DATE:    Thursday, Sept. 11, ‘03

TIME:     11:30  Social Hour
                 12:15  Lunch
                 1:00    Program

PLACE:  Princess Anne Country Club 

MENU:   Sliced Pork loin with Spiced
                 Apple Chutney
                Chef’s Vegetable & Potato
                Muffins, Key Lime Pie
                Iced Tea and Coffee

PRICE:   $15.00

PROGRAM:  Our club is most honored to have Dr. Peter Prosser agree to speak to us on Iran and Iraq, ironically, on the historic date of September 11.  Dr. Prosser is a Dean at Regent University, an historian, theologian and a sparkling and noted speaker.  Because this is definitely a program not to be missed, please bring a guest.

RESERVATIONS:  RSVP by 10:00 AM, Monday, Aug.11.   Please phone 
Betty Black at 460-0258, or email her at roblack@att.net, or 
phone Aloma Briggs at 428-1379.

Please write your check before arrival, made out to ROWS, or pay cash in the exact amount to receive your nametag.

Summer is almost over and soon the leaves will be turning their beautiful colors and there will be crispness in the air.  In another month, October, we will have Maureen Mottoleese from the “The Country Store” give us a sneak preview for what is “New” in fashion for the fall and winter months.  Mark your calendar for The Country Store fashion show October 10, 2003, at Grand Affairs.

A little over two years ago on September 11, 2001, America had been a safe place to live.  We now live with a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring.  At our meeting on September 11, 2003, at Princess Anne Country Club, Dr. Prosser from Regent University will speak on the history of Iraq.  I have heard Dr. Prosser speak on Iraq. His knowledge will enlighten everyone.

I am sorry for anyone who missed the beautiful day that we all shared in great friendship at the Beach Club at Duck Inn, at our luncheon meeting on Thursday, August 14.  What a great program Rowena Fullinwider presented.  She is such a charming lady.  We gave Rowena a membership in ROWS, as her husband is Captain Peter Fullinwider, USN (Ret).  He also joined us for lunch.  We look forward to Rowena attending our future luncheon meetings.  I hope all 125 who were at this great event were able to purchase her cookbook, “The Hospitality, History and Heritage of Virginia”.   Thank you Beach Club for a superb arrangement and day at the beach.

Our other guest, Col. Floyd Gilbert, USA (Ret), gave the toast to the flag and introduced our Sojourners scholarship recipient, Faith McMahen, and her mother, Rachel McMahen.  Faith was so bubbly with her grateful thanks to us for her trip to Valley Forge.  Thank you, Faith, for sharing with us your lesson of history, your new friends including the ghost and snapshots of your adventure.

A bus trip planned to New York in December is filled, but a second bus will be added, also, through Fun Tours.  It is for the same dates.  You can call Fun Tours if you are interested in going on that bus.

Polly Ryner has been taking reservations for the bus trip to see the show at Riverside Dinner Theater, “Showboat”, in Fredericksburg September 24, 2003.  The deadline for this show and trip was August 19, but call Fun Tours at 853-2990 if you are interested.  There may still be room.

SEE ALL OF YOU ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2003, FOR ROWS LUNCHEON, AT THE PRINCESS ANNE COUNTRY CLUB.  THE LUNCHEON IS OPEN TO HUSBANDS AND GUESTS.

Mark your calendars for these ROWS luncheon meetings: 
October 9, Fashion Show by The Country Store;
November, To Be Announced;
December, Christmas Dinner Dance with Walter Noona.

Get Well Notes – Notes of Cheer
Ann Wesler
Dorothy Jasper 

Sympathy Cards
Robert Green & Family – loss of Beverly Green, August 10, 2003
Margarita Macgregor – loss of husband Robert Macgregor, July 15, 2003
David & Toby Netherton – loss of mother Mary Jane Netherton, June 28, 2003
Ella Davis – loss of husband, David Davis, August 16, 2003
James Dellaripa – loss of wife, Charlotte, August 15, 2003
Magge Anderson – loss of husband, Clyde Anderson, August 19, 2003

Memorials
Davis Corner Rescue Squad – in memory of Robert Macgregor
National Multiple Sclerosis Society – in memory of Beverly Green
American Cancer Society – in honor of David Davis

Roses
Mary Jane McCarthy
Dorothy Jasper

Acknowledgements
American Heart Association in re Barbara Winkeler
Pat Eberhardt in re Guy Eberhardt
Angie Brown in re Matt Brown
Robert Green in re Beverly Green

