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The Bi-Monthly Newsletter
of the Hampton Roads Chapter
Military Officers Association
of America
A MOAA Five Star Level of Excellence
Chapter Since 2004.
A Winner Website For 2013, A
2nd Runner Up Printed Newsletter 2013, and Winner E Newsletter 2013.
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Serving Chesapeake,
Norfolk, and Virginia Beach since 1959
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VOL 38-NO 5
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ONE POWERFUL VOICE
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SEPTEMBER 2014
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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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Luncheon
26 September 2014
(Note Changes)
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| The luncheon will be held at the Virginia
Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center, 2800 Shore Drive, Virginia
Beach, VA at 1100 for social hour and 1200 for the luncheon. VADM
Bruce Grooms, USN will be our guest speaker. As the Deputy Chief
of Staff, Capability Development at NATO Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander
Transformation, it will be of a great interest to hear his comments on
issues and challenges from his perspective of current events (i.e. Ukraine,
Afghan elections and post-14 NATO support to the Afghan government, etc.).
Following completion of nuclear power training, he served in nearly every
capacity aboard a variety of submarines, including a tour as executive
officer of USS Pasadena (SSN 752) where he twice deployed to the Persian
Gulf. His command tours included USS Asheville (SSN 758) where the
ship earned the Battle Efficiency "E" award, the Golden Anchor, and the
Silver Anchor for the highest retention in the Submarine Force. He subsequently
served as commander, Submarine Squadron Six and later as commander, Submarine
Group Two. |
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| Visit our website at www.hrcmoaa.org,
read the Electronic Newsletter, access Virginia Council of Chapters, 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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Honor Flight 18 October
2014
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| Our Chapter will coordinate the departure
ceremonies for World War II veterans in South Hampton Roads to visit Washington,
DC as part of the nationwide Honor Flight program. The Honor Flight provides
the free trip for World War II veterans, and veterans of later wars who
qualify, to see and tour the various war memorials in the city. The trip
includes free bus travel, attendants for the veterans, and meals for the
day. Military officers and uniformed cadets from Old Dominion (ODU)
and Norfolk State Universities (NSU) Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)
and high school JROTC units in South Hampton Roads are expected to participate
in the departure ceremonies and to form an honor guard for the veterans
as they board the buses. The departure from South Hampton Roads is anticipated
to take place at the VDOT Parking Lot near the I-64E exit 186A with departure
time on or about 0500. |
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President’s Message
Fellow Officers and Spouses:
What a beautiful summer we enjoyed here
in the Tidewater area. It is estimated that 61+% of the population
do not live anywhere near a beach and we have our wonderful beaches and
ocean 24/7. How fortunate we are! We do not have monthly luncheons
in July and August but we did sponsor (thanks to Bert Ortiz) our annual
July Brunch with the Portsmouth and Peninsular Chapters at the Virginia
Beach Resort and Hotel Conference Center. It was a very enjoyable
time - spectacular venue, great food and wonderful comradery – what more
to ask for! Mark your calendars as we plan to host again in 2015.
Good friends of the military, Paul and
Debbie Smith who are McDonalds Owner/Operators here in Virginia Beach came
forward with a desire to help our Wounded Warriors. We hooked up
our own COL Jack Hilgers, the Veterans Services Foundation Executive Director
with Paul and what followed is very impressive. Through this initiative
with Jack and Paul all 98 McDonalds’ restaurants in the Tidewater area
joined together in a fund raiser this past spring resulting in a contribution
to the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program of $18,555.40. Paul, Debbie, Jack
and all the McDonalds’ Owner/Operators in our area – thank you. Clearly,
you care for our Troopers. Similarly, your Chapter contributed $1,000.00
to the Wounded Warrior Program this year. This marks the Chapter’s
sixth annual donation to the Program for a total of $5,900.00. Congratulations
and thanks to all of you.
Congratulations to all members of our great
Hampton Roads Chapter, you have “again” been selected as a 5 Star Levels
of Excellence Award winner for the 11th consecutive year. Be assured
that this just doesn’t happen – your Officers, Board of Directors and many
of you work hard and diligently to achieve this level of excellence.
