News and Events

The general membership voted on 16 November 2019 to maintain the dues structure at $20 for regular members/$10 for surviving spouses for the coming year. Accordingly, the Membership Renewal Campaign for 2020 is underway with the goal of achieving 100% retention.

We are asking our members to submit their renewals NLT 31 December 2019 if possible. Remit by USPS mail using renewal form at download below together with check payable to “CFC MOAA” and mail to “CFC MOAA, P.O. Box 53621, Fayetteville, NC 28305”; or, online using a charge card by going to https://chapterdues.moaa.org/Membership.aspx and following the prompts.

There are still several chapter members who have not renewed for 2019. If you fall in this category, please bring your account up to date by remitting for both 2019/2020; call Secretary Sara Ballard at (256) 426-7487 if not certain.

One of the criteria for earning a 5-Star Chapter award is to achieve 95% or better retention, you can contribute to clearing that hurdle by renewing your membership now.

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 12/01/19

by Marty Williams

This is to serve notice that the Cape Fear Chapter, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is now accepting applications for ROTC scholarships effective immediately and through March 1, 2020.

Applicants must be in good academic standing. Applications need be submitted in accordance with CFC Policy Memorandum 15-1 using the application form prescribed therein. Application forms may be accessed by clicking on the “Documents” link on the left side panel.

It is preferred that all applications be submitted via email accompanied by all pertinent documentation (scanned) to 3vp@cfmoaa.org NLT March 1, 2020. Applications or documents received after the deadline will not be considered.

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 12/01/19

by Tammy Beshlin

This year’s golf tournament played at Baywood Golf Club on 14 September was a big success. Our heartfelt thanks to all our commercial sponsors for their continued loyalty and support, to the players who made the day special, and to our chapter members for a commendable outpouring of support.

The following is a list of all sponsors and donors; those indicated by an asterisk (*) contributed in multiple ways.

Prime Sponsor

Mr. Steve LaHam, President & CEO*

Anfinsen Plastic Molding & Assembly

Major Material Sponsors

AAFMAA*

Healy Wholesale*

Rogers & Breece, Inc.

USAA*

Hole Sponsors

A+ Home Health Care Services*

Anstead’s Tobacco Company

CW2 (Ret) & Mrs. Fleming L. Asbury, Jr.

Chap (LTC)(Ret) & Mrs.Timothy Atkinson*

COL (Ret) & Mrs. David L. Baggett*

COL (Ret) & Mrs. Eli Ballard*

Baywood Golf & Community Association

LTC (Ret) & Mrs. David Beshlin*

COL (Ret) & Mrs. George Blanc*

Bob Maier’s Automotive Services*

MAJ (Ret) George Bond*

Brown & Associates Investment Services*

Bryant’s Restaurants, Inc./Wendy’s

Buie, Norman & Company, P.A.

Cape Fear Eye Associates, P.A.*

Cape Fear Cardiology*

Cape Fear HS Navy JROTC

Mrs. Zobeida Carrion

Caviness & Cates Building Development*

COL (Ret) & Mrs. Juan I. Chavez*

Mrs. Maria Corey

COL (Ret) & Mrs. Tad D. Davis*

LTC (Ret) & Mrs. Thomas Donnelly

COL & Mrs. John P. Dunigan*

Edward Jones Financial*

LTC (Ret) & Mrs. Clark Ecklund*

COL (Ret) & Mrs. Ronald Elrod

First Command Financial

Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union

COL (Ret) & Mrs. Ronnie Foxx

LTC (Ret) Dennis Franken*

LTC (Ret) & Mrs. Robert T. Garman*

LTC (Ret) & Mrs. George W. Glann*

Lisa Gushion, D.D.S.*

LTC (Ret) & Mrs. John W. Hazlett*

Hinkamp Jeweler’s*

LTC (Ret) & Mrs. Ralph Hinrichs*

Horne Brothers Construction, Inc.*

David & Sandi Hubbard

Hubbard Kitchen & Bath Showroom*

LTC (Ret) George Hutnan*

Mrs. Lois Ives

Jimmy John’s Sandwiches

Ladies of MOAA*

LaFayette Ford-Lincoln

COL (Ret) & Mrs. Hank Larsen*

Mash House Brew Company*

Mr. & Mrs. Arthur W. Maxwell, Jr.*

John & Mary Beth Parker/McDonald’s*

GEN (Ret) & Mrs. Dan K. McNeill*

Carl Meinhardt*

Erika Meinhardt*

LTC (Ret) & Mrs. Hans Meinhardt*

Lise Meinhardt*

Military Order of the Purple Heart

COL (Ret) & Mrs. David L. Miller

Morty Pride Meats

BG (Ret) Joseph L. Nagel*

MAJ (Ret) Warren R. O’Brien*

Col (Ret) & Mrs. Chester G. Oehme, Jr.*

Paper, Pens, Etc. Inc.

