President’s Commentary
Our annual picnic at Fort Story was a success. Everyone
who attended enjoyed the “indoor, air conditioned picnic.” The food
was exceptional and there was enough left for anyone who wanted to take
some home. It was great having an informal event and being able to
talk and visit with those who were there.
MOAA is launching a “GIVE ME 10” Campaign to recruit new members
between September 1 and December 31, 2005. The secret of MOAA’s
and your Chapter’s effectiveness starts with the leadership strength and
grassroots activity. MOAA has been extremely effective over the past
five years in enhancing your benefits— especially health care; but those
benefits are now coming under attack. And no one defends you better
on Capitol Hill and in Virginia than MOAA and your local Chapters.
Keeping MOAA and our Chapter strong is our top priority.
That’s why the “Give Me 10” campaign to recruit new members is being
launched. Here’s how it works:
1. Sign up the Chapter to participate. (We have!)
2. Receive a “Give Me 10” Kit that includes all the marketing
support and incentives you need to win over new members. (Received)
3. Recruit at least 10 new (“Paid”) members for MOAA between
September 1 and December 31, 2005.
4. The chapters who recruit the most new (‘Paid”) MOAA members
will receive cash prizes. ($10.00 for each new paying member—plus a $100.00
bonus when our Chapter recruits 10 new members for MOAA.)
5. Additionally, Chapter members can win prizes for their recruiting
efforts through an end-of-year sweepstakes drawing to be held by MOAA.
As I have said to you many times, in the coming years MOAA and your
Chapter are going to have to be at peak strength to head off the threat
of benefit cuts that are now looming on the horizon. Adding new members,
both active duty and retired, to our ranks is the surest way to revitalize
our membership and MOAA’s in order to safeguard our military family from
any erosion in benefits. To quote VADM Ryan, President of MOAA, “Stronger
Chapters. A stronger legislative voice. An even more powerful MOAA starts
with the “Give Me 10”!
Your chapter will again be manning a recruiting booth at the USNI Warfare
Symposium in Virginia Beach October 5 and 6, 2005. The information was
sent to you by separate correspondence. Please attend and talk to officers
in uniform and encourage them to join our Chapter and MOAA. Please escort
them to our booth #429 and help them sign up. We need you now more than
ever to become a recruiter for us. Call COL Jim Smith, USA (Ret), your
membership chairman, and offer your assistance and have him send you our
membership flyer to sign up new members. Now is not the time to be
complacent!
“Every member recruits a new member for HRCMOAA!”
Remember our goal is to keep our Chapter and MOAA “One Powerful Voice!”
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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LtCol Jesse O. Sandlin,
USAF-Ret.
486-3318
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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
Military Records
The National Personnel Records Center has provided the following website
for veterans to access their DD-214 online at: http://vetrecs.archives.gov.
This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs a copy of his DD-214
for employment purposes.
The National Personnel Records Center is working to make it easier for
veterans with computers and Internet access to obtain copies of documents
from their military files. Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased
former military members may now use a new online military personnel records
system to request documents. Other individuals with a need for documents
must still complete the Standard Form 180 which can be downloaded from
the online web site. The new web-based application was designed to
provide better service on these requests by eliminating the records center's
mailroom processing time. Veterans and next of kin may access this application
at the web site listed above.
John
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Hurricane Katrina!
Our HRCMOAA has made a contribution to the victims of Katrina.
We encourage our members to contribute individually to an organization
of your choice. The MOAA
web site has a list of Military and Public/Private sector resources. |
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From the President
I’m happy to announce that MOAA has awarded, for the second consecutive
year, the Hampton Roads Chapter A Five Star Level of Excellence Award for
2004. Well Done to all the Officers, Board Members, and Committee Members
who volunteer and worked hard; it is a National recognition of your outstanding
endeavors on behalf of your Chapter and its members. I’m proud to be a
part of this outstanding team!
Ray Hart
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The Millennium Park
in Chicago.
