Lowcountry Military
RETIREE NEWS T
VOL. 3 NO. 2 • FREE • S ERVINg M ILITaRy R ETIREES & V ETERaNS IN ThE L OWcOuNTRy • MaRch, 2011 Courtesy of Diggle Publishing - Publishers of the Joint Base Charleston PATRIOT
Submarine Vets support 2011 H.L. Hunley Memorial Service Submitted by Edward Stank United States Submarine Veterans, Inc - Charleston Base On February 17th, the 147th anniversary of the loss of the H.L. Hunley and the USS Housatonic, members from Charleston Base, Denizens of the Deep, Golden Corner Base, Tarheel Base, Nat Green Base, and Kings Bay Base of Southeast Region of the United States Submarine Veterans Incorporated (USSVI), as well as the WWII Submarine Veterans Swamp Fox chapter, joined together to honor the service and bravery of these 19th century sailors. The memorial service was held at the Sunrise Presbyterian Church on Sullivan’s Island, just a short walk to the site from where the H.L. Hunley was launched shortly after dark on what was the first successful use of submarine warfare. Eight brave volunteers sailed aboard the Hunley that night as they manually powered the ship from the Breach Inlet at Sullivan’s Island in search of the USS Housatonic, a sloop of war which was part of blockade of Charleston Harbor. Shortly after 9 p.m. that night, the H.L. Hunley rammed her spar torpedo into the side of the USS Housatonic, causing her to sink by the stern. Five brave crewmen aboard the USS Housatonic lost their lives. Shortly after the attack, the H.L. Hunley was lost with all eight crewmembers. The invocation, given by Reverend Vance Polley, spoke of the bravery of these young men who volunteered to serve aboard the H.L Hunley, knowing that 13 brave men had already given their lives since her construction by the Confederacy. Recruited by Lt. William Alexander, these eight men set the standard which the submarine force of
today’s Navy still honors to God and country. Charleston Base Commander Paul Viering, ETCS(SS) USN Retired, spoke of the sacrifices made by the men of the H.L Hunley and compared them to the sacrifices made by the United States Submarine force during WWII. Paul spoke of the training the men of the H.L. Hunley received and how it translates to the training our submarine force receives yet today. The training the men of the H.L. Hunley received may have been the first of its kind for the submarine force. Thirteen women, each representing the men lost from the H.L. Hunley and USS Housatonic engagement, were presented a single white rose by members of the USSVI and the WWII Submarine Veterans, honoring the memory of those brave men who gave their lives 147 years ago. The ceremony concluded with the 13 “Ladies in mourning” being escorted from the church by members of South Carolina Civil War Re-enactors to the launch site of the H.L. Hunley at Breach Inlet and laying a wreath out to sea in honor of those brave men.
Courtesy photo
A memorial service is held at Breech Inlet, near where the H.L. Hunley launched 147 years ago.
Deadline for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay applications extended The deadline for eligible service members, veterans and their beneficiaries to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP) has been extended to March 18, 2011, allowing personnel more time to apply for the benefits they’ve earned under the program guidelines. The deadline extension is included in the continuing resolution signed by President Obama recently, providing funding for federal government operations through March 18, 2011. The RSLSP was established to compensate for the
hardships military members encountered when their service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss Authority between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009. Eligible members or their beneficiaries may submit a claim to their respective military service in order to receive the benefit of $500 for each full or partial month served in a Stop Loss status. When RSLSP began on Oct. 21, 2009, the services estimated 145,000 service members, veterans and beneficiaries were eligible for this benefit. Because the majority of
those eligible had separated from the military, the services have engaged in extensive and persistent outreach efforts over the past 14 months. Outreach efforts including direct mail, engaging military and veteran service organizations, social networks and media outlets, will continue through March 18, 2011. To apply for more information, or to gather more information on RSLSP, including submission requirements and service-specific links, go to http://www.defense.gov/ stoploss.
Published by Diggle Publishing Company • Publishing the Charleston Area’s Military Newspapers Since 1973
www.CharlestonMilitary.com • 843-972-2356 • Email: Chuck@CharlestonMilitary.com
2
March 2011
EDITORIAL
Lowcountry Military Retiree News
National Women’s History Month Commentary by Admiral Gary Roughead Chief of Naval Operations WASHINGTON – National Women's History Month will be observed March 1 through 31. The national and Department of Defense theme for this year's observance is "our history is our strength." Women's History Month originated in 1978, when the Sonoma county (California) Commission on the Status of Women initiated a Women's History Week to coincide with international Women's Day. In 1981, in response to growing support for the week, Congress passed a joint resolution proclaiming a Women's History Week. In 1987, the National Women's History project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring and preserving women's history, petitioned Congress to expand the celebration to the entire month of March. Since then, National Women's History Month has been approved by Congress every year and commemorates the diverse contributions women have made, and continue to make, to our nation. Today, more than 53,000 active-duty women and more than 10,000 female Reservists are serving in the Navy. They make up 16.3 percent of the force and make indispensable contributions to our mission and operations. Thirty-one active and Reserve female flag officers and more than 50 female command master chiefs are leading from the front. Nearly 50,000 women serve in a wide range of specialties as Navy civilians. Today, 95 percent of Navy billets are open to women and women are assigned to ships, afloat
worth repeating
“Today, more than 53,000 active-duty women and more than 10,000 female Reservists are serving in the Navy.” Admiral Gary Roughead Chief of Naval Operations
staffs, naval construction force units and aviation squadrons. Since becoming an official part of the Navy in 1908 with the establishment of the Nurse Corps, women have exhibited an ever-increasing influence and impact. With the passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act on June 12, 1948, women gained permanent status in the armed services. The first six enlisted women were sworn into the regular Navy July 7, 1948 and on Oct. 15, 1948, the first eight female officers were commissioned. Women were first assigned to selected non-combatant ships in 1978, and opportunities were later broadened in 1994 to include service on combatant ships following the repeal of the combat exclusion law. Most recently, in April 2010, the Navy announced a policy change that allows women to serve on submarines, opening the aperture to a key talent pool.
