November 2, 2024
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Annual Meeting & Luncheon - Nashua
Country Club
Speaker: Ty Gagne, award winning author (more info) |
|
December 7, 2024
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Holiday Gathering - Jesse's Steaks, Seafood &
Tavern, Hanover
Hopefully a chance to meet Vermont Chapter members. (more info) |
2024
First Meeting - Common Man Inn & Spa
It was a beautiful, sunny spring day when the chapter
held its first luncheon and meeting of 2024 on April 27th at the Common
Man Inn & Spa in Plymouth, NH. 78 members and guests
signed up to travel north to get out of their houses and enjoy the company
of fellow chapter members. Prior to the commencement of lunch, Chapter
President, Lt Col Larry Miller, USAFR (Ret.), opened the meeting
by announcing that the Chapter had received a 5-Star rating (top of the
heap) for Level of Excellence (LOE) in MOAA's LOE competition and a 5-Star
rating for our web site in MOAA's Communication competition. Following
him, Pat Miller, the Chapter's Surviving Spouse Liaison presented
surviving spouse pins to two chapter members. We were there to honor the
recipient of the twelfth annual
Granite State Warriors
Award (GSWA). These awards are given to the New Hampshire
resident or NH-based organization making the most significant contribution
to the Armed Forces of the United States that year. The recipient
of the 2023 Granite State Warriors Award is John "Jack" R. Daly, Jr.
Jack Daly is a current advisor to Veterans’ Rest Stop-(VRS), a 501(c)(3)
non-profit corporation established for the purpose of assisting veterans
of the US Armed Forces who are in need of counseling and mentoring due
to facing issues such as addictions, under-employment, medical issues,
homelessness, domestic relations issues, personal issues and the like.
Jack secured funding for VRS development ($240,000.). He is currently
an instructor at New England Disabled Sports based at Loon Mountain and
Bretton Woods.
Has been a volunteer for 29 years at New England Disabled Sports,
working with Veterans and individuals with various disabilities.
He related working with several severely disabled veterans, and had difficulty
fighting back his tears. We were joined by one first time member
- Deborah Davitt of Bethlehem.
Check In Here |
Pat Miller, SSL |
GSWA Recipient, Jack Daly |
Granite State Warrior Award |
Summer Meeting - White Mountain Hotel and Resort
It was a beautiful summer day on June 15, 2024, when the chapter held its second meeting of the year at the White Mountain Hotel and Resort in North Conway. The only concern to the members was the fact that this was the same weekend as the annual Motorcycle Week in the Lakes Region and numerous members spent over a half hour getting through Meredith, NH. It also happened to be the same weekend as Father’s Day. Several made the suggestion that we do not schedule a luncheon for this weekend in the future, especially one that may require travel through the Lakes Region.
Notwithstanding, 60 members and guests signed up for the luncheon and enjoyed a delicious meal choice of Chicken Piccata, Broiled Sirloin of Beef or Vegetarian Meal. Our schedule speaker, Jeb Bradley, President of the New Hampshire Senate, unfortunately had to cancel at the last minute; however, chapter member Colonel Gerry Boyle, USMC (Ret.) ably stepped in and gave an excellent talk concerning the true meaning of Memorial Day.
Check In Here |
Socializing Before Lunch |
June Luncheon |
Speaker |
Annual Clambake
The forecast was for rain; however the front moved Northeast and the day turned out to be gorgeous with a gentle sea breeze that made it very enjoyable. August 3, 2024 marked the fortieth anniversary of the chapter holding its Clambake. Again this year, the event was jointly hosted by the New Hampshire Chapter and the Southern Maine Chapter of MOAA. 214 members, family and guests from several chapters enjoyed good fellowship and our traditional feast of clam chowder, lobster or steak, mussels, corn-on-the-cob, potatoes, onions, rolls and watermelon.
We were joined by a number of distinguished guests including Senator Maggie Hassan; staff members from Senator Sheehan, Congressman Pappas and Congressman Golden’s (ME) offices; Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Commander CAPT Michael Oberdorf, USN and his wife Tara; several senior Shipyard officers; CAPT Frank Michael, USN (Ret.), Program Director, Council and Chapter Affairs MOAA, and members of various Chapters of MOAA stretching from Maine to Florida! New Hampshire Chapter President Lt Col Larry Miller, USAFR (Ret.) and his wife Pat, the Chapter Surviving Spouse Liaison, welcomed everyone to the event. We were honored to have a US Navy color guard, from the Shipyard, post the colors. Senator Hassan spoke as well as CAPT Michael.
This year the duties of Bakemaster were excellently carried out jointly by CW4 Bob Jaffin, USN (Ret.) and MAJ Jason Moody, USA, and once again the job of Drinksmaster was ably performed by CW5 Bernie Satterfield, USA (Ret.). During the “Bake” a Silent Raffle was held to support the Scholarship Program. Four recipients of Scholarship loans volunteered to help out wherever they were needed.
The main benefit of the Clambake, other than to enjoy a great home-cooked bake, is to support the Chapter's Scholarship Fund. This locally run program helps children and grandchildren of the New Hampshire Chapter members with college expenses by awarding grants of $2000.00 and $4000.00 per academic year. This year EIGHT students will receive grants. This year the Clambake raised $3,815.00. Thank you to all who contributed!!