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| Legislative Spotlight |
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| SBP Fixes At Risk |
| Sen. John Warner, Chairman of the Senate
Armed Services Committee, has filed an amendment to the FY2006 Defense
Authorization Bill that would defer action on MOAA's top legislative goal
for 2005, fixing two significant inequities concerning the Military Survivor
Law. The first inequity reduces SBP for survivors of members whose death
was caused by military service. In those cases, the survivor
is entitled to an annuity from the VA (currently $993 a month for a spouse),
and the SBP payment is reduced by that amount. Often, this wipes
out most or all of the SBP annuity. MOAA believes that, if military
service causes the member's death, the VA indemnity payment should be added
to SBP, not substituted for it.
The other SBP inequity affects older retirees
enrolled in SBP. Congress passed a law in 1998 authorizing paid-up SBP
coverage for retirees who have attained age 70 and paid SBP premiums for
30 years. This would allow such
retirees to stop paying premiums while
retaining coverage for their spouses.
But Congress delayed the effective date
of that law until October 1, 2008 - which means thousands of the Greatest
Generation retirees who enrolled in SBP in 1972 will have to pay premiums
for 36 years - and end up paying about one-third more SBP premiums than
similar members who retired after 1978.
Sen. Warner's amendment, if accepted, would
negate a previous amendment proposed by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) to end
these last two major SBP inequities as of October 1, 2005. Send your
senators a MOAA-prepared e-mail by clicking on the "Fix SBP Now" alert
on MOAA's Web site at http://capwiz.com/moaa/home/ |
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| 2006 COLA May Be Largest in 14 Years |
| Earlier this week, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that inflation broke out of its summer doldrums with
a half-point jump in July. So far this fiscal year, the Consumer
Price Index (CPI) has risen 3.2%. The 2006 COLA will be determined by dividing
the three-month average CPI for July, August and September 2005 by the
average CPI for the same three months of 2004.
Even if inflation is flat for the remaining
two months, that would make the 2006 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) the
largest retirees have seen since the 3.5% 2001 COLA, and the second-largest
since the 3.7% COLA in 1992. |
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| Benefits Busters Back At It |
| Last year, Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX)
introduced legislation aimed at imposing automatic and arbitrary cuts in
so-called entitlements spending programs when their cost rose above certain
relatively modest levels. Under government accounting definitions, military
retirement, survivor benefits, veterans' benefits and TRICARE For Life
fall in this category, along with programs ranging from student loans to
Medicare. MOAA and many others, from the Disabled American Veterans
to AARP, opposed an effort by Rep. Hensarling and Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL)
to include such a mechanism in a budget bill last year, and the House of
Representatives rejected the proposal.
Now, Hill sources tell us, House Majority
Leader Tom Delay is consulting with a group of colleagues (including Reps.
Hensarling and Kirk) about considering some kind of budget enforcement
bill this fall. Hensarling's proposed legislation (introduced this
year as H.R. 2290) would require automatic cuts in selected programs if
total entitlements spending growth over the previous year exceeds that
due to increases in inflation and population - about 2.4% per year.
But its cutback formula would impose disproportional cuts on selected programs.
Social Security would be exempt, as would Medicare Part A (hospitalization)
-- but not Part B (doctor bills). Federal civilian retirement would
be exempt from automatic cuts, but military retirement and survivor benefits,
veterans' benefits, and TRICARE For Life would not. Because Medicare,
Medicaid and interest on the national debt will grow far faster than inflation,
cuts in non-exempt programs would have to be far bigger. H.R. 2290
would let Congress elect to cut any entitlement program but Social Security
in order to avoid the "doomsday" automatic cuts.
We think Congress is unlikely to enact
a plan that draconian, but some such mechanism isn't out of the question.
Gramm-Rudman-Hollings deficit control legislation passed in 1985, which
worked on a similar principle, forced substantial delays in military retired
pay cost-of-living adjustments for several years in the mid-1990s.
We would hope most members of Congress are more sensitive to military benefit
issues these days (especially with a war on) than in the mid-1990s, but
history (and current Pentagon rhetoric about the rising cost of military
benefits) makes it clear that sentiments can change in a hurry, so this
potential threat can't be discounted.
