Whidbey Crosswind, December 27, 2019

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Whidbey Crosswind The Puget Sound Veterans’ Monthly | January 2020

Learning new tricks Former chief transitions to teaching. pg. 2

Whidbey Crosswind is a supplement of the Whidbey News-Times

SERVING WHIDBEY ISLAND’S VETERANS, RETIRED MILITARY PERSONNEL AND FAMILIES


Chief is in a class of his own lguido@whidbeynewsgroup.com

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fter nearly 10 years as a chief in the Navy, Troy Cowan was accustomed to being in charge. But that didn’t exactly translate to his sixth-grade classroom. “I had to find another voice,” Cowan said. He is now in his sixth year teaching English at what is now called Oak Harbor Intermediate and said he uses his leadership role to underscore empathy and kindness. Before his second career, he was an aviation storekeeper in the Navy, spending the last eight years of his service as a chief. Cowan grew up in Riddle,

Ore., where the options after high school were mostly limited to working at the sawmill or joining the military, he said. “I didn’t want to have a broken back by the time I was 30 … so I joined the Navy,” he said. At age 17, he had his mom sign a document consenting to his enlistment. He spent the next 23 years, five months and 11 days in the service — but who was counting? His time as a sailor instilled a work ethic in him that he continues to bring to everything he does, he said. “They kind of raised me,” he said. He’s also tried to pass on to his students the importance of the Navy’s core values: honor, courage, commitment. In addition to English and social studies, Cowan heads the sixth-grade leadership class. In it, he emphasizes to his students that leaders need to be prepared to make sacrifices, which for them usually comes in the form of time and effort. His class is focused on

Kari Pittenridge Anacortes Escrow Manager/LPO

Photo by Laura Guido / Whidbey News Group

After retiring as a chief, Troy Cowan teaches English at Oak Harbor Intermediate.

service projects around the school or simple acts of kindness — such as leaving encouraging notes on the doors of other teachers. Growing up, Cowan’s fam-

Cathy West

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Christa Canell Freeland Escrow Manager/LPO

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that we love them.” He also knows what it’s like to be hungry at school, so he makes regular trips to Costco for snacks that he can hand out.

Cowan’s career move into education spawned from time spent with his own six children and their teammates. He’d been a coach for a numCONTINUED TO PAGE 3

Holly Mathers Oak Harbor Title Manager

Brandi Jensen Stanwood Escrow Manager/LPO

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ily didn’t have a lot of money and he was an “easy target” for bullying. Those experiences have shaped how he treats his students. In his view, a teacher’s job is to “let the kids know

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By LAURA GUIDO

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ber of their teams and enjoyed working with young people. He also admits that “June, July and August were three good reasons.” The professional switch wasn’t exactly easy. After having been in the Navy for more than two decades, he was aware he was a little “behind” most teachers his age, so he wasted no time. He started at Skagit Valley College in 2009 and was able to transfer to Western Washington University within nine months. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English within two years and a master’s in 18 months. “I wanted to get back in the work force because I started late,” Cowan said. This late start became a little more apparent when he got a job at what was then Oak Harbor Middle School at age 45. Two teachers who started before him had gone to school with one of his daughters. “That’s when I realized I was late to the party,” he said with a laugh. However, he said, the combination of the younger teachers’ energy and his life experience proved to be a valuable combination. He had done student

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teaching and some substitute teaching at the high school level and thought that’s where he’d land professionally. But he said he wouldn’t trade his time at the middle/ intermediate level for anything. Especially his time with his colleagues and his leadership classes, he said. “I know I’m working with the future leaders of the country,” Cowan said. This year, he had a moment where he felt like he made an impression on a student. All year he’d emphasized the importance of being prepared for anything. He’d had several conversations with one student who seemed to be struggling with that and had been shy about presenting in front of the class. During an assembly with a particularly unruly audience, it was decided a leadership student should lead the rowdy students in the school chant. Cowan asked the girl to do it, knowing she’d been working on her preparedness. She successfully led all 900 students in the cheer, and ended by looking at Cowan “smiling from ear to ear,” he said. “It kind of just melted my heart,” he said. “… She’ll never forget that.”

