| VCOC MOAA DAY AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
| 51 VIRGINIA MOAA CHAPTER LEADERS, LED BY VCOC:
Met with State Legislators,
Thanked them for support of Virginia Veterans & Military Families,
Advocated Priorities of JLC,
ENCOURAGED CO-PATRONS for bills
NUMBERS COUNT!
51 attended, representing
16 Virginia Chapters of MOAA.
TO SHOW-OFF OUR NUMBERS, ATTENDEES:
WORE "UNIFORM" OF THE DAY: RED tie or scarf, WHITE shirt or blouse, BLUE jacket or blazer. MOAA Badge & name tag.
GAVE GREEN SHEET "THANK YOU LETTERS" TO LEGISLATORS: Sheets were provided to Chapter Legislative Reps at the 9 Jan 2009 VCOC Meeting and all attendees on the 26th. There were lines at the bottom for constituent name and contact info before leaving the sheet(s) with each State Legislator (or Legislator's office). Scroll down for example of the wording. Green sheets were separate from the summary of JLC objectives and the Bill co-patron sheets, which were important papers as well.
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| Capitol Exterior, Stairs Beside New Entrance. Photo By J.V. SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE PHOTOS & NEWS RELEASE. |
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MONDAY,
26 JAN 2009
8 AM to 3 PM
(Formal meeting, with speakers, began 8:50)
on the Capitol Square
Corner of
N. 9th & E. Grace Streets
Richmond VA 23218
Before Noon in General Assembly Building, 5th Floor, East Conference Room
After Noon in Capitol Building, House Rm 3
Scroll Down For PHOTOS, News Release, Agenda, Op Order, Documents, Info ...
VIEW MOAA INTROS. Introductions of MOAA from House and Senate Floors could be viewed from computers by looking at the General Assembly Home page http://legis.virginia.gov/ center of page - click to watch House or Senate in Session. Intros are expected between noon and 12:30 - probably at 12:15 PM.
CHAPTER MEMBERS WERE ENCOURAGED TO:
SEND EMAILS to Legislators before & after event.
BRING A CAMERA. Obtain a photo and quote for local publicity and chapter communications to promote your chapter's support of state legislative objectives. A news-release template is provided at end of this webpage, so that chapters can fill-in-the-blanks (replacing the green bolded print), and submit to local newspapers (military and civilian).
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| Many of the Virginia MOAA Leaders who attended the 12th Annual MOAA Day at the General Assembly, Richmond Virginia, 26 Jan 2009. Photo By M.M. |
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PHOTOS are provided here for chapters to use in news releases and local websites and newsletters at 10:30 AM on 27 JAN 2009. More were (and will be) posted as received from other photographers, including good shots of each speaker from Public Affairs Committee member, CDR John Vermillion, USN, Ret, of Hampton Roads chapter. I hope to receive additional shots from chapters of their members meeting with their legislators. These photos are posted full size, not as thumbnails. Right click, then use "save as" commands to save to your computer.
/ Melva Mallison, VCOC PAO
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KEY to Photographer names:
F.D. = Frank Duckett, MAJ, USAF, Ret, VIPMOAA Legislative Chair (Virginia Peninsula Chapter)
J.V. = John Vermillion, CDR, USN, Ret, Hampton Roads Chapter (on VCOC Public Affairs Committee)
M.M. = Melva Mallison, Maj, USAF, Ret, VCOC PAO
M.W. = Michalele White, Governor's Photographer for Governor Timothy M. Kaine.
