FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR MARCH 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 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
MARCH 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.
MARCH 2015
Monday
02 Mar 1930
West Jax Inc Board of Directors meeting
Wednesday
04 Mar 1930
Branch Board of Directors meeting
Saturday
14 Mar 1600
St Patrick’s Dinner (page 2)
Thursday
20 Mar 1930
Americanism Awards & Branch meeting
Tuesday
24 Mar 0700 – 1900 Election day
Saturday
28 Mar 0900
Retiree Seminar at NAS JAX at Deweys Club – across from the VP
Hangers – follow the signs
APRIL 2015
Wednesday
01 Apr 1930
Branch Board of Directors meeting
Sunday
05 Apr
Happy Easter.
Monday
06 Apr 1930
West Jax Inc Board of Directors meeting
Saturday
18 Apr
Flag Retirement Ceremony
Saturday
18 Apr
Steak Burn
Branch Flag Retirement Ceremony will take place at 1630 on Saturday, 18 April 2015 to be followed by a
Corporation sponsored Steak Burn at 1700. You bring your steak, hamburger, or chicken and use our grills.
The Corporation provides everything else. Open to FRA Branch /Unit 126 members and theit invited guests
The Vietnam Veterans of American Chapters 1046, 1059, 1084 are hosting a town hall
meeting on March 27, 2015; starting at 6:30pm; at 7235 Bonneval Road, Jacksonville, Florida.
The purpose of the meeting is to bring awareness of the health problems associated with
exposure to Agent Orange. This forum will be conducted by professional speakers from
VVA National Headquarters.
Veteran Service Officers will also be on site to assist with the filing of claims. These three
chapters cover Duval, Clay, and St Johns counties. No reservations are needed, just show up!
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 MARCH 2015
5. The Branch news letter is available to Branch 126
Shipmates and their widows/widowers either by
snail mail or email as desired. TheEmail edition
comes ten days earlier and in color. Contact me if
you want to get on the email listing. Bill Kulier
THE Editor’s CORNER
Bill Kulier ………………….….…771-5237
Bkulier@comcast.net
1. WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service
wrapped up the 2015 "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams
today with a warning to taxpayers about aggressive
telephone scams continuing coast-to-coast during
the early weeks of this year's filing season.
BRANCH ACTIVITIES
AL Roby …………………264-6270
James J. Thomas …………... 291-1575
The aggressive, threatening phone calls from scam
artists continue to be seen on a daily basis in states
across the nation. The IRS urged taxpayers not give
out money or personal financial information as a
result of these phone calls or from emails claiming
to be from the IRS.
1. Saturday, 14 March 2015
St. Patrick’s Dinner – Come and enjoy a
traditional St. Patrick’s Day Dinner. The menu
is corned beef, spuds cabbage,
carrots, salad and a desert
prepared by
Shipmate Al
Roby, Veralyn Thomas and the
leprechauns.
Phone scams and email phishing schemes are
among the "Dirty Dozen" tax scams the IRS
highlighted, for the first time, on 12 straight
business days from Jan. 22 to Feb. 6. The IRS has also
set up a special section on IRS.gov highlighting these
12 schemes for taxpayers.
Dinner starts at 1600 on an
“all you care to eat” basis.
Tickets will be available at the
door for a donation of $5.00 per person.
This is a “Closed Function” for Branch and
Unit 126 members, their significant others,
and their invited guests!
"We are doing everything we can to help taxpayers
avoid scams as the tax season continues," said IRS
Commissioner John Koskinen. "Whether it's a phone
scam or scheme to steal a taxpayer's identity, there
are simple steps to take to help stop these con
artists. We urge taxpayers to visit IRS.gov for more
information and to be wary of these dozen tax
scams."
VA Prescription Tracker ► 24/7 Online Access
to Status - Veterans can now track the status of
most of their prescriptions online. The new 24/7
service allows online tracking for most prescriptions
mailed from the VA Mail Order Pharmacy
(https://www.myhealth.va.gov/index.html).