LTC (Ret) Charles Pimble*

Powers-Swain Chevrolet, Inc.

Public Storage of Fayetteville, Inc.

COL (Ret) & Mrs. Deogracia Quinones*

QwikMed Pharmacy & Clinic*

Mrs. Barbara Raizen

Rhudy’s, Inc.

COL (Ret) & Mrs. Arturo Rodriguez*

SANCO Construction Company, Inc.*

Sandhills Oral & Implant Surgery

Savvy Cleaning Company

Dr. & Mrs. Richard H. Shereff*

MAJ (Ret) Henry L. Simpson

Superior Bakery

Terry Sanford HS AFJROTC

LTC (Ret) & Mrs. Edward R. Thomas, II*

TLC Express Carwash*

COL (Ret) & Mrs. Richard A. Underwood*

COL (Ret) & Mrs. James A. Volkmann*

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph J. Vonnegut*

CPT (Ret) & Mrs. David S. Vroom*

Tom & Claudie Wallen*

Watson Family Dentistry

Mrs. Sara White*

LTC (Ret) & Mrs. Jim Wilde*

LTC (Ret) & Mrs. Martin C. Williams*

MAJ (Ret) & Mrs. Ira M. Watkins*

Soldier Sponsors

Mrs. Helen Beshlin

LTC (Ret) Kenneth W. Chelf

MAJ (Ret) Gerald Croll*

Mrs. Mary Eidman*

CW3 (Ret) & Mrs. James Fleming

Foust Heating and Air Conditioning

MAJ (Ret) & Mrs. Hubert L. Gibson

COL (Ret) & Mrs. John R. Hermann

Hutchen’s Law Firm

CW4 (Ret) & Mrs. Joseph A. Jasienowski

Lt Col (Ret) Geraldine B. McGowan

Erika Meinhardt & John Parks Families*

CW2 (Ret) & Mrs. Carl Mitchell

Evelyn & Steve Petker

Mr. Mark Rohrig*

Simon Funeral Home

Chris Spring

LTC (Ret) & Mrs. Walter M. Swing

MAJ (Ret) & Mrs. Robert Tiffany

Mr. Pete Tilton*

LTC (Ret) John R. (Bob) White

COL (Ret) & Mrs. Willie Wright

Cash Donors

Carolina Specialties International

COL (Ret) & Mrs. Stanley D. Dodson

LTC (Ret) & Mrs. Doneal Gersh

Prize & Giveaways Donors

Anderson Creek Golf & Country Club

ASOM Gift Shop

Baywood Golf Club

Bayonet Golf Club

Black’s Tire and Auto Service

Carolina Lakes Golf Club

Cypress Lakes Golf Club

Defy Fay & Bone Fish Grill Left

Edward Jones Investments

Firestone Fort Bragg

Fresh Market

Gates Four Golf & Country Club

Kings Grant Golf Course

Legacy Golf Links

Logan’s Roadhouse

Luigi’s Italian Restaurant

Mash House Brew Company*

Lise Meinhardt*

Ryder Golf Course

Stryker Golf Course

316 Oyster Bar

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 10/01/19

2018 MOAA Levels of Excellence Awards

For the fifth consecutive year, the Cape Fear Chapter was awarded a MOAA 5-Star Levels of Excellence Award. This is an extraordinary streak of achievement for the chapter.

Chapter President Ira Watkins will pin the 5-Star medallion on the Chapter colors awards streamer during the annual general membership meeting on 15 November 2019.

Congratulations to all!

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 09/15/19

If you are a Korean War Veteran or ever served in Korea and would like to revisit Korea on a vacation compliments of the Korean Government you need to read this and take advantage of this amazing opportunity. Dependents of Korea vets are also eligible.