Of utmost importance is your continued membership in our Chapter and as
National Members. If we do not maintain a very high level (close
to 100%) of National Membership, we will not be able to achieve the 5 Star
level. Thanks to all of you and please keep up your outstanding support.
We have 3 super Luncheons scheduled for
this fall starting on Friday 26 September at Atlantic Shores, we
have an excellent speaker lined up so mark your calendars for this date
and plan on October and November. The November luncheon wraps up
the year with our annual Toys for Tots drive, awards to be presented, participation
by our College ROTC students and the election and induction of your new
Officers and BOD members. CAPT Holly Hollandsworth, USN (Ret) is
chairing our nominating committee and they are searching for a slate of
Officers and BOD members (details in this issue). Get involved, we
need all the help we can get. Look forward to seeing you at the luncheons.
Thank you,
Jim Edge |
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| Legislative Update |
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| Defense Finance and Accounting
Service
If you were one of the thousands of retirees
and survivors who complained to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service
about the unreasonably strict password content and expiration requirements
the agency imposed last year -- congratulations. You helped
force DFAS to appreciate that its burdensome requirements increased security
in only one way: by preventing beneficiaries from accessing DFAS’ online
services. The changes come almost a year to the day when MOAA first
petitioned DFAS to adjust its password policy. Here's a summary of
what DFAS agreed to change about the password requirements, effective immediately:
Password Length;
New:
9 to 30 characters.
Old:
15 to 30 characters.
Password Content;
New:
No spaces.
At least ONE
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uppercase letter
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lowercase letter
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number
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special character of the following eleven
(!,@,#,$,%,^,*,+,_,=)
Old:
No spaces.
At least TWO
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uppercase letters
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lowercase letters
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numbers
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special characters of the following eight
(!,@,#,$,^,*,=,_)
Password expiration/change requirement;
New:
Every 150 days.
Old:
Every 60 days.
This is confirmation again that grassroots
efforts work when enough people demand change.
See more at: http://www.moaa.org/Main_Menu/Take_Action
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| More Army Pink Slips on the Way
Less than a month after the Army informed
nearly 1,200 captains they would be involuntarily selected to separate
from service (some while in combat zones), the service announced it would
soon notify 550 majors they too would be forced out of service.
The Army is resorting to involuntary separations
in order to bring its active duty force down from its post-9/11 peak of
570,000 members to 490,000 by October 2015. It will further shrink to 450,000
troops by 2019, and if sequestration isn’t alleviated, the Army could contract
to as small as 420,000 servicemembers.
The involuntary separations come after
the Army already exhausted less draconian drawdown methods such as slowing
accessions and offering voluntary separation incentives.
Some of the majors selected will have enough
service time to retire, but many others will come up short. The Guard and
Reserve will likely acquire some of the separating captains and majors
to fill their needs, while the rest will have less than a year to prepare
for transition back into the civilian world.
The Army’s Soldier for Life Transition
program is working with MOAA to assist in providing transition services
for these servicemembers. As a member benefit, MOAA offers a military-friendly
job board, interview preparation tools, and career transition seminars
around the country. The career transition team is prepared to assist with
military-to-civilian résumé critiques, personalized one-on-one
counseling, salary negotiation techniques, and more.
To learn more about MOAA’s career transition
services, visit www.moaa.org/career. |
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Legislative Representative; Col Jack Hilgers,
USMC-Ret |
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Joint Leadership Council of Veterans
Services Organizations
(Summary of 2015 Initiatives)
JLC 2015-01 That the Governor and
General Assembly support the hiring, training, and retention of Department
of Veterans Services (DVS) claims agents by approving additional funding
in FY16.
JLC 2015-02 That the Governor and
General Assembly support the delivery of mental health and rehabilitative
services for Virginia veterans, Guardsmen, Reservists, and family members
through continued and increased funding for the Virginia Wounded Warrior
Program (VWWP) in the FY16 budget.
