President’s Message
Hi Folks,
The Chapter had a great meeting at Atlantic Shores on January 19, 2007.
The were 70 members and guests present. Forty-seven were MOAA members
which equates to about seven percent of the membership. I would like to
see a minimum of one hundred guests at our functions.
Captain James B. Kramer, USN (Ret) from the Retired Activities
Office at Little Creek gave a presentation on the current Survivor Benefit
Plan. He gave us a better understanding of the program which was
well received. For those who didn't show, you missed a great opportunity
to become informed on the program.
I had the opportunity to meet with the Virginia Council of Chapters
(VCOC) in Richmond at the General Assembly Building in January. It
was a rewarding experience. All fifteen chapters were represented.
The VCOC has the following National Legislative goals for 2007.
1. To increase the size of the ground forces. It urges congress
to increase the Army, the Reserves and the Marines. If this is accomplished
, it will prevent resorting to the draft.
2. Fix the SBP and Concurrent Receipt. The SBP-DIC offset must
be eliminated and concurrent receipt approved. These benefits have
a strong impact on the all-volunteer force.
3. Stop the erosion of TRICARE benefits for retirees. Cost
savings in the Defense Budget must not be borne by retirees who have served
20 to 30 years. These are the important goals of the VCOC and they
should be ours.
The HRCMOAA March meeting at Atlantic Shores is going to be outstanding.
Congressman Randy Forbes from the 4th Congressional District will be our
speaker. Let's show our support. As always, it's great to be
an American. We continue to serve.
God Bless America.
Jim Dellaripa
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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: 640-0947
LtCol James M. Dellaripa Sr,
USAF-Ret.
hrmoaa@cox.net
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1st Vice President: 363-1094
MAJ Norman Crews,
USA-Ret.
ncrews1@cox.net
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2nd Vice President: 427-2402
CDR John A. Rooney,
USN-Ret.
rooney1921@cox.net
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Recording Secretary: 362-0030
Mrs. Patricia H. Doss,
Aux.
patricia64@cox.net
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Treasurer: 716-2497
LtCol Mary L. Baeumel,
USAFNC-Ret.
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Program: 363-1094
MAJ Norm Crews,
USA Ret.
ncrews1@cox.net
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VCOC Representative:
382-9843
CDR John E. Vermillion,
USN-Ret.
vermillj@cox.net
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Legislative Affairs:
490-8383
Col Jack W. Hilgers,
USMC-Ret.
jackhilgers@earthlink.net
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Personal Affairs:
486-7639
MAJ Norm Crews,
USA-Ret.
ncrews1@cox.net
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Membership: 486-3318
LtCol Jesse Sandlin, USAF-Ret
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Publicity: 382-9843
CDR John E. Vermillion,
USN Ret.
vermillj@cox.net
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Community Affairs:
836-1646
CAPT Bill Lehr,
USCG-Ret.
bblehr@cox.net
CAPT Pat McFadden,
USN-Ret.
senchova@aol.com
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Information Systems:
481-0694
Col Richard A. Vogel,
USAF-Ret.
vogelra1@msn.com
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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
The Virginia War Memorial
How many of us know about our Virginia War Memorial? It was dedicated
in February 1956. The Memorial is located at 621 South Belvidere Street,
in a very historic area of Richmond, only a few blocks from the downtown
area. It sits on the North side of the James River just upstream from the
historic Tredegar Iron Works which made cannons and mortars used by the
South during the Civil War. The Shrine of Memory is open every day
of the year. The Visitors Center, Auditorium and Gift Shop are open; Monday-Friday
9AM-4PM, Saturday 9AM-4PM, and Sunday 12 noon-4PM.
The Virginia War Memorial is free to the public with ample free parking.
Group tours are welcome.
The Shrine of Memory originally had only the names of Virginians who
died as a result of hostile action in World War II and Korea engraved on
its stone and glass walls. An addition was dedicated in 1981 to honor those
killed in the Vietnam War, and in 1996 the names of those killed in the
Persian Gulf were added. There are a total of 11,634 names: WWII 9,398;
Korea
850; Vietnam 1,379; and the Persian Gulf 7. These names are arranged
first by counties and cities and then alphabetically.
