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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 2004,2005, 
MOAA Best Web Site,  a MOAA Best Electronic Newsletter
and 1st Runner-Up Printed 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 30-NO 6
ONE POWERFUL VOICE
NOVEMBER 2006

In This Issue
President's Commentary
HRCMOAA Directory
From the Editor
MOAA Legislative Update
America Supports You, Freedom Walk
HRCMOAA Membership Totals
ID Card Renewal Form
Chapter Schedule
Invalid Email Address
November Business Meeting
USNI Warfare Symposium
VCOC Scheduled Functions
Chapter Wins MOAA 5 Star Award
Scholarship Pledge Form
August Social
October Social
MOAA Scholarship Fund
HRCMOAA Welcomes
In Memorium
The Tribute
In honor of those who have sacrificed
to keep our country free.
Courtesy of the Arlington National Cemetery Website Images 

MOAA Five Star Award And VCOC Update, 
2 Nov. Luncheon
Colonel Bill Flanagan, USA Retired 
and President of the Virginia Council of Chapters 
will present the MOAA 5 Star Award. 
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
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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 Final Commentary

The time has come for me to say “Good Bye” as your President. This is a bitter sweet moment for me. I have enjoyed the past 2 years as HRCMOAA President and the preceding 7 years a Board member, 2nd VP and 1st VP. I’m very proud of the officers and ladies that have been a part of our Chapter’s leadership.  It’s because of them that HRCMOAA has achieved MOAA’s Five Star Level of Excellence Award for the last three years; this is every year since MOAA established the award for chapters They have also achieved awards for our web site and our Newsletter, The Tribute.  Their dedication and professionalism has made your chapter an outstanding one.  It has been a pleasure for me to serve with them and to be a part of this great team!  I know that you will support the next President Jim Dellaripa and his new slate of officers and board members as well you did for me. 

Don’t forget the Give Me Ten Program: Membership drive for MOAA and HRCMOAA.  The program is in effect until 31 December 2006.  It’s a simple recruiting program and we provided the details to each of you in a recent USNI mailer.  Remember our goal to keep us alive is “Every member recruits a member for MOAA and our Chapter!”  Membership is the key to retaining “One Powerful Voice” Both nationally and locally.  It’s our life blood! With all the political movement today to cut our benefits, this means more that ever.  To remind you, membership dues during this campaign are:

  • Dues- $24 MOAA and $10 HRCMOAA for 2 years for regular members.  Total dues $34.
  • Dues-$19 MOAA and $10 HRCMOAA for 2 years for auxiliary members.  Total dues $29.
  • Our Chapter receives $10 for each new MOAA member recruited , both regular and auxiliary.  That is why we can offer 2 years for $10 because we apply the MOAA $10 to offset our regular dues.  This is a “win-win” for MOAA and HRCMOAA.
  • Don’t forger to put your name on the application as recruiter because it will be entered in the MOAA recruiters’ sweepstake and you could win $1000.
Reminder: Don’t forget that our chapter is also involved locally too in Virginia and Hampton Roads cities.  We need to keep our membership at a large level in order to maintain our Hampton Roads “One Powerful Voice” and to be able to support the needs of each other and our community.

 I owe you an apology for the mix-up with the USNI event this year.  Apparently, they changed their “modus operandi” and charged people to attend and to pay for a sit down lunch.  We did not realize this change, until we signed up to register individually and it was to late to advise you.  I understand that this might change back to a free event next June when USNI teams with AFCEA on the symposium.

Again, it has been a pleasure for me to serve as your President for the past two years.  I couldn’t have done it without the help and dedication of my fellow officers, board members, and committee chairmen.  They deserve all the credit for our achieving MOAA’s Five Star Level of Excellence Awards.

I’ll be seeing you at various Chapter functions in the future.

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: 362-0030
Mrs Patricia H. Doss,
Aux.
Treasurer: 739-3904
LCDR Mary C. Liberatore, USN-Ret
CDR John E. Vermillion, USN-Ret.
382-9843 
CDR John A. Rooney, USN-Ret.
427-2402
Col Jack W. Hilgers, USMC-Ret.
490-8383
Mrs. Mickie Jones,
AUX .
716-2644
LtCol Mary L. Baeumel, USAFNC-Ret.
716-2497
CAPT Jim Jones,
USN-Ret.
481-1919
CAPT Bill Lehr, 
USCG-Ret.
426-5392
Program: 640-0947
LtCol James M. Dellaripa Sr, USAF-Ret.
Arrangements: 362-0030
Patricia H. Doss, Aux
VCOC Representative: 382-9843
CDR John E. Vermillion, USN-Ret.
Legislative Affairs: 490-8383
Col Jack W. Hilgers, USMC-Ret.
Personal Affairs: 363-1094
MAJ Norman Crews, USA-Ret.
Membership: 425-5934
COL James A. Smith, USA-Ret
Publicity: 363-1094
MAJ Norm Crews,
USA-Ret.
Community Affairs: 836-1646
CAPT Bill Lehr, USCG-Ret.
CAPT Pat McFadden, USN-Ret.
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

