UPPER POTOMAC CHAPTERRecipient of the 2017 MOAA 5 Star Level of Excellence Award

…from the President

We had two very successful events since the last newsletter: the Frederick Keys Night

and the Annual Picnic at Bert and Emma Thornton’sShoot Proof Farm. Jeff Bodie did a great job organizing the Frederick Keys Night and the Annual Picnic was once again outstanding. We are grateful and very much appreciate Jeff Bodie and the Thornton’s.

Doug Reichard and I met with the new Garrison Commander at Fort Detrick on 30 August. We were impressed with the new commander’s interest in improving relations between Fort Detrick and the surrounding community.

Jayne Bongard has volunteered to be the Chapter’s Surviving Spouse Liaison Chair. This is a time-intensive position so please

consider volunteering to help Jayne as a committee member.

I am happy to report that we are gaining new members. It is amazing to me how many MOAA members live in our area but do not know who we are and what we do. Ifyou know or have an opportunity to meet a MOAA member who has not affiliated with a chapter try to recruit them. Also, there are still a bunch of potential members on our zip code lists. Please pick up a strip with MOAA members in your zip code at the October luncheon and give them a call.

The disaster caused by Tropical Storm Harvey has had a terrible impact on MOAA members in the Houston area and now all of Florida is bracing for Hurricane Irma with Hurricane Jose right behind it. We have reached out tochapters in the Houston area and we will also reach out to chapters in Florida. The MOAA web site has information on how to

Chapter Officers

PresidentLtCol Hugh M. McIlroy, Jr, USMC, Ret.

1st Vice PresidentCOL Luciano Muniz, Jr, USA, Ret.

2nd Vice PresidentMAJ John R. Derr, USA, Ret.

SecretaryMrs. Mary Lee Schumeyer

TreasurerLtCol Robert S. Fenimore, USAF, Ret.

Board MembersCOL Douglas W. Reichard, USA, Ret.CAPT Joseph N. Shrader, USCG, Ret.CPT Wilmer K. Benson, USA, Ret.CPT Jason Ruth, USARCol Lawra Lee, USAF, RetCDR Jeff Bodie, USN, Ret.

Chaplain

LTC Carol VanSchenkhof, USA, Ret.

Legislative Affairs

PA- LtCol Hugh M. McIlroy, Jr, USMC, Ret.

MD-CAPT Guy F. Everhart, USN, Ret.

WV-Vacant

Personal Affairs Officer

Vacant

Program Chair

Col Lawra A. Lee, USAF, Ret.

Surviving Spouse Liaison

Mrs. Jayne Bongard

Newsletter Editor

COL Gerard Schumeyer, USA, Ret.

September 11, 2017

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contribute to the relief efforts in both places.

We still need volunteers for Committee Chair positions for Membership, Personal Affairs and Transition Assistance. We need your help and encourage you to volunteer. Please volunteer.

I hope to see you at our October luncheon at the Carriage House Inn in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Our guest speaker is Major General Barbara Holcomb, U.S. Army, Commanding General of the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick and Chief, U.S. Army Nurse Corps.

Never Stop Serving

Warmest regards, HMcI

October Membership Meeting/Luncheon

Join us on Saturday, October 14 at the Carriage House Inn, Emmitsburg, PA for our next membership meeting. The guest speaker will MG Barbara R. Holcomb, Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Ft. Detrick; Chief, U.S. Army Nurse Corps. Reservations are due NLT Friday, October 6. A reservation form is provided at the end of the newsletter.

Chapter Dues to Increase for 2018

The Executive Board has approved an increase in annual dues and life membership fees that will take effect in 2018. The increases are necessary in order for the chapter to meet our annual funding requirements; such as contributions to the MOAA Heritage Society, contributions to the MOAA Scholarship Fund, the JROTC Awards Program, administrative costs (paper, postage, Newsletter and Directory) and, just recently, Liability Insurance. Annual dues will be raised to $20 a year and life membership fees will be raised to $150. In addition to these increases the chapter will pursue offering advertising space in our Newsletter for an annual fee of $50 per client per year. It is important to note that our dues have been just $10 a year for the past twenty years and even with life memberships at $90 each we have been unable to meet requirements. Additionally, we have observed a trend: our overall end-of-year balance has declined over the past several years because we have had to use the general fund to cover our costs. By raising dues, increasing life membership fees and obtaining advertising clients we will be able to cover all

of our costs. Please keep in mind that our annual dues are still quite low and below the average annual dues of $25 a year in Most MOAA chapters. See 2018 Annual Dues information in the box below.

