The US Army's ODU Monarch Battalion is commanded by LT COL Brian Kerns, USA.   Seventeen Second Lieutenants in the US Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserves were commissioned.  The Hampton Roads NROTC Unit, commanded by Captain Thomas Halley, USN is a consortium comprised of three universities; Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University and Hampton University. The Naval Service ROTC Unit commissioned 50 Ensigns in the Navy and 8 Second Lieutenants in the United States Marine Corps.  A total of 75 students were developed morally, mentally, physically and were imbued with the highest ideals of duty, honor, and loyalty in order to commission college graduates as military officers who possess a basic professional background.  They  are motivated toward careers in the military, and have a potential for future development in mind and character so as to assume the highest responsibilities of command and citizenship. 

MOAA Hampton Roads Chapter president Colonel Jim Edge, USA (Ret) and Board of Director Captain Mike "Breeze" Barea, USN (Ret), pictured in the center of an impromptu photo, awarded each newly commissioned officer a set of Gold Bars. The photo was taken by Ensign Andrew Heckel, USN.

Fellow Officers and Spouses:

The warm Virginia Beach weather is upon us and I hope all are enjoying it as much as we are.  Under the very competent and efficient coordination of our Community Affairs Chairman, Dave Wade, we have supported our local college Navy and Army ROTC Programs, several of our local High School JROTC Programs, the Wreath Laying Ceremony’s on Memorial Day, the High School Joint Award Ceremony and the send-off of the Veterans with the Honor Flight Program.   Our hats are off to our dedicated members who make these functions successful: Mike "Breeze" Barea, Bert Ortiz, Jim Jones, Jim Smith, Jerry Crick and Larry King "Live" - and, of course, John Vermillion who captures all in our award winning Tribute. 

Our membership numbers are dwindling even though our membership guru Larry King “Live” continues to work very hard on renewing our delinquent members and recruiting new members.  We continue to try many avenues with varying degrees of success.  We need all of us to help get the word out to all members who have not renewed and to solicit new members.  Please help tell our story – please help to get potential members in touch with Larry, me or any of our BOD members.  We need membership growth to continue as a viable organization.  Your hard working “Luncheon Team” continues to meld a diversified program with different venues to satisfy our varied interest and tastes.  Please share with us any ideas you may have in this area.  We appreciate everyone’s support and look forward to the camaraderie we enjoy each month.  Reminder – keep 21 July 2013 open for our Combined Tidewater Chapter’s Brunch.

MOAA needs our help to educate our communities about earned military benefits through letters to the editor.  Here are guidelines to boost your chances of getting in print.  1. If your letter is written in response to an article, refer to that article in the first sentence.  2.  Letters to the editor are usually about 150 words.  3.  Include your name, contact information and affiliation.  If you identify yourself as a MOAA chapter member, email MOAA’s Public Relations Department to ensure your submission is on message.  4.  Most papers will not print submissions sent to multiple publications – send to your first choice only.  If rejected send to your second choice.  5.  Use statistics to make your case, and agree with the author on some points.

A good example of a letter to the editor was written by Vice Admiral Ryan, USN (Ret) and can be found at www.moaa.org.  Email pr@moaa.org with questions or for additional help. 

Thank you,

Jim Edge

Shown above are HRCMOAA members who attended the luncheon at the Capitol Hill Club.  From the left, CDR Don Buzard, USN-Ret, COL Jim Edge, USA-Ret,  CDR Bert Ortiz, USN-Ret, and CAPT Jim Jones, USN-Ret.   (Info provided by the VCOC)

Congressman Rigell, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, was selected as this year’s  Legislator of the Year by the Virginia Council of Chapters, MOAA and was presented the award at the luncheon.    “Budgets are running strategy” rather than the opposite, commented Congressman Rob Wittman (1st District).  “We are a great nation because of whatever our veterans have done.”  We need to make sure our troops have whatever they need and we should continue to ensure “we have the best military, best and brightest young men and women.”  Congressman Randy Forbes (4th District) commended the MOAA for what it does to keep issues of the military and veterans in the forefront in Congress and especially in our state.  “This is not about statistics and numbers,” he said. “But about real men and women who are giving their best and their lives every day.”  Both Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District) and Congressman Bob Goodlatte (6th  District) discussed the effects of Sequestration, the need to look at the entire budget and the fact that while not all members of the Virginia Delegation agree on every issue, they are able to work together to bring solutions. 

Members may submit to the chapter treasurer, LT Stephen Hackney, USN-Ret at 1736 Rally Dr. Virginia Bch, VA 23454-1233 or in person at our luncheons.   The checks will be consolidated and submitted to MOAA who will send receipts to the donors. 

Members who already donate to the national MOAA Scholarship may continue to do so.  You just need to note on the check that it is for the Hampton Roads Chapter ROTC Scholarship Fund.  MOAA will continue to send receipts to the donors.

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.

A check was presented to the non-profit Pillows for Pockets (PFP) which continues to provide specifically designed pillows which fit in the BDU pants pocket to thousands of active members of the Army serving in combat zones. 

Approximately 40 organizations presented wreaths at this celebration.  COL Floyd Gilbert, USA-Ret was our Master of Ceremonies.  Opening remarks were by the Honorable William D. Sessoms Jr., Mayor of Virginia Beach.  The Keynote address was presented by ADM William E. Gortney, USN, US Fleet Forces Command.

Shown below, presenting the wreath at the Chesapeake Veterans Memorial, are CDR Matt Krakower, USN-Ret and CDR Bert Ortiz, USN-Ret. 

The hotel is located at 2800 Shore Drive in Virginia Beach. 
Visit,  http://tradewindsrestaurant.com/sunday-brunch.html.

Cost of the brunch will be $27 each plus tax and gratuity, which will be billed individually by the hotel staff.  Cash bar is available. 

Reservations are required NLT 17 July 2013. 
Please call or email Bert Ortiz at 757-482-1995, bertortiz@cox.net . 
Or Jo Carter at 462-4744 x 214 or cell 374-8149, jo.carter@navy.mil.

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