Fellow Officers and Spouses:

I hope you are enjoying your summer.  As most Chapters in the MOAA organization tend to do, we are taking a break from the luncheon program during the summer months.  We will return in September and this fall we bring an exciting schedule of speakers, as noted in the newsletter, and hope to see you at one of our sponsored events.

Earlier this month, the Chapter led and participated in what has become an annual summer event.  HRCMOAA hosted our fourth Mid-Summer brunch mixer with two area Chapters, Peninsula and Portsmouth.  The turnout at the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center was fantastic with over 70 members attending from the three chapters.  Great food and comradery was enjoyed by those that participated in this informal event, which also included our incoming Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) President, COL Steve Turner, USAF (Ret), in attendance.

Summer is also the time where MOAA Chapters and our legislative committee members are planning to visit our legislators during the upcoming August congressional recess.  Using MOAA and VCOC legislative goals and priorities as our guide, our legislative committee regularly engages our legislators in presenting these priorities from the local perspective.  If you haven’t done so already, visit http://www.moaa.org/goals/ to view MOAA's legislative goals and track MOAA’s past and present progress.  To see our State objectives, please visit the VCOC web site at http://www.virginiamoaa.com/.

Again, I am continually reminded that I serve you and this Chapter and as always, I am open to your comments, suggestions and ideas.  Please feel free to contact me any time.

Yours in Service, 

Bert Ortiz

I’m excited to announce that I’m joining chapter members Bert Ortiz, Don Buzzard, Ron Stebbins, and Tom England at AVMAC, LLC during the first week of August.  I’ve loved working at Capital One, but I’m looking forward to new challenges.

After our summer break, I highly encourage all of our members to show up in force to our September luncheon.  We’re thrilled to have RADM Larry Baucom, USN (Ret) as our speaker.  A graduate of the US Naval Academy, RADM Baucom holds Masters Degrees from the University of Southern California in Systems Management and Naval War College in National Security and Strategic Studies. His 31 year career in Naval Aviation included over 4000 hours and 900 carrier landings in fighter aircraft including the F-4 Phantom II and the F-14 Tomcat.  He commanded Fighter Squadron 143, the amphibious assault ship USS TRENTON (LPD 14), and aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70).  In CARL VINSON, deployment to the Arabian Gulf included combat operations in support of Operation Desert Strike and he was awarded the 1996 US Navy League John Paul Jones Award for inspirational leadership.  He was voted San Franciscan of the Year in 1996 by the San Francisco Forum for his community outreach and service.  He served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Policy at NATO's Supreme Allied Command Atlantic and as Director of the Navy's Environmental Protection, Energy and Safety Programs.  He currently serves as a senior advisor and consultant supporting the Navy's aircraft carrier readiness program and is a consultant for energy security and promotion of international diplomatic and development programs.  He served as President of the World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads from 2010-2012. See you on September 18th!!

Please consider contributing this year!

Members may submit checks, made out to the MOAA Scholarship Fund, to the chapter treasurer, LT Stephen Hackney, USN (Ret) at 1736 Rally Dr. Virginia Beach, VA 23454-1233 or in person at our luncheons.   The checks are consolidated and submitted to MOAA who sends receipts to the donors. 

Note on your check that it is for the Hampton Roads Chapter ROTC Scholarship Fund. MOAA will continue to send receipts.

Note:  Over age 75 members, who are eligible uniform family members and survivors of deceased personnel are now eligible for Permanent Identification Cards.  Apply within 90 days of expiration of current ID card.

Other known chapter members in attendance were CoL Jack Hilgers, USMC (Ret), CDR John Uhrin, USN (Ret), and CAPT William “Buck” C. Wheaton, USN (Ret) who gave the Pledge of Allegiance.  The space was packed with between 200 and 250 people and there was standing room only.  State Senators Alexander and Cosgrove were there along with Delegates Leftwich and Villanueva.  Representing the City of Chesapeake were Mayor Krasnoff along with many other members of city council.  Additionally, three TV stations covered the event.

The purpose of the exhibit is to help educate the public that Sailors are training to protect our country in a manner that respects and safeguards the environment.  You will help guide visitors through the exhibit and answer questions about: steps the Navy takes to protect marine life, marine mammal research and monitoring, the importance of the Navy mission at sea, and how the Navy manages shipboard wastes.  Museum volunteers receive training, free parking, inclusion in an award recognition program, a volunteer holiday lunch, a 25 percent admission discount to Nauticus for family and friends, and a 25 percent discount at the Nauticus gift store.

I am enclosing/pledging my most generous contribution in the amount of:
__ $1,000   __ $500  __ $250   __ $100 ?  __$50   __ Other $_________

Please make checks payable to and Mail contributions to: 

Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
c/o Veterans Services Foundation
900 East Main Street, 6th Floor, West Wing 
Richmond, VA 23219

Please provide  the following; 
   Name(s)  ______________________________________________________
   Address _______________________________________________________
   Phone _______________________
   Email_______________________________________
   HRCMOAA Member   Yes ___    No ___

You may donate on line by visiting the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation at;
www.vvsf.org

Join us on May 21st as Eighteen Virginia chapters and the State Council representing over 4000 active and retired military officers in Virginia hold our 30th Annual Congressional Appreciation Luncheon in the Capitol Hill Club in Washington D.C.  Besides exchanging information on items of current interest, the primary purpose of this event is to honor the thirteen members of the Virginia Congressional delegation for their efforts and continued loyal support of the U.S. Military Community and the Armed Forces: active duty-reserves-National Guard- retirees-veterans- surviving spouses-family members 

“The VCOC recognized Forbes with its annual legislative award for his many years of faithful support and loyal service regarding veterans and military compensation and benefits legislation.” Bert Ortiz, Jim Edge, Don Buzard and Linc Smith attended and “discussed key state and national legislative issues with our congressional delegation.”  www.moaa.org