2018 Annual Dues

It’s not too early to pay your Chapter dues for 2018. All dues are due NLT Dec 15, 2017. Dues are now $20/year. Our Lifetime Membership option is $150. If you are a new member who joined after July 2017, you will be credited with 2018dues. Also, any member who recruited a new member for 2017 will receive a credit for 2018. If you are attending the October luncheon, you can simply include your dues with your reservation; if not just use the coupon for the dues only.Please send your dues payment to our Treasurer, Bob Fenimore, 8611 Discovery Blvd, Walkersville, MD. If you have any questions about your dues status, contact Jerry Schumeyer, 301-696-1191, theschumeyers@comcast.net

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Why Chapter Liability Insurance?

The Chapter recently purchased liability insurance protection. See why on page 7 of the newsletter.

New Member

Welcome to 1LT Will Kea, USAR (Former Officer) and his wife Paula from Frederick, MD.

October

1- Mary Lee Schumeyer2- Tom Treece3-Ruth Chipley5-Denis Garcia

10-Tom Conlon14-Jayne Bongard15-Nettie Arm19-Sandra Reynold23-Herb Arm26-John Aulls30-Jane Hildebrandt31-Paul Augustine

November

8-Chip Chipley10- Barbara Bodie11-Earl Stewart11-Gerry Eddy15-Pete Kinman18-Paul Hildebrandt21-Jim Mattern24-Maryilyn Harrington27-Clyde Tate30-Bob Fenimore

October

10Jason & Donna Ruth

17Hugh & Gerry McIlroy

November8

Bill & Hettie Ballweber21

Bob & Lynne Sarvaideo28

Jim & Joanne Spiller

Changes to Chapter Officers

CH (COL) Jim Spiller, USA, Ret has stepped down as our Chapter Chaplain. CH (LTC) Carol VanSchenkhof, USA, Ret will assume duties as our Chapter Chaplain. Mary Albertson has also stepped down as our Personal Affairs Officer and Surviving Spouse Liaison. The duties of Surviving Spouse Liaison will be assumed by Mrs. Jayne Bongard. Our Personal Affairs Officer position will remain vacant until a replacement is identified. The Officers and Board members extend their utmost appreciation to Jim and Mary for their dedicated service to the Chapter over the past years.

US Navy, October 13, 1775

National POW/MIA Recognition Day

September 15, 2017

NOAAOctober 3, 1970

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Frederick Keys Game

As Hugh mentioned, we had a great turnout at the Frederick Keys game and fireworks in July with 32 members and guests. Hugh threw out the first pitch (you have to ask him if he threw a strike and reached the plate!) and our presence broke the Frederick Key’s losing streak!

Food Pantry Service Project-Thank You

Thank you all for another overwhelming response in support of the Ft Detrick Chapel food bank. At the picnic we again collected enough food to replenish the food locker and monetary donations to purchase a number of commissary gift cards. The food and gift cards will be used to support our active duty, Reserve, and Guard servicemembersand their families in need.

Chapter Receives MOAA 5-Star Excellence Award

The Upper Potomac Chapter was again recognized as a 5-Star chapter under MOAA’s annual Levels of Excellence (LOE) awards program. This program recognizes chapters that work hard to help MOAA fulfill its missions. This achievement marks the fifteenth consecutive yearthat the UPC has received either a 4-Star or 5-Star award. Thanks to the membership who worked hard to help achieve this recognition. Hugh McIlroy will accept the award at the MD Council Congressional Luncheon on September 13.The award will be presented to the Chapter membership at our Christmas luncheon on December 16.

Donations to the MOAA Scholarship Fund

Last year the Chapter contributed $1450 to the MOAA Scholarship Fund through combined individual and Chapter donations.Again this year we would like to duplicate that effort. If you would like to contribute, Bob Fenimore, our Treasurer, will be accepting donations to the UPC for the MOAA Scholarship fund until December 15, 2017. You can make your check out to

the Upper Potomac Chapter and in the memo area, annotate “for MOAA Scholarship Fund”. Bob will send you a receipt. These donations are for a very worthy cause.