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| Ready for Morning Meeting. Photo by M.M. |
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| Speaker Howell, Introduced by Del Kirk Cox. Photo by J.V. |
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| COL Bill Flanagan Introduces Delegate Cox. LTC Pat Green seated at right. Photo by M.M. |
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| COL Sam Wilder, VCOC Legislative Chair. Photo by J.V. |
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| Senator Colgan addresses MOAA group. Photo by J.V. |
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| Senator Colgan Speaks to Virginia MOAA leaders 26 Jan 2009. Photo By M.M. |
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| Delegate Mark Cole speaks to Virginia MOAA officers. Photo By J.V. |
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| Senator Stosch speaking to Virginia MOAA leaders. Photo by J.V. |
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| LTG Bolling speaks to Virginia MOAA leaders. Photo by J.V. |
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| Combs addresses group. Photo by M.M. |
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| Vince Burgess of Veternas Services speaks to Virginia MOAA Officers 26 Jan 2009. Photo by J.V. |
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| Senator Stosch speaks with Virginia MOAA leaders 26 Jan 2009. Photo by M.M. |
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| Delegate Pogge - R 96th with Williamsburg retired officers and Virginia Peninsula chapter MOAA members COL Ernie Hinojosa, JR, USA and Maj Frank Duckett, USAF. Photo by F.D. |
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| Paul Galanti. Photo by J.V. |
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| Paul Galanti speaks to Virginia MOAA group. Photo by M.M. |
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| LTC J. Pat Green, USA, Ret, VCOC President. Photo by M.M. |
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| Virginia MOAA officers introducing themselves. Photo by M.M. |
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| Early Birds included Ryland Bailey. Photo by M.M. |
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| Virginia MOAA Officers at the morning session. Photo by M.M. |
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| Senator J. Miller meets with VIPMOAA President, COL Jim Pauls, USA, Ret and VIPMOAA Legislative Committee Member COL Don Klovstad, Ret. Photo by F.D. |
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| VCOC Chaplain & 3rd VP sign in to see their sate senator. Photo by F.D. |
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| VIPMOAA signing in to meet with Senator J. Miller. Photo by F.D. |
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| MOAA participants in morning at General Assembly Building |
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| Richmond Area Chapter (RACMOAA). Photo by M.M. |
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| Virginia Governor, addressed MOAA leadership 26 Jan 2009 |
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| Governor Tim Kaine speaks to Virginia MOAA leaders. VCOC President, LTC J. Pat Green, seated in background. Photo by M.W. |
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| Governor seated during his introduction. Photo by M.M. |
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| Governor Tim Kaine speaks to Virignia MOAA leaders 26 Jan 2009. Photo by M.W. |
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| Cong Wittman with 9 of the participating Virginia MOAA Leaders. Photo By J.V. |
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| US Congressman Rob Wittman Introducee by BG Wes Edwards, USMC, Ret at state capitol in Richmond Virginia 26 JAN 2009. Photo by M.M. |
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| VCOC Group - Left. Photo by M.M. |
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| VCOC Group - Right - Photo by M.M. |
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| Attentive MOAA Audience, Portsmouth Area Chapter front and center. Photo by M.M. |
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| Afternoon MOAA Audience Close Up. Photo by M.M. |
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| COL Don Kaiserman asks a question, afternoon. Photo by M.W. |
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| Hampton Roads Chapter officers, Vermillion and Jones. Photo by J.V. |
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| Afternoon Audience Includes COL Bill Flanagan, VCOC Immediate Past President on Left. Photo by M.M. |
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| Martin Kent from AG Office speaks in Afternoon. Photo by J.V. |
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| COL Metzinger of Southside Virginia Chapter poses question. Photo by M.W. |
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| Colonels Metzinger and Wilder of Chester Virginia, in Capitol Hallway. Photo by M.M. |
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| VIPMOAA - Virginia Peninsula Chapter, Mallison, Smith, Hinojosa, Pauls, Klovstad, Duckett. Photo by J.V. |
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AGENDA/PROGRAM
VCOC/MOAA Day at General Assembly
26 JAN 2009MORNING IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING, 5-EAST CONFERENCE ROOM:
0800 Admin Briefing with coffee, muffins, juice.
0815 - 0850 Visit General Assembly Members at their offices
0850 Open Legislative Meeting - LTC J. Pat Green
Welcome: Del. Kirk Cox - Intro by COL Flanagan
Remarks: Speaker Howell - Intro by Del. Cox
Remarks by Del. Kirk Cox
Remarks by Del Mark Cole - Intro by Lt Dave Hawtin
Remarks by Senator Stosch - Intro by COL Don Kaiserman
Remarks by Sen. Colgan - Intro by NOVA chapter member TBD
Remarks by LTG Bolling - Intro by COL Sam Wilder
10:45 - 11:15 Visit Legislators Offices - Sign up co-patrons!!! Also provide the green sheets.
