Bulletin 23 – 09 (10 JUN 2023)
Sounding TAPS
MSG (Ret) Jean J St.Jean (Courtesy of, and comment from LTC (Ret) Bill Shea)
Jean was one of the longest serving members of the 162nd Transportation Battalion (AVIM) and subsequently the 1109th AVCRAD as both a Soldier and Technician. Enlisted in the early 1960s and retiring in the early 2000s. I believe that he was one of the original members of the FEMSGRO – 4th Echelon Maintenance – Groton and the Transportation Aviation Repair Shop (TARS). He was a veteran of Operation DESERT STORM and a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, After his retirement, Jean worked for the Contract Field Team at the 1109th AVCRAD for a number of years.
Here is the link to his obituary: https://www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com/book-of- memories/5205149/StMartin-Jean/index.php
1SG (Ret) Harold O Lockwood Sad to relay the news of the passing of 1SG (Ret) Harold O Lockwood. Harold died on 20 May 23. There was no obituary published and all arrangements are private.
SFC (Ret) John (Jack) Golden Sad also to announce Jack’s passing on 6 Jun 2023 in Calabash NC. Service and Military Honors will be in CT at a future date. More info as it becomes available.
Turning 65 Soon? Sign Up for May 18 TRICARE For Life Webinar TRICARE Newsroom
TRICARE For Life (TFL) is the TRICARE health plan for military retirees and their family members who are eligible for Medicare Part A, Part B, and …
Faced with the Survivor Benefit Plan Decision? 5 Things to Know
Military families getting ready to retire after 20-plus years have a lot on their plate as they transition to civilian life. What’s up next on the career front? Where will they land location-wise? How will the kids cope? With all that going on, it’s easy to understand how making a sound decision as it relates to the Survivor Benefit Plan could tumble down the list of priorities. Don’t let that happen, and give the SBP decision the attention it deserves.
The Moeller family wishes to thank the many Retirees who contacted CSM (Ret) Bob Moeller on the occasion of his 93d birthday on 3 Jun 2023. He received many phone calls and emails wishing him well on this special day
Preparing for a tropical storm or Hurricane
https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan
Advantages of SBP Coverage Dear Retiree: (Extracted from DFAS Newsletter)
You chose to make sure your family is taken care of with Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) coverage. Did you know that you chose a plan that has several advantages over term life insurance?
- SBP has monthly annuity Term life insurance is typically a one-time lump sum.
- SBP annuity payments have Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) Term life insurance payment does not increase when the cost of living increases.
- A spouse may get SBP/RCSBP payments for many years, receiving several times the amount paid in In fact, even if you pay SBP premiums for 30 years, your spouse would recoup all of the premiums you’ve paid within the first 2 years and 8 months.
Find out more about the advantages of SBP at: https://www.dfas.mil/sbpadvantages
100 year old Female Marine to receive Living Legend Award. (Provided courtesy of Ben Jordan) There will be a ceremony on 12 Jun 2023 for a 100 year old World War II female marine. She received the living legend award from the Military Women’s Memorial from Arlington Virginia and they’re doing an official ceremony and presentation and it’s actually on the date of the 75th anniversary of the Women’s Armed Forces Immigration Act. The event will be held at the department of Veterans Affairs in Rocky Hill. For information call 860-985-2064.
Horse-Drawn Funerals at Arlington Suspended Until Mid-2024
Bill Guaranteeing Cost-of-Living Increase for Veterans in 2024 Heads to President’s Desk Legislation giving veterans a cost-of-living adjustment on benefits in 2024 — likely to result in an increase in payments — is headed to President Joe Biden’s desk for signature following an agreement by the House….
Army Echoes Now Available
Current edition: https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Documents/echoes/latest.pdf
Army Echoes is the Army’s official newsletter for Retired Soldiers and surviving spouses. This month’s featured articles include:
- The Army Chief of Staff Retired Soldier Council’s historic meeting
- Survivor Benefit Plan Open Season Update
- The VA disability rating and its full arsenal of benefits
- Gray Area Retired Soldier and ready for retired pay?
- Managing your retired pay allotments
- Use your military benefits for a great vacation
- Take advantage of your FEDVIP enrollment period
To contact the Army Echoes editor, send an email to ArmyEchoes@army.mil.
A Note from CW5 Brian Erkson
We would like to generate a Warrant Officer Retirees email list. We now have a few Warrant Officer events each year, and would like to invite our WO retirees.
We have an annual Warrant Officer Birthday picnic at Camp Nett and an RTI- Warrant Officer School Graduation.
I would like to ask if you could forward this email, to the retirees, and if any of the retired Warrant Officers wish to be on this list, they could contact me.
Thank you, with great appreciation.
CW5 Brian Erkson,
3rd Command Chief Warrant Officer, Connecticut Army National Guard, Governor William O’Neill Armory, 360 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06105, O: 8604932768, C: 8608834709
US Military Recreation Facilities (Excerpted from the “Stephanie at Poppin’ Smoke” newsletter) If you want a fun vacation that won’t break the bank, don’t forget that you can use your benefits to stay in military recreational lodging. Here are 17 ideas to get you started with your planning.
Retirement Celebration for SFC William Blake
2023 Calendar of Events
Thu, 29 Jun 23 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at the Hangry Goose, 11 Halls Rd, Old Lyme.