The Joint Leadership Council and the VCOC has approved several legislative
objectives for 2007, one of which is the request for $3.5 million funding
for the Virginia War Memorial Education Wing. The total cost is around
$6 million. The War Memorial Foundation would raise the remainder.
Our members may make a tax deductible donation by sending a check
to the Virginia War Memorial Foundation, 621 South Belvidere St., Richmond,
VA 23220-6504. Indicate that the check is for the new Educational
Wing. Indicate on the check in the note area our chapter name, HRCMOAA
or Hampton Roads Chapter MOAA. You may contact the Foundation
at 804-786-2060 or visit the website at www.vawarmemorial.org.
John
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Congressman J. Randy Forbes
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| Randy Forbes, a Republican, represents the diverse and expansive
Fourth District of Virginia. Elected in a special election in 2001,
and now serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Randy
has focused his efforts in Congress on protecting the security and sovereignty
of our nation, preserving the moral and historical roots of our country,
expanding military and veterans benefits, growing educational opportunities
for our children, and promoting economic development through fiscal responsibility.
Since his election to Congress, Randy’s commitment to constituent service
has quickly become a model on Capitol Hill. By placing a high priority
on direct communication with constituents and by partnering with the 18
cities and counties in his encompassing district, Randy has earned a reputation
for his ability to aptly serve the needs of the citizens of the Fourth
District. Additionally, in Washington, his service on three important House
committees has enabled him to address key defense, judiciary, science and
technology issues on a national level. |
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HRCMOAA MARCH LUNCHEON
| WHEN: |
Monday, March 19, 2007 |
| WHERE: |
Atlantic Shores Retirement Community
Dam Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, Virginia |
| TIME: |
Social: 1100 Hours
Lunch: 1200 Hours |
| MENU: |
Chicken Cordon Bleu,
OR
Vegetable topped Baked Salmon.
Salad, Potatoes Anna, Julienne cut vegetable medley.
Crème Brule cheesecake |
| PRICE: |
$17.00 per person |
| PROGRAM: |
Congressman Randy Forbes |
| RESERVATIONS: |
Reservations by 1900 hours, March 14, 2006.
Call Norm Crews, 363-1094, or Jim Dellaripa, 640-0947.
Give name, Phone Number, Menu selection and Number attending. |
| A RESERVATION MADE IS A RESERVATION PAID |
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Please print, fill-in
and mail the pre-paid Reservation Form.
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| MOAA Legislative Update |
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| TRICARE Task Force Convenes |
| The congressionally-chartered DoD Task
Force on the Future of Military Health Care held its first meeting.
Mandated by the FY2007 Defense Authorization Act, the task force is composed
of 14 members appointed by the Secretary of Defense - 7 from the Defense
Department and 7 from outside DoD. It's tasked with examining military
health care programs, structure, management, and costs. Congress
required its formation mainly to examine the Pentagon's controversial proposal
to triple and quadruple TRICARE fees for retirees under age 65. The
law requires the task force to provide interim recommendations to the House
and Senate Armed Services Committees by the end of May concerning beneficiary
fees and cost-sharing.
MOAA and other military and veterans associations
have already begun making our case to individual task force members, and
we expect to provide testimony before the task force before it makes its
interim report. Nevertheless, we can't ignore the obvious:
the Defense Department wants big fee increases and the task force members
were appointed by the Secretary of Defense. That means the task force
has been packed with a preponderance of members inclined to support the
Pentagon position. Thus, we'll be surprised if it doesn't end up
recommending fee increases similar to those proposed by the Pentagon.
So once again, we'll be taking our campaign to Congress to do the right
thing. See the next item below for the first step in that direction. |
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| Military Retirees Health Care Protection
Act, Introduced |
Taking up where they left off last year,
TRICARE champions Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX) and Walter Jones (R-NC) recently
reintroduced their "Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act" (H.R.
579). The new bill is virtually identical to the one (H.R. 4949)
they introduced last year, which gathered 164 cosponsors and helped prevent
imposition of Pentagon-proposed TRICARE fee increases of up to $1,000 a
year for retired members, family members and survivors under age 65.
The Edwards-Jones bill would remove the Pentagon's authority to increase
TRICARE fees, specifying that that authority should reside only with Congress.
