FEATURED ARTICLES AND LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

TRICARE Beneficiaries Can "Stay Alert" Through New Electronic Delivery Service
Falls Church, Va. - Need the latest TRICARE benefit news and don't want to hunt for it?  Get it electronically - straight from TRICARE.

From the latest beneficiary newsletters and changes in coverage, to pharmacy updates and news releases, all 9.2 million TRICARE beneficiaries now have an easy way to stay informed by e-mail.  A new electronic delivery system is up and running and subscribing is fast and secure by clicking on the "little red envelope" at www.tricare.mil.

"We're excited to offer beneficiaries a chance to sign up for the TRICARE benefit news they want and need," said Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, deputy director of TRICARE Management Activity.  "We have offered some limited e-mail delivery options in the past, but this new subscription service enables anyone interested in TRICARE news to sign up for a wide range of topics.  It's one-stop shopping."

Subscribers can choose alerts by topics or beneficiary category and delivery is safe and secure - an e-mail address is the only information collected.  Subscribers also have a unique page they can manage 24/7 and they can choose to be notified as soon as news or benefit changes are posted, or select daily, weekly or monthly updates.

"One of our highest priorities is communicating with our beneficiaries and providers," said Granger.  "E-mail is now the method most people use to receive news and that will only continue to increase.  This new service helps us take advantage of the technology."

The new subscription service also links users up to similar alerts available on other Military Health System (MHS) Web sites including www.health.mil, which features MHS news, debates, videos and blogs; as well as Force Health Protection and Readiness and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

Partnership subscription options with other health-related federal Web sites currently include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DisabilityInfo.gov.

TRICARE's e-alerts are sent through www.GovDelivery.com, which also provides services to dozens of other Department of Defense and federal agencies including the FBI, the United States departments of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the United States Food and Drug Administration. (TRICARE Management Activity (TMA))

Influenza Vaccines Approved
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this year's seasonal influenza vaccines that include new strains of the virus likely to cause flu in the U.S. during the 2008-2009 season.

Approval information and specific indications can be found on the FDA Website.  This season's vaccines contain three strains of the influenza virus that disease experts expect to be the most likely cause of the flu in the U.S.  Two of the three strains recommended for the U.S. this year are now in use for the Southern Hemisphere's 2008 influenza season, which is currently underway.

Vaccination remains the cornerstone of preventing influenza. (From Military.com)

USAA Expands its Membership Eligibility
Now all military retirees, servicemembers honorably discharged after 1995 and their families can join USAA for insurance, investments and banking products as well as financial planning and advice.

Citing steady growth in financial strength and operational capacity, USAA announced that effective immediately, association membership is now expanded to include: military retirees, regardless of when they retired, military personnel who were honorably discharged on or after Jan. 1, 1996, widows or widowers of military personnel killed in action, spouses and children of the above once they become a member.

Learn more on Military.com. (From Military.com)

Retiree and Annuitant Retroactive Payment Update
In September 2006, the Department of Veteran's Affairs (DVA) identified more than 133,000 recipients of Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) or Concurrent Retired Disability Payment (CRDP) potentially eligible for additional retroactive compensation.  Since then the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) in coordination with the DVA have processed all of the original cases as of June 8, 2008.

Throughout the project DVA identified additional retirees that were prospectively eligible for retroactive payments.  The agency also resubmitted accounts, from the original 133,000, for potential supplementary entitlements.  Those accounts, classified as "new and returning," were processed as of June 29, 2008.

Those people identified with potential eligibility for retroactive payment after January 2008, were placed in a category referred to as "On-Going."  The On-Going category documents the most recently received new and returning VA Retro cases.  Those accounts as of July 20, 2008, have been processed.

Status as of 2008:	June 29	July 6	July 13	July 20
On-Going accounts	6,985	11,025	11,025	11,025
On-Going accounts processed	3,687	7,321	10,323	11,025
On-Going accounts remaining	3,298	3,704	702	0

SOURCE: DFAS RETIRED AND ANNUITANT PAY

To date a total of more than 230,000 accounts have been processed.  Going forward, plans are to process all incoming claims within 30 days.  While certain accounts may have received payment from DFAS, you may also be eligible for payment from the Department of Veteran's Affairs (DVA).  Once your account has been processed at DFAS, the information is forwarded to the DVA for additional validation and possible payment.  There may often be a lapse of time between the payments from the two different agencies.  Questions concerning the VA can be addressed by calling 1-800-827-1000. (From Military.com)

Military Retiree Councils
The Military Retiree Councils provide a link between members of the military retiree community - retirees, family members and surviving spouses living throughout the world - and the leaders of their respective military service branches.

