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Departments - Chapter Activities

Legislative Visitation Increases Clout

State and congressional representatives in Virginia are getting an education on military and veterans' issues, thanks in part to the hardworking members of the Richmond (Va.) Area Chapter.

"We're in an ideal location to affect legislation at the state and national levels," says Col. Melville A. Drisko Jr., USA-Ret., who serves as the chapter's president. "Richmond is the state capital, and Washington, D.C., is just a few hours away."

The Richmond Area Chapter works hand-in-hand with the Virginia Council of Chapters (vcoc). The vcoc represents 16 MOAA chapters and more than 45,000 national MOAA members in Virginia, allowing them to speak with one voice in the state legislature. Each January, vcoc chapter members gather at the state capitol where they spend the day lobbying their elected representatives.

Members of the Richmond Area Chapter don't stop there, however. They continue meeting with their representatives throughout the year. In 2002, chapter members met with four state senators and four state delegates.

"The best way to get these people to listen is to visit them in their home office,"' says Capt. Connie O'Neill, USN-Ret., who serves as the chapter's legislative affairs director. "They're much more relaxed. We're able to explain our position, and there's a good exchange of information."

Prior to each visit, Drisko or O'Neill puts together a fact sheet for legislators to review. The sheet summarizes the legislation members would like to talk about and contains a short biography of each chapter member the legislator will meet.

Personal visits have helped the Richmond Area Chapter's visibility. Recently, several members were tapped to serve on a leadership advisory committee that is part of the Governor's Advisory Commission for Veterans' Affairs.

The visitation program also has helped members gain some legislative clout. During 2002, the Richmond Area Chapter worked in conjunction with the vcoc to get a number of important issues passed, including having the state donate $334,000 - one dollar for each veteran in the state - to help finance the construction of the World War II veterans' memorial in Washington, D.C.

In addition to visiting their state legislators, chapter members met with several U.S. representatives last year, including Reps. Eric Cantor (new chief deputy majority whip for the House) and Randy Forbes and Sen. George Allen. During these visits, chapter members lobbied for the passage of concurrent receipt legislation.

Hawaii Chapter Members Help Food Bank

Members of the Hawaii Chapter rounded up 388 pounds of food and more than $846 in donations for the Hawaii Foodbank, a nonprofit organization that collects and distributes food to the needy. Auxiliary member Roxanna Faith headed up the annual fundraiser, which had a western theme this year.

"Roxanna really got out there and cracked the whip this year," says Capt. John Peters, USN-Ret., chapter president. "Our chapter raised enough food and money to feed 8,000 people."

Chapter members turned out in force for the fundraiser, which was held at the officers club at Hickam Air Force Base. Everyone donned western attire for the event, and members of the Pacific Fleet Band provided music. Members also donated orchids, wine, original works of art, and other items, which were auctioned. Proceeds from the dinner and auction were donated to the Hawaii Foodbank.

In addition to helping the food bank, the generous members of the Hawaii Chapter also sponsor 17 area Junior rotc units and participate in many other community service projects. Chapter members have donated money to the local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing home, U.S. Army Museum, and Fisher House at Tripler Army Medical Center. The Fisher House Foundation provides lodging to military family members while a loved one is receiving treatment at a military medical treatment facility or VA medical center.

Arizona Chapter Members Inducted Into State Veterans Hall of Fame

Three members of the Arizona Chapter recently were inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame. They are Lt. Cmdr. Terry Tassin, USN-Ret., who was recognized for 20 years of naval service and for his outstanding accomplishments as a Junior rotc instructor; Lt. Col. Bill Toy, USA-Ret., who was honored for lifelong service to the community, veterans' groups, and military organizations; and State Sen. Lt. Col. Tom Smith, usmc-Ret., who was recognized for supporting veterans' issues in the Arizona legislature.

U.S. Rep. Bob Stump (R-Ariz.) also was inducted, and the building that houses the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame was named in his honor. Gov. Jane Dee Hull and Patrick Chorpenning, director of the Arizona Department of Veterans Services, presented each honoree with a medallion and a plaque during the induction ceremony.

Several chapter members were nominated for induction into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame. Tassin, who joined the chapter shortly after he separated from the service in 2001, says he's proud to have been one of 20 veterans in the state who were selected to receive this honor.

"My immediate family lives here in the valley of the sun, as we call it, and they were all there for the ceremony," he says.

The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in Phoenix was established in 2001 to honor veterans who have distinguished themselves by their meritorious service and exceptional contributions after separating from the military. Inductees in 2001 included the late Lt. Col. Bill Thompson, USAF, who was a Medal of Honor recipient and member of the Arizona Chapter.

Legendary Film Star Speaks to Tampa Chapter

Members of the Tampa (Fla.) Chapter gave a warm welcome to a surprise visitor at a recent chapter meeting. More than 147 members had turned out to hear Brig. Gen. (promotable) William W. Hodges, commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, describe a number of recent improvement projects at MacDill Air Force Base.

The meeting was about to adjourn when someone in the back of the room asked, "General, would you mind if we brought someone in?" Hodges, who was in on the surprise, gave his approval, and several officers escorted in legendary film star Mickey Rooney.

"Mickey Rooney, who is rather short, went to the podium and assured everyone that he was not standing in a hole," says Lt. Col. Bernard Tauber, USA-Ret., who serves as editor of the chapter's newsletter. "He gave a brief talk praising military retirees for the service they had rendered their country. Most stimulating of all, he said the proudest thing that ever happened to him was being awarded the Bronze Star medal for his actions in World War II."

