FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR DECEMER 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
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
DECEMBER 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.
Monday
Wednesday
Friday
Thursday
Sunday
Thursday
Tuesday
02 Dec 1930
04 Dec 1930
07 Dec
12 Dec 1200
15 Dec 1400
19 Dec 2000
25 Dec
West Jax Inc Board of Directors meeting
Branch Board of Directors meeting
Pearl Harbor Remberance Day
Unit Chritmas Party for All Hands (page 3)
Family Christmas “Covered Dish” Dinner (page3)
Branch Meeting
Merry Christmas
We participated in the 2013 Veteran’s Day Parade in downtown Jacksonville, FL. Holding the banner (L-R)
are Shipmates Ed Gribbin and Dave Burris. Seated behind the banner are Shipmate Al Roby, Shirley
Attebery, Flo Kulier and Shipmate Martha Klinikowski. Standing are Shipmates Don Rodely, Bill Kulier,
President James Thomas, Dave Pippin, Unit President Veralyn Thomas, Don Walsh, Al Peter and Clinton
Attebery.
JANUARY 2014
Wednesday
Wednesday
Monday
Monday
Tuesday
Thursday
01
01
06
13
14
16
Jan
Jan
Jan
Jan
Jan
Jan
1930
1930
0900
0900
2000
Happy New Year!
Branch Board of Directors meeting
West Jax Inc Board of Directors meeting
AARP Driver Safety course Day 1 (page 3)
AARP Driver Safety course Day 2 (page 3)
Branch meeting
Merry Christmas from your news letter crew! Bill & Flo Kulier, JJ & Vera Thomas, Al
Peter, Ed Gribbin, Al Roby, Johnny Johnson, Jack Elrod and Bruce McKinney.
FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR DECEMBER 2013
THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER
James J. Thomas (904) 291-1575
aquaspaceventure@aol.com
The Editor’s Corner
William “ Bill” Kulier (904) 771-5237
Bkulier@comcast.net
1. Merry Christmas Shipmates and Ladies. It’s been
a busy year and I am
pleased to see it come
to an end. It is with all
my hope that 2014 will
be a good year and
everyone
maintains
their health and well
being.
1. We had a great turnout of Shipmates and Ladies
for the Veteran’s Parade in downtown Jacksonville
on 11 November 2013. Five walked with the
Banner, 1 drove and the rest of us rode on the
trailer.
We thank Branch and Unit Presidents JJ &
Veralyn Thomas for loading the trailer and
equipmment for the parade and towing the trailer
in the Parade. Everything went smoothly because
of their efforts and we appreciate them..
We also commend Shipmate Donald Walsh for
the Digital Boom Box that played military music
during the parade. It made the day more
enjoyable for those of us on the trailer and the
thousands of spectators who listened to the music
as we passed them.
2. Branch 126 is usually invited to attend a dinner
and ceremony honoring veterans from all services
hosted by the Fleming Island High School
NJROTC unit, however due to unforeseen
circumstances the dinner had to be cancelled. We
hope that next year the ceremony can be held.
2. The Holiday Season is now upon us and I wish
everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year. This is a very happy season for many and a
sad season for others who have lost loved one
duning past holidays.
Unfortunately, this is also a prosperous season
for online crooks and shopping Mall robbers who
prey on us during the Holiday Season. Be careful
and if something sounds too good to be true, it
probably is! Don’t get suckered!
Please read and head the following IRS warning
and also read the “Senior Citizen Fraud” article on
page 5.
3. Attention Widows: If your deceased spouse
was a life member of the FRA, you can receive the
FRA magazine “FRA Today” free of charge.
If your spouse was not a life member of the FRA
then you can get a subscription for $7 a year by
contacting the FRA at 800-FRA-1924.
This magazine has great information that is very
important to us all (Shipmate and/or spouse).
2. The IRS is warning the public about a phone
scam that targets people across the nation. Callers
claiming to be from the IRS tell intended victims
they owe taxes and must pay using a pre-paid
debit card or wire transfer. The scammers threaten
those who refuse to pay with arrest, deportation
or loss of a business or driver's license.
The callers often use common names, fake IRS
badge numbers and Know the last four digits of the
victim's Social Security number. They also make
the caller ID appear as if the IRS is calling and/or
Send bogus IRS emails to support their scam.
Sometimes they call a 2nd time claiming to be
the police or DMV, and the caller ID again supports
their claim. The truth is the IRS contacts people by
mail - not by phone - about unpaid taxes. And the
IRS won't ask for payment using a pre-paid debit
card or wire transfer. The agency also won't ask for
a credit card number over the phone.
If you get a call from someone claiming to be
with the IRS asking for a payment, here's what to
do: "
If you owe federal taxes, or think you might owe
taxes, hang up and call the IRS at 800-829-1040.
IRS workers can help you with your payment
questions.
If you don't owe taxes, call and report the
incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax
Administration at 800-366-4484. Be alert for
phone and email scams that use the IRS name.
The IRS will never request personal or financial
information by email, texting or any social media.
You
should
forward
scam
emails
to
phishing@irs.gov. Don't open any attachments or
click on any links in those emails. Read more about
tax scams on the genuine IRS website, IRS.gov.
Bill Kulier
4. Our Family Christmas Dinner will be on 15
December starting at 1400. This is a cover dish
event with Santa Claus being in attendance after we
have some great turkey and ham plus all the other
fixings for a Christmas dinner. Hope to see all the
local members there. (see page 3)
5. Shipmates, the Branch did very well at National
in the judging of our inputs in our membership
category (which is Group II). 1st place in Youth
