The Chapter manned a very successful recruiting booth at USNI Warfare Symposium in Virginia Beach October 5-6, 2005. We recruited several new members under the “Give Me 10” MOAA initiative and recruited a number of National MOAA members for our Chapter. Thank you to all the volunteers who worked so hard in our booth to accomplish this. 

Keeping MOAA and our Chapter strong is our top priority.  Your help is still needed to recruit new members in order to keep us at peak strength to head off the threat of benefits cuts that are facing us now. They are considering cuts in the Defense budget, especially in active duty pay raises and retirement benefits. I urge you now, more than ever, to recruit new members for MOAA and your Chapter both Active and Retired! 

Adding new members, both active and retired, to our ranks is the surest way to revitalize and keep our membership and MOAA’s strong in order to safeguard our military family from any erosion in benefits. Now is the time to be vigilant! “Every member recruits a new member for HRCMOAA!” Use the application form to recruit them. 

Our annual meeting was very successful, almost 90 were in attendance. The annual dues increase amendment was approved and new Board members were elected and sworn in for 2006.

Your donations for “Toys for Tots” were again outstanding. 

Thank you for your contributions to this wonderful cause. 

Congress Woman, Thelma Drake had to cancel at the last minute because she had to vote on legislation in DC. However, Virginia Delegate, Bob Purke took her place and  was excellent.  He provided us with many tax issues that we should be on the watch for, both locally and nationally.

This has been a very fruitful year for both MOAA and Chapters’ legislative initiatives, but as we said, we must be wary and vigilant in 2006, so we do not lose any earned benefits. Keep informed and be ready to support both MOAA and your Chapter, when called upon. 

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. May you have a very Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! 

Smooth Sailing,

PS If you need to renew your dues this year, now is your last chance to do so before the rates increase in January 2006. Again, I recommend that you take advantage of our final 3 year discount rate of $30.00 before it increases. You must mail and date your checks no later than 31 December 2005 to do this.

MOAA Scholarships.

Have you ever wondered What happens to your contributions to the MOAA Scholarship fund?  Well wonder no more!  The following Students (2005-06) from our area have received education assistance from the MOAA Scholarship Fund for a $4000 interest free loan or a $3500 interest free loan and a $500 grant:  Tiffany R. Pearsall, Chesapeake; Julie A. Rix, Chesapeake; Meghan M. Kerr, Chesapeake; Michael L. lhrig II, Chesapeake; Sarah L. Koon, Chesapeake; Taylor P. Doyle, Chesapeake; Erin M. Simms, Virginia Beach; Gregory C. Benante, Virginia Beach; Alexander Tunis, Virginia Beach; Angela K. Burley, Virginia Beach; Elizabeth A. Artrip, Virginia Beach;  Jennifer L. Wyse, Virginia Beach; Thomas L. Gray, Virginia Beach; Domenica L Levins, Virginia Beach; Laura M. Christainson, Virginia Beach; Lisa M. Ribaudo; Virginia Beach; Jessica H. Mathews, Norfolk; Jennifer M. Hammond, Norfolk; Rebecca J. Beauchamp, Norfolk. 

MOAA Scholarship Fund

That is a total of 19 Students from our area that have been helped by the MOAA Scholarship Fund.  The HRCMOAA thanks all of you who have contributed in this and past years. Members are encouraged to  support the MOAA Scholarship Fund through a direct contribution or memorial donation for a deceased member.  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. 

In order to obtain Combat Infantryman Badge plates, you must send the following items to Major Gary Gibbs, USA (Ret) at 335 Riverside Drive, Luray, VA 22835; 

(1) A completed DMV form VSA 10, available at any DMV office. 
(2) A copy of your DD 214 or officeal document proving award of the CIB.  The document will be shredded or returned to you if a self addressed stamped envelope is included. 
(3) A check for $10 made payable to the CIB Fund for the plates.  If you want special numbers or letters on the plates please add an additional $10 for a grand total of $20. 

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.

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. 

The social hour prior to the start of the business meeting gave the 80 plus attendees a chance to mingle and tell war stories.  Shown below, left to right, CAPT Robert Chapin, USN (Ret) and new member RADM Fred Metz, USN (Ret).  The excellent lunch was  prepared and served by the wonderful staff at the Atlantic Shores Retirement Community.

Earlier, during the business meeting, the Legislative members presented the Joint Leadership Council Legislative Objectives for 2005-2006.  They were: 

1. Strengthen Virginia’s National Guard and Reserve; 
2. In-State Tuition for Active Duty, National Guard, Reserves and Family Members while stationed in Virginia; 
3. Build a “Fisher House” near Richmond’s McGuire VAMC; 
4. Fund a Veteran’s Cemetery in SW Virginia; 
5. Construct a 3rd Veterans Care Center in Hampton Roads; 
6. Fund the Virginia War Memorial Education Program by $250,000/yr for 5 yrs.; 
7.  Create a Check-Off on state tax returns to allow $1 per taxpayer to be donated to the Dept. of Veterans Services; 
8. Vehicle registration be at no cost to all Active Duty, Guardsmen, Reservists, and Veterans.  One vehicle per person.

In January 2006, the annual dues will increased to counter the effects of inflation on Chapter activities.  This was approved by a majority vote of the members in attendance at the Annual Meeting on 4 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.   Dues for Auxiliary members will remain at $7.50 yearly or $21.00 for 3 years. 

