Virginia Council of Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC)Chapters (VCOC)

MOAA’s Finest CouncilMOAA’s Finest Council

TopicsTopics

• Background of VCOC• Major Accomplishments• Key Activities

Background of VCOCBackground of VCOC• 18 Chapters. Formed in November 1975 at Ft Lee• Richmond (1959), Hampton Roads (1959), Central VA

(1971), and Southside (1971) were early chapters • Held 3 Day Biennial Conventions in 1980’s and 1990’s• First VCOC Congressional Luncheon - 1986• Establishment of VCOC Legislative Committee - 1988• Recommended establishment of Coalition of Military

Veterans Organizations -1989• Recommended funding of a Veterans Home and

Cemetery - 1989

Major Accomplishments

• Repeal of state taxation of military retirement vs non -taxation of state/local employee retirement. VCOC fought this all the way to the US Supreme Court

• Leftover funds of $68,000 from Legal Fund were given to MOAA Scholarship Fund to provide 3 scholarships of $5000 each to VA students each year

• Aside from the rebates, these actions made a lasting impression on the General Assembly and the Administration - that the retired military is a force to be reckoned with

Other Accomplishments Other Accomplishments • VCOC first Storming of General Assembly - 1996 • Funding and construction of the Richmond and Salem

Veterans Care Centers• Funding for VA National Guard Family Support Centers• Funding and construction of 2 military cemeteries

(Suffolk and Amelia) + 1 new cemetery in SW VA • Initial funding of Wounded Warrior Mental Health

Program• Interstate Compact on Education for Military Children• In-state tuition for non-resident military children• Funding for the VA War Memorial Education Center

Other Accomplishments • One of key VA veterans organizations to advocate

formation of VA Dept of Veterans Services - 2002• Recommended the creation of a Joint Leadership

Council of Veterans Service Organizations within Dept of Vet Svcs – 2002

2014 State Legislative Initiatives

• Hiring and retention of DVS VSO agents• Educating employers on the value of hiring Veterans• Funding for Virginia’s Wounded Warrior Program• Electronic return of absentee ballots• Implementing the Virginia Homeless Veterans Program• Measure if Veterans are being properly served• Real Property tax exemption for spouses of KIA

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2014 National Legislative Goals• Sustain active duty, Guard, Reserve force size to meet

requirements• Retain a level of active duty pay and benefits to secure

the future of the all volunteer force• Protect against TRICARE fee increases and means

testing• Oppose benefits changes that are inconsistent with

service career sacrifices• Eliminate VA claims backlog• Note: this is a partial listing. For a complete listing of

2014 goals visit http://www.moaa.org/main_article.aspx?id=10704

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Key 2014 Activities Key 2014 Activities • “Storming the Hill” of the General Assembly (Richmond) - 13

Jan• Congressional Luncheon in (Wash, D.C.) - May (date TBD)• MOAA Annual Meeting (Wash DC) - Oct (date TBD)

• VCOC quarterly meetings at various locations in such as Fort Lee, Charlottesville, Richmond, Lexington, Williamsburg, Petersburg

• Visit the VCOC website at www.virginiamoaa.com