President’s Commentary
Your Hampton Roads Chapter had a very successful and busy 2005!
This success is due to the hard work of your Officers, Board and Committee
Members. Without their dedicated volunteer work we would not be able
to function or exist. I salute and thank them on your behalf.
Well Done Officers, Board Members and Committee members! And Thanks
to all our members for your continued support of your outstanding “MOAA
Five Star” Chapter.
HELP! We need a volunteer Officer, male or female, or and auxiliary
member to be our Chapter Secretary ASAP! Because CAPT Frank
Hinchy, USN (Ret) our Secretary moved to New Jersey just recently,
we need a volunteer to replace him. Please contact me at 757-430-8771
or by email rayhart71@cox.net
to volunteer.
Keeping MOAA and our Chapter strong is our top priority! All
members need to recruit new members both active duty and retired and auxiliary.
We need to be at peak strength to be a strong local force both for National
and State needs. On the National level, we must be more vigilant then ever
because Congress is always considering cuts in the Defense budget, especially
in active duty pay raises and retiree benefits. Again, I urge
you to recruit new members for our Chapter and MOAA. Consider recruiting
former members of our Chapter and MOAA who you know have let their membership
lapse. We need them back because there is greater strength with numbers
and their former Chapter and MOAA is working to keep their hard earned
benefits. If, “Every Member recruits a new member for HRCMOAA”, then
we would double our numbers!
Thank You for being a member and your support. Let’s continue
in 2006 to support legislative initiatives, enjoy camaraderie, support
our community efforts, and try to reach out more to help our wounded and
disabled veterans.
Have a Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Smooth Sailing,
Ray Hart.
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HRCMOAA Directory
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Officers
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Directors
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Committees
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President: 430-8771
CAPT Raymond J. Hart, USN-Ret.
hrmoaa@cox.net
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1st Vice President: 640-0947
LtCol James M. Dellaripa Sr, USAF-Ret.
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2nd Vice President: 363-1094
MAJ Norman Crews, USA-Ret.
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Secretary: 363-1094
MAJ Norman Crews, USA-Ret.
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Treasurer: 739-3904
LCDR M. Catherine Liberatore, USN-Ret
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CDR John E. Vermillion, USN-Ret.
382-9843
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CDR John A. Rooney, USN-Ret.
427-2402
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Col Jack W. Hilgers, USMC-Ret.
490-8383
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Mrs. Mickie Jones, AUX . 716-2644
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LtCol Mary L. Baeumel, USAFNC-Ret.
716-2497
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CAPT Jim Jones, USN-Ret.
481-1919
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CAPT Bill Lehr, USCG-Ret.
426-5392
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Program: 640-0947
LtCol James M. Dellaripa Sr, USAF-Ret.
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Arrangements: 362-0030
Patricia H. Doss, Aux
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VCOC Representative: 382-9843
CDR John E. Vermillion, USN-Ret.
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Legislative Affairs: 490-8383
Col Jack W. Hilgers, USMC-Ret.
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Personal Affairs: 486-7639
CAPT James D. Hereford, USN-Ret.
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Membership: 425-5934
COL James A. Smith, USA-Ret
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Publicity: 363-1094
MAJ Norm Crews, USA-Ret.
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Community Affairs: 445-4174
CAPT Tim Stark, USNR
CAPT Pat McFadden, USN-Ret.
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Information Systems: 481-0694
Col Richard A. Vogel, USAF-Ret.
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Webmaster 490-5792
Maj Clifton G. Furedy. USAF-Ret.
thrcmoaa@cox.net
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Editor: 382-9843
CDR John E. Vermillion, USN-Ret.
Vermillj@cox.net
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From the Editor
How Your Chapter Helps!
Again this year, your chapter was a sponsor at the Five Star Military
Family Recognition Luncheon. With the help of chapter officers and
your generous contributions through the 50/50 program held at our luncheons
and dinners, we were able to sponsor a service selected family and one
other table. The Five Star Military Family Recognition Luncheon is
held every November to honor junior enlisted military personnel and their
families. The luncheon is presented by the Armed Services YMCA of
Hampton Roads. The mission of the Armed Services YMCA is to improve
the Quality of Life for junior enlisted military personnel and their families
through value oriented social, recreational, personal development, crisis
prevention, deployment separation and child development programs.
Each year, a Five Star Military Family is selected from each of the
services, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force. Over
200 enlisted personnel and their families were honored this year. CAPT
Robert A. Duetsch, USNR (Ret.) is the Executive Director of the Armed
Services YMCA of Hampton Roads. The guest speaker this year was Meyera
Oberndorf, Mayor of Virginia Beach. The HRCMOAA was represented
by CAPT Ray Hart, USN (Ret.) and CDR John Vermillion, USN
(Ret.). Below are some pictures from the event.
