Military Officer - April 2008 - (Page 46) chaptersinaction Chapter Achievements From the Field: Virginia Council of Chapters Sixty-five Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) members gathered in Richmond Jan. 28 to lobby for legislation that would benefit servicemembers and their families. Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF-Ret., director of MOAA’s Government Relations, accompanied VCOC members and briefed them on MOAA’s national legislative objectives. The effort — coordinated with the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations — saw members lobby for the development of software that would streamline the claims-filing process for state veterans. Other legislative priorities include establishing a wounded warrior mental health care program and providing tax relief to reservists who are called to active duty. Ark-La-Tex (La.) Chapter For years, Ark-La-Tex Chapter members participated in Letters to the Front, in which children write letters to U.S. troops who are overseas for the holidays. When the national program ceased operations last year, members launched a local version. Chapter members mobilized students in Bossier Parish, La., who produced 5,006 letters, cards, and drawings for troops. Chapter members also held a contest, with the top letter-writers receiving medallions and small cash awards. Program chair Lt. Col. George Finck, USAF-Ret., says the effort cost the chapter less than $600. The number of letters written last year by local students also increased 67 percent. Ohio Council of Chapters Last year, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland signed H.B. 372 into law to exempt military retired pay and Survivor Benefit Plan payments from state income tax. The exemption — effective tax year 2008 — doesn’t include USPHS or NOAA servicemembers’ retired pay. The bill, cosponsored by state Reps. Ross McGregor and Peter Ujvagi, includes other benefits such as exempting probate fees on servicemembers’ estates if they die in a combat zone. Ohio Council of Chapters 1st Vice President Col. John McCoy, USAFRet., testified in support of the bill, while other council members lobbied their state representatives. Rattlesnake (Idaho) Chapter Members of the Rattlesnake Chapter presented their 2007 MOAA Company Grade Officer of the Year Award to Capt. Kenneth Juhl, USAF. Col. Mark Kelly, USAF, vice commander of the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, was the guest speaker at the event in late 2007. Juhl, a standardization and evaluation officer, is assigned to the 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home AFB. In 2007, his unit was the first F-15E unit to deploy to Afghanistan. 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. (clockwise from top left) Rattlesnake Chapter President Lt. Col. Roger Fogleman, USAF-Ret., left, stands with awardee Juhl, center, and Kelly. MOAA chapter members, Ohio state representatives, and staff members join Ohio Gov. Strickland (seated, center). An Ark-La-Tex Chapter member poses with contest winners. Hampton Roads (Va.) Chapter members met with Delegate Terrie Suit, second from left, during VCOC lobbying. 46 MILITARY OFFICER APRIL 2008
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