Charity Golf Tournament

The HRCMOAA is considering holding a Charity Golf Tournament (to help the families of wounded service members) in the early spring of 2007.  To carry this off we would need, in addition to golfers, approximately 25 volunteers to check players in, handout goodies, and monitor each hole and longest drive, etc.  If we do not get the volunteers, then it would not be possible to do this.  Please contact:
CAPT Jim Jones USN Ret. at 777-5972 or jim.jones@longandfoster.com
The cutoff date is 20 November 2006. 

TRICARE For Life (TFL)

If you or a member of your family are 65 years of age or soon will be, then you may be interested in attending an informational brief.  The department of Health Benefits Office invite you to attend an informative presentation about your TFL benefits.  These briefing  are held the second Thursday of each month at 1330 in the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Internal Medicine Clinic Conference Room. The Internal Medicine Clinic is on the 2nd floor of Building 2 (the main hospital). The session usually lasts about 1-1/2 to 2 hours, depending on the size of the group and the number of questions.  No registration is needed. 

TFL Information:  DEERS, 1-800-538-9552
Medicare and Social Security, 1-800-772-1213
TRICARE For Life, 1-866-773-0404

John

MOAA Legislative Update

Tricare For Life Changes
MOAA recently became aware that effective Oct. 1, 2006, TRICARE will no longer pay a TRICARE For Life (TFL) claim from a beneficiary who has seen a provider that has opted-out of Medicare.  An opt-out Medicare provider is one who notifies Medicare that they are no longer seeking Medicare payment for their patients and cannot submit claims. Don't pay any more than you must - choose a provider that accepts Medicare.

Medicare and TRICARE Payment Cuts Planned
MOAA and the American Medical Association held a press conference in Washington on Sept. 13 to urge Congress to reverse the 5.1% cut in Medicare and TRICARE payments now scheduled for January, 2007. The cuts would cause more doctors to stop seeing Medicare and TRICARE patients.

MOAA's Director of government relations, Colonel Steve Strobridge (USAF-Ret), joined four American Medical Association leaders in speaking at a Washington press conference on Sept. 13 to urge Congress to act now to reverse the 5.1% cut in Medicare and TRICARE payments to doctors scheduled to take effect in January.

House and Senate leaders continue to negotiate over various options to relieve these looming problems, and had hoped to get the issue resolved before going home in October.  But it's now looking more like they'll kick this very important legislative can until after the election.

Visit MOAA’s website and enter your  Zip Code to send an email to your legislator.


Retroactive Disability Payments Coming 
According to Defense Department and Veterans' Affairs (VA) sources, some disabled retirees due retroactive pay could start to see their payments in mid-October if all goes as planned. A small number may see payments before that; however, VA officials caution that, if any unexpected glitches crop up, the payments will be delayed until the second half of January. 

Over 100,000 retirees now drawing either Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) or Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) ultimately will receive back payments -- and that number is growing daily with new awards. Because of the complexity of calculating who is due how much (individual circumstances vary widely, and many cases require manual review), the majority of the payments will likely be phased in from January through next summer. 

Defense and Finance Accounting Service sources say the affected retirees will receive specific details at the time their retroactive payment is made. DFAS expects to publish a detailed news release later this month.


FY 2007 Defense Bill Passed
The bill provides the Pentagon $463 billion for FY2007, plus another $70 billion in supplemental war funding.  There's good news in the bill, including provisions on:

TRICARE Fees: Bars the Defense Department from increasing any TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Standard fees, pharmacy copays, or TRICARE Reserve Select premiums for FY2007.

Military Manpower Levels: Increases Army strength by 30,000, the Army National Guard by 17,000 and the Marine Corps by 1,000 over the President's original budget request (though we're concerned that it approves Pentagon-requested cuts of 12,000 for the Navy and 23,200 for the Air Force).