The Korea Veterans Association (Seoul), started the program in 1975 which is now hosted

by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, by providing Korean War Veterans and

their families free hotel accommodations, bus tours of Seoul, Inchon and the DMZ, and all

meals in Korea. The Land of Morning Calm remembers and sincerely appreciates all veterans

who fought, protected and sacrificed in securing freedom and democracy for the Republic of Korea.

The Korean government is continuing to subsidize the veterans & family members/companion airfare for the 65th Anniversaries, in addition to already paying for hotel, meals and touring in Korea and will end the program in 2020 so don’t delay.

Please download information brochure and application form below.

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 07/03/19

We recently lost some of our long-serving USO volunteers due to age and/or medical limitations and we need young and enthusiastic folks to replace them. If you are tired of your sedentary life style, and wish to get out of the house and do something physical, worthwhile, self-fulfilling and fun please consider signing up as a USO volunteer – WE NEED YOU!

Getting more of our chapter members actively involved in service projects in support of our military and their families here at Fort Bragg helps promote chapter cohesion, esprit de corps, and a sense of purpose.

USO volunteerism is by no means new to our chapter, since the USO center at the Fayetteville Regional Airport opened in November 2011 a small number of our chapter members (11 to 14) have volunteered their services as USO stewards at the airport lounge. The number has remained relatively constant, with only 12 currently serving. Our goal is to get that number up to around 20 or 24 to embellish this chapter-sponsored endeavor.

The Fayetteville Airport USO Center is behind security on the second floor of the airport. The center is 100% operated by volunteers who have gone through the badging process and are dedicated to keeping the center open, available and a comfortable center for our traveling military and their families. At this time, the USO needs dependable volunteers who are willing to commit to at least two 4-hour periods per month serving in the center; you make your own schedule. There is also a dire need for volunteers to work at the Fort Bragg USO Center located in the Soldier Support Center at Fort Bragg.

If you are interested, please complete the initial steps at "http://www.volunteers.uso.org/ and then, email Brian Knight at Send e-mail to get your application process moving forward. Please let Brian know that you are a member of the Cape Fear Chapter, MOAA.

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 05/07/19

by Ira Watkins

Congratulations to us for repeating as MOAA communication awards winners in 2018. Our chapter was awarded a 5-Star COL Marvin Harris Communication Award for its website “www.cfmoaa.org”, and a 5-Star Award for its eNewsletter “Gram of Info” for 2018. This is the sixth consecutive year we have received this distinction for our communications platforms. All of us may be justifiably proud.

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 05/03/19

by Ira Watkins

It was my pleasure to present the Robert F. DeMeter Chapter Service Award for 2018 to Carol Ivey at our Awards and Recognition Luncheon held at McKellar’s Lodge on the 16th of March 2019. The DeMeter award is the most prestigious award the Chapter can bestow upon one of its members. This is the first time in the history of the chapter that this award was conferred to a surviving spouse.

The certificate reads as follows: “For sustained outstanding service to the Cape Fear Chapter, Military Officers Association of America from January 2013 to December 2018. Her faithful and selfless service on the Chapter’s Executive Board as the Surviving Spouse Liaison Officer for six years is without precedent. In discharging her duties, she never lost sight of her responsibilities to look after the interests and concerns of our surviving spouses. She not only served as an exemplary role model for the ladies, but for the entire Chapter, always carrying herself with dignity and poise. Her long-lasting contributions to the Cape Fear Chapter are worthy of the highest esteem and clearly warrant her selection as the 2018 recipient of this coveted service award.”

Congratulations Carol, you have earned our eternal gratitude for your dedicated service and unselfish contributions to the chapter.

See list of all previous DeMeter award recipients at download below.

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 03/18/19

January 25, 2019

The newly elected Cape Fear Chapter officers for the 2-year term beginning January 2019 were officially installed in a ceremony during the traditional biennial Installation Dinner held at the Fort Bragg Iron Mike Conference Center on 25 January 2019.

Retired Air Force Lt. Gen Dana Atkins, President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America administered the oath of office to: MAJ (Ret) Ira M. Watkins, President; MAJ (Ret) George Bond, 1st Vice President; COL (Ret) Richard Underwood, 2nd Vice President; LTC (Ret) Marty Williams, 3rd Vice President; LTC (Ret) Ralph W. Hinrichs, Jr., Treasurer; and, Mrs. Sara Ballard, Secretary.

