In October, Ray Hart, Grace Gallagher and I attended the National MOAA convention in Nashville, Tennessee. While there we received our Chapter Five Star Level of Excellence Award.  Thanks again 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. 

DFAS Enhancements
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) launched new enhancements and 
upgrades for all users on myPay https://mypay.dfas.mil, the online pay account information system.  All myPay Users can assign a "restricted access PIN" to a designated individual to view the information, but not make any changes to the allotments or account information.  They also can add a personal email address, so users are notified of pay changes and other items of interest.  All active duty members can view 12 months of Leave and Earnings Statements and can start, stop and change financial allotments and savings bonds.  myPay is a web-based system that allows customers to access and control their pay account information. Receipt of electronic LES and other financial information eliminates the risks associated with postal delivery.  myPay provides members up-to-date information on pertinent changes by delivering notices to users' email addresses.

Major Russ Graves, USAF (Ret), who is pursuing a PhD degree at Texas A & M University, has ask Chapter members for assistance in providing some service information. He is collecting data, using either an on-line or mail-in survey, concerning officers who retired between 1993 and 1999.  He plans to compare the life satisfaction of officers who retired "early" (an option between 1993 and 1999) to those officers who retired with 20 or more years of service within the same time frame (1993 and 1999). His project is dependent on reaching a large number of retired officers and he is hoping Chapter members will help. Our Chapter has some 75 officers sho retired during the period in which Major Graves is interested.  If you are on-line. You may contact him and participate in the survey at http://retiredofficersurvey.tamu.edu or email address Russ@gap.tamu.edu.  He may be reached at his office, (979) 845-5916, or by mail at Major Russ Graves, USAAF (Ret), 305 College View, Bryan, Texas 77801.  Major Graves hopes that his research will ultimately benefit the retired military community.

Medicare 2005 Rates
As determined by section 1839(a)© of the Social Security Act, the monthly Part B Premium rate for 2005 is $78.20.  The 2005 Part B premium is equal to 50 percent of the monthly actuarial rate, or about 25 percent of Part B costs.  In addition under the statute, the 2005 deductible is set at $110.00, and increase of $10 from 2004.  TRICARE for life (TFL) pays the Medicare deductible for those who use TFL.

COLA Increase
On Tuesday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released September's inflation data, which finalizes the 2004 cost of living adjustment (COLA) for military retired pay and other federal annuities. The 2004 COLA will be 2.7 percent for military and federal retired pay, VA disability compensation, SBP survivor annuities, Social Security, and other federal programs. The COLA for these programs will be effective December 1st, and will be reflected in checks issued on January 2, 2005. 

Widows Membership
 If your spouse was a life member of National MOAA then you will retain this life membership with National MOAA.  If your spouse was a member of the local Chapter then you will remain an Auxillary member of the local chaper until the membership expires at that time you will be required to renew your membership.  Auxillary members are important to our Chapter and we look forward to your participation in our events and taking an active part in the running of the Chapter.  Contact the President.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  During this holiday season keep our troops in your prayers and remember their sacrifices to keep our freedom.

As this will be my last memo as your President, I would like to say thank you to all of our members, officers, directors, and committee members for their support during the past 2 years.  It has been my pleasure to serve you and I look forward to assuming the duties of Immediate Past President.

Officers: 2005-2007

• President; Capt. Ray Hart, USN (Ret)
• 1st Vice President; Lcol. James Dellaripa, USAF (Ret)
• 2nd Vice President; Lcdr. Walter Wesolowski, USN (Ret)
• Treasurer; Cdr. John Rooney, USN (Ret)

Directors: 2005 - 2007

• Mrs. Maxine L’Heureu (Aux)
• Maj Norm Crews, USA (Ret)
• Capt. Patricia McFadden, USN (Ret)

The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) successfully pressed Congress to include an important provision in the FY 2005 Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4200) ending the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) "widows' tax," which reduces benefits by as much as one-third after the widowed survivor reaches age 62.

"We're extremely pleased that Congress did the right thing in ending the unfair tax on military widows," said VAdm. Norb Ryan, Jr., president of MOAA. "Our members have been instrumental in urging Congress to end this inequity."