The spirited and courageous efforts of women in the United States Navy have shaped our legacy. A veteran of two world wars and director of the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service from 1946 to 1953, Capt. Joy Bright Hancock played a critical role in the passage of the Women's Armed Service Integration Act. During the Vietnam War in 1972, Cmdr. Elizabeth Barrett became the first female line officer to hold command in a combat zone when she became commanding officer of the Naval Advisory Group in Saigon. In 1974, Lt. Barbara Allen Rainey earned her wings and became the first female U.S. naval aviator. In 1990, Lt. Cmdr. Darlene Iskra became the first woman to command a Navy ship and in 1998, Cmdr. Maureen A. Farren became the Navy's first female combatant ship commander. In 2002, Master Chief Jacqueline Dirosa became the Navy's first female Force master chief and in 2006, she became the first female Fleet master chief. Capt. Sunita Williams, a naval aviator and NASA astronaut, set the record in 2007 for the longest uninterrupted space flight by a female astronaut. I strongly encourage all commands to increase their knowledge and awareness of the contributions of women to our Navy and nation by celebrating Women's History Month through programs, exhibits, publications and participation in military and community events. Individuals and commands are also encouraged to participate in the Sea Service Leadership Association women's leadership symposium March 15-16 in San Diego, Calif. During the conference, the recipients of the 2011 Joy Bright Hancock leadership awards will be honored.
Texting while driving - a dangerous distraction By Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Brannon Deugan Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs Office It happens every day. While driving on a congested highway, a driver's cell phone beeps indicating a new text message. As he digs through books, papers and empty fast food wrappers in the passenger seat trying to locate his phone, his eyes wander from the road. He finds it lodged between the seat back and cushion, glances back to the road and then back to his phone to read the message, which simply says, 'get milk'. If the message had said, 'hey, look at the road while you're driving,' perhaps he wouldn't have rear-ended the car that had come to a complete stop in front of him, totaling his vehicle and injuring the passengers of the car he just hit. The use of cell phones while driving creates tiny spans of time when a driver's eyes wander from the road, prohibiting a driver from properly reacting to hazards that can suddenly appear. "It is plain and simple, texting while driving is dangerous," said Naval Support Activity Command Master Chief Billy Cady. "As much as we think we can multi-task, we can't. When something diverts our attention from the road, such as a non-urgent text message, an accident can happen or worse, someone can die. Diverting your attention from the road, even for a few seconds can be devastating."
In two separate studies, one comparing drunk driving to texting while driving, researchers found that a drunk driver traveling at 35 mph stopped an average of four feet farther down the road than the sober, undistracted driver. In comparison, a driver traveling at the same speed and distracted by texting traveled, on average, 25 feet beyond their baseline distance before completely stopping the car. A second study conducted in 2009 by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, showed a risk of collision is 1.3 times more likely while reaching for a phone or other electronic device. The study also came to the conclusion that a driver attempting to text while behind the wheel has their eyes off the road an average of 4.6 seconds out of every six seconds, making that driver 2.8 times more likely to have an accident. Due to the danger associated with texting and driving, 30 states in the United States as well as Guam have banned texting while driving altogether and eight other states have prohibited texting for new drivers. On Joint Base Charleston, the use of handheld electronic devices without the hands-free method is prohibited while operating a motor vehicle, period. "The policy prohibiting cell phone use without handsfree devices is meant to save lives," said William Scheer, 628th Security Forces Squadron, Weapons Station operations manager. "Sailors, Airmen and civilians working on
JB CHS need to be able to drive on the installations without worrying about getting into an accident caused by someone using a cell-phone." To enforce this regulation, the 628 SFS issues tickets to violators. Based on the number of offenses, base restrictions include: • 1st Offense: Three points on the offender's driving record and an 18-calendar-day suspension of driving privileges on any installation. • 2nd Offense: Four points on the offender's driving record and a 90-calendar-day suspension of driving privileges on any installation. • 3rd Offense: Five points on the offender's driving record and a one-year suspension of driving privileges on any installation. "Base restrictions on cell phone usage while driving are in place to protect our service members and their loved ones, not as an inconvenience factor," said NSA Executive Officer Charles Phillip. "Our service members are essentially the bread and butter that keep a command together and get the job done. “Those few seconds it takes to check a text message could be the last for some and we don't want that to happen to any of our service members here at JB Charleston," he concluded. "Be aware of the dangers of texting while driving, just don't do it."
Lowcountry Military Retiree News
JOINT BASE NEWS
March 2011
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JB Charleston Air Expo to take place April 9th! Joint Base Charleston - Air Base will be host to the Thunderbirds on 9 April 2011. Mark your calendars for Air Expo 2011 at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base. The US AF Thunderbirds will perform an exciting aerial ballet of high-speed maneuvers and turns as they take over the skies of Joint Base Charleston Air Base during Air Expo 2011, Saturday, April 9. The Thunderbirds, separated only by inches, have flown in front of more than 427 million people in aerial demonstrations throughout the U.S. and around the world since their first demonstration in May 1953, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was activated at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The name "Thunderbirds" is influenced in part by the strong Indian culture and folklore of the southwestern United States where Luke is located. Indian legend speaks of the Thunderbird with great fear and respect. To some it was a giant eagle & others envisioned a hawk. When it took to the skies, the earth trembled from the thunder of its great wings. From its eyes shot bolts of lightning. Nothing in nature could challenge the bird of thunder, the story said, and no man could stand against its might. The story of the Thunderbird was repeated, voice-by-voice, across the generations, until at last, it assumed the immortality of legend. Air Expo 2011 will also have some of the Air Force's most popular aircraft performing and static aircraft on display. As always, the show is open to to the public and admission and parking are free. Read more about the history of the Thunderbirds at charlestonairexpo.com
IMPoRtANt NuMBERs FoR REtIREEs & VEtERANs Defense Finance and Accounting service 800-321-1080 Casualty Assistance 877-353-6807 social security Administration 800-772-1213 Veterans Affairs 800-827-1000 CAC and I.D. card appointments http://appointments.cac.navy.mil
The Lowcountry Military Retiree News is published every month by Diggle Publishing Co., (843) 4125861, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. government or U.S. military. Diggle Publishing Co. also publishes the base newspapers for the Charleston Air Force Base and the Naval Weapons Station. Contents of the Lowcountry Military Retiree News are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by
Joint Base Charleston address change Effective Oct. 1, 2010, Charleston Air Force Base and Naval Weapons Station Charleston ceased to be two distinct installations and merged to form Joint Base Charleston. Beginning March 21, 2011, the city name of Charleston AFB will be replaced by Joint Base Charleston. The Weapons Station will remain a part of Goose Creek for the foreseeable future. With this new name change, it is imperative that all incoming and outgoing mail be addressed with the Joint Base Charleston city name as shown in the following example: 628th Communications Squadron 103 N. Graves Ave, Bldg 302 Joint Base Charleston, SC 29404 For questions or concerns regarding the name change on official or unofficial mail, contact the Official Mail Center at 963-3281. Diggle Publishing Co. or any branch of the U.S. military services. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited and prepared by Diggle Publishing Company. Sourced articles are provided by The Baguio RAO Bulletin. Other articles are submitted
Consignment shop finds new home Courtesy of Joint Base Charleston public affairs The Joint Base Charleston - Air Base consignment shop is moving to its new home in the old Child Development Center, Bldg. 1950 located at the corner of Hill Blvd. and O'Neal Ave. across from the Shoppette. The shop will be closed for moving from Feb. 19 to March 7, and will hold its Grand Re-opening, March 8. The new store hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month. For more information call 963-3294.
