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THE TRIBUTE
In honor of those who have
sacrificed
to keep our country free.
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| Visit our website at www.hrcmoaa.org,
read the Electronic Newsletter, access Virginia Council of Chapters, MOAA
National, Service Departments, Health and Benefit locations, U. S. Senators
and Representatives and many others. If you do not have the Members
Only “Password” please contact any of our Officers |
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Honor Flight:
October 17, 2015
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| At Zero Dark Thirty, Saturday October
17, 2015, Old Dominion University NROTC Hampton Roads Unit Bravo Company
Norfolk State University, Old Dominion AROTC Monarch Battalion, Princess
Anne and Landstown High Schools respective Navy and Army ROTC and JROTC
students lined up to render honors to WWII and KOREAN WAR veterans.
The anticipation was high as our veterans walked to awaiting buses that
transported them to Washington, DC to visit various War Memorials.
This ceremony takes place twice a year (Fall/Spring) and is also joined
by several civic and veteran organizations.
Hampton Roads Chapter Military Officers
Association of America (MOAA) members LTJG Scott Hatzung, Daryl
Holland, Bert Ortiz, Jim Jones, Steve Hackney,
Jim
Edge and Michael Barea were present to help send off the veterans
(pictured below from left to right). |
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| Old Dominion University Military Instructor,
CPT Joseph Brown, US Army served as Officer in Charge (OIC) providing guidance
and instruction to the students participating in the departure ceremony.
Pictured L-R below: Daryl Holland, Jim Edge, Mel
Runzo. |
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| Honor Flight Historic Triangle Virginia
(HFHTVA) is a Williamsburg-based non-profit organization established in
October 2008 with one goal: Take every World War II, Korean War and
terminally ill veteran in the Hampton Roads and Richmond areas that is
able and has not visited the World War II Memorial on a charter bus day
trip to Washington, DC. Additionally, other scheduled stops include
Arlington National Cemetery and the Marine Corps War (Iwo Jima) Memorial,
Korean War, and/or Vietnam War Memorials.
There is no charge to the veterans as they
paid for it through their dedicated service to our great nation more than
sixty five years ago. HFHTVA is a hub of the National Honor Flight Network,
which was founded in 2005 and has over 130 hubs throughout the United States.
They have taken over 118,000 veterans to the memorial as of November 2013.
Pictured below, CPT Joseph Brown,
USA and CDR William “Josey” Wales, USN (Ret) provide direction to
the cadets. |
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| President’s Message
 Fellow
Officers and Spouses:
MOAA is healthy, well and continues to
lead by example. During the national membership meeting, Gen. Charles
T. "Tony" Robertson, Jr., USAF (Ret), MOAA’s Chairman of the Board,
reported that we are now over 400,000 members strong with over 90,000 active
duty members. MOAA has more officers in its organization than all
the other service organizations combined. MOAA was recognized by the American
Society of Association Executives (ASAE) with the 2015 Summit Award for
its Military Caregiver Assistance Program, which incorporates several programs
and services that provide practical, meaningful assistance to more than
1 million military family caregivers of disabled veterans. Additionally,
the political newspaper, The Hill, has named MOAA as one of the top lobbying
associations in Washington, D.C., for the ninth consecutive year. The Hill
particularly cited retired Navy Vice Admiral Norb Ryan, MOAA's President.
“The retired vice admiral spent the last year fighting to preserve U.S.
troop pay and benefits against budget cuts, a cause he'll continue to champion
in upcoming fiscal fights,” A fitting tribute to MOAA’s President
as he retires from MOAA at the end of this year. In his place, your
MOAA board of directors has unanimously selected retired Air Force Lt.
Gen. Dana Atkins, a distinguished military officer and seasoned private-sector
business leader, as its new president and chief executive officer.
MOAA new tagline is “Never Stop Serving”
and has set three priorities for Councils and Chapters: Achieve Legislative
Priorities, Promote the Military Caregiver Initiative, and Make a Difference.
Your Chapter already has a strong and connected Legislative Committee ably
led by COL Jack Hilgers, USMC (Ret) which represents our legislative
priorities to both State and National leaders regularly. We are aiming
at achieving our five year MOAA Scholarship donation goal and supporting
the MOAA’s Military Family Initiative, a philanthropic foundation that
creates, enhances, expands, and supports high-impact, proven-successful
veteran and active duty programs and services. We will have more
to follow.
As we enter into the Holiday season, I
am thankful for your support of our organization and cherish all of our
blessings. If you are traveling, please travel safely and we will see you
again in the New Year!
Yours in Service,
Bert Ortiz |
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| From the Editor |
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| As I write to you, it’s 30 degrees outside
and the holidays are nearly upon us. Our November luncheon
was fabulous and I hope you enjoy some of the pictures that appear later
in the newsletter. Once again, our chapter members and The Retired
Officers Wives Society (ROWS) came up huge for the Toys for Tots drive.
