President’s Message
It’s time for me as your president to report the Board of Directors
activities to you. I decided that the board members act as the committee
chairs. This then didn’t require several persons with limited responsibilities.
This decision worked out well.
Major Norman Crews, USA is not only the First VP but also acts as the
arrangements chair. He endeavors to get good speakers, good meeting places
can reasonable meal prices. He also acts as the Personal Affairs chair.
CAPT Paul “Holly” Hollandsworth, USN is our Second VP. Holly volunteered
to replace CDR John Rooney .
LT Commander Walter Wesolowski, USN not only is the Treasurer investing
wisely but also is the point of contact for our Military ID Card
Notification Program, for Chapter members and their dependants.
Captain William Lehr, USCG has continued to work with the ROTC and JROTC
cadets reward program. He gives out awards and certificates. He is
in the process of implementing the MOAA Gold Star Program. Newly commissioned
officers will be presented with their gold bars and one years free membership
in national MOAA. If the new officer is assigned locally, he/she
will receive a one year free membership in HRCMOAA.
Captain James Jones, USN will be presenting the gold bars to the ODU
graduates. Jim is also the advertising coordinator for the Tribute.
Captain John Colgan, USN has instituted a post card program to remind
our members of their membership status. We don’t want members to forget
dues payment and not be able to take advantage of MOAA benefits.
Colonel Jack Hilgers, USMC is our Legislative Representative has been
working diligently with the Virginia General Assembly members keeping informed
of the military bills which affect the active, reserve and national guard
personnel.
Commander John Vermillion, USN is the Tribute Editor and Virginia Council
of Chapters representative. His award winning bulletin keeps members informed
of federal and state matters. He meets periodically with the VCOC.
Major Clifton Furedy, USAF received first place for web sites
in the MOAA 2007 Communications Award. He has an outstanding site
on HRCMOAA with a wealth of information.
CAPT Ray Hart is our Immediate Past President and he provides us with
some special guidance based on his past experience, as Chapter President.
I’m not only your president but your recording secretary. HELP!
As Always,
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: 496-9248
CAPT Paul Hollandsworth, USN Ret hollynav@aol.com
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Recording Secretary:
- Open -
Volunteer Needed
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Treasurer: 518-0265
LCDR Walter Wesolowski, USN-Ret.
waltwes1@cox.net
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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:
363-1094
MAJ Norm Crews,
USA-Ret.
ncrews1@cox.net
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Membership: 496-9524
CAPT John G. Colgan,
USN-Ret
john.colgan@verizon.net
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Publicity: 382-9843
CDR John E. Vermillion,
USN Ret.
vermillj@cox.net
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Community Affairs:
426-5392
CAPT Bill Lehr,
USCG-Ret.
bblehr@cox.net
CAPT Pat McFadden,
USN-Ret.
senchova@aol.com
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Information Systems:
490-5792
Maj Clifton G. Furedy,
USAF-Ret.
thrcmoaa@cox.net
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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 Newsletter Editor 
Membership Counts
Your membership in your local Chapter is important. There are
16 MOAA chapters in Virginia and approximately 49,000 National MOAA members.
Only ten percent of Virginia MOAA members are members of a local chapter.
We need to increase this percentage, and we encourage every member to recruit
a new member.
The Virginia Chapters are members of the Virginia Council of Chapters,
referred to as the "VCOC", an affiliation of MOAA chapters throughout Virginia.
Many MOAA members also serve in leadership positions on Virginia boards,
commissions and councils e.g. Joint Leadership Council and in other veterans'
organizations such as American Legion, Military Order of Purple Heart etc.
The VCOC works at the state level to further the goals of national MOAA
and the local chapters. The VCOC meets quarterly, usually at or near Fort
Lee. A Chapter "VCOC Rep" is designated by each affiliated chapter. The
chapter president, VCOC rep, legislative rep, Auxiliary Liaison and other
interested members of Virginia chapters of MOAA are all welcome at VCOC
meetings or events.
The VCOC holds two important legislative events each year: Storming
the state capitol in Richmond in January and a Congressional Luncheon with
Virginia's Senators and Congressional Representatives in March or April.
The VCOC publishes a quarterly newsletter, titled The Council Crier.
The electronic version is posted on their website, available through our
website. If you have questions about the VCOC or our local chapter, please
contact an Officer on the contact list.
The VCOC Leadership Objectives are: Make the VCOC more
beneficial to the Chapters, Enhance communications with Chapters,
Help
Chapters increase their membership, Expand member participation
in Legislative Advocacy, Use Virginia’s successes to support National
MOAA. |
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Urgent, Your Help is Needed!