The SBP "widows' tax" will be phased out over the next 3 and 1/2 years. Under legislation signed into law Oct. 28, 2004, the minimum age-62 annuity will rise from 35 percent to 40 percent of covered retired pay Oct. 1, 2005; to 45 percent April 1, 2006; to 50 percent April 1, 2007; and to 55 percent April 1, 2008. About 255,000 widows of military retirees draw survivor benefits under the current plan. No action is required by SBP annuitants, they will receive these increases automatically.

The net effect of this change will raise officers' survivor annuities by more than 50% on average, resulting in an extra $4,000 to $8,000 a year, depending upon grade, length of service, and level of SBP participation.

After two decades of trying to end the SBP widows' tax, MOAA made this issue the number one legislative priority for 2004. To help garner the support of key legislators in both the House and Senate, MOAA members generated more than 600,000 letters, postcards and e-mails that were vital in securing this victory for the entire military community.

According to VAdm. Ryan, "MOAA members are the single best influence in getting Congress to take positive action on military benefits issues." MOAA membership is open to any person who holds or has ever held a warrant or a commission in any of the seven uniformed services and their surviving spouses. 

The mission of the Chapter is to support a strong national defense, to preserve the earned entitlements of members of the uniformed services and their families and survivors, and to ensure the quality of life of future uniformed service members and their families to promote their continued good health, welfare and morale. The Chapter is only as effective at carrying out that mission as our members are and the activities they pursue. The life blood of our Chapter is our members. 

As we close in on the end of 2004, we are numbering nearly 900 men and women, 83% of whom are commissioned or warrant officers, and 17% of whom are widows or auxiliary members. Chapter membership has fairly well stabilized over the past five years, hovering between 850 and 950. This despite the continuing loss of our older retiree members who pass away or move elsewhere, and more recently, the reassignment of some of our active duty members. In 2004, 91.5% of our regular members are retired from the service. An increasingly larger number of our members, 8.5%, are presently on active duty. Our youngest member is 25 years old; our oldest over 100 years old. One of our older members joined the service in 1930 ; one of the youngest in 2003. 

Many graduated from service academies; many are mustangs or have come up through the ranks.  Chapter members span the full range of ages, ranks, years of service and military experience. Many served in World War II or were influenced to serve their country later in Korea, Vietnam and elsewhere by that war. Most have been in harms way, many in close combat. Many have lost friends or relatives, and seen families struggle with their loss. 

We are an active, dedicated, responsible and disciplined group of people in whom "great trust and confidence" has been placed. We do not shirk our duty. As individuals and as a group, we understand the nature of war and the toll it takes on those who fight and those who are left behind. As those who have lead and continue to lead, we have a responsibility to stay informed, to inform others, and to ensure that those who fight receive the equipment, training and leadership they need to win, and that their families are properly cared and provided for. 

That's the job for us and for our Chapter; that's who we are and that's what we do.

The Chapter had a very successful outreach program to the area ROTC and Junior ROTC programs.  By way of background, MOAA sponsors an annual leadership award for one member of each ROTC or JROTC program in the area.  Our Chapter has thirteen schools at which we present the MOAA Leadership Medal. This past school year’s recipients were:

ROTC:

• Old Dominion ROTC:  Cadet Megan Marshburn
• Norfolk State ROTC: Cadet Timothy Sechrist
• Norfolk State/ODU NROTC: MIDN Amanda Leugers

JROTC:

• Princess Anne H.S.:  Cadet Chris Brown
• Salem H.S.: Cadet William Everett
• First Colonial H.S.: Cadet Alex Hill
• Landstown H.S.: Cadet Nickolas Hanley
• Green Run H.S.: Adam Amick
• Lake Taylor H.S.: Shaundell Langley
• Maury H.S.: Allen Taylor
• Booker T. Washington H. S. Megan Gregory
• Granby H. S.: Meghan Stanton
• Norview H.S.: Angelica Downey

If you would be interested in participating in any of the awards ceremonies as a MOAA presenter, please contact Tim Stark: 467-2899.  He would appreciate any help.  Besides, all the ceremonies involve refreshments, and some are full-meals…

Chapter memberships are due for renewal as of the end of the year shown on the Newsletter 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 Newsletter.

