***Disclaimer*** The information contained in this issue is for informational purposes only. The objective is to keep the military community informed. It is not an Official DoD sanctioned newsletter and as

such should not be quoted as an authoritative source on DoD policy. It is the responsibility of the reader to verify exactly how information applies to them if they intend to expend funds or time in

following up on the data provided.

RETIREES’ ADVISORY COUNCIL Tuesday, 1 October 2019, 1000

Attendees: Col Brande Walton 45 SW/CV Lt Col Arthur Morse, III 45 MSG/CD Capt Mark McGiffin 45 MCOS/Pharmacy 1Lt Cailyn Schreck 45 MSG/CCE 2Lt Paige Mehringer 45 SW/PA CMSgt Dan Delzingaro 45 MSG/CCC COL Sal Lauricella (Ret) Project Emeritus (PE) Lt Col Joseph Tichich (Ret) Retiree Activities Office (RAO) Lt Col Brian Whalen (Ret) MOAACC CW04 Gerald Watkins (Ret) Brevard Veterans Center (BVC) CMSgt Ken Oyer (Ret) VA MSgt Jerry Waldrop (Ret) Manatee Cove Golf Course Mr. George Caddy Project Emeritus/RAO Mr. Marcell George 45 FSS/CD Mr. Fred Reeg 45 MDSS/SGST Ms. Elizabeth Colón AAFES (Exchange) Mr. Steven Mason DeCA (Commissary) Col Walton called the meeting to order at 1000. Everyone welcomed Col Walton to her first RAC; around the room introductions were made. A 1,000 hour certificate was presented to CMSgt Oyer; a 500 hour certificate was presented to Mr. Caddy. Congratulations to both. Thank you for taking the time to volunteer. Col Walton (45 SW/CV):

• Col Walton stated this was a very active council and is glad it continues to meet and push issues/concerns forward. The RAC is an opportunity to come together to build relationships between the wing and the retiree community.

• Col Walton has been on station for approximately two months; officially in the position for one. The base was evacuated for Hurricane Dorian her second day on the job.

o The wing had good communication with the Brevard County EOC. o She hoped everyone felt the wing did a good job communicating as to what was

happening and where we were in the process of evacuating. o Thankfully, the storm headed further east than anticipated. The base sustained

some minor damage (some HVAC issues, roofing, some broken windows, beach erosion). We recovered quickly.

• In August, we had the GPS-3 launch. The next launch is Pegasus; a NASA mission.

• The wing recently hosted a POW/MIA Vigil/Remembrance Day event. We had a 24-hour run with the flag, followed by a very touching ceremony at the flag pole.

• We just completed another end of year close out. • We continue our drive to 48 launches in a year.

CMSgt (Ret) Oyer (VA):

• Brevard County military retiree deaths for the months of August and September totaled 8. This consisted of 5 Air Force members, 1 Army member, 1 Navy member and 1 Marine.

• CMSgt Oyer also volunteers at the VA. He has not yet gotten a response from the VA coordinator, or Ms. Marissa Benton, about whether or not the VA will have representatives at the upcoming Retiree Appreciation Day. He will touch base with them again.

Lt Col (Ret) Whalen (MOAACC):

• MOAACC members will be participating in the Civil Air Patrol’s TiCo Composite Squadron’s change of command ceremony and awards presentation on 2 October.

• Judge Dugan will be the guest speaker at the next MOAACC luncheon. He will be talking about the Space Coast Honor Flight. The next luncheon is on 15 October.

• MOACC will have representatives at the Retiree Appreciation Day. • On 20 October, there will be a MOAACC Officers Call at the Brevard Veterans

Memorial Center. Doors open at 1430. The presentation will be at 1500. This is free to members, active duty personnel, and drill reserve officers. See attached agenda.

• Our Good Deeds Foundation has started its fund drive. The major event of this fund drive is the 7 December golf tournament. See attached for more information.

o Last year, we tried to sponsor junior enlisted teams from Patrick AFB. Perhaps this year, we will have better luck. Is there a POC who can assist with possibly getting a team or together (E-6 and below) from Patrick AFB?

o Good Deeds would also like to donate funds towards the wing’s annual awards ceremony. Is there a POC they can work through? CMSgt Delzingaro, 45 MSG/CCC, offered to be the POC.

Lt Col (Ret) Tichich (RAO):

• We are advertising the 19 October Retiree Appreciation Day. We have also put up approximately 500 flyers.

o We have no idea how many attendees there will be. o We already have 29 vendor tables to be set up in the gym. That number goes up a

bit each day; however, there is a limit as to the number of folks we have space for. o The Med Group will have folks there. o JA will have folks available to discuss estate planning, etc. o Capt Hough, from the 45 FSS, and MSgt Dupree from the Med Group, have been

working with Mr. Caddy. o Col Walton requested another prebrief before the event. o Lt Col Tichich stated they were hoping General Schiess could be the guest

speaker; however, per Col Walton, he will unfortunately be TDY at that time. Lt Col Tichich said there is a ‘Plan B.’ However, if there is an active duty member who would like to speak, that would work as well. Col Walton said the wing should be able to find someone to speak.