Military Retirees News is online and can be viewed or downloaded as a PDF at www.CharlestonMilitary.com Find us on Facebook by searching for “Diggle Publishing” by the Retiree Activities Office of the CAFB or NWS. Some articles are reprinted by permission of the Public Affairs Offices of CAFB and NWS. The deadline for submitting stories for space-available publication is ten (10) days before the end of the month for the following month’s publication. Our staff reserves the right to edit all copy submitted for publication. Advertising space deadline: Ten (10) days prior to the end of the month for the following month’s publication. Advertising materials deadline: Five (5) days prior to the end of the month. For more information, call 843-412-5861.
Advertising / Editorial Contacts Classified and display advertisements may be referred to Diggle Publishing Company, P.O. Box 2016, Mount Pleasant, S.C., 29465. To find out display ad rates, go to www.CharlestonMilitary.com or visit www.Diggle Pub.com. Phone: 843-412-5861 • Fax: 843-856-0358. Email: Chuck@CharlestonMilitary.com Publisher: Charles Diggle Editorial Advisor: Charles W. Short, CMSgt, USAF (ret), Retiree Affairs Office, CAFB Editorial & Sales: Chuck Diggle Sales & Distribution: Sam Diggle
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March 2011
JOINT BASE NEWS
Lowcountry Military Retiree News
Boat repairs signal Summer is on its way at Short Stay An officer candidate from the Citadel’s Navy Reserve officers training Corps shows other officer candidates and midshipmen the points of sail using a paper boat as a model at the military’s short stay outdoor Recreation Area in Moncks Corner, s.C., Feb. 12. officer candidates and midshipmen from the Citadel routinely volunteer their free time at short stay on Lake Moultrie, repairing and cleaning boats and working on their sailing qualifications. short stay is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends starting March 4 and will open seven days a week starting Memorial Day. Located approximately 25 miles from Naval Weapons station Charleston, short stay is Navy Charleston’s premier outdoor recreation area. the resorttype environment at short stay, located on beautiful Lake Moultrie near Moncks Corner, is the perfect place for your next vacation or weekend getaway. sail boats, kayaks, canoes, Jon boats, pontoon boats, center console skiffs, water skis, wake boards, knee boards and tubes are available for rent. short stay is operated by the u.s. Navy to provide a quality recreation experience for our nation’s active duty military, reservists, DoD personnel, retirees, and their family members. For information, call 843-743-2608 ext. 230.
U.S. Navy photos/Electrician's Mate Chief Petty Officer Eric Hopkins
Lowcountry Military Retiree News
JOINT BASE NEWS
March 2011
Security Police informational Job Fair Courtesy of Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs The United States Air Force Civilian Service is hosting a Security Police Informational Job Fair, March 8, at the Radisson Hotel Charleston Airport. This event is to help educate prospective applicants on how to apply for police officer positions in the Air Force Civilian Service which is hiring several permanent full-time civilian police officers in support of Joint Base Charleston. The Air Force Civilian Service will have two Enterprise Recruiters available for the information-
al sessions and to review resumes. The primary purpose of these positions is to enforce laws, rules and regulations, maintain law and order, preserve the peace and protect life and civil rights within the jurisdiction of the military installation. Location: Radisson Hotel Charleston Airport, 5991 Rivers Ave., Charleston S.C. 29406, Ashley Room - II Date: March 8 Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Breakouts: 8 to 9 a.m. - Open 9 to 10 a.m. - Information session "How to apply" 11 a.m. to noon - Individual question and answers Noon to 1 p.m. - Lunch 1 to 2 p.m. - Information session "How to apply" 3 to 3 p.m. Individual question and answers 3 to 4 p.m. Information session "How to apply" 4 to 5 p.m. Individual question and answers For more information go to www.afciviliancareers.com
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TRICARE NEWS tRICARE Cautions Against overuse of Common Pain Medication
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March 2011
FALLS CHURCH, Va. – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is limiting the amount of acetaminophen allowed in prescription pain medications. The ruling came with renewed warnings that exceeding the recommended daily dose of 4,000 milligrams can lead to serious liver problems. Acetaminophen is one of the most common pain-relieving medications. The new limit of 325 milligrams per capsule or pill is less than half the amount now found in some prescription medications. Drug manufacturers have three years to comply with this new rule, which only applies to prescription medications, not over-the-counter drugs. Rear Adm. Thomas McGinnis, chief of TRICARE Pharmacy Operations, said beneficiaries should not overreact to the ruling, but should be aware of the danger. “The amount of acetaminophen in prescription painkillers is not enough to cause problems on its own,” McGinnis said. “But beneficiaries should be careful when they also take over-the-counter pain medication to treat symptoms like headache or fever.” Many common over-the-counter painkillers or cough medications contain acetaminophen. They will not be affected by this FDA ruling. Taking these medications together with prescription painkillers containing acetaminophen could exceed the FDA’s recommended daily dose, possibly causing liver damage. “It’s probably best for beneficiaries to
Where Every
take only one medication containing acetaminophen at a time,” McGinnis said. “If prescribed a medication with acetaminophen, find a different over-the-counter drug to treat other symptoms.” There are ways TRICARE beneficiaries can make sure they don’t take too much acetaminophen. Beneficiaries should always know every medication they are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, and inform their pharmacist or doctor of these medications when obtaining a prescription. Beneficiaries should take all medications at the prescribed dosage and time, and not use alcohol with medications containing acetaminophen. If beneficiaries have questions about acetaminophen content in a specific medication, they should consult their pharmacist. Beneficiaries who use TRICARE pharmacy home delivery have phone access to a pharmacist 24/7, at 1-877-363-1303. For more information about the FDA ruling on acetaminophen, go to www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ ucm239821.htm.
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Lowcountry Military Retiree News
Visit our new Heart Failure Clinic today. The Heart Failure Clinic at Trident Health System offers a proactive approach to managing your heart condition. We focus on improving your quality of life through accessible treatments, education and personalized therapy. For more information call call 843.797.FIND (3463) or visit www.TridentHealthSystem.com.
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Lowcountry Military Retiree News
VA NEWS
March 2011
7
Women Who Have served: A Photo Montage By By Kate Hoit U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
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March is Women’s History Month and after browsing stories of the fearless women who’ve paved their own path, I couldn’t help but think of a magnet my mom brought me that said, “Well behaved women rarely make history.” Some would argue women who have served or are currently serving in the military have taken a gamble, but I say we are undoubtedly history makers. In honor of those who have served before me, with me, and those who have served after me, I say we celebrate our accomplishments. In doing so, we’re planning to create a Flickr photo set dedicated to female Veterans. So here is what I need from you—photographs from where you served along with descriptions of the photos. Your photographs should be accompanied with your name, branch of service, and a sentence about what you’re doing now. Please send all information to newmedia@va.gov and we’ll compile the photos and publish them in the next week or so.