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 02/26/19

by Juan Chavez

It was my pleasure to present the Robert F. DeMeter Chapter Service Award for 2017 to COL (Ret) George Blanc at our Awards and Recognition Brunch held in the Hodge Room of the Iron Mike Conference Center on Saint Patrick’s Day the 17th of March 2018. The DeMeter award is the most prestigious award the Chapter can bestow upon one of its members.

The citation reads as follows: “For sustained outstanding service as 2nd Vice President, Cape Fear Chapter from August 2013 to December 2017. Besides his faithful and unselfish service on the Chapter’s Executive Board, his work as Programs Chairman is without equal. His enthusiasm and quest for excellence in making every chapter meeting and special event an enjoyable and memorable experience, has contributed immeasurably to the unprecedented success of the chapter during the past five years. His incalculable contributions are worthy of the highest esteem and clearly justify his selection as the 2017 recipient of this coveted award.”

Congratulations George, you have earned our eternal gratitude for your dedicated service and unselfish contributions to the chapter.

See list of all previous DeMeter award recipients at download below.

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 03/19/18

May 26, 2017

The Cape Fear Chapter conferred Honorary Membership upon the Honorable Nat Robertson, Mayor of Fayetteville at the general membership meeting on May 26, 2017.

In the history of the chapter, honorary membership is a courtesy that has been extended to every Mayor of Fayetteville.

President Chavez presented Mayor Robertson with a framed Honorary Membership Certificate, an engraved chapter coin mounted on a coin lock, and a chapter hat as tokens of our appreciation and respect.

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 06/02/17

20 January 2017

The newly elected Cape Fear Chapter officers for the 2-year term beginning January 2017 were officially installed in a ceremony during the traditional biennial Installation Dinner held at the Fort Bragg Iron Mike Conference Center on 20 January 2017.

COL (Ret) Jeri Graham member of the MOAA Board of Directors administered the oath of office to: COL (Ret) Juan Chavez, President; COL (Ret) Stan Dodson, 1st Vice President; COL (Ret) George Blanc, 2nd Vice President; LTC (Ret) Marty Williams, 3rd Vice President; LTC (Ret) Dennis Franken, Treasurer; and, LTC (Ret) Don Gersh, Secretary.

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 01/22/17

by Juan Chavez

As our nation observes the USO’s 75th anniversary of service to our nation’s military this year, it presents an opportunity for our Chapter to rededicate our efforts in support of USO activities here in Fayetteville and Fort Bragg.

The CFC Board of Directors has been exploring ways of getting more of our chapter members actively involved in service projects in support of our military and their families here at Fort Bragg with the goal of promoting chapter cohesion, esprit de corps, and a sense of purpose and self-fulfillment.

The only chapter members who are actively engaged in chapter activities on a regular basis are a small number who serve on the board of directors and special staff, plus a dozen or so USO volunteers. We have not had much success in encouraging the other 95% of our members to get involved other than attending an occasional meeting now and then. Other MOAA chapters have undertaken projects such as adopting a VA health facility or nursing home, a military museum, and the like, to get their members actively engaged in a chapter-sponsored endeavor.

USO volunteerism is by no means new to our chapter, since the USO center at the Fayetteville Regional Airport opened in November 2011 a small number of our chapter members (11 to 14) have volunteered their services as USO stewards at the airport lounge. The number has remained relatively constant, with only 12 currently serving. We would like to inject new energy into this program by perhaps increasing that number to 50 or more; not unrealistic when one considers that we have close to 300 members, plus approximately 250 spouses. (Approximately 50% of our current volunteers are husband-wife teams.)

The Fayetteville Airport USO Center is behind security on the second floor of the airport. The center is 100% operated by volunteers who have gone through the badging process and are dedicated to keeping the center open, available and a comfortable center for our traveling military and their families. At this time, the USO needs dependable volunteers who are willing to commit to at least 8 hours per month serving in the center. There is also a dire need for volunteers to work at the Fort Bragg USO Center located in the Soldier Support Center at Fort Bragg.

If you are interested, please complete the initial steps at http://www.volunteers.uso.org/ and then, email Beverly Jackson at Send email to get your application process moving forward. Please let Beverly know that you are a member of the Cape Fear Chapter, MOAA.

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 08/03/16

2016 Levels of Excellence Awards

For the third successive year, the Cape Fear Chapter was awarded a MOAA 5-Star Levels of Excellence Award. This is an extraordinary achievement of which all chapter members can be justifiably proud.

