The Crier Newsletter

Quarterly

The Crier, Spotlight on the Council and Chapters, Social Media

The VCOC Crier is the Quarterly Newsletter of the Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). Per MOAA Charter, the Crier Newsletter remains nonpartisan, all regards.
The purpose of the Crier is to tell the VCOC story. Each issue of the Crier includes officer contact information, feature articles, chapter spotlight section, VCOC schedule and sponsor recognition.
The Crier is scheduled to be published electonically in March, June, September and December. This noted, actual publishing and posting dates may vary. Chapter input is most welcome, due to the editor on the 10th of the month prior to publication. Target publication dates are 10 Feb for March issue, 10 May for June issue, 10 August for September issue and 10 November for December issue; actual publication dates may vary. The Chapters and Council in the Spotlight section of the VCOC Homepage (below) allows for immediate posting of both Council and Chapter Stories. Provide stories for the Council Crier or the VCOC Homepage with supporting photographs to CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret) at: mvng288@aol.com.
To social media, VCOC membership may connect with Social Media, Facebook: Military Officers Association of America.
VCOC Chapter Social Media spotlight, Facebook: George C. Marshall Chapter.
spotlight on the Council and chapters

The Crier, Chapters and Council in the Spotlight, Sponsors

The Crier

Smash On Station

Col Douglas "Smash" Yurovich, USMC (Ret) President Mt. Vernon Chapter John Prevar and I attended the VCOC Quarterly Meeting in Richmond on the 6th of April. Thanks for driving John. The meeting was held at the impressive Virginia War Memorial. If you have not been to the museum, I recommend visiting; you will not be disappointed. Linc Smith, the President of the VCOC, conducted a professional event amidst some technological challenges. The highlight of the meeting was the guest speaker, Daniel Gade. Dr. Gade is a retired soldier, combat veteran, Army tanker, USMA '97, and the current Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services in Virginia. He is also a paralympic world champion. winning the 2010 Paralympic Ironman competition in Florida. A very articulate speaker, Dr. Gade spoke about helping Veterans of Virginia dealing with the National Veterans Administration and the bureaucracy. Virginia veterans should check out the offerings of Virginia at https://www.dvs.virginia.gov Remember, they are only Veteran's benefits if you use them! May Observances – May is Military Appreciation Month and the 21st is National Armed Forces Day. We remember our Mothers on the 8th, and the 5th of May is a National Day of Prayer. Never stop serving. Semper Fidelis, Smash

VCOC President installs Portsmouth Area Chapter at January Meeting 2022


VCOC President CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret) administered the oath of office to the incoming PACMOAA Officer Slate for 2022-2024 via the virtual Zoom Meeting platform on 13 January 2022.
Sworn in were COL Hal Hostetler, USA (Ret), 1st Vice President/Program Chair, MAJ Steve Watkins, USA, (Ret) Board Member; MAJ Sherry Ferki, USA (Ret), Second Vice President/Membership Chair and CDR Hans Sachse, USN (Ret), Treasurer. Not present, also sworn in, was Ms. Kay Watkins, Board Member.
View spotlight on the January 2022 meeting by PACMOAA Chapter President COL Bill Smith, USA (Ret) at below link: From the President's Desk

Potomac Chapter Installs New Officer Slate

MOAA Vice President Council/Chapter and Member Support CAPT Jim Carman, USN (Ret) installed the incoming Potomac Chapter Officer slate, River Boat Casino, Colonial Beach, Virginia, 16 March 2022. The chapter luncheon also included a presentation by Capt Carman of the MOAA National Brief and an update on the Virginia General Assembly Session 2022 by VCOC President CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret). Pictured below: Top: MOAA Vice President Council/Chapter and Member Support CAPT Jim Carman administering oath of office to incoming Potomac Chapter Board. Bottom: MOAA Vice President Council/Chapter and Member Support CAPT Jim Carman, USN (Ret), Chapter President RADM John Sigler, USN (Ret), VCOC President CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret)

Mount Vernon Chapter Luncheon on May 14th to Feature Two Outstanding MOAA Speakers

