President’s Message
Fellow Officers:
I am still in awe of the wonderful and inspirational event which we
held only a couple of weeks ago. I believe that our 50th Anniversary
Dinner Dance was an event that will long live in our memories. I
know it will in mine. As the Color Guard posted the Colors and the
band played the service anthems, tears involuntarily rolled down my cheeks.
Several of you admitted the same experience. Those of you there know
that VADM Ryan was unable to be with us, as planned. However,
when his fine representative, COL Lee Lange, II explained why ADM
Ryan could not be with us we were all proud that he was representing us
in Iraq. COL Lange was a most eloquent representative and touched
us all when he presented each Past President present with a MOAA coin.
We are most appreciative of his presence with us for this signal event
in our history.
There are many in our chapter who made this event possible. We
had a committee to plan and coordinate this event led by CAPT “Holly”
Hollandsworth. I am sure that you will agree that a better leader
could not have been found. He was assisted by CAPT Jack Colgan,
CAPT
Loren Heckelman and Lt Col “Rip” Dellaripa. In my opinion,
no group could have done a better job and we owe them a great debt of gratitude.
We all looked good because of their efforts. Gentlemen, THANK YOU
from the bottom of my heart and please accept the everlasting gratitude
of our entire chapter.
From the Prelude by the Fleet Forces Band to the Presentation of the
Colors by the Joint Services Color Guard, to the beautiful Anniversary
Cake prepared by the culinary staff of the USS Ashland (LSD 48) and the
wonderful dance music of the ensemble of retired Navy musicians, the evening
was magical and brought us back to Dining’s Out in our previous lives.
Thank all of you who came. I trust you were not disappointed.
I hope those who were not able, or who chose not to be with us, will
be with us in the future. We were the poorer for you absence.
We were most fortunate to have six of our living Past Presidents with
us for this event, including CDR John Salop, USN; COL Floyd Gilbert,
USA; COL “Ted” Holt, USMC; CDR John Vermillion, USN; CAPT
Ray Hart, USN; and Lt Col “Rip” Dellaripa, USAF. It is
not by accident that we remain alive and well after 50 years. Many
chapters have not survived. We are here because of the efforts of
these gentlemen and those like them who are no longer with us. We
owe them a debt of gratitude that cannot be repaid.
Have a wonderful summer! We will take July and August off, except
for the July 11th Board Meeting. Our next regular meeting will be
September 18th at Atlantic Shores.
Respectfully,
Norm
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HRCMOAA Directory
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Directors
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Committees
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| MOAA Legislative Update
(Weekly Issue) |
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| Defense Bill Drama |
The House Armed Services Committee approved
H.R. 2647, the House version of the FY2010 Defense Authorization Bill.
Key provisions of the bill include:
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Pay Raise: Authorizes 3.4% raise for 2010,
vs. the 2.9% proposed by the Pentagon
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Manpower levels: Allows the Army to grow an
additional 30,000 active duty troops in FY2011 and FY2012, as long as the
Army budgets for it
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Leave carryover: Extends the temporary increase
in the maximum number of leave days that can be carried over from one year
to the next (75 days)
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Injured compensation: Establishes a monthly
allowance for catastrophically injured service members so they can receive
assistance with tasks of daily living
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Housing allowance: Requires DOD to review
standards used to calculate the monthly rates
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Medical manning: Directs the Pentagon to establish
a DoD school of nursing and provide health professional scholarships for
students pursuing degrees related to mental health care
What the approved bill does not address is
TRICARE fee increases, improvements in concurrent receipt, nor relief for
military survivors suffering from the SBP/DIC offset.
Military Personnel Subcommittee Chair Susan
Davis (D-CA) said, "Thankfully, this year the subcommittee did not have
to deal with the dramatic increases to TRICARE fees...Secretary Gates has
indicated a willingness to work with the committee to address the significant
growth in military health care expenditures."
Her next statement was a wake-up call for
next year, however. "We could have included a prohibition on fees this
year," she said, "but it would have created a false sense of security that
prohibitions on health care fees would continue in the future." MOAA has
long said that it’s unrealistic to expect that fees will never increase.
The need is to get some language in law acknowledging that military people
pay huge, up-front premiums in service and sacrifice over and above what
they pay in cash, establish statutory limits on Pentagon authority to raise
fees, and require DoD to pursue alternative options to achieve health cost
savings. Davis noted further that the Subcommittee supports the provision
in the President's budget to phase out the disability offset to retired
pay for all military disability retirees. "Unfortunately, the subcommittee
was unable to identify spending offsets to pay for that $5.1 billion proposal..."
