We also are urging the General Assembly to appropriate funds for the rehabilitation of the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond. The following is a thumbnail sketch of some of the benefits to being a chapter member. It was compiled from comments made by chapter leaders attending the chapter presidents' symposia. TROA strongly supports its chapter network because it has found that chapter members provide the essential grassroots support we need to get legislation enacted into law. We are convinced that, without our effective and active chapter system, we would not have been as successful as we have over the years in achieving the goals of our national legislative agenda.
Most chapters have an active social calendar that offers the opportunity to renew old acquaintances.
It can provide a feeling of belonging and a sense of sustained pride for having served, as well as a continued sense of pride in our country. It helps members keep on top of military and political events affecting military and post-military life. Chapter participation can be of major assistance to the national association in its ongoing efforts to lobby for the rights of retired military members. An effectively mobilized chapter helps influence national, state, or local governmental actions that affect military service members or retirees. For instance, in many states today, military retirees are enjoying some state tax relief as the result of TROA chapter activism.