Are you bored? Tired of sitting home? Would like to get involved in helping out retired members and their families?  If so, contact your Chapter coordinator: CAPT James Hereford, USN (Ret) at 486-7639 to participate and offer your services. No experience is required; we’ll train you. 

Are you tired of sitting home doing nothing? Do you wish that you could become active and put your talents to use again. If so, we have a position of Chapter Secretary that needs to be filled soon. Don’t procrastinate volunteer. 

Call President John Vermillion at  382-9843 or email vermillj@cox.net.

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.

In addition to annual contributions to the Scholarship Fund, memorial contributions may be made for deceased MOAA members to the Scholarship Fund of MOAA , Dept 889, Alexandria, VA 22334-0889.  Contributions may also be made at www.moaa.org
Or you  may call 800-234-6622. 

Whereas, It is the duty of every American to support and uphold those ideals and principles upon which our nation was founded: and

Whereas, Americans have unflinchingly and unselfishly answered the call to protect Mild defend these ideals from the Battle at Lexington to the desert of Saudi Arabia and the hills of Bosnia, Kosovo, Afganistan, and Iraq; and

Whereas, On this day we pause to remember and commemorate all American men and women who have faithfully served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America; and

Whereas, We especially recognize The Military Officers Association of America (Formerly The Retired Officers Association) and its Hampton Roads Chapter, which was organized in the Fall of 1958; and

Whereas, The Hampton Roads Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America defends the honor, and integrity of, and supports our National Government and the Constitution of the United States and resolves to he a valid part of our adopted communities; and

Whereas, The Hampton Roads Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America advocates military forces adequate to the defense of our country, and to oppose any influence whatever that would be calculated to weaken the national security; and

Whereas, The Hampton Roads Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America strives to create harmony and a spirit of camaraderie among all officers of the uniformed services of the United States and actively supports the legislative aims and objectives of the National Military Officers Association of America; and

Whereas, The Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organizations, assisted by the Hampton Roads Chapter Military Officers Association of America, will have a parade and patriotic ceremony honoring those men and women who have served their country, many having given their lives, and

Now, Therefore, we, the mayors of the cities of Chesapeake. Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach, do proclaim November 11, 2004, as VETERANS DAY in our cities and ask that our citizens, businesses and organizations demonstrate their appreciation, admiration and respect for those veterans who have served our great nation.

In Witness Thereof, we have set our hands and caused the Seals of our Great Virginia Cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk. Portsmouth and Virginia Beach to be affixed hereto.

Your Hampton Roads Chapter, MOAA was the Co-Sponsor, along with the Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organization, for the November 11 Veterans Day Parade.  After the parade, Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf welcomed all guests and  read the proclamation.  Former Mayor of Chesapeake, William Ward gave the parade Address.  This was followed by the wreath laying ceremony honoring those men and women who have served their country, many having given their lives.  Our guest speaker at the luncheon was Captain Paul Schulz who talked about his time in North Vietnam as a prisoner of war.  On November 16th 1967 his aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile over Hanoi and he and his RIO were captured and spent more than 5 years as POWs in various camps.  In April 1973 Paul returned to the United States.

The Legislative Spotlight is prepared by MOAA’s Government Relations directorate. Spotlight items are coded in three ways:

INFO: Items of general interest and feedback.
DIS: Items to disseminate to chapter members for background and clarification on significant issues.
HILL: Items important enough for chapter members to immediately contact their legislators by letter, phone, or other means.

Most Capitol Hill insiders had thought the difficulty of working out differences on such issues as the House-proposed delay in the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) schedule would delay final action until the lame duck session after the election.

MOAA is extremely pleased that the final bill retains provisions that would phase out the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) "widows tax" over 3 1/2 years and provide full concurrent receipt payments (effective Jan. 1, 2005) to qualifying retirees rated as 100-percent disabled by the VA.  It now goes to the White House, and the president is expected to sign it into law.

Here's a summary of selected provisions of the final Defense Authorization Act:

Retiree/Survivor Issues

• Raise the minimum SBP annuity for survivors age 62 and older to 40 percent of retired pay as of Oct. 1, 2005; to 45 percent of retired pay on April 1, 2006; to 50 percent on April 1, 2007; and to 55 percent on April 1, 2008.