Updated Chapter Directory

The updated Chapter Directory is complete and will be distributed very shortly. Those receiving our digital newsletter will receive a digital version. If you are a hard copy recipient of the newsletter, then your will receive a hard copy version. This is necessary to save on postage. Mary Lee and Jerry have checked and double-checked available information but we know there will be data we may have missed or didn’t receive updated information from members. If you find something that needs to be corrected, let Jerry or Mary Lee know and it will get corrected.

Christmas LuncheonDecember 16, 2017

Following our October meeting, our next event will be our Christmas luncheon, December 16, at the Holly ills Country Club, Ijamsville, MD.

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2017 Events Calendar

The Board is planning for 2018 events. If you have any recommendations for guest speakers or luncheon venues, please let Lawra Lee know, 240-347-4296, lawra@killough.us

September 15 – 6th Annual Golf Scramble, Glade Valley Golf Club, Walkersville, MD

October 14 – Membership meeting/luncheon, 1130, Carriage House Inn, Emmitsburg, MD

November 4- Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m., Ft. Detrick Chapel, Rm 5, Bldg. 1776 Ditto Road, Ft. Detrick

December 16 – Christmas luncheon, 1130, Holly Hills Country Club, Ijamsville, MD

Directions to Carriage House Inn

FROM DC AND FREDERICKTake Route 270 North towards Frederick. At Frederick take Rt. 15 North towards Gettysburg. Continue on Rt 15 to Mount Saint Mary’s University. After passing Mount. Saint Mary’s University, turn left at the blinking light onto South Seton Avenue. Proceed 1 mile to the Carriage House on the left.

FROM HARRISBURGTake Rt. 15 South approximately 35 miles to Rt. 140 West. Continue on Rt. 140 to Emmitsburg Square. Turn left onto South Seton Avenue. Proceed to Carriage House two blocks on the right.

FROM HAGERSTOWN Take Route 70 East to 15 North - Gettysburg. Continue on Rt. 15 to Mount Saint Mary’s University. After passing Mount. Saint Mary’s University, turn left at the blinking light onto South Seton Avenue. Proceed 1 mile to the Carriage House on the left.

Update for Spouses and Surviving Spouses-September 2017(Naomi M. Kaplan, Spouse/Surviving Spouse Liaison, Maryland MOAA Council of Chapters)

1. MOAA was invited to the White House earlier in the summer for a small-group listening session on military spouse employment challenges. Four ways in which the administration can help positively influence spouse career issues are:

a. Increase the number of government positions open to use of the Military Spouse Noncompetitive Appointment Authority, to give spouses increased opportunity to compete for jobs in the federal work space.

b. Give Federal tax breaks for military spouse licensure costs due to PCS across state lines.

c. Give Federal tax breaks (i.e. Incentives) for employers who hire military spouses.

d. Provide Presidential-level support for state use of interstate compacts to support portability (as of now, not all fields of work are covered).

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2. IDENTITY THEFT- Members of the military and their families are vulnerable to various types of identity theft, frauds, and scams. Members have unique factors which affect their financial well-being, such as deployment. To talk to an Identity Theft Information Specialist for free personalized assistance, you can contact the toll-free call center at 888-400-5530, LiveChat with the specialist, or send an email (mail to: itrc@idtheftcenter.org). LINK: www.idtheftcenter.org/militaryidt.html. There is no cost to those needing victim-assistance or information.

3. CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS - Utility upgrade work and construction along Brown Drive at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) is to enhance information technology and communications distribution. It should be completed by January of 2018. A pedestrian tunnel will be built to connect buildings 9 and 19. The Medical Center Additions and Alteration Project involves new construction of 540,000 square feet of medical center space in the locations of Buildings 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8. A two-story modular facility will provide 100,000 square feet of temporary medical and clinical space. It will be constructed in the G lot along Taylor Road. The H garage, near the bowling alley and Child Development Center, is nearly complete. All this work should be completed by the end of the calendar year according to Navy Commander (Dr.) Jason Schroeder, Director of Clinical Services at WRNMMC.