Each National Retiree Council is comprised of a board, which consists of both senior NCO and Officer retirees.  The members represent geographic areas within the continental United States, and at least one at-large representative.

The Retiree Councils meet annually to discuss retiree benefit issues.  Upon conclusion of the meeting, they report their findings directly to the appropriate member of their respective service branch.  These annual reports reflect the issues of most significance to the retiree community that year.

Note: Instead of issuing an annual report, the Air Force Retiree Council, issues letters to various Air Staff offices requesting support/change/enhancement to specific items of concern.  These letters are not normally made available to the public.

Click on the following links to learn more about each of the National Retiree Councils and to view their annual reports:

• Army Chief of Staff's Retiree Council
  
  
  • 2008 Annual Report (pdf)
    
  • 2007 Annual Report(pdf)

• Secretary of the Navy's Navy and Marine Corps Retiree Council
  
  
  • 2008 Annual Report (pdf)
    
  • 2007 Annual Report (pdf)

• Air Force Retiree Council

• Coast Guard Commandant's Retiree Council
  
  
  • 2008 Annual Report (pdf)

(From Military.com)

CRSC Now Open to TERA and Chapter 61 Retirees
The FiscalYear 2008 NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act), signed by the President in early 2008, revised eligibility requirements for Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC).  All military retirees, other than some former reserve members with physical disabilities not incurred in the line of duty, are now eligible for CRSC compensation.  These newly eligible veterans are mainly Chapter 61 (medical retirees) and Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) retirees.

In order to be fully eligible for CRSC, the retiree must meet the following criteria:

• Be in receipt of military retainer or retired pay
• Be rated by the VA for service connected disabilities
• Waive retired pay in order to receive VA disability payments.

Retirees who have waived their retired pay in order to include their military service as part of a civil service retirement program are not eligible for CRSC, but they may request through the Office of Personnel Management to separate their military time from their civil service retirement, which will restore their eligibility.

At this time TERA retirees are not eligible for the Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP) program.  CRDP is only open to retirees (including Chapter 61 retirees) with 20 or more years of service that have VA rated disabilities that total 50% or more.

CRSC Facts:
CRSC came into effect June 2003 and was expanded in January 2004.  The program is designed to restore the retired pay of veterans with Combat Related Disabilities who have waived a portion of their pay in order to receive compensation for their disabilities.  This most recent revision to the CRSC program is effective 01 Jan 2008.  Compensation for Chapter 61 and TERA retirees, eligible under the FY 08 revision and determined to have combat-related disabilities, will be paid retroactively back to 01 Jan 2008 or the VA disability effective date, whichever is more recent.

CRSC is specifically for military retirees with Combat Related disabilities.  Combat related determinations are decided by the branch of service the member retired from, not by the VA or DFAS.  The retiree must apply using a standard CRSC application form (Form DD2260).  The "burden of proof" is on the applicant.  Documents necessary to support a combat-related claim normally include the member's DD-214, VA Rating Decisions, Service Medical Records (SMR's), the PEB Notice of Decision letter, and service personnel records.  CRSC is not taxed and is not subject to division with a former spouse.

Applying for CRSC:
In order for a CRSC application or claim to be approved, there must be a direct causal relationship between the armed conflict or training exercise that simulates war and the resulting disability.  Slips, trips, and falls as well as physical training are not combat-related disabilities.  The fact that a veteran incurred a disability during a period of war or simulated war; or in an area of armed or simulated conflict, or while participating in combat or simulated combat operations; is not sufficient to support a combat-related determination.  When the VA rates your diagnoses as service connected, this means they were incurred during your military career; not that they are combat-related.  The VA is not chartered nor authorized to make combat-related determinations.  Only the CRSC Board for each branch of service is authorized to make combat-related determinations.

