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The Crier Newsletter
Quarterly
The Crier
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 pubication dates may vary. Provide stories with supporting photographs to Crier newsletter editor CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret) at: mvng288@aol.com. In reminder, MOAA and its affiliates must avoid engaging in partisan political activities. View guidance here: MOAA Guidance on Partisan Political Activities View the MOAA Take Action Center here: MOAA Take Action Center
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 pubication dates may vary. Provide stories with supporting photographs to Crier newsletter editor CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret) at: mvng288@aol.com. In reminder, MOAA and its affiliates must avoid engaging in partisan political activities. View guidance here: MOAA Guidance on Partisan Political Activities View the MOAA Take Action Center here: MOAA Take Action Center
spotlight on the chapters
The Crier, Chapters and Council in the Spotlight, Sponsors
The Crier
Members of the Southside Virginia Chapter receive awards for meritorious service at the VCOC Biennial Luncheon and Awards Ceremony 2021
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COL Victoria Revilla, USA (Ret)
Members of the Southside Virginia Chapter, MOAA, received awards for meritorious service at the Virginia Biennial Luncheon and Awards Ceremony on 5 October 2021 in Williamsburg, VA.
For the last ten years, the chapter has been honoring their distinguished members by also dedicating a brick with their name on the "Walk of Honor" at the Virginia War Memorial, in addition to nominating individuals for national association awards.
COL Revilla, Southside Chapter president and past president of the Virginia Council of Chapters, was nominated by the Virginia Council and presented at the luncheon the national President's Award by MOAA President and Chief Executive Officer Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, USAF (Ret) for her work with the chapter and the state council for the last 18 years.
COL Revilla is the first person to recieve this award in the fifty year history of the Virginia Council of Chapters.
The other awardees were presented Outstanding Service awards for their dedication and achievements in their communities, to include Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Prince George and Dinwiddie, along with three other Southside surrounding counties.
Individuals from Southside not present but also receiving service awards include COL Larry Watson, USA (Ret), Col. Thomas M. Wellman , USAF (Ret), COL Karl Rush, USA (Ret), LTC Burrell "Dean" Angell, USA (Ret) and CPT Maria Lambert, USA (Veteran).
Awardees at the luncheon pictured below: (L-R) COL Dave Buck, USAR (Ret), COL Victoria Revilla, USA (Ret), Lt. Gen. Dana T. Atkins, USAF (Ret), CW3 Dawn Cater, USA (Ret) CW4 Bruce Brown, USA (Ret)
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Richmond Area Chapter Holds Annual Holiday Gala 2021
COL Mark Rich, USA (Ret), RACMOAA President
The Richmond Area Chapter of MOAA celebrated a grand Holiday Gala at the Meadowbrook Country Club on December 10th, 2021. Over 80 guests were in attendance, to include chapter members, friends, families and MOAA members from other chapters and a World War Two veteran.
The Gala incuded presentation of the VCOC Outstanding Service Award to RACMOAA First Vice President COL Vince Cammarata, USA (Ret) for his long term dedicated service as VCOC Legal Counsel.
The evening also included an inspiring narrative of the Christmas Truce of 1914, toasts to the various services, a harpist, a pianist, an award presentation, and the singing of traditional carols.
Pictured below, left to right: RACMOAA VCOC Chapter Representative CAPT Mary Lou Wassel, USN (Ret), RACMOAA First Vice President, COL Vince Cammarata, USA (Ret), Virginia Council of Chapters Vice President CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret), and RACMOAA President COL Mark Rich, USA (Ret).
Pictured below, left to right: RACMOAA VCOC Chapter Representative CAPT Mary Lou Wassel, USN (Ret), RACMOAA First Vice President, COL Vince Cammarata, USA (Ret), Virginia Council of Chapters Vice President CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret), and RACMOAA President COL Mark Rich, USA (Ret).
Virginia Peninsula Chapter Presents Awards to Local Organizations
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Carolyn McHale, VIPMOAA Newsletter Editor and Webmaster
The Virginia Peninsula Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (VIPMOAA) had its annual Holiday luncheon meeting on December 16th at Governor’s Land in Williamsburg. Over 75 members attended and enjoyed the Christmas music provided by Ina Berkey on the piano and Lew Mabie on the clarinet (pictured above).
Throughout the year our members generously donate to the Chapter’s Community Service and Scholarship Fund which supports five local organizations. The annual funding goal of $7,500 was surpassed during this covid year with a total of $12,000! Six members, COL Ron Corson, USA, (Ret), Col Bryce Hollingsworth, USAF (Ret), CAPT Brian Smith USN, (Ret), CDR William Chalmers, USN (Ret), CDR Fred Malvin, USN (Ret) and COL Robert Whitman, USA (Ret) each donated over $500 to the Chapter’s fund. CAPT Smith specified his $2200 donation to go directly to the Fisher House at Portsmouth Naval Hospital and the Liberty Lounge at Colonial Williamsburg.
President COL Ron Corson, USA (Ret) presented $350 checks to the Liberty Lounge of Colonial Williamsburg, Fisher House at Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Honor Flight, and the USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia. In addition, COL Corson presented CAPT Smith’s checks to Fisher House and Liberty Lounge.
We also present monetary awards during the year to the local JROTC and ROTC programs at William & Mary University, Christopher Newport University, and Hampton University.
Left, right and below are pictures of the three organizations that were able to attend our Dec 16th luncheon and receive their awards.
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Sponsors
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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.
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.
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