FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JULY & AUGUST 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
DONALD F. WALSH
Phone 282-4650
BRANCH CHAPLAIN
Vacant
Phone 291-1575
TREASURER / EDITOR
MEMBERHIP
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
JULY & AUGUST 2013 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 Al Peter Tolled the Bell as the names of the recently deceased were read at the FRA
Branch 126 Memorial Service conducted at Jacksonville Memory Gardens on Sunday, 26 May
2013. We had a good turn out and good weather this year.
JULY 2013
Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Thursday
01
03
04
18
July 1930
July 1930
July
July 2000
West Jax Board of Directors meeting
Branch Board of Directors meeting
Independence Day! Fly your Flag!
Branch Meeting
AUGUST 2013
Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Wednesday
05 Aug 1930
07 Aug 1930
15 Aug 2000
21 – 25 Aug
West Jax Inc BOD
Branch BOD
Branch Meeting
Southeast Region Convention (page 2)
SEPTEMBER 2013
Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Tuesday
02 Sept
04 Sept
19 Sept
24 Sept
1930
1930
2000
1400
West Jax Inc BOD
Branch BOD
Branch Meeting
Branch Birthday Dinner (page 2)
Branch 126 Salutes:
Shipmate Albermale B. Blache of Greencove Springs,
Florida for achieving 60 YEARS of Continuous
Membership in the Fleet Reserve Association!
Shipmate Allen L. Daugherty of Jacksonville, Florida
for achieving 50 YEARS of Continuous Membership in
the Fleet Reserve Association!
Shipmates Lenore T. Kimble of Cresent City, FL;
Samuel W. Shive of
Middleburg, FL; Merald R. Woods of Jacksonville, FL and Emory T. Drake of
Vidalia, Ga for achieving 40 YEARS of Continuous Membership in the Fleet
Reserve Association!
Bravo Zulu… Well Done Shipmates!
1
FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JULY & AUGUST 2013
THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER .. James J. Thomas (904) 291-1575
aquaspaceventure@aol.com
1. Change to SBP annuity accounts…… All Annuity
applications now require the submission of a
photocopy of the annuitant's Social Security Card.
If the annuitant does not submit a photocopy of
the Social Security card with the application, the
annuity will be established and the annuitant will
have 90 days to submit the photocopy. If it is not
received in 90 days, the account will be suspended
and no further payments will be made until a
photocopy of the card is received.
(copied from Shift Colors 2013)
BRANCH ACTIVITIES
AL Roby …………………264-6270
James J. Thomas …………... 291-1575
21-25 AUGUST 2013 – Myrtle Beach, SC
The 68th FRA Southeast Region Convention will be
held at the Springmaid Beach Resort at 3200
South Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Phone
(843) 315-7100
The room rate is $89.00 plus tax. Reservations
2. When furloughs are implemented, most
military commissaries will close one day a week
on Mondays. The closures will be for up to 11 days
between July 8 and Sept. 30. The 148 stores that
routinely close on Mondays would also close the
next normal day of operation. Other than the
furlough day, there are no other changes planned
for store operation hours. Furlough notices are
scheduled to be delivered to Defense Commissary
Agency (DeCA) employees between May 28 and
June 5. DeCA has 247 commissaries with more
than 16,000 employees operating in 13 countries
and two U.S. Territories.
(copied from Shift Colors 2013)
must be made at 1-800-770-6985 prior to
23 June to qualify for this rate. Use
reservation Code 11822 (Fleet Reserve
Association) and ask for reservations in the
Palmetto Bldg.
All rooms are equiped with WI FI, refrigerator,
microwave and coffee pot. Free Parking. Small
pets are permitted for a fee of $25.00 daily.
Check in time is 4pm.
24 September 2013 – Wow! Branch 126 will be
celebrating its 64th Anniversary
with a dinner at Golden Corral
on Blanding Blvd in Orange Park,
Florida from from 1400 – 1600 (2
to 4 pm), Tuesday, 24 Sept 2013.
