MCRA Newsletter
Marine Corps Reserve Association 8626 Lee Highway Fairfax, VA
22031-2135
Vol 2, Issue 3
TAX TIME TIPS FOR MEMBERS
1. Your membership dues are tax deductible as a professional expense under the Miscellaneous Deductions on Schedule A. This is of no value to
those who do not itemize deductions. Furthermore, you will need more Miscellaneous Deductions to be meaningful since the IRS formula requires a
subtraction of 2% of your Adjusted Gross Income from the total Miscellaneous Deductions.
2. Donations (not dues) are deductible as Charitable Contributions on Schedule A.
3. Officers and Board members who incur un-reimbursed expenses in connection with their duties of office are allowed to deduct these expenses
as Charitable Contributions. Mileage expenses are deductible only at the Charitable Contribution rate of 14 cents per mile for 2008.
LPM, IRS Tax Preparer ID Number P00182303
When you visit the Association Web site, remember to visit the Legislative News page. New information is posted on a regular basis about bills introduced
in the House and in the Senate on matters concerning members. Contacting your Representative and your Senators on these bills is your right and you are
encouraged to exercise your right.
LPM
WASHINGTON (March 13, 2009) - Following is an open letter to Veterans
from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki:
"My name is Ric Shinseki, and I am a Veteran. For me, serving as Secretary of Veterans Affairs is a noble calling. It provides me the opportunity to give
back to those who served with and for me during my 38 years in uniform and those on whose shoulders we all stood as we grew up in the profession of
arms.
"The Department of Veterans Affairs has a solemn responsibility to all of you, today and in the future, as more Veterans join our ranks and enroll
to secure the benefits and services they have earned. I am fully committed to fulfilling President Obama's vision for transforming our department so that
it will be well-positioned to perform this duty even better during the 21st Century. We welcome the assistance and advice of our Veterans Service
Organizations, other government departments and agencies, Congress, and all VA stakeholders as we move forward, ethically and transparently,
so that Veterans and citizens can understand our efforts.
"Creating that vision for transforming the VA into a 21st Century organization requires a comprehensive review of our department. We approach that
review understanding that Veterans are central to everything VA does. We know that results count, that the department will be measured by what we
do, not what we promise, and that our best days as an organization supporting Veterans are ahead of us. We will fulfill President Lincoln's charge to
care for ". . . him, who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan . . ." by redesigning and reengineering ourselves for the future.
"Transforming any institution is supremely challenging; I know this from my own experience in leading large, proud, complex, and high-performing
organizations through change. But the best organizations must be prepared to meet the challenging times, evolving technology and, most importantly,
evolving needs of clients. Historically, organizations that are unwilling or unable to change soon find themselves irrelevant. You and your needs are
not irrelevant.
"Veterans are our clients, and delivering the highest quality care and services in a timely, consistent and fair manner is a VA responsibility. I take
that responsibility seriously and have charged all of the department's employees for their best efforts and support every day to meet our obligations to
you. Our path forward is challenging, but the President and Congress support us. They have asked us to do this well-for you. Veterans are our sole
reason for existence and our number one priority-bar none. I look forward to working together with all VA employees to transform our department into
an organization that reflects the change and ommitment our country expects and our Veterans deserve.
"Thank you, and God bless our military, our Veterans, and our Nation."
Signed: Eric K. Shinseki
MORE LEGISLATIVE NEWS
I am listing more legislative news for your consideration. I am particularly concerned that our legislators understand that although the fatalities that
we have suffered in Iraq and Afghanistan do not compare at all with our experience in Viet Nam and earlier wars, the number of service personnel who
have suffered serious injuries must be addressed. Advances in technology and medical treatment have turned what would have been fatal wounds into
serious injuries requiring extensive treatment, many for the life of the veteran. YOU can help these heroes who have sacrificed so much for us by
contacting your Representative and your Senators to express your support for these bills. Be an active member and express your opinion.
Give me some feedback if you wish me to dummy up some letters of support to put on our Web site.
H.R. 593 was introduced on 6 February 2009 by Rep Adam Smith (D-WA).
Title: To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the authorized concurrent receipt of disability severance pay from the Department of
Defense and compensation for the same disability under any law administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs to cover all veterans who have a
combat related disability as defined under section 1413a of such title.
Latest Major Action: Referred to the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
H.R. 775 was introduced on 17 February 2009 by Rep Solomon Ortiz (D-TX).
Title: To repeal the requirement for reduction of survivors annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan to offset the receipt of veterans dependency
and indemnity compensation.
Latest Major Action: Referred to the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
H.R. 1168 was introduced on 25 February 2009 by Rep John Boozeman (R-AR).
Title: To amend Chapter 42 of title 38, United States Code, to provide certain veterans with employment training assistance.
Latest Major Action: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.
H.R. 1169 was introduced on 25 February 2009 by Rep John Boozeman (R-AR).
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of assistance provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disabled
veterans for specially adapted housing and automobiles and adapted equipment.
Latest Major Action: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.
H.R. 1170 was introduced on 25 February 2009 by Rep John Boozeman (R-AR).
Title: To amend title 21, United States Code, to establish a grant program to encourage the development of new assistive technologies for
specially adapted housing.
Latest Major Action: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.
H.R. 1171 was introduced on 25 February 2009 by Rep John Boozeman (R-AR).
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program for fiscal years 2010 through 2014.
Latest Major Action: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.
H.R. 1172 was introduced on 25 February 2009 by Rep John Boozeman (R-AR).
Title: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include on the Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs a list of organizations
that provide scholarships to veterans and their survivors.
Latest Major Action: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.
Congressional Reception
On Thursday, March 19, we will be holding our annual Congressional Reception to honor a member of Congress for support of the programs so important
for the defense of our country. Among the many guests for the event will be the Commandant who is scheduled to make the presentation. Other guests
important to your Association include corporate sponsors. I will be posting recognition of these sponsors on the Web site in the near future. I also plan to
put pictures of the event in the next issue of the e-WORD.
Semper Fi,
Thomas "LPM" Howlett -- Editor