Alexandria, Va....... The Retired Officers Association (TROA), the nation's largest veterans group representing military officers and their families, will change its name to Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) on January 1, 2003.

     The association was known as Retired Officers Association from its start in 1929 until 1979. In 1979, the association added the word "The" to the name and became TROA to eliminate confusion with the acronym of another veterans' organization. (Ed. Note: Reserve Officers Association.)

     The TROA membership vote by mail and e-mail was the largest recorded in recent organizational history. About 55,000 members voted during the previous biennial election, which included voting for new directors, resolutions, and bylaw changes. This time, possibly because of the name change initiative, more than 114,000 voted. Almost 90 percent of members voting on the name change favored the change.

     TROA officials say that the new name better reflects the total membership composition and what the association does for all of them.

     Although a majority of TROA's 386,000 members are military retirees or survivors of retirees, more than 30,000 members are now on active duty, including those in the Reserve and National Guard.

     Former military officers also may belong to TROA. The organization also represents the uniformed officer corps of the U.S. Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric  Administration.

     The association historically has pursued legislative and policy actions on a variety of active duty, Reserve, and National Guard issues, in addition to its heavy and effective focus on lobbying for military retiree programs. 

     However, TROA officials say that those active duty efforts have not always been understood because of the word "retired" in the organization's name. They also say that this factor has deterred membership among some active duty, Reserve, and National Guard personnel, plus recently retired officers embarking on second careers.

     TROA recommended the change to its members after more than two years of extensive study, including talking with focus groups, members of the news media, Capitol Hill and Administration staff members, and surveying members and potential members.

     "The recommendation to change our name was a huge decision," according to VAdm. Norbert R. Ryan, Jr., USN-ret., TROAs president. "However, we believe the change is in our members' best interests for future organizational strength as we lobby for our members and a strong national defense."

     "TROA has long been known for its integrity and effectiveness in helping service men and women who serve and have served our nation," Ryan continued. "Nothing about that will change, nor will our emphasis on military retiree issues. We will still be the same people who work hard for all of our members every day."

     TROA will begin the transition to its new name on January 1, but will use "formerly TROA" in the logo until October 1, 2003. TROA's magazine will change its name on January 1, 2003 from The Retired Officer Magazine to Military Officer. The web site will change to www.moaa.org <http://www.moaa.org/> on January 2, 2003. 

     Well, it looks as if the name change of our parent organization will change to that of Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), effective 1 January 2003.  The old logo, letterheads, banners, etc., may be used up to October 2003.  According to information received from TROA Headquarters, the vote nationally was overwhelmingly in favor of the change.  We will be changing our chapter name accordingly.

     Recently, the Officers and Directors of THRCOTROA honored members who have performed outstandingly for the Chapter. LTC "Win" Mitchem, USA (Ret) was presented a TROA plaque while he was undergoing treatment at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. He was honored for all the work he has accomplished in recruiting new members for the Chapter. COL Floyd Gilbert, USA (Ret) was also honored with a plaque. His dedication, leadership, advice, and performance as a Chapter Past President, numerous other offices, and as the representative of the Chapter to the Virginia Council of Chapters led to his selection for this honor.  COL Richard A. Vogel, USAF (Ret) was honored for his dedication to the Chapter as a holder of nearly every office in the chapter, but especially as the editor, publisher, and chapter membership database manager, in some cases for over 15 years. He was also honored by his fellow members with the award of Life Membership in the chapter and a Citation as one of the most dedicated and productive members we have had.  These honors were well deserved and long overdue.

     A recent article on the Afterburner, a newsletter for retired Air Force personnel, warned of a new type of scam.  Its perpetrators are sending letters claiming to be from the taxpayer's bank, stating that they are updating records to exempt taxpayers from reporting interest or having tax withheld. The "bank" correspondence encloses a phony form that purports to come from the IRS. If you receive one of these or suspect any other form of this nature, report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (toll-free at 800-366-4484.)

     We had an enjoyable evening at the Oceana Officers' Club on 13 September with the guest speaker, Mr. Russ Fathergill, Master Long Term Care Specialist, informing us of several varieties of plans that are available to provide for this vital need.

     We are looking forward to having all join in our celebration of Oktoberfest at Oceana, a November gala featuring "The Sounds of Joy," and the Toys-for-Tots Christmas party. 

                                                                                       Let's roll.

                                                                                       Jesse

     Legislative Representative to the Virginia Council of Chapters, TROA, with background and interest in legislative affairs at the local, state, and national levels.  Duties include keeping the Chapter updated on items pertaining to and affecting the retired community. Also includes attending quarterly meetings with the Council at Fort Lee, along with the Chapter Representative, and participating in goal settings and the latest objectives of the Chapter, Council, and National TROA. This position may be filled by either a regular or auxiliary member of the Chapter. Training will be provided. Contact "Gil" Gilbert at 467-6435 for further information on this most interesting volunteer assignment.

     Our chapter web site continues to grow and offer more services to members.  In addition to links to important information for retired officers and their dependents, check out the Newsletters options to read the latest information on Benefits, Legislative Actions, and the TROA-GRAM. There are links to all the services' web sites, as well as many offices that provide helpful services. In case you missed it in past BULLETINS, the web site address is:

     Before you receive the Chapter meeting notice for NOVEMBER 2002, if you don't know the temporary password for the "Members Access" area, check in the June TROA BULLETIN or send an e-mail to thrcmoaa@cox.net with your name and either your birth date or retirement date for verification. The password will be returned to you by e-mail within 24 hours.  A NEW PASSWORD WILL BE SENT WITH THE NOVEMBER 2002 MEETING NOTICE, for use in place of the present temporary password.

     Upcoming chapter special events, an activities calendar, current BULLETINS, and lots of other useful information are available at the site. You can even review past bi-monthly BULLETINS.

     If you have suggestions or corrections about the chapter web site, send an e-mail to: 

or call John Vermillion at 382-9843.

     The Chapter will publish a new directory of all members In April or May 2003. The printed copy will be mailed to all current members.

     An electronic copy will be available at the chapter web site, with access limited to members holding the current password, in the "Member Access" area. IF YOU DO NOT WISH YOUR INFORMATION ON THE WEB SITE, PLEASE CALL JOHN VERMILLION AT 382-9843. You will then not be able to take advantage of the "Member Access" portion of the site.

     Periodically, the chapter will send E-mail to members about special events and items of special interest. But you'll only receive this timely information if we know your current E-mail address.

     You can update your member information via the chapter web site at: www.hrcmoaa.org then select the "Members Access" option on the left and login using the temporary password previously given in the June 2002 TROA BULLETIN, or send an E-mail to thrcmoaa@cox.net. In the "Members Access" area is the option to "Change Member Information." 

     You can also send an E-mail directly to the Database Manager: ravogel@exis.net.

     In the future, more and more information will be sent out via E-mail to save time and postage, leaving the treasury for more important endeavors.