The dinner is FREE for all
Branch 126 members, Unit 126
members and their significant
other or driver. We hope to see
you there!
3. We had a joint Installation of Officers
Ceremony in the Hall starting at 1000 on Saturday,
1 June followed by a luncheon on the same day.
Everyone really enjoyed our lunch at the Olive
Garden and all agreed that we should do the same
next year. We enjoyed the food and
shared the afternoon with our
shipmates and ladies in a very nice
relaxed atmosphere. For those that
weren't able to attend those functions…. we
missed you!
14 – 20 Oct 2013. Chattanooga, TN
The 86th FRA National Convention will be held in
the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel from 14 – 20
October 2013. Room rates are $89.00 plus a local
tax of 9.25% and a hotel tas of 8%. Free parking
and a coffee pot in each room. Refrigerators are
available for $15 per day. Reservations must be
made at 1-800-872-2528 not later than 22 Sept
2013.
4. The Orange Park Independence Day Parade will
not be held this year.
5. This Branch newsletter is published monthly
except for this combined July/August issue. You
may receive it by mail or by Email upon your
request the the Editor. You can also view this and
past newsletters at the Branch Web Site at
Elimination of the DoD Vehicle Decal Program
NAVADMIN 146/13 discusses Navy policy
eliminating the requirement for vehicle decals for
base access, effective 1 July 2013.
Vehicles must continue to be licensed,
registered, inspected, and insured in accordance
with state and local laws, but installation access
shall be accomplished by vetting personal ID.
For rental vehicles, the rental contract serves as
licensing, registration, and proof of insurance.
www.westjaxfrabranch126.org
If you have any questions with regard to FRA stuff,
my telephone number and email address is at 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.
J. J. Thomas
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JULY & AUGUST 2013
have both Medicare and Tricare for Life
everything was covered. Medicare paid 100
percent of the Life Care Fees for the 1st 21 days
and then paid 80 percent for the next 9 of 79 days
available, while Tricare for Life paid the remaining
twenty percent. This is my story of what can
happen when you listen to orthopedic center or
medical people and don’t check things out in
advance.
……. After I was in the Life Care Center some of my
Shipmates came to visit and they had gone
through the same thing. Who knew?
The West Jax Fleet Reserve Hall Inc
President’s Corner
Al Roby ………………………264-6270
1. 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.
Bill Kulier
2. The PAPER BIN has
been removed from the back lot as we were not
getting paid for the newspapers. Please stop
bringing your newspapers to the Hall.
FLAG SALES
Al Peter …………..……. (904) 777-0781
Johnny Johnson…………(904) 771-1736
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 Shipmate Johnny Johnson or Al Peter to
purchase a Flag.
IN MEMORY OF OUR
DEPARTED SHIPMATES
Shipmate ADRC Herman R. Wilks, USN,
Retired, age 95, reported to the
Staff of the Supreme Commander
on 21 April 2013.
Shipmate Herman Wilks was
predeceased by his wife. He was a
resident of Annapolis, MD.
Chief Petty Officer Wilks cremains were interred
with Military Honors at the National Cemetery in
Jacksonville, Florida.
FRA graveside Honors were conferred by Branch
126 Shipmates Ed Gribbin, Bill Kulier, David
Pippin, Donald Rodely and James J. Thomas.
Branch 126 Membership Report
Edward Gribbin …….…….269-3845
The Editor’s Corner
Branch 126 Membership
Membership on 30 April is 444
New Members………………………....0
Reinstated Members……………….…..0
Transferred Members……………….....0
Terminated Members………………….7
Deceased Members……………....2
Non payment of dues…………….5
Members Past due…………………......5
Shipmates due to renew membership....17
1. Please remember that this newsletter covers
both July and August so you will not receive your
next newsletter until September.