Address Correction:
Go, Annette                   4624 Church Point Place
     Bill                       VB, VA 23455     460-2976

Senate Champions who sought to amend the Defense Authorization Bill found their way blocked by the Senate Parliamentarian who ruled many amendments “not relevant”.  Under the Senate rules the “relevancy” test requires that the amendment relate specifically to a provision already in a bill.  Among those that failed the “relevancy” rule were:   (1.) Sen. Harry Reid’s (D-NV) amendment to end the disability offset to retired pay; (2.) Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ)) proposed to make otherwise-qualifying combat-disabled Guard and Reserve retirees eligible for the new-combat-related special compensation; and (3.) Se. Mary Landrieu’s (D-LA) initiative to phase out the SBP benefit reduction for Military survivors aged 62 and older. 

It’s wrong to refuse to even let these important initiatives come to the floor for consideration.  But Sen. Reid used his right to object and insisted that his concurrent receipt amendment should be offered during the procedural action on the House-passed bill.  His was pushed through with an opportunity to vote on the issue June 3, and was adopted by the Senate by voice vote.  Unfortunately, SBP did not receive the same support.   Rep. Jim Marshall (D-GA) has initiated a discharge petition on the House concurrent receipt bill (Rep. Mike Bilirakis’ ((R-FL)) H.R.303).  A discharge petition is an unusual maneuver that, if signed by a majority of House members, can force a floor vote on a specific bill.  It’s unusual to press a discharge petition, except as a means to embarrass the leadership for inaction.

You can help by urging representation to sign Marshall’s discharge petition on H.R.303:  MOAA’s website at http://capwiz.com/moaa/home/ and clicking on the “Sign H.R.303 Discharge Petition” link to Send a message to your representative and by using MOAA’s toll-free hot line to Capitol Hill, (877) 762-8762, to urge your representative to sign Marshall’s discharge petition on H.R.303.

Both House and Senate versions of the 2004 Defense Authorization Act include provisions aimed at improving health care access for TRICARE Standard beneficiaries. 

Legislation/Administration objects to combat pay and reserve commissary benefits.

Military homeowners and drilling reservists still wait for tax relief.  Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Max Baucus (D-MT) were successful in getting capital gains equity for Military homeowners and a deduction for drilling reservists included in the tax-cut package (H.R.2).  Frustratingly, the provision was stripped from the bill on a high-level deal on the tax cut package to ensure its passage by both houses.  Some of the wrangling between the Senate and House leaders over the overall tax cut issue is a big part of the problem.  Nit-picking, as it were.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a statement of Administration policy on H.R.1588, the FY 2004 Defense Authorization Act.  The statement shows a shocking lack of sensitivity in opposing several compensation fixes for service members who just won two wars.  America’s troops successfully overthrew the Taliban, uprooted al-Qaida and ousted Saddam from power.  Now, with the fighting done, their civilian leaders are opposing measures earned and needed to improve their lives.  The President will probably not veto the Defense bill because of these relatively minor upgrades so it is believed that Congress will pass them.

Best Selling Author “Buzz” Patterson to speak in Norfolk on September 16.  The members of the Retired Officers Wives Association are cordially invited to a dinner sponsored by the Tusk & Trunk Club with guest speaker Buzz Patterson.   Lt.Col Robert “Buzz” Patterson, USAF (Ret) is the best selling author of “Dereliction of Duty”:  The eyewitness account of How Bill Clinton compromised America’s National Security. (2003) He was Senior Military Aide to President Bill Clinton and was responsible for the President’s Emergency Satchel, known as the “nuclear football”.  The Tusk & Trunk Club of Norfolk and Virginia Beach is an organization of 70 members, which include all the Republican elected officials including Congressman Ed Schrock, the General Assembly members and constitutional officers.  They hold four quarterly dinners with prominent guest speakers.  Dinner is usually $250 per couple.  The special price for ROWS and HRCMOAA members is $75 per person or $150 per couple.  It will be held at the Town Point Club, which is located on the 3rd floor of the World Trade Center in Norfolk.  The cocktail reception begins at 6:15 p.m., dinner at 7:00p.m., followed by speaker “Buzz” Patterson  and Q & A.  Call Jean Ford for more information or reservations at 481-4765, or call Bev Smeltzer at 481-1002.