JLC 2015-03 That the Governor and
General Assembly authorize five additional positions for the Virginia War
Memorial in FY16 and appropriate the necessary funding for these positions.
JLC 2015-04 That the Governor and
the General Assembly support the further reduction of veteran homelessness
by approving additional funding in FY16 for:
a. Department of Housing and Community
Development
(DHCD) to support increases in general
statewide homeless
prevention, rapid re-housing, and permanent
supportive
housing funding to help veterans living
in rural areas and/or
ineligible for VA services.
b. DHCD for development of a statewide
homeless data
warehouse system to permit a better understanding
of the
needs of veterans accessing mainstream
homeless services.
c. DVS/VWWP to add three new Housing Resource
Specialist
(HRS) positions in order to expand coverage
to Roanoke and
Northern Virginia, and to add a second
HRS position in
Hampton Roads.
d. DVS/VWWP to add one position to work
with the criminal
justice system to facilitate statewide
coordination of federal,
state, and community resources.
JLC 2015-05 That the General Assembly
and the Governor approve the establishment of a veterans’ lottery as part
of the Compact with Virginia’s Veterans to supplement the General Fund’s
support of approved veteran’s requirements, with any residual lottery funding
reverting back to Education.
JLC 2015-06 That the Governor and
General Assembly continue state support for the Hampton Roads and Northern
Virginia veterans care center construction projects and continue certification
of the availability of 35% state funding to match the federal grant funds,
thereby maintaining both projects on the VA Priority List Group 1.
Adopted July 16, 2014 |
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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.
Please consider contributing this year!
Members may submit to the chapter treasurer,
LT
Stephen Hackney, USN-Ret at 1736 Rally Dr. Virginia Beach, 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. |
Hampton Roads Chapter ROTC
Scholarship Fund
Goal for 2016: $25,000.00 Collected to date; $12,250.00.
Goal for 2014: $5,000.00 Collected to
date, $2,150.00.
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2014
Contributions
PLATINUM $500
and above
GOLD $250 to $499
Clif Furedy $300
SILVER $100 to
$249
Jack Hilgers $200
John Vermillion $200
Bronze Under $100
Capt David Yacavone, USN-Ret
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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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Veterans Day Parade
and Luncheon
11November 2014
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| There will be over 60 units in the parade,
plan on attending if you can. If you want to participate in the parade
or attend the luncheon at the Double Tree Hotel, $22 per person.
Let John Vermillion know NLT 21 October, 382-9843. |
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Norfolk State University
(NSU)
Commissioning Ceremony
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| COL Jim Smith, USA-Ret, represented
the Hampton Roads Chapter, MOAA at the Gold Bar and Commissioning Ceremony
held at the Norfolk State University for a graduating ROTC cadet at the
University Student Center on 9 August 2014. The ceremony was presided over
by LTC Evangeline G. Rosel, USMA 1997, Professor of Military Science
at the university. Dr. Belinda Anderson, Dean of the College of
Liberal Arts, represented the university and spoke of the importance of
what the newly commissioned officer was about to undertake. The Guest
Speaker and swearing-in-officer was LTC David D. Johnson, a 1996
graduate of NSU, who is presently assigned to the US Army Training
and Doctrine Command at Fort Eustis, Virginia. His remarks focused
on the responsibilities the newly commissioned officer would face on active
duty. The university's ROTC Program has commissioned 765 graduates as Army
officers since 1969, and has a tradition of inviting its ROTC
alumni as guest speakers. On behalf of the Hampton Roads Chapter,
MOAA, COL Jim Smith, USA (Ret), presented the symbolic gold bars to
the new officer, Second Lieutenant Steven C. Jackson, Jr., Quartermaster
Corps. |
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November Nominations,
Officers and Directors
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In accordance with Article VII (Elections)
of our chapter By-Laws, president Jim Edge has appointed a nominating
committee to put together a slate of Officers and
Directors to be presented to the membership
at our November chapter luncheon and annual meeting.
