3M Combat Arms Earplug Settlement Program

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <prujoe@bellsouth.net>
Date: Fri, Dec 15, 2023 at 20:11
Subject: 3M Combat Arms Earplug Settlement Program’s Extraordinary Injury Fund (“EIF”)
To: <prujoe@bellsouth.net>

   

  SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION

          Chapter 76 - South Florida 

                “The Green Berets”

 

December 15, 2023

Hello Members and Friends of the Association,

From Jerry Bartlett ~

Re: 3M Claimant: Jerry,   Beginning January 26, 2024, Eligible Claimants may apply (through Counsel if represented) for additional compensation from the 3M Combat Arms Earplug Settlement Program’s Extraordinary Injury Fund (“EIF”). Please review the attached document for more information about the EIF, including information about specific EIF categories, supporting documentation required, and the application fee. In brief, the specific EIF categories include:   1.  Hidden Hearing Loss (awards up to $24,000). 2.  Low Frequency Hearing Loss (awards up to $100,000). 3.  Recorded Tinnitus (awards up to $250,000). 4.  Other Otologic Injury and Intervention for Acoustic Trauma (awards up to $100,000). 5. Economic Loss through Impact on Work Productivity / Occupation (awards up to $200,000). 6.  New Onset Hearing Impairment Related to Noise Exposure (awards up to $20,000).   If you meet the criteria for one or more of these extraordinary injury categories, you may apply for funds in addition to those awarded to you as part of the Expedited Pay Program or Deferred Pay Program process. Please note that there are no additional EIF categories and there is no “Other” category. In other words, these are the only EIF categories.    As outlined in the attached document, an application fee is required to apply for these additional funds. If your attorney submits your application without the necessary supporting documentation, your attorney is responsible for the application fee. If, however, you are awarded money to be paid from this fund, the application fee will be deducted from your EIF award. You and your attorney should not submit an EIF application if you do not meet the specific eligibility criteria and/or do not have the required documentary proof for a specific EIF category.   The attached document also outlines the timing of EIF award determinations and payments.   Other than speaking with your attorney about your potential to qualify for any of the EIF categories and/or gathering the requisite documentary support, there is nothing you need to do until the EIF application period opens on January 26, 2024. On that date, the Settlement Administrator will open an on-line portal for applications to be submitted by your Primary Counsel. The EIF application period will be open for 90 days, meaning applications must be submitted to the Settlement Administrator no later than April 25, 2024. If you are represented by Counsel, you may not submit an EIF application on your own and you should NOT submit any EIF application to the Court. Any EIF applications submitted to the Court will be summarily rejected.    Please consult with your Counsel if you believe you qualify for an EIF award.   Please click the red "Click Here" box below to review the Extrordinary Injury Fund Methodology.   Warmest regards for the holiday season.   Sincerly,   ARCHER Systems, LLC     Click Here   Please do not reply to this email, if you have questions, contact your attorney directly. This email is for informational purposes only. Replies will not be returned.

 

 

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President

Passing and Arrangements John Spencer, COL., USANG (ret)

Obituary for Col John Spencer USANG, Ret

John Curtis Blackmon Spencer passed away peacefully in the care of his loving family on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. He was the beloved husband of Carolyn Ivey Spencer, with whom he had shared over 40 years of marriage.

John was born in Jacksonville, Florida on December 8, 1942, to Render Spencer and Rosemary (Spencer) Spires. He was the oldest of five children, and is survived by his brother Bradley Spencer (Cathy Spencer), his sister Avis Spencer Mitchell (Jim Mitchell), his sister Lea Spencer (Joe DiNicola), and his brother Elliott Spencer (deceased).

John was raised in St. Augustine, Florida, and, for 13 years, in Sendai and Honshu, Japan, where his father's military career had taken the family. He graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1962 and immediately enlisted in the Marine Corps, spending 4 years at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. "Once a Marine, Always a Marine! Oorah!"

After his honorable discharge from the Marines, John earned his B.S., his M.E., and an Ed. D. from the University of Florida in Gainesville. At this time, John was involved with the Florida Army National Guard, and completed Airborne School in 1967, then Officer Candidate School, and was a member of A/3/20 Special Forces Operations by 1970.

Following the completion of his Doctorate, John eventually became the Principal of a self-contained School for disabled adults on the campus of Sunland Center, Gainesville. He was a 10-year member of the Council for Exceptional Children, and a variety of other Associations focused on improving educational opportunities for mentally and physically challenged individuals.

