President's Commentary
Newsletter revised schedule: No, you are not imagining that you
just received a News letter last month. Your Executive Committee and the
Board recommended that we change our Newsletter monthly distribution to
start in January and every other month for 6 issues per year. In order
to do this, we have to publish the Newsletter 2 months in a row to get
on this schedule; thus, this March issue.
Chapter Goals for 2006: Our major goal is to continue to be a
MOAA Five Star Chapter. This entails a great deal of dedication and hard
volunteer work by your leadership team. Here are some thoughts and ideas
that were sent to me after we reviewed our 2005 Goals which were mostly
accomplished.
Membership goal is to keep the membership between 850 and 899
as a minimum. (Do we want to become a larger chapter; i.e., 1,000 members
or more?) Membership without activity is not very effective. We need
to move toward improving interest and participation of more members at
our various activities and events. This is a great idea; however, we need
you to come out to our events to make this happen. If you have a constructive
idea and are willing to help us accomplish it, send me a note. We get many
ideas but few volunteers to make them happen. However, be positive and
it can be done!
Recruit at least 40 new members. This is a good goal; however,
it is not enough. We need to recruit at least 70 to 100 new members each
year to account for the attrition (deceased members, members moving out
of the area, and illness due to aging.) If every member were to recruit
at least one new member, this problem would disappear and our Chapter will
remain strong and powerful. Our dues are cheap enough. Why can't we recruit
more officer members for our Chapter? How do we convince potential members
that we have what they want? Any ideas?
Improve programs by getting speakers recently from duty in Iraq.
Establish a “speakers search committee”. Great idea! We need
a mix of speakers throughout the year from local and state government,
active military Commanders, local business leaders, local health care providers,
etc. We want speakers to know our concerns and to know how they plan to
serve our community, especially the military and its retirees. We need
some members to come forward and volunteer to take on this worthy goal.
Will you volunteer? We need help and someone dedicated to this task.
Continue to Schedule some luncheon meetings. These seem to be
more popular than evenings with certain members; however, how do we attract
younger, more energetic officers to attend? Should we just be content with
getting more participation and action from existing, older members?
Get more Chapter officers to participate in NROTC/JROTC award ceremonies.
This needs more publicity, particularly in the schools involved and in
the local newspaper and on TV. We need a publicity person to help us here.
Any Volunteers?
The foregoing does not include all our goals, just the major ones. I
think that our chapter needs to be more that just a group of retired officers
who lobby Congress and local politicians. This is very important, but as
military professionals, we must keep in mind the overall good of our country,
our state and cities, our families, our brothers and sisters in arms. We
need to do some community outreach programs, such as, visit veterans and
wounded service members and do something for their families. Any volunteers?
These are more than thoughts to share. Its an appeal to you to join
the team and be active. Many hands make light work and more hands can accomplish
great things!
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
A Monument to Naval Aviation
The Naval Aviation Monument is almost complete, with the major construction
work finished at the end of December 2005. The Monument is located
at Atlantic Avenue and 25th Street in Virginia Beach. The Monument
will commemorate the sacrifices of our Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard
men, women and civilians. It would recognize the contributions
of Naval Aviation and the citizens of the city of Virginia Beach to the
defense of our nation. The project got rolling when, in October 1997,
Virginia Beach policeman, Dennis Free, presented an idea to the Hampton
Roads Squadron of the Association of Naval Aviation to build a monument
to Naval Aviation in Virginia Beach. The ground breaking ceremony
was held on Monday, 25 October, 2004. All funding will be from the
private sector. The final cost of the first stage of development
is approximately $1.5 million. A second stage will add a bronze Homecoming
statue depicting a reunion of a Naval Aviator and his/her family following
a deployment. An eight - foot long bronze sculpture of a carrier
will also be added. This stage will be financed through an additional
$350,000 fund raising campaign. The Dedication Ceremony is presently
scheduled to take place at 1200 hours on Saturday, 6 May 2006. All
contributors should receive an invitation some time in April. The
ANA web site is www.hrana.org.
John
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World War II aviators manning their aircraft.
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Modern Day Aviators.
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Important Notice to Members.