In addition to the money raised for our Chapter's Scholarship Fund, Chapter members donated fifty-four food items helping to support the Manchester VAMC Veterans. Finally, a special Bravo Zulu to all those who made this event as successful as it was. It could not have been done without all the hard work of the chapter volunteers!!
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Former Sen Ayotte |
CAPT Michael checking in |
Sen Hassan speaking |
Drinkmaster Satterfield |
Checking out the Silent Raffle |
The serving line |
Enjoying their meal |
Enjoying good friendship |
m/s Mount Washington Cruise
by LCDR Peter Dawson, USNR (Ret.)
The MS Mt Washinton cruise ship left the pier at Weirs Beach (Laconia)
on Saturday, Sept 7th , with close to 60 MOAA members and spouses aboard.
The weather was perfect for an afternoon trip around Lake Winnipesaukee
with bright sun, and 75 degrees for all to enjoy.
The cruise line had an entire function room set
aside
for the group complete with a full buffet and window seats for all.
Ours was the only group of tourists aboard partaking of any dining
functions during the cruise.
Lake Winnipesaukee has been a stop for visitors
from across the globe for many years, and most aren’t aware that its name
originates from two Native Americans and means “Smile of the Great Spirit.”
The story originates long ago when New Hampshire’s only inhabitants were
Indians.
The original Mt. Washington was built in 1872, and
was a “paddle steamer.” It was the largest steamer on the lake at
187’ in length and it eventually transported over 60,000 passengers around
the lake annually. The original ship was destroyed by fire at the
pier in 1939, and the new cruise liner originated on Lake Champlain.
It was transported by rail to Lake Winnipesaukee in sections, making its
first cruise in August, 1940. Several updates have been made during
the past 50 years including lengthening the ship by 20’ for new function
rooms.
Lake Winnipesaukee has over 260 islands, 130 of
which are over ¼ acre in size. The smallest is only 10’.
There are over 180 miles of shoreline and the lake is 28 miles long end-to-end
with a surface are of 72 square miles. The deepest site on the lake
is 207’, and one of our MOAA members has done a deep dive to find this
spot. The south end of Winnipesaukee is about 90 miles from Boston.
Our cruise was 3 hours long, and the ship traveled
to Alton Bay then docked in Wolfeboro to transfer passengers. There
are several tours done daily during each season changing for different
dates and functions. There are both daytime and evening dance trips between
all ports on the lake many of which are formal with live music.
The ship’s Captain Duffy spoke with the entire group
during the afternoon, telling about the lake, the ship, and his staff including
his own lengthy nautical background. He explained that the ship stays
in the water year-round but does have facilities in Center Harbor for pulling
it ashore for bottom maintenance.
MOAA is fortunate to have CW4 Bob Jaffin aboard
MOAA New Hampshire, as he continues to organize and manage these types
of outings. In the past, he has sponsored dinners, and a fall train
trip from Meredith to Plymouth (NH) several years ago including a full
luncheon at the Common Man Inn & Spa (Plymouth). Thanks from
all, Bob. We look forward to another train ride!
M/S Mt Washington Sign |
M/S Mt Washington Approaching |
Buffet Line |
Enjoying Lunch |
Wolfeboro |
Capt Duffy Speaking |
Capt Duffy, Larry Miller, Bob Jaffin |
Returning Home |
2023
Annual Meeting - Nashua Country Club
It was a pleasant autumn day on November 4, 2023
when the Chapter held its Annual Meeting and Luncheon at the Nashua Country
Club. The business meeting was attended by 24 Chapter members. 82
members and guests enjoyed a delicious meal excellently prepared by the
staff of the club. As always, the staff of the country club was extremely
helpful in accommodating every request.
Before the meal, those present participated in the
traditional playing of all the service marches, including the new Space
Force march. Unfortunately, this year no one was present from the
Coast Guard, NOAA or USPHS to stand up for their marches. Our outgoing
president, CPT James LeFebvre, USAR, presided over the installation of
this year's Officers and Board of Directors for the chapter. The
results of the annual elections can be found on the "Chapter
News" page. Once again we acknowledged the passing of chapter
members who had died since the last annual meeting. TAPS was played
for them. During lunch, CDR Peter Burdett, USN (Ret.) and LTC Gary
Terhune, USA (Ret.) collected $242.00 to support veterans’ organizations
in NH.
We were pleased to have as our guest speaker, Virginia
"Gail" Joyce, Chair of the Surviving Spouse Advisory Council and member
of MOAA Board of Directors, who spoke about being prepared for the passing
of a loved one and other topics relating to that important subject.
Prior to her talk, she presented our new president, Lt Col Larry Miller,
USAFR (Ret.), with the Certificate and Medallian for our 2022 5-Star Level
of Excellence (LOE) Award. We were joined by six first time
attendees: Jason Moody of Portsmouth, Wayne & Gail Peters
of Manchester, David & Zita Rosa of North Dighton, MA and Marcia
Tamblyn
of
Londonderry.
Business Meeting |
Check In Here |
Socializing Before Lunch |
November Luncheon |
Swearing In |
Passing The Gavel |
Receiving Our 5-Star Award |
Speaker's Gift |
Hot Items | Contacts | TRICARE
| Program Notes | Upcoming Events | Chapter News | Membership Info
Newsletter | Group Travel
| Transition Assistance| Odds and Ends | Granite State Warriors Award