Fellow Officers and Spouses:

Congratulations Hampton Roads Chapter MOAA – you have been selected as a 2012 Levels of Excellence Award Winner – this is the 10th consecutive year we have achieved this award.  My friends this doesn’t just happen – it is because of the dedication of your Chapter Officers and Board of Directors both past and present working hard and with sincerity for the good of not only our members but for all of our military family.  Our efforts help all officers and enlisted personnel and their families.  We reach out to active duty, retirees and those who served for any period of time.  Your Board Members also serve as Committee Chairs that work diligently in the areas of Legislative Affairs, Community Affairs, Publicity, Information Systems, Newsletter, Webmaster, Transitioning, Council of Chapters, Congressional Liaison, Personal Affairs, Active Duty Liaison, Auxiliary Liaison, Programs and Membership.  These are the troopers who work hard to serve our Chapter and culminated in our 10th well deserved Excellence Award.

We are continuing the same aggressive approach in 2013 however it is all for naught if we do not maintain our membership.  Our Membership Chair, COL Larry King, USMC (Ret) has reached out to all of us time and time again to renew our 2013 membership.  Recruiting new members and renewal of current members is the single most demanding challenge for your officers and board members.  We need your help. If you have not renewed for 2013, please do so now.  If you know a fellow officer who is not a member of National or our Chapter, please talk us up and encourage them to join.  Give us a lead – their name, address, phone number and we will pursue.  Contact COL. Larry King, USMC (Ret) (757-650-1086 or lkingcap@aol.com) or me, COL Jim Edge USA (Ret) (757-434-1259 or jedge13@cox.net).

Some of your Board Members are pulling double duty.  Please give some thought to serving your Chapter in a more active manner.  We need help in the following areas:  Active Duty Liaison, Military ID Card Renewal Notification, back-up for Personal Affairs, Publicity and Newsletter publication.  Remember Auxiliary members are a key part of the Chapter and can serve in all of these capacities.  Looking forward to hearing from you.

The VA Claims Process has received considerable attention lately however, the long, long delays experienced by our veterans is touted by all as unacceptable.  What can we do?  Perhaps we can get a volunteer, an advocate to research, in detail, the situation and provide information to our Chapter members to assist in the process.  Please give this idea very serious thought.  Please come out and join us at our Luncheon Programs.

Thank you,

Jim Edge

This information was taken from a pilots account of a mission flown by a helicopter stationed on the Yorktown.  The helo launched early on a support mission for an Alfa Strike incorporating a large number of aircraft going into North Vietnam. 

They reached their SAR station and learned that they would remain on station until 1800 hours, a long day.  They had been on station for some time when they received a call at 1530 from their control ship informing them of an emergency squawk on their gadget.  Shortly they received a May Day report from an aircraft over the Haiphong complex.  They then received a direct vector to a point 38 miles away. 

Enroute they picked up two A-1 Skyraders as escort.  Shortly they picked up survival radio beeper and homed in on the signal.  The A-1s went ahead and found the pilot in his raft 8 miles east of Haiphong and a half mile off the beach.  As the helo got closer they encountered a lite fog bank which would be their friend.  When they flew over the pilot, they did a sharp turn to come back over the pilot.  The pilot got out of his raft and shortly he was aboard the helo.

  LT Ball had been flyng an RF-8 photo reconnaissance aircraft from the USS Ticonderoga.  He was finally returned to the Ticonderoga after a short stop on the USS Coontz.  On arrival at the USS Ticonderoga LT Ball was welcomed as a hero.  Upon arriving back on the Yorktown the helo had logged 11 hours and 25 minutes; a long time in a helo seat.  Although LT Ball was welcomed as a hero, I think the helo crew were also heros. 

Please keep CAPT Ron Ball and his family in your prayers, as well as all our members who have passed. 

Members may submit to the chapter treasurer, LT Stephen Hackney, USN-Ret at 1736 Rally Dr. Virginia Bch, VA 23454-1233 or in person at our luncheons.   The checks are consolidated and submitted to MOAA who sends receipts to the donors. 

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.

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.

Other highlights of the bill include: $25 million for the implementation of a DoD Special Victims Counsel Program to provide victims of sexual assault with legal assistance and support.  $60 million for Pentagon medical research efforts, for traumatic brain injury and psychological health.  $77.8 billion in overseas contingency funding.  Senator Tom Udall’s (D-NM) amendment to restrict the administration’s ability to wage an extended U.S. military operation in Syria without congressional authorization.  The House appropriations bill (H.R. 2397) includes similar language.

 The bill’s future is unclear.  With Democrats and Republicans at odds over broader budget questions, next year’s defense spending may be subject to another continuing resolution – which will only add to the uncertainty. More details will be provided as we approach the end of the fiscal year. 

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

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