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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, 
MOAA Best Web Site, and a MOAA Best Electronic Newsletter.
Serving Suffolk, Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach since 1959
Email/Website:
hrmoaa@cox.net
www.hrcmoaa.org

Address:
HRCMOAA
P.O. Box 4612
Virginia Beach, VA
23454-0612

VOL 29-NO 5
ONE POWERFUL VOICE
OCTOBER 2005

In This Issue
November Social
President’s Commentary
HRCMOAA Directory
From the Editor
From the President
Hurricane Katrina
Legislative Update
VCOC Scheduled Functions
ID Card Renewal Form
Chapter Schedule
HRCMOAA Welcomes
Invalid Email Addresses
Chapter Volunteers Needed
MOAA Scholarship Fund
HRCMOAA Function
Toys for Tots & Business Meeting
ROWS Christmas Dinner/Dance
Volunteers Needed
MOAA Newsletters
Annual Dues Increase
In Memorium
The Tribute
In honor of those who have sacrificed
to keep our country free.
Courtesy of the Arlington National Cemetery Website 

November Social
Congresswoman Thelma Drake, our Second District Representative, will be our guest speaker at the annual November business and social meeting..  The election of officers will take place during this meeting.  The annual Toys for Tots will also be celebrated at this meeting. 
Click Here For Details

Chapter Membership Renewal

 Do your dues expire in 2005? 
If so, do not be left in the wake! 
Click Here For Details

Top of Page
US Air Force
US Army
US Navy
US Marine Corps
US Coast Guard
Visit  our “MOAA Best” website at www.hrcmoaa.org, read the “MOAA Best” Electronic Newsletter, access 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. 
Top of Page

President’s Commentary

Our annual picnic at Fort Story was a success.  Everyone who attended enjoyed the “indoor, air conditioned picnic.”  The food was exceptional and there was enough left for anyone who wanted to take some home.  It was great having an informal event and being able to talk and visit with those who were there. 

MOAA is launching a “GIVE ME 10” Campaign to recruit new members between September 1 and December 31, 2005.  The secret of MOAA’s and your Chapter’s effectiveness starts with the leadership strength and grassroots activity.  MOAA has been extremely effective over the past five years in enhancing your benefits— especially health care; but those benefits are now coming under attack.  And no one defends you better on Capitol Hill and in Virginia than MOAA and your local Chapters. 

Keeping MOAA and our Chapter strong is our top priority.  That’s why the “Give Me 10” campaign to recruit new members is being launched.  Here’s how it works: 

1.  Sign up the Chapter to participate. (We have!)

2.  Receive a “Give Me 10” Kit that includes all the marketing support and incentives you need to win over new members. (Received)

3.  Recruit at least 10 new (“Paid”) members for MOAA  between September 1 and December 31, 2005.

4.  The chapters who recruit the most new (‘Paid”) MOAA members will receive cash prizes. ($10.00 for each new paying member—plus a $100.00 bonus when our Chapter recruits 10 new members for MOAA.)

5.  Additionally, Chapter members can win prizes for their recruiting efforts through an end-of-year sweepstakes drawing to be held by MOAA. 

As I have said to you many times, in the coming years MOAA and your Chapter are going to have to be at peak strength to head off the threat of benefit cuts that are now looming on the horizon.  Adding new members, both active duty and retired, to our ranks is the surest way to revitalize our membership and MOAA’s in order to safeguard our military family from any erosion in benefits.  To quote VADM Ryan, President of MOAA, “Stronger Chapters. A stronger legislative voice. An even more powerful MOAA starts with the “Give Me 10”! 

Your chapter will again be manning a recruiting booth at the USNI Warfare Symposium in Virginia Beach October 5 and 6, 2005. The information was sent to you by separate correspondence. Please attend and talk to officers in uniform and encourage them to join our Chapter and MOAA. Please escort them to our booth #429 and help them sign up. We need you now more than ever to become a recruiter for us. Call COL Jim Smith, USA (Ret), your membership chairman, and offer your assistance and have him send you our membership flyer to sign up new members.  Now is not the time to be complacent! 

“Every member recruits a new member for HRCMOAA!” 

Remember our goal is to keep our Chapter and MOAA “One Powerful Voice!”

