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The Bi-Monthly Newsletter
of the
Hampton Roads Chapter
Military Officers Association
of America
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A MOAA Five
Star Level of Excellence Chapter Since 2004
A Runner-Up Web
Site For 2010, a Runner Up Printed Newsletter 2010, and Winner E Newsletter
2010.
Serving Chesapeake,
Norfolk, and Virginia Beach since 1959
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VOL 35-NO 5
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ONE POWERFUL VOICE
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SEPTEMBER 2011
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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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September
23 Luncheon
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| Vice Admiral Norbert R. Ryan, Jr.,
United States Navy. Retired VADM Ryan is a 1967 graduate of the United
States Naval Academy, a graduate of George Washington University, with
a Master of Science Degree in Personnel Administration, and the Senior
Officials in National Security Program at Harvard University's John F.
Kennedy School of Government. Ryan has commanded aviation units at
the squadron, wing, and fleet levels and has directed the Navy's Office
of Legislative Affairs. He served as the 52nd Chief of Naval Personnel
before retiring and assuming his current position in September 2002 as
MOAA President. Admiral Ryan was named 2010 Association Executive
of the Year by Association TRENDS, a national trade publication.
He is the first military officer to win this award in its 32 year history. |
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| 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. |
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October 21 Luncheon
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| Luncheon at Westin Town Center:
A Financial Planning Panel with an Attorney, CPA, and two Planners.
Our own Aaron Zielinski will moderate the panel. |
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President’s Message
Fellow Officers and Spouses:
2010 was a great year for our Chapter.
Two of our members, Clif Furedy and John Vermillion, won awards for their
outstanding performances in communications. John won a first and
second for his news letter and Clif won a second place for our web
sight that he so faithfully keeps fresh. These awards will be presented
at our 26 August luncheon.
Better yet, our Chapter was awarded its
seventh straight Five Star Award for excellence. Lead by Major Norm
Crews and ably assisted by last years Board of Directors, we continue to
have one of the best MOAA chapters in the whole USA.
As I write this, our country is reeling
under the shock of losing thirty (my latest info) of the finest men this
Country can produce. The Seals and flight crew gave their lives trying
to save a country that was last changed (conquered) by Alexander the Great
approximately 2,500 years ago. This Country has been making these type
of sacrifices, i.e., fighting to try to preserve freedom in other country's,
since 1951, Korea. It has been a heavy and costly burden. Yet, even
with loses such as this, we remain the "Land of the Free and Home of the
Brave."
Received from a friend, a prayer I think
very appropriate.
"May the Good lord take our Brothers souls
to a better place and see that they are seated at the head of the table
of Warriors. May He provide comfort for the families of these extraordinary
war fighters and give them inner strength to continue their lives knowing
that those lost loved ones were part of a unique band of Brothers, the
best we have, who gave their all for this Country. Amen. TR Swartz"
Thank you each for all your service.
God bless,
Holly |
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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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| MOAA Legislative Update
(Weekly Issue) |
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| Debt Deal: What You Need
to Know |
After months of tense negotiations Congress
agreed to a last minute debt reduction deal and raised the debt ceiling
– a Congressional limit on government borrowing – just in time to meet
the Treasury Department’s August 2nd deadline to avoid a potential government
default. The agreement, signed by the President on Tuesday, sets a course
for future reductions in federal spending. But the compromise is remarkably
short on details and relies largely on the budget cutting recommendations
of a soon to be formed Congressional “Super Committee.” In many ways the
deal reflects the inability of Congress to come to terms with spending
cuts. Here’s what we know about the deal:
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Enacts $900 billion in federal spending cuts
over 10 years
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Cuts include $350 billion in savings from
the base defense budget already agreed upon earlier this year
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Authorizes the President to increase the debt
limit by at least $2.1 trillion, eliminating the need for further increases
until 2013
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Establishes a Congressional bipartisan Joint
Committee, often referred to as the “Super Committee,” tasked with identifying
an additional $1.5 trillion in debt reduction, including discretionary
(e.g., pay raises, procurement, etc.) and direct (e.g., Social Security,
TFL) spending; the Committee will also consider tax revenue measures
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Requires $1.2 trillion in cuts if the “Super
Committee” fails to reach an agreement, or Congress fails to pass the committee’s
recommendations by December 23. Cuts would be divided between defense
and non-defense defense spending
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Ensures a vote on a balanced budget constitutional
amendment by December 2011
Now that the deal is done all eyes will turn
to the Congressional “Super Committee” made up of 12 members of Congress,
six from each chamber, and six from each party. Their debt reduction recommendations
are due November 23, 2011. Congress is required to vote on their recommendations
without amendment by December 23, 2011. The Super Committee is authorized
to look at both discretionary and direct (mandatory) spending meaning that
military retirement, TFL, Social Security, etc., are on the table for cutting.