If you haven’t RSVP’d yet, please consider attending the ROWS Annual Christmas
Dinner Dance as they have strongly supported our chapter.
Our next luncheon is tentatively scheduled
for 22 January at Atlantic Shores. We are busy planning next year’s
events and great things are ahead. In the next newsletter we will
layout events for 2016. If we see you regularly, that’s awesome and
we look forward to seeing you next time. If you haven’t had the opportunity
to attend recently or ever, we look forward to seeing you. The luncheons
are a great opportunity to listen and ask questions about important community
matters and legislative events that affect all of us.
MOAA is committed to increase grassroots
legislative advocacy. To increase support for pending legislation, please
look for our newsletter’s legislative update section and visit:
http://www.moaa.org/takeaction/
http://moaa.capwiz.com/moaa/issues/?style=D
We had a great response to last edition’s
letter about membership. I committed to each of you that I will do
my part and make a concerted effort to recruit a couple new members during
the coming year. That promise stands. Please join me
in educating and inviting some of our fellow veterans who may not know
much about us.
Best regards, Aaron |
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| Community Affairs Update |
| Hampton Roads Chapter ROTC Scholarship
Fund.
Our chapter is committed to funding the
HRC ROTC Scholarship Fund, which is managed under the MOAA Scholarship
at MOAA headquarters. The scholarship fund supports qualified ROTC cadets
in need with financial support in the form of grants and low interest loans.
Our goal is $25,000 by the end of 2016 which is the last year of a 5 year
program with annual goals of $5,000. Below is the status of our chapter
scholarship fund. |
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As of 11/23/2015
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Total Goal $25,000 |
$19,757
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79%
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To Goal
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$5,243
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| Annual Goal $5,000 |
$4,757
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95%
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To Goal
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$243
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We are very close to our goal! We
need to meet the $5,000 goal in order to remain on track to meet our final
goal by the end of next year of $25,000.
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Checks should be made out to the MOAA Scholarship
Fund. In the Memo section at the bottom left on the check, it
should be noted that it is for the HRC ROTC Scholarship Fund.
Donations are tax deductible.
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Checks can be sent directly to MOAA in the
envelope found in each edition of the MOAA magazine, Military Officer or
directly to MOAA at:
Military Officers Association of America
Attn: MOAA Scholarship Fund
201 N. Washington Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Donations so far this year range from $25
to $500. If you have not participated in making a contribution to
the fund, this is a great time of year to do so. Our chapter is off
to a great start in funding our scholarship fund. |
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2015
Contributions
The window to participate will be over
in 13 shorts months.
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PLATINUM
- $500 and above
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CDR Roberto and Suzanne Ortiz,
USN (Ret)
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GOLD - $250
to $499
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Rita Statzer
CDR John Vermillion, USN (Ret)
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SILVER -
$100 to $249
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CDR Daniel D. Edwards, USN (Ret)
LT Charles Haskins, USN
CAPT Gilbert Kraine, USN (Ret)
CAPT William Lehr, USCG (Ret)
COL David Wade, USA (Ret)
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Bronze Under
$100
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LTC James Dellaripa, USAF (Ret)
COL Jim Edge, USA (Ret)
MAJ Steve Hackney, USA (Ret)
LCDR Edward Hendren, USN (Ret)
COL Mike Nickelsburg, USN (Ret)
Rita Statzer
COL Martin Vozzo, USA
CAPT Doug Williams, USN (Ret)
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Veterans Day Activities
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| An annual tradition, chapter members participated
in Veterans Day events across the area. In Virginia Beach, many participated
in the Veterans Day parade and luncheon alongside members of the armed
forces. We also participated in the Chesapeake Veterans Day celebration
and presented a chapter wreath at City Hall. |
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| Above: CDR Matt Krakower,
USN (Ret) enlists a group into the Army at City Hall in Chesapeake.
Below: CDR Bert Ortiz, USN (Ret) and CDR Matt Krakower,
USN (Ret) present chapter wreath. |
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| Above center, Col Floyd Gilbert,
USA (Ret.), Co-Marshal for the Virginia Beach event and past president
of HRCMOAA receives a quilt from the Not Forgotten Quilts of Valor organization. |
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| Hampton Roads Chapter of MOAA represented
by (above, second from left) Col Jim Smith, USA (Ret), CAPT Loren
Heckelman, USN (Ret), Col Jim Edge, USA (Ret), and CAPT Jim
Jones, USN (Ret) at the Tidewater Veterans Day Parade, Ceremony, and
Luncheon Program—sponsored by the Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organizations |
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Gold Bars and MOAA
e-membership
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| Looking forward, the chapter presents
gold bars to those being commissioned from our three affiliated ROTC units.
