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The Bi-Monthly Newsletter
of the Hampton Roads Chapter
Military Officers Association
of America
A MOAA Five Star Level of Excellence
Chapter Since 2004.
A Winner Printed Newsletter
2014, Electronic Newsletter 2014, and Runner Up Website for 2014
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Serving Chesapeake,
Norfolk, and Virginia Beach since 1959
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VOL 39-NO 5
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ONE POWERFUL VOICE
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SEPTEMBER 2015
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THE TRIBUTE
In honor of those who have
sacrificed
to keep our country free.
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Luncheon
23 October 2015
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| The luncheon will be held at the Virginia
Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center at 2800 Shore Dr., commencing
at 1100 hours with Lunch at 1200 hours.
Our guest speaker will be John Newby, Commissioner
of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.
Son of a retired Army Sergeant Major from
Isle of Wight County, Commissioner Newby commanded an Air Force special
operations forward air control unit supporting the U.S. Army’s 3rd and
7th Special Forces Groups (Airborne) and served in Iraq as an aviator aboard
the Boeing B-1B Lancer strategic bomber. Following his military service,
Commissioner Newby served as an attorney at private sector law firms and
an international defense contractor. He also served as a member of former
Senator Jim Webb’s Service Academy Selection Board.
In January of 2014, Commissioner Newby
was appointed to serve as Virginia’s Deputy Secretary of Veterans and Defense
Affairs. In this role, he assisted the Secretary with oversight of all
veteran-related issues in Virginia, and supported Governor McAuliffe’s
initiatives focused on relationship building with our nation’s military
services and our active duty military communities.
Commissioner Newby received his commission
and Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy,
and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law.
He, his wife Reba and daughter Jillian reside in Richmond, Virginia. |
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| Visit our website at www.hrcmoaa.org,
read the Electronic Newsletter, access Virginia Council of Chapters, MOAA
National, Service Departments, Health and Benefit locations, U. S. Senators
and Representatives and many others. If you do not have the Members
Only “Password” please contact any of our Officers |
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| President’s Message
 Fellow
Officers and Spouses:
Fellow Officers and Spouses:
I am pleased to announce that your Chapter
has once again been selected as a Level of Excellence Five Star award winner.
We have been a perennial award winner since inception of this chapter recognition
by National MOAA and this is our 12th consecutive award. For all that help
us keep this chapter as one of the best in the nation, I thank you and
thanks to you all for your membership! I look forward to traveling
to the MOAA National Meeting in Orlando, FL in late October to accept the
award on the Chapter’s behalf.
It is certainly is not an easy task to
keep the chapter moving forward. Your Officers and Board Members always
try to balance expenses with our income, which primarily comes through
membership dues. Please read our Membership Chairman’s article calling
for action on our recruiting efforts. I also would like to personally
ask each of you to help us with recruiting. Membership is truly the lifeblood
of the Chapter and Larry presents that viewpoint very well.
Another painful reality is increasing costs.
Our luncheon program, which is critical in maintaining active communication
with our membership, is cutting into our bottom line and taking away from
our community/veteran affairs efforts and donations. We have tried to maintain
stable costs by consolidating to two venues which we maintain a great relationship.
However, in calculating all costs associated with the program, including
the speaker’s lunch and post card mailing, we reluctantly must increase
the cost in the coming year. Starting in January 2016, we will increase
our luncheon costs to $25.00 per person. This was not a decision we took
lightly, however, it became evident that it was the decision we needed
to make to remain solvent. This cost is still lower than most other Chapters
in the state for their membership meetings. This will ensure we continue
to provide a quality membership luncheon with dynamic guest speakers.
Again, I am continually reminded that I
serve you and this Chapter and as always, I am open to your comments, suggestions
and ideas. Please feel free to contact me any time.
Yours in Service,
Bert Ortiz |
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| Community Affairs Update |
Spartan Battalion Reserve Office Training
Corps,
Fall Opening Ceremony, 9/2:
On September 2, 2015, the Spartan Battalion
Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) at Norfolk State University conducted
its Fall Opening Ceremony. Major Cedric Lee, Professor of Military
Training and Leadership, welcomed faculty, cadets and guests, and
conducted the Change of Command between the outgoing and incoming Student
Battalion Commanders. Faculty members attending the ceremony included University
President Doctor Eddie Moore who expressed the university's appreciation
for the mission of the military organization and the contribution the ROTC
Program makes to the University. Dean's List cadets and those who excelled
on the Army Physical Fitness Test were recognized and enjoyed a number
by the NSU Marching Band.
