President’s Message
Fellow Officers:
On behalf of your Officers and Board of Directors, we wish to thank
you for the confidence you have shown in electing us to serve you this
year.
Last month a delegation from our chapter, led by Jim Jones, our
Virginia Council of Chapters Representative, and Jack Hilgers, our
Legislative Representative, “Stormed the Hill” in Richmond in support of
the VCOC legislative objectives for the current year. These objectives
are listed elsewhere in the newsletter. Your new Community Affairs
Chairman, Dave Wade, accompanied by “Rip” Dellaripa, John
Vermillion and myself presented our annual contribution to the Princess
Anne High School JNROTC unit to be used for trophies at the annual “Drill-off.”
I was privileged to present the trophies to the top three schools on February
17th. You would have been proud and pleased to have seen these young
Cadets perform on the drill field and for the academic performance achieved
by them. It is one of the many things we do as a chapter for which
we can be justifiably proud.
One of the highlights of this year will be our 50th Anniversary celebration.
“Holly”
Hollandsworth, our 1st Vice President and Program Chairman has appointed
a committee to plan this event. Your Board of Directors kicked around
some ideas to get us started and we hope to make this a memorable event
in the history of our Chapter.
We plan to find a way to provide you nuggets from our board meetings
in future issues of the Newsletter and to make each of you feel a real
part of what we do on your behalf and for the general membership to be
as much a part of our activities as you choose to be.
I look forward to seeing many of you at our luncheon on February 25th
at the Oceana Officers Club and to hearing your ideas on how we can enhance
our membership and participation in the Hampton Roads Chapter,
With Respects and best wishes,
Norm
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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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| MOAA Legislative Update
(Weekly Issue) |
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| How Will The Stimulus Package Affect
You? |
| Here's a summary of selected provisions:
Federal Income Tax Rebate: Working
employees (including the self-employed) would see a reduction in federal
income tax withholding and liability of up to $400 (single) or $800 (married
filing joint return). This tax credit would be calculated at 6.2% of earned
income, up to the capped amount. The credit would phase out for taxpayers
with adjusted gross incomes above $75,000 (single) or $150,000 (married
joint return).
Special Payment: Social Security
annuitants, disabled veterans, and certain others would be eligible for
a one-time $250 payment. Anyone who is eligible for this payment and also
eligible for the federal income tax rebate mentioned above would have the
$250 deducted from the latter in determining the end-of-year tax liability.
Military Homeowner Assistance Program
(HAP): HAP benefits (normally payable only at BRAC locations) are extended
to certain military homeowners who bought homes before July 1, 2006 and
who sell the homes before Sept. 30, 2012. To qualify the person must have
received PCS orders or must have incurred a service-caused condition during
a deployment in that period that caused disability retirement. For a member
who died during a deployment, the surviving spouse is eligible. The HAP
authorizes the government to reimburse the homeowner for a loss on the
sale up to 95% of the original value, or to purchase the home for up to
90% of the original value. Market values are determined by the Defense
Department.
Education Tax Credit: Taxpayers
with college education expenses would receive a tax credit of up to $2,500
for the cost of tuition, books, and related expenses during 2009 and 2010.
The credit would be 100% of the first $2,000 and 25% of the next $2,000.
The credit would phase out for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes above
$80,000 (single) or $160,000 (married).
First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit:
For 2009, the credit would be 10% of the purchase price, up to a maximum
for $8,000. The previous requirement for homeowners buying homes after
January 1, 2009 to pay the money back would be removed, unless the house
is sold within three years of purchase.
Vehicle Sales Tax Deduction: Taxpayers
purchasing a new car, light truck, RV or motorcycle in 2009 will be able
to deduct state and local sales and excise taxes paid on the vehicle. The
deduction will phase out for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes above
$125,000 (single) or $250,000 (married).