2. I had a knee replaced on 23 April 2013, spent 3
days in the hospital. Then I was sent home and set
up for a visiting nurse with theraphy at an
orthopedic center a few miles from the house. ….
Sounded like a great plan until I got home and had
to negotiate some stairs, the bed was too low and
then came the pain and muscle spasms. …. After 3
days at home I wimped out and they sent me to a
Life Care Center where I received 24 hour care and
physical theraphy for the next 30 days. It was
great!
….. Had I
gone there directly from the hospital I would have
been sooner than 30 days.
….. Since I
DECEASED SHIPMATES
1. ATC William H. Clinton, USN, Retired
2. ENC(SS) Frank Hrapsky, USN, Retired
The list of members who are “past Due” is
posted on the Bulletin Board in the Hall. Look it
over and if you see a familiar name give them a
call for a friendly reminder.
3
FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JULY & AUGUST 2013
Eyeglasses for Retirees: If you are retired military and eligible for other medical services, you are
authorized to receive the following quantities of Standard Issue spectacles per year (MS9/S91A/Half
Eyes/FS9):
MS9 Frame
S91A Frame
Half Eye Frame
Standard
issue Eyewear Choices and Sizes

1 clear pair of Bifocals/Trifocals (Multi-focals)

1 tinted pair of Bifocals/Trifocals if prescribed by your Optometrist/Ophthalmologist
If you choose not to request Bifocals/Trifocals, you can receive:

1 pair of Distance Vision and 1 pair of Near Vision spectacles

1 pair of Distance Vision tinted spectacles is authorized if prescribed by your
Optometrist/Ophthalmologist
If you are less than 50 miles from a military health clinic with optometry services, you should take your
prescription for spectacles to them so that they may measure you for proper fit. They will order your spectacles
from the appropriate facility and mail them to you.
The NAS Jax Hospital Optimology Clinic is on 2nd Deck and will fit you for FREE Eye glasses for off base
prescriptions from 1300 to 1500 on Wednesday and Fridays. Then they will mail the eye glasses to your home!
If you are more that 50 miles from a military health clinic with optometry services, you may follow these
instructions to order your glasses. Open the form DD771 found at
http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nostra/order/Documents/DD771_2010.pdf , and save it to your computer.
[this form is created to save the information you type into it]
1. Fill out the top section with your "name, "retiree", and "last 4", along with your shipping and contact
information. About halfway down the form, indicate which standard issue frame you desire. Make
sure to save the form with the information you added.
2. Print the partially completed form, and take this with you to your eye exam. Ensure that the
examining facility writes the prescription, and includes your pupillary distance (PD) on the form.
3. If your examining facility needs eyesize, bridge or temple information, they may find this at
http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nostra/order/Documents/Stnd%20Eyewear%20Choices%20%20Sizes.
pdf
4. If you currently have Standard Issue frames please provide the frame size and temple length. (found
inside the frame)
5. There must be a DD771 for each request for eyewear.
6. Send the following information to NOSTRA: One copy of the completed DD771 form,
o Your mailing address and a daytime phone number and email address if available
o Orders are subject to DEERS eligibility check
8. You may submit your order for eyewear by email, fax or standard mail.
o Email your order to: NOSTRA-CustomerService@med.navy.mil or
o Fax your order to: 757-887-4647. Make sure you write: "Retiree Order" on the fax.
Call NOSTRA Customer Service at 757-887-7611 / 7152 / 7299 / 7476 right after you send your
fax to insure they received it and that all the information is included to fabricate your orders.
o Standard Mail to: NOSTRA, 160 Main Road, Ste 350, Yorktown, VA 23691-9984
You may also call or email NOSTRA Customer Service Department if you have any problems or questions.
Customer Service hours are M-F, regular business days, from 0630 to 1700, Eastern Time. [Source:
http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nostra/order/Pages/Retiree.aspx Jan 2012 ++]
The Korean War Veterans Association will meet in the Branch Hall at 1300 hours on the 4th Tuesday of each
month. POC is Henry Moreland at (904) 384-2031.