Last American WWI Veteran dies By Fred W. Baker III American Forces Press Service Frank Woodruff Buckles, the last surviving American World War I veteran, died Feb. 27 at his West Virginia home. He was 110. Sixteen-year-old Buckles enlisted in the Army on Aug. 14, 1917 after lying to several recruiters about his age. "I was just 16 and didn't look a day older. I confess to you that I lied to more than one recruiter. I gave them my solemn word that I was 18, but I'd left my birth certificate back home in the family Bible. They'd take one look at me and laugh and tell me to home before my mother noticed I was gone," Buckles wrote in 2009. Buckles tried the Marines and Navy, but both turned him away. An Army recruiter, however, accepted his story. "Somehow I got the idea that telling an even bigger whopper was the way to go. So I told the next recruiter that I was 21 and darned if he didn't sign me up on the spot!" he wrote. Buckles earned the rank of corporal and traveled England and France serving as an ambulance driver. After the Armistice in 1918, Buckles escorted prisoners of war back to Germany. He was discharged in 1920. In 1942 Buckles worked as a civilian for a shipping company in the Philippines, where he was captured in Manila by the Japanese the day after they attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He spent three and a half years in the Los Baños prison camp. He was rescued on February 23, 1945. Buckles married Audrey Mayo of Pleasanton, Calif., in
DOD photo by R. D. Ward
Defense secretary Robert M. Gates, left, talks with Frank Buckles, the last living American World War I veteran, during a Pentagon ceremony March 6, 2008. Buckles died Feb. 27, 2011 at age 110.
1946. The couple moved to his Gap View Farm near Charles Town in January 1954 where Buckles reportedly continued to drive his tractor until he was 106. On February 4, 2008, with the death of 108-year-old Harry Richard Landis, Buckles became the last surviving American World War I veteran. Since, Buckles championed veterans' causes, was invited to the White House and honored at the Pentagon. Buckles is survived by his daughter, Susannah Buckles Flanagan. His wife, Audrey, died in 1999.
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March 2011
FINANCES
Lowcountry Military Retiree News
VA and the IRS have tips for tax prep By Lauren Bailey U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Every January, after we rang in the New Year, my father would start grumbling about taxes. One year, in a paper induced rage, he turned to my five-year-old brother and curly haired, goofy faced me, aged eight, and exclaimed: “Kids! You know the only two things you can depend on in life?!” “Pizza!” I responded. “Captain Planet!” chimed my brother. “NO!” my dad said. “Dea—” “PAUL!” My mother intervened instantly. My father, defeated by my mother’s attempt to keep talk of the grim reaper out of our dining room, exhaled slowly and tried again. You can depend on birthdays and taxes once a year. At the time, I didn’t get it. However, as someone who recently jointly filed her income taxes for the first time with her new husband, I get it now: Every year we can rely on getting another year older and paying Uncle Sam. I also understand the fury caused by weirdly numbered and lettered forms, online filing fees, and standard versus itemized deductions. So I was ecstatic to find that the folks at the IRIS have special programs for Veterans and
military families to alleviate some of this annual frustration. The IRS and the Armed Forces have teamed up to provide the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program which provides free tax advice, tax preparation, return filing and other tax assistance. Many of the military-based VITA sites provide assistance to Veterans as well as military families. To find out of your local installation has the tax preparation service available for Veterans, call 1-800-906-9887. As a Veteran, you may be eligible for free basic income tax preparation assistance at other local IRS sponsored community-based, volunteer tax return preparation sites. To be eligible for free assistance through these programs you must meet certain age and income requirements. More information on these programs can be found here. Veterans of all ages can prepare and e-file their federal tax returns for free through the IRS Free File Program available on IRS.gov. Free File is offered through a public-private partnership between the IRS and brand-name tax software companies. Free File allows you to safely and securely download software for at home tax preparation and filing. Free File software is for taxpayers who earn $58,000 or less. If your 2010 adjusted gross income
was over $58,000 you can use the Fillable Forms also located on the Free File website. VA is always looking for ways to help Veterans, and we are thrilled to pass along this helpful tax information. Have you heard of any other local tax preparation help for Veterans? Will you be using these tips to help with your inevitable yearly task?
TRICARE home delivery offers convenience, affordability
People are always looking for opportunities to save time and spend less money, and TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery allows beneficiaries to do this by delivering maintenance medications safely and securely to their home through the U.S. mail. “For more than 10 years, TRICARE has offered home delivery as a convenient alternative to picking up prescription medications at a civilian retail pharmacy,” said Rear Adm. Thomas McGinnis, chief of TRICARE’s pharmacy operations. “TRICARE undertook an aggressive campaign to increase awareness of the benefits and savings of home delivery in 2010, which contributed to a 12.3 percent increase in participation.” More than 1 million prescriptions were filled through home delivery in each of the last five months of 2010 -- a record. Pharmacy home delivery is available to any U.S. postal address. Beneficiaries have convenient and secure Internet access to their plan information and can manage their prescriptions online. Home delivery costs beneficiaries $3 for a 90-day Independent Living supply for generic formulary medications and $9 for a 90Assisted Living day supply for formulary brand-name medications. Healthcare and TRICARE beneficiaries Rehabilitation switching to pharmacy home delivery from retail pharmacies in 2010 saved 66 perConveniently Located in cent on their copayments, up Mount Pleasant, SC to $176 a year for a non-formulary prescription. They also saved taxpayers $30.7 million. To sign up for pharmacy Information or home delivery or to learn to schedule a tour more, go to www.tricare.mil/ homedelivery or call the 800.732.6761 Member Choice Center toll free at 877-363-1343.
