Our first luncheon of 2005 was a great success. Almost 90 members and guests attended. It was held at Atlantic Shores Retirement Community. The food was excellent and CDR John Rooney’s “Practical Financing for Active and Retired Service members” was well received. In a quick show of hands, those in attendance overwhelming voiced their support for luncheon meetings. We’ll schedule more of them. Delegate Terri Suit will be our next speaker at our April function.

One of the Chapter’s goals is to recruit more active duty and retired officers. A goal of 1,000 members is set. Your help is needed to recruit them. An easy way to do this is to ask those officers both active duty and retired that you know to join your Chapter and MOAA. Use the website application to “sign them up!” MOAA’s strength comes from the “grass roots” strength of its local chapters. Through this strength many legislative issues are initiated on both the local and national levels. This is what makes your Chapter and MOAA “ONE POWERFUL VOICE.” 
New and more members are needed now to ensure your one powerful voice remains powerful. Remember, your voice is powerful, only if we speak in unison.  I urge you to become proactive and recruit members for your Chapter and MOAA.

Another goal and major concern is to provide volunteers at Little Creek and Norfolk Naval Bases for personal affairs efforts to assist retirees with problems or concerns. We need more volunteers. Please consider spending a few hours a week manning one of the assistance desks for the Retired Activities Office. Call CAPT “Buck” Hereford, your coordinator, and volunteer; he’ll see that you are trained. Again, I urge you to become proactive and help retirees by becoming a member of your Chapter’s team. The bottom line is get involved; your help is needed, now!  Do not forget to sign, stamp and mail the MOAA postcards on the back cover of the March 2005 Military Officer magazine. They address two major military Survivor Benefit Plan inequities: SBP-DIC AND 30 Year Paid Up SBP.
As you can see, your Hampton Roads MOAA Chapter is more than a “Social Club;” it’s proactive in your community, state, and nation. 

Thank you for your continued membership and support. 

Smooth Sailing,

PS If you are in business or in sales, please consider taking an ad in your Newsletter to help defray costs and to help your business.

One of our goals for 2005 is to recruit new members, including Active Duty Officers.  To achieve this goal, we ask all of our members to bring someone new to our socials as your guest.  For all of our members who are active participants we encourage everyone to welcome our new members when they show up at our socials.  When our new members check in for the scheduled event, they will be given a name tag that has a distinctive symbol attached.  Please look for new members and guests and introduce yourself, also ask if they would like to sit at your table.  It is so important to make guest and new members feel welcome.  The worst scenario is for a new member to not be recognized and sit alone all evening.  We could establish a welcoming committee to act as greeters, however, I think it should be a natural thing and we all should do what ever is necessary to make guests and new members feel welcome.  Everyone should visit our award winning website and find out what we do and what programs we are involved in.  It is so important to be able to inform any guest or new member on what the Chapter does and how it is involved in the local community.  Our Chapter Officers will do their part in making new members feel welcome.  I thank you for your help and who knows, you may meet a new best friend. 

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 Auxiliary member of the local chapter until their membership expires, at that time you will be required to renew your membership.  Auxiliary 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 any Officer.

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

Coming soon, a new health care program for Guard and Reserve.  Legislation for 2005 (NDAA 05) authorizes a new, for-purchase health care plan for eligible guardsmen, reservists, and their families: TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) is scheduled for implementation no later than April 26, 2005 (not all details are known, yet).  The legislation also makes permanent several of the TRICARE benefits for the Reserve Component authorized “temporarily” under defense legislation  last year while extending secretarial authorization for others. 

For more information use the following links for TRS www.tricare.osd.mil/trs.cfm and Reserve Component www.tricare.osd.mil/reserve/index.cfm.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a spectrum of geriatric and extended care services to veterans enrolled in its health care system.   More than 90 percent of VA’s medical centers provide home- and community-based outpatient long-term care programs.  This patient-focused approach supports the wishes of most patients to live at home in their own communities for as long as possible.  In addition, nearly 65,000 veterans will receive inpatient long-term care this year through programs of VA or state veterans homes.  For further information and eligibility criteria go to http://www1.va.gov/OPA/fact/ltcare.html.

In January 2005 the HRCMOAA Board of Directors recommended that Annual dues be increased beginning in 2006 to counter the effects of inflation on Chapter activities.  Upon approval by a vote of the membership at the Annual Meeting scheduled for November 2005, regular member dues will go from $12.50 yearly or $30.00 for three years to $15.00 yearly or $39.00 for three years.  While the Board struggled with this recommendation it is pleased to note that dues will be lower than other similar organizations in the Hampton Roads area.  Dues for Auxiliary members will remain at $7.50 yearly or $21.00 for 3 years. Should you have comments to offer, contact a Chapter officer.

