The COMARA Newsletter |
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| COMSAT Alumni & Retirees Association | December 2007 |
| What's Inside | Special Feature: |
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Earlier this fall, we received news that the Inmarsat-A system will be retired at the end of 2007 after 32 years, an amazingly fine record for a system with a 5-year design lifetime, and a real credit to the team that conceptualized, built, and operated it! This has led to a lot of reminiscing, ably led by Ed Martin, about designing the first satellite system intended for maritime communications. A special feature on Inmarsat-A can be found at http://www.comara.org/legacy/marisat.htm .
We are nearing the end of Comara's fifth year.. If you've already sent in a $20 check for 2007 and 2008 dues, stop reading this now. For the rest of us, it's time to focus on sending in the $10 dues for 2008. For your own convenience (and ours), why not send a $20 check for 2008 and 2009? Make your check payable to "Comara," put "Dues" on the memo line, and send to COMARA, PO Box 34594, Bethesda, MD 20827
The Permanent Hall of Fame for Satellite Communications Project is being undertaken under the umbrella of the Society of Satellite Professionals International. We are seeking volunteers to assist in making this exhibit on the history of satellite communications a reality. The objective is to create a library and international resource center including key and historical books, videotapes, historical broadcasts, relevant speeches and presentations by world leaders, space pioneers, and visionaries; landmark papers and documents; treaties and conventions- not only for communications satellites, but also for remote sensing and meteorological satellites.
This effort is intended to ensure that satellites, satellite models, earth stations, VSATS, hand-held phones, and other appropriate memorabilia from the satellite world are collected and displayed in a World Satellite Hall of Fame. We already have initial indications of support from INTELSAT, SES Americom, Orbital Sciences, and Lockheed.
Steven Teller, Ellen Hoff, Ed Martin, and Peggy Slye are currently working with me on this project. If you can help us in our approach to the satellite industry or to museums and universities we would very much like to hear from you. Please contact me (703 536-6985 or jpelton@gwu.edu) or any other member of the committee. Many thanks.
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September 23: Social and Annual Meeting. Nearly 75 COMARA members, spouses, and friends gathered at That's Amore restaurant in Gaithersburg. The food was delicious, the arrangements were perfect, and the conversation flowed.. Following an annual meeting that was as brief as advertised, the two new COMARA board members, Dr. Joe Pelton and Steve Teller, spoke briefly. Overall opinion: let's do this again, here.
October 23: National Philharmonic Orchestra Concert at Strathmore. At final count 43 COMARA members and spouses, significant others, and friends attended the NPO concert at the Strathmore Performing Arts Center. We had great seats, thanks to the the orchestra's executive director and the chairman emeritus, our own Joel Alper. We heard the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 and Gustav Holst's The Planets-quite appropriate for this high-tech, space-oriented crowd. We enjoyed the VIP lounge, and sampled some very nice hors d'oeuvres, provided gratis by Strathmore. And we were joined in the lounge by COMARA members Ruth Berman and Jerry Breslow, who are also on the board of the orchestra. A fine time was had by all, and many suggested that we do this again in 2008.
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The enrollment for 2008 medical and dental benefits seems to have gone smoothly for most, perhaps all, Comara members. There were some increases in premiums, but what else is new? The big news this year may not be what was offered for 2008, but instead the forecast of coming events in the transmittal letter, entitled "Your Benefits" and dated October 2007. (Now admit it, how many of you ignored or even discarded the transmittal letter in your haste to focus on the prices for benefits next year? I almost did.)
The transmittal letter is full of red flags, and so we need to be aware that Lockheed is becoming increasingly concerned with the level of its annual medical costs, and reserving all of its options.
First, Lockheed notes that a number of its competitors do not provide retiree medical coverage to retirees, and that Lockheed eliminated retiree medical coverage for new hires as of Jan. 1, 2006. Lockheed also notes that it now provides medical coverage for nearly as many retirees as active employees. This is not good. Think of the recent labor negotiations in the U.S. auto manufacturing industry, where no-cost "benefits for life" got changed into something much less, with management claiming that the very survival of the industry required major concessions from its retirees.
Lockheed goes on to mention two steps being implemented to further control medical costs. First, it has introduced LMHealthWorks for active employees and their families, providing "resources, programs and education to help them live healthier lives." And Lockheed indicates that "eventually" this service will be made available for retirees. Second, Lockheed says that over the next few years, "we will consolidate the number of medical plans available to our active employee population to provide better care and manage health." And they acknowledge that they do not yet know how the consolidation "will directly impact your health care costs." This is a very fluid situation. Stay alert, and stay tuned.
While I am not a tax attorney, and you need to talk to your own accountant or lawyer or assume the risk of not doing so, it is my understanding that members who are at least age 70 1/2 and who have funds in a "Traditional" IRA-not a Roth IRA-are eligible for a special one-time benefit this calendar year only under the Pension Protection Act of 2006. In 2007, you can make contributions totaling up to $100,000 to charities from your IRA without being taxed on the distribution from your IRA. (Remember that withdrawals from your Traditional IRA are normally treated as "ordinary income" for tax purposes.)
This may also be beneficial if you have not yet taken your "required minimum distribution" from your IRA for the 2007 tax year, as any payment to charities through this procedure can be help satisfy this requirement. It may also be beneficial if your charitable contributions would otherwise be limited-for example, if your adjusted gross income is high enough that your itemized deductions would be scaled back (congratulations!) or if you take the standard deduction and cannot deduct your charitable gift. However, you would not also be able to deduct the amount of the contribution-Congress decided that would be too much of a good thing!
