OM RRIS C MUNI . HA CAT N J IO VI NS R A A W . M A L R O D C TAMPA CHAPTER — A FIVE STAR CHAPTER OF MOAA NATIONAL OCTOBER 2020 VOLUME 26, NUMBER 10 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT UPCOMING EVENTS: COL CHARLES DALCOURT USA RET Due to Covid-19 restrictions, our luncheons at the Surf’s Edge Club GREETINGS! MacDill AFB have been suspended until further notice. Luncheon up- tinued support, feedback, and honor CW2 Tom South (U.S. Army fighting spirit. There are battles Retired) as our Member of the dates will be disseminated to chapter we must fight as those who have Month. Tom’s current and past members via e-mail, newsletter, web- served, for those still serving...our contributions are exemplary. He’s site and Facebook postings as need- legacy. Use the strength of your been part of this Chapter’s back- ed. We appreciate your patience. intellect, experience, and will to bone for many years. He is the win to defeat the threats to ben- personification, proof, and profile efits earned and well deserved. of excellence in character and Mark your calendars now for the fol- Please, let your voice be heard… deed. He is our teammate and we lowing luncheon events: your position known. are proud and privileged to say thanks to both Tom and his won- 8 OCTOBER, 11:30 AM VIRTUAL Chapter Meetings… derful bride Trudy this month. LUNCHEON - ZOOM INSTRUCTIONS TO BE SENT VIA EMAIL Over the past three months, we Relevant Reading… have continued to increase at- tendance at our virtual luncheons. As we endeavor to stay abreast of 12 NOVEMBER, 11:30 AM IN-PERSON Greetings to all and thanks for Thanks to the members that have current issues on MOAA’s agenda, LUNCHEON AT COLUMBIA RESTAU- reading our October 2020 news- attended and provided feedback I draw your attention to a few RANT, YBOR CITY letter. It’s a pleasure to address regarding those Zoom sessions. subjects that may not be front both the members of our Chap- We look forward to continuing and center…in the middle of your 17 DECEMBER, 11:30 AM IN-PERSON ter and those friends choosing to our virtual sessions and providing shot group. I offer the following CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON AT PALMA- read our circular. We so proud of relevant updates and insights to from the MOAA National website: CEIA GOLF COUNTRY CLUB (Note the progress and continued mo- our members. date change to the 3rd Thursday of mentum behind the revision of • The public com- December) our newsletter. Our next luncheon on 8 October ment period for proposed chang- will be a virtual event. However, es to eligibility for burial at Ar- Stay the Course… because of Jeanne Richard’s re- lington National Cemetery (ANC) I remain excited that our mem- markable diligence in securing opened September 15th and runs bers are staying vigorously en- venues for in-person meetings, through November 16th; REMINDER: gaged across MOAA’s areas of we will host our November lun- cheon from the Columbia restau- • DoD has authorized concern. As the year nears its the use of expired identification end, we must continue to actively rant. It will be both in-person and virtual; 12 November is the date. I cards through June 30, 2021, ex- PUBLICATION DEADLINE encourage leaders at the state tending a deadline that had been and national levels to support am mentioning this early so that you can reserve your seat. There set to expire September 30th; FOR THE NOVEMBER initiatives that will enhance the and quality of life for servicemembers, are only 60 spaces available and a ISSUE IS current and former, and their dozen of those are taken already. • The Department of families in very clear and tangible I look forward to seeing you there Veterans Affairs will work along- 25 OCTOBER 2020 ways. in-person or via Zoom. side the Army, the Office of the (con’td page 2) MOAA national needs our con- Going back to 8 October, we will LEGISLATIVE LOWDOWN As The Retrospect is being deliv- program in coordination with the sue reform measures that cre- BY LTC REGINALD WILLIAMS, ered to you, the passage of the Department of Veteran Affairs, to ate a stable budget and autho- USA RET FY 2021 National Defense Autho- help state, local and tribal govern- rization schedule supporting our For more information, visit MOAA rization Act (NDAA) or any fur- ments to develop and maintain uniformed community and our National’s Legislative Action Center ther appropriations bills before VTCs. The bill will provide grants, national security and ensure our the start of the new fiscal year training, and technical assistance families continue to receive the has become highly unlikely. The for veteran treatment courts and benefits earned. House and Senate have passed communities interested in start- All Signs Point to Congress Miss- their versions of the FY 2021 bill, ing a program. ing Its Budget Deadline ... Again and we are waiting