Following the ceremony, the ROTC Department
showed Colonel Jim Smith, Chapter member, the display case containing
Gold Bars with cadets' names affixed. The purpose of the display is to
incentivize cadets to achieve their goal of becoming commissioned officers
in the Army. |
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| Legislative Update |
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| "The Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC)
will conduct its Fourth Quarter Meeting at 1000 hours on 14 October 2015
at the Patriots Colony, Williamsburg, Virginia. Following the initial business
meeting, the VCOC 2015 Biennial Luncheon will be held at 1200 hours.
It will include a Memorial Service to remember the passing of MOAA members
from each Chapter and administration of office for the incoming VCOC Officers.
The luncheon and other activities are expected to conclude about 1430.
Contact COL Jim Smith, eaglenest6@cox.net
or (757) 425-5934, for reservation forms. Cost is $20.00 per person
and seating is limited to 200. Your form and check must be received by
COL
Victoria Revilla no later than 10 October 2015. Mail your check to
COL Revilla, USA (Ret), 10824 Bland Ridge Drive, Petersburg, VA 23805." |
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Commonwealth of Virginia
Joint Leadership Council of Veterans
Service Organizations
| Initiative |
Recommendation |
JLC 2016-01
Veterans Care Centers |
That the Governor and General Assembly
continue state support for the Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia veterans
care center construction projects by appropriating additional state funding
to complete the construction of both centers. |
JLC 2016-02
DVS Benefits Services |
That the Governor and General Assembly
support funds to provide continued improvement to training, services, compensation,
facilities, and equipment for DVS Benefits Services’ staff in the FY17/18budget. |
JLC 2016-03
VA Veteran and Family Support Services |
That the Governor and General Assembly
support increased funding for Virginia Veterans and Family Support services
in the FY17/18 budget. |
JLC 2016-04
Virginia War Memorial |
That the Governor and General Assembly
authorize three additional positions for the Virginia War Memorial in the
FY17/18 budget and appropriate the necessary funding for these positions
and other requirements. |
JLC 2016-05
In-state tuition for all members of the
Reserve Components |
That the Governor and the General Assembly
change the eligibility for in-state tuition to include all members of the
Virginia National Guard and the Reserve components, thus recognizing their
service to the Commonwealth and treating them equality to the active components
and veterans |
JLC 2016-06
Guard Income Tax Subtraction |
That the Governor and General Assembly
increase the state income tax subtraction level for members of the Virginia
National Guard from $3,000 to $5,000 per year. |
JLC 2016-07
VMSDEP |
That the Governor and General Assembly
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When determining eligibility for higher education
benefits under the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education
Program (VMSDEP), remove the requirement that a veteran’s disability rating
be combat related. Instead, a permanent disability rating of at least
90%, plus satisfaction of the other requirements currently in the Code,
would qualify a veteran’s spouse or child for education benefits.
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Evaluate whether funding from other programs
could potentially offset increased cost to VMSDEP.
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JLC 2016-08
Electronic Ballot Return |
That the Governor and General Assembly
promote the development, approval, and budgeting of secure procedures to
permit the electronic return of absentee ballot by overseas uniformed military
voters. |
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| The Joint Leadership Council of Veterans
Organizations continues to work arduously to support Virginia Veterans.
The JLC adopted its 2016 Initiatives on July 15, 2015. Below is a
summary of the initiatives, adopted. If you have any questions
or feedback, please contact Col Jack W. Hilgers, USMC-Ret. |
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| From the Editor |
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| As the season changes again and the temperatures
begin to cool, our event schedule is beginning to warm up! We have
some great luncheons and the ROWS Annual Christmas Dinner Dance coming
up in the next couple of months.
I would encourage each of our member to
attend at least one of these events. The luncheons are a great opportunity
to listen and ask questions about important community matters that affect
all of us and our fellow veterans. The ROWS Christmas Dinner Dance
is sure to be a great time where we have an opportunity to enjoy each others’
company and have some fun.
Additionally, you will notice a letter
about membership as you read this issue. We have great folks who
are working hard to ensure that our chapter stays strong now and well into
the future. I commit to each of you that I will do my part and make
a concerted effort to recruit a couple new members during the coming year.
Please join me in educating and inviting some of our fellow veterans to
our group who may not know much about us.
