| 15th Annual STORMING OF THE HILL |
|
VCOC MOAA DAY AT THE VIRGINIA ASSEMBLY
Monday, 23 January 2012
|
Check out the crew that were introduced in the House on the You Tube video at http://w ww.youtube.com/watch?v=3AaJl4BbOwY&feature=email . The vigorous applause is for all VCOC members throughout the state.
In keeping with the Governor’s goal to make Virginia the “Most Veteran Friendly State,” cabinet members and Virginia Assembly legislators welcomed 51 members of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) from throughout the state of Virginia on 23 January 2012 as they “stormed the hill” to present their legislative objectives that will benefit Virginia’s military, retirees, veterans and their family members. There are 18 chapters of MOAA throughout the state of Virginia who make up the Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC/MOAA). Lt Governor Bill Bolling and House Speaker William Howell welcomed the VCOC representatives in the senate and house galleries as the day’s session started, thanking them for their service to our country and for continuing to “serve others through their work and advancing the causes of veterans” to the attention of the governor and assembly members with their annual objectives and vigilant correspondence.
Colonel Don Kaiserman, US Army, retired, president of the Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC), of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), and Colonel Stu Williams, US Army, retired, Legislative Chairman, organized this 15th annual visit which was hosted with the assistance of Delegate Kirk Cox and his staff. The VCOC/MOAA group included representatives travelling from as far as Roanoke, Virginia Beach, Alexandria, Charlottesville and as close as Petersburg, Chester, Wakefield, Newport News and Richmond, as it spends the “storming day” listening to Assembly members and the Governor’s cabinet who take the time to come and address the group with their goals and initiatives in supporting legislation regarding veterans issues. The VCOC representatives also paid office visits to 24 senate and 51 house members to gain co-patron signatures for their objectives brought to the Assembly. Senator Walter Stosch’s office representative complemented the VCOC members as the most organized group that comes to the assembly and is “always working for someone else” as they present their issues. Senator John Edwards (21st District), a veteran marine, discussed how he has continued to support the need for veterans claim agents over the years and is happy to see the progress accomplished. House Speaker Howell and Delegate Kirk Cox teamed up to talk about how they worked with MOAA and the Joint Leadership Council to bring all the issues before the house. The Joint Leadership Council comprises the 23 veteran organizations in the state and is the group that provides advice to the Governor and the cabinet on veterans issues.
Delegate Richard Anderson (51st), the new co-chair of the Veterans Caucus and a 30-year Air Force career veteran, stated that there is a keen view of the needs of the 820,000 veterans and 240,000 active military in the state. A MOAA member himself, Delegate Anderson is the patron of several veterans’ issues to include development of improved voting process for the military stationed overseas. Senator Chris Stolle (83rd), a 24-year Navy veteran and doctor sits on the Board of Veteran Services and is very involved in the services offered to veterans regarding post traumatic stress. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s representative, Cindy Norwood, a military reserve JAG officer and life member of MOAA, spoke about the Veteran’s Employment Initiative Task Force and the Job Fair to be held on 21 Feb in the Richmond Raceway and also a Employment Workshop on 12 March. Major General Daniel Long, the Adjutant General of the Virginia National Guard praised the men and women of the Virginia Guard, their sacrifices over the last ten years of war and their high quality skills and standard of mission performance. The general also thanked VCOC/MOAA for what they have been able to accomplish in the state and the country as a whole on behalf of all service members. Although Governor Bob McDonnell, a MOAA member himself, was unable to speak to the group, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling praised the Virginia MOAA members for what they do every day “to bring the issues to the assembly.”
|
| VCOC Members In Action -- Advancing the Cause |
 |
| COL Don Kaiserman, VCOC President, opens the 2012 storming session, flanked by COL Victoria Revilla (1st VP) on left and COL Stu Williams (3rd VP) on the right. |
|
|
 |
| COL Stu Williams leads the representatives recognized in the House of Delegates. See the UTube link to witness the actual session introduction. |
|
|
 |
| Central Virgina Chapter legislative team take time to discuss issues with Commissioner Paul Galanti, Director of Veteran Services. (L-R) COL Bill Tunner, Commissioner Galanti, COL Hank Shelton, COL Ed Foote (legislative chair), COL Victor Pena |
|
|
 |
| Senator Edwards (D-21st) gets right into issue of claims agents after being introduced by Maj Dave Hubner of Southwest Virginia Chapter. COL Steve Turner (at right), VCOC Secretary takes notes on his new IPAD. |
|
|
 |
| The Lone Ranger from Heritage Hunt |
|
|
 |
| Col Diana Kupchella (President) and LTC Carroll Towney (Legislative Rep) from Northern Virgina Chapter take a brief break in the Senate Chamber after being introduced with the other VCOC members in the Senate Gallery. |
|
|
 |
| Portsmouth Chapter representative - LtCol Shirley Parker, Col Steve Turner, COL Hal Hosteler, Redskins Cheerleader, LTC Dolly Herrington |
|
|
 |
| LTC Bob Hopkins, George Marshall Chapter, cross-checks issues will Bill Tunner; as do other representatives in the background |
|
|
|
|
 |
| VIPMOAA Team comes with tremendous depth in getting things done. (L-R) Bill Coburn, first time storming the hill; Maj Melva Mallison, Legislative Chair (past VIP president and past VCOC 2nd VP); LTC Frank Duckett, President; COL Blair Smith (past VCOC President and VIP President); Col Jim Pauls, VCOC Rep (immediate past president) |
|
|
 |
| Neil Humphries represented Piedmont Chapter |
|
|
 |
| (L-R) COL David Wade (Army) and CAPT Jim Jones (Navy) of Hampton Roads Chapter team up to handle the co-patron visits. |
|
|
 |
| Heritage Chapter - Bob McManus, Mrs. June Brown, COL Jim Brown |
|
|
 |
| Richmond Chapter members gather after all the storming. Thanks for bringing in the donuts! |
|
|
 |
| Southside Virginia legislative team - Col Gary Metzinger (USAF), LCDR Alvin Peschke (USN), COL Victoria Revilla, President (USA), Col Al Pianalto (USAF) - thanks for setting up room and coffee! |
|
|
| Planning Documents -- 2012 |
|