Chapter President Chavez will be attending the MOAA Annual Meeting in Arlington, Virginia in October 2016 to accept the 5-Star Streamer on behalf of the chapter. Congratulations to all!

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 08/10/16

July 29, 2016

The Cape Fear Chapter conferred Honorary Membership upon Drew Brooks, Military Editor of the Fayetteville Observer at the general membership meeting on July 29, 2016.

Mr. Brooks was honored for his sustained outstanding support of the Cape Fear Chapter for the past three years.

President Chavez presented Drew with a Honorary Membership Certificate, plus an engraved chapter coin mounted on a coin lock as a token of appreciation.

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 08/03/16

by Juan Chavez

Our heartfelt thanks are extended to the following chapter members who so generously contributed to the Global War on Terrorism Memorial fund drive. The chapter was successful in raising $25,000 in 6 months from personal donations, thus fulfilling its pledge to help fund a long-overdue and much deserved memorial to our military men and women who have sacrificed so much in the war against global terrorism since 9/11.

Contributors: Al Alvarez, Tim Atkinson, Rudy Baker, Eli Ballard, Matt Barker, Larry Bass, Ron Bean, Bill Bell, Dave & Tammy Beshlin, George Blanc, George Bond, Mark Boyatt, Bobby Breece, Charlie Brindel, Bruce Brown, Bob & Elizabeth Bunce, Steve Byrnes, Juan Chavez, Ken Chavis, Dave Cheney, Dan Connelly, Maria Cory, Jerry Croll, Tad Davis, Tom Delahunty, Stan Dodson, Tom Donnelly, George Dudley, Clark Ecklund, Ron Elrod, Carl Flanagan, Dennis Franken, Bill Freccia, Bob Garman, Don Gersh, George Glann, Tom Glockzin, Jeri Graham, Chris Grates, Mark Hayden, John Hazlett, Mac Healy, Sam Higdon, Ralph Hinrichs, Alex Hodges, Al Howe, Ike & Pat Isaacson, Carol Ivey, Frank Jaks, Tom King, Earl Klinck, Hank Larsen, Art Macaltao, Steve Mannell, Steve McDavid, Dan McNeill, Dot Miller, Joe Nagel, Tim Newton, Ron O'Brien, Chester Oehme, Charles Pimble, Rick Porter, George Quigley, Deogracia Quinones, Art Rodriguez, Al Rose, Dean Russell, Brian Scott, Ed Seemer, Jon & Casey Sheets, Tom Shipp, Henry Simpson, Arlie & Ingrid Smith, Bob Smoot, Phyllis Streit, Barry Swift, John Szoka, Harold Thacker, Earl Thieme, Ed Thomas, Robert Tiffany, James Volkmann, Dave Vroom, Bob White, Jim Wilde, Marty Williams, Emilie Williams, and Drew Ziegler.

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 07/05/16

November 21, 2015

The Cape Fear Chapter conferred Honorary Membership upon two long standing supporters at the annual general membership meeting on November 21, 2015.

Mr. Stephen R. LaHam (top photo), President and CEO of Anfinsen Plastic Molding and Assembly, Inc. of Oswego, Illinois was honored for his substantial monetary support of our annual fundraising golf tournament. Mr. LaHam, a staunch patriot and keen supporter of our military, has been the top monetary donor year after year for several years standing.

Mr. John "Mac" Healy, President and CEO of Healy Wholesale, Inc. of Fayetteville was recognized for his generous material support of our annual golf tournament for several years. Mac followed in the footsteps of his late father, Fritz Healy, also a Honorary Member of our Chapter for many years.

Both gentlemen were presented with Honorary Membership Certificates, engraved chapter coins mounted on coin locks, and chapter hats by President Chavez.

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 12/14/15

by Juan Chavez

Every year, MOAA’s affiliates compete to receive a four- or five-star Levels of Excellence Award. The very best councils and chapters receive five-star awards, while above-average councils and chapters receive four-star awards.

It is a pleasure to announce that the Cape Fear Chapter was selected as a 5-Star Chapter for 2015, congratulations to all of you.

Leaders from winning affiliates will receive special streamers at MOAA's 2015 annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 30-31, I will be there in person to accept our award.