“SHOWBOAT” – at Riverside Dinner Theater, Wednesday, September 24, 2003
     8:30 a.m.    Depart from Home Depot, Norfolk 
     9:15 a.m. Depart from Coliseum Mall, Hampton
     This morning we travel to Fredericksburg, VA.
     12:00 noon     Upon arrival at the Riverside  Dinner Theater we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch.  The featured play is “Showboat”.  Spanning the years from 1880 to 1927, this lyrical masterpiece relates the lives, loves and heartbreaks of three generations of show folk and life on the Mississippi Showboat, in Chicago and on Broadway.  The one constant is the River itself, and the well-known Ol’ Man River provides the common thread of the musical’s fabric.  The passing of time provides a reunion with husband and showboat family, with musical highlights Only Make Believe, Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man, Life Upon the Wicked Stage, and You Are Love.  This musical not only won multiple awards at its Broadway debut, but garnered 5 Tony awards, 5 Drama Desk Awards, and 4 Outer Critics Circle Awards for it 1995 Broadway Revival.
     4:40 p.m.    Depart for home with refreshments served en route.
     7:30 p.m.    Arrive back in Hampton Roads
Price:         $72.00 per person regular rate 
                   $70.00 per person senior rate
                   $68.00 per person, groups of 10 or more
(Checks should be payable either to:
Polly Ryner or Fun Tours, Inc.)Polly Ryner must receive payment before August 19.  If individual cancellations occur within 30 days of departure, any unrecoverable funds paid out by Fun Tours, Inc., on the customer’s behalf will be forfeited.  We strongly recommend some from of cancellation waiver; this form can be obtained from your group leader.  If you wish to purchase the cancellation protection for this tour, the cost would be $5.00 per person.   There can no longer be any changes made to this trip 2 weeks prior to departure.   FUN TOURS, INC., 520 Newtown Rd. VB, VA 23462, (757) 853-2990.

NEW YORK CITY  - December 2-5, 2003
(4 Days)  Also Dec. 8-11
Tour includes: 
     Deluxe motorcoach transportation, 
     3 nights lodging with luggage handling at Edison Hotel, 
     1 dinner at Jennifer’s Restaurant, 
     seating for the Radio City Christmas Show featuring the Rockettes, 
     1 (one) Broadway Show – “Gypsy”, starring Bernadette Peters, or “The Producers” 
          (pending confirmation),
     a continental breakfast, 
     refreshments, 
     games and prizes aboard the coach 
     and the services of a Fun Tours Escort throughout the tour, 
     and a guided tour of the city!

Price: 
     $748.00 per person double occupancy – Regular rate. 
     $1.029.00 per person single Occupancy.
     $738.00 per person double occupancy, Senior Citizen. 
     $1,019.00 per person single occupancy.
     $728.00 per person double occupancy-group of 10 or more. 
     $1,009.00 per person single occupancy.
A detailed, timed itinerary will be forwarded to tour participants approximately 30 days before departure.  Call for Triple or Quad rates.   A non-refundable deposit of $175.00 per person is due in our office within 7 days after making your reservation.  If individual cancellations occur within 30 days prior to departure, any non-refundable funds paid out by Fun Tours on the customers’ behalf will be forfeited.  To purchase the Cancellation Protection Plan for this tour, the cost will be $49.00 p.p.for double and $69.00 p.p. for single occupancy.  There can no longer be any changes made to this trip 2 weeks prior to departure.  Departures from Norfolk & Hampton areas.  Although the first bus is full, a 2nd bus is now available.  Call Fun Tours at (757) 853-2990.

When:      Thurs, Sept. 18, 2003
Where:     Oceana NAS Officers’ Club
Time:        6:00 Cocktails, 7:00 Dinner
Menu:       Stuffed Flounder w/shrimp and 
                  Scallops, Or Roast Prime Rib w/ au 
                  Jus, Garden Salad, Chef’s selected
                  Vegetable, Potato, dinner rolls,
                  Dessert du jour
Price:         $22.00 (gratuity included)
Program:    Mayor Meyera Oberndorf, VA Beach
Reservations:  Call Jim Dellaripa at 640-0947 by 7:00 p.m., Sunday, September 14. 
AT THE BEEP, give name (spell it), phone number and number attending. 
Call between 9:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. 
or call Roderick Ham at 428-7904, same times.

MAIL CHECKS TO: 
TREASURER, HRCMOAA 
P O Box 4612
VB, VA 23454-0612