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The Bi-Monthly Newsletter
of the
Hampton Roads Chapter
Military Officers Association
of America
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A MOAA Five
Star Level of Excellence Chapter Since 2004
A Winner Web
Site For 2011, a Runner Up, Printed Newsletter 2010, and Winner E Newsletter
2011.
Serving Chesapeake,
Norfolk, and Virginia Beach since 1959
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VOL 37-NO 3
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ONE POWERFUL VOICE
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MAY 2013
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The Tribute
In honor of those who have
sacrificed
to keep our country free.
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Courtesy
of the Arlington National Cemetery Website Images
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17
May 2013 Luncheon
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| The luncheon will be held at the Atlantic
Shores Community, Magnolia Room. Our guest speaker will be the Director
of Virginia’s Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Thelma Drake.
DRPT is responsible for delivering a high quality public transportation
and rail transportation system to the Commonwealth through service and
assistance to transportation partners and operating agencies. The objective
is to achieve a balanced transportation system in Virginia to ensure that
the best alternatives are available to everyone. Working in partnership
with transit and commuter service agencies, freight and passenger rail
operators, and their customers, the state will be able to move more people
and goods effectively and efficiently throughout the Commonwealth. |
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21
June 2013 Luncheon
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| The luncheon will be held at the Virginia
Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center. Our Scheduled guest speaker
will be the Commanding Officer at NAS Oceana, CAPT Robert N. Geis,
USN. He graduated AOCS in October 1987, and was designated a Naval
Flight Officer in January 1989. CAPT Geis was selected for command of Strike
Fighter Squadron 211 and transitioned to the F/A-18F Super Hornet. The
command was awarded the Battle Efficiency award for 2005. During
his command tour, the squadron deployed on USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) in support
of both Operations ENDURING and IRAQI FREEDOM. |
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| Visit our website at www.hrcmoaa.org,
read the Electronic Newsletter, access MOAA national, Service Departments,
Health and Benefit locations, U. S. Senators and Representatives
and many others. If you do not have the Members Only “Password” please
contact any of our Officers. |
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President’s Message
Fellow Officers and Spouses:
Evelyn and I hope that all enjoyed
a wonderful Easter with family and friends. Spring is here – although
the first few days seemed like winter! Let’s start with good news
– Lt. Steve Hackney, USN (Ret) has stepped up to be our Treasurer.
Steve and I made the transfer in March. I wrote my first check as
your Treasurer in late 2009 and I thank all who assisted me with this task
during the past 4 years especially our super Web Master Clif Furedy.
Clif’s professionalism, patience and understanding made the task easy and
actually, fun. Please give Steve the same outstanding support provided
to me. Secondly, Rip Dellaripa has volunteered to serve as
the Personal Affairs Officer for the remainder of this year. And,
finally, LCDR Sean A. Wilson has signed on to fill our Active Duty
Liaison position. Sean, welcome aboard and thank you.
While support of the HRC ROTC Scholarship
Fund remains the top priority in our fund raising effort, another consideration
for anyone is the support of the “MOAA MOBILE” project undertaken by the
Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC). When visiting the Veterans Cemetery
internment site, there are many times when the surviving spouse or family
member is not able to walk from the roadway to the grave site because of
physical limitations. The goal of the VCOC is to provide “golf cart”
type vehicles to each cemetery to assist the spouse/family member to the
grave site. Maintenance of the carts is provided by the cemetery
personnel. Donations are tax deductible. Additional information
is available from our own Jack Hilgers at (757) 481 - 4164.
This is another good project to support.
National MOAA is launching a Veterans Service
Officer Program (April 2013 Issue of the Affiliate) to provide assistance
with VA Disability claim development, filing and appeal before the Department
of Veterans Affairs. Volunteers are being sought. Any interested
volunteer should contact CAPT. Jim Carman, USN (Ret), director of
MOAA’s Transition Center at (800) 234-6622, ext. 107 or by email at tops@moaa.org.
Our hard working “Luncheon Team” continues
to meld a diversified program with different venues to satisfy our varied
interest and tastes. Please share with us any ideas you may have
in this area. We appreciate everyone’s support and look forward to
the camaraderie we enjoy each month.