Activities, 3rd place in Public Relations and
1st place in Hospital/Welfare and Rehabilitation.
Congratulations to all Branch 126 members.
6. We had a VIP guest at our Branch General
Membership meeting on 21 November - the
newly elected Regional President, Fred Hill of
Branch 290. President Hill said some kind words
about the Branch and the Shipmates and thanked us
for our support to him and region in the coming
year.
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
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR DECEMBER 2013
BRANCH ACTIVITIES
The Ship’s Store
Al Peter ……………. (904) 777-0781
AL Roby …………………264-6270
James J. Thomas …………... 291-1575
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
1. THURSDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2013
The Ladies of Unit 126 have invited the
Shipmates of Branch 126 to attend the
Ladies monthly meeting commencing at 1130
with food to follow 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 West Jax Fleet Reserve Hall Inc
President’s Corner
Al Roby ………………………264-6270
1. Nominations for the West Jax Fleet
Reserve Hall Inc Board of Directors were
held during the Branch meeting of 21 Nov
and remain open until elections are held at
the Branch meeting of 19 Dec 2013.
Contact David Pippin at (904) 272-2964 if
you can donate a few hours a month helping
to maintain the Branch Home and grounds.
SUNDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2013
2. 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 $14.00 or less.
See Deborah Winn when you get to the
Branch and she 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.
2. 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.
3. The Shipmates of Branch 126 Salute Al Roby,
Jack Elrod, Dave Pippin, JJ Thomas and
Veralyn Thomas for their efforts at the Hall on
Monday, 18 Nov. 2013.
They disassembled the Bar and moved a very
large drink cooler and a non-working ice
machine onto a trailer for delivery to a salvage
place. Then they put the new cooler in place and
reassembled the Bar.
3. AARP Driver Safety Program Course
This is a two day class Monday, January 13th and
Tuesday, January 14th from 9 am to 1 pm. You
have to attend both days to get credit and a
certificate.
The course cost is $20
per person or $15 If you
are an AARP member
and have your AARP
membership card with
you on the first day.
The sign up sheet is on the Bulletin Board in the
Hall. Sign up early as this list will fill up fast.
We thank Shipmate Ralph F. of Clermont, Fl
for his generous donation to our Holiday Food
Basket Fund.
We appreciate your support!
4. The FRA Southeast Mid-Year convention will be
held in mid Feb 2014 in Goose Creek, SC at a date
and hotel location to be announced.
3
FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR DECEMBER 2013
MEMBERSHIP
Edward Gribbin …….…….269-3845
IN MEMORY OF OUR
DEPARTED SHIPMATES
Branch 126 Membership
Membership on 31 Oct 2013 is 435
New Members………………………...0
Reinstated Members……………….….3
Transferred Members………………....0
Terminated Members………………….4
Deceased Members…………………2
Non payment of dues……………… 2
Members Past due…………………......6
Shipmates due to renew membership.....6
Shipmate MS1 Cesar V. Rivera, USN,
retired, age 68, an FRA member since 1985,
reported to the Staff of the Supreme
Commander on 19 Oct 2013.
Petty Officer Rivera retired from
the Navy with 20 years of service.
He retired again 21 years later from
St Vincents Hospital where he
worked as a Registered Nurse.
Shipmate Rivera was preceded in death by a son, 3
brothers and a great granddaughter. He is survived
by his wife, Therese “Tari” Burns Rivera; 7
children, 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, 6
brothers and a sister.
Petty Officer Rivera was laid to rest in the
Jacksonville Florida National Cemetery.
Reinstated Shipmates:
1. Anthony J. Anellano,
2. William Welp, Jr.
Transferred in:
1. Mark Rakestraw
Shipmate MSC George H. Bailey, USN,
Deceased:
1. AOC Charles J. Boehn, USN, Retired
2. MS1 Cesar Rivera, USN, Retired
retired, age 77, an FRA member since 1989,
reported to the Staff of the Supreme
Commander on 10 November 2013.
He served in the United States
Navy during the Korean War and
the Vietnam War, retiring after 24
years of decorated service and
retired a 2nd time following 20 years
as an automobile salesman..
Shipmate Bailey is survived by his loving wife of
33 years, Linda M. Bailey; 2 daughters, a son, 2
step-daughters, a step-son, a sister, 3 grandchildren,
6 step-grandchildren and a step-great-grandson.
Chief Petty Officer Bailey was laid to rest with
Full Military Honors in Jacksonville Memory
Gardens in Orange Park, Florida.
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.
The 2014 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for
military retired pay, SBP annuities, Social Security
checks, and VA disability and survivor benefits will
be 1.5%, effective December 1, 2013.
It will first appear in the January checks, which
will be paid on December 31. For the month, the
CPI increased to 230.537.
The COLA baseline for next year is 230.327. The
1.5% 2014 COLA will be the fourth-lowest COLA
since the turn of the century - trailing only the
zero-COLA years of 2009-10 and the 1.4% of 2002.
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
1. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah,
Happy
Kwanzaa, Happy Holiday and
Happy New Year from your Branch Board
of Directors:
James J. Thomas Jack Elrod Donald Walsh
Bill Kulier Bud Attebery
Jeremiah Fitzgerald
Edward Gribbin
Al Kehne Al Peter Dave Pippin
Al Roby
Donald Rodely
Elmer Wine
A Flag is an excellent Christmas gift
that is always appropriate.
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR DECEMBER 2013
Legislative Affairs ………………………………………………………….……………Donald Rodely
Fraud Target: Senior Citizens ►
Reasons
Senior Citizens especially should be aware of fraud schemes for the following reasons:

