FRA BRANCH 126 FLEET RESERVE HALL INC

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---$22.00

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 ---special order --- $125.00

We now have the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard 3x5 Flags in stock for $22.00

The West Jax Fleet Reserve Hall Inc

President’s Corner

Al Roby ………………………264-6270

Vice President: David Pippin (904) 272-2964

Secretary: James J. Thomas (904) 291-1575

Treasurer: Clinton Attebery – (904) 384-3871
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.

Al Roby

Editors Note: I have placed a few LifeTime Membership request forms with fees on the Bulletin Bord in the Hall. I can also email this to you or put an application in the mail.

Bill Kulier
Shipmates, remember that we have a General Election coming up in November. This is your chance to make your voice heard and get your opinion known to those in office. Also, remember you can vote early.

Jacksonville area voters are urged to request an Absentee Ballot as they will be voting a 4 page Ballot in November.
Branch 126 Membership Report

Edward Gribbin …….…….269-3845
Membership on 31 July 2012…………… 481

New Members………………………....0

Reinstated Members…………………..1

Transferred Members……………….....1

Terminated Members………………….9

Deceased Members……....5

Non payment of dues…….0

Members Past due…… .....4

Shipmates due to renew membership....11
New/Reinstated Shipmates:

1. ETCS Carl G. Williams Jr., USN, Retired
Transferred Out:

1. AC1 Richard C. Denver, USN, Retired
Deceased Shipmates:

1. 
   ADJ1 John Gertha Jr., USN, Retired
   

2. LCDR William W. Locher, USN, Retired

3. LT Larry McKay, USN, Retired

4. ENC Paul Usiak, USCG, Retired

5. SKC Dragatine Mamich, USN, Retired

Ed Gribbin

THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER

JAMES J. THOMAS …….…291-1575 aquaspaceventure@aol.com

1. Welcome Aboard to our new Branch 126 Shipmates: Shipmate Larry Mills of Fleming Island, FL who transferred in from MAL. New Shipmate LCDR Christine A. Sierra of St Johns, FL
2. A few of us attended the SE Regional Convention in Charleston, SC this past weekend (24-25 August). Pictured L-R seated are Flo & Bill Kulier, Clinton “Bud” & Shirley Attebery and Frederick “Pete” Petersen. Standing are David Pippin with Branch and Unit Presidents James “JJ” & Veralyn Thomas. In attendance, but not in the photo were Shipmates E W Sawley and PRPSE Robert French.



3. There wasn't much business to take care of but we did change the standing rule on financial awards to be give for the Regional winners of the Americanism Essay Contest to be cash awards vice savings bonds. Savings bonds are to hard to set up.

The results of the elections for the Southeast Region Officers is as follows: President is James "Robbie" Robbins from our local Branch 91 and Vice President is Shipmate Fred Hill from Branch 290. The Regional Secretary/Treasurer remains Robert Huscher from Branch 186 who is on his last year of a three year term.

I am pleased to report that Branch 126 took 1st Place in Americanism/ Patriotism; Public Affairs; Youth Activities; and Hospital, Welfare & Rehabilitation.
4. This item I don’t think will hit many of Branch 126's Shipmates but here is the info - If you have a manually produced ID card (all of the ID’s produced locally are done by computer), those are made by using a typewriter, they will be confiscating at base entrance and you can’t get on base until you get a properly prepared ID card. Just a heads up for Shipmates, spouses and widows that might be out in the outback and don’t use the base facilities very often. You will need to contact the personnel office on base to get the list of required documents so you can get an ID card updated.

5. Protect yourself, be cognizant of online scams. Here are some examples of e-mail scams received by DFAS customers: Remittance of Unclaimed Funds or Show Your Love - Fiancee Benefits. The bottom line is if you receive emails supposedly from DFAS that you think are attempts to defraud you, call the DFAS customer service number to verify even if the email has nothing to do with a pay-related issue. (DFAS 1-800-321-1080)



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

IN MEMORY OF OUR DEPARTED SHIPMATES
Shipmate ADJ-1 JOHN GETHA Jr., USN, Retired, age 81, an FRA member since 1974, reported to the Staff of the Supreme Commander on 01 July 2012.

Shipmate Getha was a resident of Jacksonville, Florida. We were notified of his passing by his wife, Peggy Getha.

Senior Shipmate LCDR WILLIAM W. LOCHER, USN, Retired, age 89, an FRA member since 1960, reported to the Staff of the Supreme Commander on 19 July 2012.

He honorably served his country in the United States Navy, retiring after 30 years of service.

Shipmate Locher is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Glenna Locher; 2 sons, a brother, 2 grand children and a great grandson.

Commander Locher was a resident of Orange Park, Florida. His cremains will be interred at a later date.

Senior Shipmate LT HARRY MCKAY, USN, Retired, age 88, an FRA member since 1951, reported to the Staff of the Supreme Commander on 22 July 2012.

Shipmate McKay served 27 years in the Navy and retired in 1970. He served on several aircraft carriers including the USS Block Island (CVE21), torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by a German Submarine in 1944.

