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MOAA Clearwater Chapter Volume XIX , Issue 10 Mi l i tary Off icers Associat ion of Amer ica , Inc.
Oct 2021
• President’s Message 1
• Chapter News 2
• MOAA News 3
• Photos 4
• Our Patriotic Advertisers 5
** Moved from normal date due to Thanksgiving.
* Pearl Harbor Day Luncheon
DRUMBEAT
Board Meeting Oct 20, 2021
Lunch Meeting Oct 27, 2021
Board Meeting Nov 10, 2021
Lunch Meeting ** Nov 17, 2021
Board Meeting Dec 15, 2021
Luncheon Meeting No Luncheon
Lunch Meeting * Dec 7, 2021
Board Meeting Jan 19, 2022
Lunch Meeting Jan 26, 2022
Clearwater Chapter
MOAA Membership
Total Members
Regular 59
Spouses 31
Surviving Spouses 13
Total 103
The Drumbeat is published by the Clearwater Chapter which is an affiliate of the Military Offic-ers Association of America (MOAA). MOAA and its affiliated chapters and councils are non-partisan. The advertisements that appear in this publication also do not reflect an endorsement by MOAA.
.
Thanks to the nearly 50 members and guests who attended our Spring Season
Ending BBQ
lunch event on May 24th. Your continued loyal participation makes it possible to
lineup engaging and enlightening speakers. A big thanks to Navy Captain (Ret)
Jim Facinelli, Senior Naval Science Instructor, Dunedin HS JROTC and Cadet Law-
rence Judd for their in-depth presentation of their award-winning program. Also,
thanks to one of our own, Monty Stokes, who provided a mission overview of the
Veterans Affairs Inspector General’s Office located at Bay Pines Medical Center
and answered questions from the membership.
Reminder: Our luncheon program will restart on September 28th. Be on the look-
out in our August Drumbeat for speaker and event information.
The chapter held its annual Charity Golf Event on May 19th at Eastlake Woodlands
Country Club. We had 39 players from all over the local area including the chap-
ter, the Clearwater Coast Guard Air Station, Vietnam Veterans of America, and
Eastlake Woodlands Country Club. A great day was had by ALL and approximately
$2400 was raised for our charitable fund that supports both Clearwater and Dun-
edin HS JROTC programs, Honor Flight, and the Clearwater Veterans Mall. Thanks
to Jim Patrick for leading this effort, and Norm Belson, Bob Behm, Shirley Apt and
new member, Howard McLymont for volunteering to support this important event.
Also, a BIG THANKS to those who contributed funds, though they could not play.
For those members departing the area over the summer, we wish you safe travels
and look forward to your return this fall. The board will continue to meet monthly
over the summer and we will continue to produce the Drumbeat as well as update
our website with important information for all.
Again, thanks to ALL of you who continue to SERVE our VETERANS and the COM-
MUNITIES where we live, and in MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE FOR OCTOBER 2021 DRUMBEAT
Hello fellow members, Fall has arrived and that makes us Floridians all very happy,
as the best time of year to be in Florida is just ahead of us. The first day of fall
begins on 22 September 2021. This day is also the fall equinox the time at which
the sun crosses the plane of the equator away from the relevant hemisphere, mak-
ing day and night of equal length. Each day will become shorter until we reach the
Winter Solstice when afterward each day will begin to lengthen. I know we are all
looking forward to a reduction in humidity levels.
An announcement on our October luncheon: The October luncheon is scheduled for
the 27th, the Board voted and barring any restrictions by the Country Club we are
planning to hold the luncheon. As a reminder the start time is 11:30 for arrival and
payment with kick off scheduled for 12:00. I hope to see you all at the Clearwater
Country Club on Wednesday 27 October.
Great news for the Chapter, Gary Williams has agreed to fill the vacant First Vice
President spot on the Chapter Board. The Board unanimously voted Gary in on 15
September to serve in this role. Please pass your congratulations onto Gary the
next time you see him. I am happy to have such a talented individual serve on the
Board of Directors.
Check out the October Drumbeat, you can see some great photos of our new First
Vice President playing Taps at two local Fire Stations in honor of the 20th
anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on our country. A number of our members attended
this event which was well received by the a number of local Fire Fighters and Family
members.
Lastly, a reminder for all that in December we will be changing our luncheon
schedule, as this year we will host the Pearl Harbor celebration as a Chapter. We
will conduct the December luncheon on 7 December in honor of this significant
event in our Nation’s history. We will be joined by members from the St. Petersburg
MOAA and Military Order of World Wars. Should be a great turnout so mark your
calendars.
Our lineup for speakers when we resume in October is as follows;
October – Deanna Bennet, a member of our chapter and author of four books will
speak on European immigration.
November – Congressman Gus Bilirakis is scheduled
December – Gary Williams will present our celebration of Pearl Harbor Day.
January – Linda Moore – Trauma Nurse
I look forward to seeing you all in October for our Luncheon.
Together we are “One Powerful Voice”, Still Serving! Hooah!
Jeff Doll
2
CHAPTER NEWS
LUNCHEON NEWS
27 October Luncheon
Join us for Lunch at the Clearwater Country Club; 525 N Betty Lane, Clearwater. Directions: from Drew Street turn North it’ll
be the last right turn before the railroad tracks, from Palmetto Street turn South it’ll be the first left after the tracks. COST:
$20 per person. Please make check payable to Clearwater Chapter MOAA . Meal selections (if reservation is NOT made 0n-
line) are to be made by calling Jane Belson: (727) 535-9151 NLT 12:00 Oct 22, 2021.