John
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| Shown above is a Navy Runner-Up Family,
ET1 Brian Fletter, his
wife Kelly and daughter Ariana. Brian is stationed
aboard the USS Montpelier. |
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| Shown above is, left to right is SK2 Connie Carrillo of the
USS Enterprise,
AN Tony Christopher III on the LHA 4 Nassau, and
SA
Jordan Meersand on the DDG 95 James E. Williams. |
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Left to right, SA Jordan Meersand and CAPT Ray Hart.
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TRICARE/Medicare Beneficiary
There will almost always be No Advantage to enrolling in a Medicare
prescription drug plan for most TRICARE beneficiaries. The TRICARE
prescription drug coverage is at least as good as the standard Medicare
prescription drug coverage, which means it is creditable coverage.
Because TRICARE prescription drug coverage is creditable coverage, you
will not be required to pay extra if you decide to enroll in a Medicare
prescription drug plan after the initial open enrollment period.
Under certain circumstances dependents or survivors may lose TRICARE coverage
(remarriage, certain divorces, children attaining adulthood). If
this happens, the beneficiary may sign up for Medicare prescription drug
coverage with no late enrollment fee if action is taken within 62 days
of losing TRICARE coverage. 63 days will require the payment of penalties.
For additional information visit www.medicare.gov
or call 1-800-633-4227. Social Security Administration is
at 1-800-772-1213. |
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| Legislative Issues |
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| Issue 1: Congress Decides
Key Military Benefit Issues |
| The House refused to go along with either
of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) fixes that Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) persuaded
the Senate to pass, primarily for cost reasons (in combination, the programs
would cost about $9 billion over Congress’ 10-year “scoring” period).
So SBP widows will still have VA payments
deducted from their SBP benefits if the member’s death was service-connected,
and “Greatest Generation” retirees who already have paid more than 30 years
of SBP premiums will have to wait at least another year to win the same
paid-up SBP coverage that post-1978 retirees enjoy. We plan to be
carrying the fight on these issues again next year.
Guard and Reserve Health Care: Congress
agreed to make nearly all members of the Selected Reserve eligible for
military TRICARE coverage, but the price will be steep for those who haven’t
been mobilized since 9/11. Unmobilized members who don’t have access to
health care through a civilian employer will have to pay almost twice the
premiums paid by those previously mobilized -- about $145/mo vs. $81 for
single and $452/mo vs. $253 for family coverage, respectively. TRICARE
premiums for unmobilized members with access to employer-sponsored coverage
will be set even higher, at $246/mo and $768/mo for single and family coverage.
MOAA thinks these high fees undercut the purpose of the coverage, and we’ll
reengage on this front in 2006, as well.
Military Pay Raise: All active duty,
Guard and Reserve members will receive a 3.1% pay raise – one-half percentage
point higher than private sector pay growth effective Jan. 1, 2006.
Reserve Housing Allowance: Guard
and Reserve members mobilized for more than 30 days will be eligible for
full locality-based housing allowances, rather than having to wait 140
days under current law.
Military Manpower Changes: Army
strength is increased by 10,000 and the Marines by 1,000.
Active Duty Death Benefits: The
military death gratuity is increased to $100,000 for all deaths in the
line of duty (rather than combat deaths alone covered in current law),
including all deaths since Oct. 7, 2001. In addition, survivors of all
members who died in the line of duty (rather than combat deaths alone)
since Oct. 7, 2001 will be eligible for the recent $150,000 increase in
the maximum Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI).
Commissary Privatization Protection:
The
new law bars any further studies of commissary privatization for the next
three years.
Combat Pay During Hospitalization:
Servicemembers hospitalized with combat wounds will be eligible to receive
a special pay of $430 per month for the duration of their hospitalization
or until they start receiving the new SGLI traumatic injury benefits.
Guard/Reserve Pay Differential:
Mobilized Guard/Reserve members who suffer a pay cut from their civilian
pay will be eligible to receive a monthly pay differential equal to their
monthly civilian pay loss, once they have been on active duty for at least
18 months, or for at least 24 of the last 60 months, or if remobilized
involuntarily within six months of their last active duty tour. |
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| Issue 2: Medicare/TRICARE Payments
Frozen |
| MOAA pushed hard this year, teaming with
the American Medical Association, to get Congress to change the law requiring
a 4.4% reduction in Medicare and TRICARE payments to doctors, effective
January 1. We worried that such payment cuts would discourage more doctors
from seeing TRICARE and TRICARE For Life patients. Congress’s compromise
budget savings package (S. 1932) – approved earlier this week by the House
and scheduled for a vote in the Senate today – struck a compromise that
doesn’t make anyone happy.
