FCREA finalizes 2025, looks ahead to 2026
There are moments in our meetings that stay with you long after the chairs are folded and the dishes are washed.
One of those moments came in November when Retired Maj. Gen. Troy Oliver reminded us that remembering fallen soldiers is not something we do only on holidays.
“Those of us that have been through wars don’t just remember our fallen soldiers who went to war and didn’t come home,” he said. “We also remember the ones who have died because of the effects of war after they made it home.
“And we don’t just remember these fallen soldiers on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. There is hardly a week that goes by where I don’t think about the sacrifices they made for our country,” Oliver said.
Oliver, a member of the U.S. Army National Guard, was the guest speaker at our November meeting honoring fallen soldiers in recognition of both Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
He also quoted John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
That spirit of reflection and service has carried through our meetings this past fall as we closed out 2025 and began looking ahead to the year to come.
Our fall meeting in October featured guest speaker Rep. Jamie Kiel of District 18, who has served in the Alabama House of Representatives since 2018. His program focused on the 2025 Alabama legislative session.
He highlighted achievements including paid parental leave, workers’ compensation reforms, full PEEHIP funding, and the $9.9 billion Education Trust Fund.
FCREA President Sandy Gibson expressed appreciation for Kiel’s continued support of Alabama’s education system.
A luncheon for the patriotic meeting was provided by The Cottage. Each attendee received a jar of preserves topped with an apple, along with a door prize.
December’s meeting, titled “Christmas Time Again,” was held at Russellville Methodist Church and featured holiday decorations and music.
Members brought covered dishes including casseroles, vegetables, salads, ham, chicken, and desserts.
Libby Daniel gave the devotion and prayer. Gayle McAlister introduced the entertainment, which was provided by Pat and Teresa Seal. They performed Christmas classics and sing-along favorites such as “Silent Night,” “Hark the Angels Sing,” “Joy to the World” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
We were reminded to continue collecting pop tabs for the AERA project.
Brenda Oliver noted members should have received their new Humana insurance cards and should begin using them Jan. 1.
Our first FCREA meeting of the new year will be held Feb. 18 at the Weatherford Center in Red Bay.
Other upcoming meetings include March 18 with a focus on “Safety First,” and April 15, featuring “State Updates” by Dr. Delanie Greene, AERA District 1 director.
As we look ahead, AEA Executive Director Amy Marlowe reported in the Alabama School Journal that state senators and representatives returned to Montgomery for the 2026 legislative session beginning on Tuesday.
AEA priorities include seeking a pay raise for Alabama educators from pre-K through community college in order to remain competitive with surrounding states.
The organization is also advocating for a bonus for education retirees.
Retirees have not received an increase in their pensions in 20 years, according to AEA.
Another priority is securing full funding for PEEHIP.
Marlowe encouraged educators and retirees to remain engaged with their legislators.
“No AEA win is possible without their support,” she said. “Legislators are listening to you. Together we can do great things.”