When you see me at one of these events
please say hello. I’d love to hear ideas for what you’d like to see
in our newsletter. See you at the luncheon on October 23rd !
Oh by the way, please consider contributing
to our scholarship fund. A luncheon is a great time to drop off a
check and support our young ROTC cadets in the local area.
HRC ROTC Scholarship Fund
2016 Goal: $25,000.00
Collected : $17,897.00
Need:
$ 7,103.00
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HRCMOAA ROTC Scholarship
Fund
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| HRCMOAA is committed to funding
the MOAA scholarship fund at $25,000 in 5 years.
Please consider contributing this year!
Members may submit checks, made out to
the MOAA Scholarship Fund, to the chapter treasurer, LT Stephen Hackney,
USN (Ret) at 1736 Rally Dr. Virginia Beach, VA 23454-1233 or in person
at our luncheons. The checks are consolidated and submitted
to MOAA who sends receipts to the donors.
Note on your check that it is for the Hampton
Roads Chapter ROTC Scholarship Fund. MOAA will continue to send receipts. |
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Military ID Card
Notification Program
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| This program is designed to help Chapter
members and their dependent’s to renew their ID cards in a timely
fashion. Once you and your dependents are enrolled, you will
be notified of your impending ID card expiration date in sufficient time
for renewal prior to the expiration date.
Note: Over age 75 members, who
are eligible uniform family members and survivors of deceased personnel
are now eligible for Permanent Identification Cards. Apply within
90 days of expiration of current ID card. |
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| To enroll in this voluntary program, fill
in the form at the link below for each dependent and Send by Email or Print
and Mail to: Military ID Card Notification Program, HRCMOAA, P.O. Box 4612,
Virginia Beach, VA 23454-0612. |
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CAREER CORNER
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| Once you transition from active duty,
we want you to stay in our community and chapter. Don’t wait until
the last minute to start networking, learning about transition, and talking
with recruiters at career fairs. Here is a list of local military
career fairs and networking opportunities:
October 14, 2015
9:00am to 12:30pm00am to 12:30pm
Corporate Gray Military Career Fair
Virginia Beach - Virginia Beach Convention
Center
November 7, 2015
Annual Retiree Summit & Career Fair
8:00am to 12:00pm
Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic
Rockwell Hall Gym, Joint Expeditionary
Base Little Creek, VA
November 12, 2015
11:00am to 3:00 pm
DAV Recruit Military All Veterans Career
Fair
Norfolk - Half Moone Cruise & Celebration
Center |
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From: HRCMOAA Membership Chairman
To: HRCMOAA Board of Directors
Subject: Membership
Our members are the life blood of our Hampton Roads Chapter. The
membership represents generations of America’s heroes who have served and
sacrificed for this great nation. You continue to display the same
honor, courage and commitment to God, country and community by continuing
to serve as members in this association. Being a 'Baby-Boomer' and
a product of the 'Greatest Generation', I grew up hanging around DAV and
VFW Posts a lot. Listening to all the old guys talking about how
they won the war, I guess I developed some kind of interest in what they
were talking about. I was fascinated by the displays of memorabilia
on display in these places and, as I got a little older, I'd check out
books on the military and WWII and try to see what they were talking about.
My decision to join the Marine Corps was a result of these personal experiences.
Times have changed and with the information revolution has come email,
Facebook, texting and other social media which has changed the way in which
people connect today from personal to virtual. Although we use those
media forms, organizations like ours find it hard to recruit new younger
members because they don’t recognize the value of personal contact by gathering
for luncheons and attending other community affairs events that we support.
This is where I would ask for your help. You are the best asset we
have to make personal-to-person connections and tell non-members about
HRCMOAA and the work that we are doing today to preserve their benefits
for tomorrow. I urge you to make a commitment to make at least one
personal connection each week with someone new and tell them your story
and why they should become a member. Using this newsletter helps
to show examples of what we do and also provides a membership application.
By the way, please check your newsletter label to see if your membership
is expiring on 31 Dec 2015. The most significant cost to our chapter
recruiting is sending reminder postcards to those who let their membership
lapse. So, get your renewals in early! Again, thank you for
your support.