"Anthony Bilski" <a.bilski@worldnet.att.net>
"Elizabeth A. Black" <roblack@att.net>
"H. Lee Green, Jr." <leeflashgreen@cox.net>
"Frank T. Hinchy" <capth2@cox.net>
"John L. MacGregor" <jlmacgregor@earthlink.net>
"Charles W. Misuna" <cwmis@msn.com>
"Harry F. Sharp II" <skip6@exis.net>
"Don J. Whittaker" <donj@erols.com>

Enrollment in the new Medicare Par D prescription drug plan began on 15 November, with coverage beginning as early as 1 January 2006. This insurance plan is designed to help people pay for prescription drugs and, in general, is most beneficial for people who have high medication costs. For individuals with high monthly prescription drug costs, Medicare Part D out-of – pocket expenses are limited to $3,000 in 2006. Most of an enrollee’s out-of –pocket costs, including deductibles, coinsurance, and co-payments count toward the limit, and subsidies are available for low-income individuals. Anyone entitled to Medicare Part And /or enrolled in Medicare Part B may enroll in Medicare Part D.

According to TRICARE’S website (www.tricare.osd.mil/medicarepartd), there is no added value in purchasing Medicare prescription drug coverage for most TRICARE Medicare beneficiaries. The exception to the rule may be those with limited incomes and assets who qualify for Medicare’s extra with prescription drug plan costs. Such individuals may benefit by enrolling in a Medicare prescription drug plan.

Tricare Medicare eligible beneficiaries entitled to the TRICARE  Pharmacy benefit; need to consider a number of factors when deciding whether or not to enroll in a Medicare drug plan. They should consider monthly premiums, deductibles, co-pays and drug coverage under the different prescription drug plan options offered (also known as a formulary), including the TRICARE Pharmacy Program. The Medicare Part D drug plan options will vary by location. 

TRICARE Medicare beneficiaries  who enroll in a Medicare  prescription drug plan must pay the monthly Medicare prescription drug plan premium, TRICARE does not reimburse Medicare premium costs. 

You may qualify for assistance from the Social Security Administration (SSA) in paying Medicare Part D premiums, deductibles and co-pays if you have limited income and limited resources. If you think you may qualify for Medicare’s extra help, you may apply for it and still keep your TRICARE pharmacy coverage.

People with Medicare can enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan during the initial open enrollment period (15 November2005-15 may 2006). If you don’t enroll during this initial period, each following, you may enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan between November 15th and December 31st. 

TRICARE pharmacy coverage is considered creditable coverage since it pays, on average, at least as well as or better that Medicare prescription coverage. Therefore, the late enrollment fee will not apply if you, as a TRICARE–eligible beneficiary, decide to buy Medicare prescription drug coverage after the enrollment period.

However, if you decide to enroll at a time other than during an open enrollment period, your Medicare prescription drug monthly premium will go up at least 1% per month for every month after the enrollment period that you did not have Medicare prescription coverage.  If  TRICARE eligibility is lost(for example, due to divorce, remarriage, etc.), you have up to 62 days to purchase Medicare prescription drug coverage without paying the premium penalty, credible coverage is lost on Day 63. In addition, you may have to wait until the following November to enroll. 

For more information on Medicare Part D, visit Medicare Web sights at:
www.medicare.gov or call 24-hour toll free number at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-888-633-4227) for general TRICARE questions call 1-888-DOD-LIFE (1-888-363-5433) 

The Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee of MOAA was approved in March of 2004.  The committee’s primary role is to advise the Chairman and the Board on how best to meet the needs of MOAA’s 68,000 auxiliary members and how to encourage them to play an active role in MOAA and especially in the Chapters.  Their main focus is to develop programs to Recruit, Retain and Represent auxiliary members.  The committee has established a Survivor Outreach program to contact surviving spouses including those of military officers who have been killed in the War on Terror.   The committee wants to ensure that MOAA membership and the chapters are aware of the auxiliary members who are out there.  They want to encourage auxiliary members to become active in legislative and personal affairs.  The committee has composed sample letters to spouses of new MOAA members and letters to spouses of regular members who have died.   The 6 members of the committee are: Carolyn Epling, Committee Chair from Albuquerque, NM; Margery LeTourneau from Alexandria, VA; Jennifer McCollum from Jacksonville, FL; Paula Muth from Bellevue NE; Anne Patton from Encinitas, CA; and Violet Smith from Clearwater, FL.  The committee has a mail box at auxiliarycommittee@moaa.org. 

The HRCMOAA participated in the Veterans Day Parade held in Virginia Beach.  The parade was sponsored by the Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organizations and co-sponsored by the Air Force Association, Tidewater Chapter 242.  The guest speakers were Virginia Beach Mayor, Myra Oberndorf, and Congresswoman, Thelma Drake.  Following the Parade, the Virginia Beach Mayor's Veterans Committee conducted a special of memorial service honoring Captain James C. Edge, USMC, formerly of Virginia Beach, who was killed in action in Iraq, and twelve Navy SEALs, stationed in the Hampton Roads area, who were killed in action in Afghanistan. Memorial pavers were dedicated to each man at the Veterans' Memorial Park. Next of kin and friends placed roses on each paver as the names of those thirteen men were individually announced. Members of a Marine rifle squad rendered a 21 gun salute which was followed by taps. Brigadier General Burton M. Field, Commander 1st Fighter Wing at Langley, AFB spoke after the luncheon and thanked all of the veterans for their service to the country.