Smooth Sailing,

Ray Hart
HRCMOAA Directory

Officers

Directors

Committees

President: 430-8771
CAPT Raymond J. Hart, USN-Ret.
hrmoaa@cox.net
1st Vice President: 640-0947
LtCol James M. Dellaripa Sr, USAF-Ret.
2nd Vice President: 363-1094
MAJ Norman Crews, USA-Ret.
Secretary: 689-2463
CAPT Frank T. Hinchy, USN-Ret.
Treasurer: 427-2402
CDR John A. Rooney, USN-Ret.
CDR John E. Vermillion, USN-Ret.
382-9843 
CAPT Jon Haas, USN-Ret.
481-0275
Col Jack W. Hilgers, USMC-Ret.
490-8383
LtCol Jesse O. Sandlin,
USAF-Ret.
486-3318
LtCol Mary L. Baeumel, USAFNC-Ret.
716-2497
CAPT Jim Jones, USN-Ret.
481-1919
Program: 640-0947
LtCol James M. Dellaripa Sr, USAF-Ret.
Arrangements: 363-1094
MAJ Norman Crews, USA-Ret.
VCOC Representative: 382-9843
CDR John E. Vermillion, USN-Ret.
Legislative Affairs: 490-8383
Col Jack W. Hilgers, USMC-Ret.
Personal Affairs: 486-7639
CAPT James D. Hereford, USN-Ret.
Membership: 425-5934
COL James A. Smith, USA-Ret
Community Affairs: 445-4174
CAPT Tim Stark, USNR
Information Systems: 481-0694
Col Richard A. Vogel, USAF-Ret.
Webmaster 490-5792
Maj Clifton G. Furedy. USAF-Ret.
thrcmoaa@cox.net
Editor: 382-9843
CDR John E. Vermillion, USN-Ret.
Vermillj@cox.net
From the  Editor

Military Records 

The National Personnel Records Center has provided the following website for veterans to access their DD-214 online at: http://vetrecs.archives.gov. This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs a copy of his DD-214 for employment purposes. 

The National Personnel Records Center is working to make it easier for veterans with computers and Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files. Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new online military personnel records system to request documents. Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete the Standard Form 180 which can be downloaded from the online web site.  The new web-based application was designed to provide better service on these requests by eliminating the records center's mailroom processing time. Veterans and next of kin may access this application at the web site listed above.

John
Hurricane Katrina!

Our HRCMOAA has made a contribution to the victims of Katrina.  We encourage our members to contribute individually to an organization of your choice.  The MOAA web site has a list of Military and Public/Private sector resources.

 
From the President 

I’m happy to announce that MOAA has awarded, for the second consecutive year, the Hampton Roads Chapter A Five Star Level of Excellence Award for 2004. Well Done to all the Officers, Board Members, and Committee Members who volunteer and worked hard; it is a National recognition of your outstanding endeavors on behalf of your Chapter and its members. I’m proud to be a part of this outstanding team! 

Ray Hart
The Millennium Park in Chicago.
Legislative Spotlight

SBP Fixes At Risk
Sen. John Warner, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has filed an amendment to the FY2006 Defense Authorization Bill that would defer action on MOAA's top legislative goal for 2005, fixing two significant inequities concerning the Military Survivor Law. The first inequity reduces SBP for survivors of members whose death was caused by  military service.  In those cases, the survivor is entitled to an annuity from the VA (currently $993 a month for a spouse), and the SBP payment is reduced by that amount.  Often, this wipes out most or all of the SBP annuity.  MOAA believes that, if military service causes the member's death, the VA indemnity payment should be added to SBP, not substituted for it. 

The other SBP inequity affects older retirees enrolled in SBP. Congress passed a law in 1998 authorizing paid-up SBP coverage for retirees who have attained age 70 and paid SBP premiums for 30 years.  This would allow such
retirees to stop paying premiums while retaining coverage for their spouses. 
But Congress delayed the effective date of that law until October 1, 2008 - which means thousands of the Greatest Generation retirees who enrolled in SBP in 1972 will have to pay premiums for 36 years - and end up paying about one-third more SBP premiums than similar members who retired after 1978. 

Sen. Warner's amendment, if accepted, would negate a previous amendment proposed by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) to end these last two major SBP inequities as of October 1, 2005.  Send your senators a MOAA-prepared e-mail by clicking on the "Fix SBP Now" alert on MOAA's Web site at http://capwiz.com/moaa/home/


2006 COLA May Be Largest in 14 Years 
Earlier this week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that inflation broke out of its summer doldrums with a half-point jump in July.  So far this fiscal year, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has risen 3.2%. The 2006 COLA will be determined by dividing the three-month average CPI for July, August and September 2005 by the average CPI for the same three months of 2004. 

Even if inflation is flat for the remaining two months, that would make the 2006 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) the largest retirees have seen since the 3.5% 2001 COLA, and the second-largest since the 3.7% COLA in 1992. 


Benefits Busters Back At It 
Last year, Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) introduced legislation aimed at imposing automatic and arbitrary cuts in so-called entitlements spending programs when their cost rose above certain relatively modest levels. Under government accounting definitions, military retirement, survivor benefits, veterans' benefits and TRICARE For Life fall in this category, along with programs ranging from student loans to Medicare.  MOAA and many others, from the Disabled American Veterans to AARP, opposed an effort by Rep. Hensarling and Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) to include such a mechanism in a budget bill last year, and the House of Representatives rejected the proposal. 