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Navy speeds up contracts for small business partners The Department of the Navy is looking for innovative ideas to expand capabilities in artificial intelligence and machine learning, autonomy and training technology—and it wants to tap the talents of small businesses to bring the most advanced solutions to warfighters as quickly as possible. To solicit a wide range of potential small business partners, the U.S. Navy’s Small Business Innovation Research program (SBIR)—located at the Office of Naval Research —is expanding funding opportunity in

a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). BAAs are requests for scientific or research proposals in areas of naval interest. The latest BAA showcased increased “Technology Acceleration” topics—research areas where the Navy wants to focus more resources. The ultimate goal: deliveries of prototype technologies within a year and a half to two years, instead of the current three to four years. “SBIR is now simpler, faster and more impactful,” said Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. David Hahn.

“This revamped BAA enables us to adopt technology at the pace of today’s innovators. In short, SBIR companies are building our future naval advantage. Bring us your best ideas.” To attract more small business partners, BAA offers a revamped application process that includes more than five times as many Phase I (early stage) awards per Technology Acceleration topic; streamlined proposal requirements (from 20 pages to five); and evaluation, selection and payment processes that are 60 percent faster than before.

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VA improves health care facility transparency The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs announced key changes to increase transparency and ensure veterans have the best information regarding the performance of VA health care facilities.

tive tools relating to wait times, quality of medical care and patient experience ratings. This information is drawn from quality-of-care measures provided by industry-standard sources. Star ratings are often misinterpreted, as they compare VA facilities by ranking them across the department’s health care system, rather than by geography, population characteristics or unique care offerings. Additionally, veterans in VA focus groups have indicated they do not consult the star ratings in making decisions about VA care.

As part of this effort, VA will discontinue its star-rating system, making it easier for veterans to compare VA facilities with non-VA facilities in their local area. The website home page for each VA hospital now features links to compara-

While VA has published star ratings for the final time, the department will continue to make public its own detailed, Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning (SAIL) data, to monitor and internally manage hospital system performance within the Veterans Health Administration. SAIL assesses more than 60 quality metrics in areas such as death rates, complications, safety and patient satisfaction, as well as overall efficiency and physician capacity at individual VA Medical Centers.

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Final move for retired A-6 Intruder By NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Sailors assigned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Operations Air Terminal moved a retired A-6 Intruder into a designated area adjacent to the A-3 Memorial near Langley Gate on Dec. 11. The Intruder is now part of static displays located outside of Langley Gate commemorating the history of past aircraft that have flown on Ault Field. Air terminal sailors originally moved the Intruder in early September from a spot just inside Langley Gate to a staging area near the A-3 display while its final display spot was constructed. This move makes the displays more accessible while also freeing up the original space for more appropriate uses.

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During the late 1980s and early ’90s, NAS Whidbey Island had as many as 125 A-6 aircraft among the 216 total tactical carrier-based aircraft assigned to the installation.

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Astronaut tells students to shoot for the stars By KIRA ERICKSON kerickson@whidbeynewsgroup.com

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tanding before an audience of South Whidbey High School students, former Navy captain and astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper described the biggest mistake she made while up in space. During a six-and-ahalf-hour spacewalk, Stefanyshyn-Piper lost a tool bag used for making repairs to the outside of the International Space Station. Unbeknownst to her, it wasn’t clipped onto anything and sailed away into space when she pushed it away. She said she tells people about this particular error of hers, espe-

cially youth, because she believes it demonstrates how to carry on when the worst can happen. In her case, the work was finished with a back-up set of tools. “That’s something important to remember, that mistakes are going to happen,” she said. “Just make sure you learn from it and don’t do it again and then just press on.” The Minnesota-born, retired astronaut attended MIT as a young woman and studied engineering. When she was initially accepted to the university, however, she worried the steep price of tuition would affect her family’s remaining college fund for her three little brothers. Hearing about the SEE ASTRONAUT, PAGE 7

