President’s Commentary
Our third luncheon of 2005 was another great success! The attendance
was in the middle 80’s. It was held at Atlantic Shores dining room. The
food was excellent and John Fahey was our speaker. He discussed his time
in the Navy as a “spy” in Berlin during the Cold War; John’s “Spy” adventures
were fascinating.
I need your help to recruit new members. Our Chapter is losing
members due to deaths, moving out of the area, retiring in another state
and an aging membership.. We are recruiting some new members but we need
you to be a recruiter for our chapter and MOAA in order for the organization
to survive in the future. We need new officers to take our places and to
fill up the ranks to keep the outstanding efforts of HRCMOAA going.
In October, we man a booth at the USNI warfare symposium to attract active
duty officers in attendance to join our Chapter and MOAA. Look for
the brochure in your mail in September and mark you calendar to attend.
Please help us and recruit a new officer member that you know. Our
motto is “Every Member recruit a new member!” I invite you to become a
Proactive member of our chapter by volunteering for one of our committees.
Please contact me and I’ll be happy to match your talents/desires with
one of the committees and introduce you to its Chairman.
Don’t forget our annual picnic at Fort Story Club. It’s
a great opportunity to socialize and have fun. Come out and have fun telling
“sea/war stories” with each other. See you there!
I along with our first VP, Jim Dellaripa and our Personal Affairs Officer,
Buck Hereford will be participating in MOAA’s 2005 Chapter Presidents’
Symposium in Delaware 8 to 10 September 2005. At this seminar, we will
discuss, share, and propose ideas for MOAA Chapters on: recruiting
and retention, Chapter roles and missions, legislative affairs, community
involvement, leadership and revitalization, tips for Personal Affairs officers,
and recruiting younger members. It’s a full plate! We’ll be busy!
If you have your own business, please consider taking an ad in
our Newsletter to help offset the costs and to help advertise your business.
Smooth Sailing,
Ray Hart
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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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President: 430-8771
CAPT Raymond J. Hart, USN-Ret.
hrmoaa@cox.net
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1st Vice President: 640-0947
LtCol James M. Dellaripa Sr, USAF-Ret.
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2nd Vice President: 363-1094
MAJ Norman Crews, USA-Ret.
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Secretary: 689-2463
CAPT Frank T. Hinchy, USN-Ret.
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Treasurer: 427-2402
CDR John A. Rooney, USN-Ret.
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CDR John E. Vermillion, USN-Ret.
382-9843
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CAPT Jon Haas, USN-Ret.
481-0275
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Col Jack W. Hilgers, USMC-Ret.
490-8383
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CAPT Patricia McFadden, USN-Ret.
481-0170
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LtCol Mary L. Baeumel, USAFNC-Ret.
716-2497
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CAPT Jim Jones, USN-Ret.
481-1919
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Program: 640-0947
LtCol James M. Dellaripa Sr, USAF-Ret.
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Arrangements: 363-1094
MAJ Norman Crews, USA-Ret.
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VCOC Representative: 382-9843
CDR John E. Vermillion, USN-Ret.
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Legislative Affairs: 490-8383
Col Jack W. Hilgers, USMC-Ret.
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Personal Affairs: 486-7639
CAPT James D. Hereford, USN-Ret.
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Membership: 425-5934
COL James A. Smith, USA-Ret
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Community Affairs: 445-4174
CAPT Tim Stark, USNR
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Information Systems: 481-0694
Col Richard A. Vogel, USAF-Ret.
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Webmaster 490-5792
Maj Clifton G. Furedy. USAF-Ret.
thrcmoaa@cox.net
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Editor: 382-9843
CDR John E. Vermillion, USN-Ret.
Vermillj@cox.net
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From the Editor
Have you prepared for your family’s future? Now is a good time
to help your survivors following your death. This is not a subject
we like to talk about, but it is worse not to talk about it. Does
your Spouse know where your insurance policies are? Can they locate
your stocks and bonds? Do they know where your will is located?
Where is your DD-214? If you cannot say yes to this and other questions
you should contact your HRCMOAA Personal Affairs Officer, CAPT James “Buck”
Hereford, USN Ret., Telephone 486-7639. The MOAA Office has
published a booklet called Help Your Survivors-Now. The booklet covers
1. Potential Financial Benefits, 2. Continuing Entitlements, and 3. Personal
Affairs. There is also a handy Personal Affairs Workbook to complete.