The Function scheduled for 17 March, 2006 has been canceled
due to lack of space at the NAS Oceana Officers Club. Squadrons stationed
at Oceana have priority. |
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| Legislative Issues |
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| Issue 1: MOAA Testifies
Before Veterans' Affairs Committee |
Military and veterans service organizations
testified this week before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
MOAA was represented by Deputy Director for Government Relations COL Bob
Norton (USA-Ret), who recommended that the Committee:
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Fully fund the VA health care system for all
enrolled veterans to meet the rising demand among Iraq and Afghanistan
veterans including more than a half million Guard and Reserve veterans
now eligible for VA care.
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Oppose a proposed $250 user fee and increased
drug co-pays for certain non-disabled enrolled veterans. Norton recommended
that Congress reject these fees, as it has for the past three years.
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Press the VA and DOD for timely implementation
of a “seamless transition” between military and VA programs, including
a jointly usable electronic medical record, a "joint" VA-DOD separation
physical, and expanded transition assistance services for separating members.
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Increase medical research and construction
funding for VA Polytrauma Centers that treat severely wounded veterans.
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Restore cuts in the VA claims processing system
and improve training and technology support to reduce the huge claims backlog
and improve decision quality.
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Enact a "total force Montgomery GI Bill" that
matches education benefit rates to service performed by combining active
duty and reserve GI bill programs under one law. Norton also publicly
thanked retiring Subcommittee Vice Chairman Mike Bilirakis (R-FL) for his
many years of dedicated service and for his leadership and tenacity in
championing elimination of the unfair "disability tax" on earned military
retired pay.
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| Issue 2: Pentagon Leaders Continue
Fee Hike Campaign on Hill |
| This week, Secretary of Defense Donald
Rumsfeld, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Peter Pace, USMC, and
Army Chief of Staff Gen Peter Schoomaker testified once again, this time
before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and continued to
push fee increases for retirees under age 65.
Gen Pace picked up where he left off last
week by again emphasizing the need to “renorm” the health care cost share
for retirees under 65. Gen Pace stressed that health care costs have
doubled in the past five years up from $19 billion in 2001 to $37 billion
in 2006 and there has been no fee increase over the past ten years.
Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry
Lewis (R-CA) was surprised that there had been no premium adjustment since
1996 and said this “needs to be reviewed” to ensure retirees pay their
“fair share.”
At a separate hearing on Feb. 15, the House
Appropriations Subcommittee for Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs,
DOD witnesses included Dr. William Winkenwerder, Asst. Sec. Def. for Health
Affairs. Chairman James Walsh (R-NY) stated, “It’s going to be politically
difficult for Congress to support these fee increases.” Rep. Chet
Edwards (D-TX), the panel's senior Democrat, asked Winkenwerder to “get
the facts on the table” about where the proposed savings would come from.
Published reports indicate the large majority come from the expectation
that the fee increases would drive large numbers of beneficiaries out of
TRICARE. Pressed about how many the budget plan is expected to drive
away, Winkenwerder said “about 150,000.”
Later that afternoon, the Subcommittee
heard from the Services’ senior enlisted leaders. When asked point
blank by Rep. John Carter (R-TX) if they “...agree that the Department
should increase health care costs for retirees,” they restated their civilian
leaders’ stock answer that the budget proposal “puts priority on sustaining
the current benefit,” adding only that the burden should not be on those
retiring due to disabilities.
MOAA rejects Pentagon leaders’ disingenuous
double-talk about exorbitant fee increases being “necessary to sustain
the current benefit.” We think it’s unconscionable to put the Joint
Chiefs and Senior Enlisted Advisors in the position of having to advocate
a benefit cut in order to fund weapons programs. We're in the process
of meeting with key congressional leaders and their staffs to rebut the
DoD case. |
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| Issue 3: MOAA Meets with Senate
Democrats |
| On Feb. 16, MOAA President VADM Norb Ryan,
Jr. (USN-Ret) and leaders of several other military and veterans’ associations
were invited to a meeting with senior Senate Democrats. Hosted by
Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Harry Reid (D-NV), others in attendance
included Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Daniel Akaka (D-HI),
Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), John Kerry (D-MA), Frank
Lautenberg (D-NJ), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
The primary purpose of the meeting was
for the senators to express their continuing support for full funding of
VA health programs and their opposition to Administration-proposed fee
increases for certain non-disabled veterans. Association attendees
expressed their appreciation for this support and outlined a number of
problems that need to be fixed. One representative observed that
the VA is a “terrible bureaucracy.” “If you don’t have PTSD when
you get to the VA, you’ll have it when you leave,” he said. “Veterans
who did battle in Iraq shouldn’t later have to do battle to receive care
for their wounds. Everybody says they support the troops. It’s
time to put their money where their mouth is.”