Jim Edge |
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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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| President Obama released the administration’s
FY2014 defense budget proposal in April – including $43 billion in cuts
aimed at reducing our nation’s debt. His proposal reduces outyear
spending more moderately than the sequestration budget cuts required by
current law. Overall, the proposed budget is an attempt at a “grand bargain”
on debt reduction. To reach that elusive grand bargain, the 2014
budget includes the adoption of a “Chained CPI” (C-CPI) formula for reducing
cost of living adjustments (COLA) on military retirement, VA disability,
Social Security benefits, and other federal annuities, as well as increasing
taxes on corporations and wealthy persons.
The DoD budget request totals $526.6 billion
and lowers spending for weapons systems, caps the 2014 military pay raise
at 1%, proposes a new round of base closures in 2015, and seeks dramatically
higher TRICARE fees. The Pentagon is again seeking to reduce TRICARE
health care costs by increasing enrollment fees, co-pays and deductibles
for military retirees, shifting $25 billion in costs to military beneficiaries
over 10 years. Specifically the proposal would:
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Increase annual TRICARE fees by $1,000
or more for retired families of all ages, including new enrollment fees
for TRICARE Standard and TRICARE For Life (TFL);
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Means-test TRICARE Prime and TFL fees,
based on retired pay;
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Double most pharmacy copays;
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Require all beneficiaries except active
duty members to get maintenance medication refills through the mail-order
system or in military pharmacies; Enrollment fees for Prime and TFL would
be phased in at increasing percentages of retired pay, subject to a flat
cap; one cap for general/flag officers, and a lower one for other ranks.
MOAA is adamantly opposed to means-testing service-earned benefits, and
believes the proposed fees are far too high for all grades. The proposed
1% military pay raise is little more than half the 1.8% raise experienced
by the average American (the standard for annual military raises under
current law). The chained-CPI COLA would depress annual retired pay,
Social Security, and other COLAs by about 0.3 percent per year – which
can compound to impose significant cuts over time.
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MOAA Storming Council and Chapter
Presidents from all 50 states, accompanied by members of the national Board
of Directors and headquarters staff, plus members of MOAA’s active duty,
Guard, Reserve, spouse and auxiliary advisory committees swarmed Capitol
Hill on April 17 to visit nearly all 535 representatives and senators in
support of key legislative priorities. This year, the “Hill-stormers” met
with their legislators, discussed the issues, provided fact sheets and
brochures, and asked them to:
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Sustain the 1.8% active duty pay raise
(fact
sheet);
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Reject disproportional TRICARE fee
hikes (fact
sheet and brochure);
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Address remaining inequities for disabled
retirees, surviving spouses, and Guard/Reserve retirees (fact
sheet).
MOAA Hill-stormers received very positive
feedback from most legislators. Our hope is that this will translate
to support for these goals as the House and Senate Armed Services Committees
begin drafting the FY2014 Defense Authorization Bill in the coming weeks.
The Hill-stormers’ personal efforts were buttressed by MOAA-sponsored full-page
ads in The Hill and Politico newspapers on Wednesday.
We’re also gratified at members’ response
to the alert we sent last Friday asking you to support this effort by emailing
your legislators. You sent nearly 25,000 messages to Capitol Hill,
and many legislators and staffers referenced the messages during their
meetings with the MOAA stormers. |
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| From Legislative Affairs |
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| Our Legislative Affairs Chairman, COL
Jack Hilgers, USMC-Ret. provided the following update on the status
of the JLC priorities following the General Assembly session this year.
Summary of 2012 Executive Order 29 (EO29).
Provide for the electronic return
of absentee ballots by overseas voters.
SB 830 (Puller) passed Senate (40-0)
House Subcommittee Tabled.
Set aside land for the future Northern
Virginia Veterans Care Center on the site of the state-owned Northern Virginia
Training Center. The training center is scheduled to close in 2015.
HB 2175 (K Cox) passed House and Senate
unanimously and approved by the Governor. Appropriate Budget language in
FY14 General Assembly Budget without specifying a location. Governor supported.
