| Close
Window |
|
 |
|
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 Runner-Up Web
Site For 2010
A Runner Up Printed
Newsletter 2009
Winner E Newsletter
2009
Serving Chesapeake,
Norfolk, and Virginia Beach since 1959
|
|
|
|
|
VOL 35-NO 3
|
ONE POWERFUL VOICE
|
MAY 2011
|
|
|
|
|
The Tribute
In honor of those who have
sacrificed
to keep our country free.
|
|
|
Courtesy
of the Arlington National Cemetery Website Images
|
|
|
May
27th Luncheon
|
|
| The luncheon will be held at the Atlantic
Shores Community Magnolia Room. The topic will be Hurricane/Disaster
Preparedness. The picture above shows Isabel, a category 2 Hurricane
which hit land in North Carolina on September 18th and 19th, 2003.
The damage was extensive. A category 3 or higher could be devastating.
Hurricane hazards include; high winds, tornadoes, storm surge and flooding,
be prepared and have a plan. (Photo, courtesy of the Rapid
Response Team Imagery, NASA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 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. |
|
|
|
|
2011 Memorial Day Celebration, 30 May.
|
|
Virginia Beach
A wreath laying ceremony will be held
at 1200 hours at the Tidewater Veterans Memorial in Virginia Beach.
The event is sponsored by the Virginia Beach Mayor’s Committee.
Please join other Chapter members for this celebration. Speaker,
Congressman Scott Rigell. |
|
Chesapeake City Hall
This wreath laying will start at 1100
hours. The Memorial will be followed by a paver installation. |
|
|
|
President’s Message
Fellow Officers and Spouses:
MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP!!
Every member get a member!! To accomplish our goal in MOAA, we need
clout. Clout comes with numbers. It certainly counts in Washington
where MOAA is recognized as the number one lobbyist for military personal
affairs. But it also counts on the local scene. Jack Colgan
is doing a great job in recruiting, but we all need to jump in and help
him.
As, I believe, Everett Dirkson said, "All
politics is local." We were reasonably successful in Richmond
this year, but budget short falls are going to mitigate some of our successes.
Additionally, with the redrawing of the voting districts, this area is
going to loose some representation. Therefore we need to be certain
that our delegates and senators here us loud and clear. With the
redrawing of the lines, some incumbents are going to find themselves in
trouble and their opponents will be hungry for voters. We have
a great opportunity to influence those who are running for office
to support our legislative agenda. Numbers, again, will greatly enhance
our clout.
A big issue coming up on the national
agenda is the so called "doc fix." There is a 28% cut in payments
to doctors for treating Medicare/TRICARE patients set to occur in 2012
unless congress changes the law, which is being addressed.
If this happens it is going to impact who doctors will treat.
At our 29 April luncheon you have heard
from our Community Affairs committee, chaired by Dave Wade.
You saw how much this chapter is doing to help or promote the military
in this area. Again, if we had a larger chapter, we could do more.
Spring is here so get out side and have some fun.
God bless,
Holly |
|
|
|
HRCMOAA Directory
|
Officers
|
Directors
|
Committees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Hampton Roads Chapter
MOAA Legislative Report to the Chapter Board 4/6/2011 |
|
| Chapter Recommendations
for Legislative Objectives |
| The Board was advised that two of the
Chapter legislative objectives for 2012 were accepted by the VCOC Legislative
Committee. They were Alternate Dedicated Revenue Sources for Veterans
Programs and Relieving Homelessness for veterans and their families.
The third that involved initiating County and City Veterans Benefits Services
programs was not accepted for a host of reasons. I said that we may
see it again, but nothing has developed thus far. |
| VCOC Legislative Committee Recommendations |
On 17 March the VCOC Legislative Committee
met and adopted three legislative objectives. They were:
-
Alternate Dedicated Revenue Sources for Veterans
Programs
-
DVS Professional Staffing (i.e., Provide adequate
managerial and services program staffing to ensure efficiency and excellence
in delivery of veterans service programs – increase authorized manning
levels from 6 to the staffing level of 16 authorized. However, if
the staffing request on the Governor’s desk is approved, this may not be
an issue.)
-
Reducing Veteran Homelessness in Virginia
I asked the concurrence of the HRC Board to
have these carried to the JLC. I heard from 9 of 11 Board members,
with no negative votes cast. |
| JLC Recommendations |
The JLC met on 23 March and accepted the
following legislative objectives for further development:
-
Alternate Dedicated Revenue Sources for Veterans
-
Excess Revenue Distribution (i.e., a proportional
allocation from the state budget at the end of a fiscal year for excess
unexpended funds with a priority listing for distribution of some of the
excess funds to DVS.) To be developed by NAUS.