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ASTRONAUT

Undesignated sailors now have clear path to ratings

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

ROTC, she decided serving in the Navy seemed like a fair trade-off for her tuition. As a deep-sea diver, she made repairs on Naval ships, which she thought might be similar to walking in space. She was right. “Everything you learned in high school physics comes back to haunt you,” Stefanyshyn-Piper said about the feeling of movement in space. Stefanyshyn-Piper credits her early interest in math and science to an engineering seminar she attended through the University of Minnesota while in high school. By speaking to young people, she said she hopes to inspire them to pursue careers in STEM. Programs at Oak Harbor schools and the surrounding area have benefitted from her help, and last year she visited First Robotics Lego competition teams from both Island and Skagit counties. Additionally, Stefanyshyn-Piper mentors teenage girls with the Oak Harbor Soroptimist program, where she emphasizes a STEM career for girls. And as a woman in the field, she acknowledges the people who have doubted her abilities and how she rose above it. “My advice to young women is to not let those naysayers get to you. Have confidence in yourself,” she said. “ It may mean that you have to work harder, but in the end, you have proved them wrong.” During one of the final slides of her presentation at South Whidbey High School, Stefanyshyn-Piper displayed a photo from space showing the curvature of the earth, pointing out to the audience of teenagers with a wry smile that the earth indeed isn’t flat like some have suggested. “We have to take care of our planet, because this is the only one we have,” she said.

Any undesignated sailor will now be approved for a rating based on the billet they’re selected for in MyNavy Assignment, the Navy announced. Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (PACT) Sailors can now use MyNavy Assignment (MNA) to apply for billets within ratings they’re qualified for, as determined by Career Waypoints (C-Way). MNA, a new Sailor interface to the Detailing Marketplace, will replace the current Career Management System – Interactive Detailing (CMSID) on Dec. 5, and give Sailors access

to enhanced career management capabilities and an improved graphic user interface.

date (PRD), a PACT Sailor will apply for their next set of orders, which ties them to their new rating.

As part of ongoing Sailor 2025 initiatives, these efforts to modernize the Navy personnel system improve the PACT sailor designation process by making detailing and rating designation easier, allowing a PACT sailor the ability to apply for their rating and duty station simultaneously. PACT sailors will follow the same basic order-negotiation process in MNA as other fleet sailors. At 12 months before their projected rotation

Before PACT Sailors enter their orders-negotiation window, commands must perform Career Development Boards for those Sailors and report their career and PACT intentions in C-Way. PACT sailors begin their rating designation process 12 months prior to their PRD and remain eligible until they’re selected for a rated requisition or until their End of Active Obligated Service (EAOS) plus any extensions.

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People with Alzheimer’s can still enjoy having visitors

Don’t let Dementia or Alzheimer’s rob you of pleasant visits with your friend or family member. It takes a little practice but it’s entirely possible to experience rewarding visits and have a rewarding conversation with them. Here are a few simple tips from the Alzheimer’s Association to help improve your next visit. Limit visitors to 1 or 2 people at a time. Too many people can be overwhelming. Schedule visits for the time of day when your older adult is usually at their best. Minimize distractions by keeping the environment calm and quiet. Turn off the TV or loud music and ask any non-visitors to go to another room. Keep your tone and body language friendly and positive.

Don’t speak too loudly. Make eye contact and stay at their eye level. Introduce yourself even if you’re sure they must know you. “Hi Grandma, I’m Joe, your grandson.” Speak slowly and in short sentences with only one idea per sentence. For example: “Hi Mary. I’m Jane, your friend.” or “What a beautiful day. The sunshine is nice, isn’t it?” or “Tell me about your daughter.” Give them extra time to speak or answer questions, don’t rush the conversation. Use open-ended questions because there are no right or wrong answers. Be ok with sitting together in silence. They may enjoy that just as much as talking.

• Follow their lead, don’t force conversation topics or activities. • Validate their feelings. Allow them to express sadness, fear, or anger. • Enter their reality. Go with the fl ow of the conversation even if they talk about things that aren’t true or don’t make sense. • Share and discuss memories of the past. They’re more likely to remember things from long ago. • Come prepared with an activity, like something to read out loud, a photo album to look at, or some of their favorite music to listen to. • Give hugs, gentle touches, or massage arms or shoulders if the person gives permission and enjoys it.

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DON’T • Say “do you remember?” This can cause anger or embarrassment. • Argue. If they say something that’s not correct, just let it go. • Point out mistakes. It just makes them feel badly and doesn’t help the conversation. • Assume they don’t remember anything. Many people have moments of clarity. • Take mean or nasty things they say personally. The disease may twist their words or make them react badly out of confusion, fear, or anger. • Talk down to them. They aren’t children and you should show the proper respect. • Talk about them with other people as if they’re not there.