TRICARE Pharmacy: Dropped a proposal to mandate use of the mail-order pharmacy for all refills of maintenance medications. But it also dropped MOAA-supported initiatives to eliminate copays for most drugs dispensed through the mail-order system and require drug companies to give TRICARE equal price discounts on drugs dispensed through retail pharmacies.

Reserve Health Coverage: Makes all drilling reserve members eligible for TRICARE coverage at the lowest current premium (28% of cost). Requires a Pentagon study of partially subsidizing continuation of a private employer's coverage of family members during periods of mobilization.

Military ID Cards: Authorizes permanent ID cards for permanently disabled dependents of retirees, and requires a Pentagon report on giving members an option to have their Social Security numbers removed from ID cards.

Servicemember's Group Life Insurance (SGLI): Provides $400,000 free life insurance coverage for members assigned to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dependent Education: Authorizes $50 million in aid to civilian schools with significant numbers of military dependents.

Payday Lender Restrictions: Restricts unscrupulous lending practices by imposing 36-percent annual interest rate cap on loans to servicemembers, along with other protections.

Household Goods Coverage: Requires paying full replacement value for goods damaged during military relocations, starting in 2008.


MOAA is extremely grateful to the Armed Services Committees for all of these important initiatives. Nonetheless, we are disappointed that Congress also chose to drop or "low-ball" several other much-needed improvements. 

Military Pay Raise: MOAA's legislative alert yesterday went for naught (despite generating 12,000 messages to Congress in 20 hours), as the bill adopted the minimum 2.2% military pay raise proposed by the Senate rather than the 2.7% House plan. The bill does include needed "targeted" increases for warrant officers and senior enlisted. 

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP): Dropped Senate-recommended provisions to implement 30-year paid-up SBP coverage immediately and end the deduction of VA survivor benefits from SBP when military service caused the member's death.

Concurrent Receipt: Dropped Senate-recommended provision to provide full, immediate concurrent receipt for disabled retirees designated "unemployable" by the VA.

Reserve Retirement Age: Dropped Senate-recommended provision to reduce retirement age by 3 months for every 90 days mobilized since 9/11.

Health Care Access: Dropped Senate-recommended provision requiring additional incentive payments to doctors to take TRICARE patients in areas with physician shortages.

America Supports You, Freedom Walk 
The HRCMOAA joined Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf and Navy Seal Rudy Boesch, local military dignitaries and 2,500 plus participants for the Virginia Beach America Supports You, Freedom Walk held on Monday, September 11 at Neptune’s Park at 31st Street and Atlantic Avenue.  The walk proceeded down the Boardwalk to the Aviation Monument Park at 25th Street and then back to 31st Street for closing remarks and a candle light vigil.  The picture above shows, from the right, our President Ray Hart with the chapter flag, Marie Wesolowski, Walter Wesolowski, and Jane Hart
HRCMOAA Membership
Regular
628
Auxiliary
115
Honorary
Total
746
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

Invalid Email Address
LYNN K BAUER      lynnkbauer@hotmail.com
DAVID A BUZARD      dbuzard@ruttermills.com
OLA A DODSON      ordodson@webtv.net
MARIO DOS SANTOS      kingct1@yahoo.com
ALBERT R ESTES      rayestes@aol.com
HUGH A EUBANK      ddeubank@worldnet.att.net
THOMAS W FLYNN      thomasf845@aol.com
THOMAS J FREY      thomasfrey@earthlink.net
RICHARD E HELM      dick.helm21966@usna.com
RICHARD C INGHRAM      gabby99@cox.net
GLORIA M LYON      glyon@exis.net
KENNETH A MacGILLIVRAY      kenmacg@exis.net
MARTIN J MULDERRIG JR      shirlm@exis.net
DONALD J PEARSALL      dip_012yahoo.com>
RAMONDA M PETRICH      rlpetrich@aol.com>
MARGUERITE K QUAMME      kenneyquamme@aol.com
MANUEL A RAMOS JR      mramos395@cs.com
ANTHONY R READE      readear@cox.net
RAYMOND A REMILLARD      remi@exis.net
JAMES R RIESS      jriess@exis.net
WILLIAM G RUDOLPH      wgrudolph@nehc.navy.mil
DON M SHAFER      dmshafer@worldnet.att.net
 FLOYD J SINGER      tidewtr2@exis.net
JAMES WATT      jwatt@cox.net
LARRY R WICKHAM      lwickham@sybercom.net
DAVID M WOLCHKO      wolchko@earthlink.net
HRCMOAA November Luncheon