It repeals the 4.4% payment cut requirement,
but freezes 2006 Medicare and TRICARE payment rates at 2005 levels. That’s
far better than the scheduled cut, but it still amounts to a modest rate
reduction, since physicians’ practice costs keep rising every year.
On the positive side, the budget package
requires a Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to report to Congress on
ways to fix the statutory payment-setting formula, which sets reimbursement
rates for physicians. MOAA believes it’s vital to make that fix as soon
as humanly possible. TRICARE and Medicare already are two of the lowest-paying
programs in the country. We have to do better than a rate freeze to
keep providers interested in accepting military patients.
The budget package also updated provisions
of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 that will effectively raise Medicare
Part B premiums for Medicare-eligibles with annual incomes over $80,000,
starting in 2007. Currently, Part B premiums are set to cover 25% of the
government’s cost per individual to provide Medicare benefits. Under the
new law, some higher-income beneficiaries will see their Part B premiums
doubled or tripled by 2009, as their premiums will be raised to cover a
higher share of the government’s cost, as follows:
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Under $80,000: 25% (no change from current
law).
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$80,001 to $100,000: 35%
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$100,001 to $150,000: 50%
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$150,001 to $200,000: 65%
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Over $200,000: 80%
Under the 2003 law, those premium increases
were to be phased in over 5 years. The new change shortens the phase-in
period to three years, with 30% of the increase coming in 2007, 67% coming
in 2008, and the full increase in 2009. MOAA remains as concerned today
as we were two years ago about this plan to means-test what was enacted
to be a universal health insurance plan for all older Americans.
Two other provisions of the budget package also may be of interest to MOAA
members.
*Cap on Physical Therapy Payments: The
new package would implement a $1,740 annual cap on Medicare payments for
physical therapy, but directs Medicare to implement a process allowing
an exception from the cap if therapy is deemed medically necessary.
*Long-Term Care Coverage Under Medicaid:
The package tightens rules concerning transfer of assets to qualify for
long-term care, and applicants will be required to disclose annuities as
assets. People with more than $500,000 equity in a home will not be eligible. |
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MOAA update on additional drugs added
to the higher co-payment tier
On December 19th, the Defense Department convened the Beneficiary Advisory
Panel (BAP) to review recommendations to move certain Alzheimer’s medications,
nasal steroids, antidepressants, and antibiotics to the third ($22-copayment)
tier of the TRICARE formulary. The drugs involved are:
Alzheimer’s: Cognex.
Nasal Corticosteroids: Beclovent AQ, Vancenase AQ/DS, Rhinocort AQ,
and Nasacort AQ.
Antibiotics: Azithromycin (Zmax only) and Ketek.
Antidepressants: Prozac Weekly, Sarafem, Lexapro, Paxil CR, Cymbalta,
and Wellbutrin XL.
The beneficiary panel, including MOAA’s CDR John Class (USN-Ret), expressed
two general concerns with the recommendations.
The full range of medications should be made available to active duty
members if deemed medically necessary by the doctor. Currently, active
duty personnel are denied access to third-tier drugs except when special-ordered
by a military pharmacy. In many cases, members are assigned out of the
vicinity of military facilities, and they should have the same medical-necessity
access as all other TRICARE beneficiaries.
In some cases, the beneficiary panel urged a longer transition period
to ensure beneficiaries are informed about the changes and have an opportunity
to discuss alternative medications with their doctors. CDR Class noted
that the panel had not yet seen a DoD communication plan to inform the
TRICARE Standard population and their providers about such changes.
The recommendations will be submitted to Dr. Winkenwerder, Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, for final decision. |
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MOAA Scholarship Fund
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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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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CHAPTER SCHEDULE
For the most current and up-to-date schedule of chapter events, click
on Calendar of Events
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| Board Meetings
Board meetings will be held on the 1st Saturday of each month at the
Little Creek Eagle Haven Golf Club, starting at 0830. All members
are invited to attend. Come and observe your Board in action and
see if there are any committees that you might be interested in helping
out. Contact a board member to confirm the meeting date. |
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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. |
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VCOC Scheduled Functions
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| The VCOC 1st Quarterly Meeting was held on 6 January 2006, at Fort
Lee. The VCOC Storming the Hill in Richmond was held on 23 January
2006. The report will be contained in the next Newsletter. The annual
Congressional Luncheon is scheduled to be held at the Capitol Hill Club
(Tentative location) on 5 April 2006, Contact your VCOC representative
John
Vermillion at 382-9843, if you would like to attend. The next
quarterly meeting will be held at Fort Lee on 21 April 2006. |
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Annual Dues Increase
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| In January 2006, the annual dues 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 went 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. |
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Member Thank You!
