Dunedin-Palm Harbor Post 2550-Newsletter

TRICARE covers the seasonal and H1N1 flu and age-appropriate doses of vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Beneficiaries can visit participating TRICARE retail network pharmacies to receive seasonal flu, H1N1 flu and pneumonia vaccines at no cost. This expanded coverage is available to all TRICARE beneficiaries eligible to use the TRICARE retail pharmacy benefit. To find a participating pharmacy, visit TRICARE’s Express Scripts webpage or call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303. TRICARE regularly adds coverage for new vaccinations based on CDC recommendations on the CDC website. For more information on immunizations, visit the Military Health System Immunization Awareness page.

See your Post Service Officer for any Assistance.

Indianapolis, Indiana

August 23, 2010

by Gold Legacy

The Patriotic Rally was held in downtown Indianapolis at beautiful Victory Ballpark, home of the Indianapolis Indians, the triple A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.  All of the delegations gathered behind the ballpark to line up for the parade of states.  A special guest was Punxsutawney Phil who was down to assess the Indians chance of winning the league championship.  He oversaw the parade preparations.

After awards were given out to the winning drill teams a special event was held, 120 new recruits were sworn in to the US Army, and then the entertainment started.

The first performance was given by the VFW National Home for Children Chorus. They sang some ‘50s and ‘60s songs for us and people out of the stands to dance with.

Then came Ricky Lee, that talented fellow from the hot-bed of country music Altoona, Pennsylvania put on a great show.  Ricky Lee spends his time performing at VA Hospitals, military bases, and on USO tours. He was there to release his new CD, “Freedom” at our 111^th National Convention.  He sang “Freedom”, “100% American” and “American Hero” from the CD.

He came up in the stands to mingle with fans, during his memorable performance, which ended with a huge fireworks display.

Go to the Photos Section to see pictures.

Indianapolis, Indiana

August 24, 2010

by Gold Legacy

This year VFW Buddy Poppy Girl made quite a hit with the Florida Delegation at the 111^th Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

She was escorted around the convention hall floor by the Captain of the Guard and introduced to each delegation.

Senior–vice Commander Dan Duffy gave her a donation and pinned a Florida State Commanders pin on the front of her vest.  She then got donation from the everyone else.

Go to  Photos Section to see  pictures.

by Gold Legacy

When Comrade Chester Tokarz and his wife moved to Dunedin twenty-five years ago he was not happy with the plain traffic islands on his street, Palm Boulevard, the entry road to Dunedin Golf Course.

Due to his work and civic pride, Palm Boulevard has been transformed into a monument to Veterans of all services.  This has been a continuing labor of love for Chet, who spends two hours each week keeping the monument clean and presentable.  Like all Veterans of Foreign Wars, even though discharged, continues to serve his country and community and remember those who sacrificed for their country.

Go to Photos Section to see pictures.

by Gold Legacy

by Gold Legacy

The USS Arizona Memorial is built over the remains of the sunken battleship USS Arizona, the final resting place for many of the 1,177 crewmen killed on Dec. 7, 1941, when their ship was bombed by Japanese naval forces. This loss of life represents more than half of the Americans killed during the worst naval disaster in American history.The USS Arizona Memorial (as well as the USS Oklahoma Memorial and USS Utah Memorial) is part of the

World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, one of four national parks that make up the Pacific Historic Parks (formerly the Arizona Memorial Museum Association). Since 1979, the association, which also includes the Kalaupapa National Historic Park on the island of Molokai, the American Memorial Park in Saipan, and the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam, has partnered with the National Park Service to support educational programs, museum displays and exhibits, and interpretive programs. Honor the bravery and sacrifices of all those who participated in the Pacific Theater.World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, one of four national parks that make up the Pacific Historic Parks (formerly the Arizona Memorial Museum Association). Since 1979, the association, which also includes the Kalaupapa National Historic Park on the island of Molokai, the American Memorial Park in Saipan, and the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam, has partnered with the National Park Service to support educational programs, museum displays and exhibits, and interpretive programs. Honor the bravery and sacrifices of all those who participated in the Pacific Theater.

by Gold Legacy

Civilian employers of military retirees once again can offer a TRICARE supplemental plan with their cafeteria-style health insurance options so that workers who elect to use their TRICARE Standard benefit can buy coverage conveniently and with pre-taxed dollars.

The change took effect June 18 under a final rule published by the Department of Defense that implements a 2007 law prohibiting employers from enticing retirees to use TRICARE instead of employer-paid insurance.

The final rule relaxes an interim regulation unveiled two years. Employers still are prohibited under section 707 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act (Public Law 109-364) from offering incentives to military retirees to leave employer-paid plans and use TRICARE instead.

For example, they can’t subsidize a TRICARE supplement. They also are barred from offering cash incentives exclusively to military retirees if these workers will elect to opt out of employer-paid health plans.

But advocates for working-age military retirees, backed by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), had complained that the interim rule published in March 2008 created unnecessary hassles for military retirees in second careers and denied them of a valuable tax break.

by Gold Legacy

Eagle Scout Robert Morgan has been named “National Scout of the Year” for 2009-2010 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who are wartime veterans that have served in combat zones in foreign countries.Morgan, 18, the son of Chuck and Donna Morgan, received a $5,000 scholarship as the VFW’s number one Scout in the U.S.

“The judges had a tough time choosing the second and third place winners this year, but the judges had no problem in choosing Robert Morgan of California as the VFW National Scout of the Year”, said Steve Van Buskirk, VFW national director of programs. “The point I want to make is that this young man, Eagle Scout Robert Morgan, was just head-and-shoulders above his peers, as a Scout and as a citizen. So we in the VFW are very, very proud of him, and pleased to honor him in this way.”