Jan2006News
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USAF Officer Candidate School -- Class 1957C
Newsletter: January 2006 Our Staff: President . . . . . . . . . . Jack Fox Vice President. . . . . . . Dale Shipley Secretary/Treasurer. . . . . Phil Meek Webmaster. . . . . . . . . Dick Nagel Photographer . . . . . . . Bobby Sims Golf Pro . . . . . . . . . Milt Jones Bar Tender . . . . . . . . . Frank Walls
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Our Website:
WWW.Webspawner.com/user/ocsclass57c/index.html
JACK’S CORNER: (JACK FOX)
All is well on the Left Coast. That means nothing in the political spectrum has changed, as evidenced by our beleaguered governor's failure to impress the populace that California is spending its way into oblivion. Paul Harvey reported today (13 Dec.) that the U.S. economy is growing at the fastest rate in 27 years. As Martha Stewart would say - that's a good thing. The upcoming year should be one of big changes and I'm hoping that things improve for all of us who have been waiting so long for stability at home and abroad. I wish it were possible to hear what Tom Boyatt has to say about world events. Perhaps that will happen at the 2007 reunion in San Antonio. We must be about half way there since our last reunion was some 20 months ago and the next gathering will occur sometime in the middle of 2007. I'm looking forward to this event but wish we could reunite sooner.
Have you read any good literature lately - anything that struck you as being especially insightful and well reasoned? I can recommend Thomas Sowell's "Black Rednecks and White Liberals" as a book that fits that standard. It's really a history book and a real eye-opener for me as much of the research centers on the south and how people are influenced by ancestral traditions and attitudes. I have read some southern U.S. history but this book shows aspects of human behavior in new light. Sowell's research on Middle East affairs brings out how turmoil in that region has progressed and what we can expect in the future. It's interesting that this book has been as high as 11th on the N.Y. Times Best Seller list yet has received less than 10 reviews nationally. Apparently, black conservative writers don't operate on an even playing field. However, gentleman that he is, Thomas Sowell never complains about unfairness, seemingly confident that the truth and facts will eventually expose myths and distortions about prejudice and slavery. This is a book that I'll reread.
While it's too late to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Bernice and I are hoping the New Year will bring you much happiness, peace and good health.
Jack
DALE’S Domain (DALE SHIPLEY)
Jack mentioned some good reading that he strongly recommends. Well I must admit that I haven't been into any literature recently that I'd recommend but there have been some interesting articles in the Air Force Retiree News that Billy Turner publishes on a recurring basis. This is in addition to what you see in the Afterburner and it is on a much more frequent basis. In Mr. Turner's December 13th release he had this to say about DOD medical cost.
"Several military related organizations have reported that the Department of Defense is looking at increasing the cost share of the Tricare healthcare program for the under-65 years of age members of the military retiree community.
"... (NAUS) indicates the proposed increase is the result of concerns about the rising costs of military health care. DoD projects costs rising to $64 billion by 2015, an amount equal to 12 percent of the total defense budget.
"...in November the Defense Advisory Committee on Military Compensation issued a proposal to raise enrollment fees over a three-year period for Tricare Prime. This proposal and another to increase the level of deductibles for Tricare Standard aim to counter the overall increasing health care costs DoD faces. The Committee is also discussing the initiation of a Tricare Standard enrollment fees and an increase in pharmacy co-pays for retail pharmacy purchases."
The article talks about Tricare for the under-65 beneficiaries and a proposed increase of enrollment fees. We can be thankful that our coverage is under Tricare for Life wherein we have no enrollment fees; however, you should not be surprised if someone in the political arena comes up with a comparable proposal and possibly an increase of our pharmacy co-pays under Tricare for Life. Many of you already know that the VA is raising their co-pay for prescriptions effective January 1, 2006.
On December 21st Mr. Turner advised that, "Retiree and annuitant pay statements and tax forms are now available on the Internet for myPay users." This is several weeks ahead of the old system wherein the statements and tax forms were mailed to retirees.
I recommend that you put your e-mail address on the list for the Air Force Retiree News by going to http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/afretire. And you can go to https://mypay.dfas.mil for your pay information.
I just had a phone call from Phil Meek. His computer is on the blink so he gave me an abbreviated financial report as detailed in Phil's Bills just below. Speaking of Phil, please note that he is now dual hated as the Secretary/Treasurer of our association.
Dale
PHIL’S BILLS (Phil Meek)
Financial Report (as of Dec 27, 2005)
Beginning Balance: $3009.32
Receipts:
Membership Dues 90.00
Subtotal: $3099.32
Disbursements: 00.00
Ending Balance: $3099.32
Members who wish to remain active in the association, continue to receive newsletters and to stay in touch are encouraged to maintain current membership. Dues are only $10.00 per year and may be sent to Phil Meek at his address in the attached class roster.
Phil
Miscellany
What's happening:
Because Phil's machine is out of order the membership information on the class roster is the same as last time except for Art Burer. Your executive committee has granted an honorary lifetime membership to Art Burer for his selfless contributions to our country and our association. Nan submitted this response, "And I have our check book beside me to write a check for life membership -
you guys are too much. Thanks for thinking of us and thanks for the prayers..."
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