It would also establish certain principles in law, including:
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acknowledgement that military members pay
very large premiums for their future care "up front" through decades of
arduous service and sacrifice;
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acknowledgement that the primary offset for
enduring the extraordinary sacrifices inherent in a military career is
a package of retirement and health benefits that must be considerably better
than that afforded civilian workers; and
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the principle that the percentage increase
in health fees in any year should not exceed the percentage increase in
beneficiaries' military compensation.
MOAA strongly endorses this legislation and
is grateful to Rep. Edwards and Rep. Jones for their strong, continuing
leadership on this very important issue. |
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HRCMOAA Installs Officers for 2007/2008
at the Friday 19 January 2007 Luncheon.
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| Shown below, left to right, are President, LtCol James Dellaripa,
USAF (Ret), 1st Vice President, MAJ Norman Crews, USA (Ret), Recording
Secretary, Mrs. Patricia Doss, (Aux), and Treasurer, LtCol Mary
Baeumel, USAFNC (Ret), as they take the oath of office and assume their
new positions. |
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| CAPT Ray Hart, USN (Ret), our outgoing President, kept the Chapter
on a positive course as we participated in MOAA programs such as the Give
Me Ten effort to encourage more Active Duty, Guard and Reserve to
join National MOAA and our local Chapter. The Chapter won it’s 3rd
5 Star Level of Excellence award, and several Communications awards during
his term of office. He always stressed the importance of a
strong Community Affairs and Legislative Affairs Programs. He is
shown below accepting a plaque from our new President, Jim Dellaripa.
Rays’s leadership will certainly be missed. |
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| Our guest speaker for the luncheon was CAPT James Kramer, USN
(Ret). CAPT Kramer is a University of Notre Dame Graduate and a Naval
Aviator with 4 tours in patrol squadrons (P2&P3). He was XO/CO
Patrol Squadron 56 located in Jacksonville, FL. He was also CO of
the Fleet Oiler (AO99) out of Norfolk, VA. And CO of the Naval Air Facility
in Sigonella. He later served as Dean of Academics at the Naval War
College, Newport, RI. He retired after 27 years and continued to
work 19 years as contract manager for Northrop/Grumman. CAPT Kramer
has been a volunteer at the Retired Activities Office past 4 years.
He briefed members on the status of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP),
high lighting all of the coverage options; spouse, spouse and children,
and children only. Also covered were the payment requirements and
the pro and cons of the SBP program. At the end of his presentation
he opened the floor to questions from the members in attendance. |
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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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Membership Chairman Retires
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 COL
James Smith, USA (Ret), recently gave up his post as Chairman of the
Membership Committee. Jim had held this position since 2000, that
works out to be around 6 years. Over those years, he has worked hard
to keep our Chapter membership steady in an atmosphere of decreasing membership
overall. With the loss of our WWII members, Chapter membership and
National MOAA membership have been on the decline. Thus TROA changed
their name to MOAA to reflect the fact that they worked for, not only retired
pay and benefits, but also championed the active duty priorities and objectives.
This change has resulted in an increase in active duty membership at the
National level. This does not necessarily reflect an increase at
the Chapter level as active duty officers are always on the move.
Our Chapter membership takes this opportunity to thank Jim for his dedication
over these past years. |
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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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March 2007: Monday 19th Luncheon.
April 2007: Friday 20th. TBD
May 2007: Friday 18th. TBD
Board meetings every month on the 1st Saturday at the Little Creek
Golf Club. Starts at 0830. |
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The Virginia Council of Chapters
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| The VCOC’s storming of the hill in Richmond on 22 January 2007 was
attended by our President, James Dellaripa, LtCol USAF (Ret) and
our VCOC Representative, John Vermillion, CDR USN (Ret). Remember
that all of our members have been invited to attend this function.
This is a rare opportunity to listen to our Senators and Delegates
and to ask them questions. It also allows us to present the VCOC’s
legislative priorities for the year, and to visit with our local Delegates.
Our day at the General Assembly included visits from the following; Delegate
Kirk Cox, Speaker Howell, Senator Edwards, Senator
Stosch, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, Delegate Scott Lingamfelter,
Senator Jay O’Brian, Delegate Mark Cole, Delegate Frank
Hall, Congressman Cantor, Attorney General Bob McDonnell,
and lastly, the Commissioner of Veterans Services, Vince Burgess.