This treatment is available only for transfers made directly by the IRA firm (rather than from the IRA firm to you and then to the charity) and completed by December 31, 2007. It takes time to make and implement the arrangements, so start soon. Please note that the above does NOT apply to funds you have in a 401(k), 403(b), or other tax-privileged vehicle; it applies only to IRAs.
You should have received a letter from Lockheed Martin in early November entitled "Important Notice About Your Prescription Drug Coverage and Medicare." The letter indicates that the prescription drug coverage offered under the LM medical plans is expected to pay out at least as much as the standard Medicare Plan-D drug coverage, and so Medicare considers the LM coverage to be "Creditable Coverage." SAVE THIS LETTER. If and when Lockheed decides no longer to provide will allow you to enroll in Medicare Plan D without incurring a penalty. Of course, we know of nothing imminent on this front, and we certainly hope we will continue to receive prescription drug coverage via LM long into the future.
The INTELSAT retirees settlement on medical benefits coverage was approved by the Court in September 2007. Benefits for both living retirees and spouses of deceased retirees are covered under the settlement. The co-pays can be increased and the premiums can be increased, but they are "capped." Legal expenses for the lawsuit exceeded $300,000. The Court approved $270,000 in attorney fees reimbursed by INTELSAT as part of the settlement.
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Nancy D. Ernst, widow of John G. Ernst (March 12, 2007).
Betty Edelson has sold the family home and relocated to a condo at Chase Point on Military Road in Northwest D.C.
Jack and Mary Oslund have sold the family home and moved to new quarters in Broomfield, Colorado (in the very high-tech Boulder, Colorado area). About 20 former colleagues joined the Oslunds a few weeks ago for a farewell lunch at Maggianos in Tysons Corner, arranged by Kim Baumgartner. Well done, Kim!
Mary Ann Elliott retired from Arrowhead Global Solutions, Inc., on October 1, having sold the company to Cap/Rock of Houston, TX in May 2007. She will remain a consultant until 2010 and serve on the board of directors. Arrowhead had a fine 16-year run under her leadership. Members can still contact Mary Ann via her Arrowhead e-mail address (go to the Comara website, log in and choose "View Members") or via her home phone: (703) 845-8123. All the best, Mary Ann!
Pier Bargellini and wife Anna Pier have moved from South Wellfleet , MA, to Seattle , WA. Pier picks up the story from here: "As we are getting older [editors' note: Pier is in his early 90s, we believe], we wanted to be close (50 m!) to the home of our son Leonard and his family . Seattle is a very beautiful city and we have begun to appreciate living here. The weather has been super fine, contrary to common belief, very little rain so far and much sunshine as it is right now. Anna flew from Boston to Seattle, and I drove from Cape Cod to here with my grandson Carlos' help (3,500 mi. in 6 days). On November 19, we'll fly to Mexico and spend the winter there next to our daughter Clara. We plan to be back in Seattle by mid March 2008.Hopefully we'll be back East for a while next spring and visit Washington, DC."
Henry "Hank" Schutzbier writes from Yamaguchi-City, Japan: "Ever since I rotated out of Korea the end of '54, Japan has basically been my "home base." Then in 1979, while with the Integration & Implementation Department under G.Caprio, I was sent to Yamaguchi as the TTCM Site Supervisor for a while and just stayed on here while still doing DoD contracts in Italy and lastly Afghanistan." All the best, Hank!
NOTE: Addresses for those profiled this month are available in the members section of the Comara website.
Burt Falkofske. Burt, former World Systems engineer and dedicated adult Boy "Scouter," took a bad fall on September 16, which caused hemorrhaging in the brain, and the need for immediate surgery. As with a stroke, he was unable to move his right side. Now, 2+ months later, he is still in Intermediate Care at Inova Fairfax Hospital, receiving daily physical and occupational therapy. His long-term memory has come back and the short-term is improving. He is still suffering from many complications, not the least of which is his current status as an "isolation" patient because he has contracted a colonization of MRSA, so visitors have to don cap and gown to see him. The doctors hope that he can be released soon to a skilled nursing facility with respiratory care, probably Woodbine Nursing Center in Alexandria, where he would also receive more therapy. Please keep Burt and wife Carla in your prayers. Carla thanks you all for your many cards, good wishes, and prayers. (If you want to send a card, you will find their home address in the members section of the Comara website.)
UPDATE - MOVING DAY FOR BURTON FALKOFSKE
From Carla Falkofske - December 5, 2007
Late yesterday afternoon (Monday) we got the word that Cameron Glen had a
bed for Dad. The doctors were anxious to get him moved to a facility
where he would receive more therapy, as they believe he is at a place
where that is needed. So, this afternoon he was taken by Medical
Transport to the Inova Cameron Glen Care Center in Reston.
Marion Timmons. Marion, former administrative assistant to General Counsel Bill Berman, is seriously ill with cancer and is in the Hospice program at the Sunrise facility at 2000 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22207. She would welcome your cards or phone calls; her direct line is (703) 284-8970. Visitors are also welcome, but call first.
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Please send us information about what you're doing for a future COMARA Newsletter! Best wishes for the holiday season and the New Year!
-The COMARA Board of Directors
Copyright 2007 by COMSAT Alumni & Retirees Association. All rights reserved.
COMARA, PO Box 34594, Bethesda, MD 20827