Now, Hill sources tell us, House Majority Leader Tom Delay is consulting with a group of colleagues (including Reps. Hensarling and Kirk) about considering some kind of budget enforcement bill this fall.  Hensarling's proposed legislation (introduced this year as H.R. 2290) would require automatic cuts in selected programs if total entitlements spending growth over the previous year exceeds that due to increases in inflation and population - about 2.4% per year.  But its cutback formula would impose disproportional cuts on selected programs.  Social Security would be exempt, as would Medicare Part A (hospitalization) -- but not Part B (doctor bills).  Federal civilian retirement would be exempt from automatic cuts, but military retirement and survivor benefits, veterans' benefits, and TRICARE For Life would not.  Because Medicare, Medicaid and interest on the national debt will grow far faster than inflation, cuts in non-exempt programs would have to be far bigger.  H.R. 2290 would let Congress elect to cut any entitlement program but Social Security in order to avoid the "doomsday" automatic cuts. 

We think Congress is unlikely to enact a plan that draconian, but some such mechanism isn't out of the question.  Gramm-Rudman-Hollings deficit control legislation passed in 1985, which worked on a similar principle, forced substantial delays in military retired pay cost-of-living adjustments for several years in the mid-1990s.  We would hope most members of Congress are more sensitive to military benefit issues these days (especially with a war on) than in the mid-1990s, but history (and current Pentagon rhetoric about the rising cost of military benefits) makes it clear that sentiments can change in a hurry, so this potential threat can't be discounted.

We've posted H.R. 2290 on MOAA's Website as a bill we oppose, along with a suggested letter to House members to let members and others register their concerns (http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=7968841).  (H.R. 2290 can be found at the bottom of the bills list, under "Veterans and Other Issues").


Absentee Voting 
As many of you are aware, Virginia has some very important elections that are being held on November 8, 2005.  The following offices are up for reelection: Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General and the entire House of Delegates. Many other cities and counties in Virginia have local issues that are being voted on as well. 
In order to ensure that the voices of our troops, who are serving outside the continental United States, are heard on Election Day, it is important that they are registered to vote and that their ballots are cast. Virginia recognizes that many of our troops  will be deployed on Election Day and will be eligible to vote absentee. 
As we want their vote to count, it is important that they register to vote and apply for  an absentee ballot as early as possible. To determine if qualification to register to vote in Virginia, and how to request absentee ballots, access this web address. http://www.sbe.state.va.us.

If your son or daughter (or grand children) are not going to be deployed from their duty station and would like to determine if they are qualified to register to vote in Virginia and how to cast their ballot at the polls, access the web address above.  If they are stationed in Virginia, but not a Virginia resident, please contact either the Voting Assistance Officer or the Secretary of State in the state of voting residence.  If they should require individual assistance, please do not hesitate to contact  Vickie R. Williams, MPA, Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act Coordinator via email at: overseasvoting@sbe.virginia.gov or by phone at 804-864-8932.

VCOC Scheduled Functions
The next meeting will be held on 14 October, at Fort Lee  starting at 1300.  This will be followed by the Bi-Annual Dinner Meeting commencing with cocktails at 1800 hours and dinner at 1900 hours.  The guest speaker will be Col. Frank Wickersham, III discussing our Middle East efforts.  All deceased Virginia MOAA members, during the past 2 years, will be remembered.  Contact your VCOC representative John Vermillion at 382-9843, NLT 1 October,  if you would like to attend. 
The HRCMOAA has introduced a Military ID Card Notification Program to help chapter members remember to renew their ID cards and their dependent’s 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.
 
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.
 
CLICK HERE FOR
Military ID Card Notification Program
Form
CHAPTER SCHEDULE

For the most current and up-to-date schedule of chapter events, click on Calendar of Events


Board Meetings

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.  Contact the Chapter President.

Volunteers Needed!

The Chapter is looking for new board members for 2006/7 and a new Treasurer.  If you have the time and spirit to help please contact CDR John Vermillion, USN (Ret) at 382-9843 or vermillj@cox.net .

Thanks for your help.
 
MOAA Scholarship Fund

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. 

