21st Annual VCOC - MOAAVirginia Congressional Delegation Congressional LuncheonAPRIL 5, 2006, at the RUSSELL SENATE BUILDING, Caucus RoomSCROLL DOWN FOR: Photos, After Action Report & Read Ahead Document |
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| VCOC President COL Bill Flanagan, USA, Ret, outlines MOAA's concerns with the 300 percent TRICARE cost increase for 5th District Congressman Virgil Goode |
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| General Jay Hendrix, Chairman MOAA Board of Directors, Mrs Margery LeTourneau, MOAA Auxiliary Advisory Committee Member, Congresswoman Davis, and VCOC President COL Bill Flanagan, USA Ret |
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| PROGRAM RECEIVED SPECIAL RECOGNIATION |
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PHOTOS for chapter useThis first group of photos are provided by Melva Mallison, Major, USAF, Retired, VCOC Web Coordinator, Virginia Peninsula Chapter President.
Photos taken with digital camera.
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| Senator John Warner |
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| Lee Lange, Wes Edwards, Bill Pierce |
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| MINUTE MAN AWARD TO JIM PAULS |
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| Congresswoman JoAnn Davis on right, in blue |
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| Rene Campos, Sam Wilder, Steve Strobridge |
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| Lunch Buffet |
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| Drake Table laughing |
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| Capital Exterior |
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| Center Table |
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| METRO |
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| VAdml Allen foreground |
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| Jack Hilgers seated at table |
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| Claude Reynolds |
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| Tony Warring & Charley Burch |
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| Senate Tour |
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| Russell Senate Office Building |
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| Potomac Chapter |
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| Forbes shaking hands |
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| Virginia Peninsula Chapter |
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| Southside Chapter |
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| Reception Table |
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| Historical Events In Caucus Room |
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| Entry to Caucus Room |
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| CAPT Pat Gallagher Introducing |
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| Several Tables |
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| Group at Table |
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The photos at right were provided by CDR John Vermillion, USN, Ret, Hampton Roads Chapter (VCOC Rep) |
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| COL Jack Hilgers, USMC Ret with Congresswoman Thelma Drake |
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| VCOC President Bill Flanagan talks with Congressman Randy Forbes |
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| Capital, in Washington DC |
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AFTER ACTION REPORT:VCOC CONGRESSIONAL LUNCHEON 2006
17 April 2006
The Twenty First Annual Congressional Luncheon for the Virginia Congressional Delegation and the Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) of MOAA was held on 5 April 2006 at the Russell Senate Caucus room in Washington DC. There were 153 attendees, which was the largest assemblage in recent memory. Both Virginia senators and eight congresspersons attended and addressed the group. Admiral Ryan, MOAA National president, as well as many members of the MOAA staff were also present. The Minute Man Award was presented to Jim Pauls of MOAA Chapter and Council Affairs Department.
The Twenty First Annual Congressional Luncheon for the Virginia Congressional Delegation and the Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) of MOAA was held on 5 April 2006 at the Russell Senate Caucus room in Washington DC. There were 153 attendees, which was the largest assemblage in recent memory. Both Virginia senators and eight congresspersons attended and addressed the group. Admiral Ryan, MOAA National president, as well as many members of the MOAA staff were also present. The Minute Man Award was presented to Jim Pauls of MOAA Chapter and Council Affairs Department. The luncheon was an opportunity to express our thanks to our congressional leaders for all they have done for the military, veterans, and for our country. It was also an opportunity to express to them our concerns and priorities for national legislative action. It appears that all of the attendees were made aware of our concerns prior to the luncheon. Our priorities were: 1) Increase the size of the defense budget. (This is our overall top priority because it appears that unless this is done, our other priorities will not be realized.) 2) Increase the size of the ground forces, 3) Stop the erosion of TRICARE benefits for retirees, 4) Finally, Fix the SBP. Everyone who addressed us commended VCOC and MOAA members for their prior military service to the nation and also for our advocacy of veteran, retiree, and military issues. Most congresspersons also made some reference in their remarks to our priority concerns. It shows they were aware of them and from e-mails prior to the luncheon we know their staffers worked the issues. It appears that all are solidly behind the TRICARE issue and are at least generally sympathetic to our other concerns.