Senior citizens are most likely to have a “nest egg,” to own their home, and/or to have
excellent credit—all of which make them attractive to con artists.

People who grew up in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s were generally raised to be polite and
trusting. Con artists exploit these traits, knowing that it is difficult or impossible for
these individuals to say “no” or just hang up the telephone.

Older Americans are less likely to report a fraud because they don’t know who to report
it to, are too ashamed at having been scammed, or don’t know they have been scammed.
Elderly victims may not report crimes, for example, because they are concerned that
relatives may think the victims no longer have the mental capacity to take care of their
own financial affairs.

When an elderly victim does report the crime, they often make poor witnesses. Con
artists know the effects of age on memory, and they are counting on elderly victims not
being able to supply enough detailed information to investigators. In addition, the victims’
realization that they have been swindled may take weeks—or more likely, months—after
contact with the fraudster. This extended time frame makes it even more difficult to
remember details from the events.

Senior citizens are more interested in and susceptible to products promising increased
cognitive function, virility, physical conditioning, anti-cancer properties, and so on. In a
country where new cures and vaccinations for old diseases have given every American
hope for a long and fruitful life, it is not so unbelievable that the con artists’ products
can do what they claim.
For a list of common frauds targeting seniors and tips on how to protect yourself and your family refer to
the FBI’s website http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud/seniors. [Source: TFL Healthy Ageing
Your Way 3 Sep 2013 ++]
Donald Rodely
Up-to-date records ensure proper payments - If you've had a recent life event such as a change in
marital status, the addition of a child, or the death of a loved one, then now is a good time to review your
beneficiary designations for Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) and Veteran's Affairs (VA)
insurance policies starting with V, RS, RH or J. It's the best way to ensure your life insurance benefit is
paid to whom you want.
Not keeping beneficiaries up to date may result in your benefits going to a former spouse, your deceased
parent's estate, your estate, or even no one. It could also result in payment delays at a time when your
loved one needs the money. For example, if the listed beneficiaries are children from a first marriage,
children from a current marriage might contest the claim if they believe they have more recent documents
showing they should be the beneficiaries. No one could be paid until it is determined who is legally entitled to
the money.
Even if you haven't had a recent life event, it's a good idea to review your beneficiaries at least once a year.
So mark it on your calendar as an annual event. And remember, you have the legal right to name any
beneficiary you want and change your beneficiary at any time. You can access all Change of Beneficiary forms
at http://goo.gl/8lhlB. If you have a VA insurance policies starting with V, RS, RH or J, K or W, download Form
29-336. If you have VGLI coverage, download Form SGLV 8721 or log into your VGLI online account at
www.benefits.va.gov/ insurance. (copied from Shift Colors)
5