Invalid Email Addresses: 

If you have a new email addres, please send the correction to Col Richard A. Vogel, USAF-Ret. at vogelra1@msn.com

"STANLEY W BRYANT"<stanleywbryant@cox.net>
"CARY A CONGER"<conger@cox.net>
"GREGORY P CURTH"<curthgp@cox.net>
"O KEITH HALLAM"<ohallam@cox.net>
"LAWRENCE E WATERS"<in20s@cox.net>
"MAXINE L RICE"<gormas@mymailstation.com>
"JOHN F GOUGH"<goughjf@fasolant.navy.mil>
"THOMAS JANKOWSKI"<jankowskitj@vc6.navy.mil>
"ROBERT E BLUNDELL"<endoman@crosslink.net>
"DONALD C McNEELEY"<don@chrgroup.org>
"ANDY GALLOP"<ifishalaska@netzero.com>
"ROBERT S AGMAN"<regmen53@earthlink.net>
"HENRY D BROWN"<donmag@earthlink.net>
"KATHERINE BRYANT"<kmbum@earthlink.net>
"STEVEN W LITWILLER"<stevlit@regent.edu>
"MERLIN V STATZER"<mv-rzstatzer@verizon.net>
"KENNETH C LEVINS"<levinske@yahoo.com>
"PHILLIP J WHITE"<philip1452@aol.com>
"KEITH W LUDWIG"<keith.ludwig@ngc.com>
 "RICHARD I DONAHUE"<rdonohue@lmi.org>
"DANIEL D EDWARDS"<1:onrun@aol.com>
"JAMES MILLER"<jan5miller@aol.com>
"MICHAEL E PERRAULT"<guestenterprises@aol.com>

HRCMOAA Function
In August, Your Chapter hosted a picnic at the Ft. Story Officers Club, located on the beach in Virginia Beach.  A good time was had by all who attended.  At top left is new member, COL Chuck Shaver, USA talking with CAPT Jim Jones, USN (Ret).  At bottom left is CAPT Wick Harlan, USN (Ret) enjoying the afternoon talking with Grace Gallagher, Auxillary member (bottom center), and his wife Joyce Harlan
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

To protect member privacy,
New Members and Directory Changes
are only available through the Members Access page.


HRCMOAA TOYS FOR TOTS,
BUSINESS SOCIAL

WHEN: Friday, November 4, 2005
WHERE: Atlantic Shores Retirement Community
TIME: Social: 1100 hours
Lunch: 1200 hours
MENU: Chicken Saltimbocca (chicken breast  stuffed with prosciutto, tomatoes and provolone ) 
OR Roasted Salmon with Cucumber dill sauce 
Garden salad, vegetable medley, rolls, butter, dessert
PRICE: $16.00 (inclusive)
Pay as you go bar
PROGRAM: Congresswoman Thelma Drake will be our guest speaker.  Members are requested to bring an  unwrapped toy suitable for children or a contribution to Toys for Tots. A USMC Reserve representative will be on hand.  This will also be our annual business meeting. 
RESERVATIONS: Call Jim Dellaripa at 640-0947 or call Frank Hinchy at 689-2463, NLT 1900 October 31, 2005. Please call between 0900 and 2000.  Give name, phone number, number attending and choice of menu.  A reservation made is a reservation paid. 
CUTOFF DATE: October 31, 2005
Every member attending  please bring a 
potential new member as your guest!
Retired Officers Wives Society

Don’t forget the Annual ROWS Christmas Dinner/Dance, to be held at the New Princess Anne Country Club, on Friday the 2nd of December.  Cocktails at 5:00 PM followed by Dinner at 6:00 PM.   Music for your listening and dancing pleasure will be by the Roger Gray Quintet.  The cost will be $40 a person.   Mail your check to Nordleen Crews at 1125 Spindle Crossing, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.  Your check is your reservation.  Please call Nordleen at 363-1094 if your have any questions.

Volunteers Needed for the Hampton Roads 
Retired Activities Office 

Are you bored? Tired of sitting home? Would like to get involved in helping out retired service 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. 

MOAA Newsletters

Our Hampton Roads Chapter members, who have computers and access to the internet, are encouraged to keep up to date on MOAA happenings by signing  up for the many publications that are available by subscribing at the MOAA website.  You may access the MOAA website through our www.hrcmoaa.org or direct at www.moaa.org .  Click on Publications then Newsletters then Read description of our newsletter and subscribe today.  There are two newsletters and several announcements that you may elect to receive by email.

HRCMOAA Board Recommends Annual Dues Increase

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 majority vote of the members in attendance 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.  For regular members, whose Chapter membership expires in 2005, you can save by renewing prior to January 1, 2006.  If your address label on the Tribute says 2005, you may renew for 3 years at the old $30 rate.  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.

IN MEMORIUM

LTJG J. Roy Alphin, USNR (Ret)
(Dorothy U.)

CDR William J. Collins, USN (Ret)

Mrs. Gove, Mary Lou
(CAPT Jack E., USN (Ret))

Belated

LTC Cote, William G., USA (Ret)

LCDR Baxter D. Green, USN (Ret)
(Lillian M.)

 The chapter members extend their sincere condolences
to the surviving family members.


All information contained in this web site is the exclusive property of Hampton Roads Chapter MOAA (HRCMOAA) © 2005
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