Before Midway, Adm. Fletcher helped save refugees MEDAL OF HONOR

Operational commander Navy Adm. Frank Jack Fletcher used his leadership experience in two key World War II engagements in the Pacific theater: the Battle of Midway and the Battle of the Coral Sea. But long before that, his actions during the 1914 occupation of Veracruz, Mexico, earned him the Medal of Honor. Born in Marshalltown, Iowa, in April 1885, Fletcher went to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.,

and graduated in 1906. He served on battleships, and in March 1912, he joined the USS Chauncey as the commanding officer. He transferred to the USS Florida in December 1912, and was aboard it during the occupation of Veracruz in April 1914. The U.S. occupied the Mexican seaport town for several months after an incident involving U.S. sailors and Mexican land forces led to a breakdown in diplomatic

relations during Mexico’s ongoing revolution. While in charge of the transport ship Esperanza, Fletcher helped more than 350 refugees get onboard, many of them after the conflict was going on. “This ship was under fire, being struck more than 30 times, but he succeeded in getting all refugees placed in safety,” the Medal of Honor citation said. “Later, he was placed in charge of the train conveying refugees under a flag of truce.” This was hazardous duty

NAS Whidbey Personnel!

Fletcher went on to serve on the staff of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet’s commander in chief, and then he returned to the Naval Academy for duty in the executive department. On Dec. 12, 1915, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. During World War I, he served as a gunnery officer on the USS Kearsarge until September 1917. In May 1918, he commanded the USS Benham, and he was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on that tour of duty. The Benham had been patrolling waters infested with enemy submarines and mines, and Fletcher served other hazardous missions while on the Benham.

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He continued to command battleships, gunboats, destroyers and submarines.

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Fletcher He became an aide to the secretary of the Navy in 1933. Fletcher commanded the Pacific Fleet’s cruisers, and he commanded Cruiser Division 4 during the World War II

Battle of Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway. It was in the latter battle that the Japanese suffered their first decisive defeat in 350 years, restoring the balance of naval power in the Pacific.

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“Home is where love resides, memories are created, friends always belong, and laughter never ends.”

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because the track was potentially mined and “dealing with the Mexican guard of soldiers might have caused a conflict,” the citation read, adding that it was greatly due to his efforts in establishing friendly relations with the Mexican soldiers that so many refugees succeeded in reaching Veracruz from the interior.

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Authorized veterans to gain access to NEX, commissary and certain MWR Starting Jan. 1, 2020, authorized veterans and their primary family caregivers will be able to access Navy exchanges, commissaries and certain morale, welfare and recreation retail. Because of the holidays, the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Visitor Control Center (VCC) will be open Jan. 2 and will begin processing eligible veterans that day. This includes Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, all veterans with serviceconnected disabilities and individuals approved and designated as the primary family caregivers of eligible veterans under the Department of Veterans Affairs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Eligible veterans who want to take advantage of in-person benefits must

have a Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC). Primary family caregivers must have an eligibility letter from VA’s Office of Community Care. Eligible veterans with installation access will not be able to escort unauthorized personnel aboard any military installation. Veterans in possession of a VHIC by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will be required to enroll their VHIC at their local VCC in the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) for installation access. The NAS Whidbey Island VCC is located on Langley Boulevard, in the parking lot on the right and just before the installation gate. Veterans who are not eligible for a VHIC will require a letter issued from the VA indicating eligibility

for access to Department of Defense installations. Those with a letter from the VA must enroll their Real ID driver’s license in DBIDS for installation access. A DBIDS credential will be issued in cases when a Real ID compliant driver’s license is not available. Authorized caregivers are required to obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs indicating eligibility for access to installations to utilize the commissary, exchange or MWR facility. Upon verification of the letter by the VCC, caregivers will be required to enroll their Real ID driver’s license in DBIDS. Those who do not possess a Real ID will be issued a DBIDS credential. Visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/ vhic for more information.