4. SHOPPING - Arundel Mills has a new promotion for military personnel, according to Jim Shiffrin, USAF (Ret). Anyone with an Active, Dependent, or Retiree ID Card can stop at the Guest Services desk to receive a complimentary Passport with hundreds of dollars in savings. Most of the stores in the Mall are also participating in an offer giving a military discount if you show your ID.

5. COMMISSARY - There have been some new changes at the commissary recently. The Defense Department has a new private label, Freedom's Choice. DeCA (the Defense Commissary Agency) says the quality of its private label on bottled water and other items is comparable and the pricing is better because of the competition with brand names.

6. RACHAP (Retiree-At-Cost-Hearing Aid Program) - This program is not a TRICARE benefit. Nevertheless, retirees as well as their dependents are now all eligible to receive hearing aids at government cost. Hearing aids can cost anywhere from $300 - $400, and average savings for the consumer might be as high as $1,600-$3,600 per hearing aid. Military treatment facilities (MTFs) are allowed to decide if they want to participate in the program. As of now, there are 27 MTFs that have this program, representing all three services in CONUS (the Continental United States). Active members and their families have priority. All retirees or retiree dependents interested in this program should contact the closest military treatment facility with this new benefit and ask how to get an appointment.

7. SBP (The Survivor Benefit Plan) - DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) Offset. This is a "widow's tax," and it includes a dollar-for dollar offset of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from SBP for surviving spouses of retired service-members who voluntarily participated in the insurance annuity program, paid the premiums, and then died of a service-connected issue. Post 9/11 surviving spouses and as many as 63,000 military spouses are affected. In brief, survivors of retirees paying SBP premiums should receive 55% of the base retired pay of the sponsor. [Survivors of active duty service members should receive 55% of the final base pay at one's rank at the time of a sponsor's death, times 75%.] The sense of Congress is that the SBP-DIC Offset should be eliminated but that the costs are high. The Senate Armed Services Committee voted for a permanent SSIA (Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance) extension at $310 a month with COLA increases beginning in 2018. This covers only a small portion of the applicable offset. The House did not include SSIA in its version of the FY 2018 NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act). MOAA HAS ASKED ITS MEMBERS TO JOIN ITS ADVOCACY EFFORTS ON THIS ISSUE BY CONTACTING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO VOTE TO ELIMINATE THE SBP/DIC OFFSET. The MOAA toll-free number (1-866-272-6622) may be used to call the Capitol Switchboard, and to be connected to the offices of your Representatives and Senators. Also speak to the military legislative assistant to seek co-sponsorship/vote for the legislation. MOAA reminds us all that our VOICES ARE NEEDED TO END THE INJUSTICE! This is one of the issues that we are highlighting in our printed program at the Maryland MOAA Congressional Luncheon.

8. TRICARE Fee Indices Matter. This is the second spouse-related issue to be highlighted at our upcoming Congressional Luncheon on Capitol Hill. Our Council printed program text will read substantially as follows: The FY 18 DoD budget proposed disproportionately raising retiree TRICARE fees through repeal of last years' NDAA, which grand-fathered current beneficiaries to the existing fee structure. DoD has proposed similar plans based on assertions of "exploding" health costs. This year the House rejected most of these proposals; Pentagon leaders need to better manage

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costs instead of merely shifting costs onto beneficiaries. Senate Armed Services Committee leaders have indicated intent to pursue TRICARE large fee and pharmacy cost share increases starting this year. MOAA strongly believes beneficiaries' TRICARE fees and cost shares should not be disproportionately high and should not rise faster than the annual COLA.

Legislative Actions

There are a number of important legislative issues impacting military service members and families…budget, healthcare, compensation and benefits to name just a few. Space here does not allow for addressing them, but you can go to MOAA’s web site http://www.moaa.org and view all the key issues at http://www.moaa.org/Content/Take-Action/Top-Issues/Top-Issues.aspx. Here you will find a description of the issue.

You can also access MOAA’s Legislative Action Center at http://capwiz.com/moaa/home/to check your legislators' positions on key issues, contact your elected officials and view details on all the legislation

affecting you and your family as well as information on how to contact your elected official to make a change.

