden
Corral on 23 September 2014. The food was plentyful and everyone had a good time.
2. We had a turn out of Ladies, Shipmates and friends for our Ladies Appreciation luncheon at the Golden
Coral Restaurant on Blanding Blvd in Orange Park, Florida on 28 October 2014.
3. Fleming Island High School NJROTC Unit: Is again hosting its annual Spaghetti Dinner on 12 November
2014 at the High School to honor area veterans. Veterans and one guest will not be charged for the meal.
There will be a $5.00 charge for any additional guest attending.
Shipmate President J. J. Thomas is taking RSVP reservations for this event. Please contact
S/M President Thomas if you and your guest will be attending.
4. Wreaths across America: As in the past, the Branch in conjunction with the Unit will donate
$150.00 for this event. The wreaths will be placed on Veterans gravesites at Jacksonville
National Cemetery.
5. I attended the 87th FRA National Convention at the Omni Bayfront in Corpus Christi, Texas from 14-19
October 2014. We had 78 branches at convention, with 107 branches represented by proxy and 29
not represented at all. There were 151 delegates registered.
 As you can see it wasn't the best Nat Conv. we have ever had, but the meetings went very well.
 Branch 126 took 1st place in Hospital, Welfare & Rehab: and 2nd place in Youth Activities for
Group II Branches. Americanism and Public Relations we missed out.
 FRA's new National President is S/M John D. Ippert, Branch 46 Pearl Harbor (he was the
National Vice President this past year).
 FRA's new National Vice President is S/M Roger E. Mitchell, Branch 188 (past SE Region President).
 We didn't change anything to do with Shipmate dues. We did approve a resolution to let an outside
company produce an FRA Memories Book (i.e. yearbooks and cruise books) with use of membership
roster.
 We also approved a onetime use of membership roster for branch 46 to raise funds. I will explain this
at the Branch Board of Directors meeting.

We don't have a location for the 2016 Nat Convention, but a committee was formed to work on
getting a location.
6. The calendar is approaching the Thanksgiving and Christmas time frame and we start
thinking about those that aren’t in very good shape financially.
The Ladies Auxiliary is again this year making up
baskets of food for both holidays. If you would
like to give some can goods there is a big basket
at the hall where you can place your donation.
If you would rather make a monetary donation
you can see me at either the Board of Directors meeting or the
General Membership meeting and I will pass on the donation to
the Auxiliary President, or you can mail a donation to the Hall
with “food baskets” written below your return address.
7. Shipmates: We need you to come to the Branch meetings and get involved! We are gapping billets and
combining jobs amoung fewer people. We need a Chaplain, an Americanism Chairman, news letter
production helpers and a few other positions.
If you have any questions with regard to FRA stuff, my telephone and email address is on the top of this
page. If I don’t have an answer I will try and find one for you.
To All Shipmates - Loyalty, Protection and Service. James J. Thomas
This is page 2
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR NOVEMBER 2014
BRANCH ACTIVITIES
AL Roby …………………264-6270
James J. Thomas …………... 291-1575
FLAG SALES
Al Peter …………..……. (904) 777-0781
Bill
Kulier………………
(904) 771-5237
1. 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!
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.
2. THURSDAY, 11 DECEMBER 2014
The Ladies of Unit 126 have invited the
Shipmates of Branch 126 to attend the
Ladies monthly meeting commencing at noon,
This will be a Christmas get together with
the Ladies of the Unit providing a Covered
Dish dinner. Mark your calendar for this
traditional event!
The Ship’s Store
Al Peter ……………. (904) 777-0781
Branch 126 Apparel
SUNDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2014
3. There will be a Covered Dish Christmas
Dinner with Santa Claus starting at 1400,
for members and their
families. Bring a covered
dish with enough food for
your family plus a few more.
There is no charge for this
event. We will supply the Ham, Turkey,
Coffee, Iced Tea and condiments.
If you are bringing a gift for Santa Claus
to give to your child please make sure it is
plainly marked. We like to limit the value of
these gifts to $15.00 or less.
See SANTA’S ELF when you get to the
Branch and the ELF will get the gift into
Santa’s sack. Bring a camera as all the kids
will get turn on Santa’s lap and get the
present you gave for them along with
assorted candy and stocking stuffers
supplied by Youth Activities.
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 ….. $37.00 & Up (special order)
MEMBERSHIP
Edward Gribbin …….…….269-3845
Membership Report
Branch 126 Membership
Membership on 31 Aug 2014 is 396
New Members………………………...0
Reinstated Members……………….….0
Transferred Members……………….....0
Terminated Members………………….3
Deceased Members…………………....0
Non payment of dues………………….0
Members Past due…………………......7
Shipmates due to renew membership....27
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR NOVEMBER 2014
Legislative Affairs ………………………………………………………….……………Donald Rodely
Note: These articles were copied from FRA News Bytes of 17 October 2014
Survivor Benefit Plan Changes
A June 2013 legal review of DFAS practices has now determined that SBP is terminated upon
the death of a covered former spouse SBP beneficiary. This means that a retiree is no longer
able to resume SBP coverage for a current or future spouse. However, those who transferred
benefits to a subsequent beneficiary previous to this decision will keep their benefits.
Before a June 2013 legal review of Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS), retirees were allowed to
resume SBP coverage for their current spouse upon the death of a former spouse (court ordered) SBP
beneficiary as long as a claim was filed within 12 months of death or within 12 months of a remarriage.
