Fellow Officers:

The last two months have been busy ones for our Chapter.  We are in the midst of ROTC/NROTC awards and commissioning exercises and NJROTC awards programs.  Dave Wade has done an outstanding job leading this program with the assistance of a number of our chapter members.  If you would like to assist with this program please give Dave a call.  Additionally, Dave is spearheading a new program with which we are assisting called the “Honor Flight” program which honors our WWII veterans and those who have been wounded in battle.  Details can be found elsewhere in this newsletter.

Our membership drive, led by Jack Colgan, has resulted in a number of previous members renewing and the MOAA “Give Me 10” program is progressing well.  We recently staffed a booth at an Army Reserve Convention, will shortly do the same at the Virginia National Guard Convention and the NSLI/AFCEA Conference where we will join national MOAA.  Due to our efforts in 2008, we recently received a check from national MOAA for over $1850.00 as reimbursement for free memberships offered.  These are examples of our continuing efforts to serve the military and our communities.  It is a big job for a small number of our members and please know you are not only welcome but encouraged to pitch in.

“Holly”  Hollandsworth, our 1st Vice President and Program Chair has been more than busy scheduling our monthly meetings, obtaining speakers and exploring new venues.  In response to your input, we anticipate having our September meeting at Atlantic Shores. 

Kudo’s are due to John Vermillion and Clif Furedy.  We were recently informed that we have again won the “best Newsletter,”  “best Electronic Newsletter,” and “best Website Awards from MOAA.  Congratulations to John and Clif.  We are most appreciative of the work you do on our behalf.

Lastly, you will note that Holly is planning a gala event in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Hampton Roads Chapter.  You will see elsewhere in the newsletter that the venue has been set, the menu selected, a color guard and military band obtained and Vice Admiral Ryan, the MOAA President, will be our Speaker.  All that is needed is your attendance and participation.  You are welcome to bring guests.  Please respond to the card which we are sending out so we will have some idea how many we can expect to attend.  Your presence is critical to the success of this event.  We are keeping the costs low and in the words of “Rip” Dellaripa, we plan to give back to the chapter in the form of the chapter treasury picking up much of the cost of this event.

With Respects and best wishes,

Gold Bar Presentations

The Chapter recently participated in the spring awards ceremony for the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps of Hampton Roads.  CAPT Jim Jones presented Gold Bars to over 40 Officer Candidates, Midshipmen, and MECEPs in a ceremony held at ODU.  All received a one year free membership to National MOAA.  Also in attendance were COL David Wade, Community Affairs, and Myself.

The RAO’s also assist retired members with keeping up with changing benefit programs as they are enacted by congress to include VA disability, CRSC and other issues.

Probably the most important service is assisting recent widows in applying for survivor benefits.  Many widows do not understand what benefits are available and what is needed to obtain them.  All that is necessary is to come to the RAO with an original death certificate, your ID Card, the deceased spouses ID Card, and a check from which the bank routing number and account number can be obtained for direct deposit purposes.  The Volunteer on duty will make the appropriate death notifications, complete and fax all necessary forms to DFAS and provide you a copy for your records.  He or she will inform/remind you of other things that must be done; e.g., obtaining a new ID Card, reminder to go to the Social Security Office, VA, if disability was being paid, collecting on insurance policies, etc..

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.

Option 1 - (a) Use MyPay to restore your "old" (higher) withholding amount, or (b) Fill out and mail a new W-4 to DFAS that restores the withholding. 

Option 2 - Submit estimated tax payments to the IRS right now in April, and then again on June 15, September 15, and January 15 (2010) with payments of $100 or $200 each time (to make up the $400 (single) or $800 (married) total withholding difference). 

Option 3 - Do nothing. The refund will simply be $400/$800 lower than it usually has been (depending on marital status). 

The chapter also presents gold bars and a certificate of free MOAA membership for one year to officer candidates that are going to be commissioned in the ROTC units in our region.   In some cases, the leadership and gold bars are presented in the same ceremony.

Schedule of Events: Those members who would like to attend or even make presentations are encouraged to contact HRCMOAA, Community Affairs, Chair, Colonel Dave Wade ( USA, Retired) at dcwade@cox.net or 757 549-2123.  The schedule of  these events is shown below.

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.

Funding was restored for the veterans automatic claims processing system; formerly known as "Turbo Vet." 

The interstate compact on educational opportunities for military children passed by a wide margin and the budget conferees provided $200,000 for compact administration. 

Local property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans also passed, but it must pas again during next year's session and then must pass a voters referendum in November 2010. 

The Homeless veterans study will be conducted. 

Legislation failed for two of our objectives; funding for veterans burial vaults and tax relief for recipients of the National Guard Military Family Relief Fund. The first did not pass for lack of funds, which was no surprise. The second failed because revenue reducing legislation was not heard during the session due to the economic turn-down. 

Other good news is that the $200,000 budget cut for the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program proposed by the Senate was not approved. Additionally, the Virginia War Memorial has benefited from a $6.5 million appropriation, therefore, no obstacle remains to starting construction of the Education Center. 

That's about it. The Governor did not change any veterans bills or funding.  Therefore there was no fallout during the General Assembly reconvene session on April 8 as far as veterans were concerned.

Next scheduled function will be 27 May, at the NAS Oceana Officers Club. The scheduled guest speaker is Congressman Glen Nye.

The Chapter 24 June function will be the 50th Anniversary Celebration to be held at the Brashear Conference Center NAB Little Creek, commencing at 1800 hours.