Fri, 7 Jul 23 – Retirement Celebration for SFC William Blake: 1430 at the Officers’ Club, Gov, William A O’Neill Armory, Hartford. (Flyer @ 23-09)
Sat, 8 Jul 23 – 192 Engineer Bn Formal Military Ball, Mystic Marriott Hotel and Spa. Flyer @ 23-05
Mon, 17 Jul 23 – CT National Guard Foundation 2023 Charity Golf Outing, Chippanee Country Club, Bristol. (Save the Date flyer @ 23-04)
Thu, 27 Jul 23 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Athenian Diner, 864 Washington St, Middletown.
Thu, 24 Aug 23 – Retiree Picnic at Camp Nett at Niantic. Retiree briefings 1030, meal 1200. Flyer to follow.
Thu, 24 Aug 23 – 242d Engr Bn Association summer meeting. 1130 at Camp Nett at Niantic
Thu, 31 Aug 23 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Pop’s Family Restaurant, 134 Old Gate Lane, Milford
FY23 NGACT Scholarships Are Now Closed
NGACT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR 2023. ALL APPLICATIONS ARE BEING REVIEWED, AND AWARDEES WILL BE NOTIFIED. GOOD LUCK TO ALL WHO APPLIED.
National Guard Association of Connecticut 360 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06105-3795 www.ngact.org
A Message from the Scholarship Committee of the National Guard Association of Connecticut (NGACT)
The National Guard Association of Connecticut (NGACT) proudly announces the F Y 23 Scholarship Application for NGACT members and their dependents. For a full list of those eligible to apply, please visit our website at https://www.ngact.org.
Background: NGACT was founded in 1994 as a combined officer and enlisted organization for the purpose of representing active and retired members of the Connecticut Army and Air National Guard.
NGACT was originally organized as a non-profit organization designed to serve as the collective voice of all Guard officer and enlisted personnel. Together, members share in the pride, patriotism, and vigilance that keep America strong, accomplishing together what no person could accomplish alone. This united voice helps keep the Connecticut Army and Air National Guard ready and equipped to defend our freedom and represented at the national level through the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS).
NGACT provides a means to express the wishes of its many members. In the past it has proven its value through improved benefits, modem facilities, and better equipment. Moreover, NGACT offers individual and family benefits otherwise not available; Group Insurance for members and families, annual NGACT Conference, and support services including co-sponsor of National Guard events and support of Send Off and Welcome Home Celebrations. The Scholarships program is just one of the many ways the organization gives back to the members, and recognizes its members for exceptional service and academics.
Please take a moment to review the online application at: https://www.ngact.org. Complete and return no later than 0 1 June 2023.
Three (3) $1,000 scholarships from the National Guard Association of CT. One (1) $1,000 scholarship from USAA.
Must be uploaded to website, or postmarked no later than 01 June 2023.
Best of Luck to our Applicants.
Please contact Mark Soltau for additional information at (203) 727-4379.
The Scholarship Committee
DOWNLOAD SCHOLARSHIP FLYER HERE: NGACT SCHOLARSHIPS Welcome Letter AY23 (Academic Year)
DOWNLOAD NGACT SCHOLARSHIP PAPER APPLICATION HERE: NGACT-Scholarship-Paper-Application-JUL-2023
FY22 Scholarship Awardees were presented with their check at the Scholarship Award Brunch at JFHQ:
The National Guard Association of CT State Sponsored Life Insurance (SSLI)
- Up to $1,000,000 coverage available*
- Members covered in combat
- Covered 24/365
- Most valid claims paid within 24 to 48 hours of receipt of proof of loss
- All military occupations covered
- Spouse and Children coverage available
- Coverage does not end and rates DO NOT go up just because you separate from the National Guard
- SSLI can be payroll deducted from drill check or AGR payroll
- All SSLI group plans cover members while serving in the Connecticut National Guard including deployment
For coverage details including eligibility, benefits, rates, exclusions, limitations and renewal provisions please contact the plan administrator tollfree at 800-633-8333.
National Guard Association of Connecticut State Sponsored Life Insurance is provided under group life insurance policies issued to the Militia Insurance Trust (MIT). The
Guardian group life policy and the Uniformed Services Benefit Association (USBA) 10, 15 and 20 year level term life policies are underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company.
DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE: SSLI FLYER
Download 10 June 2023 Bulletin HERE:
CT MILITARY DEPARTMENT PICNIC 2023
Friday, 25th August 2023 at “Camp Nett at Niantic”, Niantic, CT.
Cutoff for early registration is Mon, August 21st 2023
Mark your calendar!
DOWNLOAD PICNIC SIGN UP FORM HERE: NGACT 2023 Picnic Flyer; NGACT-2023-Picnic-Signup-form
DOWNLOAD NECROLOGY LIST HERE:
Honor Flight Connecticut
A Hub of the National Honor Flight Network
Honor Flight CT recognizes American veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by flying them to Washington, DC to see THEIR memorials at no cost. Current priority is chronological by conflict (WWII, Korea and Vietnam) with special consideration given to terminally ill veterans from all wars. Guardians fly with the veterans on every flight providing assistance and helping veterans have a safe, memorable and rewarding experience.
Please note: Veterans are only eligible once for the Honor Flight experience.
Your information MUST be exactly as it appears on your ID For Airline Travel (License, Passport, Govt ID):
DOWNLOAD THE HONOR FLIGHT APPLICATION HERE:Honor Flight – HFCT Vet App
Please submit this form to:
Honor Flight Connecticut
c/o Amy Casey
26 Copperstone Lane
Madison, CT 06443
