The guest speaker will be LtCol L. Stewart McKnelly, USMC Commanding Officer, Marine Air Group 49, Detachment D.  LtCol McKnelly, a native of Alexandria, Virginia, graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University, May of 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting.  He was commissioned as a Reserve Second Lieutenant 13 July 1990, through the Platoon Leaders Course Program.  In September 1990, LtCol McKnelly reported to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia to attend The Basic School.  Upon graduation in April of 1991, he reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training.  After successfully completing training with Naval Aviation Schools Command, VT-2, and HT-8 he received his Wings of Gold on 4 December 1992.  From July 2005 to December 2006 LtCol McKnelly held the billet of Executive Officer of HMM(T)-164 where he trained over 60 H2Ps and 150 enlisted aircrew while surpassing over 3000 mishap free flight hours.   In December 2006, LtCol McKnelly was reassigned to MAG-39 and held the billet of Marine Air Group 39 Operations officer till July 2007. 

From August 2007 to February 2008 LtCol McKnelly was assigned to MARFORCOM where he was assigned as the Assault Support Action Officer in the G-3/5/7 Current Operations Air Cell.  On 29 February 2008, LtCol McKnelly assumed his current duty assignment as the Commanding Officer of Marine Air Group 49, Detachment D.

Below are LtCol Grathwol and GySgt. Deena Coleman, Toys for Tots Coordinators, as they accept some of the toys donated by our Chapter members in November 2007. 

This will be my last message as your president. I have been your president for the past two years and thank you for permitting me to serve in that capacity.

We attained 5 Star Level-of-Excellence Award for our performance as a chapter in both years. This is the highest level that a chapter can attain.  The chapter has also won the top Web Site Award for 2007.

The Give Me Ten program netted 81 new members for MOAA this year. Some of these new members were as a result of the USNI/ AFCEA involvement and the Gold Bar Program. The Gold Bar Program was instituted this past year. Newly commissioned officers, resulting from the Army and Navy ROTC college program, receive their rank insignia and also a free one year membership in MOAA.

The Board of Directors added a two- year renewal membership dues assessment of $28.00. The renewal rates are now $15.00 for one year, $28.00 for two years and $39.00 for three years.

Additionally, I must congratulate our 1VP, Major Norman Crews, for the excellent programs and speakers as well as the location and price structure of social events.

Members of your board participated in the Memorial Day Activities, Veteran’s Day Parade, Navy Retired Activities and the Armed Services YMCA Five Star Military Family Recognition
Luncheon.

The chapter donated money to the Veteran’s Memorial in Richmond and the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program. We are also actively involved in the VCOC (Virginia Council of Chapters)

I am disappointed in the loss of membership in the chapter.  We are now at 548 members, down from 742 members in 2006. The membership chair sent cards to all members who had let their membership expire. We need you. Numbers count, especially when our Virginia Legislators are voting for or against bills that help our Military and their Families. 

Again, It has been a pleasure for me to serve you. I also thank my board members, committee members and all Chapter Members.

          God Bless America.

VETERANS CHARITIES, CAN THEY BE TRUSTED?

COL Jack Hilgers, Legislative Representative

On a daily basis we receive letters and phone calls soliciting contributions for charities.  Particularly prevalent are those organizations representing themselves as Law Enforcement and Fire Prevention (i.e., First Responders), and Veterans and Military.

You may surprised to learn that these two categories have the worst performing reputation among charities. According to the American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) (www.charitywatch.org), too many veterans (and first responder) charities choose to spend most of their donated dollars on direct mail and telemarketing solicitations, executive salaries, and other overhead expenses that do not directly benefit veterans or our active duty military.

Many of these so-called charities explain away their high overhead with excuses that do not wash under the light of day.  Several of these are organizations that use their Congressional Charter as evidence of reputability.

You may ask, how do I know where my contribution will go?  How my contribution will be spent?

AIP lists several criteria, the foremost being the percent of contributions expended on fundraising costs.  Overhead costs, including education, should be 35% or less.  Single digit overhead costs are attainable and provide the greatest confidence that the majority of the funds are going to our troops and veterans.  There are other criteria, but this one is basic.

AIP lists some 500 charities and rates them.  Check their website for the charity of interest to you, even if it is a well known veterans fund.  If it is not listed, search the internet for a home page.  If the fund is reputable, it will provide a balance sheet or a report of income and expenses for you to judge.  Beware of fancy websites, celebrity endorsements, Congressional Charters and like certifications (including 501 (c) (3)), and other possible distractions.  Avoid committing to pledges over the phone from telemarketers regardless of their affiliation.

Be vigilant and ensure our troops and veterans are supported with your contributions. 

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.

Contribution/Pledge of Support
Yes! You can count on my support to assist Virginia’s veterans, members of the Virginia National Guard, Virginia residents of the Armed Forces Reserves not on active federal service, and their family members, who are dealing with the effects of traumatic brain disorders, combat stress, and post-traumatic stress disorders resulting from their combat service and sacrifice in the U.S. Armed Forces.

I am enclosing/pledging my most generous contribution in the amount of:
__ $1,000   __ $500   __ $250   __ $100   __ $50   __ Other $________

Please make checks payable to:

Virginia Veterans Services Foundation
For: VWWP: 900 East Main Street, Ground Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Name(s)  ______________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________
Home Phone _______________________ 
Work Phone _______________________
Email_______________________________________
Employer __________________________ 
Occupation ________________________

For additional information about the Foundation or about contributing, contact Col. Jack Hilgers (USMC, Ret) at the Department of Veterans Services, 900 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219, 804-382-3715 or 757-481-4164 or Steven Combs at the Department of Veterans Services, 804-786-0294.

LTC Sean Herron, USA briefed the members on his function at Ft Story.  There are over 1,000 Army, Navy, and Marine Corps personnel at Ft Story.  The Navy and Marines conduct EOD training before going to Iraq and Afghanistan.  The Army holds Transportation training before deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan.  Shown below is LTC Herron during his briefing.

The Admiral discussed how the prisoners/detainees are handled, how they are housed and what kind of medical care they receive. He praised the guards that monitor the detainees and the long hours that they must work.  He also indicated that the interrogation of detainees is conducted in a proper manner. 

The purpose of the SOLO group is to be a social support  group for those single adults who find themselves alone due to the loss of a loved one and wish to expand and contribute to an active social life.

Please contact Betty Black at 460-0258, Dolly Streit at 481-5057, or Mo Wheatley at 425-5984.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, the MOAA Scholarship Fund – American Patriot Grant has supported 96 children whose military parent died while in active service. This year, 60 children will receive a $5,000 American Patriot Grant. 

Eligible retirees will not see the change until their November pay because military retired pay is paid one month in arrears. After the effective date of Oct. 1, 2008, members will have their premiums terminated when they meet both the age 70 and 360-month premium requirement.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) will include “premium counters” on all Retiree Account Statements (RAS) to help retirees monitor their paid-premium status on their annual RAS in December 2008 and when any subsequent RAS is issued. The counter represents the total number of paid premium months credited to a retiree’s account that automatically increases with each month a full premium payment is made.

Regardless of whether you will be eligible for paid-up status as of Oct. 1, 2008, or some later date, no action is required by you to initiate the termination of premiums — and you maintain your current annuity coverage at no further cost.