President president

Branch 126 Vice President Jack Elrod conducted a Flag retirement ceremony on 16 April 2016. Pictured facing in back row are Shipmates Jim Cates, Donald Rodely, Johnny Johnson, Marlin Crider and Dick Chadwell. First row are Shipmates Donald Walsh, Paul Hetz and Walter Stevenson.

Monday 06 June 1930 West Jax Board of Directors meeting

1. 
   Shipmates, my sincere hope that all is going well in your lives and if not … remember we at Branch 126 are here to provide assistance if we can. Just finished attending the annual LA FRA’s Pilgrimage in Washington D.C. where they lays wreaths at the Mast of the Main and the Tomb of the Unknowns. They both were very impressive ceremonies; you may be asking why I was in attendance; well the Unit President is also the National Chaplain of the LA FRA and I’m her driver. For those that haven’t heard I am running for Regional Vice President for the years 2016-2017. I hope to do good things in that the year time frame to help all Shipmates in the Southeast Region and keep us strong to keep Congress from changing our benefits that we so richly deserve.
   

2. 
   We had a great Flag Retirement Ceremony and steak burn while I was gone and VP Jack Elrod conducted ceremony. Hope the pictures turn out and are in this edition of those Shipmates involved in the very moving ceremony of retirement of our National ensign.
   

3. 
   Hopefully all Shipmates are using the Branch’s retiree checklist for your survivors. If not contact me and I’ll mail you one if you can’t pick one up at the Hall. Shipmate Kulier has done an outstanding job in preparing this checklist so that your survivors can have a easier transition after your death. In addition to our checklist, the recent spring edition of Shift Colors has an expanded checklist that you should take a look at and the website is www.shiftcolors.navy.mil.
   

4. 
   Have you done anything out in the community to help veterans, widows, or youth groups? Please pass on to the different committee chairman’s what you did plus the hours and miles you have covered over the past year. Americanism/Patriotism - J. J. Thomas at 291-1575; Youth Activities - Jack Elrod at 655-2211; or Hospital/Welfare/Rehab - J. J. Thomas at 291-1575.
   

5. 
   In my first paragraph I quickly mentioned our benefits; HQ FRA is continuing that fight with regard to TRICARE: fighting enrollment fee increases that are over any CPI we might have gotten or not received, new annual enrollment for new TRICARE for Life enrollees and many more moves to chip away at our health care for retirees.
   

• 
  For Veterans monitor the implementation of VA Choice Card program, the program has merit but it must be have significant oversight to ensure it is effective. FRA is opposing establishing a tiered enrollment fee structure for veterans in Priority Groups 7 and 8. Continue to monitor the implementation of seamless electronic sharing of medical health care data from DoD and VA. This is to be in place by October 1, 2016.
  
• 
  We have to keep our membership strong and that means keeping our current members and recruit new young members both in the FRA and LA FRA - ask that person in the store checkout line (wearing a Navy, Marine, or Coast Guard hat) are they a member of the FRA - give them an application for membership. If you don’t have an application call me with your address and I will send you four or five.
  

THE EDITOR’S COLUMN

Bill Kulier (904) 771-5237

Nominations for Branch President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer were opened at the Branch meeting of 16 April 2015. The following Shipmates were nominated for positions as noted:

President: James J. Thomas

Vice President: Jack Elrod

Secretary: Martha Klinikowski

Treasurer: Bill Kulier

Board of Directors: Clinton Attebery, Jim Cates, Ed Gribbin, Al Peter, Donald Rodely, Al Roby, Donald Walsh, Elmer Wine and William Walsh.

Nominations will remain open until Elections are made at the Branch meeting on 19 May 2016. Shipmates desiring to be nominated for these or Board of Director positions should contact the Branch President.

Any member in good standing can make nominations from the floor.

BRANCH ACTIVITIES

Saturday, 21 May 2016

A combined Branch & Unit Installation Ceremony will be held in the Branch Home starting at 1000. Branch and Unit members are encouraged to come out and show their support for the Shipmates and Ladies who came forward to fill the billets required to keep the Branch and Unit functioning for the rest of us.

The Shipmates of Branch 126 will host a dinner in honor of the newly installed Branch and Unit Officers. Dinner will follow the Installation Ceremony at the Olive Garden restaurant on Blanding Blvd in Orange Park, FL immediately following the Installation Ceremony at 1100 or so.

This free dinner is a closed function for Branch & Unit 126 members and their significant other. Please remember that we have some Shipmates and Ladies who would like to attend our functions, but have driving issues. Give them a call and bring them along whenever possible.


SUNDAY, 29 MAY 2016

The FRA Branch 126 Memorial Day Service will be held on Sunday, 29 May 2016 in the Jacksonville Memory Gardens Cemetery, located at 111 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, FL 32073.



The ceremony starts at 1400 and usually lasts about an hour. The Branch will provide a limited amount of seating. Get there early if you want a seat. Car pooling from the Branch Hall is a good idea as parking is limited at the Cemetery. The Uniform for Shipmates participating in this event is a white shirt, black tie, dark blue or black trousers and a cover.

The weather in normally quite warm and the Ceremony is mostly out in the open. However, guest seating is in the shade under an Oak Tree umbrella. The Ladies from the Unit will provide refreshments following the ceremony at the Hall.

A Working Party will muster at 1300 to move the chairs and equipment to the ceremony site.

CONVENTIONS

25 – 27 August 2016

The FRA 71^st Southeast Regional Convention will be held in the Park Vista, 705 Cherokee Orchard Rd., Gatlinburg, TN 37738 from 25 – 27 Aug 2016.

The room rate is $99.00 plus 12.75% tax. www.parkvista.com or (865) 436-9211. Use the code: Fleet Reserve Association.

09 – 16 October 2016

The FRA National Convention, hosted by Branch 91, will be held at the Lexington Hotel & Conference Center, Jacksonville Riverside, 1515 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207

The daily room rate is $89.00 plus 13% tax for either a King or 2 double beds and includes a hot breakfast for two daily. The parking fee is $5.00 per day.

Reservations: (904) 396-5100 and use the Group Code: Fleet reserve.
MEMBERSHIP