Submission for reconsideration of a CRSC claim is appropriate under the following conditions:

• The retiree disagrees with the CRSC Board's decision
• The retiree is rated by the VA for a new disability that he/she believes is Combat Related
• The retiree has an increase in an already approved combat-related disability or are rated as Individually Unemployable

Retirees can download the CRSC claim form DD 2860.

For more information on how to apply contact your parent military service branches CRSC website:

* AIR FORCE
United States Air Force
Disability Division (CRSC)
550 C Street West Ste 6
Randolph AFB TX 78150-4708
Phone: 1-800-616-3775
Website: www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/library/combat.asp

* ARMY
Department of the Army
U.S. Army Physical Disabilities Agency/
Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC)
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332
Phone: 1-866-281-3254
Email: crsc.info@us.army.mil
Website: www.hrc.army.mil/site/crsc/index.html

* COAST GUARD
Commander (adm-1-CRSC)
U.S. Coast Guard
Personnel Command
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22203-1804
1-800-772-8274
Website: www.uscg.mil/hq/cgpc/adm/adm1.htm

* NAVY and MARINE CORPS
Secretary of the Navy Council of Review Boards
Attn: Combat-Related Special Compensation Branch
720 Kennon Street SE, Suite 309
Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374
Fax: 202-685-6882
Website: www.donhq.navy.mil/corb/crscmainpage.htm

Source: Excerpts taken from the U.S. Navy "Shift Colors" retiree's newsletter. (From Military.com)

Veterans Issues
Veterans issues are coming to the forefront of both Presidential campaigns.  Senator McCain (AZ-R) stated that he would create an option to allow veterans enrolled in the VA to get medical care outside the VA system if "they do not have convenient access to a VA facility."  While Senator Obama (IL-D) promised to increase the number of VA centers providing mental health counseling to Veterans and their families and to all veterans to use the VA system.  How these proposals would work is not yet clear; what is clear is that both candidates are focusing on veterans.  (We must push to have them look at military RETIREES' needs as well.)

Of course, the news around the world is dramatic-a war or occupation in Georgia, a treaty with Poland, Tropical Storm Fay drowning Florida, a plane crash in Madrid and the Olympics.  But in DC, for some reason, the focus turned to jobs. (The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA))

Federal Agencies Creating New Policies to Support Veterans Owned Businesses
This week several Federal Agencies and Departments announced new programs or policies to encourage and support veterans owned businesses.  The General Services Administration (GSA) signed an agreement with the Veterans Entrepreneurship Task Force (VET-Force) to coordinate their efforts to have 3% of their contract dollars go to companies owned by service-disabled veterans.  The 3% goal was set by a 2004 Executive Order by President Bush.  Last year the GSA spent 2.2% of its procurement budget with businesses owned by service-disabled veterans.

The GSA announced this week that in the 3rd quarter of this fiscal year they increased the percentage up to 3.2% (higher than the stated goal.).  The memorandum states that the VET-Force (with its over 200 company members) will use its network to expand training and publicity of the new opportunities and contracts.  For any of you service disabled veterans with businesses, this is an opportunity that should not be ignored.

Meanwhile on the same day the Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register proposing changes in its acquisition regulations that would increase the number of their contracts going to businesses owned by veterans.  The proposal would allow non-competitive contracting for purchases less than $100,000; require contracting officers to set aside for veterans owned businesses contracts over $100,000 if 2 or more veterans owned businesses could be found that could make reasonable bids; and permit non-competitive contracts if the VA can negotiate a reasonable contract with a veterans owned business.  The proposal requires that the businesses be registered at the VA's VetBIZ.gov site.  There are, of course.  Many additional points in this notice.

The VA has already increased the business it does with "Veteran Owned" and "Service-Disabled Veterans Owned" small businesses (2 different programs).  In fiscal year 2007 they awarded $819 million in contracts to service-disabled veterans-owned small businesses or 6.95% of their $11.8 billion contracts last year.  This is up dramatically from the 3.39% the year before.  The VA awarded an additional 10.13% of its contracts to veterans-owned small businesses last year.  Again, that is a significant increase from 2006's 6.49% awarded in 2006.