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| Our Chapter is in need of a Secretary. This is not a difficult
job and it will keep your mind active while doing a job that will help
your fellow members. |
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| MOAA Legislative Update |
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| Age-62 Widow's Tax Is History |
| he infamous Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)
age-62 "widow's tax" will finally be eliminated as of April 1, 2008. Prior
to the law change MOAA won in 2005, SBP was reduced at age 62 from 55%
of covered retired pay to 35% (covered retired pay could be as low as $300
or as high as full retired pay). The FY2005 Defense Authorization Act phased
out the age-62 benefit reduction over a 4 year period.
April 1 marks the end of the Social Security
offset and a significant improvement to a critical benefit. SBP annuitants
who are drawing Social Security benefits should see an increase in their
May 1 SBP checks (which is payment for April) to reflect 55% of the deceased
retiree's covered retired pay.
The increases phased in over the last 4
years represent up to a cumulative 57% increase in benefits -- excluding
the effects of annual inflation adjustments, which make the increase even
larger. Congress recognized that these two benefits are earned independently
of one another through service and sacrifice to our nation.
MOAA takes great pride in having been the
primary force behind that change, and getting Congress to agree that SBP
and Social Security are independently earned and independently paid-for
benefits. |
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| Top Five Member Questions |
| Every so often, we like to take a moment
and address some of the more frequent questions we receive through MOAA's
Member Service Center. We asked MOAA's member service representatives what
questions are most on the minds of the people who call MOAA headquarters.
1. Am I eligible for the new combat
related special compensation (CRSC) provision passed in the recent defense
bill? When can I apply?
Under the new provision, which became effective
on Jan. 1, CRSC eligibility was extended to anyone who was retired from
the military with less than 20 years of service and was awarded VA disability
compensation for a combat- or operations- related condition. This includes
medical (chapter 61) retirees and members who retired under the Temporary
Early Retirement Act (TERA) during the force drawdown of the 1990s.
Eligible members have to apply to their
service for CRSC. Applications can be made now, but the application form
hasn't yet been updated to reflect the new change in eligibility rules.
Service CRSC officials have asked that newly eligible members hand-write
"Chapter 61" or "TERA" on their application form (note the link to this
form is an Army site. All CRSC forms are the same, but the Army site offers
the easiest place to access the form online. The form has directions for
filing with all services).
2. I'm on TRICARE For Life. How
do the DoD health fee proposals affect me?
There are two parts of the plan proposed
by the Task Force on the Future of Military Health Care that would affect
Medicare-eligibles. The plan calls for significant increases in copays
for most medications not obtained at military hospitals and clinics. For
drugs purchased in retail pharmacies, the plan would raise the generic
drug copay to $15 (vs the current $3), for brand name formulary drugs,
it would be $25 (vs. the current $9) and for non-formulary medications,
it would be $45 (vs. the current $22). Generics would be provided at no
charge through the mail-order system, but the copay for other drugs would
rise. The Defense Department included these proposals in the FY2009 defense
budget proposal. MOAA is fighting those unfair increases.
The Task Force also proposed an annual
$120 enrollment fee for TRICARE-For-Life beneficiaries, but the Defense
Department didn't include that in the FY2009 defense budget, so that's
not on the legislative table this year. MOAA believes it's only a matter
of time before Defense leaders push for a TFL enrollment fee at least that
big.
3. Has the Shingles vaccination SNAFU been
fixed yet? I'm being required to pay for almost the whole thing out of
pocket!
TRICARE does cover the vaccine, but TRICARE
deductibles and copays will apply for TFL users. That means that retirees
who get the vaccine early in the year, before they've met their annual
deductible will pay some or all of the cost of the benefit. MOAA believes
preventive care such as this vaccine should be exempt from any deductible
or copay, and has recommended that to both the Defense Department and Congress.
At the very least, it should be covered as a pharmacy issue rather than
a health care service, so that it would only have a $3 or $9 copay and
be exempt from the deductible.
4. What else is MOAA doing for those who
still aren't eligible for concurrent receipt?
MOAA's goal remains full repeal of the
disability offset for all retirees with any service-connected injury. We've
made significant progress, for many but about two-thirds of the disabled
retiree population remains to be helped. MOAA is pushing Congress to equalize
coverage for all members 50% or more disabled, regardless of years of service,
and to expand coverage to those with 40% or lower disability ratings. MOAA
considers this a vesting issue. Disabled members should be entitled to
keep their service-earned retired pay (2.5% of pay times years of service),
independent of any service-caused disability.
5. Is MOAA stopping the campaign to get
equity for survivors who suffer from the offset between the military's
and the VA's survivor annuity?