Semper Fi,
Larry King "Live"
HRCMOAA Membership
(757) 650-1086 (Cell)
(757) 203-5228 (Work)
LKingcap@aol.com
www.hrcmoaa.org |
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COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Department of Veteran
Services
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| Statement of Intent: The
Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) intends to rebrand the “Virginia
Wounded Warrior Program” (VWWP) as “Virginia Veteran and Family Support”
(VVFS). Additionally, DVS and VWWP are no longer affiliated in any
manner with “We Are Virginia Veterans”, which was a VWWP Website until
May 2015 and has been purchased by a private marketing firm.
Why change the program’s name?
DVS strives to take a wellness approach
in our services to veterans and families. It has become obvious to
those of us conducting VWWP that the words, “wounded” and “warrior”, have
been over-used and may detract veterans and families from seeking support
from VWWP. The name change also will avoid brand confusion
between VWWP and the national nonprofit organization, the Wounded Warrior
Project.
Why was “VVFS” chosen?
DVS sees the need to focus on the services
provided directly to veterans and their families. The program’s
new brand communicates every aspect of what the program represents to everyone
who is touched by it – consumers, employees, and community partners. Service
to “wounded” veterans will remain a priority.
When will the rebranding take place?
The official date is October 1, 2015.
On that date DVS will stop using the VWWP brand. There will be a
transition period where DVS will start using “Virginia Veteran and Family
Support” or “VVFS”.
Will program services change?
No, the services will remain the same.
The VVFS will serve Virginia veterans coping with the impact of military
service, deployments, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and stress- or trauma-related
conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder received during military
service. This will be done through peer and family support, and care
coordination services.
How do I donate to VVFS?
VVFS will rely on donations to enhance
core services to Virginia veterans and families. You can make
checks payable to the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation (VVSF)/Virginia
Veteran and Family Support (VVFS) and send them to:
900 East Main Street 6th Floor
West Wing
Richmond VA 23219
or donate online after 1 October 2015 at
http://vvsf.org
or
www.dvs.virginia.gov
and click on the Donate button.
The Foundation will accept donations,
of which 100% go to veterans and their families, for VVFS, VVFSP, and VWWP.
Who can I contact for more information?
Brandi Jancaitis, Director, Virginia Veteran
and Family Support
Brandi.jancaitis@dvs.virginia.gov,
804-371-4675
or
Jack Hilgers, Foundation Executive Director
Jack.Hilgers@dvs.virginia.gov,
804-382-3715. |
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18 September Luncheon
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| RADM Larry Baucom, USN (Ret) (above
left) joined us at our September luncheon. He discussed current national
security, carrier readiness, and answered a number of questions from our
members. CDR Bert Ortiz, USN (Ret), presents the Jefferson
Cup to RADM Baucom. |
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Each year, national MOAA recognizes chapters
that do an outstanding job communicating with their members in a number
of categories including websites, print, and electronic newsletters.
Please join me in congratulating CDR John E. Vermillion, USN-Ret
and Maj Clifton G. Furedy, USAF-Ret for their 2014 Col. Marvin J.
Harris Communications Awards:
Print Newsletter, The Tribute,
- Winner
Electronic Newsletter, The Tribute - Winner
Website, www.hrcmoaa.org - 1st Runner
Up
Maj Clifton G. Furedy, USAF-Ret (above right)
accepts the Col. Marvin J. Harris Award for his hard work on the website.
In addition to his work on the website, Clif also makes huge contributions
to the electronic newsletter |
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Future Events
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November Luncheon:
(11/20) – USMC speaker TBD. This
is our annual Toys for Tots drive and N/AROTC appreciation luncheon.
USAA has provided sponsorship through MOAA. Venue: Atlantic
Shores |
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ROWS Annual Christmas Dinner Dance
Atlantic Shores – Magnolia Room, Saturday,
12/5/2015
6:00-7:00 p.m.—Cocktails; 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Dinner and Dancing
Music by The Dudes from The Rhondels
Menu
Toss Salad with dressing on the table
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(1) 8 oz Filet with Cabernet Sauce – Medium
Rare
OR
(2) 8 oz Honey Roasted Salmon
OR
(3) Chicken Saltimbocca
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Twice Baked Potato with Cheddar and Sour
Cream on the Table & Green Beans Almandine
Hot Rolls/Butter, Coffee/Tea,
Applesauce Bundt Cake w/ Cream Cheese
whipped icing
Price: $60.00 per person
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Black tie or military uniform optional.
Reservations, checks, and menu choices
must arrive in Barbara’s mail- box by Friday, November 27.
If you have questions, call Barbara at
427-3475.
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