The real work of the local chapter is done with our heads, hearts, and hands. Annually, HRCMOAA awards a medal and certificate to an outstanding ROTC/JROTC student in local high schools and colleges. The Chapter supports legislation designed to strengthen our national defense or benefit our uniformed services. For social enjoyment, the Chapter normally has a monthly dinner meeting with members' spouses present and has a well-known guest speaker with a subject of current interest. 

      The realities of military life have tended to impart to the military officer a liking for the gregarious life. His or her daily close association with contemporaries, superiors, and subordinates tends to create within, a warm sympathy for this group. Each takes great pride in being a member of a select group of individuals who rely on each other for mission accomplishment and, at the end of the day, for social amenities.

      We resolve to be a valid part of our adopted communities and we look forward to our new careers and activities, and to activities which were precluded by the demands of our uniformed services. However, we also wish to retain the best of the past; the customs, procedures, and traditions that we cherish must be preserved. We have a continuing professional interest in our services and we want to talk with our former associates -- to ones who speak our language -- about subjects as diverse as "International Relations" and "Skin Diving in the Bahamas."

      Such was the scene in Tidewater in the late 1950s. Our retired population then was, indeed, small in comparison with the size of today's retired military community. Each retiree and family became part of a particular Tidewater community; they became local citizens. However, many realized the need to band together for mutual benefits, both economic and social.

      Realizing the need for a common cause, RADM F.C.B. McCune, Colonels Frederick Ward, John Fye, and Harry Watts met in a selected home and discussed the methods to be used and the action to be taken to organize a Retired Officers Chapter of the National Association.

      As organization plans were being implemented, additional officers were invited to assist. VADM Ralph Davis, VADM Delbert Cornwell, VADM Archie Antrim, BGEN Robert L. Denig, COL Fenton G. Epling and CDR Justus White joined the original planning group.

      This nucleus continued to meet in members' homes to develop the organization and to acquire new members. These home meetings were held until the membership numbered between 30 and 40.

      The working group developed a mailing roster of eligible retirees. RADM McCune and COL Ward conducted the first mailing as a "Letter of Intent" and a membership application.

      The Chapter was born at Fort Story Officers Open Mess in the Fall of 1958. At a dinner meeting, VADM Ralph Davis was elected as the first President. All Officers and a Board of Directors were elected by acclamation. VADM Antrim accepted the responsibility of drafting a Chapter Constitution and By-Laws. The Chapter was now locally established.

      As membership grew, the President, VADM Davis, took action to secure a Charter from the National Association.. On 23 April 1959, The Retired Officer Association (TROA) Affiliated Chapter status was granted to the Princess Anne County Virginia Beach Chapter with 79 charter members.

      In 1959 the Chapter's name was changed to The Hampton Roads Chapter of The Retired Officers Association, "to better reflect the area which our membership covered."

      The Chapter continues to gain in membership because each member realizes that "in unity there is strength" and in strength each member becomes more aware of these issues and actions directly affecting his or her retired status and the status of the member's parent service.

     From a few interested men in 1958, our Chapter has grown from the 79 original memebers on Charter Night to about 1000, both male and female officers, during 1996, truly proving that "mighty oaks from little acorns grow."

NOTE:  The foregoing chapter history was prepared and updated by CAPT George I. Garner, USCG, until his death on July 25,1998. CAPT Garner served as Chapter Historian during his chapter membership years and took photos at many Chapter functions. He  was elected as Chapter President  for 1992. His unfortunate passing leaves a large void which will be difficult to fill.

      Effective 1 January 2003, The Retired Officers Association changed its name, after approval of its memebers, to the Military Officers Assocation of America, so as more accurately to reflect its involvement with the entire officer community.  The Constitution and By-Laws of the Hampton Roads Chapter have been amended to reflect this change of name.

Each spring the ROTC units from Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, Booker T. Washington, Lake Taylor, Norview, Maury, and Granby High Schools of Norfolk hold their annual awards ceremony.  The two universities hold their ceremonies at their respective schools.  NSU has Naval ROTC and ODU is Army. The Norfolk High Schools are all Jr. Naval ROTC and hold a joint awards ceremony, usually at the Naval Base Norfolk.  The Four Virginia Beach High Schools, Princess Anne, Salem, First Colonial/Cox and Green Run are all Jr. Naval ROTC and hold their awards ceremonies at their respective schools. 

The Hampton Roads Chapter MOAA has a representative at these ceremonies to present the MOAA medal and certificate to a selected outstanding Cadet from each school, “For Having Demonstrated Exceptional Potential For Military Leadership”. 

Early each year, Princess Anne High School has hosted the NJROTC Cavalier Drill Meet.  High Schools from Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia are invited to participate in this competition.   Normally about fifteen schools attend.  The drills are usually held at Rockwell Hall on board the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek.  The competition consist of thirteen Individual and Unit drills with rifles and swords.  The Marine Corps personnel are the Judges for the event.  There are 3 trophies for each of the thirteen events to be awarded.  The Hampton Roads Chapter MOAA, for the past 18 years, has supported this Drill Meet by donating $600 for trophies.
 

For further information on Community Affairs please contact:
COL David C. Wade III, USA Ret., 757-426-5392 or dcwade@cox.net

Active Duty; Active duty officers receive new ID cards with promotion changes.  In between promotions ID cards generally expire in 36 months.  A DD 1172 form is needed at renewal.

Active Duty Dependents; Dependents ID cards expire in 48 months.  A DD1172 form, signed by the sponsor, is needed.  If the sponsor is deployed, a General Power of Attorney is needed and the card will be issued so as to expire at the end date of the General Power of Attorney.  Children’s ID cards generally expire with the 21st birthday, except College students can be extended to the 23rd birthday with proof they are attending college. 

Retired Officers; Their ID cards medical information expires on their 65th birthday and the card should be renewed. 

Retired Officers Dependents; Dependents ID cards generally expire in 48 months or upon the 65th birthday, whichever comes first.  Remember, it is important to purchase Medicare Part B in order to qualify for Tricare for Life (TFL).   If you draw Social Security Retirement Benefits prior to age 65 or the normal retirement age, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part B.  When the retired officer’s dependent reports for renewal of their ID card, the retired officer is required to accompany them.  No special forms are required.  When a retired officer becomes deceased, his or her dependents need to report in person to the military ID office of their choice to replace their current ID card.  They will need a copy of the death certificate.  Divorced spouses should contact Buck Hereford, Personal Affairs at 486-7639 or Walt Wesolowski at 518-0265. 

Deers; Renewal of you military ID card automatically updates your DEER’s information, which is critical in receiving military medical benefits.

Handicapped; Dependents that are handicapped upon reaching their 21st birthday will need a Doctor’s certification that they are handicapped and the extent of the condition in order to renew their military ID card.  BUMED and the Project Office in Memphis, TN will jointly decide the expiration date of the military ID card.