Both you and your Spouse should jointly complete this workbook. This
workbook can also be downloaded from www.moaa.org.
For a copy of the entire booklet contact Buck and he will help you obtain
a copy. If you are a recent surviving spouse and have any questions
or need help, please contact our Personal Affairs Officer.
John
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Membership Renewals
Chapter memberships are due for renewal as of the end of the year
shown on the Newsletter mailing label immediately following the addressee’s
name. Renewals prior to the end of the year will ensure no interruption
in your receipt of the Newsletter. |
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The Lincoln Memorial
as seen from the WW II Memorial.
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MOAA Scholarship Fund
In addition to annual contributions, memorial contributions may be made
for deceased members to the MOAA Scholarship Fund, at Dept 889, Alexandria,
VA 22334-0889. Contributions may also be made at www.moaa.org.
Or you may call 800-234-6622. |
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| Legislative Spotlight |
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| Defense Bill Passes House, Senate Action
to Come |
| As Congress headed into the Memorial Day
recess, some battle lines already were being drawn between the House and
Senate over their respective versions of the FY 2006 Defense Authorization
Bill.
The full House passed its version of the
defense bill (H.R. 1815) May 25 by a 389-to-39 vote. The Senate bill had
been approved by the armed services committee, but was not scheduled to
come up for consideration by the full Senate until sometime in June.
The two bills have many initiatives in
common, including:
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a 3.1 percent pay raise for active duty and
Guard and Reserve members;
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significant manpower increases for the Army;
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permanent improvements in military death benefits;
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additional funding for military family support;
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updated casualty assistance guidelines; and
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limitations on the civilianization of military
medical positions.
But several differences between House and
Senate bills remain to be resolved. |
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| Concurrent Receipt. |
| The house bill would modestly hasten the
time table to end the disability offset for retirees rated "unemployable"
by the VA (from 2014 to 2009). In the Senate, Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.)
was planning an amendment authorizing an immediate end to the offset for
this group. |
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| Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). |
| Although the House took no action on SBP,
Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) plans to seek a Senate amendment that would authorize
paid-up SBP coverage as of October 2005 for retirees who have attained
age 70 and paid 30 years of SBP premiums. In addition, the amendment would
end the deduction of VA benefits from SBP when the service member dies
of a service-connected cause. Reserve health care. The House Armed Services
Committee, by a two-vote margin, had approved extension of permanent, premium-based
TRICARE coverage for all members of the Selected Reserve. But House leaders
claimed the provision caused a $5 million technical violation of the committee's
mandatory spending guidelines. Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) sought to adjust
the amendment to get within the guidelines, but his effort was rebuffed
by the rules committee, and the provision was dropped before the final
House vote. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) plans to offer a similar amendment
in the Senate. For a complete summary of all of the personnel and
benefits provisions of the two bills, check MOAA's Web Base at www.moaa.org/legislative/fy06_ndaa_matrix.pdf. |
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| Marshall Pushes New Discharge Petition. |
| Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Ga.) has introduced
a discharge petition to force a House vote on H.R.303,Rep. Mike Bilirakis'
(R-Fla.) bill that would end the disability offset to military retired
pay for all service members otherwise entitled to retired pay, independent
of any disability. Under current law (which was influenced by a similar
discharge petition Marshall filed in 2003), members with at least 20 years
of service and a 100 percent disability rating or a combat-related disability
rating receive their full service-based retired pay. Those with 50 percent
to 90 percent ratings (and those rated "unemployable" by the VA) will have
their retired pay restored on a phased basis over the next eight years.
Those with 40 percent or lower disability ratings lose $1 of their earned
retired pay for each $1 in VA disability compensation. As of May 26, 162
House members had signed the discharge petition, more than the number of
current H.R. 303 cosponsors. At press time, H.R. 303 had 159 cosponsors
- 40 Republicans, 118 Democrats, and one Independent. To date, all 162
signers of the discharge petition are Democrats. You can view the list
of signers at http://clerk.house.gov/109/lrc/pd/petitions/sis2.htm.
