The 10 September luncheon, which was held at the Atlantic Shores Retirement Community, was well attended with over 60 people participating.  The program included a short briefing on State and National Legislative Affairs by our Legislative Representative Jack Hilgers.  Ray Hart provided a short update on the USNI Symposium scheduled for the 29th and 30th of September, details were provided in our August Bulletin.  Our next function will be a picnic to be held at the 67th Street Club on 3 October from 1pm to 5 pm.  Hope to see you all at the beach.

Our Hampton Roads Chapter, Category I (500-899 Members), was selected as a 5 Star Chapter during the 2003 Levels of Excellence Awards competitions.  Capt. Ray Hart, our First Vice President and I will receive this Chapter award at the MOAA National Convention in Nashville, TN 13 to 17 October. 

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall will be on display in Virginia Beach during Fleet Week 2004.  The only replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. will be shared with Hampton Roads community from October 20 thru October 26, 2004 at 24th Street in Virginia Beach.  The sponsors are the African American Cultural Council of Virginia in conjunction with the Navy League of the United States, Hampton Roads.  The Moving Wall is over 250 feet in length and 6 feet in height at the tallest point.  Anyone wishing to volunteer to help please contact Freddie Moody at 498-0230, leave a message if you do not get an answer.

The National War College Alumni Association will be holding a conference at Norfolk Naval Station on Tuesday, October 12th at the Ely Hall Conference center.  The conference presentations will explore multiple global challenges, such as European perceptions of power and alliances; confrontations in Asia and China’s emergence as a world power; using information to deal with terrorists in the Middle East and an inside look at the military challenges in our many areas of operations.  Conference information and registration forms may be obtained from the Executive Director, NWC Alumni Association, The National War College, Fort L. J. McNair, Washington, D.C. 20319, phone 202-863-2306, or email craigj@ndu.edu.

The annual November 11th Veterans Day parade to be held in Virginia Beach is sponsored by the Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organizations and this years Co-Sponsor is our Hampton Roads Chapter MOAA.  The parade will start at 0930 on Atlantic Avenue and will end at the Tidewater Veterans Memorial across from the Pavilion.  A memorial service will follow the parade.  A luncheon will be held following the parade around 12:00 noon at the Double Tree Pavilion Hotel on 19th St. The price is $15.00 per person.  Please RSVP by 2 November at 757-467-9367 or 468-2357.  Make checks payable to Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organizations.

TRICARE Transition Tips:  Some beneficiaries may experience transition challenges such as long wait times when call the new regional contractors.  Conduct business on line when ever possible, call during non-peak hours and visit TRICARE Service Centers for face-to face assistance.  Our Chapter members, here in Hampton Roads, are in the TRICARE North region; www.healthnetfederalservices.com or 887-874-2273.  If Florida is your residence;  www.humana-military.com or 800-444-5445.  For additional information visit TRICARE at www.tricare.osd.mil or www.tricareonline.com. 

 Medicare Part B:  The SSA mailed a special enrollment period in September 2004 to beneficiaries who are entitled to Medicare Part A but not enrolled in Medicare Part B.  Part B premium is $66.60 to be deducted from the Social Security Check.  Anyone who refuses Part B will be ineligible for TRICARE benefits.  Beneficiaries also must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).  DEERS information may be updated by visiting an identification card issuing facility or by contacting the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office (DSO).  Telephone; 800-538-9552 or visit; www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl. 

As an HRCMOAA member and employer, would you find value in knowing who among our membership is looking for work?  As an HRCMOAA member who is looking for work would you find value in knowing who among our membership has jobs to offer?
Doesn’t it make sense that we could help each other through a Job Exchange?  If you can identify yourself as fitting into one of these groups, please contact John Rooney at rooney1921@cox.net and let him know what you need.  He will maintain a listing of jobs and candidates so that members looking for opportunities to work with each other can be connected.  Employers, be sure to identify the type of job you have to offer and candidates be sure to include a copy of your resume.

Thanks to each of our members for your support, your dues and your active participation at various Chapter events that made us a 5 Star Chapter, one of five selected in the United States by MOAA!  We achieved this recognition because the Chapter supports legislation designed to strengthen our national defenses, to benefit the uniformed Services and to enhance the welfare of Service members and their families.  Additionally, Chapter activities generally include quarterly business or board meeting and quarterly social events which feature a well-known guest speaker with a subject of current interest. Included among our social events is an annual picnic, Toys for Tots function and a Valentine's dinner dance.

Meeting and social events frequently are held at a local military club, but are sometimes conducted elsewhere to accommodate members. 

The Chapter publishes a bi-monthly newsletter to keep members apprised of Chapter Affairs, upcoming Chapter events and other important information. The Chapter is an active supporter or several ROTC and JROTC programs in the Hampton Roads area and regularly participates in the annual awards and recognition ceremonies. Additionally, for the past three years we participated in the annual USNI Warfare Symposium and manned a HRC MOAA recruiting booth. This effort resulted in our recruiting several active duty members to our chapter. 

We also participate actively as member of the  Virginia Council of Chapters. Some of our civic activities included:  Participation in Veteran's Day History Project at Salem Middle School; Participation in the Virginia Beach task force on aging; Volunteering at the Retired Activities Office in Virginia Beach and Norfolk; Participation in the annual Veterans Day Parade and wreath laying ceremonies on Memorial Day.

This is only a snapshot of your Hampton Roads Chapter in action!

Chapter memberships are due for renewal as of the end of the year shown on the BULLETIN mailing label immediately following the addressee's name.  Renewals prior to the end of the year will ensure no interruption in your receipt of the BULLETIN.

Help make a huge difference in a young person’s life, your donations are truly appreciated.
3 ways to donate: 

1) www.moaa.org
2) Call 800-234-6622
3) Mail your donation to;

75th Anniversary Campaign
Department 889
Alexandria, VA 22334-0889 

Use caution when mailing to of the armed forces who are deployed overseas. The U.S. Postal Service has advised that including the name of the destination country can slow delivery a great 
deal. Use only the designated unit address and APO, FPO, or whatever is correct, without any country name. This will assure quickest arrival at the intended destination.