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Virginia Chapter Aids StudentsStudents at Salem Middle School in Virginia Beach, Va., are a little bit more familiar with the military and its veterans, thanks to members of the Hampton Roads (Va.) Chapter. Recently, chapter President Cmdr. John Vermillion, USN-Ret., and members Lt. Col. Jesse Sandlin, USAF-Ret., and Col. James Smith, USA-Ret., were interviewed by students there who are participating in the Veterans History Project. The goal of the Veterans History Project, which is being conducted by the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., is to record the histories of World War I, World War II, Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf War veterans. Vermillion, Sandlin, and Smith shared letters, diaries, photographs, and other documents, which now are part of our nation's archives. "I cannot begin to express my gratitude for all the help provided by local MOAA chapter members to get this project off the ground," says Catherine Meechan, coordinator of the project at the school. "My students keep talking about all the wonderful stories that have inspired them." The Hampton Roads Chapter has a long history of supporting area students. For the past 18 years, the chapter has supported the Cavalier Drill Meet, which sees area Junior ROTC students compete for top honors. Members contributed $500 to purchase trophies for this year's meet, which was held Feb. 15 at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base in Virginia Beach. The 900-plus-member chapter doesn't have a hard time finding volunteers for the many community projects it supports, thanks to its strong recruiting program. Last fall, members set up and distributed information about the chapter and national MOAA at the U.S. Naval Institute's 2002 Warfare Exposition and Symposium, which was held in Virginia Beach. More than 2,000 people attended the event. "Presenting so much information to active duty personnel attending the exposition can only be a plus," says Col. Jim Dellaripa, USAF-Ret. "Many didn't realize that as active duty officers, they could join now, and they took a membership brochure with them." Capt. Ray Hart, USN-Ret., who initiated the recruiting effort, says distributing information at these events will help the chapter recruit more active duty members. Chapter members already have committed to staffing an informational booth at the Naval Institute's 2003 Warfare Exposition and Symposium, which will be held Oct. 1–2. POWs Share ExperiencesThirty years ago, American POWs held captive in Vietnam finally came home. On Feb. 12, members of the Whidbey Island (Wash.) Chapter marked the anniversary of Operation Homecoming by teaming up with the Association of Naval Aviation to cosponsor a special luncheon at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island for the former POWs. Approximately 300 guests attended. Former POW Capt. Dick Stratton, USN-Ret., was surprised when his cell mate at the "Hanoi Hilton," Doug Hegdahl, a former Navy Seaman Apprentice, appeared and introduced Stratton as the guest speaker at the luncheon. Following an emotional reunion, the two shared stories about the years they spent in captivity. Although the POWs were deprived of writing materials and were isolated, they managed to communicate with each other using codes. They also held church services, made American flags, and engaged in dozens of other ingenious morale-building activities. Hegdahl told how he memorized the names, ranks, and service numbers of approximately 260 other POWs so he could let their families know they were alive, if and when he made it back to friendly soil. Stratton paid tribute to Vice Adm. James Stockdale, USN-Ret., who paid a high price as a POW by setting the example for other prisoners to follow when it came to resisting torture and thwarting North Vietnamese propaganda efforts. In the afternoon, Hegdahl and Stratton joined five other POWs for a panel discussion that was attended by hundreds of active duty men and women. "Through personal revelations from real heroes of an earlier time, warriors of today learned what incredible things must be endured by some in the service of their country," says Maj. James Bruner, USAF-Ret., editor of WICMOAA Times, published by the chapter. "Fortunately, relatively few are called upon to do so, but with this knowledge, the current generation will be better prepared to carry on the proud tradition that our POWs exemplify." Students from two area Navy Junior ROTC units that the chapter supports also attended the luncheon and met the former POWs. In addition to supporting local Junior ROTC units, chapter members award one $1,000 scholarship each year to a deserving high school student. Florida Members Contribute to Youth ShelterIt started out as a $400 donation but grew to $1,555. That's how much members of the Broward County (Fla.) Chapter donated to Fort Lauderdale's Covenant House, which helps runaway and homeless youths who are 21 and younger. Christine Cunningham, a staff member at Covenant House, accepted the check at a recent chapter meeting, along with more than 100 pounds of nonperishable food items that were donated by members. Originally, the chapter's Charitable Committee approved a $400 donation for Covenant House. Then Lt. Col. Nicolas Cassas, USAF-Ret., who sits on the committee and serves as the chapter's legal advisor, donated an additional $1,000. Chapter members added $155 to that amount on the night of the check presentation. Area youths receive help from the chapter in other ways. Currently, the 