After the Navy he earned BA and MA Degrees in Education and worked in the school system for 8 years, retired again, and toured the USA visiting all 50 States.

Shipmate McKay was predeceased by 2 sisters and a brother. He is survived by his wife Blanche McKay; 2 sons, 2 daughters, 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Lieutenant Harry McKay was laid to rest with Military Honors in Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park, Florida.

Shipmate ENC PAUL USIAK, USCG, Retired, age 91, an FRA member since 1970, reported to the Staff of the Supreme Commander on 13 June 2012.

Chief Petty Officer Usiak was a resident of Tallahassee, Florida. His passing was reported to the Branch by his daughter Nancy.

Shipmate SKC Dragatine Mamich, USN, Retired, age 93, an FRA member since 1979, reported to the Staff of the Supreme Commander on 01 August 2012.

He was a 60 year resident of the local area and retired from the U.S. Navy in 1958 after 20 years service, serving in World War II and Korea. He retired again from NAS-Jax after 20 years service.

Shipmate Mamich was predeceased by his wife, Elise in 1997. Survivors include a son, 2 daughters and numerous grandchildren.

Chief Petty Officer Mamich was laid to rest in Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park, Florida.
Shipmate AQC Rudolph J. Gerardi, USN, Retired, age 86, an FRA member since 1964, reported to te Satff of the Supreme Commander on 17 December 2010.

His passing was reported by his spouse, Joanna Gerardi. Chief Petty Officer Gerardi was a resident of Summerfield, Florida.
Widow(er) Military Benefits: There are four different age and marital status scenarios affecting benefits for military widows/widowers. They are:

1. 
   TRICARE eligibility permanently stops if you remarry. Unlike other benefits that may restart if your new marriage ends, TRICARE eligibility is gone for good if you remarry. Of course, that wouldn't be the case if you married another servicemember in the future.
   

2. 
   General military benefits (exchange /commissary privileges, MWR, etc.) and eligibility for Survivor Benefit Plan payments are not affected as long as you remarry after age 55. Prior to age 55 if you remarry you must turn in your military ID card which will prevent you from using general military benefits. However, if you subsequently divorce you can reapply for a card which will reinstate your general benefits.
   

3. 
   Dependency & Indemnity compensation from the VA is lost if you remarry before 57. If a spouse remarries before age 57, eligibility for benefits may be restored if the marriage is terminated later by death, annulment, or divorce.
   

4. 
   The widow or widower of a deceased veteran who remarried a non-veteran and whose death took place after Jan. 1, 2000, is entitled to burial in a national veterans cemetery. [Source: Various 26 Jun 2012 ++]
   

“WHAT MY VOTE WILL MEAN TO ME.”

• 
  All students of Public, Private, Parochial or Home Schools in grades 7 through 12 are invited to enter the Fleet Reserve Association Annual Americanism Essay Contest.
  

• 
  Essays must be legibly written, printed or typed on one side of the paper and shall not exceed 350 words in length. Entries that do not meet these requirements will not be judged.
  

• 
  A typed or neatly printed entry form must be attached to each essay. Use the form on this page or a separate sheet of paper giving the same information. Mail to FRA Americanism Contest, 7673 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32244-5111 before the deadline of December 1, 2012.
  

• 
  Essays will be judged by members of FRA Branches 126 and 91 in Jacksonville, Florida, for compliance with contest rules, best thought process, neatness, originality, sincerity, and adherence to the Essay Theme of: “WHAT MY VOTE WILL MEAN TO ME.”
  

• 
  West Jacksonville Branch 126 and First Coast Fleet Branch 91 will present local area awards for the top 3 entries from each grade level. First Place Essays will be entered into the Southeast Regional competition with entries from FRA Branches in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. First Place Regional Essays will be entered into the National competition.
  

Each Grade	Local Awards	Region Awards
1st Place	$75.00 cash, a Plaque and a Certificate of Recognition	$75.00 Cash
2nd Place	$50.00 cash & a Certificate of Recognition	$50.00 Cash
3rd Place	$25.00 cash and a Certificate of Recognition	$25.00 Cash

The essay contest's grand national prize winner and a parent or guardian will travel at Association expense to Washington, D.C. to visit the White House, Supreme Court and Capitol Hill to include a meeting and/or photo opportunity with his/her U.S. Representative or Senator(s), depending upon availability; with cash prizes of $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000 to each first, second, and third place winners in grades seven through twelve. All winners will receive an attractive plaque citing their achievement. Every entrant judged at the national level will receive a “Certificate of Recognition.”

Please cut out this entry form and attach it to your essay.

I wish to have the attached essay, entitled “What my vote will mean to me.” entered in the FRA Americanism Essay Contest. The number of words in the attached essay are ____________.
Name:_____________________________School:_________________________________Grade:______
Home Address:____________________________________________________Zip code______________
Telephone:_____________________________ Additional entry blanks may be substituted on plain paper. All entry forms must be typed or legibly printed. The limit is one entry per student.

All entries will become the property of the Fleet Reserve Association.
MAIL ALL ENTRIES TO: FRA AMERICANISM CONTEST

FRA Branch 126, 7673 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32244-5111.

All entries must be postmarked on or before December 1, 2012

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