WHEN: Thursday, November 2, 2006
WHERE: Atlantic Shores Retirement Community
Dam Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, Virginia
TIME: Social: 1100 Hours
Lunch: 1200 Hours
MENU: Chicken Boneless Breast on portabella mushroom
OR
Vegetable topped Salmon
Salad, Vegetables and Dessert
PRICE: $17.00
PROGRAM: Annual Business Meeting and
Election of Officers and Board Members
Presentation of 5 star award by VCOC President
RESERVATIONS: Reservations required by 1900 hours, 
October 29, 2006
Call Jim Dellaripa , 640-0947, 
or Norman Crews, 363-1094
Give  name,  phone number, number attending & menu choice.
Reservation and Checks may be mailed to
HRCMOAA, PO Box 4612, Virginia Beach, VA 23454.
A RESERVATION MADE IS A RESERVATION PAID
Please print, fill-in and mail the pre-paid Reservation Form.
Click Here for a Reservation Form
You can print and mail
The HRCMOAA participates in the 
Annual USNI Warfare Symposium.
Our two day effort was a disappointment, due to the lack of overall participation in the USNI Symposium, including Active Duty Officers.  There were new changes to the overall program format, attendance charges, late availability of the program and  insufficient marketing.  We managed to sign up 14 Active Duty Officers for National MOAA memberships.  We also signed 11 new members for our Chapter, including 9 Active Duty Officers.  We hope to try again next year in June 2007 when the USNI will team up with AFCEA for a joint symposium.
VCOC Scheduled Functions 
The VCOC meeting, October 13, 2006, was held at the Virginia War Memorial located in the very historic area of Richmond.  The next meeting will be held on January 5, 2007.   Storming the Hill in Richmond is scheduled for 22 January 2007. Those Chapter Members wishing to attend please contact our VCOC Representative, John Vermillion at 382-9843 or email vermillj@cox.net
The Hampton Roads Chapter Wins 
the MOAA 5 Star Award 
The HRCMOAA has won it’s third straight 5 Star award, thanks to the hard work of all Committee Members, Board Members, Chapter Officers and Chapter Member support.  A total of 4 Virginia Chapters have earned the 5 star status this year. 

Virginia Chapter Winners

Hampton Roads Chapter:  CAPT Ray Hart, USN-Ret. President

Richmond Area Chapter:  COL Don Kaiserman, USA-Ret. President

Mount Vernon Chapter:  CPT Patrick Gallagher, USA- FMR President

VA Peninsula Chapter:  MAJ Melva Mallison, USAF-Ret. President

Click Here for a Contribution Form
You can print and mail
to support COL Brad Smith on his Appalachian Trail hike
HRCMOAA August Social
The Chapter held a picnic style luncheon at the Fort Story Officers Club along the Chesapeake Bay.  A good time was had by all who attended.  72 members were in attendance.  This was one of our better picnic turnouts.  All members were encouraged to wear their favorite Service Ball Cap.  The location on the Chesapeake Bay was ideal for a great view and opportunities to pound the board walks to the beach.  The food and service provided by the Fort Story Club was outstanding.  We certainly look forward to next year!
Pictured above left to right are, Nordleen Crews, Adriana Grillo, and Grace Gallagher enjoying a “war story”.
Pictured above are CDR Pat Grillo USN, and LCOL Loren Peele, USA, both enjoying camaraderie of the afternoon.
October Social 
October Social featured a presentation on TRICARE and TRICARE for Life.  Our Guest speaker was Edward M. Coryell, Marketing Analyst for Naval Medical Center  Portsmouth.   Joining him at the presentation was Rhita Walker-Smith, a Community Representative with Health Net Federal Services (HNFS), the Managed Care Support Contractor for the TRICARE North Region.  The evening social was well attended and the information provided was very informative with helpful handouts made available for all attendees.  President Ray Hart is shown above presenting an engraved cup to Edward Coryell.  Rhita Walker-Smith also received a cup. 
MOAA Scholarship Fund 
Memorial contributions may be made to the MOAA Scholarship Fund, for deceased members of our Chapter, at Dept 889, Alexandria, VA 22334-0889.  Contributions may also be made at www.moaa.org.  Or you  may call 800-234-6622. 
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

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


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
IN MEMORIUM


 

LCDR John H. Farris,
USN Ret. (Betty)

CAPT Lorin W. Hay,
USN Ret. (Lois)

Luella Townsend,
(LCDR Okey, USN Ret.) 

Lt John Gross,
USN Ret. (Kay)
 


All information contained in this web site is the exclusive property of Hampton Roads Chapter MOAA (HRCMOAA) © 2006
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