VIRGINIA COUNCIL OF CHAPTERS

Military Officers Association of America

VCOC Fourth Quarter Meeting and Biennial Awards Luncheon 2021

Above, MOAA Vice President for Government Relations Col. Dan Merry, USAF (Ret) administers the Oath of Office to the VCOC Officer Slate 2022-2024, Fourth Quarter Meeting and Biennial Awards Luncheon, Ford's Colony Country Club, Williamsburg, Virginia, 5 October 2021. Left to right: CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret), CDR John Prevar, USNR (Ret), COL Monti Zimmerman, USA (Ret), LtCol Jim Stephan USAF (Ret), LtCol John Down, USAF (Ret). Pictured at right, the featured speaker at the VCOC Biennial Awards Luncheon 2021 was MOAA President and Chief Exceutive Officer Lt. Gen. Dana T. Atkins, USAF (Ret). During his remarks, Lt. Gen. Atkins congratulated all of the VCOC Awardees for 2021, highlighting the outstanding bipartisan legislative advocacy of the Council in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Our mission

Who We Are

The Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization, chartered to better the overall well being of its member chapters. VCOC supports and serves 17 member chapters, advocating legislative affairs pertaining to active duty, retired and former military members. VCOC enhances the image of America’s uniformed services in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. MOAA is the nation’s largest and most influential association of military officers, totaling 38,398 members in Virginia. Independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan, MOAA is one powerful voice speaking for a strong national defense, representing the interests of military officers at all stages of a military career.

MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Dana T. Atkins, USAF (Ret)

Virginia Delegation Spotlights VCOC

As part of the VCOC Fourth Quarter Meeting and Biennial Awards Luncheon 2021 program, Virginia Senators Mark Warner (D Va), Tim Kaine (D Va) and Congressman Rob Wittman (VA 01) spotlighted their relationship with VCOC, also congratulating the incoming VCOC Officer slate. Senator Warner provided a video, with Senator Kaine presenting a letter. Senator Warner serves on the Senate Finance, Banking, Budget, and Rules Committees, as well as the Select Committee on Intelligence, where he is Chairman. He has worked to reduce the disability claim backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), improve access to care and reduce wait times at VA medical centers, ensure resources for the VA to provide healthcare for veterans, simplify the benefits and appeals processes, improve mental health services for soldiers returning home, and improve women veterans’ access to healthcare. Senator Kaine serves on the Armed Services, Budget, Foreign Relations and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committees. He is Ranking Member of the Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee and the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism. He has worked to ensure the military is resourced to keep the nation safe and that servicemembers and veterans receive their earned benefits and care. Click below to view both the video and letter, which were presented at the VCOC Bienenial Awards Luncheon 2021.
Click here to view letter from Senator Kaine, dated October 5, 2021
Pictured above, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA 01) provided an update during the VCOC Fourth Quarter Meeting and Biennial Awards Luncheon 2021. Serving the First Congressional District of Virginia since 2007, he has focused on strengthening our military and supporting veterans. In the U.S. Congress, Congressman Wittman serves on the House Armed Services Committee. On the Armed Services Committee, he serves as Vice Ranking Member of the full Committee and Ranking Member of Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee. In addition, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus, he is a staunch advocate for a robust Naval fleet and a healthy domestic shipbuilding industry. He also currently serves on the U.S. Naval Academy’s Board of Visitors. Congressman Wittman has also served as Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee for four years and as Chairman of the U.S. Naval Academy's Board of Visitors for nine years.