Please ask chapter members to use MOAA's Web site to urge their representative
to sign the discharge petition by visiting http://capwiz.com/moaa/home
and clicking on "Disabled Veterans Tax Discharge Petition." |
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| Supplemental Appropriations Act Includes
Death Benefits, Disability Protection |
In May, President George W. Bush signed
H.R. 1268, the Emergency Supplemental Wartime Appropriations Act, which
will fund continuing military operations overseas as well as increases
in military death and disability benefits in several areas. But the
final bill dropped other initiatives sought by MOAA and other advocates
for disabled retirees and Guard and Reserve members. A summary follows.
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Service members' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
coverage. Increases maximum coverage from $250,000 to $400,000 for
all eligible members, effective Sept. 1, 2005. Survivors of members who
died in a combat zone or of combat- or operations-related causes between
Oct. 7, 2001 (the official start of the war on terrorism), and Sept. 1,
2005, will be eligible for retroactive payment of the extra $150,000.
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Military death gratuity. Establishes
a special $100,000 death gratuity for the survivors of service members
who die in a combat zone or of combat- or operations-related causes. For
other active duty deaths, the standard $12,450 death gratuity still will
apply. Survivors of service members who died of combat- or operations-related
causes since Oct. 7, 2001, will be eligible for the $88,000 difference.
Hill leaders have indicated their intent to ensure it's not taxable.
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SGLI election requirements. Requires
married service members who wish to decline SGLI coverage or elect less
than maximum coverage to attain the spouse's written consent in the future.
In the case of single service members who do so, the service will have
to notify their next-of-kin of that decision. The government will notify
spouses (but written spousal consent will not be required) any time a married
service member changes his or her SGLI beneficiary.
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Traumatic injury protection. Authorizes
a "traumatic injury" insurance rider to SGLI that would pay a service member
$25,000 to $100,000 for certain severe injuries, ranging from significant
burns or loss of a thumb and finger to total paralysis or coma.
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| Spotlight Closes Out |
| This will be the final "Legislative Spotlight."
Because deadlines for the "Spotlight" and the "Washington Scene" column
in Military Officer fall close together, we've found that almost all of
the "Spotlight" issues are redundant to information in the magazine.
We think it’s more cost effective to put Spotlight funds to other uses
that will serve you better. |
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Community Affairs Activities
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ROTC/JROTC
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| Another successful school year has been completed and our chapter sponsored
thirteen Leadership awards on behalf of MOAA. There were three college-level
ROTC ceremonies and six high school ceremonies for ten high school NJROTC
units . The list of the schools and the recipients of the MOAA leadership
awards are below.
The ceremonies vary in scope and form, as befits the various traditions
of the services we represent. Formal parades complete with all the pomp
and ceremony were common themes for the ROTC units. The Norfolk NJROTC
units conduct a combined pass-in-review for all of the City’s schools.
One of the rewarding aspects of participating in the awards ceremony
is to see the enthusiasm, dedication, and patriotism of the young men and
women who comprise each unit. This is especially true at the high
school level where the cadets may not be heading towards a career in the
military. Yet their exuberance shines during the awards ceremonies.
The chapter also helped to sponsor the annual Princess Anne NJROTC Drill
competition. This annual competition is conducted at Rockwell Hall
Gym at Little Creek Amphibious Base and is attended by JROTC units from
up and down the east coast.
There is always a need for folks to present. There are nine separate
ceremonies so the opportunities are many. Contact Tim Stark if you
would like to help with next year’s awards program. |
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AWARDEES LIST
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| ROTC |
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| ODU ROTC |
Cadet Jaqueline Hubbard |
| NSU NROTC |
Off. Cand. James Reynoso |
| NSU ROTC |
Cadet Jarrell O. Horsley |
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| JROTC |
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| Princess Anne |
Cadet Steven Kohl |
| Salem |
Cadet/PO2 Andrew Ware |
| First Colonial |
Cadet/SCPO Ashley Reisner |
| Landstown |
Cadet LTJG Matthew Andrews |
| Green Run |
Cadet Ashleigh O'Rork |
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| Norfolk (Combined Ceremony) |
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| Lake Taylor |
PO2 D. Llarenas |
| Maury |
Allen Taylor |
| Booker T. Washington |
Quintel Brooks |
| Granby |
Edwin Wells |
| Norview |
PO2 Travis Delay |
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Memorial Day
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| The HRCMOAA participated in the annual Memorial Day celebration held
in Virginia Beach at the Veterans Memorial. The many veterans organizations
in the Hampton Roads area are participants. Our President Ray Hart
(center), First Vice President Jim Dellaripa (right), and a past President
Jesse Sandlin (left) placed the wreath. The picture was taken at
a later date. |
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VCOC Scheduled Functions
The next meeting will be held on 14 October, at Fort Lee starting
at 1000. This will be followed by the Bi-Annual Dinner Meeting with
a guest speaker, to be determined. Contact your VCOC representative
John Vermillion at 382-9843, if you would like to attend. |
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| The HRCMOAA has introduced a Military ID Card Notification
Program to help chapter members remember to renew their ID cards
and their dependent’s ID cards in a timely fashion. This voluntary
program is totally free to those wishing to participate. A database
will be maintained and participants will be notified in sufficient time
to renew their military ID cards prior to expiration. Once you and
your dependents are enrolled, you need do nothing more. You will
be notified of your impending ID card expiration date in sufficient time
for renewal prior to the expiration date. |
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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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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
Board meetings will continue to be held on the 1st Saturday of each
month at the Little Creek Eagle Haven Golf Club, starting at 0830.