Lives Change Because We Care
Lowcountry Military Retiree News
REtIREE REsouRCEs Arlington National Cemetery For general information call 703-607-8000. Contact the Interment Services Branch at 703-607-8585 regarding funeral arrangements and eligibility requirements. Please note that the Arlington National Cemetery staff does not make pre-arrangements. Visit the Web site at www.arlingtoncemetery.org Armed Forces Retirement Home-Washington Campus Phone toll free 800-422-9988 or fax 202-730-3492. For general questions send an e-mail to publicaffairs@afrh.gov and specify “DC” in the subject line. Visit the Web site at www.afrh.gov. Armed Forces Retirement Home-Gulfport Campus Closed because of Hurricane Katrina, the Gulfport campus was severely damaged and is currently being rebuilt. Phone 228-604-2205. For general questions, send an e-mail to publicaffairs@afrh.gov and specify “Gulfport” in the subject line. Visit the Web site at www.afrh.gov. Armed Forces Vacation Club The Armed Forces Vacation Club is a space-available program offering Department of Defense-affiliated people affordable condominium vacations at more than 3,500 resorts worldwide. For more information, visit www.afvclub.com/default.asp. Delta Dental Plan for Retirees For inquiries, call 888-838-8737 or visit www.ddpdelta.org. DOD Lodging Reservations Air Force, 888-235-6343 (AFLODGE) -- after the prompt, dial first three digits of base name -- or visit http://dodlodging.net/; Army, 800-462-7691 (GOARMY-1) or visit www.armymwr.com/portal/travel/lodging/; Navy, 800-628-9466 (NAVY INN) or visit www.navy-lodge.com; Marine Corps, visit www.usmc-mccs.org/lodging Medicare Call 800-633-4227 or visit www.medicare.gov. Pay Matters Call the Defense Finance and Accounting Service-Cleveland Center toll free at 800-321-1080; fax 800-469-6559. SBP annuitants may use the same voice toll-free number, but the fax is 800-982-8459. social security Call toll free 800-772-1213 or visit the Web site at www.ssa. tricare The Web site is www.tricare.mil. Choose from one of three regional numbers: West, 888-874-9378; North, 877-874-2273; South, 800-444-5445; overseas, 888-777-8343. If you are a Tricare for Life member, you can call 866-773-0404. Call the Tricare Information Center at 877-363-6337. For Tricare Retiree Delta Dental Plan inquiries, call 888-838-8737 or visit www.ddpdelta.org. tricare Mail-order Pharmacy Program (Express scripts, Inc.) In United States, call toll free 866-363-8667; or overseas, call 866-275-4732. Visit the Web site at www.expressscripts.com/TRICARE. VA matters For benefit inquiries, call 800-827-1000; life insurance 800-6698477; status of headstones and markers, 800-697-6947; special issues such as Gulf War/radiation/Agent Orange/Project Shad call 800-749-8387; and GI Bill and education matters call 888-442-4551. Visit the Web site at www.va.gov.
March 2011 FINANCES Save hundreds on your grocery bill by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jennifer Hudson Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs Taking the time to go through ads and cut coupons is not necessarily at the top of the 'to do list' for many Americans, but spending the time to clip out a few of those .50 cent coupons can cut your monthly grocery bill in half. At a Shop to Impress course, held by the Fleet and Family Service Center at Joint Base Charleston-Weapons Station, participants received
guidance and tips on how to take a $100 grocery bill and cut it down to $50 or less. "If you're like most Americans, your grocery bill is one of your top monthly expenses. But unlike your mortgage, car payment and other monthly expenses, you can easily and dramatically cut your grocery expenses in half just by using coupons," said Kim Brown, a financial specialist at FFSC. For example, a leading brand of cereal costs roughly $4 dollars. If the shopper takes a competing store's coupon at a $1 off, adds in a manufactures coupon at .50 cents off, and mixes that in with the additional grocery store promotion of buy one get one free a consumer is now paying $2.50 for two boxes of that cereal ... a 70 percent savings! "There are some grocery stores that will not take competing store coupons, but most of them do. They also take the manufactures coupons
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that come in the Sunday newspaper. So essentially, you can double your savings by using two coupons vice just the one," said Mrs. Brown. One tip provided by the course was for members to go to a money savings website called www.southernsavers. com which provides a detailed list of all Charleston area grocery stores with postings of store ads and in-store sales right at their finger tips. Members can also find printable manufacturer and competitor coupons, making doubling the savings that much easier. "My goal as a financial specialist is to make sure our service members and their families become financially independent," Mrs. Brown continued. "There are a lot of service members in debt, so just by saving on groceries each month, a family could pay off a debt or spend that money on something needed like a new washer. We ultimately want them to be able to save for that rainy day, begin an investment or save for retirement." For more information on the next course, call 764-7472 or 764-7480.
Don't be tempted by tax-time advertisements Courtesy of the S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs Have you heard or seen advertisements promising "fast cash refunds," "express money," or "instant refunds?" These ads offer to get you a tax refund in just a day or two ... or even on the spot. Beware! Many of these "refunds" are really loans. When you get a refund anticipation loan, you are borrowing against your anticipated tax refund money and it's not cheap. Loan fees typically range from $30 to $90, which can translate into annual percentage rates from 60 percent to more than 700 percent. RAL fees, combined with tax preparation, electronic filing and other fees can take a big chunk out of your refund. In addition to the high costs, RALs can be risky. Since a RAL is a loan from a bank, it must be repaid even if the Internal Revenue Service denies or delays your refund or if your refund is smaller than expected. If you don't pay back the RAL, the lender can take actions to hurt your credit rating and may send your account to a debt collector. The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs suggests these tips: E-file with direct deposit. File your tax return electronically and ask the IRS to deposit the refund directly into your bank account. There are a number of websites that allow taxpayers to prepare and file their taxes for free, such as the IRS Free File program (www.irs.gov/efile/index.html ). Consumers who e-file usually get their refund within two
weeks. Don't have a bank account? You still may be able to e-file and get your refund fast. The Treasury Department is piloting a new program where selected consumers can direct deposit their tax refund onto a MyAccountCard Visa® Prepaid debit card. The agency is also encouraging payroll card users participating in the pilot to direct deposit their refund onto an existing payroll card. For more information, visit www.myaccountcard.gov. Find out if you qualify for free tax help. Low-income taxpayers ($49,000 or less), elderly persons and military personnel and their families have a number of options for free tax preparation, including Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) (1-800-906-9887 or www.irs.gov) and AARP Tax-Aide sites (www.aarp.org/applications/ VMISLocator/ searchTaxAideLocations.action ). Choosing a VITA or AARP Tax-Aide site can save you both the cost of a RAL and the cost of a tax preparation fee. Choose carefully when hiring an individual or firm to prepare your taxes. Tax payers are legally responsible for what's on their tax returns, not their tax preparer. Make sure you choose a professional and honest tax preparer who has a track record of providing excellent service to their clients. SCDCA aims to protect consumers from inequities in the marketplace through advocacy, complaint mediation, enforcement and education. To file a complaint or for information on consumer issues, visit www.scconsumer.gov or call toll-free, 1-800-922-1594.
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March 2011
US Submarines Veterans to meet The United States Submarine Veterans Incorporated will meet at the Fleet Reserve Home, 99 Wisteria Dr, Goose Creek, SC on Thursday, 10 March 2011. The meeting will commence at 1900 hours with a social hour beginning at 1800 hours. Point of contact is MMCM(SS) Edward Stank, USN Retired at stanke@bellsouth.net or (843) 569-6012 for additional information.