Retiree checklist: What survivors should know
4
FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JULY & AUGUST 2013
10. Hold discussions with your next of kin about
Shift Colors periodically provides a checklist
for retirees and their family members. This
checklist is designed to provide retirees and
their loved ones with some help in preparing
for the future. The checklist is not all-inclusive
and should be used with other estate planning
tools.
1. Create a military file.
__ Retirement orders, __ DD 214,
__ Separation papers, __ Medical Records
2. Create a military retired pay file.
__ Claim number of any pending VA claims
__ Address of the VA office being used
__ List of current deductions from benefits
__ Name, relationship and address of beneficiary
of unpaid retired pay at the time of death
__ Address and phone number for DFAS:
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U S Military Retirement Pay
Post Office Box 7130
London, KY 40742 7130
(800) 321-1080 option #3 (for deceased
members)
your wishes for burial and funeral services. At a
minimum the discussion should include
cemetery location and type of burial (ground,
cremation or burial at sea). This knowledge may
assist your next of kin to carry out all of your
desires.
11. You could also pre-arrange your funeral
services via your local funeral home. Many states
will allow you to prepay for services.
12. Investigate the decisions that you and your
family have agreed upon. Many states have
specific laws and guidelines regulating
cremation and burials at sea. Some states
require a letter of authority signed by the
deceased in order to authorize a cremation.
Know the laws in your specific area and how
they may affect your decisions. Information
regarding Burials at Sea can be obtained by
phoning Navy Mortuary Affairs at (866) 7870081.
13. Once your decisions have been made and
3. Create an annuities file, to include:
you are comfortable with them, have a will
drawn up outlining specifics.
__ Information about the Survivor Benefit Plan
(SBP) (Additional information regarding SBP
annuity claims can be obtained from the DFASCleveland Center office at 1-800-321-1080.)
__ Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan
(RCSBP) __ Retired Serviceman’s Family
Protection Plan (RSFPP) __ Civil Service annuity
14. Ensure that your will and all other sensitive
documents are maintained in a secure location
known by your loved ones.
Organizations to be notified in the event of a
retiree death:
1. Defense Finance and Accounting Service,
London, KY (800) 321-1080
2. Social Security Administration (for death
benefits) (800) 772-1213
3. Department of Veterans Affairs (if
applicable) (800) 827-1000
4. Office of Personnel Management
(OPM) (724) 794-8690
5. Any fraternal group that you have
membership with: e.g., MOAA, FRA, NCOA,
VFW, AL, TREA
6. Any previous employers that provide
pension or benefits.
Feedback
Our office is always looking to improve on how
information is provided to the retired Navy
community. Please snd suggestions to
MILL_RetiredActivities@navy.mil or:
Department of the Navy OPNAV N135F
Retired Activities Branch 5720
Integrity Drive,
Millington, TN 38055-6220
4. Create a personal document file.
__Marriage Records; __ Divorce decree;
__ Adoptions and naturalization papers
5. Create an income tax file.
__ Copies of state and federal income tax returns
6. C r e a t e a p r o p e r t y t a x f i l e .
__Copies of tax bills
__ Deeds & any other related info.
7. Create an insurance policy file.
__ Life Insurance
__ Property, accident, liability insurance
__ Hospitalization/Medical Insurance
8. Maintain a listing of banking and credit
information, in a secure location.
__ Bank account numbers
__ Location of all deposit boxes
__ Savings bond information
__ Stocks, bonds and any securities owned
__ Credit card account numbers and mailing
addresses
This page was converted from PDF version of
Shift Colors - 2013 Edition - by the Branch 126
newsletter Editor.
8a. Maintain a membership listing of all
associations and organizations.
__ Organization names and phone numbers
__ Membership fee information
9. Maintain a list of all friends and business
associates. __ Include names, addresses and
phone numbers
5