VA extends benefits to offshore Blue Water Navy Vietnam vets The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs begins deciding Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 claims on Jan. 1, 2020, extending the presumption of herbicide exposure that include toxins such as Agent Orange to veterans who served in the offshore waters of the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Prior to the measure, only Vietnam War veterans who served on the ground in Vietnam or within Vietnam’s inland waterways were eligible to receive disability compensation and other benefits based on a presumption of herbicide exposure. The law specifically affects Blue Water Navy veterans who served as far as 12 nautical miles offshore of the Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 6, 1962, and May 7, 1975, as well as veterans who served in the Korean Demilitarized Zone between Jan. 1, 1967, and Aug. 31, 1971. These veterans can apply for disability compensation and other benefits if they have since developed one of 14 conditions that are presumed to be related to exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange. Veterans do not need to prove that they were exposed to herbicides. The specific conditions can be found by searching Agent Orange on www.va.gov Qualifying recipients, in addition to affected veterans still living, are certain survivors of deceased Blue Water Navy and Korean DMZ veterans.

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Whidbey Island CHURCH DIRECTORY To promote your religious services in the Whidbey Crosswind Crosswind, please call 360-675-6611.

Oak Harbor Lutheran Church

NW 2nd Avenue & Heller Road Across the street from OHHS Stadium

Worship Services..........8 & 10:30 am Sunday School ........................9:15 am Nursery Available Sunday Evening Prayer 6:30 PM at St. Mary Catholic Church in Coupeville Jeffrey Spencer, Lead Pastor Pastor Marc Stroud, Associate Pastor

360-679-1561

oakharborlutheran.org

Concordia Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

Sundays: 9:30 a.m. Worship 10:45 Education Hour Nursery Available

www.concordiaoakharbor.org 590 N. Oak Harbor St 360-675-2548

CALVARY APOSTOLIC TABERNACLE (The Pentecostals of Island County)

Located on Goldie Road

SOULS HARBOR

Sunday Service: 10:30am Children, Youth, & Adults

1780 SE 4th St. (360) 675-3032

A SAFE PLACE TO CALL HOME Sunday Morning................10am Sunday Evening.............6:30pm Wednesday...........................7pm

360-632-7243 Pastor Greg Adkins

Saturday Worship 11am Bible Study 10am Find Respect, Honor, Friendship

Go to 31830 State Rt. 20

Unity of Whidbey 5671 Crawford Rd, in Langley, just off Hwy 525 www.unityofwhidbey.org We welcome you to our Sunday Worship Celebration at 10AM. Potluck on the first Sunday of the month. While Unity is considered practical Christianity, we embrace many of the sacred teachings throughout the world. Join us for supportive and inclusive spiritual community.

South Whidbey Community Church A place to begin… A place to belong!

360-221-1220 • Langley www.whidbeychurch.org

Sunday Morning Worship 10:00am Adult Sunday School 9:00am Deer Lagoon Grange 5142 S. Bayview Road, Langley Home Bible Studies available Darrell Wenzek, pastor

St. Hubert Catholic Church 804 Third Street, Langley 360-221-5383

Masses: Saturday 5:00pm Sunday 8:00am and 10:30am Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri. 8:15am Wednesday 10:30am Fr. Rick Spicer, pastor E-mail sthubert@whidbey.com www.sthubertchurch.org

oak harbor foursquare Oak Harbor

490 NW Crosby Ave 675.5008

Oak Harbor www.livingwordoakharbor.com Sunday675.5008 Service Times:

www.livingwordoakharbor.com 8am 9:30am 11am

Sunday Service Times: (Living Word Kids all services: Middle School Service: 3 months - 5th at Grade) Wednesday’s 6pm 8am 9:30am 11am (LivingGroup WordSunday Kids all Evenings: services: Youth 3 monthsSchool - 5th Grade) Middle 4pm YouthHigh Group Sunday6pm Evenings: School Middle School 4pm High School 6pm

WHIDBEY ISLAND

c PNacifi orthwest W eddings

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Pacific Northwest Weddings is essential to planning a flawless wedding. This is a premier, ALL-GLOSS, guide to event planners, bakeries, caterers, honeymoon destinations, tuxedos, suits, gowns and dresses, rings, gifts, location, flowers… everything a soon-to-be-married couple needs. This very special magazine will be insterted into the key markets offered by the Bellevue Reporter, Mercer Island Reporter and Renton Reporter, with copies also being delivered to select locations across beautiful Whidbey Island. A wedding is one of the LARGEST INVESTMENTS a couple will make in their lifetime. Ensure your business is seen by couples as they plan their big day.