Finally, the Labor Department announced this week that it would roll out a new toll free number, 800-526-7234, and a web site (Google "America's Heroes At Work") to help employers ask questions about any questions they may have concerning veterans returning from war and mental health. (The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA))

Focus on Veterans Employment
The web site, GIJobs.net published their 5th annual survey of the best large employers for veterans.  They surveyed 2500 companies with over $1 billion of annual income a year.  They judged their "GI friendliness" by their efforts of recruiting, the number of hires and policies concerning employees who are members of the National Guard and Reserves.  It may be a good jumping off point if you are looking for a new job.  But remember most veterans (like everyone else) are employed by small businesses. The list is:

1) BNSF Railway	18) General Electric	35) Anheuser-Busch
2) Union Pacific	19) Travelers	36) Health Net
3) ITT Corporation	20) Transocean Offshore	37) Lowe's
4) EG&G (Lear Siegler)	21) Southern Company	38) Xcel Energy
5) USAA30) Fluor	22) Werner Enterprises	39) Progress Energy
6) Schneider National	23) Norfolk Southern	40) FMC Technologies
7) Johnson Controls	24) Morgan Stanley	41) U-Haul
8) CSX Transportation	25) Sunbelt Rentals	42) Bank of America
9) ManTech International	26) Sprint Nextel	43) AT&T
10) Applied Materials	27) Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold	44) T-Mobile
11) Booz Allen Hamilton	28) Constellation Energy	45) NVR, Inc. (NV Homes/Ryan Homes)
12) The Home Depot	29) ENSCO International	46) American Electric Power
13) Lockheed Martin	30) Fluor	47) Southern Electric Edison
14) J.B. Hunt Transport	31) BearingPoint	48) Westinghouse
15) Cintas	32) Merrill Lynch	49) Wachovia
16) DynCorp International	33) Brink's U.S	50) Sears Holdings
17) EDS	34) State Farm

(The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA))

Offer for Spouses of Purple Heart Recipients (After 2001) For Training That Can Lead To Jobs
If you are the wife/husband of a Purple Heart recipient (awarded since 2001) you may be eligible for a free certification granting training program.

Click here to see the poster. (The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA))s.

Pentagon vs. Widows - Round 2
On June 12, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims ruled in favor of three SBP widows who sued the government (Sharp v. The United States) to avoid any deduction of VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from their restored SBP annuities.

On August 11, Pentagon lawyers appealed that ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

At issue is a 2004 law (PL 108-183) that restored DIC payments to veterans' surviving spouses who remarry after their 57th birthday.  Before the law change, survivors lost DIC regardless of the age at which they remarried.  The three widows claim the new law not only restored their lost VA benefit, but also prohibited deduction of DIC from SBP in such cases.  When DoD initially rejected that interpretation of the new law, the widows sued.

The new Pentagon appeal is one more step in a potentially long legal process that could ultimately end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.

But this court case may yet prove to be one more tool in MOAA's campaign to end the unfair SBP/DIC offset for all survivors of active or retired members who die of service-caused conditions. (c) 2004, The Military Officers Association of America. Used with permission.

Copyright (C) 2006, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), all rights reserved. Part or all of this message may be retransmitted for information purposes, but may not be used for any commercial purpose or in any commercial product, posted on a Web site, or used in any non-MOAA publication (other than that of a MOAA affiliate, or a member of The Military Coalition) without the written permission of MOAA. All retransmissions, postings, and publications of this message must include this notice.

COMMUNITY AND LOCAL BASE - POST NEWS

Retiree Activities Office seeks volunteers
By Staff

Military retirees and spouses are invited to volunteer one morning every two weeks from 9 a.m. to noon in the Retiree Activities Office, room 125, wing D of the Mission Support Building.

Training will be furnished.  Volunteers may work singly or in pairs to answer questions and provide information to all military retirees in the area.

For more information, call retired Lt. Col. Arthur Korff weekday mornings at 764-7386.

AAFES gas stations extend discount to Star Card users
By Staff

Army & Air Force Exchange Service gas stations in CONUS, Alaska and Puerto Rico are being programmed to reflect a discount of three cents a gallon for drivers who pay with a Military Star Card.

"Anytime a customer uses a bank issued debit or credit card, the retailer pays a portion of the transaction to a third-party financial institution," AAFES' Chief of Corporate Communications Lt. Col. Dean Thurmond said.  "Because the Military Star Card is administered by the Exchange Credit Program, AAFES is not subject to the additional fees incurred through other 'pay at the pump' options.  As a result, we're able to pass savings on to authorized exchange shoppers."