US Submarines Veterans (Swamp Fax) to meet The next meeting of the WWII Submarine Veterans, Swamp Fox Chapter will take place at Ryans on Main Street in Summerville SC on Thursday, 17 March 2011 starting at 1130. For additional information please contact MMCM(SS) Edward Stank, USN RET at (843) 569-6012 or stanke@bellsouth.net. You do not have to be a WWII SUBVET to attend. All submariners young and old are welcome. Come out and get a chance to live some of the history that is the submarine force.
Flag Disposal Ceremony American Legion Post 166, Goose Creek will be hosting an Flag Disposal Ceremony on Saturday March 19, 2011. The Flag Retirement Ceremony starts at 5:PM and the public is invited to attend. The Flag Disposal Ceremony is a very dignified program that disposes of torn, soiled and worn out AMERICAN FLAGS. If you have a flag at home or work in this condition, please bring them to the American Legion Post 166 located at 116 Howe Hall Road, Goose Creek for proper disposal. American Legion Post 166 cordially invites all Boys Scouts, Girls Scouts, Cub Scouts Brownie Troops and Active Duty Military personnel to attend and take part in this moving ceremony. For more information please call the Post at 553-5454 or check out our web site at www.americanlegionpost166sc.com
Time for a group party? Check out Cinema One Looking for a unique idea for your next group party? Why not make it a movie party? Cinema One at Naval Weapons Station Charleston offers private showings of your favorite feature films! Cinema One movie parties are perfect for birthday celebrations, command socials, class trips, youth groups and lots more. Movie
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BRIEFS & EVENTS parties are free to groups of 40 or more (with concessions purchase) and are $25 to groups of less than 40 people. Simply call for show time availability, choose a movie from our huge library, and get ready to enjoy a unique party experience at a price that can't be beat. Call theater manager, Teresa Stuckey at 764-4107 for reservation information.
Joint Base Charleston Annual Motorcycle Safety Day The annual Motorcycle Safety Day Rodeo is March 25. The briefing is mandatory for all Joint Base Charleston military motorcycle riders. Civilians, dependants and all other riders are encouraged to attend. The briefing starts at 8:30 a.m. the Air Base theater with multiple events thru out the day. Ride your motorcycle to the briefing and be entered in the bike show. Some of the planned events include a bike show, slow races, guided rides, and much more. Contact Master Sgt. Rob Carman at 963-5594 for more information.
Join the Redbank Plantation Golf Association The Redbank Plantation Golf Association invites you to become a member at a cost of only $20 per year. Benefits of the Golf Association membership include: USGA Handicap, participation in monthly tournaments, participation in Association Club Championship and participation in the Association Blitz. Membership is open to all military and civilian golf patrons. Membership applications are available in the golf course club house. Applications and payment may be placed in the silver locked box near the Pro Shop. For more information contact Tournament Chairman Tina Bohannon at tinab@sc.rr.com or call the Pro Shop at 764-7802.
Lowcountry Military Retiree News accommodations in exciting destinations worldwide. There are more than 200,000 accommodations in more than 100 countries. Program registration is free and easy. Just call toll-free at 877-2704624. Once approved, you can immediately begin planning your next exciting get-away. All active and retired members of the U.S. military are eligible, including spouses and children, as well as civilian employees of the Department of Defense. As an added bonus, the Naval Support Activity Morale Welfare and Recreation department receives a rebate for every confirmed reservation. Simply enter the base code 169 when registering. For more information, check online at afvclub.com, and join the Armed Forces Vacation Club today.
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Hunting permits for the recreational hunting program at North Auxiliary Air Field can now be purchased at the Joint Base Charleston-Air Base Resources Office. The Environmental Official is located in Bldg. 247 on the first floor. The hunting program is open to active-duty, Reserve and retired military, as well as Department of Defense civilian employees. Permits can only be issued to hunters who have a valid South Carolina hunting license and big game permit. The fee for a hunting permit for NAAF is $20. For more information, call the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron at 963-4020.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
March 2011
11
Color your plate for healthier meals By Greer Gowen, RD, LD Joint Base Charleston Health and Wellness Center
It's National Nutrition Month and the American Dietetic Association is encouraging everyone to "Eat Right with Color." Adding more color to a plate ensures a well balanced meal with a wide variety of nutrients to improve diet and lifestyle. Here are some helpful tips to make sure all the colors of the MyPyramid are part of your daily diet: Add some fiber with your grains! - Don't assume because bread is brown or the package says wheat bread, that it is actually a whole grain product. When choosing grains, make sure the word 'whole' is in front of the grain. White rice, bread and pasta lack many important nutrients, so spring for whole wheat bread, pasta and brown rice at the grocery store. Popeye says 'eat your spinach!' - Vitamins and minerals are abundant in vegetables. Instead of consuming a multivitamin, try adding different vegetables, fresh, frozen, raw or cooked, into daily meals and snacks to help meet the minimum of two and a half cups per day. This may seem like a daunting task, but adding peppers, spinach or mushrooms to an omelet in the morning can help the day get started right. Pile some veggies onto a sandwich and have a side salad with lunch. Instead of French fries for dinner, season a baked potato with herbs or spices or make a quick stir-fry with veggies. The snickers bar may be calling your name for the afternoon snack
attack, but raw vegetables with a low-fat dressing or hummus dip may just hit the spot. An apple a day! - Whether it's fresh, frozen, canned or dried, fruit does not require much preparation, is affordable and loaded with vitamins and minerals. An orange, strawberry or kiwi gives a healthy dose of vitamin C, while mangoes, cantaloupe and dried apricots are good sources of vitamin A. Reach the recommended two cups per day by adding blueberries or raisins to cereal for breakfast, an orange or apple with lunch and a banana for an afternoon snack. Instead of ice cream for dessert, a bowl full of blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries with a dollop of whip cream can satisfy a sweet tooth. Juice counts for fruit intake, however, make sure it is 100 percent juice and not a juice blend concentrate. Get caught with a milk (or yogurt) mustache! Dairy foods are not only important for strong bones but also for building muscle and a healthy heart. Yogurt, cheese, and milk provide calcium, protein, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin D. Be heart healthy and choose the low-fat and low-sodium options. There are numerous lactose-free options such as soy, almond or rice milk for lactose intolerant people. Power up with protein! - Meat, poultry, fish, dried beans and peas, eggs, nuts and seeds make up a wide variety of protein choices. When choosing meats, skinless poultry and lean cuts of meat such as the loin or round are healthier choices. Don't add more unhealthy fats by frying
or breading meats. Try grilling, broiling, roasting, stewing or stir-frying. Cook a meatless meal one night and serve beans, tofu or soy. Salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel and halibut, which are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, can reduce the risk of heart disease. Know your fats! - Fat helps absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, which are essential to maintain healthy hair, nails and skin. It is a concentrated source of calories so don't consume to much fat. Choose healthy sources of fats such as the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which can be found in olive oil, canola oil, fish, nuts, seeds, olives and avocado instead of saturated and trans fats found in commercially baked goods, processed foods, stick butters and margarines. An easy way to differentiate a healthy fat from an unhealthy fat is its form. Most healthy fats are liquid at room temperature while unhealthy fats such as butter and lard are solid. Any food that has 'hydrogenated' or 'partially hydrogenated' contains unhealthy fats that clog the arteries leading to high cholesterol, heart disease and obesity. The next time you sit down for a meal or snack, make sure your plate is not looking a little drab or monochromatic. Dress up your plate with a variety of colors using the plate method. Fill up half of your plate with vegetables while making a quarter of it a low-fat meat and another quarter fourth a grain. As Mary Poppins might say "a spoonful of color will keep the medicine away."