Cancellations must be in NLT 12:00 Oct 25, 2021.
You are encouraged to use the Chapter Web Site to make reservations and meal selections:
http://moaafl.org/Chapters/MOAAFLCWC/Default.aspx
Please note that due to inflation driven increases in cost of food to the Country Club, only a limited menu will be available.
Your understanding is appreciated.
Menu:
Hot: House Salad, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Pasta, Garlic Breadsticks Chef's Choice of Dessert, Includes Iced Tea and
Coffee
Cold: Par 3 Salad - Soup DuJour, Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad & Egg Salad, Served over a bed of baby greens accompanied with
fresh fruit and cottage cheese, Served with Rolls & Butter, Chef's Choice of Dessert, Includes Iced Tea and Coffee
Clearwater Chapter Obtains Grant For K9 Partners For Patriots
A Grant in the amount of $2250 to support this organization that provides Service Dogs and training for Veterans and Serving
Members who suffer from PTSD.
MOAA Clearwater has been included in the Community Partners recognition wall for this great organization. A significant
accomplishment for our Chapter and K9 Partners for Patriots.
MOAA NEWS
Members In Distress
Please notify Chapter President Jeff Doll BG USA Ret if you become aware of a member, spouse or surviving spouse who is in
distress (ill, suffering from stroke, heart attack or other adverse situation).
Jeff may be contacted at: [email protected]
3
MOAA NEWS
Care Act Addresses Exposure To Toxic Substances
A bipartisan bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to address health care and benefits for veterans with
conditions related to exposure to toxic substances, including by expanding VA health care eligibility to certain individuals
who have been awarded specified medals (e.g., the Armed Forces Service Medal) and those exposed to open burn pits or
other toxic substances. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment. The bill includes:
• Grant VA health care enrollment eligibility to any veteran who suffered toxic exposures while in service regardless of
their service-connected disability claim status
• Create a list of presumptive disabilities for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances
• Concede exposure to burn pits and other airborne hazards for veterans who served in areas where they were known to
be used
• Ensure VA adopts a framework to establish new presumptive disabilities in a timely manner based on scientific data
• Develop a training module to ensure VA providers and benefits personnel are able to properly identify, treat, assess the
impact of illnesses related to toxic exposures
• Require a toxic exposure questionnaire at the beginning of every VA primary care appointment.
Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act, HR 475
This bill modifies the extension of dependent coverage under TRICARE by allowing a dependent under the age of 26 to be
covered without an additional premium. Additionally, the bill authorizes such coverage of dependents without a premium
regardless of whether they are eligible to enroll in an employer sponsored plan. This bill has been referred to the Armed
Services Committee.
Veterans Disability Claims Backlog Expected to Grow in Coming Months
Veterans Affairs officials don’t know how bad the backlog of veteran disability claims will get this fall, but they know it’s
getting worse.
The backlog — defined as the number of first-time disability and pension claims that have been awaiting decisions for more
than four months — topped 215,000 the week of Sept. 13, up 16 percent since July and nearly triple what it was in early
2020 before the coronavirus pandemic in America.
Click on: Claims
New VA Programs Target Better Care for Older Veterans
No one likes going to the hospital emergency room and waiting hours on end to get care. Emergency visits for older
Americans can be particularly tough and time critical.
For veterans, who typically have complex health conditions and are at higher risk as they age, visits to a VA medical facility
emergency department (ED) can be lifesaving with the right kind of care at the right time.
Click on: Veterans
Veteran Suicide Rate Shows Biggest Drop Since 2001, But Remains High
The number of veterans who died by suicide dropped noticeably in 2019, but new data shows vets are still killing them-
selves at rates alarmingly higher than non-veterans.
The Veterans Affairs Department said Sept. 8 that 6,261 veterans died by suicide in 2019, a decline of 399 from 2018.
That amounted to a 7.2% overall decrease in the veteran suicide mortality rate, when adjusted by age and gender, the VA
said.
Click on: Suicide
4
Hurricane Season Is Here
Hurricane season is here. Be sure you and your family are prepared.
Hurricane Safety Checklists
The most important thing you can do as hurricane season approaches is to get yourself, your family and your home prepared.
By starting early, you’ll avoid the rush at home supply stores, grocery stores and other venues typically crowded and often
chaotic when hurricane watches and warnings are issued.
You should stock six basics for your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies,
and special items. Keep the items you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to carry container. Possible
containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffle bag.
Make your preparations easier by downloading the checklists included with each category and use them as you shop and store
your supplies.
Click on: Food and Water Click on: First Aid and Nonprescription Drugs Click on: Tools and Supplies
Click on: Sanitation and Clothing Click on: Special Items Click on: Possessions and Documents
Photos
Gary Williams preparing to play Taps in honor of the plane that struck the
Pentagon at 9:37 AM on 9/11.
5
SALUTING OUR FINE PATRIOTIC ADVERTISERS
https://stores.perkinsrestaurants.com/us/fl/clearwater/2626-gulf-to-bay-blvd.html
Clearwater Perkins Restaurant welcomes you to come and enjoy a meal, open 24-7. Perkins Restaurant is located at 2626 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd, Clearwater, FL-PH-727-799-2019. Stop by for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Wine and beer available upon request
You are encouraged to patronize our patriotic advertisers and to be sure to mention you are an
MOAA member. Please bring a copy of the advertisement and show it to the manager. Also
encourage your friends and family to patronize them and to let them know you suggested it.
Please send a testimonial about the establishment to the Drumbeat Editor at
[email protected] to be included in the Drumbeat and show appreciation for their
support.