The interpretation of the law means that a former spouse must give consent before SBP is given to current
or future wife. Now, death of a former spouse before consent to transfer benefits is given is interpreted as no
consent given, which results in termination of benefits.
This change only affects recipients who are divorced and have a court order. This does not affect you if your
spouse passes away while married.
FRA has dispatched a letter to Jessica Wright, Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness,
stating that the Association supports the interpretation that upon the death of a spouse, consent is no longer
needed, allowing retirees to resume SBP coverage for a current or future spouse.
Camp Lejeune Contaminated Drinking Water
A federal court ruling in North Carolina on Tuesday, October 14, 2014, will have a devastating impact on many
of the approximately one million people currently registered with the Marine Corps for their exposure at
Camp Lejeune to three known human carcinogens found in the camp’s drinking water. The 11th Circuit Court
of Appeals upheld a North Carolina law limiting the time period in which a plaintiff can seek damages.
The law, called the statute of repose, places a 10-year limit on the time during which plaintiffs in that state
can seek damages from exposure to contaminants, with no exception for latent diseases. The ruling came in
response to a landmark Supreme Court case, CTS Corp. vs. Waldburger.
Camp Lejeune’s water supply was found to be contaminated from the 1950s to 1987, potentially affecting
more than one million Marines, sailors, spouses and children who lived on base during that time.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
TRICARE beneficiaries need to be aware of a telephone scam affecting beneficiaries over
65 and on Medicare nationwide.
A caller will usually identify themselves as being an official Medicare vendor, and will then offer to sell
you back braces. The caller may have specific information that makes the call seem official, typically your
address, phone numbers and doctor’s name. The caller is hoping this will convince you they are a
legitimate vendor and that you will give them your social security number and additional personal
information.
If you receive a call like this, DO NOT give any of your personal identifiable information, such as birth
date, social security number or banking information. TRICARE never asks beneficiaries for this information
when calling for an official Department of Defense survey.
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) Program Integrity Office is closely monitoring this situation. If you
receive a call of this nature, please do not provide your information and contact the DHA Program Integrity
Office directly. For more information on fraud and abuse reporting visit, www.TRICARE.mil/fraud.
The West Jax Fleet Reserve Hall Inc President’s Corner
Al Roby ………………………264-6270
Nominations for the West Jax Fleet Reserve Hall Inc Board of Directors will be held during
the Branch meeting of 21 Nov and remain open until elections are held at the Branch meeting of
19 Dec 2013.
Contact Bill Kulier at (904) 771-5237 if you can donate a few hours a month helping to maintain
the Branch Home and grounds.
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR NOVEMBER 2014
“We've all talked to this guy. “
Mujibar was trying to get a job in India .
The Personnel Manager said, 'Mujibar, You have passed all the tests, except one.
It is a simple test of your English language skills. Unless you pass it , you cannot qualify
for this job.'
Mujibar said, 'I am ready.'
The manager said, You must make a sentence using the words Yellow, Pink, and Green .'
Mujibar thought for a few minutes and said, 'Mister manager, I am ready.' The manager
said, 'Go ahead.'
Mujibar said, 'The telephone goes green, green, And I pink it up, and say, Yellow, this is
Mujibar.'
Mujibar now works at a call centre.
Fewer Veterans Running for Congressional Office
The Military Times reported Monday, October 20, that the number of military veterans serving in
Congress has been steadily dropping, according to a new analysis.
According to the nonpartisan Veterans Campaign, 183 of the 865 major party candidates up for
election to Congress this year have military experience.
The number represents the first time in recent memory that fewer than 200 veterans ran for
Congress, which could drop the total number of veterans serving to fewer than 100 for the first
time since the 1950s.
According to Veterans Campaign Executive Director Seth Lynn, there are currently 106 veterans
in Congress. “We’re used to seeing this steady decrease every two years, but this could be an even
steeper drop than we normally expect,” Lynn said. “This is going to be the election that puts us
below earlier levels.”
Despite the overall drop in veterans running for office, a higher number of candidates from the
recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are running for Congress—46 of the 183.
The Medical Equipment locker: We have many wheel chairs
loaned out with a few available for check out at this time. These are high
demand items so please be sure to bring them back as soon as you are done
with them. We also have a good supply of canes, crutches, potty chairs &
assorted equipment to loan out. Call Shipmate Johnson at 771-1736 or Al
Roby at 264- 6270.
The Editor’s Corner
1. The FRA Branch 126 monthly Newsletter is free to all Branch members and widows or widowers of
deceased Branch 126 members. You can receive it via regular mail or by email. Contact me to get on or off
the email listing. Bill Kulier, (904) 771-5237, Bkulier@comcast.net
2. Past and current Branch newsletters are available at www.westjaxfrabranch126.org
3. Moving: Please contact me so I can update your address and save the $.55 the USPS charges the Branch
for your new address information.
4. I write, print and email the news letters. Then we call a list of Shipmates and ladies to see who is
available to collate, fold and tab them for mailing. Jack Elrod maintains the Branch newsletter data base &
prints the labels. Then Ed Gribbin runs the machine to put the labels on the news letters and takes them to
the bulk mail facility on Southside Blvd. We are at a point where there are very few helpers. Some are
traveling, some are ill and others have reported to the Staff of the Supreme Commander. This is a monthly
function, but no one is locked in. Give me a call at 771-5237 so I can add you to the list of Shipmates I call
when help is needed. Bill Kulier
This is page 5.
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR NOVEMBER 2014
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