1115 LUNCH - ON YOUR OWN
1200 NOON : VACATE 5 EAST CONFERENCE ROOM!
MOVE TO CAPITOL,
HOUSE ROOM 3 - ALL - Enter via same entrance as tour groups.
INTRO IN SENATE (By Senator Stosch) - VCOC President LTC Pat Green, 2nd VP LTC Paul Mehler & JLC Alternate Don Kaiserman *
INTRO IN HOUSE (By House Majority Whip, Cox) - VCOC 1ST VP COL Sam Wilder, 3rd VP MAJ Melva Mallison, JLC Primary BG Wes Edwards*
* The JLC reps switched places from original schedule.
| LATEST AGENDA - AS WORD DOCUMENT - CLICK HERE |
NOON & AFTER IN
CAPITOL BUILDING, HOUSE ROOM 3: NOON Watch MOAA Intros in House and Senate on Monitors (or in person in House or Senate Viewing Areas if space-available).
1230 Discussion of Upcoming Congressional Luncheon - Led by LTC J. Pat Green. DATE SET FOR TUESDAY, 28 APRIL 2009.
1330 Remarks by Cong Wittman - Intro by BG Wes Edwards
1400 Remarks by Martin Kent, AG Office - Intro by LTC J. Pat Green
1430 Remarks by Gov. Kaine - Intro by LTC J. Pat Green
1455 - 1500 Closing of MOAA Day at General Assembly - LTC J. Pat Green
DID YOU GET A GROUP PHOTO OF YOUR CHAPTER PARTICIPANTS
(a photo with capitol backdrop is ideal)
AND PHOTO(s) WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS
FOR A TIMELY NEWS RELEASE BACK HOME
??????
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Op Order
Excerpt from Email of 21 Jan 2009, from VCOC Legislative Chair, COL Sam Wilder
To make our Storming of the Hill on Monday, 26 Jan, the most effective possible in the short time that we have, I am proposing that we narrow our focus to the most important issues and our advocacy to the most important legislators. At right is a list of senators assigned to chapters. I did this after a map study of the senatorial districts and probable location of chapter members. Some senate district boundaries intersect different chapter areas. I have elaborated the rationale and details in a traditional military “Op Order” format below.
I. SITUATION
A.) Enemy – Budget is $3+billion short in revenues. All legislators are most concerned about money issues. The attitude in the Senate is believed to be more hostile to our legislative objectives than in the House. The key “enemy pocket of resistance” is most likely the Senate Finance Committee. Some Senators have voiced some reluctance about the Interstate Compact. It is not well understood. Fortunately, JLC objectives 1, 5, and 6 do not require appropriation of state general funds. Objective 4 may not require legislative action. (In any event, the fiscal impact of this objective is very small.) Objectives 2 and 3 do require state funds. The cost of the Interstate Compact is estimated to be $80,000/year.
B) Friendly – The top two priority objectives have excellent patrons – Delegates Cox and Cole. However, the number of co-patrons currently reported is very small! “Stormings of the Hill” have been done by VFW, JLC, and American Legion, However, the number of co-patrons secured, while not yet fully recorded, appears to have been small. VCOC storms hill on Monday and hopefully we will have a large turnout. MOAA is the JLC sponsor for the Interstate Compact.
II MISSION To obtain the signature of all 40 senators as co patrons for our top two priority objectives: 1) The automated system for Veterans Disability Claims , HB 1732 and b) Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children, HB1727.
III. EXECUTION
A) Concept of the Operation – Each Chapter delegation come prepared to go to the senate offices of those senators assigned to their chapter (See the attached list.) with the appropriate co-patron forms. If unable to meet with the senator sometime on Monday, then talk with the legislative aide, advocate, and ask the aide to secure the senator’s signature on the co-patron forms for both priority objectives. Return later and retrieve the signed co-patron form. Give priority of effort to those senators with an asterisk ! Advocate for our top two priorities primarily! Only discuss other objectives if time permits. Visit delegates if time permits or a “target of opportunity” arises. Visiting senators to get co-patrons takes precedence over being in the conference room to listen to speakers.