More than 57,000 Veterans are currently using
the service through My HealtheVet , an online
feature that allows Veterans to partner with their
health care team. The number is expected to grow
as VA starts to educate Veterans about the new
feature. Later this month, the tracking feature will
include images of the medication that dispensed.
Over the next year, a secure messaging alert will be
added so that Veterans know when a medication
was placed in the mail. “VA prescription refill online
is an excellent example of how one employee
looked at the process of VA prescription tracking
through the eyes of our Veterans and came up with
an idea that better serves Veterans,” said Interim
Under Secretary for Health, Carolyn M. Clancy.
“This idea is both innovative and transformative,
and it is certainly one, when put into action,
improves customer service for America’s
Veterans.” [Source: VA News Release | Feb. 04,
2015 ++]
Illegal scams can lead to significant penalties and
interest for taxpayers, as well as possible criminal
prosecution. IRS Criminal Investigation works
closely with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to
shutdown scams and prosecute the criminals
behind them.
Taxpayers should remember that they are legally
responsible for what is on their tax returns even if it
is prepared by someone else. Make sure the
preparer you hire is up to the task.
2. Do It Yourself income tax returns are best done
online as the information flows from your computer
directly to the IRS compter. You can do them at Free
File: Do Your Federal Taxes for Free
www.irs.gov/uac/Free-File:-Do-Your-Federal-Taxesfor-Free.
Free File does the hard work for you,
either through brand-name software or online
fillable forms. Give it a try! ...
3. Those who like to do their returns on paper can
find Income Tax Forms and instructions online at
WWW. IRS. GOV.
4. You can view current and past Branch news
letters at: www.westjaxfrabranch126.org. There
you will also find photos of past Branch events and
links to other useful sites.
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR MARCH 2015
LAFRA Unit 126 celebrated their 60th Birthday with a catered dinner at the Branch Home on 12
February 2015. This was a very nice event with an impressive slide show of the Units history
presented by Unit President Veralyn Thomas.
Pictured are Unit 126's youngest
member Bridget Winn, oldest
member Frances Ray and Unit
President Veralyn Thomas.
This event was well attended by
former and current National &
Regional Officers of the LAFRA &
FRA along with the Shipmates and
Ladies of Branch and Unit 126.
Birdies for the Brave
- Active, reserve, veteran and retired service members and their families are eligible for free or
discounted tickets at some of the nation's top golf tournaments this year, including this years AT&T Pebble Beach National ProAm in Monterey, California, and The Players Championship in Florida in May. Birdies for the Brave, the PGA Tour-supported
military outreach charity provides the tickets in conjunction with sponsor Quicken Loans. Ticket offers vary by tournament
and type of service, ranging from free entry for a service member and multiple dependents to discounted admission for a single
military veteran. Get a rundown of the offers at https://birdiesforthebrave.sheerid.com.
Nationwide Scam Affecting TRICARE Beneficiaries
Courtesy TRICARE
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.
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR MARCH 2015
Small Increase to TRICARE
Pharmacy Copays
FLAG SALES
Al Peter …………..……. (904) 777-0781
Bill Kulier………………(904) 771-5237
New copayments for prescription drugs covered
by TRICARE will go into effect February 1,
2015. The Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense
Authorization Act (NDAA) requires TRICARE to
increase most pharmacy copays by $3. Drugs
from military pharmacies and generic drugs
from TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery still
cost beneficiaries $0.
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.
TRICARE pharmacy copays vary based on the
class of drug and where beneficiaries choose to
fill their prescriptions.
Home Delivery copays for formulary brand
name drugs are going from $13 to $16, and for
non-formulary from $43 to $46. You can get up
to a 90-day supply of drugs through Home
Delivery.
At the retail pharmacy network, copays for
generic formulary drugs go from $5 to $8, brand
name formulary go from $17 to $20 and nonformulary from $44 to $47. You can get up to a
30-day supply of drugs at retail pharmacies.
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.
Some pharmacy copays are not changing in
2015. Military pharmacies remain the lowest
cost option for beneficiaries, with no cost for
drugs, and generic formulary medications at
Home Delivery remain $0.