In 1982, John left Education to become a full-time Logistics Officer at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Virginia. By 1985 he had completed National Security Management training and was working in the Office of the Inspector General.

A change in duty station moved the family to Florida where John was assigned to Florida National Guard Headquarters back in St. Augustine. From here, he began Command of a start-up Brigade/Battalion in Air Defense and later became Assistant Chief of Staff for FLANG.

A move back to Washington, D.C. to begin Army War College for a year was followed by another duty assignment to complete War College in Austin, Texas at the University of Texas, where John also enjoyed teaching at the Graduate School of Business. Returning to Washington, D.C. brought many interesting challenges to his work, and John thrived on learning and teaching Conflict Management and Facilitation techniques. He authored a textbook that became part of the Army War College curriculum and always looked for ways to engage in conversations about leadership ideas.

When he retired and left the area in 2012, John held a position as the Chief, of the Office of Interagency and Intergovernmental, Directorate of Plans, Policy, and International Affairs at the National Guard Bureau. He was passionate about serving in the Military and only retired when his body began to show signs of strain with the challenges of Parkinson's Disease.

He excelled in his studies and his career. John loved his work and the people and places he traveled to. He received many awards, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Distinguished Service Medal.

In addition, John was a dedicated Boy Scout Leader to troops in Fairfax, Virginia for many years while his boys were growing up. He enjoyed planning trips with the Scouts and worked on countless Eagle Scout Projects. He was also a great fan of all things Harry Potter, Michael Jackson, Sean Connery, "Riverdance" and "Les Miserables". He also had a bent toward Meteorology and loved to forecast the weather for his family.

In the long run, what truly mattered to John was the love he had with his family and friends. He faced the challenges of Parkinson's Disease with the most amazing grace and continued to look for ways to stay connected and to be of service.

John is survived by his loving family, including his wife Carolyn Ivey Spencer, and sons Jamie Spencer (Cati), and Hadley Spencer (Brandy). His legacy continues through his cherished grandchildren, Izzy, Grant, and Wyatt, who brought immense joy and pride to his later years. He also leaves behind a wonderful extended family, including his sisters-in-law and their families: Susan Jones, Melanie Job (Wade), and Annie Leonard (Ina), as well as his brother-in-law Murph Ivey (Nancy) and their family.

He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Rest in Peace, Soldier.

A Memorial Ceremony with full Military honors will be held to celebrate John's life and service to his country. It will take place on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 1:00 P.M. at Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery in Anderson, S.C.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Col John Spencer USANG, Ret please visit our Sympathy Store.

Passing of SGM Albert Slugocki, USarmy (ret)

SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION

     Chapter 76 - South Florida 

         “The Green Berets”

 

                                                                                   

December 9, 2023

 

Hello SF Members and Friends of the Association,

We regret to inform you of the passing of SGM(R) Albert Slugocki today.  Thanks to Guy Clark for informing us.  Although we have little information at this time, Al Slugocki is expected to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery sometime in the future and we will inform you when we learn more.

Back in June, the SOA Newsletter provided the following notice:

Albert Slugocki, SOA Mem #278, is very ill.  His wife Margaret fears the end is near. Please include Al and Margaret in your prayers. Al Slugocki joined the Army in 1950, five years after he escaped from his native Poland by crossing the border to Czechoslovakia and made his way to the United States. Shortly after enlisting, Slugocki, who fought in the Korean and Vietnam wars, was assigned to the Army’s special Green Beret unit. Fluent in English, Spanish, Polish, Russian and French, he helped train guerrilla fighters in Cambodia, Guatemala and Nicaragua. His highest award was the Silver Star. Al was one of the Green Berets called to watch over President Kennedy's body.  His Book. the Autumn Man Joe Pruett on behalf of Ed Pijuan President

SF Spring Lunch

SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION

    Chapter 76 - South Florida 

          “The Green Berets”

 

                                                                                   

December 8, 2023

 

Hello SF Members and Friends of the Association,

Richard "Buckshot" Pinson asked me to send this out to my contacts.  Please send your feedback to him at his email address "buckshotrsp@gmail.com.

 

Ted,

Please put out to the group for feedback. Susan and I can host the SF Luncheon at our home (4042 WL Hudson Circle, Tallahassee, FL 32305). For planning purposes would like to have the luncheon the 2nd Saturday in April. We have plenty of room with a outdoor kitchen and large pole barn in case of bad weather. 