B) Secondary Objective – Given that we have limited time, visiting delegates will be our “economy of force/secondary objective”. Starting immediately, all chapters should send as many e-mails to delegates in their area as possible urging their support and sign on as co-patrons to our top two legislative objectives. Send e-mails this week and next - the more the better. Numbers count!
C) Number 1 Objective (Automated veterans disability claims system, HB1732) – When we advocate for this, make sure the senator knows that we are not asking for money!! Also emphasize that this is our top priority and that you don’t just represent your MOAA chapter, you are representing over 250,000 veterans in the Commonwealth! This is their top priority. Every senator has veterans in his district, so he/she should be interested.
D) Number 2 Objective (Interstate Compact, HB1727) – This is the top priority for which we are asking for money and it is only $80,000. As we discussed at the last VCOC meeting, this is of enormous importance to military families. It’s a major objective of the DOD and is, in fact, even a readiness issue. State “sovereignty” is not at risk and should not be a concern. Since this objective is the responsibility of MOAA, we need to make an extra effort to push for this one. Even though we are asking for some money, I think this objective is achievable if we work it hard enough.
IV. LOGISTICS
A) Co-patron forms and the green sheets will be available in the conference room. Bring your copies of the legislative objectives and position papers to assist you as you advocate.
B) Pick up free copies of General Assembly guides, office numbers, etc as you enter the building. A limited supply of these will be available as handouts in the conference room.
C) For parking space, the earlier you arrive the more likely your preferred lot will not be full.
D) Pastries and coffee will be available. For lunch the coffee shop in the Capitol will be most convenient, but will likely be crowded.
V. COMMAND AND SIGNAL
A) The “command post” will be in Conference room 5East in the morning and moves to the Capitol starting at noon.
B) Return signed co-patron forms to either: Bill Flanagan, Jack Hilgers, or myself (Sam Wilder).
C) Time permitting in the afternoon, give brief report of any senatorial opposition to either legislative objective so we will know what further action to take.
Thanks for all your efforts to make this our most productive Storming of the Hill ever. Good luck.
Sam Wilder, VCOC Vice President & Legislative Chair
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SENATORS & CHAPTERS - WORD DOCUMENT - CLICK HERE |
LEGISLATIVE
OBJECTIVES
are on this website, point curser to STATE Legislative Section, then click on Subsection "Priorities State Legis"
Titles of these priority objectives are listed below.
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1. Automated System for Electronic Prep Veteran Disability Claims HB1732 (Cox)
2. Interstate Compact Educational Opportunities for Military Children HB1727 (Cole). VCOC MOAA has the lead, within the JLC, on this one.
3. Burial Vaults for Virginia State Veterans Cemeteries
4. Military Family Relief Fund HB2414 (Bouchard) HB2512 (Marsden)
5. Real Estate Tax Relief for 100% Disabled Veterans HJ648 (O'Bannon), HJ304 (Stuart)
6. Homeless Veterans Study HJ 727 (Bouchard)
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GREEN SHEET / THANK YOU LETTER VERBIAGE
VCOC map logo and Masthead at top
January 26, 2009
Dear: ___________________________________
I am visiting your office today, along with other leaders of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), during our 12th annual MOAA Day at the General Assembly. MOAA is a nonprofit, politically nonpartisan group of active duty, retired and veteran officers and widows/widowers of officers of all branches of service, with approximately 49,000 members in Virginia. I am a member of one of 16 chapters of MOAA located throughout the Commonwealth. The Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) MOAA coordinates the efforts of MOAA chapters and acts as the capstone organization for Virginia MOAA members.
As a key participant on the Joint Leadership Council of Veteran Services Organizations, the VCOC fully supports the goals and priorities of the JLC and we ask that you support and co-patron key legislation to benefit our active duty military and reserves, Virginia National Guard, veterans and their families in Virginia.