For those who apply, an electronic membership in MOAA is provided free
for one year. On 11 December, three members of our charter will present
gold bars to the newly commissioned officers at our affiliated ROTC programs
(Hampton Roads Naval Unit, Norfolk State University AROTC, and Old Dominion
University AROTC). A total of 16 gold bar sets will be presented
for those being commissioned in the United States Navy, Marines Corps,
and Army. |
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History of the Continental
Marines
and the Marine Corps
Ball Discussion
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| Chapter member and Active Duty Military
Liaison, LtCol Benjamin “Zach” Woodworth gave a talk to the Daughters
of American Colonist, Norfolk Chapter, at Atlantic Shores on 10 November.
The topic was the history of the Continental Marines and the Marine Corps
Birthday Ball. He was representing U.S. Marine Forces Command,
but spoke fondly of our chapter. Many of the ladies were familiar
with HRCMOAA and one, Martha Giovanelli, regularly attends our luncheons
with husband LtCol Bob Giovanelli, USMC (Ret). |
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Vietnam Presentation
and Discussion at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School
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| Ms. Noreen Baker, English Department
Chair at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School assigned her students the
task of reading “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien – a portrayal
of the Vietnam War. She invited COL Jim Smith, USA (Ret),
LCDR
Ray Lopez, USN (Ret) and COL Jim Edge, USA (Ret) to participate
in a presentation and discussion of our experience in Vietnam and how it
related to the assigned reading. They met with about 60 students
on 15 September at the High School. It is a pleasure to report that
the students were interested, attentive and participated in a healthy question
and answer session following their presentations. At the end, several
students thanked us personally and asked additional questions. It
was a good day for our veterans to interface with the good, strong and
smart young high school |
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| Above: COL Jim Smith, USA (Ret),
Ms. Noreen Baker, English Department Chair, LCDR Ray Lopez, USN (Ret) and
COL Jim Edge, USA (Ret) |
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November Luncheon
and
Toys For Tots Program
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| Above from L-R: GySgt Villanueva
and Maj Matt O’Hara, accept a $100 check for Toys for Tots from
LtCol
Benjamin “Zach” Woodworth, USMC (Active Duty Military Liaison) from
HRCMOAA. |
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| Two Corporals from Marine Air Control
Squadron-24, the sponsoring unit for this year’s Toys for Tots program,
with chapter member CDR Bob Armour, USN (Ret). |
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| Above: Guest speaker, Col Russell
E. Smith, USMC, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command, G-3/5/7 discusses
the status of world-wide USMC operational forces. |
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| Officers and board members install HRCMOAA’s
12th consecutive five star award banner. L-R, LCDR Jeff Barrett,
USN (Ret) - 2nd VP; CAPT Bill Lehr, USCG (Ret) - Board of Directors;
LT
Steve Hackney, USN (Ret), Treasurer, Mrs. Barb Smith, Aux. Liaison,
and CDR Bert Ortiz, USN (Ret). |
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| COL David C. Wade III, USA (Ret)
receives the MOAA Leadership Award for his hard work and outstanding service
through the chapter’s work in the community. COL Wade has been instrumental
in the development of the HRCMOAA ROTC Scholarship Fund and local Historic
Honor Flight in addition to many other community outreach projects. |
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| Chapter President, CDR Bert Ortiz,
USN (Ret) conducts the installation of HRCMOAA Board of Directors at the
November luncheon. CDR John Uhrin, USN (Ret) and Maj. Gen.
John McLaren are pictured receiving the Oath of Office for their two
year term. |
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Military ID Card
Notification Program
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| This program is designed to help Chapter
members and their dependent’s to renew their ID cards in a timely
fashion. Once you and your dependents are enrolled, you will
be notified of your impending ID card expiration date in sufficient time
for renewal prior to the expiration date.
