Bulletin 24 – 03  (01 FEB 2024 Edition)

 

                 

 

 

   

 

January 31st, 2024

IN MEMORY THIS HEADQUARTERS REGRETFULLY ANNOUNCES THE DEATH OF

Jacqueline “Jacquie” Ortiz Miller

Wife of CW5 Clifton Miller

Network Operations & Security Center, J6, JFHQ Connecticut Army National Guard

Celebration of Life/Internment

Place: A Celebration of Life and Internment will be private for family.

Obituary: https://www.carmonfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Jacqueline-Jacquie-Ortiz-
Miller?obId=30540166#/obituaryInfo

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing in Jacquie’s memory to:

ALS United Connecticut
https://alsunitedct.org/donate/

 

 

   

 

 

For your situational awareness only:

 

 

IN MEMORY THIS HEADQUARTERS REGRETFULLY ANNOUNCES THE DEATH OF

SPC4 (Ret.) Gary M. Gazdzicki Sr.

Vietnam War Veteran and Connecticut Resident Close Acquaintance of SGT Kassidy M. Sharp
Equipment Records and Parts NCO, 250th Engineer Company Connecticut Army National Guard

Calling Hours
Date: Friday, January 12, 2024, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Place: John F. Tierney Funeral Home
219 West Center St, Manchester, CT 06040

Memorial Service
Date: Saturday, January 13, 2024, 10:00 a.m.

Place: John F. Tierney Funeral Home
219 West Center St, Manchester, CT 06040
Burial

Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/journalinquirer/name/gary-gazdzickiobituary?
id=54054123

 

 

   

 

 

Message from MAJ (RET) Frank Perry:

 

Hail and Farewell:  After many years of publishing the, “Retiree Bulletin,” the time has come to pass the baton to someone with more enthusiasm and technological savvy. I have also suffered a personal loss which has knocked the stuffing out of me.

 

I received a tremendous amount of help with the Bulletin.  Calls and emails from Retirees concerning events and the passing of fellow Retirees made the Bulletin read a little more personal. For the last year or so the one who has been carrying the load with the Bulletin has been CPT Mark Soltau, I encourage everyone to keep forwarding your intel to him (Mark can be reached at hewan.soltau@gmail.com).

 

The Bulletin started twenty-some years ago with 6 soldiers on the distribution list, it’s now up to nearly 500. It would be a shame to see it wither on the vine.

 

Take care Guys, see you at the next picnic.

 

Frank Perry

PS: BTW, Mr. Perry will still be helping, just in a lesser capacity. If anyone has any suggestions on improvement of the newsletter, or if you’d like to add notices to the newsletter, eg death, or pertinent info etc, please send the information to my email:

 

hewan.soltau@gmail.com

 

Mark Soltau

 

 

 

   

 

 

Difficulty of Troops and Spouses Accessing Maternity Care Is Focus of New Legislation on Capitol Hill

 

Guardian Officer Set to Be First in Space Force History to Go on Space Mission

 

Space Coast’s New General Spearheads More Cooperation with Private Space Companies

 

Secret US Spying Program Targeted Top Venezuelan Officials, Flouting International Law

 

Ukraine Claims Its Sea Drones Sank a Russian Ship. Moscow Says a Patriot Missiles Downed Its Plane

 

 

   

 

 

UPDATE:

Constitution and Bylaw Amendment Format

Download PDF here:  Constitution and Bylaw Amendment Format

 

The National Guard Association of Connecticut CONSTITUTION Of October 1993, as amended in March 1996, March 1997, March 2002, March 2003, March 2004, March 2007, and March 2012.

Download PDF here: NGACT Constitution (March 2012)

 

Notice to the Membership Signed by President Burgess

Download PDF here: Notice to the Membership (Signed)

The National Guard Association of Connecticut By–Laws Of October 1993, as amended in March 1998, March 2003, January 2012, May 2012, August 2012 and September 2012.

Download PDF here: NGACT Bylaws (SEP 2012)

 

 

   

 

 

 

Survivor Benefits Newsletter and Link

DFAS Survivor SBP Newsletter Fall2023

Download entire newsletter HERE: DFAS Survivor SBP Newsletter Fall2023

 

 

   

 

 

DFAS Retiree Newsletter & Benefits News + Link

Download entire newsletter HERE: DFAS Retiree Newsletter December 2023

 

 

   

 

Free tax return preparation for Veterans, military members, and their families!

Free tax return preparation for Veterans, military members and their families – VA News

 

 

   

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.

This event is open to all military services. More information will be published once it is available.

Thanks, and we 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.

 

                                      

 

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.

 

 

     

 

 

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.

 

   

 

2024 Calendar of Events

 

   

 

Retiring Soon:

 

Who: SGM Marco Lopes

 

What: Retirement Celebration

 

When: Friday, March 29^th, 2024 at 1800-2300

 

Where: Portuguese Sport Club, 1966 Baldwin Street, Waterbury, CT 06706

Thanks for your 20+ years of service SGM Lopes!

 

 

 

   

 

 

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