While you are on the MOAA web site sign-up for MOAA’s Legislative Update to make sure you’re always in the know about Capitol Hill. © MOAA 2017

Chapter Protection and Liability Insurance

In the August 2017 issue of MOAA’s Military Officer magazine, page 44, MOAA’s Col. Terri Coles, USA (Ret) (Senior Director, Council and Chapter Affairs), wrote an interesting article about the legal aspects of chapter management. Col. Coles recommends that every chapter have three (3) things for chapter protection: 1) become incorporated as a nonprofit organization, 2) seek exemption from federal corporate income taxes, and 3) obtain liability coverage and protection from lawsuits resulting from bodily injury and property damage at chapter-sponsored activities.

The Upper Potomac Chapter has had the first two items since 2003-2004. However, UPC did not have liability insurance. Feeling that the Chapter was exposed in the event of a lawsuit, and could be bankrupt just paying for attorney fees to defend itself, a study was conducted by the Board in July and August to search for an insurance underwriter who would provide a policy to fit our needs and do so at a reasonable cost. Col. Coles noted that national MOAA was not able to get a policy that would cover all its councils and chapters, so we were on our own.

One firm clearly stood out from all the others, and that is Mercer Consumer. Mercer is part of the Marsh & McLennan Companies, a global services firm with 60,000 employees. Mercer has prepared an insurance product specifically for MOAA’s councils, chapters and similar club nonprofit organizations. It was exactly what we were looking for, so we signed up on August 11, 2017, for an annual premium of $320, a very reasonable price for the protection we now have. Our policy was in effect for the picnic and the golf scramble. This policy provides bodily injury and property damage liability coverage for our events, and Mercer will defend us against any suit seeking these damages up to the limits of the policy. Covered individuals include executive officers and directors, “club” members, and “volunteer workers”, while performing duties related to the conduct of our business.

The new annual premium cost is one of the reasons that the Board decided to increase UPC’s annual dues (see separate article by our President). If anyone has any questions about this policy, please contact Bob Fenimore, Treasurer and Risk Management Coordinator, at rkfen111@gmail.com, or other contact information included in the UPC Chapter Directory.

Honor Flight

Honor Flight is a national organization dedicated to giving all WW2 veterans (and some Korean and Vietnam vets) a chance to visit DC for a day and tour Memorials dedicated to them. Each vet is accompanied on their visit by a Guardian who remains with them all day to assist and share stories. Jeff Bodie, one of our members, has been a Guardian and he says it is a humbling and moving experience. If any Chapter members UPC is interested in providing Guardians for a future visit, please let Jeff Bodie (301-644-1651) or one of your Chapter officers know so that we can begin to plan. We are losing 100s of these WW2 veterans every day - their time is fleeting; you will never forget your day as a Guardian!

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Annual Picnic-2017

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Upper Potomac ChapterMembership Meeting/Luncheon

Saturday, October 14, 201711:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Carriage House Inn

200 South Seton AvenueEmmitsburg, MD 21727

301-447-2366www.carriagehouseinn.info

Join us on Saturday, October 14 at the Carriage House Inn, Emmitsburg, PA for our next membership meeting. The guest speaker will MG Barbara R. Holcomb, Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Ft. Detrick; Chief, Army Nurse Corps.

Buffet MenuRoast Beef Roulade; Haddock; Vegetable Pasta; Julienne Vegetables; Mashed Potatoes; Fresh Garden Salad; Rolls; Fresh Baked Bread; Dessert; Coffee & Iced Tea

DirectionsSee Page 5: Note: October 14 is also Catoctin Colorfest weekend in Thurmont, MD. Be aware of extra traffic as you pass thru the Thurmont area towards Emmitsburg on Rt. 15 North

If anyone requires assistance with transportation to the meeting, please contact one of the Board members and we will help coordinate.

REFUNDS WILL BE PROVIDED ONLY IF CANCELLATIONS ARE MADEPRIOR TO OCTOBER 6, 2017

---------------------------------------Detach and Return-------------------------------------------------------------Name _____________________________________Name(s) of Guests___________________________________________________________________

___Number of Reservations@ $27/person________________

2017 Chapter Dues ($20/yr. or $150 Lifetime) _____________

TOTAL Remittance_______________

Make checks payable to: Upper Potomac Chapter, MOAAReturn NLT Friday, October 6, 2017 to:

Bob Fenimore, 8611 Discovery Blvd, Walkersville, MD 21793301-845-0042; rkfen111@gmail.com