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This letter was addressed to our President.
| Captain Ray Hart;
Thanks for the efforts you make in support of our military, and for
the invitation for me to join. Enclosed is my check for $30 for 3
years dues. I am proud to join the Hampton Roads Chapter of MOAA.
Signed, CAPT Bob Oldani, USN |
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New VA Surviving Spouse Web Site
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| The VA has launched a web site for surviving spouses and military dependents
of veterans who died on active duty and surviving spouses of veterans who
died after serving their country. The new Web site, www.vba.va.gov/survivors
contains answers to many frequently asked questions and links to other
federal agencies and organizations that offer benefits and services to
survivors and dependents, including relief societies, support organizations,
support organizations, and the casualty assistance offices for each of
the Armed Forces. |
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HRCMOAA 2005 Financial Picture
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| In 2005 our Chapter operated on an income of $11,486 with breakout
as follows: |
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MOAA Selected Legislative Goals for 2006
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| Health Care
Fully fund the Defense Health Program
Protect against health benefit cuts and cost-shifting to beneficiaries.
Upgrade TRICARE to attract more providers and reduce administrative
burdens.
Upgrade seamless healthcare coverage options for National Guard and
Reserve members.
Fix Medicare/TRICARE payment rate formula to promote provider participation.
Ensure a broad TRICARE pharmacy formulary
Authorize pre-tax payment of health, dental and long-term care premiums.
Improve seamless transition efforts and cooperation between DoD and
VA.
Provide full funding for veterans enrolled in the VA health care system.
Retirement/Survivor Issues
Preserve full-inflation Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs).
Eliminate the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) offset to
SBP.
Authorize full concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability
compensation.
Accelerate effective date (currently 10/1/08) for 30-year paid-up SBP
coverage.
Authorize concurrent receipt for medical retirees with less than 20
years.
Resume DIC payments for qualifying widows who remarry after age 55.
Reform Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA).
Active/Reserve/Force Issues
Increase active duty, Guard and Reserve force sizes (end strength) to
match mission.
Restore full military pay comparability with private sector.
Upgrade Guard/Reserve personnel, compensation programs to reflect today's
missions.
Authorize pre-tax payment of out-of-pocket health and dependent care
expenses.
Strengthen financial, legal, reemployment protections for mobilized
Guard-Reserve force.
Ensure proper family support facilities are available at bases with
changing populations.
Raise relocation reimbursements to cover members costs for government-directed
moves.
Reform government travel credit card program to reduce risk-shifting
to members.
Consolidate Montgomery GI Bill programs and tie benefit levels to cost
of education.
Authorize MGIB enrollment option for '70s-early '80s entrants who declined
VEAP.
Allow MGIB transferability to family for members who serve full career.
Veterans, Other Issues
Improve quality, efficiency, and timeliness of VA claims-processing
system.
Win congressional approval of Flag anti-desecration amendment.
Reduce Social Security penalties for certain civil service and state
retirees/survivors. |
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HRCMOAA LUNCHEON
| WHEN: |
Thursday, February 23, 2006 |
| WHERE: |
Ramada Resort Plaza Oceanfront |
| TIME: |
Social: 1130 hours; Lunch: 1215 hours |
| MENU: |
Garden Salad
Chicken Breast Apricot, Walnuts & Raisins
Wild Rice Medley, Chef’s Fresh Vegetables
Fresh Baked Rolls, Coffee & Tea. |
| PRICE: |
$18.00 (Inclusive). Wine: $3.00 |
| PROGRAM: |
Joe DiRenzo, III; USCG Anti-Terrorism |
| RESERVATIONS: |
Jim Dellaripa, 640-0947
or Norman Crews 363-1094.
Call between 0900 and 2000.
CUTOFF DATE: February 18, 2006 |
| A RESERVATION MADE IS A RESERVATION PAID |
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HRCMOAA Membership
| Regular |
704
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| Auxiliary |
124
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| Honorary |
3
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| Total |
831
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
To protect member privacy,
New Members and Directory Changes
are only available through the Members Access page.
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Directory Changes and Email Corrections should be sent to
HRCMOAA
P.O. Box 4612
Virginia Beach, VA 23454-0612
Attention Dick Vogel
You may call Dick at 481-0694 or email vogelra1@msn.com
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IN MEMORIUM
LCOL Caroline E. Sever
USAF (NC) (Ret)
Belated Aknowledgement
Delores Brenneman
(CDR Harold R. Brenneman, USN (Ret))
CDR Thomas H. Bruno
USN (Ret)
The chapter members extend their sincere condolences
to the surviving family members. |
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