| VIRGINIA CONGRESSIONAL APPRECIATION LUNCHEON |
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| TEN of our attendees shown here. Photo taken by the 11th. Click to see larger version and caption. |
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| PENINSULA ELEVEN LUNCHED WITH VIRGINIA CONGRESSMEN - 27 APRIL 2010
Eleven members of the Virginia Peninsula chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (VIPMOAA) were part of MOAA’s 25th annual Virginia Congressional Appreciation Luncheon, led by MOAA’s Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) . COL Sam Wilder, USA, Retired, VCOC president noted: “This luncheon has become one of the Virginia Council’s signature events. It is our opportunity to thank Congressional leaders for what they have done for our military – active, guard and reserve – for our veterans, our retired military and families. No other council in MOAA does this and we have been doing this for 25 years! This luncheon is also an opportunity to express to our Congressmen our deep concerns about the need to keep our national defense strong and to protect the healthcare for the men and women who serve and sacrificed for their country.”
COL Jim Pauls, USAF, Ret, President of the Virginia Peninsula Chapter (VIPMOAA), led the pledge to start off the luncheon, and LTC Blair Smith, USA, Ret, provided the invocation (Smith is past president of VIPMOAA & VCOC). VIPMOAA legislative chair, Maj Frank Duckett, USAF, Ret, of Williamsburg, commented "I think we can be proud that we did have such a large crowd. I know it made a favorable impression on the lawmakers. One of the speakers commended us for continuing to serve the military family by our advocacy for adequate forces and military benefits." MOAA's Virginia chapters, though the VCOC, established as their top legislative priority: “strength the all-volunteer force.” The peninsula eleven joined with over 135 leaders of Virginia’s 18 MOAA chapters in asking to increase the size of ground forces, prevent the erosion of health benefits, and help widows and wounded. There were over 160 at the luncheon, including both US Senators from Virginia, and nine of the eleven Congressional Representatives.
VIPMOAA participants were seated with a Senator or one of our three Congressional Representatives. Most were at one of three tables of leaders from three Virginia MOAA chapters who dined with Virginia Congressmen Rob Wittman, 1st District. Hampton officers were at the table with Glen Nye, 2nd District Representative, and Newport News officers with Bobby Scott, 3rd District Representative. A VIPMOAA member was seated at Senator Mark Warner’s table - he led off the speeches. Senator Jim Webb sponsored MOAA's use of the historic Russell Caucus Room in the Senate Office Building, Washington DC. Both senators and all of the peninsula Congressmen spoke to MOAA leaders attending from all 18 chapters, and from national MOAA in Alexandria. Only Virginia representatives Moran and Boucher were unable to attend.
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VIPMOAA eleven. As pictured, from left:
Col Ernie Hinojosa, USA, Ret
Maj Melva Mallison, USAF, Ret
LTC Stan Gorrell, USA, Ret
Rich Bunger, USN, veteran CWO2
Jim Pauls, COL, USAF, Ret
Charley Burch, LTC, USAF, Ret
Frank Duckett, Maj, USAF, Ret
Jay Harper, LTC, USA, Ret
Don Klovstad, COL, USAF, Ret
Blair Smith, LTC, USA, Ret
NOT PICTURED: Frankie Gorrell
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| 1st District Congressman Rob Wittman, seated at center (red tie). photo by Mallison |
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| 2nd District Congressman Glenn Nye. photo by Mallison |
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| 3rd District Congressman Bobby Scott, at podium. photo by Mallison |
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| Senator Mark Warner addresses Virginia MOAA leaders at 27 April 2010 Congressional Appreciation Luncheon. VCOC President Sam Wilder pictured at table at right. MOAA photo by Steve Barrett |
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| Senator Jim Webb addresses Virginia MOAA leaders. Note MOAA's Lee Lange and VIPMOAA's Melva Mallison at table. MOAA photo by Steve Barrett |
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