-
Revisit the State Lottery Initiative.
To be developed by MOAA.
-
State Sales Tax Exemption for 501 (c) 19 VSOs.
There is sales tax exemption for other 501 (c) organizations, but not for
501 (c) 19 veterans organizations. To be developed by VFW.
-
Restore Specific Professional Staffing with
DVS. The objective would be to improve: (1) service to veterans;
(2) operational efficiency within DVS; and (3) regulatory compliance within
DVS. To be developed by MOAA.
-
Reduce Veteran Homelessness in Virginia.
The objective would be to provide some of the resources required to do
so. To be developed by MOAA.
-
Unclaimed Veterans Cremains. The Military
Order of the World Wars would like to pursue the unclaimed cremains of
veterans in the state and have all of the associations that oversee funeral
homes for the cremains of veterans be responsible for providing the information
required to take care of unclaimed cremains in an honorable fashion.
NAUS offered to assist in support of this objective.
|
Jack Hilgers, COL USMC-Ret.
Chapter Legislative Representative |
|
|
|
|
| From The Editor
Information provided by
COL Jim Smith, USA-Ret.
and Chapter Board Member |
 |
|
| EQUI-VETS Service Program |
| The EQUI-VETS Service Program is one of
several charitable programs the Hampton Roads Chapter, MOAA supports. EQUI-VETS
Service Program exclusively benefits men and women in the armed services
who have been wounded in the line of duty, providing equine assisted therapeutic
sessions for active and retired military personnel. EQUI-VETS recently
enrolled two Marines and an Airman into the program at their facility in
Heritage Park in Virginia Beach. This program is free of cost in recognition
of the sacrifice and service of our participants.
Each wounded service member has his or
her own individual program, which is coordinated with the supporting hospital
or physician and is built around each participant’s schedule. Sessions
can include riding and horse care activities such as grooming, tacking
and general care of the horses, as well as supporting the farm operations
of the facility. All sessions are held under the direct supervision of
Kathy
Chitwood, Program Director and a registered and board-certified Psychiatric
and Mental Health Nurse, who is also a nationally certified instructor.
Three Chapter members, Colonel Jim Smith,
USA (Retired), Lieutenant Commander Daryl Holland, USN (Ret), and
Colonel
Jim Edge, USA (Ret), are active volunteers supporting this valuable
therapeutic program.
If you would like to help or have questions
concerning EQUI-VETS,
see or call Jim Smith at (757)
425-5934. |
|
|
|
| CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS |
| Cell Phones for Soldiers is a national
non-profit charity that recycles old cell phones and in return, provides
our fighting forces with pre-paid phone cards to call home. Each
old cell phone turned in translates into about 60 minutes of free talk
time for our troops and their loved ones on the homefront. Since
2004, Cell Phones for Soldiers has sent over 60 million minutes of free
talk time to our troops
The Hampton Roads Chapter of the Military
Officers Association of America (HRCMOAA) & the Navy Federal Credit
Union (NFCU) is partnering in this win-win program to turn old cell phones
into phone cards to help our troops call home. I am leading
the effort within HRCMOAA and I am working closely with representatives
of the NFCU. The NFCU will designate specific offices as “Drop Off”
collection points. HRCMOAA will work with the NFCU in collecting,
packaging and shipping the phones to the designated recycling activity.
In addition, we will collect cell phones at our MONTHLY Chapter luncheons.
What to recycle: Cell phones, blackberries,
palms, etc. and their apparatus (if you have it). What not to recycle:
Chargers without the matching PDA, old land-line phones and other electronic
equipment.
So, PLEASE PULL YOUR OLD PHONES OUT OF
THEIR HIDING PLACES AND BRING THEM TO THE NFCU AND TO OUR LUNCHEONS. Please
let me know when an item is dropped-off at a NFCU site so we can track
the # of phones our Chapter generates. This is a wonderful program
that our troops greatly appreciate.
To remove data from your old cell phone
go to http://www.recellular.com/recycling/data_eraser/default.asp
and follow the instructions
If you have any questions or concerns,
please email me at jedge13@cox.net
or call me on my “new” cell phone at 434-1259. This is an
easy yet very effective way to help our troops and their families - thank
you for supporting this Patriotic program.
