THE ONLY TREA CHAPTER IN KANSAS
NEWSLETTER
Midway Chapter 16
P.O. Box 1774, Salina, Kansas 67402-1774
November 2023 Issue: 11
OFFICERS: President – Gary Keil 785-822-4131; Vice President – Jason Bathon; 785-577-1659; Secretary - Bill Vinyard 785-827-8394; Treasurer - Roger Thull 785-827-7981; Chaplain – Moses Stewart 785-827-5956; Sergeant of Arms – Bill Quinley
MEETING LOCATION: Salina Senior Center, Board Room on Second Floor, 245 N 9th St, Salina, KS
MEETING TIME: 1:00 p.m./ DATES: November 17 and December 8.
MEAL: Roasted Turkey, cornbread stuffing with gravy, green bean casserole, assorted pies, and dinner roll with butter.
HAVE A WONDERFUL VETERANS DAY AND THANKSGIVING!
REMINDER: Our November meeting date is NOVEMBER 17(the third Friday of the month).
WELLNESS: Dorothy Armster, Shirley Wagner, and Rachel Holt Fikes. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
BIRTHDAY IN NOVEMBER: Alicia Perry, Mark Schwaller, and Shirley Wagner. Happy birthday to you all.
GUEST SPEAKER: Jeff Hammond, Director of Parks and Recreation, Salina, KS
2024 PAY RAISE FOR VETERANS & MILITARY RETIREES:Military retirees and disabled veterans will see their monthly checks increase in 2024, thanks to the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) due to inflation. Disabled veterans will also see their benefit payments increase in the upcoming year. VA disability checks will go up about $5.31 per month for those with a 10% rating and $115.90 for those rated at 100% who don't have dependents.
CHAPTERS & MEMBERSHIP: 2016 had 51 active TREA chapters, but now only 23. In 7 years, a decline of approximately 45 %. In November 2016, chapter 16 had 67 members; today only 43. 1963, was the establishment of TREA as a veteran organization and congressional charter in 1992. Our chapter became affiliated in 1970. Do the right thing: renew your membership.
LOCAL EVENTS: Senior Center November 9, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Veteran's Day Celebration); bring pictures of yourself in military uniform; November 11 Veteran's Day Parade, 9:00 a.m. (Elm to South Street), November 11, Veterans Day ceremony at Sunset Park War Memorial, at 11:00 a.m. It is open to all Veterans and guests.
At Central Mall: Veteran's Days Fair is November 11, non-profits from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., veteran-owned businesses from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Black Friday Bazaar is November 24 and 25, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and November 26, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Christmas Bazaar every weekend in December.
TIDBITS OF OCTOBER MEETING: New member William Cejka, Jr, won the attendance drawing. Discussed one or two meetings per quarter or continue the monthly meetings. Treasurer Roger Thull briefed the monthly treasurer's report, two expenses, one deposit, and a checking account balance of $4885.93. 2024 Election of Officers: nominees for the Vice-President and Secretary positions were again the most significant concern. Dick Trow, Nomination Committee, reported so far, no nominees.
TRICARE OPEN SEASON: It starts November 13 through December 11, 2023. To enroll, cancel, or make changes during this period to FEDVIP plans (Federal Dental and Vision). No action is required if enrolled in FEDVIP and have no modifications. However, for changes or cancellations, contact BENEFEDS at www.BENEFEDS.com or call 1-877-888-3337. January 1 is the effective date for changes.
VETERANS DAY QUOTE: "On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free." —Dan Lipinski
UNITED WE STAND