However, if the Committee cannot reach
an agreement on how to cut an additional $1.5 trillion from the debt or
if their recommended cuts fail to be adopted by Congress, an enforcement
mechanism (sequestration) will trigger automatic, draconian spending reductions
starting in 2013. The cuts would be split 50/50 between domestic and defense
spending (defense spending cuts would be about $50 billion per year). The
severity of this process is intended to force Congress to act and prioritize
what reductions should be made. If sequestration is employed Social
Security, Medicare beneficiaries (but not providers), federal civil service
retirement, military retirement and low-income programs will be exempt
from mandatory cuts. MOAA is especially concerned about the prospect
of sequestration if Congress fails to reach a $1.5 trillion deal by December
23. These automatic cuts would rely heavily on defense spending reductions.
Although military retired pay, Social Security, and Medicare beneficiaries
are protected from these cuts it could leave TRICARE and Medicare providers
extremely vulnerable. The magnitude of these cuts may prevent a “doc fix”
this year which would deeply hurt access to care. And this is only the
beginning of several years of successive budget reductions. Both the right
and the left are looking to reduce defense spending and the quickest way
there is cutting manpower and compensation. In this environment, it will
be essential for the military and veterans community to stay alert and
actively involved to protect against abrogation of long-standing commitments.
If you think Congress and defense leaders wouldn't do that, you need only
look at the hard experience of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, when the military
regularly RIFed large numbers, capped pay raises most years, cut retirement,
kicked older retirees out of military healthcare, and much, much more.
Today's budget environment is worse than it was then, and the competition
for limited dollars will activate massive lobbying, campaign donations
and more aimed at protecting weapons and other programs that mean jobs
in home districts. If we hope to protect the people programs that are the
fundamental underpinnings to sustain a quality career force, we'll need
everyone on board and active in protecting their interests. |
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From The Editor
My apologies to CDR Matt Krakower, for
listing him as a LCDR in the Chesapeake wreath laying ceremony shown in
the July edition. |
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| DFAS, Customer Commitment
(News Letter) |
| At DFAS, serving customers is our top
priority. Our primary goal is to deliver first-class service and products
to each and every customer. We are committed to meeting your needs
and providing you with all of the necessary tools and resources to help
you manage your military retirement. Recently, we’ve been focused
on making more information available to military retirees and annuitants
by continually updating the information on this website based on your feedback.
We’ve also enhanced myPay, the official online account management system
for military members, retirees and annuitants. And soon we’ll be
adding new Fast Forms to this website to make submitting account changes
easier for you. We also use Facebook to keep you up to the minute
on issues that could affect your retired pay and give you day-to-day tips
and hints. In the July newsletter, find out about the new Fast
Forms coming soon, read about topics retirees like you frequently ask about,
and find out how to make routine changes to your account without waiting
on the phone.
There are several ways to contact DFAS
Retired and Annuitant Pay. Please include your full name, daytime phone
number, social security number and signature on all written correspondence.
Customer Service Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from
7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
The quickest, easiest way to update your
Mailing Address is through myPay. You can access myPay 24/7 from anywhere
in the world, and your changes will be made in just 3-5 business days!
To do this: 1. Go to https://mypay.dfas.mil
and log in to your account.
Toll-free: 800-321-1080
Local: 216-522-5955
DSN: 580-5955 |
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NROTC Gold Bar Presentation
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| CAPT Holly Hollandsworth is shown
above presenting gold bars and a one year free membership in MOAA to Ensign
Joseph S. Buck, USN. Holly is the president of the Hampton Roads
Chapter MOAA. The event took place on the stern of the Battleship,
USS Wisconsin tied up at Nauticus in Norfolk, Virginia. Ensign Buck
received his shoulder boards from family members.