Rooney went into the military in 1944 and served for 21 months. Afterward, he served in a unit of artists and musicians who entertained troops. Many members were unaware that Rooney, who has appeared in more than 200 films, once served in the military.

"It was really neat," says Cmdr. Stan Ewanowski, USN-Ret., chapter president. "When he walked in, everyone just started applauding, and he received a standing ovation when he left."


A Helping Hand

I lost a good friend last month. He was 59 years old and in the prime of life. How he passed is not important - what is important is the help his widow received from MOAA when he died.

During the last several years, the Council and Chapter Affairs Department and the Benefits Information Department have waged a campaign for every chapter in the nation - all 423 of them - to designate volunteers to act as a personal affairs counselor or committee. Approximately three-quarters of our chapters now have such a person or committee, with more coming on every month.

If you don't belong to a chapter or aren't interested in belonging, you may wonder how this affects you. Read on.

We may still be in our 40s, 50s, or early 60s and think we're bulletproof, but the truth is one of these days we may not be around to help our spouses. You have to ask yourself, "Whom would he or she turn to for help, especially with the military or government aspects of my life, if one day I don't come home?" The answer is closer than you think: MOAA.

But if you don't belong to a chapter or, even worse, you don't belong to MOAA, that's the end of the story, right? Wrong! National MOAA, with its Benefits Information staff, or any nearby MOAA chapter that has a personal affairs counselor or committee is available to assist you. All you have to do is ask. Our chapters pride themselves on being community-oriented, and if they can help your surviving spouse, they will, regardless of whether you're a member or not. The same holds true for the national organization.

Here's hoping we all live to a ripe old age. But we still need to make sure our surviving spouses know where to turn. If you're already an MOAA member, you probably know about this assistance and how easy it is to get help by phone. If you're also a chapter member whose chapter already has volunteers, you know help is available in your hometown. But if you're neither, you won't be turned down. It's simply not the way we operate.

Col. Chris Giaimo, USAF-Ret.
Director, Council and Chapter Affairs


IN FOCUS
A closer look at council and chapter achievements

Get the Word Out on TFL

On Oct. 1, 2001, the Department of Defense (DoD) ushered in the most sweeping changes to its health care system in nearly 30 years when TRICARE For Life (TFL) took effect. TFL restores TRICARE coverage for all Medicare-eligible retired uniformed services beneficiaries who are enrolled in Medicare Part B.

The DoD, MOAA, and many other military organizations have worked diligently to notify eligible beneficiaries about TFL. Still, many people don't know about the program.

Many MOAA chapters and councils have picked up the banner and are working at the local level to find eligible beneficiaries who have fallen through the cracks in the system. Last year, for example, four members of the Richmond (Va.) Area Chapter traveled to 32 nursing homes in their area and distributed information on TFL.

The North Carolina State Council of Chapters also is helping get the word out to eligible beneficiaries who live in nursing homes. The effort started after members of the Southeastern (N.C.) Chapter developed a notebook of information on TFL and began distributing it to nursing home administrators in the Wilmington area. The outreach project was so successful that the state council began encouraging other chapters to follow suit. Members of 16 MOAA chapters in North Carolina answered the call, got to work, and distributed informational notebooks on TFL to nursing home administrators in all of the state's 100 counties. Many of these nursing homes house Alzheimer's patients or seriously ill individuals who can no longer handle their own affairs.

"Reports from chapters so far have been very gratifying," says Col. Joe Cansler, USA-Ret., second vice president of the North Carolina State Council of Chapters. "There are retirees and widows in each chapter area who need this type help and are unable to do it themselves. In many cases, they are not even aware of the benefits available to them."

Col. Lynda Linker, USA-Ret., and Cmdr. Loren Thorson, USNR-Ret., who are members of the Green Valley (Ariz.) Chapter, also are doing their part. Linker and Thorson recently joined forces and began conducting several outreach meetings in the area to help inform eligible beneficiaries about TFL.

Thorson also persuaded a local reporter to do an article on the topic. The article encouraged readers to contact the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council if they, or someone they knew, might be eligible for TFL. The council, in turn, contacts the chapter, which dispatches a volunteer like Thorson to talk with the individual and help determine his or her eligibility for TFL. Since the project began, Thorson estimates he's talked to more than 50 eligible beneficiaries who will realize a savings of approximately $5,000 a year in medical expenses.

"It's really been one of the best things I've ever been involved in," says Thorson.

Members of the Indiana State Council of Chapters conducted their own outreach program during Indiana Military Retiree Day, held last November. During the event, more than 50 people attended a seminar on TFL. National MOAA President Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN-Ret., and his wife, Judy, also attended the event and did their part to help inform those in attendance about TFL.

"I met at least two people who didn't know about TRICARE For Life," says Col. Joe Ryan, USA-Ret., president of the Indiana State Council of Chapters. "One was a retired Air Force lawyer, and the other was a widow. Neither of them knew about the pharmacy benefit, and both of them were paying quite a bit each month for their prescriptions."

Chapter and council members in Virginia, North Carolina, Arizona, and Indiana say they'll continue to get the word out on TFL. They've witnessed firsthand how national notification efforts can fall short at the local level, and they're determined to bridge the gap.