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| Senator Mark Warner arriving - He was our first speaker. Photo by VCOC PAO Melva Mallison |
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| Mount Vernon Chapter - Host Chapter for the Event. Some of their attendees are pictured. Photo by MOAA, Steve Barrett. |
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| Senator Jim Webb at podium - our 2nd speaker & host for the Russell Caucus Room. photo by VCOC PAO Melva Mallison |
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"This luncheon has become one of the Virginia Council’s signature events. It is our opportunity to thank our 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! The 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 healchcare for the men and women who serve and sacrificed for their country."
/ Sam Wilder, COL, USA, Ret, VCOC MOAA President
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| Vince Burges holds his stamp plaque award. Photo courtesy of VCOC PAO |
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| COL Barry Wright receives Minuteman Award from COL Sam Wilder. Photo courtesy of VCOC PAO |
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| MOAA President, Admiral RYAN. photo courtesy of VCOC PAO |
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| Don Kaiserman. photo by MOAA S. Barrett |
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VCOC Vice President/Legislative Chair, Colonel Don Kaiserman, USA, Ret, pointed out that the annual luncheon is a chance to focus the attention of Virginia’s 13-member congressional delegation on priority issues. VCOC & Virginia chapters support all of MOAA’s legislative goals and are especially concerned with strength of the all-volunteer force. Specifically, we are asking to increase the size of ground forces, prevent the erosion of health benefits, and help widows and wounded.
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"A marvelous gathering in a very historic room with marvelous participation by members of VCOC and our elected Virginia Congressional delegation. All can be proud. Will be tough to beat!"
/ Stu Williams, Col, USA, Ret, VCOC Legislative Vice Chair for National Legislation
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| Stu Williams |
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FOR MORE PHOTOS
SCROLL DOWN
past the text
"VCOC PAO" photos are by Melva Mallison, Maj, USAF, Ret, VCOC 2nd VP & Public Affairs Officer. MOAA professional photographer photos are by Steve Barrett.
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CHECK OUT NATIONAL MOAA COVERAGE ON WEB
posted next morning
with lead-in paragraph on home page
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FOR LOCAL PRESS COVERAGE:
News Release Template draft was posted 16 April, with paper copies also available at the luncheon. Finalized template added after the luncheon (replacing the draft template. Chapter Public Affairs Officers, or other leader, please fill in the green part with chapter info. event). Send release and photo(s) to local military and civlian newspapers. Use the template as a guide - you are free to completely re-write all or part. Use a title that will grab the attention of the newspaper editor as well as the public.
/ Melva Mallison, Maj, USAF, Ret, VCOC 2nd VP & PAO
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This annual Virginia MOAA event follows the storming of Capitol Hill by MOAA and Council Pesidents. It focuses on Virginia US Senators and Representatives and the top legislative priorities of MOAA's Virginia chapters, led by the Virginia Council of Chapters.
Over 135 chapter leaders dined with their congresspersons. Each Virginia legislator was invited to speak and was introduced by a Virginia MOAA chapter leader. There were more than 160 total attendees.
MOAA president, legislative leaders, and other key staff were invited. The VCOC Minuteman Award is presented to a member of MOAA staff who most helped Virginia chapters and VCOC in the previous year. This year's award was presented to COL Barry Wright, Deputy Director of Council & Chapter Affairs.
Vince Burgess received a stamp-plaque award for his service as Commissioner of Veterans Services (at state level).
ALL 18 chapters were represented at the luncheon. Chapters were asked to bring cameras to obtain photos of their own chapter leaders meeting with their congresspersons. VCOC PAO also took photos and national MOAA photographer took pictures as well.
Virginia leaders were asked to wear VCOC "Uniform" of red tie, white shirt, blue blazer and pants/skirt, MOAA badge, and name tag.
A template for local news release is provided on this webpage, for chapters to immediately send to their local civilian and military newspapers. (A draft template was provided before the event.)
REPORTERS - NEW VCOC LEADERSHIP OBJECTIVE THIS YEAR: At least one reporter attend the luncheon. Chapters, especially those near DC and those with 5 or more members attending, were encouraged to invite and work with a local reporter - and notify VCOC President and PAO of any reporter expected to attend (name and media affiliation). None attended, though two chapters and the VCOC did invite reporters.
FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE LUNCHEON or legislative issues, contact VCOC President, Vice President/Legislative Chair, Vice Chair for National Legislation. Or your local chapter equivalent. Click on Contact section of this website to obtain phone numbers or email addresses of VCOC contacts.
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SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
RUSSELL CAUCUS ROOM
SR325
Constitution & Delaware Ave
SENATOR WEBB
sponsored us
11:30 AM ARRIVE
DOORS TO ROOM OPEN AT NOON
12:30 LUNCH
CONGRESSIONAL MEMBER INTROS
AS THEY ARRIVE
2:00 PM ADJOURN
COST:
$35 FOR MEMBERS
OF VIRGINIA CHAPTERS
(and their spouses)
$45 FOR GUESTS
(who are not members of Virignia Chapters)
USE RESERVATION FORM,
SHOWING YOUR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
REGISTER/PAY VCOC
NOT LATER THAN
13 APRIL
CLOSEST METRO STOP & PARKING:
UNION STATION
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The photos below are posted as "thumbnails" - to see a larger image and caption, click on a photo.
All photos identify photographer. please credit the photographer if you use the photo. Photos with bright green background are by professional photographer contracted by MOAA, Steve Barrett. Photos by VCOC PAO are by Melva Mallison.
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Virginia's Portsmouth Area Chapter (PACMOAA), submitted a great news release and provided the photos at right. photos by Brenda Hostetler are posted as thumbnails. Click on an image to see a larger photo with caption.
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PACMOAA news release including some photos |
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