Definitely not. MOAA's goal is the full
elimination of any VA compensation deduction from the military Survivor
Benefit Plan (SBP). Last year, we won a step in the right direction when
Congress formally acknowledged the inequity of the current offset and authorized
a very modest $50 monthly payment to the affected survivors, with some
additional increases in future years. That's a very small payment indeed,
and even that change excluded eligibility for survivors whose military
sponsors died on active duty.
But hard experience indicates that full
repeal isn't likely to happen in one year. We're pushing Congress to include
active duty deaths and plus up the monthly payment to all affected survivors,
with the goal of eliminating the offset as quickly as humanly possible. |
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Virginia General Assembly Report
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| This is a partial report on those bills that support the Military and
Veterans in Virginia. These bills passed the House and Senate and
were approved by the Governor. Some of these were on the Joint Leadership
Council of Veterans Service Organizations 2008 Legislatives Objectives.
HB 229/SB 760 Veterans services in the Commonwealth: (Patrons:
Cosgrove – R – 78/ Wagner – R – 7) Requests the Department of Veterans
Services to establish guidelines for the determination of eligibility for
Virginia-domiciled veterans and their spouses, orphans, and dependents
for participation in programs and benefits administered by the Department.
The bill also clarifies that the purpose of the Veterans Services Foundation
is to provide funding for veteran services and programs in the Commonwealth.
HB 475 Wounded Warrior: (Patron: Cox – R – 66) Requires the Department
of
Veterans Services, in cooperation with the Department of Mental Health,
Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services and the Department of Rehabilitative
Services, to establish a program to monitor and coordinate mental health
and rehabilitative services support for Virginia veterans and members of
the Virginia National Guard and Virginia residents in the Armed Forces
Reserves not in active federal service to address the signature wounds
of the “War on Terror” – traumatic brain injuries, combat stress, and post-traumatic
stress disorders.
HB 474 Virginia War Memorial Education Center: (Patron: Cox –
R – 66) Requires the State Comptroller to advance a loan of $5.97 million
for the state share of the construction of an educational wing for the
Virginia War Memorial, upon certification by the Governor that $2 million
in private funds have been raised, pledged, or expended to support the
projects. The Comptroller shall advance $500,000 of the $5.97 million upon
certification that $1 million in private funds has been raised for the
education center.
HB 477/SB 314 Veterans Services Foundation: (Patrons: Cox – R–
66/ Edwards – D - 21) Establishes the Veterans Services Foundation as a
body politic and corporate to provide funding for veterans’ services and
programs in the Commonwealth. The bill clarifies the purpose of the Veterans
Services Foundation to raise funds from the private sector for veterans’
services and programs in the state and adds eight citizen members with
fundraising experience appointed by the General Assembly, and the Chair
of the Joint Leadership Council to the Foundation’s board of trustees.
Status: Passed the House, Senate. HB 477 approved by the Governor.
HB 175/SB 325 Credit Freeze for Resident Service Members and Spouses:
(Patrons: Ware, O. – D – 11/Wagner - R – 7 plus two other bills) incorporated
into other House and Senate Bills without deletion of charges for the freeze.
Status: Passed by House, Senate. Approved by the Governor.
HB 524 In-state tuition for military personnel and dependents: (Patron:
Suit – R – 81) Provides that in determining the domiciliary intent of retired
military personnel, or the domiciliary intent of their dependents, the
requirement to prove domiciliary intent in Virginia for one year is waived.
Also, provides that any active duty members, activated guard or reservist
members, or guard or reservist members mobilized or on temporary active
orders for six months or more, who are either stationed or assigned by
their military service to a work location in Virginia and are residing
in Virginia are entitled to in-state tuition. Makes clear dependents
of military members stationed in Virginia will be considered Virginia residents
for tuition and National Guard Tuition benefits are strengthened.
Status: Passed the House, Senate. Approved by the Governor.
Wounded Warrior Budget Amendment for HB475: (Patron: Cox – R
– 66) Budget amendment for $5.9 Million is in the Budget passed by House;
$1.3 Million is in the Senate passed Budget. Status: House
and Senate approved to $4.5Million for the two-year budget. Awaiting
Governor’s action.
HB 1386/SB 680 Service-disabled veteran-owned small business programs;
aligns state’s requirements with federal: (Patrons: Miller – R – 50/
Wagner – R – 7) Aligns Virginia’s eligibility requirements for participation
in the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program with federal
eligibility requirements set by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
Status: Passed the House, Senate. HB 1386 approved by the Governor.
HB 1024 Extends deadlines for driver's license and related documents
renewal: (Patron: Frederick – R – 52) Extends driver's license renewal,
license plate registration, local vehicle registration, property tax, and
other state and local tax deadlines until 90 days after return from deployment
for military personnel. Status: Passed the House, Senate. Approved
by the Governor.
