Bulletin 23 – 19  (15 NOV 2023 Edition)

 

    

 

Black Border Brother of CPT SIWANOWICZ

 

For Situational Awareness only, SM has already been interred:

CPL Siwanowicz, Christopher Paul 

Member of 

3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment 

Brother of 

CPT Siwanowicz, Robert Joseph 

Member of 

The Connecticut Army National Guard, C CO 572 BEB 

Calling Hours 

Date: Monday, November 13, 2023, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Place: Chase Parkway Memorial/Albini Family Funeral Home 

430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT, 06708 

Funeral Service 

Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 11:00 a.m. 

Place: Chase Parkway Memorial/Albini Family Funeral Home 

430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT, 06708 

Burial 

Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2023, immediately after funeral service 

Place: Saint James Cemetery 

249 Cross St., Naugatuck, CT, 06770 

Obituary: https://www.chaseparkwaymem  orial.com/obituary/christopher-siwanowicz 

   

 

Please join us in support of Connecticut’s Operation E.L.F Program

 

 

 

DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE: UPDATE_CTNGFI OP ELF Social Fundraiser_NOV 30th

Venue: Red Rock Tavern

Thursday, November 30th

4:00-7:00 PM

$20 per person

Venmo @CTNGFI

Or

Cash or credit at Service Member and Family Support Center

360 Broad Street Room 112, Hartford 

Gift Card Donations are welcome to support our 

Service Members Year round!

 

 

   

 

Salute to the Troops Military Ball

Save the Date! The National Guard Association of CT is proud to present our Salute to the Troops Military Ball on March 23, 2024! Please be on the look out for details!

There are also opportunities for individuals and our Corporate Partners to help us defray the cost for our junior Service members to attend. Please contact me for additional information.

Please share and make widest possible distribution.

Thanks and I look forward to seeing you in March to say “Thank you” to our service members and Families!

 

 

 

     

Connecticut Guardian

 

** Gov. Ned Lamont announced a new initiative to encourage state residents to join the Connecticut National Guard.

 

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/06/22/army-national-guard-cant-retain-enough-soldiers-even-active-duty-meets-goals.html

 

 

                                      

 

DOWNLOAD JEEP FLYERS HERE: CT JEEP 500 Program Flyer 2       CT JEEP 500 Program Flyer 1

 

The Connecticut Military Department’s Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (CT JEEP 500) begins on 1 July 2023. Each CTNG Guard Member (except for those members (and their relatives) who are assigned/attached to the 6^th Recruiting and Retention Battalion), CTNG Retiree and CT Militia Member is eligible to become a Recruiting Assistant (RA). An RA who enrolls a lead in CT JEEP 500 will receive an allowance of $500 for each lead who enlists in the CTNG within 180 days of being enrolled into CT JEEP 500.

CT-JEEP 500 is a win-win-win. RAs receive a $500 allowance. The CTNG receives a new Soldier or Airman. The Lead receives membership in the CTNG. Help yourself by helping the CTNG get leads to enlist.

See attached flyers for additional information. Take a picture of the QR code on either flyer to upload your lead and get started.

Point of contact for this message is CPT Ryan Campbell, CTNG’s CT JEEP 500 Officer.

 

 

     

 

 

 

How To Find Your TRICARE Referrals

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — If you have a TRICARE Prime plan, referrals play a big role in how you get health care. A referral is when your primary care manager (PCM) sends you to see another provider. If your PCM needs to refer you to a civilian provider, your TRICARE regional contractor also plays a role in the referral process.

 

Before Natural Disasters Strike, Know Your TRICARE Benefits

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — When the government issues a state of emergency, TRICARE may temporarily change its procedures to ensure that you receive timely medical care. Here’s what you need to know.

 

Understanding Medicare Part D and TRICARE Pharmacy Coverage

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — You may already have TRICARE For Life (TFL). Or perhaps you’re eligible to transition to this coverage soon. Either way, you may have questions about your TRICARE prescription drug coverage. For instance, you may wonder if you need to have Medicare Part D, Medicare’s prescription coverage. You don’t need Medicare Part D to have TFL. That’s because TFL has the same prescription drug coverage as other TRICARE health plans. (This doesn’t include the US Family Health Plan.)

Recovery of American hostages to be led by Israelis, US to advise (armytimes.com)Recovery of American hostages to be led by Israelis, US to advise (armytimes.com)Recovery of American hostages to be led by Israelis, US to advise (armytimes.com)

     

 

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

 

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.

 

   

 

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.

 

   

 

2023-2024 Calendar of Events

Thur 16 NOV 23 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Pops Family Restaurant, 134 Old Gate Rd, Milford.

Thur 14 DEC 23 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Hangry Goose, 11 Halls Rd, Old Lyme.

Thur 25 JAN 24 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Athenian Diner, 864 Washington St, Middletown.

Thur 29 FEB 24 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Pops Family Restaurant, 134 Old Gate Rd, Milford.

Thur 28 MAR 24 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Hangry Goose, 11 Halls Rd, Old Lyme.

Thur 25 APR 24 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Athenian Diner, 864 Washington St, Middletown.

Thur 30 MAY 23 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Pops Family Restaurant, 134 Old Gate Rd, Milford.

 

 

   

 

 

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

 

 

   

 

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