She said House leaders want to make that improvement and are working to
find the funding so the provision can be included in the bill when it comes
before the full House for action (expected next week).
During subsequent committee action, Rep.
Joe Wilson (R-SC) proposed an amendment to repeal the disability offset
for all disabled retirees, repeal the SBP/DIC offset, and improve health
coverage for early Guard/Reserve retirees. He proposed paying for it by
reducing other government program funding by a fraction of a percentage
point. But the amendment was tabled on a budgetary point of order because
its $36 billion 10-year cost couldn’t be funded with offsets under the
committee’s control. MOAA provided Rep. Wilson a letter of support
for his amendment as a matter of principle. We understand the Armed Services
Committee’s difficulty in complying with House rules that require budget
offsets within its jurisdiction. But we believe strongly that, when Congress
is providing trillions in stimulus packages and bailouts to lots of less-deserving
groups, congressional leaders must be held accountable to find the means
to provide substantive progress for both disabled retirees and SBP/DIC
widows. |
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From the Editor 
Gold Bar Presentations
COL James Smith, USA Ret. presents Gold Bars and a one year membership
to National MOAA to Cadet Madison N. Warner (One of thirteen for
the day). Madison is a Graduate of Old Dominion University.
Accompanying Jim is LTCOL William Brown III, USA and the Professor
of Military Science. |
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| Every year at this time, the U.S. Army ROTC Monarch Battalion at Old
Dominion University, holds their annual President’s Review and Awards Ceremony.
Again, they were blest with a beautiful spring day on this 23rd of April.
The Hampton Roads Chapter, Military Officers Association of America was
honored to be one of the many award presenters at the ceremony. Jim
presented Gold Bars to thirteen Cadets. Earlier in the ceremony,
he presented the MOAA Leadership Award to Cadet Elizabeth L. Hayward,
a Graduate of Old Dominion University. |
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| The Norfolk State University held it’s annual Commissioning Ceremony
on 8 May 2009 for their Army ROTC Cadets. The Professor of Military
Science at NSU is LTCOL Nicholas M. Anthony, Jr., USA. The guest
speaker for this event was COL Patrick D. Sargent, USA and Commander
of the 62nd Medical Brigade.
COL Jim Smith, USA Ret. is shown below presenting the Gold Bar Awards
to the three NSU graduates to be commissioned. Top to bottom is Cadet
Darrell Whiting, Military Intelligence, Cadet Rafael Chico-Lugo,
Field Artillery, and Cadet Shawntae Woodhoue, Adjutant General Corps. |
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Give Me Ten
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| The HRCMOAA works the MOAA booth on 12 May 2009, along with National
MOAA, at the Joint Warfighting 09 Conference in Virginia Beach, VA.
This Conference is sponsored jointly by AFCEA International and the U.
S. Naval Institute. The purpose of the booth is to make the attendees
aware of MOAA’s mission and what we can do for them. The Chapter
and MOAA representatives explain the advantages of becoming a member and
how MOAA helps to maintain a strong national defense and keep the earned
entitlements of members and their families and survivors. Eligible
attendees were encouraged, as first time members, to sign for a one year
free membership. Shown above, from the left, is CAPT Jack Colgan,
USN Ret., Chapter Membership Chairman, CDR Chuck Smith, USN Ret.
(a newly signed member), and COL Bob Norton, USA Ret., MOAA National
Representative and Deputy Director of Government Relations. The Chapter
splits the number of new members signed for Give Me Ten Purposes. |
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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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| The Salem High School NJROTC unit held their Annual awards ceremony
on Tuesday, May 19th, at the school. The unit was established in
September of 1996 and is lead by Captain Patrick W. Hunt and
AZCS
Francisco Rodriquez.
CAPT Jim Jones, USN Ret. is shown presenting the MOAA Leadership
Award to Cadet Andre Westerman NJROTC. |
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| Five Norfolk High Schools held their NJROTC awards ceremony on 27 May
2009. The first Norfolk NJROTC Unit was established in 1969,
The five schools were Booker T. Washington, Granby, Lake Taylor, Maury,
and Norview. The ceremonies took place at the Norfolk Naval Station
on the Marine parade field. The guest speaker was RADM Mark H.
Buzby, USN and Deputy Chief of Staff for Global Force Management and
Joint Operations. The five students receiving the MOAA Leadership
Awards are shown below. |
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| Also shown is CDR Earl Byers, USN Ret. presenting the MOAA Leadership
Award to each of the Cadets. Errors in the awardee list prevents
clear identification of the Cadets pictured. |
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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 April 29th Luncheon
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| The April luncheon was held at the NAS Oceana Officers Club.
