The function is to be held in the Virginia Ball Room at the Princess Anne Country Club, Friday, December 9, 2011.  6:00-7:00 p.m. - Cocktails; 7:00-10:00 p.m. - Dinner /Dancing with Music by the Walter Noona Band.  Call Nordee Crews at 363-1094.

Fellow Officers and Spouses:

As we approach the Veterans Day Holiday, I would like to honor a group of non- veterans that contribute so much to this nations security and get very little praise or acknowledgement for their action. They are the wives and husbands of our service men and women. As I look back on my 32 years of service, I now realize more than ever how difficult it was for the wives who were tied to the military as tight as their husbands. They moved on orders just like the husband did, many times with all the help they could get from two, three or more children, all under ten, sans husband who was on a six month or more deployment. When he finally returned to a new town or even a new country he found a house established, kids in school and all was right with the world. 

There were also the so called "worry periods" where the service member was putting his life on the line and all the spouse could do is sit home, with the two, three, or more kids, and sweat out the time periods. The threat of the of the black car pulling up to front door with the Chaplin and the base C.O. was ever present. 

Adult conversation was a treat usually occurring at sick bay or the commissary and the rare night out with the other wives in the squadron. And then it consisted of the car that had decided to take the rest of the cruise off, or the washing machine that contacted terminal rust, or braces for the kids, or "Did you get a letter?" Seems if pay records could also find a way to become screwed up. The "dead horse" had gotten paid again for the third time or some other glitch occurred. 

Through it all these wonderful people keep it to gather, raised the kids and paid the bills. I salute all of you for a job well done!! You are a strong and vibrate part of our military!!

God bless,

Holly

Committee Chairman Howard "Buck" McKeon fears any super committee proposals for more defense cuts would lead to a "hollowing out" of the military.

The defense department is already on the hook for $350 billion in cuts over the next 10 years as part of the recent debt ceiling legislation.  The Super Committee, by law must come up with another $1.2 trillion in combined cuts or revenue increases by Thanksgiving.

If they fail in that effort, and if Congress fails to pass an alternative package to save an equal amount by the end of the year, the new deficit reduction law imposes an automatic trigger mechanism (sequestration) that will cut at least an additional $500 billion from the defense budget over the next ten years.

A House Armed Services Committee report asserts these cuts would degrade readiness and require force reductions of thousands of military personnel. 

MOAA agrees with the House Armed Service Committee.

After Commissioning

Shown below is  the entire group from the NROTC Consortium, after receiving their Boards from parents or friends, and their Gold Bars from CAPT Jim Jones, USN-Ret.

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 current service members are the Next Great Generation.

How they have earned the benefits they are entitled and how these benefits are now under public fire and scrutiny.

Educating the public of the service and sacrifice of our veterans and current service members.

Supporting the Wounded Warrior program. 

Engage younger prospective members to get them involved in the organization whether they be active duty or folks who transitioned from the service. 

He had some antidotal stories of his trip to Afghanistan to visit the men and women presently serving and the determination he saw in the faces of our young warriors.  One particular story was of a young soldier who although wounded severely, wanted to rejoin his unit and comrades as soon as possible.

Shown below is our 2nd VP CDR Bert Ortiz, USN-Ret., thanking ADM Ryan for his presentation to the HRCMOAA members.  Eighty Four members were in attendance.  ADM Ryan and his wife, Judy spent time before and after talking to our members.  Their visit was very much appreciated. 

Their mission is to provide assistance to retirees, surviving spouses, active duty personnel contemplating retirement, and family members. They extend an offer of assistance to Navy/Marine Corps retirees and their families as well as those from all other branches of the military including retired reserves. 

Norm is looking to retire himself after many years in the chair.  Members who are interested please contact Norm at 757-363-1094 or ncrews1@cox.net. 

The program will assist Virginia’s veterans, members of the Virginia National Guard, Virginia residents of the Armed Forces Reserves not on active federal service, and their family members, who are dealing with the effects of traumatic brain disorders, combat stress, and post-traumatic stress disorders resulting from their combat service and sacrifice in the U.S. Armed Forces. 

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