"I encourage drivers during the first week or so of this new effort, to touch base with the attendant at their local gas station to ensure the software upgrades have taken effect before fueling up," Thurmond said.  "As is the case with anything technical, we expect a few glitches could occur during the first few weeks of the program."

Officials hope to extend the Military Star Card three cent a gallon discount at all AAFES facilities, but do not have a time table for worldwide implementation at this time.

"This effort is a priority of AAFES command," Thurmond said.  "Entire teams are dedicated to working through the technical challenges to extend the Military Star Card discount to drivers at all AAFES locations."

Fishing hole must close
By Lorie Vega, 1st Force Support Squadron

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE - Sadly an era of fishing from the King Street pier will come to an end Sept. 2, as the supporting timber pilings are deteriorated beyond repair and are well past their life expectancy.

After review by the 1st Fighter Wing Safety Office and the 1st Civil Engineer Squadron, it was determined that the pier was no longer structurally safe for use and the $1.5 million repair cost is not within the 1st FW budget at this time.  The pier, which has been in existence since 1933, has been battered by storms and time, and has finally reached the end of its useful life.

Although this popular fishing site will soon be unavailable, Langley also offers an off-base fishing and recreational area in Bethel Park.  While the damaged Bethel Park pier is being replaced, fishermen are encouraged to utilize the offshore fishing area that is also available at the park.  Guests can also take advantage of paddleboat and boat rentals for a small fee.

For more information about Bethel Park, call 766-3017.

USAF Heritage of America Band concert
The United States Air Force Heritage of America Band is scheduled to perform outdoor concerts Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Yorktown Riverwalk in Yorktown and Wednesday Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Merchant's Square in Williamsburg.

For more information, call the band at 225-3295.

Endless Summer Beach Bash
The ninth annual Endless Summer Beach Bash is scheduled for Aug. 29 at the Cavalier Beach Club in Virginia Beach.  Celebrate an evening of dining, dancing and socializing overlooking the Atlantic shoreline.  The festive evening annually welcomes more than 600 guests in imaginative attire from black tie to island wear dancing to the sounds of "Right On."  Tickets are available for $100 per person.

For ticket information, call 498-0215.

Three-day seafood sale
A three-day seafood sale is scheduled to run Aug. 29-31 at the Langley Commissary.

For more information, call the commissary at 764-4194.

Retiree Dental Briefing
McDonald Army Health Center sponsors a Retiree Dental Program briefing 3 p.m. Monday in the Resource Management conference room, Bldg. 579.  All interested retirees and Soldiers approaching retirement are welcome to attend.

Come out and learn about additional benefits included in the new contract, which starts in the fall.  Attendees will be able to ask questions and pick up literature.  Registration is not required.

More information is available by calling 314-7844.

SCFE Annual Membership Drive
The Spouses' Club of Fort Eustis hosts its annual membership drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 4 at Bldg. 215, Calhoun Street.  Free refreshments will be served.

Membership is open to all spouses of active duty and retired military members in all branches of the armed services attached to or living on Fort Eustis, including DoD civilians and their spouses.

For more information call 788- 5020.

City of Hampton and Hampton Military Affairs Committee Hold 8th Annual Day of Remembrance and Hope
The City of Hampton and the Hampton Military Affairs Committee invite residents to the 8th Annual Day of Remembrance and Hope, Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. at Gosnold's Park, 901 East Little Back River Rd., Hampton.

The event is a time of reflection on the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and to honor those who protect the nation every day.

Ceremonies will include a presentation of the colors, a proclamation by the City of Hampton, special music, and the unveiling of a quilt depicting patriotic scenes drawn by children throughout the state of Virginia.

The city is also seeking volunteers to help read the names of those who were lost on Sept. 11, 2001, near the Trees of Hope, a strand of evergreens planted in commingled soils from the sites of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Somerset County, Pa.  Anyone interested in reading these names should call John Gately at 851-3085.

Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 607 Cookout
The Adams-Williams Chapter 607, Military Order of the Purple Heart and its ladies auxiliary, will hold its annual summer cookout Sept. 6, beginning at noon at Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 2, at 15460 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News.