Home Delivery is a low cost, safe and
convenient way for TRICARE beneficiaries to
get their maintenance medications. Copays at
non-network retail pharmacies will also change,
based on the changes to retail copays. For more
details, visit the TRICARE pharmacy costs
page.
IN MEMORY OF OUR
DEPARTED SHIPMATES
These changes in the NDAA overrule previous
rules passed by Congress in 2013 that
connected TRICARE pharmacy copays to the
retiree cost of living adjustment (COLA).
Shipmate PT1 Charles V. Burgess, USN,
retired, age 89, reported to the Staff of the
Supreme Commander on 3
September 2014.
He joined the Navy in 1943
and retired in 1963 as a
Photo Intelligence Specialist.
Shipmate Burgess was
preceded in death by his
brother Jim and sister
Virginia. He is survived by his wife of 42 years,
Bernice: a son, 2 sisters, 3 step-children, 5 step
grand children and 7 step great grand-children.
Petty Officer Burgess was laid to rest in Riverside
Memorial Park in Jacksonville, Florida.
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FRA BRANCH 126 NEWS FOR MARCH 2015
Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers - The Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $53,000 or less,
persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance
in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return
preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.
In addition to VITA, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help
for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions
about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. The IRS-certified volunteers who
provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that
receive grants from the IRS.
Before going to a VITA or TCE site, see Publication 3676-B for services provided and check
out the What to Bring page to ensure you have all the required documents and information our
volunteers will need to help you. *Note: available services can vary at each site due to the
availability of volunteers certified with the tax law expertise required for your return.
Find a VITA or TCE Site Near You - VITA and TCE sites are generally located at
community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other convenient
locations across the country. To locate the nearest VITA or TCE site near you, use the VITA
Locator Tool (see editors note) or call 800-906-9887 to find a VITA or TCE site near you.
At select tax sites, taxpayers also have an option to prepare their own basic federal and state
tax return for free using Web-based tax preparation software with an IRS-certified volunteer to
help guide you through the process. This option is only available at locations that list “SelfPrep” in the site listing.
Find an AARP TCE Tax-Aide Site Near You - A majority of the TCE sites are operated by
the AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide program. To locate the nearest AARP TCE Tax-Aide site
between January and April use the AARP Site Locator Tool (see Editors note) or call 888-2277669.
Editors Note: I copied this from www.irs.gov, Hot Topics, “Free Tax Return Preparation for
Qualifying Taxpayers”. There you will find “button Links” to the various sites.
Air Evacs Are Covered When Medically Necessary and Only to the Nearest, Safest Place
Following retirement from active service, many retirees and retiree family members decide
to travel or live overseas. If they do, it is important they understand that if they need air
ambulance services (aeromedical evacuation or “air evac”), TRICARE only pays if the transport
is medically necessary and to the closest, safest location for medical care.
Retirees overseas have to pay for the service upfront and then file a claim for
reimbursement. TRICARE won’t cover the cost for non-medically necessary air evacuation and
won’t move a patient to a location of their choosing. TRICARE won’t pay to move a retiree or
retiree family member from overseas back to the U.S., unless the medically necessary care is
not available in their current location or the U.S is the closest location that can provide the
necessary care.
If retirees want to return to the U.S. from overseas for personal reasons (e.g., to be closer to
family), they pay the air ambulance company and TRICARE won’t reimburse them. Air
ambulance service can be very expensive. If you are planning to live or travel overseas, you may
wish to consider other options for coverage of air transport for circumstances not covered by
TRICARE.
Active-duty family members (ADFMs) using TRICARE Standard should also consider health
care costs before opting for air evacuation. ADFMs using TRICARE Standard may have to pay up
front for the air evacuation; the evacuation must be medically necessary; and must be to the
nearest facility capable of providing the needed care in order for TRICARE to cost-share on the
aeromedical evacuation.
For more information about receiving care overseas, visit the TRICARE Overseas Program
page on the web.
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