The nominating committee is comprised of
Chairman Captain Paul “Holly” Hollandsworth (USN, Ret.), and members
LtCol James “Rip” Dellaripa (USAF, Ret.) and Captain Loren Heckelman
(USN, Ret.). Positions up for election this November include all
five officer positions (President, First VP, Second VP, Secretary and Treasurer)
and three Board director positions. The newly elected Officers and
Directors will take office as of the following January 1st. There
are also openings available or opportunities to help on all of our committees:
Program, VCOC, Legislative Affairs, Membership, Community Affairs/Scholarship,
Newsletter/Publicity, Transition Assistance, 2nd District Congressional
Liaison, Personal Affairs, Active Duty Liaison, Chaplain, Historian and
ID Card Renewal Notification.
Board Directors who have one year remaining
in their current term are Captain Bill Lehr, Captain Mike Barea
and Ms. Jo Carter. We need your help to continue the good work of
the chapter. Every level of interest and support is welcome and appreciated.
Contact CAPT Loren Heckelman at loren.heckelman@cox.net
or 757-646-6448 for more information or to volunteer. |
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Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
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| The Virginia Veterans Services Foundation
is taking 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 and Mail
contributions to:
Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
c/o Veterans Services Foundation
900 East Main Street, 6th Floor, West
Wing
Richmond, VA 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 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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Luncheon 26 September 2014 (Note
change of location)
The luncheon will be held at the Virginia
Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center, 2800 Shore Drive, Virginia
Beach, VA at 1100 for social hour and 1200 for the luncheon.
VADM Bruce Grooms, USN will be our guest speaker. |
October/November 2014
Guest speakers/location to be determined.
We have requested Senator Tim Kaine for October and ADM J. Harvey,
VA Commissioner for Veteran Affairs in November. November is also
Toys for Tots and our annual nominations for Officers and Directors. |
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VCOC Schedule
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| The Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) will meet next
on 27 October 2014 at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel, 900 S. Orne Street,
Arlington, VA 22204. The VCOC meeting will be held in conjunction with
the Annual MOAA Meeting conducted 27 and 28 October 2014. For Hampton Roads
Chapter members attending the Annual MOAA Meeting, and wishing to attend
the VCOC meeting, it will be held from 1000-1400 hours at the hotel. Contact
COL Jim Smith at (757) 377-2748 for additional details or information. |
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27 June Luncheon
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| COL Jim Edge is shown presenting
the Jefferson Cup to MAJ General Sturdevant, USMC Deputy Commander
Marine Forces Command. He conducted an interesting discussion
on the command structure, including the Marine Expeditionary Unit. |
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ODU Commissioning
08/11/14
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| Cadet Dashawn Marshall was commissioned
a 2nd Lt., US Army, Engineer Corps, 11 August 2014, in a ceremony at Old
Dominion University (ODU). LTC Brion D. Kerns, Professor of
Military Science at ODU was the guest speaker. In his remarks he
praised Lt. Marshall for his accomplishments at the University and expressed
his confidence that Lt. Marshall will serve honorably and bring credit
on himself, the Army, the University and the country. The University’s
ROTC cadres were present for the ceremony. The commissioning oath
was administered by a Navy LT who is a good friend of Lt. Marshall.
Lt Marshall’s mother and sister pinned on his rank. A young soldier
who grew up with Lt. Marshall rendered the traditional first salute and
received the traditional silver dollar. Our President, COL Jim
Edge, USA (RET) presented Lt. Marshall with a one year membership in
National MOAA and a set of 2ndLt. Gold bars. A reception was held in the
ROTC Department. The ODU ROTC Staff conducted a professional and meaningful
ceremony. |
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IN MEMORIAM
LCDR Edward D. Johnson
USN-Ret
LtCol Thomas A. Richards
USMC-Ret
Col James M. Chance
USMC –Ret
Maj Harry C. Valentine, Jr.
USMC-Ret
CAPT Leo C. Wardrup, Jr.
USN-Ret
CAPT Robert A. Leavenworth
USN-Ret
Member - Spouse Deceased
Patricia Stolle
Wife of CDR Edward S. Stolle, USN-Ret
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