American Legion Post 94
NOVEMBER 2018 Newsletter
Up-Coming Meetings and Events
Monthly Membership Meetings (Second Friday)
6:00 pm – Social
6:30 pm – Dinner
7:30 pm – Program
9 November 2018
A representative from Santa’s Castle at JBLM will come and talk to the Post as well as we will be conducting a Veterans Day Ceremony.
14 December 2018
We are requesting a representative from the Fisher House on JBLM come and talk to the Post about their program.
11 January 2019
Boy Scout Troop and Venture Crew 1208 will be presenting their annual update on what they have been doing and what they have in store for 2019.
Post and American Legion News
11 November 2018: Veterans Day and Bell Ringing Ceremony in the Capital rotunda will start at 10:30 am.
The Post now has a website in addition to its Facebook page. Please check it out at:
http://centennial.legion.org/washington/post94
You can also follow Post activities on Facebook. Check it out and like us to follow events.
Our Facebook page is American Legion Post 94 Lacey Washington.
General Veteran and VA News
On the morning of 16 November 2018, Thurston County will be having its annual Veterans Stand Down at the Olympia Armory. There will be a number of organizations there to assist veterans. Also, there will be 7 ½ tons of military gear from boots to sleeping bags will be handed out that morning as well. If you need a new Army blanket or a fleece jacket, come on down. In the afternoon, there will be a hiring fair that is open to everyone. So, if you are looking for a job or a better job or know someone who is looking for work or needs assistance, have them come there.
Also, at the Veterans Stand Down, our Post, in partnership with the Thurston County Food Bank, will be distributing Thanksgiving Baskets. Volunteers from the Post are needed. If you can help, we will be meeting at 8:00 am at the Olympia Armory.
Millions of military retirees and families must act soon to get new dental, vision coverage
Military Times, Karen Jowers
Military retirees and their families will be able to enroll in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program from Nov. 12 through Dec. 10.
Military retirees have new options for dental and vision care starting Jan. 1, but the changes won’t be automatic. To remain covered, they’ll have to make some decisions and take specific action beginning Nov. 12.
The Tricare Retiree Dental Program ends Dec. 31 and will be replaced by the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. Most military retirees and their families who are enrolled in Tricare will be able to enroll in FEDVIP for dental coverage, vision coverage or both.
Military officials have been getting the word out in a variety of ways, include postcards to the millions of retirees and families eligible for the coverage.
Active-duty family members are eligible to sign up for vision coverage under FEDVIP, but not dental coverage. Active-duty members and their family members may still enroll in the Tricare Dental Program. The vision coverage, including eyeglasses or contacts, is in addition to the routine eye examination benefit that many beneficiaries currently have under Tricare Prime or Select.
That FEDVIP coverage will be effective Jan. 1, but you can’t enroll in FEDVIP just yet. The enrollment period is during the federal benefits open season, which runs Nov. 12 through Dec. 10.
Retirees and their family members must enroll during the open season to get that dental and/or vision coverage in 2019. The only way to enroll in the FEDVIP, or change that coverage, outside of that enrollment period is if there has been a qualifying life event: a marriage, for example, or retirement from the military.
During the open season, you can choose between 10 dental carriers and four vision carriers. In some cases, the dental carrier is limited to certain regions of the country; other dental carriers provide national and international coverage.
Some carriers offer standard coverage as well as a premium plan. Those who tend to need more costly dental procedures, or expect to, might consider whether the higher-cost coverage is more cost-effective.
Murphy’s Military Laws of the month
· The problem with taking the easy way out is that the enemy has already mined it.
· Odd objects attract fire, never lurk behind one.
· Radios will fail as soon as you need fire support.
· There are two kinds of naval vessels: submarines and targets.
Adjutant’s Report
American Legion National and Department Headquarters voted to raise their dues by $5.00 each for a total of $10.00 starting January 2016 for a grand total of $50.00 per year. The Post voted to not raise its dues at this time.
Building Rental
If you were not aware, the Post offers both the post building and the pavilion for rent.
Building
Post Members
Non-Members
Post Building
$175.00
$325.00
Pavilion (available only on week nights)
$175.00
$325.00
Pavilion is no longer available for weekend rentals. The post has a Church renting it for both Saturday and Sundays.
There is a $200.00 refundable security deposit requirement as well. Please contact Larry Granish at 360.701.5921 or email at lgrani@comcast.net to reserve either facility.
Chaplain’s Corner
Contact the Post Chaplain, Otis Chapman, at lukie1964@gmail.com if you need assistance.
Service Officer
Do you feel that you have a residual health problem that is linked to your time in the service? Have you applied for benefits with the Veterans Administration and been turned down? If so, do not try to deal with the VA on your own. My name is Rose Hodgeboom and I am the Post 94 service officer. It is my job to help you navigate the benefits system. Call me at 360-491-3621 if you need assistance with a claim. The Legion also has a Temporary Financial Assistance program that could help you one time with paying your utilities, rent/mortgage, or other emergency needs. This is an American Legion Children and Youth program and to qualify you must have minor children in your home. If you feel you need help from this program let me know and I will be glad to help.
The Lacey Veterans Service Hub also provides a wide variety of assistance to veterans and now has over 35 providers working out of there. The Hub is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (except holidays) and is located at 4232 6th Avenue SE, Suite 202, Lacey, WA 98503. The phone number is 360.456.3850.
Post Officers for 2017-2018
Commander – Gary Walker
1st Vice-Commander - Bob Nakamura
2nd Vice Commander - Larry Douglas
Adjutant - Larry Granish
Finance Officer – Dave Hodgeboom
Sergeant at Arms – Kevin Lindsey
Chaplain – Otis Chapman
Veteran Service Officer - Rose Hodgeboom
Judge Advocate - David Hodgeboom
Post Historian – Eric Strom