Link: Complete List of Winners

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 08/19/15

by Bill Dadek

We welcome Chaplain (Colonel) Gregory K. Williamson, US Army, Retired as the new Senior Army Instructor at Lumberton Senior High School in Lumberton effective 13 February 2015. He lives in Fayetteville with his wife Jackie; they have two grown sons, Aaron and Isaac, who also reside in the Fayetteville area with their families. Colonel Williamson joined the chapter and he looks forward to attending some of our meetings. We wish him the best of success in his new job.

Colonel Williamson replaces LTC (Ret) Neil Harper who stepped down after one year at LSHS.

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 03/20/15

The link below will open the annual letter from VADM Norb Ryan, President of MOAA which contains a wealth of information on the work done by our Association in the past year. It is a worthwhile read for all.

Link: Annual Letter

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 11/01/14

Beginning with the August edition of the Cape Fear Infogram, sponsorship ads will run in the newsletter.

Sponsors may buy full-page, half-page, quarter-page and business card-sized ads. Cost is:

Full-page 6 issues $850; 12 issues $1,693

Half-page 6 issues $419; 12 issues $753

Quarter-page 6 issues $204; 12 issues $389

Business-card 6 issues $95; 12 issues $188

For more information or to reserve your sponsorship, contact Don Gersh at 910.624.4597 or doneal.gersh@gmail.com or editor@cfmoaa.org.

Checks are payable to Cape Fear Chapter MOAA and may be mailed to Post Office Box 53621, Fayetteville, NC 28305.

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 07/08/14

Other than serving in one of the five elective positions, there are many other ways chapter members can serve and make meaningful contributions. We are in dire need of volunteers to help carry the load of operating the Chapter in an effective and efficient manner. The majority of the positions/jobs listed only require a commitment of a few hours a month of your time and most of the work can be performed from or in your home. Any member or their spouses may participate. Some of the positions listed below are currently filled, but having a replacement in queue to understudy would be ideal.

If anyone is interested in volunteering for one or more of the positions listed, please call our Secretary Don Gersh at (910) 484-4545, or email at Secretary@cfmoaa.org.

Executive Board and Special Staff Appointive Positions:

Surviving Spouse Liaison Officer (surviving spouse preferred)

Personal Affairs Officer

Newsletter Editor

Assistant Newsletter Editor

Assistant Secretary

Webmaster

TOPS (The Officer Placement Service)

On-Going Committees:

ROTC and Scholarship Committee

Personal Affairs Committee

Newsletter Editorial Committee

Legislative Committee

Programs Committee

Publicity Committee

Sponsorship Sales Committee

Membership Committee

Information Dissemination Committee

Membership Directory Committee

TOPS (The Officer Placement Service) Group

Special Purpose Committees and other programs:

Nominating Committee (on election years)

Golf Tournament Committee

Honor Guard Member

ROTC Awards Presenter

USO Volunteer

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 03/31/14

LTC (Ret) & Mrs. Dean Russell

The Support the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery Fund recently received a substantial donation from one of our chapter members, LTC (Ret) Dean Russell and his wife Ginny.

In July, the NC General Assembly appropriated $125,000 to upgrade the committal structure at the Veterans Cemetery at Spring Lake with the stipulation that the community was to raise a matching $125,000 in donations.

At the 8 December 2013 Community Concerts screening of the documentary “Honor Flight” at the Crown Arena, Dean and Ginny Russell were publicly recognized for their personal donation of a matching $125,000. Governor Pat McCrory was present to sign a ceremonial $125,000 check to honor his commitment.

The Friends of the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery are pursuing the funding to provide a place of dignity for veterans and their families to have funeral services for their loved ones at the cemetery in Spring Lake. When attending funerals at that site, families are sometimes exposed to inclement weather.

No one knows that better than Dean Russell who is also the Commander of the Cape Fear Chapter Honor Guard. The Honor Guard was established to pay respects and provide support to the families of deceased chapter members upon request. The Honor Guard provides sentries at the casket or urn during the visitation, and serves as honorary pall bearers at the funeral service. Dean’s membership in MOAA and his role as commander of the Cape Fear Chapter Honor Guard were highlighted during his introduction.

The Russell’s unwavering support of our community and specifically our veterans is worthy of the highest esteem. The awareness of our chapter and MOAA in general they fashioned as a result of their benevolence is priceless. Thank you Dean and Ginny!

^top   Contact   General Info   Permalink   Posted: 12/09/13