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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
March 2011
Lowcountry Military Retiree News
Joint Base Charleston inducts Honorary Commanders By Thomas Kistler Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
remained stationery with engines off, the Honorary Commanders had the opportunity to dine on an in-flight meal and learn about the capabilities of the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. More than 30 area business people and community lead"It's amazing to understand what goes on around the base. ers became Honorary Commanders of various Air Force and It's pretty awesome! I'm looking forward to learning more," Navy organizations at Joint Base Charleston, Feb. 22. said Don Kassing, Aspire 2 Consulting president and Honorary Commanders serve a one-year term and are honorary commander for the Naval Consolidated Brig charged with learning about the U.S. military and the Charleston. "The whole joint base process is fascinatunit to which they are assigned, participating in their ing; how the different branches of the military are now military unit's social and ceremonial activities, and sharworking together. I'm looking forward to an exciting ing their experiences with their family, friends and colyear and getting to meet more Airmen and Sailors." leagues. The evening concluded when Col. Martha Meeker, After meeting their active duty commander counterthe joint base commander, and Col. John Wood, 437th parts, the civic leaders proceeded to a deployment line Airlift Wing commander administered the oath of where they received equipment for their "deployment" office to the new Honorary Commanders. such as body armor, helmets and canteens, before Bill Moody, a retired certified public accountant and receiving chemical warfare and first aid training. 628th Air Base Wing Honorary Commander, said, "It's "I knew it was going to be as real and as live as they important to understand the relationship civilians have can make it for civilians. It's been pretty interesting," with the military. Every one of these Honorary said Michelle Kelly, director of sales, Clear Channel Commanders will go back to their jobs and their comRadio, Charleston. Ms. Kelly is the Honorary U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Timothy Taylor munities and say, 'wow let me tell you what I saw today Commander for the 14th Airlift Squadron. Col. Martha Meeker, left, and Col. John Wood, administer the oath of "People don't realize there are a hundred steps to the office to the new Honorary Commanders on board a C-17 Globemaster on the Air Force base.' That's our job, to go back to the deployment process," Ms. Kelly said. "It's not just getting III Feb. 22 on Joint Base Charleston, s.C. More than 30 local area busi- community and say, 'you might not know this but the in a truck and going away. There are so many details ness people and community leaders became Honorary Commanders men and women who are serving do so much for us, involved that can be as simple as putting on an outfit or of various Air Force and Navy organizations at Joint Base Charleston. thank them. That's our mission as Honorary Commanders." gathering gear. It's interesting to see from a civilian point See more photos on Page 12. of view because we don't ever think about what goes on behind the scenes. We just see troops getting into a truck and driving away." Following their training, the inductees boarded a bus and were taken to the flightline to board their aircraft for the "flight" to their deployed location. While the aircraft
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HOME & GARDEN
Lowcountry Military Retiree News
March 2011
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Get your house ready for summer! Courtesy of Family Features The dog days of summer can really put the heat on electricity bills and put even the best air conditioning systems to the test. "The Department of Energy says that almost 45 percent of a homeowner's utility costs come from heating and cooling the house. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to help lower those costs, keep your system working as it should, and beat the summer heat," says Dave Quandt, Senior VP of Field Services for American Home Shield, one of the nation's leading providers of home warranty services. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when summer temperatures start to sizzle: * An air conditioner set at 70° F can cost twice as much to operate as one set at 78∞F. Raise the thermostat by 2 degrees above its normal setting. You'll still be comfortable, and your pocketbook will thank you. * Set the thermostat to 80° F when you'll be out of the house for several hours and lower it when you return. But don't shut the air conditioner off; it's less efficient to cool the house back down than to leave it set at a higher temperature. * A ceiling fan uses about as much energy as a 100-watt bulb, but it can make a room feel up to eight degrees cooler. In summer, blades should turn counterclockwise, pushing air downward to create a cool breeze.
* Keeping windows closed and curtains drawn during the day can reduce cooling costs by 30 percent. * Lights, computers and televisions all generate heat. Turn them off when they're not in use. Quandt believes your best protection, however, lies in preventative maintenance. "It's important to have your air conditioning system professionally inspected and cleaned a least a month before you'll need to start using it," he says. "At a minimum, turn it on and make sure it's still running like it should. "Last summer, we responded to more than 550,000 requests for air conditioning repairs during the record-breaking heat wave. You don't want to find out that your air conditioner needs repair or replacing just when you need it most. Now's the time to be sure everything's in good working order." Find out the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance on your type of unit. You can usually find it online and
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in your owner's manual. In addition: * Create shade for the unit, but keep the area around the exterior condensing unit clear of leaves, bushes and other obstructions to ensure adequate airflow. * Clean or replace the air filter. Clean or replace the air conditioner filter monthly. Clogged, dirty filters block air flow and make a unit work much harder. A clean filter can save up to 10 percent on your bill. If your air conditioning system and/or components break down, a home warranty can help protect you from unexpected repair costs. "A home warranty," said Quandt, "is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of many of the most common home system breakdowns. It also covers appliances not usually covered by homeowner's insurance." Quandt says that American Home Shield offers home warranty coverage regardless of the age of the home, and it can be purchased at any time, not just when a home is bought or sold. To get more summer home care tips, and to learn more about home warranties, visit www.ahs.com.