CW04 (Ret) Watkins (BVC): • Hopefully the retiree appreciation day will be a great success. It is long overdue. • The BVC has obtained a 4 x 5 piece of the USS Arizona, which will be going into the

museum. There will be a ceremony sometime in late October. • If you haven’t been to the center, please come out to see the museum. It is behind the

Merritt Island Square Mall. It is a first-class operation. • On 15 October, from 0900-1100, staffers from Senator Rubio’s office will be at the

center to assist constituents with issues. • On 22 October, there will be a “So That Others May Live” pararescue jumpers’

ceremony from 1700-2000. The POC is Ms. Debbie Leone, at (407) 754-4639. Please call her for more information.

o “So that others may live” is part of the 920th motto. The 920th has just deployed troops. Please keep them in your thoughts.

• On 8 November, from 1000-1400, at the Hilton Rialto, there is a Senior Living Boomer Bash event.

• From 9-10 November, 0900-1600, the BVC is hosting its open house. This is free to retirees, active duty members and Florida residents. There will be static displays, games, food, etc.

• Our Veterans Day ceremony will be on 11 November, 0900-1000. Mr. Mason (DeCA):

• On 19 September, DeCA hosted the Dietician Tour. There will be another one this Friday, 4 October.

o The base dietician tours through different organizations on base and talks about different diet/nutrition plans for diabetics, retirees, etc.

o Col Walton asked how she advertised this service; perhaps the dietician could come up with a communication plan and look for more opportunities to get the word out to the base that she does these tours.

• DeCA still has some ongoing maintenance issues; refrigeration one of its biggest challenges. DeCA is working to take care of all product in the store.

• On 19 October, in conjunction with the retiree appreciation day, there will be a store-wide, large quantity items sale from 0900-1100; large quantity items - similar to Sam’s Club or BJ’s.

• Store revamp that had been scheduled for early next year has been pushed back. Ms. Colón (AAFES):

• The renovations scheduled for last month were delayed due to the hurricane. From 21 October-1 November, the cosmetics section will be getting renovated. Renovations are expected to last two weeks. Please excuse our temporary mess during this time.

• The Exchange will be hosting trick-or-treating for children from 1700-1900 on Halloween night.

• On 8 November, the Exchange will have its Veterans Day sales. We are also having the Heroes’ truck back from 1000-1400. If someone has a family member who was lost in war, they can sign the family member’s name to the truck.

Mr. Reeg (45 MDSS/SGST): • Tricare open season runs from 11 November through 9 December. If anyone is looking

to changing health care plans, that is the time to do so. • We continue to look for members for the Patient and Family Partnership Council. Please

see attached. This council will ID issues and work to obtain solutions. CMSgt Delzingaro (45 MSG/CCC): For those retirees who live on base, who are tech savvy, there is now an app you can use - Rent Café - to submit a work order on your home. The app does not have the ability for expedited requests though. COL (Ret) Lauricella (PE):

• PE continues to look for folks interested in volunteering. • COL Lauricella has officially been appointed to the Ft. Stewart Retiree Advisement

Council. He will look into whether this will be in conflict with sitting on this council. Mr. George (45 FSS/CD):

• The 45 FSS will well represented at the retiree appreciation day. Aramark Food 2.0 will also be there with some free food samples.

• On 25 October, from 1700-2100, the 45 FSS will be hosting Howl-at-the-Moon, in the golf course/marina area. There will be music, free food, rides, games, prizes and much more. This is a free event. Everyone is welcome.

o The 45 FSS will work with public health since food is involved. Capt McGiffin (Pharmacy):

• The pharmacy is still relocated in its temporary facility. We will not be moving back into our renovated building until after the first of the year.

• Now that the Med Group and Pharmacy are under DHA, processes should be streamlined. Tricare should not be affected by any changes.

MSgt (Ret) Waldrop (Manatee Cover Golf Course):

• In December - golf club championship. Players must hold a Club GHIN Handicap Index. • New Year’s classic - open to all players - coming in January 2020 • In February 2020 - Match Play. Players must hold a Club GHIN Handicap Index. • In March 2020 - Greenkeeper’s Revenge tournament. No club GHIN Handicap Index

required. • Golf honors members can bring a guest in to golf - coming in April 2020.

Question for the Golf Course: At the end of the ninth hole, folks used to be able to take a break, run in, grab a sandwich or hot dog and a drink and get back out to the course. Now, you have to the counter, order, then wait for someone to cook/make something for you. That takes too long. Will there be pre-made items available again at some point in the future? There is a sign there which states players on break get priority service. Ready-made, wrapped food options will be looked into. The RAC is held the first Tuesday of every month. The next RAC will be on Tuesday, 5 November, 1000, in Bldg. 423, Room S-125. The meeting was adjourned at 1100.