B BL LU UE EG GR RA AS SS S C CH HA AP PT TE ER R, , M MI I L LI I T TA AR RY Y O OF FF FI I C CE ER RS S A AS SS SO OC CI I A AT TI I O ON N O OF F A AM ME ER RI I C CA A M MA AY Y 2 20 01 16 6 B B B u u u g g g l l l e e e B B B l l l u u u e e e g g g r r r a a a s s s s s s N N E E X X T T M M E E E E T T I I N N G G F F r r i i d d a a y y 2 2 7 7 M M a a y y Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton See bio: page 3 WHERE: Equestrian Woods Country Club, 107 Club- house Drive, Nicholasville TIME: Social hour, 11:30, lunch at noon HOW MUCH: Buffet with meat entrees, vegetables, salad, dessert and drinks for $17, gratuity included. RSVP: Please let Pat Jones (contact info on p. 2) know no later than Monday May 23 that you plan to attend and bring guests. To get to the clubhouse, go south on Harrodsburg Rd. (U.S. 68) about two miles past Man o’ War. Spring Crest Drive is the first right before the Bran- non Rd. intersection, and Clubhouse Drive is the next right. Saluting the Kentucky Guard K K e e n n t t u u c c k k y y N N a a t t i i o o n n a a l l G G u u a a r r d d b b o o a a s s t t s s l l o o n n g g h h i i s s t t o o r r y y o o f f v v e e r r s s a a t t i i l l i i t t y y , , h h o o n n o o r r The Kentucky National Guard is comprised of nearly 8,400 Soldiers and Airmen in the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, which are components of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. The Kentucky National Guard has been known under various names such as state militia or state guard. It has the distinction of being one of the oldest military forces in the United States. Its history dates back to 1775 when Ken- tucky was known as Fincastle County, a part of western Virginia. Kentucky National Guard Soldiers train to assist the federal government in combat and peace-time missions. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Kentucky Nation- al Guard has mobilized and deployed more than 16,000 Soldiers and Airmen in support of the Global War on Terror. The Kentucky National Guard remains ready to assist communities with disasters on the home front. Whether it a flood, tornado, snow or ice storm – or providing security for high-profile events such as the Kentucky Derby. Kentucky National Guard Spc. Cody Dye with the 201st Forward Support Company leads his platoon at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., during a 2014 training exercise. (U.S. Army National Guard photo) THVC DONATION - Ben Sweger, right, director of Thom- son-Hood Veter- ans Center in Wilmore, accepts a donation of $4,750 from Ike Pinkston, repre- senting the Blue- grass Chapter, at the March meet- ing. (additional photo, p. 3) Inside this issue... p. 3 May guest speaker bio Lexington VAMC DepDir addresses March meeting THVC director demos portable O 2 device bought with chapter donations Member spotlight p. 2 President’s Corner Chapter officer contacts MOAA ‘storms’ Hill to pro- tect SBP-DIC widow bene- fits, reject Tricare hikes New KY law officially wel- comes Viet Vets
lloonngg hhiissttoorryy ooff vveerrssaattiilliittyy,, hhoonnoorr The Kentucky National Guard is comprised of nearly 8,400 Soldiers and
Airmen in the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, which are
components of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force.
The Kentucky National Guard has been known under various names such as
state militia or state guard. It has the distinction of being one of the oldest
military forces in the United States. Its history dates back to 1775 when Ken-
tucky was known as Fincastle County, a part of western Virginia.
Kentucky National Guard Soldiers train to assist the federal government in
combat and peace-time missions. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Kentucky Nation-
al Guard has mobilized and deployed more than 16,000 Soldiers and Airmen
in support of the Global War on Terror.
The Kentucky National Guard remains ready to assist communities with
disasters on the home front. Whether it a flood, tornado, snow or ice storm –
or providing security for high-profile events such as the Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky National Guard Spc. Cody Dye with the 201st Forward Support Company leads his platoon at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky.,
during a 2014 training exercise. (U.S. Army National Guard photo)
MOAA, including the Kentucky Council and the Bluegrass Chapter, is an independent, nonprofit, political-ly nonpartisan organization. Member-ship is open to officers from every branch of service - including active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retired, former officers, and their immediate families.
More than 160 MOAA members — including council and chapter leaders from almost every state and mem-
bers of the association’s board of directors, staff, Surviv-ing Spouse Advisory Committee, and Currently Serving and Currently Serving Spouse advisory councils — “stormed” Capitol Hill April 13 during the association’s
annual “Storming the Hill” advocacy event. Participants specifically focused on two key issues during their meetings with elected officials: protecting
Survivor Benefit Plan-Dependency and Indemnity Com-pensation (SBP-DIC) benefits for military widows and widowers from the military “widow’s tax,” and rejecting disproportional TRICARE fee hikes and plan changes.