Jim Edge
|
|
|
|
|
Military ID Card Notification Program
|
| 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. |
| |
| 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. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| MOAA Legislative Update
(Weekly Issue) |
|
| New Rules Changes Could
Affect Military Legislation |
| Historically, the House quickly approved
its version of the defense bill with few amendments, while the Senate often
had to consume a week or more, scheduling debate time on an agenda that
included hundreds of proposed amendments. This year, that could be
the scene in both chambers, which could be good or bad news.
On one hand, it gives MOAA's legislative
champions greater opportunities to have their amendments considered.
On the other, it opens the process to a potential budget-cutting free-for-all,
with the possibility of disadvantageous amendments being offered on relatively
short notice with limited time for rebuttal before a vote is taken.
The only predictable thing about that change
is that it's sure to drag out the legislative process and increase the
potential for unintended consequences. |
|
|
|
|
|
HRCMOAA Planned Community Affairs Events – 2011
|
| Presentation of MOAA Gold Bars
and Membership to ODU Army ROTC 2nd LT commissionings at ODU on Fri. 6
May.
Presentation of MOAA Leadership
Award to NSU Army ROTC outstanding cadet at NSU on Fri. 6 May.
Presentation of MOAA Gold Bars and
Membership to NSU Army ROTC 2nd LT commissionings at NSU on Fri.
6 May.
Presentation of MOAA Leadership
Award to First Colonial High School Navy JROTC outstanding cadet at First
Colonial High School at 1830 on 18 May.
Presentation of MOAA Leadership
Award to Green Run High School Navy JROTC outstanding cadet at Green Run
High School in May.
Presentation of MOAA Leadership
Award to Landstown High School Navy JROTC outstanding cadet at Landstown
High School at 1800 on 17 May.
Presentation of MOAA Leadership
Award to Princess Ann High School Navy JROTC outstanding cadet at Princess
Ann High School at 1800 on 21 May.
Presentation of MOAA Leadership
Award to Salem High School Navy JROTC outstanding cadet at Salem
High School at 1845 on 17 May.
Memorial Day Ceremony, Virginia
Beach at the War Memorial located near the Convention Center, on Tues.
30 May.
Memorial Day Ceremony, Chesapeake
at City Hall in Chesapeake, on Tues. 30 May.
Presentation of MOAA Leadership
Award to Norfolk High Schools Navy JROTC outstanding cadet, 3 June.
Veterans Day Parade and luncheon
– Virginia Beach War Memorial on Fri. 11 Nov, parade starts on Atlantic
Ave and proceeds down 19th St. to the reviewing stand. Lunch is at
the Double Tree Hotel.
Veterans Day Ceremony – Chesapeake
City Hall, located in Great Bridge, Chesapeake on Fri. 11 Nov.
YMCA Military Family Recognition Luncheon
Date and place, TBD in Nov.
Toys for Tots and Business Meeting,
Date and place, TBD in Nov.
Please contact David Wade if you
can help with any of the awards. 549-2123. or dcwade@cox.net. |
|
|
|
|
Transition Officer Placement System
|
| The HRCMOAA (TOPS) Liaison is Captain
Loren V. Heckelman, U. S. Navy (Ret.). Loren can be reached at email
address; Loren.Heckelman@cox.net.
Check out our Networking and Jobs page on the chapter website at www.hrcmoaa.org.
Click on the “Networking and Jobs” link on the left hand side of the home
page. |
|
|
|
|
MOAA Scholarship Fund
|
| Memorial contributions may be made to the MOAA Scholarship Fund, for
deceased members of our Chapter, at Dept 889, Alexandria, VA 22334-0889.
Contributions may also be made at www.moaa.org.
Or you may call 800-234-6622. |
|
|
|
|
MOAA Military Leadership Award at NSU
|
|
| Above is COL Jim Edge, USA Ret.,
HRCMOAA Representative presenting the leadership award to Cadet Tanisha
Jenkins. Tanisha was also the XO of the AROTC Unit. The
Unit is lead by LTC Nick Anthony, USA. This was the first
of many awards and Gold Bar presentations that will be conducted this spring.
Any member interested in presenting an award may contact COL David Wade
at 549-2123. |
|
|
|
|
Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
|
How can I help?
Virginia has provided a limited amount of funding for the Wounded Warrior
Program. The Commonwealth anticipates that its citizens will want to help.
The Virginia Veterans Services Foundation is available to receive contributions
to support the Program. The Foundation is an agency of the state
and is eligible to receive tax deductible contributions under Internal
Revenue Service Section 170 (c) and Code of Virginia Section 2.2-2719.