to learn when VTC work in tandem with the tra- the bill will head into conference A continuing resolution (CR) is ditional criminal justice system to resolve differences between the only realistic option at this to help rehabilitate veterans who the drafts. point, with precious few work- have committed non-violent mis- ing days before Congress departs Thanks to your support and ad- demeanor crimes while transition- for the campaign trail. MOAA vocacy, I am happy to inform ing back to civilian life. Through predicted this last year after the you that President Trump signed these courts, veterans struggling previous CR cost DoD $19 billion. into law the Veterans Treatment with mental health and substance Court Coordination Act of 2019 abuse issues enroll in recovery The question now is not if another on August 8, 2020. This autho- programs designed to set them CR will be needed, but how much rizes federal funding to help all on a path to success. damage it will do. Failure to pass states establish and sustain their the NDAA, Coast Guard Autho- Since we’ve concluded our Sum- respective Veteran Treatment rization Act, and a spending bill mer Storm campaign, the areas Court (VTC) programs, in coor- directly impacts the uniformed covered in this month’s article dination with the US Department services, retirees, survivors, and will provide insight into MOAA’s of Justice. The Act establishes a their families. (cont’d on P.2) ongoing advocacy efforts to pur- OCTOBER 2020 THE RETROSPECT PAGE 2 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT cont’d: assistance with public affairs and community committed to continue to support and defend liaison; capturing our Chapter’s history (articles it. Despite departing military service, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health and photos); editing our publications; and desire, responsibility, and strength to serve Affairs, and the National Institute of Mental recruiting new members to join our Team. I ask has not departed us. Thank you in advance Health (NIMH) in the Study to Assess Risk and that you get involved to the extent you can for your continued focus and commitment to Resilience in Servicemembers (STARRS) - and in the way you can. Just one hour a month our mission. Our servicemembers need our one of the largest research studies to look at is a valuable contribution to the work of the support…they expect our leadership. the mental and emotional health of military Chapter. I appreciate your consideration. personnel. As always, I close praying for you all. I hope you Closing Thoughts… are well, and that God grants us all the strength These topics impact us individually and to run through the finish line. Please be safe, collectively. Please continue to monitor and There is a lot going on in our community, discerning, and prudent in your travels. May take action, when and where able, to advance city, state, and country. Voices abound, loud God bless you all! the discussions surrounding these matters. and soft, that provide lyrics and choruses of concern and encouragement. Despite all of the Volunteer Opportunities… rhetoric and the diverse opinions resonating All the best, Don’t be discouraged, there are still opportunities across this Nation, I believe that we live in for you to contribute to our Chapter’s growth, the greatest country on earth. I am confident Charles Dalcourt progress, and success as a volunteer. We ask for in the strength of our constitution and stand LEGISLATIVE LOWDOWN cont’d: million members of the uniformed services, active duty servicemembers and their families. retirees, survivors, veterans, and their families Under a CR, legacy programs limp along under -- will continue to pursue reform measures that • Section 747 requires DoD to do a last year’s funding level and new programs create a stable budget and authorization report to Congress on the feasibility, efficacy, cannot begin. Initiatives to improve the quality schedule supporting our uniformed community and cost of expanding coverage for chiropractic of life for our community and modernization and our national security. care to TRICARE beneficiaries. critical to our national security will be delayed. Here’s How the NDAA Could Improve TRICARE MOAA has long advocated to fix this chiropractic Democrats and Republicans are likely to take Coverage coverage gap. While we appreciate that opposite sides on the length of the stopgap servicemembers have access to chiropractic spending bill. Republicans are eyeing a CR care in many military treatment facilities, we that would last through December, which are concerned beneficiaries face a barrier to would allow Congress the time to wrap up MOAA’s Virtual Storming the Hill and Summer accessing chiropractic care given TRICARE’s appropriation bills for FY 2021 during the lame- Storm events have focused on provisions in lack of coverage.