After Commissioning
Below is the NROTC Consortium group just
after receiving their boards from parents. |
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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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Cell Phones for Soldiers
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| 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)
are partnering in this win-win program to turn old cell phones into phone
cards to help our troops call home. COL Jim Edge, USA-Ret.
is leading the effort within HRCMOAA and working closely with Teresa
Bower, Business Account Specialist and Lynne Hancock, Business
Services Supervisor at Navy Federal, and Joanne Steen, Author on
line-of-duty loss with Grief Solutions. The NFCU has 21 branch offices
as “Drop Off” collection points. Old cell phones and other PDA devices
are still actively being collected. Shown above is Jim Edge with,
from the left, Teresa Bower, Joanne Steen, and Lynne Hancock, packaging
162 old cell phones collected by the chapter and NFCU for shipping to the
designated recycling activity. This amounts to almost 10,000 minutes
of talk time for our service members and wounded warriors. The packing
activity took place at the Collins Square Shopping Center Branch in Virginia
Beach, Virginia. |
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Transition Officer Placement System
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| 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. |
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MOAA Scholarship Fund
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| 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. |
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| MAJ Norm Crews has been the Chapters
representative to the Retired Activities Office, located at the Little
Creek Amphibious Base.
Their mission is to provide assistance
to retirees, surviving spouses, active duty personnel contemplating retirement,
and family members. They extend an offer of assistance to Navy/Marine Corps
retirees and their families as well as those from all other branches of
the military including retired reserves.
Norm is looking to retire himself after
many years in the chair. Members who are interested please contact
Norm at 757-363-1094 or ncrews1@cox.net. |
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Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
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How can I help?
The Virginia Veterans Services Foundation
is available to receive contributions to support the Program.
The program will 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.
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 |
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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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| September 23rd - Luncheon at Atlantic
Shores. National MOAA President, Vice Admiral Norbert R. Ryan, Jr.,. |
| 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. |
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| VCOC Schedule |
| 13 October - Biennial VCOC meeting
and dinner. The event will be held at the Patriots Colony in Williamsburg,
VA. The regular meeting will be held at 1000 hours. The evening
dinner will commence at 1800 hours. |
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| Contact Jim Jones, 777-5872 for
details and transportation. |
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Article – MOAA Educational Assistance
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| In your Hampton Roads Chapter's area of
Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach, MOAA is providing significant
education assistance to college students for the 2011 – 2012 academic year.
MOAA is providing 36 Designated Scholarships and 59 interest free $5,000
Loans to students in our area. This is one of the many ways MOAA supports
our local communities.
Instructions for contributing to the MOAA
Scholarship Fund are shown above. |
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Vetshouse, Inc. Fund Raiser
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| A dinner and silent auction was held on
25 June to raise funds in support of Vetshouse, which provides housing
and a rehabilitation program for homeless veterans. Colonels Jim Edge
and Dave Wade, chapter board members, and their wives attended along
with Congressman Scott Rigell and former Congressman Glen Nye,
active duty enlisted and officers, and business representatives. Clearly,
there is broad community support for Vetshouse. Colonel Jim Edge is shown
with Vetshouse Director, Willard Smith. Your chapter supports Vetshouse
with some funding. |
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Congressional Appreciation Luncheon
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| Leaders of Hampton Roads Chapter of (MOAA)
discussed national legislative objectives with Virginia’s congressional
delegation over lunch on June 24th at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington
DC. Over 120 attended the 26th Virginia MOAA Congressional Appreciation
Luncheon, led by MOAA’s Virginia Council of Chapters president, COL
Sam Wilder, USA, Retired. He noted “This luncheon is an opportunity
to express to our Congressmen our deep concerns about the need to keep
our national defense strong and to protect the healthcare for the men and
women who serve and sacrifice for their country.”
CAPT Jim Jones, USN-Ret (Left).,
and CAPT Loren Heckelman, USN-Ret (Center). discussed veterans issues
with Congressman Scott Rigell, the Representative from Virginia’s
2nd Congressional District. The Congressman was introduced by the
chapter VCOC Representative, CAPT Jim Jones. Congressman Randy Forbes,
from Virginia’s 4th Congressional District, was also in attendance. |
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IN MEMORIUM
MAJ Leo D. Babb, USA-Ret.
LCDR Hamilton R. "Sully" Sullivan, USN-Ret.
Sully was 90 years old and a member since 1978.
Margie L. Multer
Spouse of CDR Richard P. Multer, USN (ret).
Margie was a long-time secretary of ROWS.
In memory of the 30 Military Members
who gave their lives in the recent helicopter
lose in Afghanistan.
Keep their families in our prayers.
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