Taking a Closer Look
Proposed museum would shed light on the African-American military experience.

In an effort to illuminate the numerous contributions African-Americans have made to the United States' military, the National Afro-American Museum and Culture Center seeks exhibition materials (photographs, artifacts, letters, etcetera) for a future museum of African-American military history, to be located in Wilberforce, Ohio.

The site of the museum is the former home of Col. Charles Young, USA, the highest-ranking African-American officer at the outset of World War I. Among the new museum's exhibit subjects will be the Buffalo Soldiers, the Tuskegee Airmen, the Red Ball Express, the Montford Point Marines, the "Triple Nickles," and the "Bloods" of the Vietnam War. Another exhibit, "Black Warriors on the Silver Screen," will examine how African-Americans in the military have been portrayed in films.

Once all of the exhibits officially have been opened to the public at the museum, they are scheduled to travel to venues throughout the country.

For information about how to donate artifacts or to learn other ways to support the new museum, contact the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, Box 578, Wilberforce, OH 45384, or call (937) 376-4944.

Long Term Care Coverage Active, reserve, and retired service beneficiaries soon will be eligible to apply for new Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) coverage. The FLTCIP contract was awarded to The Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and John Hancock Life Insurance Co., which will form Long Term Care Partners, LLC, to operate the program. Premium and benefit information could be released in February. Coverage begins Oct. 1; enrollment could begin this spring. Retirees and their spouses must show insurability by answering some questions about their health. Government officials hope to mail program information to all eligible beneficiaries by February. For more information, call (800) 582-3337 (LTC-FEDS) or visit the FLTCIP Web site via TROA’s links page, www.troa.org/magazine/links.asp.

Give With Confidence

Following the Sept. 11 attack, Americans showed their spirit by giving generously to nonprofits serving the many victims. Unfortunately, some of these organizations' subsequent distribution methods have been questioned. Be assured that every dollar given to troa's Scholarship Fund and the newly established American Patriot Scholarships program will be awarded to students; troa will cover all administrative costs.

Established in 1948, the scholarship fund has been providing loans and grants to the children of officers and enlisted personnel with outstanding results (99 percent of all loans are repaid).

To make a donation, contact Cindy Amos, (800) 245-8762, ext. 169, or send your contribution to troa Scholarship Fund or American Patriot Scholarships program, Dept. 889, Alexandria, VA 22334-0889.

The Ultimate Golf Experience

One of the largest retired military events — the 19th annual National Retired Military Golf Classic — will take place May 28-June 1 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The tournament is seeking 864 men and 132 women to compete for more than $125,000 in cash and prizes. Priority admittance will be given to those who have played in previous tournaments. After Feb. 1, acceptance will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.

To request an application, call (800) 845-0633, or write to the National Retired Military Golf Classic, P.O. Box 3608, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578.

New TROA Board Member
Rear Adm. William M. Narva, USN-Ret.

A graduate of Yale Medical School, Narva served at naval hospitals in California, was chief of dermatology at the National Naval Medical Center from 1965 to 1978, and was the attending physician to Congress from 1986 to 1990.

His collateral-duty assignments include staff medical officer to the chief of naval operations from 1970 to 1984 and consultant to the White House physician from 1966 to 1986.

After retiring from the Navy in 1990, Narva was appointed to the Commission for the Future Structure of Veterans' Health Care. He serves on the board of directors of the Eisenhower Medical Center and is a member of troa's Palm Springs (Calif.) Chapter. He currently serves on TROA's Health Care Committee.