A sample of some specific remarks that I noted were:
Senator Warner: Said he supports the president in the Iraq war. If we were to pull out a civil war there would have terrible consequences. He cited the WWII example of the Battle of Okinawa and its huge casualty totals (80,000 casualties, 30 ships sunk, 700 plans destroyed or badly damaged) and said that we would not face a military battle like that today. However, the effect of a WMD attack on our civil populace would be equally devastating and that’s what he’s concerned about.
Senator Allen: Commended all present for our service and our continued advocacy of military issues. One of the items he mentioned was that he was impressed by how important the "Team Virginia" Family Center in Roanoke is to National Guard and Reserve families. State funding for more of these family centers was an idea this past year, but no bill was introduced in the General Assembly. We may perhaps pursue that further this coming year.
Congressman Cantor: Said they were working on the House budget this week and that the top priority for the budget is national security. He also supported us on the TRICARE issue saying the veterans are owed what was promised. He also expressed his support for SBP saying that it is a fairness issue.
Congressman Forbes: Told a story of young children on a beach arguing over how to build a sand castle when a large wave was coming that would just wipe it out no matter how they built it. He said it’s like that in Congress sometime. We need to be concerned about the "big waves" like Iran, N. Korea, or China.
Congresswoman Drake: Said that her subcommittee hears our message on TRICARE loud and clear and they are not interested in the DOD proposal to raise costs. She also gave her opinion that 3.7% of the GDP is not enough for our Defense Budget.
Adm Ryan: Commended us for our leadership saying that we have more leadership than any corporation of a similar size. He went to the committee hearing on TRICARE and saw the 40,000 letters laid out on a table from veterans opposing the DOD proposed cost increases. He said that MOAA has a tremendous impact.
Col. Sam Wilder VCOC 2nd Vice President & Legislative Chair
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VCOC READ-AHEAD
CONGRESSIONAL LUNCHEON 2006
VCOC-MOAA & VIRGINIA DELEGATION
APPRECIATION FOR CONGRESSIONAL EFFORTS:
Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to be with us for our 21st Annual VCOC-MOAA Congressional Luncheon. This luncheon is an opportunity to express our gratitude for all that Congress accomplished this past year for our active forces, reserves, retired, veterans and families. We especially appreciate the narrowing of the pay gap for our military with a 3.1% pay raise, increased funding for barracks and family housing, expanded access to TRICARE for the reserves, the $100,000 death gratuity, and increased enlistment/reenlistment bonuses for both active and reserve components. We commend Sen. Warner and Congressman Davis for their introduction of legislation for pre-tax health premiums. We are particularly greatful for your magnificent work during the BRAC process as well as the great help provided in establishing a veterans' cemetery in SW Virginia.
While we are grateful for what has been done, much still remains to be done. Our priority concerns are listed below.
VCOC TOP PRIORITY: INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE DEFENSE BUDGET
Our overall top priority is to increase the level of defense spending. We are in a "Long War" and we need a wartime budget! Defense is the first duty of national government. Our country can, and must, devote a greater share of its resources to this effort. Past wars have required a larger financial effort from our nation; this one is no less important. Our budget should be greater than 4% of our GDP. We urge you to work toward a greater budget ‘top line" that is required to fund core requirements as well as these specific objectives:
- Increase the size of ground forces: The trend seems to be going in exactly the wrong direction. While the QDR calls for a decrease in the size of the Army, a "Long War" necessitates greater manpower – not less! The possibility of conflict with China, Iran, N. Korea or some other unforeseen foe is real. We urge you to increase, and fully fund, the active Army to 530,000; Reserves to 350,000, and add 5,000 to the Marines.
- Stop the erosion of TRICARE benefits for retirees. Cost savings in the Defense Budget must not be borne by retirees who have served an arduous 20 to 30 year career. Doubling or tripling costs of retiree health care is unfair and sends the wrong signal to those serveing especially when recruitment and retention are a challenge.
- Finally fix SBP: We thought this was going to get fixed in the last Congress. We understand there "wasn’t enough money". Again, we must increase the top line so that there is enough money. It is the fair and right thing to do. We urge you to fix it this year.
Provided by email from Sam Wilder, VCOC Legislative Chair, 14 March 2006
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