The VCOC Officers and JLC Representatives also paid a courtesy call on
Governor Kaine.
The Joint Leadership Council and VCOC Legislative Objectives for 2007
are:
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Strengthen Virginia’s National Guard and reserves;
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Instate Tuition for active duty, National Guard, Reserves and family
members while stationed in Virginia;
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Build a Fisher House near Richmond;
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Fund a Veteran’s Cemetery in Southwest Virginia;
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Construct a 3rd Veterans Care Center in Hampton Roads;
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Fund $3.5 million for the Virginia War Memorial Education Wing;
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Create a “Check Off” on State tax returns to allow $1.00 per taxpayer
to be donated to the Department of Veteran services;
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Vehicle registration be at no cost to all active duty, guardsmen,
reservists, and veterans.
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| Shown above, left to right, is Bill Flanagan, COL USA (Ret)
and VCOC President; The Honorable Bill Howell, Speaker of the House;
Delegate Kirk Cox, District 66; and Sam Wilder, COL USA (Ret),
VCOC Legislative Chairman and VCOC 2nd VP. |
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| Shown above, left to right is the HRCMOAA VCOC Representative, John
Vermillion, CDR USN (Ret) and President, James Dellaripa, LTCOL
USAF (Ret). They are shown during a break from the Richmond Storming
of the Hill proceedings. |
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HRCMOAA ROTC/JROTC Program
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| The Hampton Roads Chapter’s JROTC program for 2007 has gotten underway
with the presentation of a $500 check to Princess Anne High Schools
NJROTC program. Shown below is CAPT Bill Lehr, USCG (Ret),
Community Affairs Director, presenting a check to Cadet LTJG Kristina
Jones the Executive Officer. Bill is shaking hands with CWO3
Danny Miller, USN (Ret), Senior Naval Science Instructor. The
annual check will be used to pay for trophies to be given at the Princess
Anne High School Drill Off, where approximately 16 other high schools,
from as far away as Maryland, will be participating. |
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| Bill is shown below with the Princess Anne HS NJROTC Second Year Class.
The Drill Off was held at the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base in Virginia
Beach on Saturday 3 February, 2007. |
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VCOC Scheduled Functions
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| The next VCOC scheduled function is the Congressional Appreciation
Luncheon to be held on 21 March, 2007. The Luncheon will be held
at the Cannon Caucus Room 345, from 11:45 AM to 2:00 PM. A tour of
the House will follow for those interested. Chapter Members
wishing to attend please contact our VCOC Representative, John Vermillion
at 382-9843 or email vermillj@cox.net.
If unable, call our President, James Dellaripa, 640-0947.
The next VCOC Quarterly meeting on 13 April, 2007. To be held
at Fort Lee, Virginia. |
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More on the Congressional Luncheon
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| The Cannon House Office Building, 1101 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, was completed
in 1908. It is the oldest congressional office building as well as
a significant example of the Beaux Arts style of architecture.
Of special architectural interest is the rotunda. Eighteen Corinthian columns
support an entablature and a coffered dome, whose glazed oculus floods
the rotunda with natural light. Twin marble staircases lead from the rotunda
to the imposing Caucus Room, which features Corinthian pilasters, a full
entablature, and a richly detailed ceiling.
The Cannon Building was occupied during the 60th Congress in December
1907. By 1913, however, the House had outgrown the available office space,
and fifty-one rooms were added to the original structure by raising the
roof and constructing a fifth floor. In 1962 the building was named for
former Speaker Joseph Gurney Cannon.
Please join us as we gather to thank our Senators and Representatives
for their support of our legislative priorities. Contact John or
Jim as indicated above as soon as possible. NLT date is 9 March 2007.
Visit website http://www.virginiamoaa.com/nationallegislative/2007congressionallunch.html. |
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HRCMOAA Membership
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| Regular |
630
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| Auxiliary |
118
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| Honorary |
3
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| Total |
751
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MOAA Scholarship Fund
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| 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. |
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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
Belated Acknowledgement
Cecilia Powell
(CDR John P., USN (Ret))
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