Military Officer - April 2007 - (Page 50) chapteractivities VCOC members had worked in advance with the commonwealth’s Joint Leadership Council (JLC) of veterans’ service organizations and established a list of common legislative goals. According to VCOC members, this allows the JLC’s 21 member organizations to speak with a unified voice in the statehouse and pass legislation. “Last year, we were particularly successful in obtaining legislation granting in-state tuition to dependents of servicemembers [who are] stationed in Virginia but not permanent residents of Virginia,” says Maj. Melva Mallison, USAFRet., VCOC public affairs officer. “In 2007, we hope to obtain similar legislation for in-state tuition for the active duty and reserve servicemembers [themselves].” VCOC members also lobbied on other issues that would benefit National Guard and Reserve members, including obtaining $1.2 million in funding for Guard and Reserve family support programs and purchasing equipment to ensure guardmembers can communicate with other government agencies and first responders during an emergency. Other legislative initiatives for 2007 include $3.5 million in funding for the Virginia War Memorial Education Wing and fully funding the Department of Veterans Services budget and strategic plan to increase awareness and access. This year, VCOC members met with Gov. Tim Kaine, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, Speaker of the House Bill Howell, Senate Majority Leader Walter Stosch, and House Majority Whip Kirk Cox as well as Sen. John Edwards and Delegates Scott Lingamfelter and Mark Cole, who have strong ties to the military. Members also heard from Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell, Rep. Eric Cantor, and Vince Burgess, commissioner of Veterans Services. VCOC members have scored many legislative victories during the 10 years they’ve been storming the statehouse. Some of their more notable victories include creating a new state veterans’ cemetery in southwest Virginia, obtaining the funding needed to start two veterans’ care centers, and winning the fight to increase the number of veterans’ claim officers in Virginia by 40 percent. Flanagan, left, accepted a check from Ryan at the MOAA-hosted dinner in recognition of VCOC’s success in 2006’s “Give Me 10!” campaign. Col. Victoria Revilla, USA-Ret., Southside Chapter president, attended the event. cruited ($20 for each life membership conversion) and a $100 bonus after they recruit 10 members. This year, membership renewals will not count toward recruiting totals. Chapters will receive credit for giving free, one-year memberships to currently serving officers. For more details about the 2007 Give Me 10! campaign or to read tips from top-recruiting chapters, visit www.moaa.org/givemeten. California Chapter Helps Homeless Veterans M Virginia Council Storms State Capitol S 50 now and ice didn’t keep 50 Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) members from storming the capitol in Richmond Jan. 22. During the one-day blitz, VCOC members met state representatives as they lobbied for legislation to benefit servicemembers and veterans. MILITARY OFFICER APRIL 2007 embers of the San Pedro/ South Bay (Calif.) Chapter are helping homeless veterans by supporting The U.S. Vets Villages at Cabrillo in Long Beach, Calif., which offers career services, workforce development, and counseling in a transitional housing setting to veterans and their families. Chapter members have contributed $3,000 annually to The Villages since it opened in 2000. They also donate men’s clothing, shoes, furniture, and other items, which chapter member Viola Whitlow organizes. Whitlow, a Villages’ board member, has logged more than 10,000 volunteer hours at the facility. Another member, Maggie Baumann, makes Raggedy Ann-style dolls to raffle off at chapter meetings. Raffle sales last year exceeded $700, and Baumann generously contributed the money to The Villages. MO — Contributors are Col. Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret., director; Col. Barry Wright, USA-Ret., deputy director, Council and Chapter Affairs; and Kris Ann Hegle. For submission information, see page 20. PHOTOS: STEVE BARRETT http://www.moaa.org/givemeten
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