| GEORGE C. MARSHALL CHAPTER at LABOR DAY 2010 EVENT - SEEKING SUPPORT FOR STATE LEGISLATIVE OBJECTIVES INCLUDING CONSTITUTIONAL AMMENDMENT |
| Five George C. Marshall chapter members (all on the board of directors) attended the kick off of the Virginia political season event hosted by the City of Buena Vista. The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) GCMC tent was strategically pitched adjacent to the pavilion where speeches took place and in the public's eyes,complete with MOAA and Service Flags. plus posters advocating nonpartisan public support for tax relief for 100% disabled Veterans" referendum on the November ballot. ("Vote yes" posters were produced by GCMC from a flyer on DVS website)
Many citizens, including veterans, inquired about the measure as they had not heard about it through their own Veteran Services Organizations (VSOs) or in news papers. We almost ran short on handouts. Without the VSOs spreading the word between now and November, the first time most of the predicted "low turn out" of voters will see/know about this issue/objective I fear will be when they enter the voting booth and read the ballot for the first time.
Our own Honorable Governor/MOAA member pointed out the poster when he stopped by. We were glad to refresh his his memory about the initiative - finally on the ballot after many years of legislative efforts of VSOs on Virginia's Joint Leadership Council (JLC)..
Preceding the Bipartisan parade that Honored "Veterans Past and Present" as a gaggle of parade "Grand Marshall's" and the partisan Campaign speeches at noon, both political party's had separate Breakfast meetings. GCMC MOAA members attending their own partisan events were briefed in advance not to wear their MOAA insignia to avoid the appearance of endorcing a particular candidate or party.
Capt'n Bob Stolarz, GCMC Legislative Chair
photos by Ross Schmoll, GCMC Public Affairs Officer
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| Virginia's Governor Bob McDonnell stops by the GCMC MOAA info tent. |
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| Congressman Bob Goodlatte, 2nd from right, stopped by the GCMC tent. |
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| GEORGE C. MARSHALL CHAPTER LABOR DAY 2009 |
| The George C. Marshall Chapter participated in Virginia's traditional election kick-off actives held in Buena Vista City on Labor Day. The chapter set up an information tent at the pavilion at Glen Murray Park where all the politicians up for election this year were making their Labor Day speeches. MOAA and VCOC legislative objectives and other information were given to candidates up for election this November.
The photo (top right) shows chapter members Brian Quessenbury, Tom Tait, Virginia Governor Tom Kaine, Bob Hopkins and Bob Stolarz. Hopkins is the Marshall Chapter president, Tait is the founding president of the chapter and Stolarz is the Chapter Legislative Affairs chairman and the primary organizer of the chapter's participation in the Labor Day activities. Pictures also show Gubernatorial Candidates. Republican Bob McDonnell is shown with some of the usual suspects as well as chapter members retired USMC Colonels Dick Weed and Gordy Calkins. Democratic Candidate, Creigh Deeds, is pictured being given and "ear full' by Tait, Stolaz and Hopkins. Congressman Bob Goodlatte, an honorary member of the Marshall Chapter, who stopped by the chapter info tent for a visit is also pictured.
MOAA and VCOC legislative objectives were in the forefront of Virginia's political activities on Labor Day this year thanks to the efforts of the George C. Marshall Chapter.
/ Ross Schmoll, Col, Ret,GCMC MOAA PAO
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| Virginia Governor Kaine at center |
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| Candidate for Governor, Bob McDonnell, 2nd from left. |
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| Congressman Bob Goodlate in blue shirt. |
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| Candidate for Governor, Crieg Deeds, at center. |
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