FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JULY-AUGUST 2015
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 342-5032
TREASURER / EDITOR
WILLIAM T. KULIER
Phone 771-5237
Branch 126 Salutes our Branch Officers for 2015-2016
standing (L-R) Donald Rodely, Treasurer Bill Kulier,
President James J. Thomas, Clinton Attebery and Edward
Gribbin. Seated L-R are Jim Cates, Elmer Wine, Donald
Walsh, Vice President Jack Elrod and Al Peter.
BRANCH CHAPLAIN
Vacant
Phone 291-1575
MEMBERSHIP
EDWARD H. GRIBBIN
Phone 269-3845
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 2015 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.
JULY 2015
Wednesday
Saturday
Monday
Thursday
01 Jul
04 Jul
06 Jul
16 Jul
1930
0800
1930
2000
Branch Board of Directors meeting
Muster for Parade. (PAGE 2)
West Jax Inc Board meeting
Branch meeting
AUGUST 2015
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
03 Aug
04 Aug
05 Aug
20 Aug
1930
1930
2000
West Jax Inc BOD
Happy Birthday US Coast Guard (1790)
Branch Board of Directors meeting
Branch Meeting
SEPTEMBER 2015
Wednesday
Monday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
02 Sept 1930
07 Sept 1930
10-13 Aug
15 Sept 1400
17 Sept 2000
Branch Board of Directors meeting
West Jax Inc BOD (Labor Day)
FRA Southeast Region Convention (page 2)
Branch Birthday Dinner (page 2)
Branch Meeting
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.
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JULY-AUGUST 2015
THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER
JAMES J. THOMAS …….…291-1575
aquaspaceventure@aol.com
BRANCH ACTIVITIES
AL Roby …………………264-6270
James J. Thomas …………... 291-1575
1. Hello Fellow Shipmates, we have had a busy
couple of weeks with some changes to ceremonies
beginning with our annual Memorial Day
observance held at Memory Gardens Cemetery on
the 24th of May followed by the Installation on 6
June.
Independence Day Parade – 4 July 2015
The Shipmates and Ladies of Branch & Unit 126 will
participate in the Independence Parade. Please
muster in the 1st Baptist parking lot in Middleburg,
Fl at 0800 to help decorate the trailer and to avoid
road closings for the Parade.
Wear your Branch Shirt, Ball Cap or whatever and
bring the family, children and grand children as we
will have plenty of room on the Trailer. This parade
starts early to avoid the Heat of the day and is well
attended by paraders and spectators!
Branch 126 had great coverage in the Time Union
newspaper again this year with regard to our
Memorial Day ceremony. The Installation of
Officers on 6 June ceremony went off without any
faux pas and we moved to the Olive Garden for
lunch. Everyone really enjoyed our lunch at the
Olive Garden and all agreed that we should continue
this tradition. 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.
Branch 66th Birthday – 15 September 2015
– Wow! Branch 126 will be
celebrating its 66th Anniversary
with a dinner at Golden Corral on
Blanding Blvd in Orange Park,
Florida from from 1400 – 1600 (2 to
4 pm), Tuesday, 15 September
2015.
The dinner is FREE for all Branch
126 members, Unit 126 members
and their significant other or driver. We hope to
see you there!
2. Special Note: Remember this newsletter
covers both July and August.
3. Shipmates, please keep your membership up by
paying your dues. There are many choices on how
you can pay your dues from yearly up to Life
membership. If you are having financial problems
and money is tight please contact me or have your
family contact me so we can see how we might be
able to assist you in keeping up membership.
For you more mature Shipmates, once you have
reached the young age of 85 and have 40 years
continuous membership you will not have to pay
dues.
70th FRA, SOUTHEAST REGIONAL
CONVENTION September 10-13, 2015
HOSTED BY FRA LOW COUNTRY BRANCH 269 at
GOOSE CREEK, SC
Where: Double Tree by Hilton. 7401 Northwoods Blvd. North
Charleston, SC
4. For the widows of our past Shipmates we will
continue to provide you with our Branch newsletter
and we are happy to do so. Please remember to let
us know when you have a change of address.
However, for you to continue to receive the FRA
Today magazine you need to pay FRA Headquarters
a yearly fee of $7. If your Shipmate husband was a
Life member then you will not be charged as it is free
to you.
However, if your husband wasn’t a Life member
the FRA will bill you once you have notified them of
your desire to continue receiving the magazine.
Room Rate: $99.00 plus 13.5% room tax plus $1.00 occupancy
tax per room per night.. (2 double beds/two room suite for
$109.00). Reservations must be made by August 10, 2015 to
receive preferred group rate. Group rates are available for those
arriving three days early or staying three days past the group
dates.
Reservations: Reservations can be made by calling 1-843-5186200. Specify that you are making a GROUP
RESERVATION under the name of “Fleet Reserve
Southeast Regional Convention”. Reservations can also be
made on line at our personalized FRA SER Convention 2015
website:
http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personaliz
ed/C/CHSNCDT-FRA-20150908/index.jhtml
5. If you have any questions with regard to FRA
stuff, my telephone number is on the front page of
the newsletter and if you are into
computers my email address is
aquaspaceventure@aol.com.
If I don’t have an answer I will try
and find one for you.
Rates include: FREE hot buffet breakfast, FREE parking. All
rooms have a refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot, iron &
ironing board, and hair dryer.
Meals available: Dinner is offered at the Double Tree each day.
There are a number of eateries within walking distance or a
short drive.
To All Shipmates - Loyalty, Protection and Service.
J. J. Thomas
Check-in/Check-out: Check-in time is at 3:00PM and checkout time is at 11:00AM.
