Military Officer - October 2008 - (Page 43) chaptersinaction vicemembers’ retired pay from state the commission and the legislature income tax. Since its inception six and say, ‘Here’s what our veterans years ago, the MRVTF has lobbied need,’ ” says Rankin. for and won a $5,000 tax exempSince joining the TVC in 2003, tion on uniformed servicemembers’ Rankin has worked to create a sysretired pay. tem that will recognize military Susquehanna (Md.) Chapter training programs, such as the trainmember Lt. Edward Kreiner Sr., ing program for electricians, so USA-Ret., chairs the servicemembers can MRVTF. Six other receive a state certificaMOAA chapter memtion or license in their Virginia bers also serve on the field once they separate council MRVTF’s executive from the military. The board, though they TVC also helped estabmembers represent other memlish TexVet, which alhelped ber organizations. lows veterans and their to secure MOAA chapter memfamilies to learn more funding for about the wide range of bers often belong to and two new hold leadership posistate-level services they tions in many military are eligible to receive state vetand veterans’ organizaerans’ care simply by dialing 211. tions, which puts them Col. Ken Yamacenters. in the public eye and nouchi, USA-Ret., positions them for appresident of the Luke pointment on state com(Ariz.) Chapter, says mittees where they can influence his chapter nominated him to serve pending legislation — or gain access on the Arizona Veterans’ Services to legislators who can. Kreiner also Advisory Commission. Yamanouchi serves as an advisor to the Maryland now chairs the commission, which General Assembly’s Veterans Caucus, represents 40-plus state military orwhere he makes recommendations ganizations. Two other MOAA chapon veterans’ issues and testifies in ter members — Col. Gary Fredricks, support of legislation that would USAF-Ret., and Col. Terrie Gent, benefit veterans. USAF-Ret. — also serve on the commission, although they represent Helping state veterans other military organizations. Other chapter members serve on The commission meets monthly state veterans’ committees. In to discuss issues facing state veterTexas, Alamo Chapter member Brig. ans and holds quarterly town hall Gen. Karen Rankin, USAF-Ret., meetings so veterans can voice their chairs the Texas Veterans Comneeds and concerns. Members also mission (TVC), whose mission is to prioritize state veterans’ needs and guarantee the state’s 1.7 million vetmake recommendations to the goverans and their families receive all ernor and the director of the Arizona of their rights and entitlements that Department of Veterans’ Services. are provided for by law. Members of the commission have “I keep my ears to the ground, advocated on numerous issues that listen to veterans, and go back to benefit state veterans, ranging from obtaining funding for a new state veterans’ home and state veterans’ cemetery to increasing the number of veteran benefit counselors in the state from nine to 45. The commission also helped win tax credits for deployed servicemembers and disabled veterans, college tuition breaks for Purple Heart recipients, and low-income tax breaks for homeless veterans. In Florida, Citrus County Chapter president Col. Sharon RichieMelvan, USA-Ret., was selected to serve on the board of directors for the Florida Veterans Foundation Inc. The nonprofit foundation, which was established July 1, 2008, will support the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs through entrepreneurial initiatives, agreements with participating businesses, and contributions from veterans, philanthropic foundations, corporations, and private citizens. Melvan brings a great deal of experience to the job. In addition to serving as the president of her MOAA chapter, she also serves on the Citrus County Veterans Coalition Inc. and the Citrus County Veterans Foundation Inc. “We were leaders in our previous lives, and we’re community leaders now,” says Melvan of her fellow chapter members. “But we’re still taking care of our troops.” Power in the statehouse Richmond Chapter member Col. Bill Flanagan, USA-Ret., is well positioned to influence legislation ON THE WEB I If you want to enact meaningful legislation at the state level, there’s no better outlet than your local MOAA chapter. To find the chapter nearest you, visit www .moaa.org/chapters/locator. 43 OCTOBER 2008 MILITARY OFFICER http://www.moaa.org/chapters/locator http://www.moaa.org/chapters/locator
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