• Continue increased coverage levels for current retirees already paying supplemental SBP premiums. These retirees no longer will have to pay the extra premium for supplemental SBP coverage as of the date the new legislation is signed into law.

• Allow retirees not enrolled in SBP to participate in a one-year open-enrollment period starting Oct. 1, 2005 - provided they make a lump-sum payment covering all back premiums since retirement, plus interest.

• Provide full concurrent receipt payments to otherwise qualifying retirees rated as 100-percent disabled by the VA, as of Jan. 1, 2005, versus current law, which phases in a restoration of their retired pay over the next nine years. The remaining nine-year phase-in schedule still is in effect for qualifying retirees with disabilities rated from 50 percent to 90 percent. 

• Authorize a 3.5 percent pay raise for all servicemembers (including Guard and Reserve) as of Jan. 1, 2005

• Raise the Basic Allowance for Housing to cover 100 percent of the median cost of housing for each grade and location.

• Increase Army end strength by 20,000 and Marine Corps end strength by 3,000 for FY 2005, with additional increases authorized in future years.

• Remove the funding cap on military housing privatization programs to continue to partner with the private sector to make military family housing improvements in FY 2005.

• Make permanent the eligibility for 180 days of TRICARE coverage for members and families following separation from active duty (including Guard and Reserve members leaving active duty) and require a separation physical before leaving active duty.

• Specify the commissary benefit in law and authorize a test of expanding the list of items for sale in the commissary. The new law will clarify that the commissary and exchange programs' purpose is to enhance quality of life for military members, retirees, and family members and to support military readiness, recruiting, and retention. It will authorize consideration of reserve members' quality of life in any assessment of whether to close a commissary.

• Proceed with the next BRAC round in 2005 as scheduled (the House had proposed delaying it until 2007). 

Guard/Reserve Issues

• Authorize premium-based TRICARE eligibility for Selected Reserve members who have served at least 90 days on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001, and who agree to continue in the Selected Reserve for at least one year. This would cover the members and their families while in drill status. They would receive one year of coverage eligibility for each 90 days served on active duty since Sept. 11. Premiums (which would be suspended during any period of mobilization) would be set at 28 percent of the cost of single or family coverage, as applicable.

• Provide increased bonus flexibilities to meet retention needs.

• Eliminate the 180-day end strength accounting standard that requires reservists remaining on active duty beyond that limit to count against active duty end strength. Instead, the new law will authorize up to 37,000 reservists to serve on active duty for up to three years before counting against active duty force levels. 

All in all, MOAA is pleased with the conferees' actions, though the association would have preferred to see broader Guard and Reserve health coverage options and certain other additional features that were in the earlier House and Senate versions of the bill. But the Defense Authorization Act is a complex negotiation of thousands of issues and, as House leaders reminded us last week, "Politics is the art of the possible."

MOAA is grateful to the armed services committee leaders, members, and staff members for their months of hard work in bringing it to fruition. We're particularly grateful to Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), and Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) for their efforts to win SBP, concurrent receipt, and reserve health care provisions, respectively.

We're also grateful to everyone who contacted Congress in support of these issues. The importance of your role in winning these positive changes for millions of members of the military community simply can't be overstated.
 

Cmdr. René Campos, USN-Ret., has joined the MOAA team as deputy director of Government Relations for military family issues. She completed a distinguished 30-year career as associate director of DoD's Office of Family Policy, chairing the interagency Joint Family Readiness Committee and organizing the Pentagon Family Assistance Center to aid families of Sept. 11 victims. MOAA is fortunate to have her on board as the association expands its efforts in support of military families.

Military retirees already receive ID cards with no expiration date. But until now, all dependents and survivors have had to continue appearing in person to renew their ID cards every four years - or navigate a burdensome renewal-by-mail process.

In the past, many Medicare-eligible family members simply let their ID cards expire rather than put up with renewal hassles.  Older family members now face suspension of their TFL benefits if they inadvertently let their ID cards expire.

MOAA thought this was too big a penalty and asked Congress to allow all spouses and survivors age 65 and over to retain permanent ID cards. The House agreed, but delayed eligibility to age 70. The Senate put no similar provision in its defense bill. In the end, the House-Senate conference committee kept the initiative in the final Defense Authorization Act, but further delayed the age threshold to 75.