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FEATURE
March 2011
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MONTH
Lowcountry Military Retiree News
Fallen Marine's family adopts his best friend By Randy Roughton Defense Media Activity-San Antonio LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – "Whatever is mine is his," Marine Corps Pfc. Colton W. Rusk wrote about Eli, his military working dog, in the final days of their deployment in Afghanistan. On Feb. 3, Private Rusk's family helped prove his words true when they adopted the black Labrador retriever in a retirement and adoption ceremony at the military working dog school here. After 20-year-old Private Rusk was killed Dec. 5 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, by Taliban sniper fire, Marines officials told Darrell and Kathy Rusk, his parents, that Eli, his infantry explosives detector dog, crawled on top of their son to protect him after he was shot. The Rusks drove to Lackland Air Force Base from their home in Orange Grove, Texas, along with their sons, 22-year-old Cody and 12-year-old Brady. Marine Staff Sgt. Jessy Eslick of the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Research and Development Section praised Eli as "a dog that brought Marines home to their families," as he handed the leash to the family. Eli immediately began licking Mrs. Rusk's palms and fell into the arms of his former handler's father. "In his last letter we got the day before we buried him, at the very top was a little smudge that said 'Eli's kisses,'" said Mrs. Rusk, who wore a two-sided pendant with a photo of her son on one side and another snapshot of him with Eli on the other. "He thought whatever was Colton's was Eli's." "Like Colton said, 'what's mine is his,'" she said. "We're Colton's family, so it's just right that we're Eli's family now." Mrs. Rusk said her family didn't have many obstacles in their quest to adopt Eli. Texas Gov. Rick Perry started the
process of working with the Marines on the dog's discharge, and Scooter Kelo, who trained Eli and also taught Private Rusk on working with the dog, also worked on making the adoption possible. "It gets our mind off the sadness of losing Colton," Mrs. Rusk said, "just knowing we're going to have a little piece of Colton in Eli. I just wished he could talk and tell us some stories. Just to know we're going to be able to share the love we have for our son with something that he loved dearly." Private Rusk joined the Marines after he graduated from high school, and committed himself to the Marines the same week that his best friend, Lance Cpl. Justin Rokohl, lost both legs in southern Afghanistan. Private Rusk deployed to Afghanistan on his 20th birthday, with Eli, as part of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment at Camp Pendleton. "He wanted to be a Marine since he was 10 years old," his mother said. "We talked to him about going to college first, but he said he had to fight for his country first." Private Rusk often told his parents how dogs like Eli were well-trained at the DOD Military Working Dog School at Lackland AFB, and in South Carolina, where he was trained as an improvised explosive device detector dog handler. "We've had dogs all of our lives," Mr. Rusk said. "Since all of the boys were babies, they had one. Colton was probably the better handler of the bunch. When he went to train in South Carolina, he said, 'Dad, we don't know how to train dogs. These dogs here will bring you a beer, they'll open the can for you, but sometimes they'll drink it for you, too.' He said that was how well-trained the dogs were, and he was really amazed how much you can do with a dog once you've worked with them."
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Brady Rusk, 12, hugs Eli, a bomb-sniffing military working dog, during a retirement and adoption ceremony Feb. 3, 2011, at Lackland Air Force Base, texas. the Labrador retriever was assigned to Brady's older brother, Marine Pfc. Colton Rusk who was killed Dec. 5 in Afghanistan by taliban sniper fire. Department of Defense officials granted the Rusk family permission to adopt Eli following his “retirement from the u.s. Marine Corps.”
The dog Private Rusk liked to call "My boy, Eli," earned a reputation for wanting to be wherever his handler was. Eli didn't want to sleep on the ground; he slept in Private Rusk's sleeping bag. They even ate together outside after Private Rusk found out that Eli wasn't allowed to eat in the chow hall. After the retirement and adoption ceremony, the Rusks took Eli to their home on more than 20 acres of land, which he will share with the family, as well as their horses and three German shepherds.
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What You See Is What You Get, Everything’s Included! WYSIWYGCharleston.com Offers, incentives and seller contributions are subject to certain terms conditions and restrictions, which may include the use of designated lenders and closing agents. Copyright © 2011 Lennar Corporation and Universal American Mortgage Company, LLC. All rights reserved. Lennar, the Lennar logo, Universal American Mortgage Company and the UAMC logo are registered service marks or service marks of Lennar Corporation and/or its subsidiaries. 2/11
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Lowcountry Military Retiree News
March 2011
March Crossword CLuEs ACRoss 1. Former CIA 4. Fluid in a plant 7. Power of Attorney (abbr.) 10. Small mound or clump 12. Ship’s workers 14. Alternate unit of measure 15. Margarines 17. Swiss river 18. A place ____ itself 19. Exterior arch support 22. Repents 23. Luxuriant dark brown fur 24. Chinese dynasty 960 - 1279 25. Fishing lure 26. Atomic #63 27. Canadian province 28. Plays Stokes on “CSI” 30. Sonnet author 32. Roman numeral 15 33. Indicates position 34. Porgy 36. Quantitative fact 39. Slang for famous person 41. Swiss house 43. Bedroom bureau 46. Acts as military assistant 47. Scottish hillside 48. Chilean pianist Claudio 50. Put into service 51. Without (French) 52. Fire iron 53. Confined condition (abbr.) 54. Make lacework 55. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
CLuEs DoWN 1. Word element meaning ear 2. Antibacterial drugs 3. Melts or fuses 4. Borderland’s dog-like monster 5. Saudi man 6. South American country 7. A member of a panel 8. Beginning point in time 9. “____ and Andy” 11. Peludo 13. Moistens 16. Committed a moral transgression 18. Svelte and refined 20. Wine and hot water with sugar, lemon juice and nutmeg 21. The bill in a restaurant 28. Went beyond 29. Forcibly tear away 30. Turkish title for civil officers 31. Canadian capital 34. Megascopically crystaline rock 35. An animal companion 37. Warning signal of danger 38. Intense fear 40. Curtsies 41. Center of a cambered road 42. Ethiopian lake 43. Fetal head covering 44. Male undergraduate social club (abbr.) 45. “State Fair” actor Andrews 49. Exclamation: yuck!
Jokes of the Month Just before the funeral services, the undertaker came up to the very elderly widow and asked, 'How old was your husband?' '98,' she replied. 'Two years older than me.' 'So you're 96,' the undertaker commented. She responded, 'Hardly worth going home, is it?’ Reporters interviewing a 104-year-old woman: ‘And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?' the reporter asked. She simply replied, 'No peer pressure.' The nice thing about being senile is you can hide your own Easter eggs. An elderly woman decided to prepare her will and told her preacher she had two final requests. First, she wanted to be cremated, and second, she wanted her ashes scattered over Wal-Mart. 'Wal-Mart?' the preacher exclaimed. 'Why Wal-Mart?' 'Then I'll be sure my daughters visit me twice a week'. It's scary when you start making the same noises as your coffee maker.
See the Answers on Page 10
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Lowcountry Military Retiree News
March 2011
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