VIRGINIA COUNCIL OF CHAPTERS

Military Officers Association of America

Who We Are

The Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization, chartered to better the overall well being of its member chapters. VCOC supports and serves 16 member chapters, advocating legislative affairs pertaining to active duty, retired and former military members. VCOC enhances the image of America’s uniformed services in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. MOAA is the nation’s largest and most influential association of military officers.
Independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan, MOAA is one powerful voice speaking for a strong national defense, representing the interests of military officers at all stages of a military career.
Above: On behalf of MOAA Virginia Council of Chapters, VCOC President CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret) places a flower at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Second Annual Flowers of Remembrance Day, Arlington National Cemetery, 28 May 2023.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough Delivers Remarks on Veterans and the PACT Act, National Press Club

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough delivered remarks on the benefits and implementation of the 2022 PACT Act at the National Press Club, D.C. on 6 November 2023. Followed by his prepared remarks, Secretary McDonough answered written questions from the media. Topics covered by Secretary McDonough included building trust, workforce challenges, modernization efforts, and the impact of the PACT Act on eligible veterans and their families. Click on below picture to view Secretary McDonough's remarks, as posted on C-Span.
Pictured above: VCOC President CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret) with Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, National Press Club, DC 6 November 2023.

MOAA 2023 Annual Meeting of the Membership

The 2023 MOAA Annual Meeting of the Membership was held at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel, Arlington, VA 22204 Friday, November 3, 2023 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. The meeting included Association Reports and State of MOAA address by MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelley, USAF (Ret). With Reception to following, pictured below, left to right: VCOC President CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret), Former MOAA Vice President Of Government Relations Lt.Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF (Ret), COL Minti Zimmerman, USA (Ret), MOAA Chief Operating Officer Col. Jim O'Brien, USAF (Ret), MOAA Chairman of the Board Gen. Gary North, USAF (Ret).

VCOC Biennial Luncheon 2023

The Virginia Council of Chapters held the Council Biennial Luncheon on 25 October 2023. Hosted by the Falcons Landing Chapter in Sterling, Virginia, the Luncheon included a Remembrance Ceremony, presentation of Council and Chapter Levels of Excellence Awards, MOAA and VCOC Awards, Officer Installation (2024-2026 term) and Congressional Salutations. MOAA President and Chief Executive President Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret) was the honored guest and featured speaker. Pictured Below: MOAA President and Chief Executive Officer Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret) administers Oath of Office to the VCOC Officer Slate 2024-2026: President, Col Diana Kupchella, USAF (Ret), Second Vice President, CDR John Prevar, USN (Ret), Third Vice President, COL Monti Zimmerman, USA (Ret) and Treasurer (virtually), MAJ Sherry Ferki, USA (Ret).
During the luncheon, Lt. Gen. Kelly presented the following MOAA awards: Levels of Excellence 2022 Virginia Council of ChaptersCentral Virginia ChapterFalcons Landing ChapterGeorge C. Marshall ChapterHeritage ChapterMount Vernon ChapterNorthern Virginia ChapterPortsmouth Area ChapterRichmond Area ChapterSouthwest Virginia ChapterVirginia Peninsula Chapter Strobidge Legislative Award COL Monti Zimmerman, USA (Ret) President's Award VCOC President CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret) Portsmouth Chapter Member MAJ Sherry Ferki, USA (Ret) Leadership Award Portsmouth Chapter Newsletter Editor CDR Ken App, USN (Ret) Falcons Landing Chapter President Col Phil Walsh, USMC (Ret) VCOC Secretary LtCol John Down, USAF (Ret) VCOC Legal Council COL Vince Cammarata, USA (Ret) Outstanding Service VCOC Treasurer Capt Maria Kelly, USAF (Ret) (Former) VCOC Chaplain LTCOL Ken Ruppar, USA (Ret) VCOC President CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret) presented following VCOC awards: Impact Awards MOAA Vice President Council/Chapter and Member Support CAPT Jim Carman, USN (Ret) MOAA Program Director Council and Chapter Support CAPT Frank Michael, USN (Ret) MOAA Vice President Government Relations Col Dan Merry, USAF (Ret) MOAA Director Currently Serving and Retired Affairs LtCol Mark Belinsky, USA (Ret) George C. Marshall Foundation's Dodona Manor Honorary VCOC MembershipNorth Carolina Council of Chapters President CW4 Jay Garbus, USA (Ret) VCOC Third Vice President Col Monti Zimmerman, USA (Ret) presented following Legislative Affairs Awards: Legislator of the Year Senator Jeremy McPike (D 29th) Executive Branch Member of the Year Virginia Secretary of Defense and Veterans Affairs Jason Pak Virginia Assistant Secretary of Defense and Veterans Affairs Jordan Stewart
Congressional Salutations were heard from Representatives Don Beyer (VA 08) and Abigail Spanberger (VA 07), Senator Bryce Reeves (R 17th) and Virginia Governor Winsome Sears. Delegate Kathy Tran (VA 42nd) read a letter of Congratulations to VCOC from Senator Tim Kaine (D VA). Click on below icons to watch the Congressional Salutations.
Representative Don Beyer (VA 08)
representative Abigail Spanberger (VA 07)
SenatoR Bryce Reeves (R 17th) and virginia Lieutenant governor winsome sears
letter to virginia council of chapters from United states senator Tim kaine (D Va)

MOAA Council Presidents' Seminar 2023

From the MOAA Magazine July 2023, above: MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret) and MOAA Chairman of the Board of Directors Gen. Gary North, USAF (Ret) host the MOAA Council Presidents' Seminar 2023, Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport, Arlington, Virginia.

VCOC Presented Harris Communication Awards at Advocacy in Action 2023

During MOAA Advoccay In Action 2023, the Harris Communication Awards were formally presented to VCOC on 27 April 2023, Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel at Reagan National Airport, Arlington, Virginia. Above: VCOC President Linc Smith, USNR (Ret) accepts the Harris Communcation Awards 2022 for both VCOC and VCOC member Chapters from MOAA Chairman of the Board Gen. Gary North, USAF (Ret), and MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret).
Five Star
Virginia Council of Chapters (print newsletter and website)Central Virginia Chapter (print newsletter and website)Falcons Landing Chapter (print newsletter and website)Heritage Chapter (print newsletter) Heritage Hunt Chapter (print newsletter)Mount Vernon Chapter (print newsletter and website)Portsmouth Area Chapter (print newsletter and website)Richmond Area Chapter (print newsletter and website)Southwest Virginia Chapter (print newsletter and website)Virginia Peninsula Chapter (print newsletter and website) Four Star Heritage Chapter (website)
"MOAA is the nation's largest and most influential association of military officers. It is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization. With more than 350,000 members from every branch of service - including active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retired, former officers, and their families - we are a powerful force speaking for a strong national defense and representing the interests of military officers at every stage of their careers. MOAA's highest priority is providing first-class service to our members. We are the leading voice on compensation and benefit matters for all members of the military community. We provide expert advice and guidance to our members." View the MOAA homepage at: MOAA
Virginia Council of Chapters
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