HB 319 Fishing permits; issued to patients from veterans or military
hospitals: (Patron: Cox – R – 66) Allows the Director of the Department
of Game and Inland Fisheries to permit any organized groups of patients
residing in or receiving outpatient treatment from a veterans or military
hospital in Virginia to fish without having to obtain licenses. They
would be allowed to fish in any public waters including those stocked with
trout. Status: Passed the House, Senate. Approved by the Governor.
SB 188 Custodial Rights of Mobilized Service Members: (Patron:
Herring – D – 33) Incorporates Sen. Blevins’ SB 170 and creates the Military
Parents Equal Protection Act regarding the custody and visitation orders
modified based on deployed status of active military duty personnel.
Status: Passed the House, Senate. Awaiting Governor’s action. |
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Military ID Card Notification Program
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| This program is designed to help Chapter members and their dependent’s
to renew their 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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VCOC Schedule
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| The VCOC Congressional Luncheon was held on 16 April in Washington
D. C. at the Senate Building. A report will follow in the next Newsletter.
The next Quarterly meeting will be held on 11 July in Charlottesville,
Virginia. The Central Virginia Chapter will host. |
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| Shown above is General Evans Commander U. S. Army 80th HQ Training
Command.
General Evans was our guest speaker at the 14 March 2008 VCOC quarterly
meeting held at the 80th Headquarters located South of Richmond.
The General discussed command responsibilities world wide and up coming
changes in command structure. |
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VCOC Fund Raising Campaign for the Virginia War
Memorial Education Center
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| The Education Center of the Virginia War Memorial will require both
government and private funding. The Virginia War Memorial Education
Foundation (VWMEF) is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt foundation - gifts are tax deductible.
If there are enough people donating money (indicating "Virginia MOAA" on
the naming contribution form), then we could earn a chance to "name"
a room in the new education center for the Virginia Chapters of the Military
Officers Association of America. The Veterans Research Library requires
$50,000 of donations. A conference room requires $25,000. If
most MOAA members in Virginia give a little, we could easily reach one
of the naming opportunities. The VWMEF website is www.vawarmemorial.org.
Telephone number is (804)786-2060. In the designation block enter;
Hampton Roads Chapter, Virginia MOAA. The HRCMOAA contributed $1,000
to this effort. We encourage all members to consider donating
to this cause. A form is provided for your convenience. Complete
and send to Virginia War Memorial Educational Foundation, 621 S. Belvidere
St., Richmond, VA 23220-6504. |
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Virginia War Memorial Educational Center Contribution
Form
Yes, I wish to honor our heroes and help to educate the public on the
significant contributions made by Virginians to preserve and protect our
country’s freedoms.
$25____ $50____ $100____ $_________
Name:
Street:
City:
State:
Zip code:
Check payable to the VWMEF is enclosed. Or,
Charge my gift to:
Master card___ Visa___ AmExp___, Discover___
Card#_______________________________
Exp.Date_______ Signature___________________
Credit: Hampton Roads Chapter, Virginia MOAA. |
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29 February Luncheon
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| Shown above is the HRCMOAA Second Vice President, MAJ Norm Crews
presenting a cup to CAPT Ron Johnson, USN Ret., who was the guest
speaker at the luncheon. Ron was an Associate Professor of Oceanography
at ODU in Norfolk, VA. He discussed 4 areas of Oceanography: Biological,
Chemical, Physical, and Geological and explained the interaction between
the 4 areas and how changes in one area affects the other areas. |
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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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| Apr 2008: Friday, 25th, Program, Luncheon at Oceana
Officers Club on 25th. Guest Speaker was CAPT Emily Christman, Commanding
Officer of NOAA.
Jun 2008: Friday, 27th, Program, Dinner at Aberdeen Barn
Aug 2008: TBD. |
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2008 ROTC/JROTC AWARD SCHEDULES
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| School |
Date |
Time |
Presenter |
| ROTC Units: |
Completed |
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NJROTC Units
Virginia Beach: |
| Princess Anne HS |
Completed |
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| First Colonial HS |
May 7 |
1830 |
TBD |
| Landstown HS |
May 16 |
1830 |
TBD |
| Salem HS |
May 19 |
1900 |
TBD |
| Green Run HS |
May 21 |
1900 |
TBD |
NJROTC Units
Norfolk: |
Booker T. Washington HS
Granby HS
Lake Taylor HS
Maury HS
Norview HS
(Combined Ceremony |
June 3 |
0900 |
James Dellaripa |
| Volunteers as presenter, contact Bill Lehr, at 426-5392 |
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Top of Page
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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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Note to Movers
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If you move please let the Chapter know by
following the directions above.
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IN MEMORIUM
CDR Maurice B Jackson, USN Ret.
(Barbara)
In this issue let us also remember all of our troops
who have died in defending our freedoms.
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