Additionally, Hill-stormers provided their legislators detailed informational packets, which contained key takeaways, FAQs, fact sheets, and full-color pamphlets that break down each issue with comprehensive statistics
for disproportional TRICARE fee hikes and personal sto-ries of families affected by the SBP-DIC offset. Prior to meeting with congressional leaders, Hill-
stormers gathered in Alexandria, Va., on Tuesday to
learn more about the key issues. Chair of MOAA’s Board of Directors Gen. Charles T. Rob-
ertson Jr., USAF (Ret), opened the briefing by saying how important Storming the Hill is to the association. “In my humble opinion, [it is] the most important day of the year for what we do,” he said. “It gives us our chance to walk
over to Capitol Hill, look our legislators in the eye, [and] ask them for their support on some issues that are critical.” This year, MOAA used social media and a Thunderclap
campaign to inspire those who could not be present at the Capitol to contact their elected officials. Thunderclap uses social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to mass-share a message to raise additional awareness about a
cause. Members “storming” from home were asked to con-tact their elected officials and ask them to oppose dispro-portional TRICARE fee hikes, cosponsor H.R. 1594 or S. 979 to repeal the SBP-DIC offset, or cosponsor H.R. 4519 that
would extend the Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance. To learn how to take action on these and other critical legis-lative issues, click on http://www.moaa.org/Content/Take-Action/Top-Issues/Top-Issues.aspx
MOAA leaders from 50 states asked Congress to reject disproportional Tricare fee hikes April 13.
BG Leslie E. Beavers (Ret.) deploying to both Iraq and
James Belmont (left), associate director, Lexington VA Medical Center, guest speaker for March, listens to member LTC Steve Logan. During the meeting Logan voiced grievances on behalf of himself and other veterans who believe they are receiving inadequate care from
the center. Mr. Belmont promised to investigate the grievances.
Thomson-Hood Veterans Center Director Ben Sweger demonstrated a portable oxygen concentrator purchased with donations from the Blue-
grass Chapter. The device facilitates outside activities for veterans with respiratory issues. The chapter donation also purchased two wide-screen televisions for resident recreation.
MMAAYY GGUUEESSTT SSPPEEAAKKEERR
Lieutenant Governor Jenean Hampton was born in
1958 in inner-city Detroit into a financially humble house-hold. Her mother demonstrated by example the value of hard work, and Jenean worked in banking and automotive
industries to raise money for college. After earning an Industrial Engineering degree in 1985, Jenean joined the U.S. Air Force as a computer systems officer. Her seven years of military service included a tour
of duty in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. After her military service, Jenean began a 19-year career in the corrugated packaging industry. She started as a
crew supervisor on the production floor and was soon promoted, rising to plant manager. While working full time, she earned an MBA from the University of Rochester, and
He maintained close military ties after retirement,
working initially as Medical Director of the NAVCARE
Clinic in Chula Vista, Calif.
After a two-year stint as Medical Director of the San
Diego Sheriff’s Department, he accepted a position as a
Medical Director for Health Net Federal Services, a
company that partners with DoD to provide health care
to military members and their families through the Tri-
care program. He is also a Standardized Patient partic-
ipant for the UK Medical School.
RADM Frost – Bluegrass chapter member
moved to Bowling Green where she continued her career in the corrugated packing industry.
In 2015, she was inducted into the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame in recognition of both her military service and general community service during her post-military career.
Jenean is married to retired USAF Colonel Dr. Doyle Isaak. They live in Bowling Green where she is
a member of many local organizations including the American Legion and the Civil Air Patrol. On Nov. 3, 2015, Jenean was elected Lt. Governor and became the first African-American to hold statewide office.
Bluegrass Chapter
Military Officers Association of America
Mrs. Pat Jones
1660 Atoma Drive
Lexington, KY 40511
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID
LEXINGTON, KY PERMIT NO. 398
Last, first, middle name: Rank: National MOAA member no: ________ Spouse name: Email address: ________ Date of birth (month/day): Street address – city, state, Zip code: ________ Month/year entered service________________ Month/year separated________________________________________ Phone number: Cell number: Military status (circle all that apply): Active Duty Drilling National Guard/Reserve Retired
Separated honorably ROTC (1 year free) Widow(er) (no charge) Branch of service (circle one): USA USMC USN USAF USCG NOAA USPHS Want to make a donation? General use: $________ Vets: $_______ ROTC scholarships: $_______
Total enclosed: $________________
Bluegrass Chapter, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) New Membership/Membership Renewal/Donations
Please complete this form and your dues check payable to: BGMOAA. Mail the form and check to our return address. Membership (new/renewal)=$25; widow(er)