Next Quarterly Meeting

The next meeting will be held on 8 April at the Fort Lee Officers Club starting at 1030.  Contact your VCOC representative John Vermillion at 382-9843, NLT 4 April, if you would like to attend.  A carpool will be formed for the trip.

The Virginia Council of Chapters will host their annual Congressional Luncheon at the Capitol Hill Club in DC on 27 April at 1130.  Contact your VCOC representative John Vermillion at 382-9843 if you would like to attend.  This provides an opportunity to have lunch with local congressional representatives.   A carpool will be formed for the trip.

Member Participation is highly encouraged.  If you would like to participate and be a presenter, or just observe any of the awards presentations, please contact CAPT Tim Stark, USNR, our Community Affairs Chairman at 467-2899 (H) or 445-4174 (W).  The next ROTC ceremony will be held at the NSU campus for a deserving ROTC student on 6 April at 1500.  The following event will also be held at the NSU campus for a deserving Navy ROTC student on 16 April at 1000.  Our first JROTC event will take place at the First Colonial High School on 20 April at 1830.  See our Chapter Schedule for additional events. 

Your Hampton Roads Chapter MOAA participated this year in the Virginia Council of Chapters 6th Annual Storming of the Hill on 24 January 2005, in Richmond, Virginia at the Assembly Building and Capitol Building.  In addition to the Quarterly meeting, members called on Delegates and Senators to obtain support for the VCOC’s Legislative Objectives.  Priority One (HB 2851); support increased funding for the Department of Veterans Services.  Priority Two (HB 2850); add an 80 bed addition to the Veterans Care Center in Richmond and support the increase in the number of Veterans Care Centers in Virginia.  The HRCMOAA group visited delegates Robert Tata and Terrie Suit to promote these priority bills.   Other Legislative Objectives:  Increase security for the VA War Memorial, by providing funds for 24 hour Capitol Police protection for memorial property and  continue tuition waivers for Military Dependents by supporting the Governor’s $2 million amendment for funding. 

Board meetings will continue to be held on the 1st Saturday of each month at the Little Creek Eagle Haven Golf Club, starting at 0830.  Breakfast may be had at the Club Restaurant prior to the meeting.  All members are invited to attend.  This will be an opportunity to observe your Board in action and to see if there are any committees that you might be interested in helping out.  Just show up or contact the Chapter President. 

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. 

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.

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. 

If you would like to attend one of our functions but cannot drive, Contact CDR John Rooney, USN (Ret) at 427-2402.  We will find someone to pick you up and take you home. 

The 2005 National Defense Authorization Act grants dependants age 75 and older permanent military identification card (ID) status. However, DoD informs us the permanent ID card program will not be available until later this year. In the interim, the Defense Enrollment Eligibility System (DEERS) considers these dependents eligible for benefits so long as a death or divorce has not been reported meaning that TRICARE claims should not be rejected due to ineligibility.  DEERS, as does MOAA, strongly encourages those who are able to renew their ID card to do so. Until the permanent ID card change has been incorporated, the issued ID card will be good for 4 years. Once the change is implemented, the issued ID card will say INDEF. To locate the nearest ID Card facility call 1.800.538.9552 or visit www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl.

Contact Buck Hereford, Personal Affairs at 486-7639 or Walt Wesolowski at 518-0265 if you have any questions. 

If you are disabled and do not live near a military base you may be able obtain a new ID Card by mail from the nearest Army installation or Air Force base.  Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps personnel should write to the applicable address below. To do this write a letter explaining why you cannot get to the ID Card office (for example, poor health or disability) and request an ID Card be issued to you through the mail.  The letter should include your name, Social Security number, current mailing address, telephone number, physical characteristics (hair color, eye color, height, and weight.)  You must also include a notarized "8X10" photo, which can be black and white or color.  A notary indicates that the photo is a true photo of the person requesting the ID Card. If you have any questions regarding any ID Card policy, you should contact the nearest ID Card office.

After the ID card office has received your letter and photo, they will send you a DD Form 1172 and a partially completed ID Card for your signature.  After signing the form and card, send them back to the ID Card office where the card will be laminated and returned to you. Remember, depending on the mail and any backlog the ID Card office might be experiencing, this process will take from four to six weeks.

Navy personnel can forward this information to the Commander, Naval Reserve Personnel Center, Code N223, 4400 Dauphine St., New Orleans, LA 70149-7800. For questions concerning this process please call 800-535-2699, Ext. 6184, 5502 or 0106.