We've posted H.R. 2290 on MOAA's Website
as a bill we oppose, along with a suggested letter to House members to
let members and others register their concerns (http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=7968841).
(H.R. 2290 can be found at the bottom of the bills list, under "Veterans
and Other Issues"). |
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| Absentee Voting |
As many of you are aware, Virginia has
some very important elections that are being held on November 8, 2005.
The following offices are up for reelection: Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney
General and the entire House of Delegates. Many other cities and counties
in Virginia have local issues that are being voted on as well.
In order to ensure that the voices of
our troops, who are serving outside the continental United States, are
heard on Election Day, it is important that they are registered to vote
and that their ballots are cast. Virginia recognizes that many of our troops
will be deployed on Election Day and will be eligible to vote absentee.
As we want their vote to count, it is
important that they register to vote and apply for an absentee ballot
as early as possible. To determine if qualification to register to vote
in Virginia, and how to request absentee ballots, access this web address.
http://www.sbe.state.va.us.
If your son or daughter (or grand children)
are not going to be deployed from their duty station and would like to
determine if they are qualified to register to vote in Virginia and how
to cast their ballot at the polls, access the web address above.
If they are stationed in Virginia, but not a Virginia resident, please
contact either the Voting Assistance Officer or the Secretary of State
in the state of voting residence. If they should require individual
assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Vickie R. Williams,
MPA, Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act Coordinator via
email at: overseasvoting@sbe.virginia.gov
or by phone at 804-864-8932. |
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VCOC Scheduled Functions
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| The next meeting will be held on 14 October, at Fort Lee starting
at 1300. This will be followed by the Bi-Annual Dinner Meeting commencing
with cocktails at 1800 hours and dinner at 1900 hours. The guest
speaker will be Col. Frank Wickersham, III discussing our Middle East efforts.
All deceased Virginia MOAA members, during the past 2 years, will be remembered.
Contact your VCOC representative John Vermillion at 382-9843, NLT 1 October,
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. 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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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. Contact the Chapter President. |
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Volunteers Needed!
The Chapter is looking for new board members for 2006/7 and a new Treasurer.
If you have the time and spirit to help please contact CDR John Vermillion,
USN (Ret) at 382-9843 or vermillj@cox.net
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Thanks for your help.
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MOAA Scholarship Fund
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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Invalid Email Addresses:
If you have a new email addres, please send the correction to Col Richard
A. Vogel, USAF-Ret. at vogelra1@msn.com
"STANLEY W BRYANT"<stanleywbryant@cox.net>
"CARY A CONGER"<conger@cox.net>
"GREGORY P CURTH"<curthgp@cox.net>
"O KEITH HALLAM"<ohallam@cox.net>
"LAWRENCE E WATERS"<in20s@cox.net>
"MAXINE L RICE"<gormas@mymailstation.com>
"JOHN F GOUGH"<goughjf@fasolant.navy.mil>
"THOMAS JANKOWSKI"<jankowskitj@vc6.navy.mil>
"ROBERT E BLUNDELL"<endoman@crosslink.net>
"DONALD C McNEELEY"<don@chrgroup.org>
"ANDY GALLOP"<ifishalaska@netzero.com>
"ROBERT S AGMAN"<regmen53@earthlink.net>
"HENRY D BROWN"<donmag@earthlink.net>
"KATHERINE BRYANT"<kmbum@earthlink.net>
"STEVEN W LITWILLER"<stevlit@regent.edu>
"MERLIN V STATZER"<mv-rzstatzer@verizon.net>
"KENNETH C LEVINS"<levinske@yahoo.com>
"PHILLIP J WHITE"<philip1452@aol.com>
"KEITH W LUDWIG"<keith.ludwig@ngc.com>
"RICHARD I DONAHUE"<rdonohue@lmi.org>
"DANIEL D EDWARDS"<1:onrun@aol.com>
"JAMES MILLER"<jan5miller@aol.com>
"MICHAEL E PERRAULT"<guestenterprises@aol.com> |
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HRCMOAA Function
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| In August, Your Chapter hosted a picnic at the Ft. Story Officers Club,
located on the beach in Virginia Beach. A good time was had by all
who attended. At top left is new member, COL Chuck Shaver,
USA talking with CAPT Jim Jones, USN (Ret). At bottom left
is CAPT Wick Harlan, USN (Ret) enjoying the afternoon talking with
Grace
Gallagher, Auxillary member (bottom center), and his wife
Joyce
Harlan. |
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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 TOYS FOR TOTS,
BUSINESS SOCIAL
| WHEN: |
Friday, November 4, 2005 |
| WHERE: |
Atlantic Shores Retirement Community |
| TIME: |
Social: 1100 hours
Lunch: 1200 hours |
| MENU: |
Chicken Saltimbocca (chicken breast stuffed with prosciutto,
tomatoes and provolone )
OR Roasted Salmon with Cucumber dill sauce
Garden salad, vegetable medley, rolls, butter, dessert |
| PRICE: |
$16.00 (inclusive)
Pay as you go bar |
| PROGRAM: |
Congresswoman Thelma Drake will be our guest speaker.