The guest speaker was CAPT Catherine Wilson, NC, USN Ret.
Catherine is the Executive Director of Virginia’s Wounded Warrior Program.
Shown above is Chapter President MAJ Norm Crews presenting the Jefferson
Cup to Catherine as a thank you gift. Catherine discussed her responsibilities
and explained how the program will coordinate support services for veterans
with stress related and traumatic brain injuries resulting from service
in a combat area. The Program will support Virginia Veterans and
members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia residents of
the Armed Forces Reserves not in active federal service. The program
also supports the family members of these Veterans, Guard and Reserve members.
The 50/50 drawing was won by COL James Edge, USA Ret. He is
shown below presenting his share, over $80 to the Virginia Wounded
Warrior program. Catherine graciously accepts. |
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HRCMOAA May 27th Luncheon
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| The May luncheon was held at the NAS Oceana Officers’ Club. The guest
speaker was Captain Joe Bouchard, USN Ret. and Eighty-Third District
Delegate to the Commonwealth of Virginia House of Delegates. Captain Bouchard
is also a chapter member. He talked briefly about how the House of Delegates
conducts business and then spoke in some detail about six legislative objectives
for 2009 that had been adopted by the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans
Service Organizations and how they fared in the General Assembly. Four
of the six objectives passed, of which Captain Bouchard was either a co-patron
or patron. The objectives that passed were Automated System for the Electronic
Preparation of Veterans’ Disability Claims, Interstate Compact on Educational
Opportunities for Military Children, Real Estate Tax Relief for 100% Disabled
Veterans and Homeless Veterans Study. Burial Vaults for Virginia State
Veterans Cemeteries passed in the Senate but failed in the House Appropriations
Committee. Military Family Relief Fund was never placed on the agenda in
the House Finance Committee. Captain Bouchard also spoke briefly about
the impact of offshore drilling and offshore wind farms on U.S. military
readiness and Virginia Beach. Chapter President Major Norm Crews
presented Captain Bouchard with the Jefferson Cup in recognition and appreciation
for having addressed the chapter with his very enlightening and informative
remarks. |
| (Photo and coverage by CAPT
Loren Heckelman, USN Ret.) |
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Annual Congressional Luncheon
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| COL Jack Hilgers (right) introduces Congressman Glen Nye who
represents the 2nd District in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. (Photo
by David Wade) |
The Virginia Council of Chapters held it’s 24th annual appreciation
luncheon on 28 April 2009.
From the HRCMOAA, COL Dave Wade, USA Ret, and COL Jack Hilgers,
USMC Ret, attended the luncheon held on Capitol Hill. The luncheon
was in appreciation to the Congressional members from Virginia for their
important contributions to our national defense. It was an
opportunity to reinforce with the legislators the VCOC and MOAA national
legislature top priority objectives for 2009 – 2010.
The Congressional members attended as time permitted, as it was the
week for voting on the budget. Senator Warner spoke. Senator Webb
could not attend but sent a representative in his stead who spoke briefly.
Of our 11 Representatives, 8 attended. All took a few minutes
to speak in support of defense spending and generally supported VCOC and
MOAA objectives. They also discussed the bills they sponsored or supported.
Some of the key points included:
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Veterans play a critical role in the legislative process; for example,
this year veterans were instrumental in reversing the administration on
certain issues.
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Support of Tricare.
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Concern that the budget and resulting deficit take options for defense
in the future off the table; budget driving strategy vs. strategy driving
budget.
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Economy key issue; spending needs to be under control to address
key international defense challenges.
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Support of veterans small business priority for government contracts
and veterans priority for government jobs.
Jack Hilgers spoke with Congressmen Eric Cantor, Randy Forbes,
and Glenn Nye regarding support for MOAA legislative objectives
and the need to be co-sponsors of the veterans bills before Congress.
Jack received favorable responses from all three. He provided Congressman
Nye’s legislative assistant with the complete MOAA package and had the
honor of introducing 2nd Congressional District Congressman Nye to those
assembled at the luncheon. |
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VCOC Schedule
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2009 Quarterly Meetings:
July 10, Lexington, VA at VMI.
October 9, Petersburg, VA area.
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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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| Board Meetings; held the first Saturday of each month at 0830
in the Little Creek Golf Course meeting room.
There will be no chapter meetings during July and August.
The next Chapter meeting will be held in September at the Atlantic Shores
Retirement Community. The program is to be determined. |
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IN MEMORIUM
CAPT William Vose, USN (Ret)
(Mary)
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