Breakfast may be had at the Club Restaurant prior to the meeting.
All members are invited to attend. This will be an opportunity to
observe your Board in action and to see if there are any committees that
you might be interested in helping out. Just show up or contact the
Chapter President. |
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Volunteers Needed for the
Hampton Roads Retired Activities Office
Are you bored? Tired of sitting home? Would like to get involved in
helping out retired members and their families? If so, contact your
Chapter coordinator: CAPT James Hereford, USN (Ret) at 486-7639
to participate and offer your services.No experience is required; we’ll
train you. |
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Need a Ride?
If you would like to attend one of our functions but cannot drive, Contact
CDR
John Rooney, USN (Ret) at 427-2402. We will find someone to pick
you up and take you home. |
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From HRCMOAA President to Chapter Members
I encourage you to take the time to email, write, call your Congressional
Representatives and support keeping the East Coast Master Jet Base at NAS,
Oceana. Go online now to strengthen the Department of Defense and let BRAC
know why Oceana should be kept open. Visit www.brac.gov/feedback.aspx
ASAP and submit your positive comments. We all know that having the carriers
home ported at Norfolk and having the planes at Oceana is both cost efficient
and militarily effective. The planes are less that 2 hours from the carrier
decks on deployment and returning from deployment. In addition, this gives
the Navy great surge capability to meet any contingency both at home or
abroad. Both HRCMOAA and its membership have gained many benefits from
having Oceana in our area. Let’s keep them! |
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HRCMOAA Luncheon
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| Your Chapter recently hosted a luncheon at the Atlantic Shores Retirement
Community. Our guest speaker, CDR John Fahey, USN (Ret.) (left),
noted Author and Educator. He talked about his service behind the Iron
Curtain in East Germany before, during and after the construction of the
Berlin Wall. At right is our President CAPT Ray Hart, USN (Ret.)
thanking John and presenting him with an engraved silver cup. |
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
To protect member privacy,
New Members and Directory Changes
are only available through the Members Access page.
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HRCMOAA LUNCHEON
| WHEN: |
Saturday, August 13, 2005 |
| WHERE: |
Ft Story Club, Virginia Beach |
| TIME: |
1200-1500 hours
Lunch: 1300-1400 hours |
| MENU: |
Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Bar-B-Q Chicken
Baked Beans, Sliced Tomatoes, Onions, Lettuce
Coleslaw, Potato Salad
Iced Tea, Lemonade, Beer until it runs out |
| PRICE: |
$16.00 (inclusive)
Pay as you go bar |
| RESERVATIONS: |
Jim Dellaripa , 640-0947 or
Frank Hinchy, 689-2463.
Call between 0900 and 2000 hours.
CUTOFF DATE is August 03, (FIRM) |
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A RESERVATION MADE IS A RESERVATION PAID
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IN MEMORIUM
CWO4 S. Vincent Dantoni, USN (Ret).
(Shirley E.)
Lorraine Nimmo
(LCDR James E., USN (Ret)
CDR William J. Collins, USN (Ret)
Mrs. Ellie Gregorio
(LT Daniel S., USN)
LCDR Berry F. Turner, USN
(Chapter Life Member)
CDR Albert Leon, USN (Ret}
(Patricia)
Al was a recent Chapter Officer and
served with honor as our Secretary
for 4 years, he will be sadly missed.
The chapter members extend their sincere condolences
to the surviving family members. |
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