Fellow Officers and Spouses:

On one December 2012 the nuclear aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise, CVAN-65, will be deactivated at pier 12 on the Norfolk Naval Base. She is the second oldest ship on active duty in the Navy. Only "Old Iron Sides," the USS Constitution is older . She is the eighth Navy ship to bear the name Enterprise. Her immediate predecessor, CV-6, earned twenty battle stars in World War II, the most of any ship in that war. She was reported sunk so often by the Japanese that she was nick named the "Gray Ghost."

When contracted to be built, there were to be five more like her. However, Department of Defense, deemed it to expensive to continue the program and instead built the "John F. Kennedy" and the "America" using "fossil fuel" vice nuclear power. The advancement in nuclear engines made it possible to provide the necessary power with two reactors rather than eight as in Enterprise. So the program to power aircraft carrier with nuclear power was restarted resulting in the 10 other nuclear carriers starting with USS Nimitz CVAN-68.

Commissioned 25 November, 1961, her maiden voyage was with the USS Bainbridge, a nuclear cruiser, around the world. As the Viet Nam war had heated up with Gulf of Tonkin Resolution the "Big E," on 26 Oct. 1965 , sailed from Norfolk around Cape Good Hope to the Gulf of Tonkin. Her first ever combat hops were launched on 2 December 1965. I was on that cruise and was the second plane to be launched in to combat from her catapults. This association with Enterprise has made her a big part of my military career and why you got this thumb nail sketch of her service. She is still the longest Naval vessel in the world and only her nuclear cousins out weigh her.

New subject. The November luncheon is when we always do "Toys for Tots." It is scheduled for 16 November at the Princess Ann Country Club. Please bring an unwrapped gift for either a boy or girl. A check is also welcomed.

Please remember to vote this month, your vote is very important.  There are no excuses!  You can vote absentee, you can vote early or you can vote at the polls.  If you do not vote you have no right to complain over the next 4 years. 

Remember to contribute to our ROTC Scholarship Fund before the end of the year, it is tax deductible, details below. 

God bless.

Holly

Auxiliary members have a reason to celebrate this year. Ten years ago, MOAA formed a study group to look at auxiliary issues and how MOAA could better meet the needs of this important membership group. Soon after, the Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee (AMAC) was formed, and auxiliary liaisons were appointed in many chapters. 

Today, 116 auxiliary liaisons are serving as chapter leaders, and 15 are part of council leadership teams. You have chosen to continue your spouse’s dedication, service, and loyalty to this country. You’ve supported military families, planned events, managed projects, raised funds, and given comfort and help to other military spouses who have suffered the same loss as you. You have advocated maintaining and improving the benefits promised to service members. 

Now MOAA’s membership has voted on a proposed bylaw change, granting the vote on national MOAA issues to auxiliary members and allowing auxiliary members to serve on MOAA’s board of directors. Results will be announced in October or November, but we anticipate member support for this initiative.

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.

Our combined effort for this wonderful support of our courageous military personnel serving in harm’s way, has resulted in generating 51,840 free telephone minutes for them to call home from their desolate locations.  We collected and shipped 864 old cell phones.

My most sincere appreciation to Ms. Teresa Bower who headed up the effort within the Navy Federal Credit Union, to Ms. Melissa Dodson-Dozier at the Navy Exchange NAS Oceana, Ms. Deborah “Debbie” Buttrum at the Norfolk Navy Exchange, to all the members of the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (HRCMOAA), and to all the wonderful ladies of the Retired Officers Wives Society of Tidewater (ROWS).

Since Sept. 11, 2001, the MOAA Scholarship Fund – American Patriot Grant has provided $1,770,000 to 225 children. This year, 57 children whose military parent died while in active service will receive a $5,000 American Patriot Grant. 

MOAA’s Educational Assistance supports children of those who are serving, have served, or are retired as a commissioned or warrant officer in one of the seven Uniformed Services, and children of currently serving and retired enlisted military members. Applications for the 2013-2014 academic year will be online in early November 2012 at www.moaa.org/education. 

You can make a difference in a military child’s future by supporting the HRCMOAA ROTC Scholarship Fund through gifts of cash, securities, and bequests. For more information, see our chapter's scholarship goals (above) or contact COL David Wade at 549-2123.

In addition, if you would like to be added to an email distribution list for job opportunities, contact Loren at his email address above.

Menu Winter Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
*** (1) Prime Rib of Beef Au Jus with Horseradish Cream Sauce OR (2) Fresh Broiled Atlantic Salmon ***
Roasted Red Potatoes & Green Beans Almondine
Hot Rolls/Butter                      Coffee/Tea
Chef’s Choice Holiday Dessert

Price: $50.00 per person

***

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

Please make checks payable to: 

Virginia Veterans Services Foundation For: VWWP
900 East Main Street, Ground Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219

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

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

Bert announced that the Chapter had won its 9th straight 5 Star Award.  To be presented at MOAA  National at the end of the month.  Our President, CAPT Hollandsworth will receive the award.