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JULY-AUGUST 2015
The Medical Equipment locker: We have
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission offers
the Military Gold Sportsman's License to
active duty and retired members of the
United States Armed Forces, the armed
forces Reserve, the Florida National Guard and
Coast Guard members stationed in Florida or
claim Florida as their primary residence.
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 the m 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 Military Gold Sportsman's Licenses are only
available at tax collectors' offices. You must
show your military ID card to the clerk.
Therefore the license is not available online, by
phone or at other license agents.
The reduced-fee $20 annual license offers the
same privileges as the traditional $100 Gold
Sportsman's License. It includes the Hunting,
Saltwater Fishing and Freshwater Fishing
licenses; and the Deer, Wildlife Management
Area, Archery, Muzzle loading Gun, Crossbow,
Turkey, Florida Waterfowl, Snook and Lobster
permits.
The Ship’s Store
Al Peter ……………. (904) 777-0781
Branch 126 Apparel
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)
All active military personnel must show military
orders stating that they are stationed in Florida
are eligible. Florida residents who are active
military personnel (stationed anywhere) and can
show a current military identification card and a
Florida Driver’s License are eligible.
FLAG SALES
Al Peter …………..……. (904) 777-0781
Bill Kulier………………(904) 771-5237
NOTE: Florida residents who can show military
orders stating that they are not stationed in Florida
and home on leave for 30 days or less do not need
a hunting, freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing
license or a *Florida waterfowl, deer, turkey,
snook, spiny lobster, archery season, crossbow
season, muzzle-loading season, or management
area permit. Military/Disabled Veteran Events
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.
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all Americans
including all military members (active duty, retired,
Selected Reserve, or Retired Reserve) and their eligible
family members must have health care coverage that
meets a minimum standard called minimum essential
coverage or pay a fee. Your TRICARE coverage meets the
minimum essential coverage requirement under the ACA.
Beginning in January 2016, DFAS will provide IRS Form
1095-C to all U.S. military members, and IRS Form 1095-B
to all Retirees, annuitants, former spouses and all other
individuals having TRICARE coverage during all or any
portion of tax year 2015.
The forms will be required to be reported with your
2015 federal tax return. DFAS will provide you with IRS
Form 1095 series forms no later than Jan. 31, 2016. More
information will be forthcoming about the delivery
method of these forms.
MEMBERSHIP
Edward Gribbin …….…….269-3845
Branch 126 Membership
Membership on 31 Mar 2015 is 386
New Members………………………...0
Reinstated Members……………….….0
Transferred Members……………….....2
Terminated Members………………….2
Deceased Members…………………....0
Non payment of dues………………….0
Members Past due…………………......3
Shipmates due to renew membership....17
1. Johnny
2. meat
3. Mt. Everest
4. Incorrectly
5. 2nd place
6. Neither – The yolk is yellow!
7. one big stack
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JULY-AUGUST 2015
Retiree checklist: What survivors should know
9. Maintain a list of all friends and business
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)
associates. __ Include names, addresses and
phone numbers
10. Hold discussions with your next of kin about
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) 787-0081.
3. Create an annuities file, to include:
__ 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
13. Once your decisions have been made and
you are comfortable with them, have a will
drawn up outlining specifics.
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
4
FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR JULY-AUGUST 2015
Fleet Reserve Association Membership Application Membership Form for
Active duty, reserve, retired enlisted members of the USN, USCG, USMC and
Honorably discharged former enlisted members of these sea services.
Non-sea service personnel of the U.S. Armed Forces with prior enlisted sea service; Commissioned
officers with at least one day of enlisted sea service;
Annual membership is $30; discounts are available for longer term memberships.
Simply print and complete this form, enclose payment and return to:
FRA Branch 126, 7673 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32244-5111
Applicants Name ____________________________________________________________
Date of Birth __________________
Rank/Rate
_______________
Email Address _____________________________
SSN (optional) xxx-xx ________
Spouses Name ________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip _____________________________Telephone # (____) _____ - ______
Service: USN____ USMC____ USCG ____Status: Active____ Reserve ___Retired ____ Veteran _____
Membership Preference: FRA BRANCH 126
Previous or current FRA member (FRA Membership # ______________________)
Dues: 1 Yr. $30 ____2 Yrs. $57.50 ____3 Yrs. $85.50 ____5 Yrs. $135.00 _____
New FRA members
(Special Introductory Price) 2 years for $48 ________
Payment options: Check enclosed (pay to FRA) _____
Master Card _____ VISA _____ Discover ______ American Express ______
Card Number ________________________________ Expiration Date ___________
Signature ______________________________________
Date ________________
Recruited By:_____________________ Member#_________________ Branch _________
1. HB 27 & SB 1398 -- Authorizes the word "Veteran" to be exhibited on the Florida driver license or
identification card of a veteran. Replaces the "V" for Veteran option currently available. Authorizes the
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to accept a military personnel identification card as proof of
a Social Security number when applying for a Florida driver's license or identification card. (Signed into law by
Governor Scott on 6/2/15. Effective July 1, 2015.)
1. Johnny's mother had three children. The first child was named April. The second child was named
May. ...What was the third child's name?
2. There is a clerk at the butcher shop, he is five feet ten inches tall and he wears size 13 sneakers
....What does he weigh?
3. Before Mt. Everest was discovered,….what was the highest mountain in the world?
4. What word in the English language is always spelled incorrectly? Answers on page 3
5. If you were running a race, and you passed the person in 2nd place, what place would you be in
now?
6. Which is correct to say, "The yolk of the egg are white" or "The yolk of the egg is white"?
7. If a farmer has 5 haystacks in one field and 4 haystacks in the other field, how many haystacks
would he have if he combined them all in another field?
You can't breathe through your nose when your tongue is out.
Put your tongue back in your mouth……… I couldn’t do it either!
5