Provide a Sales and Use Tax Exemption
for Veterans Service Organizations.
SB 730 (Puller) left in Senate Finance
Committee.
Create business incentives for employers
for hiring veterans.
SB 831 (Puller) Passed Senate (40-0)
left in House Appropriations Committee.
Clarify the Code of Virginia section
regarding In-State Tuition Eligibility for veterans to remove the element
of intent to establish domicile in Virginia.
HB 1461 (Lingamfelter) and SB 1242
(Stuart) passed House and Senate unanimously.
Ensure that the surviving spouses
and dependents attending a Virginia public college or university as part
of the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program have
the financial resources necessary to pursue their education by increasing
the stipend for room, board, books, and supplies to $2,000 per year and
appropriating and additional $600,000 (GF) for the program.
HB2231 (Rush) Passed House and Senate
unanimously. Budget passed by the General Assembly set requested
$2,000 amount at $1,800 for FY14. |
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HRCMOAA ROTC Scholarship Fund
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| HRCMOAA is committed to funding
the MOAA scholarship fund at $25,000 in 5 years. That translates into $5,000
per year. The contributions come primarily from membership donations.
Members who already donate to the national MOAA Scholarship may continue
to do so. You just need to note on the check that it is for the Hampton
Roads Chapter ROTC Scholarship Fund. MOAA will continue to send receipts
to the donors.
Members may submit to the chapter treasurer,
Col. Jim Edge, by mail (628 Secotan, Virginia Beach, VA 23451-7107) or
in person at lunches. The checks will be consolidated and submitted
to MOAA who will send receipts to the donors. |
Hampton Roads Chapter ROTC
Scholarship Fund
Goal for 2013: $5,000.00
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PLATINUM
$500 and above
Ms. Shirley Clapp, $1000.00 to the scholarship fund in honor of
her late husband,
COL Archie J. Clapp, USMC (RET).
GOLD $250 to $499
SILVER $100 to
$249
COL Jack Hilgers, USMC-Ret.
LtCol Jim Dellaripa, USAF-Ret.
Bronze Under $100
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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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Retired Officers Wives Society
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Photo by Jim Edge |
| Rows held their annual Valentines Day
Luncheon on 14 February 2013 at the Princess Anne Country Club in Virginia
Beach.
Shown above are some Hampton Roads Chapter
MOAA members and their wives. They are left to right: CDR Bert
Ortiz, USN-Ret. & Suzanne; CAPT Holly Hollandsworth,
USN-Ret. & Shirley; COL Larry King, USMC-Ret. and Michelle;
and CDR Bob Deegan, USN-Ret. & Marie. Not
shown are COL Jim Edge, USA-Ret. & Evelyn. |
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Community Affairs Upcoming Events
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Participation in Leadership Seminar
at Princess Anne High School |
| 8 June |
Honor Flight Departure Ceremony |
| 3 May |
Presentation of Gold Bars and MOAA Memberships
to those being commissioned at NSU AROTC |
| 10 May |
Presentation of Gold Bars and MOAA Memberships
to those being commissioned at NROTC (incl. NSU, ODU, HU units), including
the ODU AROTC units. |
| April |
Presentation of MOAA Leadership Award
to ODU AROTC |
| May |
Presentation of MOAA Leadership Award
at 5 JROTC high school programs in Virginia Beach. (5 ceremonies)
Landstown HS, 15 May; Salem HS, 15 May; Princess Anne HS, 16 May; First
Colonial HS, 15 May; Green Run HS, 22 May. |
| 28 May |
Presentation of MOAA Leadership Awards
to the 5 JROTC high school programs in Norfolk (1 ceremony) |
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Memorial Day Ceremonies |
| 27 May |
Presentation of wreaths at Memorial Day
Ceremonies in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach (2 ceremonies) |
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Princess Anne High School Drill Off
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| Each year PAHS host a drill competition
for several area high school NJROTC teams. As many as 16 high schools
attended. Awards are given for color guard performance, rifle handling
drills, marching formations, and academic performances. In February
this year, our president COL Jim Edge, USA-Ret. attended the competition
and presented the Trophies to the winners. Jim is shown above presenting
an award to an unidentified cadet. |
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Retired Officers Wives Society
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| The ROWS will hold their 40th Anniversary
luncheon on 9 May at the Princess Anne Country Club.