VADM Ryan also took the opportunity to
highlight several issues, including the need to:
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Oppose the large and unfair fee increases
the Administration budget wants to charge military retirees (which are
four times as big as the VA-proposed fees Congress already rejected).
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Oppose manpower cuts for the Army. “Our
overworked troops are meeting themselves coming and going,” he said.
“Our volunteer force isn’t broken, but it’s headed for the ditch unless
we do something quickly. The last thing we need is more military
manpower cuts.”
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Eliminate the “SBP widow’s tax” imposed on
survivors of members who die of service-connected causes and implement
30-year paid-up SBP coverage.
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End the “disabled veterans tax” on disabled
retirees designated by the VA as “unemployable.”
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Membership Advantages
The lifeblood of any organization is its members. It is the members
who determine the direction and effectiveness of the organization's mission.
The Chapter last year brought in 78 new members, ended the year boasting
830 regular and auxiliary members, and had an active year. However, so
far this year, we have yet to hear from some 200 of last year's members
that they are going to renew their Chapter memberships. To those we say,
we hope to hear from you soon.
As with any organization, our Chapter membership is determined by several
factors:
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The personal value derived by a person of what is done or accomplished
on their behalf;
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The contribution made by the organization to the community and society;
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The social and professional bonds which are created, and;
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The friends, colleagues, and associates he or she makes.
Despite the many recent MOAA successes, much work remains to be done.
It's important our Chapter remain a vibrant, dynamic organization to ensure
its voice is clearly heard at the national level on issues vital to national
security. Of equal importance are issues of health, welfare and morale
which affect those who have done the fighting to preserve our nation, and
the families who are left behind and often alone.
Please be a part of the solution of the vital issues which remain, and
ensure you have renewed your Chapter membership. Call Jim Smith
at 425-5934 if you have any questions.
Together, our Chapter can make a difference.
Jim Smith
Membership Chairman
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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 Senate Russell Building,
Caucus Room SR-325, 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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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
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| State Legislative Update: As this goes to press, the General
Assembly is still in session and all of our legislative objectives have
not yet been completely acted upon. So, while it's still too early to declare
“victory”, it does appear that we have advanced our agenda very well. The
results of our fall campaign of contacting legislators and of our “Storming
the Hill” on 23 Jan look very promising. Here is where we stand on our
top priority issues. |
Increased Support for National Guard/Reserve and Families:
Governor Kaine has submitted a budget amendment of $1.4 million to
help NG retention by providing a $2,000 re-enlistment bonus, which is in
addition to all federally funded bonuses and inducements. Also, a
bill establishing The Military Family Relief Fund has passed both the House
and Senate and $1 million was provided in Governor Warner’s proposed budget.
This fund will help provide relief for both NG and Reservists families
who have financial difficulties when their sponsor is deployed. |
In-state Tuition for Active, Guard, and Reserve Members and their
Families:
While Governor Warner’s budget submission proposed funding for two
years (we currently have one year of in-state tuition), we have been advocating
for a full 4 year in-state tuition program. Four bills were introduced
in the House (now rolled into one bill – HB695) and one in the Senate (SB121).
The good news is that SB 121 has passed the Senate 40-0 and HB695 has passed
the House 100-0. The bad news is that the two bills are not exactly alike.
The Senate bill applies to military and dependents stationed in Virginia;
but is contingent upon an appropriation of general funds. The House bill
simply says that dependents of military stationed in Virginia will be considered
state residents for purposes of in-state tuition, but it does not apply
to military members – only their dependents. Now the two bills must be
reconciled and we'll have to wait to see how they come out. We haven't
scored yet, but I think we're inside the ten yard line on this one. |
Provide $1 million to help the construction of a “Fisher House”
near the McGuire Veterans Hospital in Richmond:
The total cost is $3 million and the Fisher House Foundation will provide
half the cost. We are asking the state to provide $1 million and then $500,000
will be raised from private sources. Only one bill was introduced for this
in the House. However, Governor Kaine’s budget amendment will also ask
for a million dollars to fund this. This type request from the general
fund sets some type of precedent that may not sit well with some of our
legislators. So, it’s still too early to tell if this much-needed grant
of money will be approved. |
Funding for a 3rd Veteran’s Care Center in Hampton Roads:
We have been told that Governor Kaine’s budget amendment will include
authorization for a treasury loan to cover the state’s 35% cost share.