From the Mt. Vernon Chapter Despatch Newsletter LTC Mark Belinsky, MOAA’s Director for Currently Serving and Retired Affairs, and CDR Lincoln Smith, USNR (Ret), President, Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC), will speak at the chapter luncheon meeting on Saturday, May 14th at La Fiamma Italian Kitchen, 6124 Franconia Rd., Alexandria, commencing at 12 noon. LTC Belinsky retired in 2019 after serving 22 years. As a career Armored Cavalryman, he served in a wide variety of command and staff positions within the Army. His assignments include overseas tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Republic of Korea, and Germany. Belinsky has additionally served in the Department of the Army Inspector General Agency, the Army SHARP Ready and Resilient Directorate, and the Joint Center for International Security Force Assistance. Belinsky’s leadership assignments include: Operations Division Chief for the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Ready and Resilient Directorate, HQDA G-1; Commander of 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, in Fort Hood, Texas, and Afghanistan; Records Screening and Oversight Chief, Army Inspector General Agency; Deputy Division Chief, Follow-up Inspections, Army Inspector General Agency; and National Police Transition Team Chief in Samarra, Iraq. Belinsky Mark is a native of Oxford, Conn. He received his bachelor of arts degree in Political Science from Dickinson College and a master of science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University. He joined MOAA in September 2019. CDR Linc Smith served for 25 years as aSurface Line Officer and as a Public Affairs Officer, retiring in 2006. Tours as a Surface Line Officer included service with International Peacekeeping Forces Lebanon, Operation Desert Storm, and on the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) and USS Miller (FF 1091). He became a Navy Public Officer (PAO) in 1995, after serving as the Naval Base PAO at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during Operation Sea Signal. He hosted the radio show "Good Evening GTMO." In 1996, He became the final Public Affairs Officer on the USS America (CV 66), also returning to the USS Kennedy in 1996, this time as ship's PAO. He moved on to be a PAO at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Naval Sea Systems Command, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and Supreme Allied Command Atlantic NATO (SACLANT), where he was stationed during Operation Enduring Freedom. Linc currently hosts podcasts for the Update-1 Program at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. and periodically serves as co-host on the Nora Firestone Show, WKQA Freedom 1110 AM, Norfolk, Virginia. He also works in voice over recording and as master of ceremonies for charitable, veteran and community related events. He was elected to be the VCOC President in 2021. At the luncheon, LTCOL Belinksy provided the MOAA National briefing, with CDR Linc Smith providing highlight of the VCOC Homepage and most recent Council Crier. Mt. Vernon Chapter Luncheon briefing team, 14 May 2022, pictured below, top to bottom: Top Picture: LTCOL Mark Belinsky, USA, (Ret), COL Smash Yurovich, USMC (Ret), CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret). Middle Picture: LTCOL Marl Belinksy USA (Ret) briefing, to include interactive question and answer session. Bottom Picture: LTCOL Mark Belinsky briefing Mt. Vernon Chapter.
Sponsors
VCOC expresses continued appreciation to Patriots Colony in Williamsburg for ongoing sponsorship for both our annual VCOC Congressional Affairs Luncheon and Quarterly Meetings. View Patriots Colony Webpage here: Patriots Colony

VCOC Presents Certificate of Appreciation to Patriot's Colony

VCOC President Col Boyd Nix, USAF (Ret), and MOAA Vice President Government Relations Col Dan Merry, USAF (Ret) presented VCOC Certificate of Appreciation to Ms. Kathy Kammer in recognition of Patriot's Colony sponsorship of the VCOC, Biennial Luncheon and Awards Ceremony, 5 October 2021, Ford's Colony Country Club, Williamsburg, Virginia.
From the Patriots Colony Website: The Best in Retirement Community LivingLocated in Williamsburg, Virginia-one of the country's best places to retire-Patriots Colony is a 55+ continuing care retirement community exclusively for those who share the common bond of service to our country, including officers in the armed forces and civil servants. Set on 90 acres of protected woodlands, Patriots Colony is a senior living community that strikes the perfect balance of a serene, quiet community complemented by the convenience of city living. Your new neighbors are friendly, devoted former officers and civilian employees of the federal government who share the same life experiences and priorities and always leave rank at the gate.
The recently renovated Canon Community Center, which offers a myriad of dining, social, educational and wellness opportunities.State-of-the-art fitness center and exercise programs. The highest quality medical services you'll find at a retirement community due to our unique relationship with Riverside Health System.Our own on-site medical center.
Virginia Council of Chapters
Copyright © 2020 Network Solutions, LLC, A Web.com Company. All rights reserved.


Webmaster CDR Linc Smith, Usnr (Ret)