Membership in the MOPH is open to recipients of the Purple Heart.

For more information about the cookout or the organization, call 723-6502 or visit www.purpleheart.org.

"The Modern Day Houdinis" to Perform at the American Theatre
Illusionists Kevin and Cindy Spencer, the "Modern Day Houdinis" bring their magic to the American Theatre, 125 E. Mellen St., Hampton, Aug. 29 through 31.

This Las Vegas-style high-tech show combines drama and comedy with romance and special effects where magic and music meet mystery and magnificence.

Show times are:

Aug. 29 and 30, 8 p.m.

Aug. 31, 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 722-2787 or log on to www.HamptonArts.net.

Historic Portsmouth Annual Labor Day Weekend Sidewalk Sale
The Olde Towne Business Association announces its annual Labor Day Weekend Sidewalk Sale Aug. 30, beginning at 10 a.m.

The sale will take place along the Merchant Squares of Historic High Street located between Effingham Street and the Elizabeth River.

Don't miss out on one of Olde Towne's biggest and most diverse sale events of the year.  Shoppers will find some of the best priced merchandise as Olde Towne merchants take to the sidewalks.  Discover antique shops, art galleries and specialty shops, as well as featured vendors selling a variety of arts and crafts throughout the day.

For more events in Olde Towne Portsmouth, visit www.oldetowneportsmouth.com.

Newport News Public Library System Events and Programs
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month The Newport News Public Library System wants to make sure children and adults have the smartest card of all - a library card.

Employees from West Avenue Library will be in the Newport News City Hall lobby, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 12 and 19 for library card registration.  Proof of name and a Virginia address is required.  Valid forms of proof include driver's license or state ID card, car registration, or checkbook.

Library Closings All Newport News Public Library System locations will be closed Sept. 1 in observance of Labor Day.

Green Your House Narielle Living, an Ecobroker(c) Certified Real Estate Agent, will discuss the movement toward "greener" housing, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Sept. 3 at Grissom Library.  Living will explains current trends in green housing and what people can do to "re-green" their homes.  No registration is required.

Children's Genealogy Families can learn skills in genealogy and story telling one Saturday per month in the Virginiana Room at Main Street Library.  The next workshop is 2 to 4 p.m., Sept. 6, with a program on treasure maps and a scavenger hunt.  No registration is required.

Paws to Read The Paws to Read program helps children build their confidence by reading out loud to dogs at Newport News' Grissom Library on the first Saturday of each month.

The next Paws to Read program will be 3 to 4 p.m. Sept. 6 at Grissom Library.  Parents are required to fill out a permission slip and may accompany their children, as well.

Virginia Employment Commission Website Orientation Sessions Business Information Center staff at Main Street Library will offer orientation sessions to help patrons register to use the Virginia Employment Commission site, VAworkconnect.com, 10 a.m. to noon, Mondays, Sept. 8 through 29, and Thursdays, Sept. 4 through 25, 2 to 4 p.m.

For more information on these or any other programs offered by the library system or to register for programs, visit www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or call the Main Street Library at 591-4858.

Donations For Iraqi Children
Help support our deployed troops in their mission to rebuild Iraqi schools by donating the following items: school supplies (no crayons); sports equipment; and musical instruments (drums, flutes, etc.).

A drop box will be located inside the Fort Eustis Post Exchange during August.

More information is available from Diana Duer at 850-3863 or 943-1212.

Ride For the Cure with Bikers Against Diabetes
Join Rip Rose, biker and photojournalist for Easyriders magazine and area bikers on a fundraising ride to fight diabetes, Sept. 7 at Knuckleheads Roadhouse, 401 N. Witchduck Rd. in Virginia Beach.

Riders can choose their start site from the locations listed below.  Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and the ride starts at approximately 9:30 a.m.  (Start times will vary depending on starting location).

Start sites (subject to change):

Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson Honda of Norfolk 6450 George Washington Hwy, 6955 Tidewater Dr., Norfolk

Yorktown 857-0107

872-7223 Boyce Performance Cycles

3057 Kings Hwy, Suffolk

477-6168

All riders welcome.  Rip's B.A.D.  Ride will take place rain or shine.

Registration for the ride is required.  To register, call 424-6662, ext. 3269 or register online at www.ripsbadride.com.