LIVING WORD oak harbor foursquare LIVING WORD 490 NW Crosby Ave

Advertising Deadline: Dec 30, 2019 Publication Date: Jan 29, 2019

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VA introduces direct deposit for veterans, beneficiaries The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in partnership with the Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA), launched the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP). The program will provide veterans and their beneficiaries the chance to safely, reliably and inexpensively receive and manage their VA monetary benefits through financial services at participating banks. “VBBP offers another way to simplify banking choices to help eligible veterans select the right bank for themselves and their families,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “The VA and AMBA are proud to

provide this opportunity to connect veterans with banks that understand their needs.” VA’s collaboration with AMBA will leverage its consortium of military-friendly financial institutions that cater to service members. AMBA is the only trade association representing banking institutions specializing in providing services for military personnel, veterans, and their families around the world. VBBP leverages participating AMBA institutions and banks operating within the gates of installations of all branches of service and National Guard and Reserve components. “AMBA and its member

banks welcome the opportunity to provide our nation’s veterans additional financial services options to help them achieve greater financial independence, resiliency and literacy,” said AMBA president and Air Force Veteran Steve Lepper. “We hope that as veterans recognize the benefits of working with the banks to achieve financial stability, more veterans, banks and credit unions will join this effort.” The current available banking options include direct deposit into an existing bank account, electronic funds transfer into a Direct Express pre-paid debit card and mailing of a paper check for pre-

DOD releases 2020 rates for basic allowances

Basic allowance for housing rates will increase an average of 2.8 percent, basic allowance for subsistence rates will increase 0.9 percent, and basic pay will increase 3.1 percent over the entire force. For basic allowance for sub-

Balancing the growth in compensation costs, the 2020 basic allowance for housing program continues the member costsharing element (out-of-pocket expense). An estimated $22 billion will be paid to approxi-

ottages C t n e d en

mately one million service members. Based on the authority provided in the fiscal 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, the cost-sharing element was increased to five percent for 2019. For 2020, a typical member will continue to absorb 5 percent of the national average housing cost by pay grade. The out-ofpocket amounts incorporated in the 2020 rates vary by grade and dependency status, and range from $68 to $148 monthly.

EW EY N S GR B D 9

THE

P OU

Indep

sistence, enlisted members will now receive $372.71 per month (an increase of $3.32) and officers will receive $256.68 per month (an increase of $2.29). Specific basic pay rates are expected to be released shortly.

WH I

The Department of Defense released the 2020 rates for basic allowance for housing, basic allowance for subsistence and basic pay. The rates will take effect on Jan. 1.

BEST OF

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approved beneficiaries. VBBP introduces new financial resources to veterans and their beneficiaries. The program is an effort to address the problems some veterans experience using these payment methods. VBBP offers these VA beneficiaries – including many who have been unable to open bank accounts in the past – the opportunity to deposit their benefit funds directly into existing or new bank accounts offered by participating AMBA member banks. Neither VA nor AMBA is endorsing any particular bank

or requiring veterans and other beneficiaries to use them. It does not require veterans who are satisfied with their current financial situation to change how they receive their VA monetary benefits. All veterans and other beneficiaries – who currently receive more than $118 billion in financial benefits through VA – are eligible to access this program. There are approximately 250,000 veterans and beneficiaries who receive their VA benefits through a pre-paid debit card or paper check who may not have a bank account. VA’s Veterans Banking

Benefits and AMBA’s Veterans Benefits Banking Program websites have details for identifying participating banks. To have your federal benefits electronically transferred to a veteran’s designated financial institution (e.g. bank), VA beneficiaries interested in changing direct deposit options can also call 1-800827-1000 with their relevant banking information. VA financial literacy information is an additional resource available to veterans and VA beneficiaries.

Worth the drive south! Navy spouse Karen Cumberland finds craft supplies at Good Cheer Thrift Stores

Every Monday 10% military discount.

Good Cheer Thrift Stores in Langley and Clinton

www.facebook.com/GoodCheerFoodBankAndThriftStores

Assisted Living

Open 7 days a week / Store proceeds help feed local families.

Memory Care

Call today to schedule your personalized tour and lunch.

1040 SW Kimball Dr • Oak Harbor, WA • 360-279-0933 www.regencywhidbey.com


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2018 Honda Accord Touring 1.5T Sedan Stock #: T12504

2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302

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www.frontierfordusa.com in Beautiful Anacortes

(360) 853-2320


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