Marine Corps personnel can forward this information to Headquarters Marine Corps, Code MMSR-6, Washington, D.C. 20380-1775. For questions concerning this process please call 800-336-4649.

Coast Guard personnel can forward this information to Commanding Officer, U. S. Coast Guard Human Resources Service and Information Center (RAS), 444 S. E. Quincy St., Topeka, Ks. 66683-3591. For questions concerning this process please call 785-339-3441.

You can find the closest military ID Card issuing office by going to the web site below and entering your zip code. http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/. Those who do not have access to the Internet may call the MOAA Message Service Center at 800-245-8762.

The following By-Laws changes are recommended by the Officers and Board of Directors of the HRCMOAA. 

Article V; Officers and Administration, Section 1,  will be changed to read “Elected officers —— as set forth in Sections 2.a. and 2.b. of Article IV, —– prescribed.” 

Section 4.a. will be changed to read “The administration —— as defined in Sections 2.a. and 2.b. of Article IV, —– a quorum.” 

These changes will reflect the National MOAA’s recommended By - Laws which allows for the use of Auxiliary members as Officers and Board of Directors for the Chapter.

Did You Purchase Medicare Part B?  Most TRICARE beneficiaries entitled to Medicare Part A must purchase Medicare Part B to retain eligibility for their TRICARE benefits. Active duty family members are the one exception. They are not required to purchase Medicare Part B until the active duty service member/sponsor retires. The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 provides a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)-initially ending on December 31, 2004 but currently extended by the Social Security Administration (SSA) into 2005 for TRICARE beneficiaries to purchase Medicare Part B. It also authorizes a refund for penalty surcharges paid in 2004. Contact the SSA to enroll in Medicare Part B immediately without penalty for late enrollment. Once enrolled in Medicare Part B, TRICARE coverage will start the same day as Medicare Part B coverage. Beneficiaries who have questions regarding enrollment in Medicare Part B or enrollment premium surcharges paid in 2004 should call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit their local Social Security office. TRICARE beneficiaries who paid late Medicare enrollment premium surcharges in 2004 may be entitled to reimbursement. 

Additional information is available on the SSA Web site at www.ssa.gov/legislation, the Medicare Web site at www.medicare.gov and the TRICARE web site at www.tricare.osd.mil.

Recently passed by both chambers of the General Assembly, the House Republican Caucus reform agenda for veterans and servicemen and women is comprised of several important initiatives. Included in that are:

House Bill 2851, introduced by Delegate Cox, will dramatically increase the number of claims personnel available to the more than 750,000 veterans in the Commonwealth. Specifically, the legislative measures will improve the ratio of claims agents to veterans served in Virginia from 1 agent for 49,147 veterans served to 1 agent for 26,212 veterans served. 

House Bill 2850, introduced by Delegate Cox, will address the 80-bed short fall in the planned 240-bed Richmond Veterans Care Center. Originally planned as a 240-bed facility, construction costs and changes in health care delivery practices had reduced the facility to 160-beds. 

House Bill 2428, introduced by Delegate Cole, requires the state and localities to give additional consideration in employment decisions to veterans who have a service-connected disability.

House Bill 1682, introduced by Delegate Janis, expands tuition assistance at Virginia public institutions of higher learning to children of parents killed or disabled in military operations against terrorism, a peace-keeping mission, or a terrorist act, including members of the United States Armed Services Reserves and the Virginia National Guard Reserve.

Unfortunately, some on the Hill appear to be buying the idea that benefit improvements Congress approves should come at the expense of other DoD programs.  That became evident during a House Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee hearing Wednesday as Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL), in an exchange with Defense Comptroller Tina Jonas, asserted that spending on military dependents and retirees offers "no military value." Kirk was in the process of questioning Jonas about the extent to which spending on military health care and other benefits comes at the expense of other defense needs. He expressed the belief that the cost of benefit improvements Congress has passed for retirees, survivors and others is coming at the expense of pay and equipment for active duty troops.

Other Subcommittee members, including Reps. Chet Edwards (D-TX) and Allen Boyd (D-FL) took sharp exception to that view. Edwards was quick to assert that recruiting and retention of current servicemembers is directly affected by how fairly the Nation treats those who went before them in uniform. Boyd added that, with a mostly-married volunteer force, the government has to protect the well-being of family members and veterans to sustain retention and readiness.

MOAA is disappointed that some persist in trying to pit the interests of different segments of the military family against each other, and even more disappointed to see anyone on Capitol Hill buy into this "red herring" argument.