THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 31, 1996 TAG: 9601310499
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MELISSA GUNDEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
Do you know of any military group that can perform at a church for Black History Month, possibly a band, a choir, a singing group or a soloist? We are trying to plan our salute to African Americans in the military at First Baptist Church, Bute Street.
There are a number of military gospel groups in the Hampton Roads area that consist of active-duty military and their families. Organizations interested in attempting to schedule a group can call the Norfolk Naval Station Religious Ministries Department (chaplain's office) at 444-7361 or 7363.
How do you find out a ship's address?
The National Zip Code and Post Office Directory has ship's addresses listed in the back of the directory. Also, you could check with a Navy administrative office.
What benefits are reservists entitled to? I'm mainly interested in education and commissary privileges.
According to the 1995 Handbook For The Guard & Reserve, members of the Selected Reserve can shop at commissaries 12 times a year while they are on inactive duty. They may also shop there as often as they want during annual active-duty training or when they are called to active duty to fill open billets or meet contingencies. Reservists, on the other hand, have unlimited shopping privileges at all military exchanges.
As far as education, there is educational assistance available. The Montgomery GI Bill partially subsidizes the cost of continuing education for members of the Selected Reserve at any accredited college or university for up to 36 months. A reservist must have joined the enlisted ranks for at least six years after June 30, 1985. Or the reservist must have agreed to serve an additional six years as an officer after his or her original commission ended. Also, the reservist must have completed initial active-duty training, remained in good standing in the reserves and received a high school diploma.
In my last column, I answered a question on where one can get ship photos. I said the U.S. Naval Institute Photo Service in Maryland or the Naval Historical Center in Washington, D.C., could help you. But I found that there is a place locally that may be able to help those who desire Navy photos. The Mariners' Museum in Newport News has photos of Navy ships from the 19th and 20th centuries, which include Civil War vessels to the present. Simply write in your request and list the specific ship or ships you are interested in. If you are asking for more than one ship, then you need to send a $10 research fee. Cost of photos is $15 for an 8-by-10 black and white glossy. Write to the Mariners' Museum Library, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, Va. 23606. by CNB