Members are requested to bring an unwrapped toy suitable for children
or a contribution to Toys for Tots. A USMC Reserve representative
will be on hand. This will also be our annual business meeting. |
| RESERVATIONS: |
Call Jim Dellaripa at 640-0947 or call Frank Hinchy at 689-2463, NLT
1900 October 31, 2005. Please call between 0900 and 2000. Give name,
phone number, number attending and choice of menu. A reservation
made is a reservation paid. |
| CUTOFF DATE: |
October 31, 2005 |
Every member attending please bring a
potential new member as your guest!
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Retired Officers Wives Society
Don’t forget the Annual ROWS Christmas Dinner/Dance, to be held
at the New Princess Anne Country Club, on Friday the 2nd of December.
Cocktails at 5:00 PM followed by Dinner at 6:00 PM. Music for
your listening and dancing pleasure will be by the Roger Gray Quintet.
The cost will be $40 a person. Mail your check to Nordleen
Crews at 1125 Spindle Crossing, Virginia Beach, VA 23455. Your
check is your reservation. Please call Nordleen at 363-1094 if your
have any questions. |
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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 service 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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MOAA Newsletters
Our Hampton Roads Chapter members, who have computers and access to
the internet, are encouraged to keep up to date on MOAA happenings by signing
up for the many publications that are available by subscribing at the MOAA
website. You may access the MOAA website through our www.hrcmoaa.org
or direct at www.moaa.org . Click on Publications then Newsletters
then Read description of our newsletter and subscribe today. There
are two newsletters and several announcements that you may elect to receive
by email. |
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HRCMOAA Board Recommends Annual Dues Increase
In January 2005, the HRCMOAA Board of Directors recommended that annual
dues be increased beginning in 2006 to counter the effects of inflation
on Chapter activities. Upon approval by a majority vote of the members
in attendance at the Annual Meeting scheduled for November 2005, regular
member dues will go from $12.50 yearly or $30.00 for three years to $15.00
yearly or $39.00 for three years. While the Board struggled with
this recommendation, it is pleased to note that dues will be lower than
other similar organizations in the Hampton Roads area. For regular
members, whose Chapter membership expires in 2005, you can save by renewing
prior to January 1, 2006. If your address label on the Tribute says
2005, you may renew for 3 years at the old $30 rate. Dues for Auxiliary
members will remain at $7.50 yearly or $21.00 for 3 years. Should you have
comments to offer, contact a Chapter officer. |
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IN MEMORIUM
LTJG J. Roy Alphin, USNR (Ret)
(Dorothy U.)
CDR William J. Collins, USN (Ret)
Mrs. Gove, Mary Lou
(CAPT Jack E., USN (Ret))
Belated
LTC Cote, William G., USA (Ret)
LCDR Baxter D. Green, USN (Ret)
(Lillian M.)
The chapter members extend their sincere condolences
to the surviving family members. |
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