There is much news to put out that can’t wait. News from the state council, the State Veterans Commission, state and federal VA. Please take time to look at everything. We’ll see you in person at our regular luncheons at Chartiers Country Club starting in April. Dates are set forth below.
As you know, MOAA exists to promote matters of interest to members of the uniformed services and veterans. We are extraordinarily effective. As the lead organization in the Military Coalition, MOAA is regularly honored as a top lobbying organization. That the "COLA-minus 1% feature" was defeated several years ago, ensuring that the value of our military pensions are not quickly eroded over time, is just one example of what MOAA does to preserve the commitment made to the people who served this country in uniform. That one achievement is among many. MOAA makes a difference in Congress and in our state legislatures every day.
We can do what we do because we are nonpartisan. MOAA National is nonpartisan, the Pennsylvania state Council of Chapters and this chapter are non-partisan. We don’t support people or parties; we lobby for legislative issues and positions. I encourage you to go to the MOAA website and review its contents thoroughly, and pay particular attention to the Take Action part of the website, Read the monthly The Officer magazine cover to cover.
Another effective way to help this chapter and to help MOAA is by recruiting new members. We have been blessed to have people reach out to us through our presence in the chapter locator on the MOAA website. We have added several new people to the chapter this way and that is the main way this chapter will grow in the future. Here is a linkfor an online membership application. After sampling what MOAA has to offer, they can upgrade to a paid membership with more benefits.
As we have been doing, we will publicize dinners sponsored by our sister chapter, General Greene, when their 2022 calendar is promulgated. They take the winter off like we do.
Stay safe and I look forward to greeting you in person at our next scheduled luncheon on Palm Sunday, 10 April, at the Chartiers Country Club, 601 Baldwin Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15205.
A few reminders and things to share about appeals.
An appeal is not usually reflective of a VSO’s failure in an initial claim.
The VA makes mistakes. The appeals process is in place to correct those mistakes when a VSO notices them.
Has the VA overlooked important facts or misapplied their own rules? Support your appeal with facts and law.
When you take an appeal make sure you have a VSO committed to representing the claimant in the hearing. If it is not you, then who is it?
DMVA’s VSO Policy gives some guidance on how to handle appeals. If you have more questions, need another eye or a second opinion, feel free to ask.
Most importantly, do not be afraid of filing an appeal if that is the best or only solution left. The VA recognizes that there may be delays caused by COVID. Here is a statement setting forth their policy regarding delays in printing and mailing notification letters to Veterans and claimants. The disruption may impact the ability of some claimants to meet required deadlines via written correspondence with VA. They are extending their response period by 90 calendar days for claimants with letters dated between July13, 2021 and December 31, 2021.
Veterans in Crisis
Veterans suicides, veterans poverty, and veterans homelessness are the true tragedies of our society today. Here is a link to a document about how to talk to a veteran in crisis, including warning signs if there is imminent risk of suicide.
2022 Female Veterans Day Celebration in March
The Pennsylvania Commission for Women is seeking statewide nominations for its sixth Female Veterans Day Ceremony as part of Women’s History Month in March 2022. Nominations are due January 14, 2022. More information is available here
December 2021 PA Council of Chapters "The Eagle" Newsletter
Editor Bob Gray, LTC USA (r), spends considerable time on legislative matters and everything you need to know about MOAA legislatively is contained here. The Eagle is not a substitute for the other MOAA resources, but it is another way for you to get a fuller picture of legislative actions at the state and federal level that affect you. Technical issues with our newsletter vendor, Constant Contact, are preventing us from attaching the newsletter as a link. Until we get this problem resolved, if you email chapter president Bob Heister at heysailor53@mac.com, putting MOAA The Eagle in the subject line, he'll forward a copy to you.
Veterans Breakfast Club
The VBC is still operating even in the midst of the current Delta/Omicron COVID epidemic. You can find a list of their events here
2022 Planned Meetings
10 April - 05 June - 14 August - 09 October - 11 December 2022
Other activities, social, and public service events to be announced later