180-member chapter supports 19 Junior ROTC programs at area high schools. In recent months, the chapter has stepped up its efforts to recruit more National Guard members, reservists, former officers, and active duty members, says President Lt. Col. Donald O'Brien, USAF-Ret. In February 2003, the chapter hosted Rear Adm. Jay Carmichael, then-commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District and Maritime Defense Command Seven, which enticed several active duty officers into attending a chapter meeting. The chapter's recruiting tactics appear to be working. During the first two months of 2003, seven new names were added to the roster. Results from a recent member survey also led the chapter to launch its own Web site (www.bccmoaa.com) this year. O'Brien believes this will help the Broward County Chapter maintain better communication with its snowbird members, who spend the summer elsewhere. Yuma Members Recruit at Air ShowMore than 40,000 people attended the 2003 Air Show at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., in February, and members of the Yuma Chapter used the opportunity to do a little recruiting. Chapter members set up a table and distributed information and membership applications along with copies of Today's Officer, MOAA's new quarterly magazine aimed at active duty and recently retired servicemembers. "We're trying to target these younger guys, but it's been a little difficult because a lot of people are deployed right now because of what's going on in Iraq," says CWO3 Harland Robinson, USMC-Ret., first vice president. Despite the challenge, Robinson says the chapter is firmly focused on increasing membership and visibility within the community. Over the past several years, the chapter has initiated a number of community projects that have put it in the spotlight. In 1995, the chapter established a "Young American Program," which honors outstanding seventh-grade students. Finalists receive a $50 U.S. savings bond, and the winner receives a $100 savings bond. Also, the Yuma County sheriff presents the students with cards identifying them as an "Outstanding Yuma County Citizen." The politically active chapter also has close ties to the Arizona Veterans Service Commission, which helps state veterans and their families speak with one voice on important issues. Last year, the chapter paid homage to area veterans by sponsoring a plaque and a bench at Yuma's new Armed Forces Park, which opened in the fall of 2002. Robinson says the chapter plans to sponsor a local Junior ROTC unit. Members also are raising money to start a chapter-sponsored scholarship program. For the past two years, the Yuma Chapter and a local chapter of the Navy League have cohosted a "Nite at the Races," an evening of horse-racing entertainment in a Las Vegas-style atmosphere. Last year's event netted the chapter $550. A Team EffortIn late March, council and chapter presidents from every state in the union and Puerto Rico "stormed the Hill." While the legislative effort - a fight for equitable enhancements to the Survivor Benefit Plan - is vitally important to all MOAA members and their families, it is not the subject of this article. The team members are. Some are young, far more are older; some were in Washington for the first time, others were veterans of past efforts. They do, however, share one goal: getting MOAA's legislative message across to their elected officials. They return home to spread the word to their state chapter presidents and together continue the effort right where it counts: in their representatives' hometowns. For more than a decade, this joint MOAA-state presidents' effort has paid dividends in the halls of Congress, and it will again this year. But who will carry the effort in years to come? Are we doing enough to convince the younger retiree that while being an MOAA member is great, on its own it may not be enough? Are we delivering the message to younger non-chapter members, just embarking on a second career, that legislative activism is at its most effective at the local chapter level? Have we made the point that the individuals who have carried the battle for all of us - retiree, guardmember, reservist, or active duty member - are aging? That replacements are needed? Have we convinced younger members that if they expect to continue to enjoy the benefits and entitlements they have so richly earned, they are going to have to fight for them? These questions must be posed to younger retirees and those still on active duty. We have to convince them that joining a chapter means joining a team devoted to protecting that which we all have earned. Finally, we have to suggest that if their local chapter isn't meeting their legislative expectations, they shouldn't just walk away. Change things! We're counting on them to do just that. And then, maybe someday soon, they will be carrying our legislative message to the Hill. Col. Chris Giaimo, USAF-Ret.
A closer look at council and chapter achievements
2002 Newsletter AwardsEach year, we convene a panel of judges and review the many newsletters being published by councils and chapters across the country. Choosing "the best of the best" wasn't an easy task, and we thank the editors who took the time to submit their publications for consideration in the contest. Each and every one of you deserves our applause and praise. Your newsletters are what hold our council and chapter system together. We commend you for your dedication, and we congratulate the winners listed below for their publications.
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