VCOC Legislators of the Year 2021

VCOC awarded Legislators of the Year at the Biennial Awards Luncheon, 5 October 2021. VCOC President Col. Boyd Nix, USAF (Ret) and Vice President CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret) present Federal Legislator of the Year to Representative Elaine Luria (VA 02) in top picture below and State Legislator of the Year to Senator Jen Kiggans (R 7th) in lower picture below. From Representative Luria, "I was humbled to receive the Federal Legislator of the Year Award by The Military Officers Association Of America (MOAA) Virginia Council of Chapters. The award recognizes members of Congress for ‘exemplary support of the national security of the United States and the current and past members of the Armed Forces and their families.’ I look forward to working with MOAA to pass my bill, the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act. This bill would allow TRICARE recipients to remain on a sponsor’s plan until the age of 26, bringing parity between the military and civilian health systems. "

VCOC Biennial Luncheon and Ceremony 2021 Awardees

VCOC Legislator of The Year Federal: Representative Elaine Luria (VA 2)State: Senator Jen Kiggans (R 7th) MOAA President's Awards COL Victoria Revilla, USA (Ret) MOAA Leadership Awards Maj Sherry Ferki, USA (Ret) CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret) CAPT Mary Lou Wassel, USNR (Ret) Col Monti Zimmerman, USA (Ret) VCOC Minuteman MOAA: Col Dan Merry, USAF (Ret) VCOC: CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret) VCOC Outstanding Service Awards Col Vince Cammarata, USA (Ret) Col Jim Pauls, USAF (Ret) CDR John Prevar USN (Ret) LtCol Ken Ruppar, USA (Ret) LtCol Jim Stephan, USAF (Ret)

An Award Winning Council of Chapters

VCOC Five Star Award Level of Excellence Winners 2020

Virginia Council of ChaptersCentral Virginia ChapterFalcons Landing ChapterGeorge C. Marshall ChapterHampton Roads ChapterHeritage ChapterMount Vernon ChapterNorthern Virginia ChapterPortsmouth Area ChapterRichmond Area ChapterSouthwest Virginia ChapterVirginia Peninsula Chapter

VCOC Col. Marvin J. Harris Communications Award Winners 2021

Five Star
Virginia Council of Chapters (print newsletter and website)Central Virginia Chapter (print newsletter and website)Falcons Landing Chapter (print newsletter and website)Heritage Chapter (print newsletter)Heritage Hunt Chapter (print newsletter)Mount Vernon Chapter (print newsletter and website)Portsmouth Area Chapter (print newsletter)Potomac Chapter (print newsletter)Richmond Area Chapter (print newsletter and website)Southwest Virginia Chapter (website)Virginia Peninsula Chapter (print newsletter) Four Star
Portsmouth Area Chapter (website)Southwest Virginia Chapter (print newsletter)

Virginia General Assembly and Veterans Military Caucus Legislative Reception 2022

Senator Bryce Reeves (R 17th), Senator John Bell (D 13th), Delegate David Reid (D 32nd) and Delegate Nick Freitas (R 30th) hosted the annual Virginia General Assembly and Veterans Military Caucus Legislative Reception, March 3, 2022, Virginia War Memorial, Richmond, Virginia. Food and refreshments were provided by Mission Barbeque. Virginia Council of Chapters members from multiple chapters attended the reception, as pictured below. Below: CAPT Mary Lou Wassel, USN (Ret), RACMOAA, COL Monti Zimmerman, USA (Ret), VCOC Third Vice President, CAPT Hardy Josephson, USN (Ret), RACMOAA, CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret), VCOC President, and LTC Craig Pinsker, USA (Ret) RACMOAA.
Below: CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret), VCOC President, Virginia Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Dan Gade
Below: CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret), VCOC President, Senator Bryce Reeves (R 17th), COL Monti Zimmerman, VCOC Third Vice President
Below: CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret), VCOC President, Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears
Below: CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret), VCOC President, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin
"MOAA is the nation's largest and most influential association of military officers. It is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization. With more than 350,000 members from every branch of service - including active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retired, former officers, and their families - we are a powerful force speaking for a strong national defense and representing the interests of military officers at every stage of their careers. MOAA's highest priority is providing first-class service to our members. We are the leading voice on compensation and benefit matters for all members of the military community. We provide expert advice and guidance to our members." View the MOAA homepage at: MOAA
Virginia Council of Chapters
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