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. |
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| To enroll in this voluntary program, fill
in the form at the link below for each dependent and Send by Email or Print
and Mail to: Military ID Card Notification Program, HRCMOAA, P.O. Box 4612,
Virginia Beach, VA 23454-0612. |
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CAREER CORNER
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| Once you transition from active duty,
we want you to stay in our community and chapter. Don’t wait until
the last minute to start networking, learning about transition, and talking
with recruiters at career fairs. Here is a list of local military
career fairs and networking opportunities:
February 23, 2016
9:00am to 12:30pm
Corporate Gray Military Career Fair
Virginia Beach - Virginia Beach Convention
Center
May 12, 2016
11:00am to 3:00pm
RecruitMilitary All Veterans Job Fair
Virginia Beach - Sandler Center for the
Performing Arts
May 18, 2016
9:00am to 12:30pm
Corporate Gray Military Career Fair
Virginia Beach - Virginia Beach Convention
Center |
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| Legislative Update |
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| The Hampton Roads Chapter of MOAA met
with U.S. Representative Scott Rigell, 2nd District of Virginia
on 14 November from 9 to 10 a.m. at his Virginia Beach Office. Chapter
members, Legislative Director Jack Hilgers, Asst. Legislative Director
Lincoln
Smith, and Legislative Committee member Chris Vatadis attended
the meeting. A general outline of the meeting follows:
Members reviewed the Commonwealth legislative
and budget initiatives (not in order of priority) to be pursued by the
Joint Leadership Council (JLC) of Veterans Service Organization during
the 2016 session of the Virginia General Assembly as listed below:
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Construction of veterans care centers in Hampton
Roads and Northern Virginia
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Continued funding to improve Commonwealth
veterans claims offices throughout Virginia
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Increased funding for Virginia Veteran and
Family Support (Formerly Virginia Wounded Warrior Program)
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Authorize increased personnel and funding
for the Virginia War Memorial
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Authorize in-state tuition eligibility for
all National Guard and Reserve members
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Increase income tax subtraction from $3,000
to $5,000 for National Guard members
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Increase eligibility for the Virginia Military
Survivors and Dependents Education Program
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Approve electronic return of absentee ballots
by overseas military voters
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Strengthen military and veterans court dockets
in the Commonwealth
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Place veteran advisor and resource centers
a all community colleges
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Provide property exemptions in the tax code
for veterans service organizations
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The Chapter is pleased that Congressman
Rigell is cosponsoring legislation to correct a number of key MOAA issues
in Congress, including:
Service Benefit Plan (SBP)
HR 1594
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Concurrent Receipt
HR 303 and HR 333
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Caregiver Expansion
HR 1969
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Veteran Status for Reserves
HR 1384
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VA Access for Female Veterans
HR 1356
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Military Souse Employment
HR 1620
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| Pictured above: COL Jack Hilgers,
USMC (Ret), Rep. Rigell, CDR Linc Smith, USN (Ret). |
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| Pictured above: COL Jack Hilgers,
USMC (Ret), CAPT Chris Vatidis, USN (Ret), Terri Dunn-Campbell (Congressman
Rigell’s military liaison, and CDR Linc Smith, USN (Ret) |
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| MOAA Annual Meeting |
| MOAA’s affiliates compete annually to
receive a four- or five-star Levels of Excellence Award, with the very
best councils and chapters receiving five-star awards, and above-average
councils and chapters receiving four-star awards. More than 140 council
and chapter leaders and their spouses, along with members of the national
staff and board of directors, gathered Oct. 31 for the 2015 Levels of Excellence
Award dinner held at the Buena Vista Resort hotel in Orlando, FL. Pictured
below right is HRCMOAA Chapter President, Bert Ortiz, accepting
the Chapter’s 2015 five star award streamer from Gen. Charles T. Robertson
Jr., USAF (Ret), chair of MOAA’s board of directors. Also pictured
at bottom is Virginia’s Council of Chapter’s President, Col Victoria
Revilla (seated center) with Chapter Presidents from around the state
that received five and four star awards. “Councils and chapters continue
to be the bedrock of our organization,” Robertson told council and chapter
leaders. “When we want something done and done right." |
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23 October Luncheon
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| Department of Veterans Services Commissioner,
John
Newby joined us at our October luncheon at the Virginia Beach Hotel
& Resort. He discussed current veteran-related issues, current
and future plans for veteran medical facilities including long term care
facilities, and answered a number of questions from our members.
Below, CDR Bert Ortiz, USN (Ret), presents the Jefferson Cup
to Commissioner Newby. |
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Future Events
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ROWS Annual Christmas Dinner Dance
Atlantic Shores – Magnolia Room, Saturday,
12/5/2015
6:00-7:00 p.m.—Cocktails; 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Dinner and Dancing
Music by The Dudes from The Rhondels
Menu
Toss Salad with dressing on the table
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(1) 8 oz Filet with Cabernet Sauce – Medium
Rare
OR
(2) 8 oz Honey Roasted Salmon
OR
(3) Chicken Saltimbocca
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Twice Baked Potato with Cheddar and Sour
Cream on the Table & Green Beans Almandine
Hot Rolls/Butter, Coffee/Tea,
Applesauce Bundt Cake w/ Cream Cheese
whipped icing
Price: $60.00 per person
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Black tie or military uniform optional.
Reservations, checks, and menu choices
must arrive in Barbara’s mail- box by Friday, November 27.
If you have questions, call Barbara at
427-3475.
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| January Luncheon: (1/22)
- Speaker TBD - Atlantic Shores. |
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