Incentives to Hire Unemployed Veterans:
Businesses would get a tax credit of 40% of the first $6,000 in wages for
hiring unemployed veterans who are within 5 years of leaving active duty
and who have drawn unemployment compensation for more than 4 weeks during
the year before being hired. |
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| Bill Seeks to Ease Troop/Family Stress |
| MOAA President VADM Norb Ryan (USN-Ret)
joined leaders of several other military and veterans associations at a
Feb. 12 press conference announcing introduction of bipartisan legislation,
H.R. 1052, calling for more reasonable "dwell time" for military units
between combat deployments.
Sponsored by Rep. Ellen Tauscher
(D-CA) and more than a dozen other House members including Rep. Walter
Jones (R-NC), the bill would set a minimum standard that active duty
units should be home for at least the same duration as the previous deployment
before being deployed again. For Guard/Reserve units the standard would
be three times the length of the previous deployment.
The bill establishes goals to increase
the dwell time to three times deployment length for active duty units and
five years for the Guard/Reserve.
The bill would authorize waivers to dwell
time requirements for volunteers, special operations forces, and in times
of emergency. "We recognize that mission comes first, and that current
missions and force levels keep us from being able to meet these dwell time
requirements for now" said Tauscher, "and that's why we included the waiver
provisions." But she insisted that the nation can't keep extracting the
current level of sacrifice from military members and families.
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) observed
that requiring multiple, short-turn combat tours means compounding the
exposure of military men and women to combat trauma and stress conditions
that could affect them for the rest of their lives. She noted that, for
the first time in January, the number of military suicides exceeded the
number of combat deaths. VADM Ryan expressed MOAA's support
for the legislation, saying, "This bill lays down a marker that we can't
backtrack from planned force increases. If we have to give waivers for
even these very modest dwell times, that's a clear warning signal that
our forces are far too small for the missions we're expecting of them.
We simply must 'stay the course' on the current plan to grow the force.
The alternative is consciously forcing our troops and families to keep
bearing an ever-greater share of the nation's wartime sacrifice, and that's
a recipe for an eventual retention and readiness meltdown." |
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From the Newsletter Editor 
This issue I will use the From the Editor space to include an article
written by Representative Robert Wittman from the Virginia 1st District
and published by the Rappahannock Record, Feb. 12, 2009 page A4.
By Rep. Robert Wittman, Congressman, Virginia 1st District
Just a month ago I had an opportunity to visit our servicemen and women
overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was able to witness first hand what
many of you already know: that they are some of the best and brightest
our country has to offer and they do an outstanding job protecting us day
in and day out. It is only right that we return the favor by extending
to them the healthcare they deserve and provide opportunities for them
to succeed when they return home.
Last week, I attended the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)
Take the Hill Day in Richmond. MOAA is the nation’s largest association
of military officers and prides itself on being a voice for our veterans.
I spoke with many veterans and their families and heard their ideas. Much
of our work focuses on our servicemen and women after they have completed
their service. However, we must also ensure that we provide for them while
they are still on active duty. This includes strengthening our all-volunteer
military by increasing and expanding the size of our ground forces. I would
like to see the Army grow to at least 700,000 soldiers and our Marine Corps
expanded to 202,000. These increases should not be done at the expense
of our Navy and Air Force and should not be achieved by re-instating the
draft. Our soldiers, seamen, airmen and Marines have heard the call of
duty and have willingly chosen to serve our country and our ideals.
Additionally, after military members leave the active ranks, we must
ensure their success in civilian life. Toward this end I have introduced
legislation to amend the Small Business Act to make service-connected disabled
veterans eligible for the 8(a) business development program. This legislation
would equate service-connected disabled veterans to women and minorities
in the small business arena. Our veterans have made a great sacrifice on
our behalf and they deserve equal treatment in small business management
opportunities and tax relief. Through this program I am excited to see
how our veterans would be able to strengthen our economy, our communities,
and the opportunities for their families.