Donations are placed in the Veterans Services Fund and cannot revert to
the Commonwealth’s General Fund. In this case, they only can be used for
the Wounded Warrior Program. Donations to the Foundation are audited
annually by the Commonwealth’s Auditor of Public Accounts. This assures
that the maximum amount of citizens donations will go to our veterans and
not to administrative overhead. Information about contributing is
provided on the following page.
Contribution/Pledge of Support
Yes! You can count on my support to assist Virginia’s veterans, members
of the Virginia National Guard, Virginia residents of the Armed Forces
Reserves not on active federal service, and their family members, who are
dealing with the effects of traumatic brain disorders, combat stress, and
post-traumatic stress disorders resulting from their combat service and
sacrifice in the U.S. Armed Forces.
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. Donations are placed in
the Veterans Services Fund and cannot revert to the Commonwealth’s General
Fund. Please complete the following five lines for contributions
of checks or cash, or when making a pledge.
Name(s) ______________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________
Phone _______________________
Email_______________________________________
HRCMOAA Member Yes ___ No ___ |
|
|
|
|
Chapter Schedule
For the most current and up-to-date schedule
of chapter events,
click on Calendar
of Events
|
| Board Meetings; normally held the
first Saturday of each month. |
| |
| May 27th - Luncheon at Atlantic
Shores. Disaster preparedness and planning/Red Cross (Hurricane season
prep). |
| May 30th - Memorial Day wreath
laying ceremony 1200 hours at the Tidewater Veterans Memorial in Virginia
Beach. |
| June/July – BREAK (other
social event/activity) |
| August 26th - Luncheon at Aberdeen
Barn. Congressman Scott Rigell as Legislative guest. |
| September 23rd - Luncheon at Atlantic
Shores. National MOAA representative (ADM Ryan/Travel Benefits Advisor/or
available representative). |
| October 21st - Luncheon at Westin
Town Center. Financial Planning Panel with an attorney, CPA, and
two planners. Aaron Zielinski will moderate the panel. |
| November 18th – Luncheon at Seal
Heritage Center, Little Creek. Speaker - CAPT Tim Szymanski, USN.
Museum tours will also be available. Planning for ROTC participation/invite
to this event. Toys for Tots support also at this event. |
| |
| VCOC Schedule |
| 7 July – Richmond, Virginia
War Memorial. |
| 13 October – Biennial Country Club
of Petersburg. |
| To be Determined, Congressional
Luncheon, Cannon Caucus Room, Capitol Hill, Washington D.C. |
|
| Contact Jim Jones, 777-5872 for
details and transportation. Dates may change. |
|
|
|
|
“NOTICE”
|
Any Chapter Member who flew the B-58,
B-47, or the B-36, please contact LCOL Edward “Buck” Cummings, USMC
Ret. His email is terriermac@cox.net.
Also info CDR John Vermillion,
USN Ret. at vermillj@cox.net. |
|
|
|
|
25 February Luncheon
|
|
| Shown above is Holly Hollandsworth,
Chapter President, presenting the Jefferson Cup to Mr. Crosthwaite
from the Mariners’ Museum Speakers Bureau. He spoke on the collision
of the Andrea Doria and the Stockholm, which took 54 lives out of the 1600
that were aboard the Andrea Doria. The El DeFrance, one of the ships
in the area, saved 800 people. The presentation was very enlightening
determining how the Andrea doria was at fault. |
|
|
|
|
25 March Luncheon
|
|
| The guest speaker was CW4 Phillip M.
Brashear, son of MC Carl Brashear. Philip is a CH-47D
helicopter pilot attached to the 5-159th Aviation Regiment at Fort Eustis,
VA. He is also the President of the Carl Brashear Foundation, and
discussed the Legacy of Carl Brashear and the proposed Foundation.
Philip is a very inspiring speaker, and talked about how growing up under
the guiding influence of his father Carl Brashear helped him to become
the person that he is today. |
 |
| Mrs. Jo Carter, AUX Representative,
discussed planned up and coming programs. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IN MEMORIUM
Gayleen Gilbert
wife of COL Floyd Gilbert, USA-Ret.,
a past Chapter president and a past VCOC president
CAPT Francis (Frank) Roberts, USN-Ret.
CWO2 Fred Ward, USN-Ret.
LCDR Stanley V. Hubbard, Jr., USN-Ret.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
