Military Officer - July 2006 - (Page 48) chapteractivities about the benefits available through of directors to head to Washington, Garrett Planning Network, an D.C., and Storm the Hill. MOAA-sponsored financial services During the one-day lobbying partner, and received details about a blitz, participants met face-to-face travel program offered by MOAA Vawith congressional representatives cations that allows members to earn and staff members on Capitol Hill money for their chapters by traveland discussed several of MOAA’s ing as part of a vacation group. key legislative initiatives. This year, Council and chapter leaders then council and chapter leaders lobbied participated in a lively Cross-talk against the large TRICARE fee insession, sharing their thoughts, ideas, creases recommended by DoD. Legand problems with each other. In adislators also were asked to support dition, participants learned how they bills that would fix inequities in the could apply for a position on MOAA’s Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) that board of directors and received inimpose major financial penalties on formation about how they could bethe survivors of servicemembers come a chapter liaison for The who died from service-connected Officer Placement Service (TOPS). causes as well as “greatest generaTOPS is MOAA’s longtion” retirees who enstanding career counrolled in SBP in the seling and employment early 1970s. Legislaservice that provides Council and chaptors also resources to members ter leaders also took were asked and their spouses. One time to thank the MOAA member, Col. congressional leaders to support Edward Gibson, USAand key staff membills that Ret., received a certifibers who supported would fix cate of appreciation MOAA’s legislative inequities recognizing the work initiatives last year he has done to help during the Arthur in the SurMOAA members seekT. Marix Awards cervivor Bening employment. emony and reception, efit Plan. Participants also held on Capitol Hill. heard from a series For more about of speakers who dethe accomplishments scribed service projects they could of Marix Award recipients, see start in their own chapters. The “You’re the Tops,” on page 53. executive director of the National In addition to their lobbying efforts, participants had an opportu- Committee for Employer Support nity to attend one of two benefits in- of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) in Arlington, Va., Maj. Gen. Bobby Holformation briefings. Council and lingsworth, USMCR-Ret., described chapter leaders also learned more some of the ways MOAA chapter ON THE WEB members can help the ESGR meet its mission of promoting coopera■ More coverage of the Council Presidents’ Seminar is available online. Go to tion and understanding between rewww.moaa.org, select Community, then serve component members and their choose Chapters and Councils. civilian employers. 50 MILITARY OFFICER J U LY 2 0 0 6 Gen. John Hendrix, USA-Ret., chairman of MOAA’s board of directors, spoke at the Council Presidents’ Seminar in March. Pam Crespi, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program manager with Military Community and Family Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, told participants about the Heroes to Hometowns program, which helps severely injured servicemembers make the transition back into their communities by providing them with a local support network. Tampa Chapter President Capt. Bob Silah, USN-Ret., gave a presentation about his chapter’s community-service program, Operation Helping Hand. Tampa Chapter members provide emotional and financial assistance to the family members of troops who often spend months recuperating from their wounds at the James A. Haley VA Hospital. Operation Helping Hand has generated much publicity for the Tampa Chapter, and in 2005 the program received first-place honors and a $10,000 grant from the annual Newman’s Own Awards contest. MO — Contributors are Col. Chris Giaimo, USAF-Ret., director; Col. Jim Pauls, USAF-Ret., deputy director, Council and Chapter Affairs; and Kris Ann Hegle. For submission information, see page 18. PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT http://www.moaa.org
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