Last, as our veterans enter retirement, we must keep the promise we
made to them upon their initial call to service and provide the opportunity
for affordable healthcare. This means ensuring that TRICARE fees are not
increased in an attempt to shore up budget shortfalls. I cosponsored the
Military Retirees’ Healthcare Protection Act in the 110th Congress and
have done so again in the 111th. This legislation is a preemptive strike
in case the Defense Department again attempts to raise deductibles, co-payments,
and enrollment fees for our veterans. If enacted, this legislation would
not only protect those who have served, but it would continue to attract
future generations to our nation’s military. The service must remain a
competitive option in the employment field for our youth, and maintaining
affordable healthcare for life is a promise we, as a Congress, must keep.
I am blessed to have met so many of our nation’s finest, not only on
my trips overseas, but here in America’s First District. We are home to
facilities that are vital to our national security and, like any service-oriented
organization; it is the people who truly make the institution. We
must continue to provide for our military personnel and aggressively explore
ways to improve their future. Our men and women in uniform have answered
the call of duty, and we must honor their sacrifice. [Source: Rappahannock
Record, Feb. 12, 2009 page A4] |
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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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2009 JROTC and ROTC Program
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| Please contact David Wade, our Community Affairs Chair, and volunteer
to present an award at one of our local High Schools or Colleges as they
hold their annual JROTC/ROTC awards ceremonies. It is a very
rewarding experience.
Each year the Princess Anne High School NJROTC unit, host a Drill Competition
which is normally attended by at least 16 other High School Units, some
from out of the local area. This year the event was be held at the
Little Creek Amphibious Base in the gymnasium. The Hampton Roads
Chapter Military Officers Association of America, each year, provides a
check to help purchase the trophies for the winning units. This year,
the Chapter provided a check for $600 to support this effort. Shown
below left to right are: COL David Wade, USA Ret. Community
Affairs Director; LtCol Jim Dellaripa, USAF Ret., Past President;
MAJ
Norm Crews, USA Ret. Chapter President; Brittany Dixon,
Commanding Officer NJROTC Unit; and Rejina Stallings, Executive
Officer NJROTC Unit. The Senior Naval Science Instructor is CAPT
Louis Giordano, USN Ret. |
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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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Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
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How can I help?
Virginia has provided a limited amount of funding for the Wounded Warrior
Program. The Commonwealth anticipates that its citizens will want to help.
The Virginia Veterans Services Foundation is available to receive contributions
to support the Program. The Foundation is an agency of the state
and is eligible to receive tax deductible contributions under Internal
Revenue Service Section 170 (c) and Code of Virginia Section 2.2-2719.
Donations are placed in the Veterans Services Fund and cannot revert to
the Commonwealth’s General Fund. In this case, they only can be used for
the Wounded Warrior Program. Donations to the Foundation are audited
annually by the Commonwealth’s Auditor of Public Accounts. This assures
that the maximum amount of citizens donations will go to our veterans and
not to administrative overhead. Information about contributing is
provided on the following page.
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
Your contribution is tax exempt under Internal Revenue Service Section
170 (c) and Code of Virginia Section 2.2.2719. Donations are placed in
the Veterans Services Fund and cannot revert to the Commonwealth’s General
Fund. Please complete the following five lines for contributions
of checks or cash, or when making a pledge.
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. |
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HRCMOAA January 29 Luncheon
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| The luncheon for installation of Officers featured: Mr. Kenneth