The ROWS new officers will also be installed
at this luncheon.
President/News Letter Editor;
Carol Tippin. 495-3046.
Vice President/ Programs; Jill Harry.
Treasurer/Membership; Barbara Smith.
427-3475.
Recording Secretary; Karin Barrett.
481-9586.
Corresponding Secretary; Donna Branson.
424-5491.
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22 March Luncheon
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The luncheon was held at the Holiday Inn
Hotel and Conference Center. Our guest speaker was Brigadier General
Wayne A. Wright, Chief of Staff, Virginia Air National Guard.
General Wright is responsible for the establishment of command and control
policy for over 1,100 Virginia Air National Guard members including the
Joint Forces Headquarters, 192nd Fighter Wing, 203rd Redhorse Squadron
and the 200th Weather Flight ensuring both peacetime and wartime readiness
capabilities.
The Army NG has over 7,000 members.
The VANG has both a Federal (Title 10)
and State (Title32) mission. The general discussed how the organization
functions throughout Virginia. By tracking their annual performance
and taking corrective action, they have been able to improve their overall
performance.
Shown below is our President COL Jim
Edge, USA-Ret. presenting the Jefferson Cup to General Wright. |
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| Your Chapter President, COL Jim Edge
provides the Vets House Director Willard Smith with a check for
$250. Vets House serves homeless veterans in this area. The address
is 200 North Oceana Blvd. near Va Beach/Laskin Road exit off I264.
Vets House, Inc. is a nonprofit 501c (3) organization that provides housing,
food, clothing, counseling and other assistance to homeless veterans of
the US Armed Forces in order to facilitate their return to gainful, independent,
responsible and productive lifestyles. Visit the website at www.vetshouseinc.org.
The website provides information on how
to donate. |
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Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
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| The Virginia Veterans Services Foundation
is available to receive contributions to support the Program.
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.
Please provide the following;
Name(s) ______________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________
Phone _______________________
Email_______________________________________
HRCMOAA Member
Yes ___ No ___
You may also donate on line by visiting
the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation at;
www.vvsf.org |
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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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17 May Luncheon
Will be held at the Atlantic Shores Community,
Magnolia Room. Thelma Drake, Chairman of DRPT will be our guest speaker. |
21 June Luncheon
Will be held at the Virginia Beach
Conference Center, CAPT Geis CO of NAS Oceana. |
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VCOC Schedule
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21 May VCOC Congressional Luncheon
This is a big day at the Capital Club
in DC for engaging with your local and national legislators. Contact
our VCOC representative CAPT Jim Jones, USN-Ret. at 777-5972 or
427-0395 for transportation details. |
10 July 3rd Quarter Meeting
This meeting will be held at the Virginia
War Memorial, 1000 hours. |
9 October 4th Quarter Meeting
This meeting will be held at the Virginia
War Memorial, 1000 hours.
This will also be the Biennial Dinner
and Elections. |
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22 February Luncheon
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| The luncheon was held at the Atlantic
Shores Community in Virginia Beach. Our guest speaker was CAPT
Cathy Wilson, USN-Ret., Executive Director Virginia Wounded Warrior
Program. Shown above is our President COL Jim Edge,
USA-Ret., presenting a check of $700 to Cathy. The wounded warrior
program is state funded with some federal grants and donations.
There are over 5,000 veterans in the VWW
Program. In addition to the VA Hospitals, there are three Veterans
Care Centers located in Virginia; Roanoke, Richmond and soon there will
be one in Hampton area. These facilities provide veterans care including
long term care. There are three veterans cemeteries located in Virginia;
Roanoke, Amelia and Suffolk. |
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IN MEMORIAM
CDR Francis F. Johnson, USN-Ret.
LCDR Carl F. Allen, USN-Ret.
LtCol Billy H. Barber, USMC-Ret.
CDR Robert C. Wallace, USN-Ret.
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