 

Buckshot

 

 

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President

 

Annual membership renewal dues

SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION

          Chapter 76 - South Florida 

                “The Green Berets”

 

                                                                                   

December 7, 2023

 

Hello SF Members and Friends of the Association,

It is time for annual membership renewal dues. 

Please consider renewing through Teamhouse at https://Teamhouse.SpecialForcesAssociation.org/ (no need to capitalize).  The following should take you through the initial steps to get started.  You can complete your renewal online without a stamp and avoid writing a check. 

Once you open the link, you should be here on the page displayed. Here you can either Login then click Membership or click Membership, then Login and follow the instructions.  Alternately you may click on the 2024 Convention button, then click Membership, then Membership Renewal or Join SFA Now and proceed from there.

To renew manually by check:  Please open the attached Renewal Ch 76 SF Assn button for your renewals which cover the period from January 1^st through December 31st. Please pay by January 31, 2024 to avoid a delinquency charge and please remember to remit your dues to SFA Chapter 76 at the address on the form so we get the credit and money for your chapter.  We have also attached a new member form. 

 

Joe Pruett on behalf of

Ed Pijuan

President

 

Operation Scenic Santa

Scenic Santas

Airmen participate in Operation Christmas Drop over Koror, Palau, Dec. 3, 2023. The Defense Department's longest-running humanitarian airlift operation provides donated goods throughout the Pacific.

Sentinel

In this issue: Book Review for New Release: Hot Mics and TV Lights Killing the Pacifist Myth of Father James Francis Carney From SOG Chronicles: Volume I Operation Tailwind (Pt. 4): As NVA Hordes Close In SOG Pulls and Intel Coup Army Special Operations Forces Timeline   From the Archive: "OPERATION POWER PACK"— A Young Lieutenant's Experiences in the Dominican Republic. The January 2016 Sentinel included this informative article from long-time SFA Chapter 78 Secretary Gary Macnamara about his first combat tour — in the Dominican Republic in 1966, serving as a ‘new’ second lieutenant with the 82nd Airborne Division. SFA Members: Happy Holidays from Chapter 78! Here's an overview of what you'll find in this month's issue of the Sentinel: Book Review—Hot Mics and TV Lights Marc Yablonka and Rick Frederickson have teamed up to write a book that tells the story of the AFVN radio network, from its early days to its present day. Father James Carney: Christian Marxist Greg Walker brings clarity to the complexities of the fight to defeat the communist attempt to take over Central America in the 1980s. He profiles Father James Carney, a Jesuit priest who took up arms in Nicaragua and Honduras. Operation Tailwind—A Chapter from SOG Chronicles: Volume 1 John Stryker Meyer shares a chapter from his book about Operation Tailwind, a highly successful raid deep into Laos. The chapter highlights an important intelligence coup during the difficult operation. ARSOF Timeline of U.S. Army Special Operations Forces ARSOF has put together a succinct and authoritative history of U.S. Army Special Operations Forces. The timeline covers from psyops to the 160th SOAR, SF, Rangers, and more. We hope you enjoy this issue. Please let us know if you have any interesting SF stories to share.     Honor U.S. MACV-SOG with the Congressional Gold Medal — Sign the Petition! A little over 2000 have signed but we will need more to convince Congress there is strong public support. We need your help! If you've already signed, please share this petition on social media, email, or even by word of mouth! Any American citizen is qualified to sign. Click here to sign. Read the December Sentinel   HELP DESIGN HISTORY Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation Join @GWOTMF's first-of-its-kind public input campaign, #HelpDesignHistory. They invite YOU to share design input for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial, honoring all uniformed & non-uniformed people who have served in the GWOT.   Give input at gwotmf.org/helpdesignhistory     NOTE: It is not necessary to subscribe to the Sentinel on our website if you are a SFA member.   Follow us on Twitter @SFA_ch78 Follow us on YouTube @sfachapter78 The Chapter 78 Sentinel is emailed by Chapter 78 monthly to the SFA national database. Your chapter affiliation has not changed.   If you have a story that you'd like to share in the Sentinel, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact the Sentinel Editor How Miller at howmiller78@outlook.com.   If you'd rather not receive this email, please click here to email Chapter 78. Please provide your first and last name in the subject line so that we can locate and remove your name from our distribution list. Using the opt-out at the bottom of the email may prevent you from receiving important messages from SFA National. Read past issues of the Sentinel or learn more about Chapter 78 and its members at www.specialforces78.com.

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