Want to know how to ride free?  E-mail aholman@diabetes.org.

101st Airborne Division Reunion Announcement
The 1st Brigade (Separate), 101st Airborne Division will hold it's biennial reunion, Sept. 25 through 28 at the Hampton Holiday Inn in Hampton.

For more information, contact Jim Shamblen at 838-5654 or e-mail slick77@cox.net.

Selection for the USAF Heritage Flight program
By Staff

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE - Air Combat Command is currently seeking applications for possible openings in the Heritage Flight program.  The Heritage Flight consists of vintage USAF World War II, Korean, and Vietnam-era aircraft flying in close formation with the ACC single-ship; modern-day fighter demonstration teams at air shows.

The program is open to highly experienced pilots in the air show environment with USAF fighter-type warbirds from WWII, Korea, or Vietnam eras.

Applications are due to ACC no later than Sept. 30.  For an application, visit www.acc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-080730-060.doc

48th Fighter Interceptor Squad Reunion
The 48th Fighter Interceptor Squadron will hold its 2008 reunion Sept. 24-28 at the Point Plaza Suits and Conference Hotel in Newport News.  The gathering is open to all former squadron members and their families and friends.

For more information call Joseph Onesty at 562-431-2901 or e-mail him at joesty2@roadrunner.com.  For friends of the unit, call Donald W. Watlington at 851-4320 or e-mail him at donwatlington@cox.com.

Help Set a Bowling Record
Join millions of people to help set a new world record for games bowled in a day Aug. 30 at the Fort Eustis Bowling Center, Bldg. 675, Dickman Street.  Ask the bowling center staff for more details on how to obtain your World Record Authentication Certificate.

For more information, call 878-5482.

Outdoor Recreation Summer Rental Specials
Fort Eustis Outdoor Recreation offers summer rental specials on recreational vehicles.  Rent any RV for five consecutive days and get one day free with a $100 gas card.  This offer is good for RV rentals during August and September.

Reservations and more information are available by calling 878-2610.

Olde Towne Lantern Tour
A walking tour is scheduled for Tuesday and Saturday nights now through Sept. 30 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. in Portsmouth.  The Tuesday night Lantern Tour departs from the lobby of the Holiday Inn - Olde Towne, 8 Crawford Parkway.  The Saturday night tour departs from the lobby of the Hawthorn Hotel & Suites at The Governor Dinwiddie, 506 Dinwiddie St.  Admission is $5.

Purchase tickets before the tour from the escort.  Special tour times can be arranged for groups of 10 or more, with advanced notice.

For more information call the Portsmouth Visitor Information Center at 757-393-5111.

Yorktown Market Days at Riverwalk Landing
Yorktown Market Days continues at Riverwalk Landing each Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon on the banks of the York River between Buckner and Ballard streets in historic Yorktown.

The market features local and regional artists and entertainers as well as market vendors offering local produce, fresh meat and seafood, baked goods, quality art and more.

• Parking is free.

• 2008 market schedule:

• 8 a.m. to noon

• Sept. 13 and 27

• Oct. 11

If you would like to be a market vendor, contact Don Willis at 877-2933 or e-mail villageevents@cox.net.  If you would like to be a featured artist, contact Susan Powell at susan.p17@gmail.com.

Museums of Colonial Williamsburg Summer Concert Series
Summer Coolers Take a break from the sun and enjoy a series of indoor museum programs at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum.

"Wanderer's Music" Stephen Christoff sings and plays a wide variety of instruments such as the musical saw, Jew's harp, Spanish guitar, banjo, comb and paper and hand-bones.  Fridays at 3 p.m. Aug. 29.

"Fiddleworks" Join Dean Shostak for an all-new foot-stomping romp through 400 years of fiddle music.  Shows begin at 4:30 p.m.  and 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 2, 9, 16 and 23.

A separate ticket for each event is required.  Cost is $12 for adults and youth ages 6 through 17; $6 for children under 6.

For more information about these programs or Colonial Williamsburg, call 1-800-HISTORY or visit Colonial Williamsburg's Web site at www.history.org.

CONTENT DISCLAMER
Although every effort is made to verify the information contained on this web site, neither the editor nor the RAO staff can guarantee the accuracy of information received from outside sources.




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