M. Rome who serves as the Executive Director Force Generation, U. S.
Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM). He is responsible for overseeing
USJFCOM’s execution of the conventional joint force provider mission within
the Global Force Management process. He briefed members on the JFC’s
structure, function and current operations. Shown above is Chapter
President Norm Crews presenting the Jefferson Cup to Mr. Rome as
a thank you gift. |
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Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Services
Organizations (Commonwealth of Virginia)
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| 2009 Legislative Objectives |
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| Automated System for the Electronic Preparation of Veterans’ Disability
Claims: The JLC recommends that the Governor and General Assembly
direct that “subject to the availability of sufficient funds, the Department
of Veterans Services shall … develop and deploy an automated system for
the electronic preparation of veterans’ disability claims.” |
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| Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children:
The JLC recommends that the Governor and General Assembly enact HB395 (2008),
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. |
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| Burial Vaults for Virginia State Veterans Cemeteries:
The JLC recommends that the Governor and General Assembly appropriate funds
so that burial vaults may be provided at no cost at Virginia state veterans
cemeteries. |
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| Military Family Relief Fund: The JLC recommends that the
Governor and General Assembly enact legislation providing that benefits
paid from the Military Family Relief Fund shall be nontaxable. |
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| Real Estate Tax Relief for 100% Disabled Veterans: The
JLC recommends that Governor and General Assembly pass legislation to amend
the Virginia Constitution that would require local governments to grant
real estate tax exemptions for 100% disabled veterans without regard to
means testing. |
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| Homeless Veterans Study: The JLC recommends that the Governor
and General Assembly fund a study to examine the current level of services
provided to homeless veterans in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the
need for and cost of additional services. |
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Give Me Ten Effort
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| Shown above, left to right, is COL Floyd Gilbert, USA
Ret. , CAPT Jim Jones, USN Ret., and CDR John Vermillion,
USN Ret. as they manned a table at the 80th Training Conference held at
the Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center. The Objective was
to recruit new members for MOAA and receive credit for the GMT program.
From 30 to 31 January, the HRCMOAA and the VIPMOAA Chapter worked the crowd
and signed up 18 new members. |
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HRCMOAA Attends the Annual ROWS Dinner/Dance
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| Every year the Retired Officers Wives Society holds their Annual Christmas
Dinner Dance at the Princess Anne Country Club. The local MOAA Chapter
is invited to attend. A number of the ROWS members husbands belong
to the Chapter. Shown below are some of the Chapter attendees: |
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CAPT Ray Hart, USN Ret. and wife Jane
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LtCol Bob Giovanelli, USMCR Ret. and wife Martha
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CDR John Vermillion, USN Ret. and wife Marty
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COL Jim Smith, USA Ret. and wife Sylvia
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VCOC Quarterly meeting was held at the Quartermasters
Museum at Fort Lee in Petersburg, VA.
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| The guest speakers for the January 9 meeting, were Ms. Linda Speed,
MOAA’s Transition Services Deputy Director, and Mr. Tom Kelly, Virginia
State Networking Coordinator. Shown below is the VCOC
President, LTC Pat Green, USA Ret. presenting the traditional cup
to the Guest Speakers. |
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VCOC Schedule
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2009 Quarterly Meetings:
March 13, Charlottesville, VA at Glenmore CC.
April 28, DC Congressional Luncheon
July 10, Lexington, VA at VMI.
October 9, Petersburg, VA area.
Other:
January 26, Richmond, VA “Storming the Hill”.
51 VCOC members attended. Governor Kaine spoke to the group in
the Capitol Building.
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Storming the Hill January 26
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| The Virginia Council of Chapters had their day at the General Assembly
on 26 January. Shown below are chapter members, delegates and Gov
Tim Kaine. |
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CDR John Vermillion, USN Ret. and CAPT Jim Jones,
USN Ret.
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Del Kirk Cox introducing Speaker William Howell
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Lt Gov Bill Bolling
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Gov Tim Kaine
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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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| Their will be no socials during the Summer Months of July and August.
The next socials will be in September, October and November. The
Chapter will also join with the ROWS in December. |
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IN MEMORIUM
CDR William L. Blumling, USN (Ret)
CDR Martin J. Mulderrig, Jr., USN (Ret)
CDR Martin M. Leibowitz, USN (Ret)
CWO4 David M. Wolchko, USN (Ret)
LCDR Fletcher A. Manning, USN (Ret)
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