Delegate Cox ‘s bill to the same effect has passed the House 98-0. |
Additional part time hires for the Dept. of Veteran’s Services for
2007 & 2008:
Delegate Cox has introduced a bill to fund these additional hires.
In addition, Governor Kaine’s budget amendment covers these and other costs
for the DVS strategic plan. |
| Bottom Line: All of our priority legislative objectives appear to
be on track. |
| (Note: Although not a “priority” objective, the status of the effort
to construct a veterans cemetery in SW Virginia has passed the Senate 39-0
and the House 100-0. A great deal of credit for this goes to LTC Pat Green,
1st VP of VCOC and member of the Roanoke Chapter.) |
| Thanks to all of our members who have worked so hard for these objectives
this year. We are truly becoming “ONE POWERFUL VOICE”!
From Col Sam Wilder, VCOC Director Legislative Affairs |
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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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IMPORTANT NOTICE
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| If you are a survivor or a family member of a survivor who served on
board the USS Franklin, which was attacked and severely damaged
in the raid on Pearl Harbor, please contact the Editor at 757-382-9843 |
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Community Affairs
ROTC/JROTC Schedule
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School
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Date
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Time
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Location
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ROTC
ODU AROTC
ODU NROTC
NSU NROTC
NSU ROTC |
04-20-2006
TBD
TBD |
1400
TBD
TBD |
ODU
NSU
NSU |
JROTC
Princess Anne
Salem
First Colonial
Landstown
Green Run |
TBD
04-19-2006
05-10-2006
TBD
05-26-2006 |
TBD
1830
1830
TBD
1800 |
PAHS
SHS
FCHS
LHS
Crown Plaza |
Norfolk
Lake Taylor
Maury
Booker T. Washington
Granby
Norview
(Combined Ceremony) |
TBD
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TBD
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NOB
NOB
NOB
NOB
NOB
NOB |
| Interested Members please contact CAPT Tim Stark
at 836-1646 to help present awards. |
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Storming the Hill
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COL Jack Hilgers, our Legislative Representative, is shown
introducing
Congresswoman Thelma Drake to the VCOC attendees.
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| The Virginia Council of Chapters stormed the hill in Richmond on 23
January, 2006. The HRCMOAA was represented by CDR John Vermillion,
Maj
Norm Crews, CAPT Jim Jones and COL Jack Hilgers.
The meeting was held in the Legislature Building. We received short
talks by Delegate Kirk Cox, Speaker Bill Howell, Delegate
Bill Janis, Senator Walter Stosch, Lt. Gov Bolling, and
Congress
Woman Thelma Drake. We also had a visit with Delegate Terrie
Suit to discuss the VCOC Legislative Objectives. |
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HRCMOAA Membership
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| Regular |
713
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| Auxiliary |
127
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| Honorary |
3
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| Total |
843
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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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Invalid Email Addresses
C. “GIL” ERB <gilerb@cox.net>
ANTHONY R. READE <readear@cox.net>
DAVIC C. WADE III <davidcwade@aol.com>
WILLIAM G. RUDOLPH <wgrudolph@nehc.navy.mil>
WILBERT C. LUEDTKE <luedtkel@hotmail.com>
LEWIS J FRIEDRICHSEN <lfriedrichsen@delphinos.com>
MICHAEL R. BARCLIFT <mbarclift@verizon.net>
MARCIAL E. GARCIA <ginny@idb.com>
RAMONDA M. PETRICH <rlpetrich@aol.com>
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If you have a new Email address, email it to Dick Vogel at vogelra1@msn.com
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IN MEMORIUM
LCDR Robert E. Brunson, USN (Ret)
CDR Paul J. Hoffman, USN (Ret)
(Patricia)
CDR Hoffman’s cremains will be scattered
at sea in the Atlantic Ocean this summer.
CDR Billy R. Crim, USN (Ret)
(Adah)
The chapter members extend their sincere condolences
to the surviving family members. |
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