The website http://www.VirginiaMOAA.com contains information about the Virginia Council of Chapters of MOAA, affiliated chapters, and our state and national legislative agenda/activities.
Thank you for your support of Virginia's military, veterans and their families.
Sincerely:
80th Anniversary
MOAA LOGO
Lines for Name, Address, Email, Phone and MOAA Chapter
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DO NOT PRINT FROM HERE. Do not print the example at left. MOAA stormers should each use the same format, with same logos, printed on the same light green paper for consistency - To help the number of MOAA attendees stand out.
Use the pages passed out at the 9 Jan VCOC Meeting, legislative break-out session.
Additional sheets will be provided on 26 January, by Bill Flanagan.
Try to get at least one chapter constituent on a sheet for each legislator in your chapter's area.
The document, unchangeable, in PDF format, is posted below.
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TEXT OF CHAPTER NEWS RELEASE TEMPLATE (this is the after storming version, posted 27 Jan 2009 with the number of people attending changed and deleting speakers who did not attend).
REPLACE THE GREEN PORTION WITH CHAPTER VERBIAGE
NEWS RELEASE - For Local Release
For Immediate Release
Date Contact Name Rank,
Title relative to chapter (such as President or PAO),
and Contact Phone Numbers and email.
MILITARY OFFICERS STORM STATE CAPITOL – TO CAPTURE SUPPORT
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) leaders from Virginia stormed Richmond Monday, January 26, to capture support for veterans disability claims, education of military children, burial vaults at state veterans cemeteries, family relief funds, 100% disabled vets property tax, and homeless veteran services. This was the 12th annual Virginia MOAA Day at the General Assembly.
Officers from insert name of Chapter, one of 16 MOAA chapters throughout the Commonwealth, called upon their delegates and senators to thank them for past support and ask them to co-patron bills in support of the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Services Organizations (JLC) 2009 Legislative Priorities. MOAA with 49,000 Virginia members is one of 23 veterans organizations represented by the JLC, with a combined JLC membership exceeding 250,000.
General Assembly leaders addressing the 51 visiting officers were Speaker Howell, Senators Colgan, Edwards, Stosch, Delegates Cole and Cox. Lt Gov. Bill Bolling spoke to the MOAA group. Attorney General Bob McDonnell, who was out of the area, sent a senior staff member. Governor Kaine also met with the MOAA leaders. VCOC officers were officially recognized from the floor of the Senate by Senator Stosch and House of Delegates by House Majority Whip, Cox.
MOAA’s role in advocating for veterans issues at national as well as state level was evidenced by the presence of 1st District Congressman Rob Wittman, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. Congressman Wittman updated MOAA leaders on several issues and shared his views from recent visits to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Insert a quote from chapter officer or legislator from chapter district here.
Leading MOAA’s Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) is President LTC J. Pat Green, USA Retired, Roanoke. He and VCOC Legislative Chair COL Sam Wilder, USA Retired, Chester, will also lead an upcoming Virginia MOAA congressional luncheon in Washington. The VCOC encourages officers of all branches of service, whether active duty, Reserves, National Guard, retired, or former officers to get involved with legislative issues at the Commonwealth and national levels by joining one of Virginia's MOAA chapters. Widows and widowers of officers may join as auxiliary members. See the VCOC website for information about Virginia MOAA and chapters http://www.virginiamoaa.com/. Optional: Add chapter contact info and/or replace the last sentence/reference to VCOC website with chapter website.
ATTACH PHOTO(s) OF CHAPTER PARTICIPANTS (preferably with a local legislator or capitol backdrop) AND INSERT CAPTION FOR PHOTO HERE.
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| NEWS RELEASE TEMPLATE - 51 ATTENDEES - CLICK HERE FOR WORD DOCUMENT, OR EMAIL MELVA FOR AN EMAILED VERSION |
VCOC PHOTOS ADDED HERE BEGINNING THE EVENING OF 26 JAN 2009
Chapters may use any of the photos on this webpage
(please credit the photographer).
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Virginia Peninsula chapter - VIPMOAA was pleased to have photos and articles published in Hampton and WIlliamsburg newspapers 6 Feb 2009. How about your chapter?
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