2023
November 4, 2023
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Annual Meeting, Nashua Country Club, Nashua,
NH
Speaker: Mrs. Gail Joyce, Chair, Surviving Spouse Advisory Council, MOAA BoD (more info) |
2023
First Meeting -Nashua Country Club
It was a clear, crisp winters day on February 18th when the chapter held its annual Granite State Warrior Award luncheon. This year it was held at the Nashua Country Club in Nashua. As always, the Nashua Country Club put on an excellent meal, and the service was second to none. This year’s awardees were Phil and Julie Taub, founders of Swimming With A Mission (SWAM). Their original event featured a swim across Newfound Lake. Five years later, they now have hundreds of swimmers and volunteers showing up and raising money for our Veterans. A featured event is a unique team building day led by the Navy SEALs. Last year, they added a new event, Green Beret With A Mission challenge.
Prior to the beginning of lunch, US Senator Maggie Hassan spoke about the work of the Taub’s and also some of the current legislation she is sponsoring in Washington. Phil Taub gave a moving presentation about what SWAM is doing now and what they are undertaking beyond the swimming effort. They are engaged in efforts to help veterans in areas that the various government agencies are dragging their feet on. His talk was well received by everyone. At the end, president, Jim LeFebvre, Presented the Taub’s with a certificate making them Honorary members of the chapter.
![]() Sen Hassan |
![]() February Luncheon |
![]() Head Table |
![]() The Taub's |
![]() Speakers' Gift |
Spring Meeting - Common Man Inn & Spa
As we approached Plymouth on the Interstate and the Common Man Inn & Spa, the scenery became a white wonderland with snow covering the grassy areas and the trees. The chapter held its spring meeting on April 1, 2023, and fortunately there were no April Fools pranks played that were known. The 72 members and guests who signed up enjoyed their meals of a choice of Haddock, Turkey or Vegetarian. Once again, the staff of the Common Man "bent over backwards" to ensure that we had a good time. They even set up another table on short notice when some members showed up who weren't on the list. Prior to lunch, the president, Jim LeFebvre, called all the Board of Directors present up to the podium to acknowledge their efforts in the chapter winning MOAA's 5 Star award in the Level of Excellence (LOE) for 2021. Following the meal, everyone listened to our guest speaker, COL Davis Ulricson, NHARNG, Commander of the 197th Field Artillery Brigade, New Hampshire Army National Guard,whose unit had just returned from a nine month (plus) deployment to the Middle East. He spoke about the unit and what artillery it possessed. He went into detail concerning the training the members went through prior to deployment and while in the MIddle East.
![]() Check In Here |
![]() Board Photo For LOE ** |
![]() April Luncheon |
![]() Speaker's Gift ** |
Summer Picnic - Tin Mountain Conservation Center
On June 17th, 62 members, guests, and
family members traveled to North Country to attend our very first luncheon
at the Tin Mountain Conservation Center in Albany, NH. Unfortunately, due
to heavy rain most of the day, we were unable to participate in any optional
outdoor activities, but in the main meeting room, we had the opportunity
to gather and enjoy ourselves while dining and listening to a great presentation
by members of the NH ARNG Aviation Section regarding mountain rescues.
Beer for sale was graciously provided by Tuckerman Brewing and our Gary
Lovgren provided the wine for sale. A picnic style luncheon including
pulled pork sandwiches, fried chicken, and various salads such as potato
and macaroni were available as well as non-alcoholic beverages catered
by Sweet Maple Café.
Nancy Devine, current President of the Board
of Directors at Tin Mountain, provided us with a brief history of the center
and the efforts to expand their conservation and research activities since
moving to this location. After lunch, we all listened to an informative
PowerPoint presentation by CW3 Luke Koladish, one of the Blackhawk
pilots, and SFC Aaron Angelis, the unit flight instructor, on the
missions of the aviation section of the NH ARNG, primarily focusing on
the aeromedical/rescue activities of the six HH-60M Blackhawks assigned
to the 238th Medevac unit. They spoke to us about two relatively recent
mountain rescues and the missions of the other two units, the 169th with
4 assigned HH-60L Blackhawks mainly used to transport personnel and logistical
movements, and the one C-12 (Beechcraft KingAir) assigned primarily to
move headquarters personnel around the state.
Because of the rainy weather and the center had
another group visiting the center later that afternoon, we luncheon broke
up and we headed home around 2:30 pm.
![]() Socializing Before Lunch |
![]() Wine Anyone? |
![]() 50/50 Raffle |
![]() June Picnic |
![]() Our Speakers |
![]() Rescue Equipment |
Annual Clambake
The day was a beautiful, sunny, breezy day, by the ocean, on August 5, 2023, when the chapter held it’s thirty-ninth annual Clambake. The name was changed back to Clambake this year from “Lobsterbake” last year because we did not offer clams last year (other than clam chowder). However clams were back this year so was “Clambake”. Our chapter hosted the “Bake” this year by ourselves as the Southern Maine Chapter elected not to be a cohost. 165 members, family and guests from several chapters enjoyed good fellowship and our traditional feast of clam chowder, lobster or steak, mussels and clams, corn-on-the-cob, potatoes, onions, rolls and watermelon.
We were joined by a number of distinguished guests including Senator Maggie Hassan, Congressman Chris Pappas, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Commander, CAPT Michael Oberdorf, USN and his wife Tara, CAPT Frank Michael, USN (Ret.), Program Director, Council and Chapter Affairs MOAA, Col Jim O'Brien, USAF (Ret), Executive Vice President and COO of MOAA (at least his fifth year attending!), and members of various Chapters of MOAA stretching from Maine to Virginia! New Hampshire Chapter President CPT Jim LeFebvre, USA welcomed everyone to the event. We were honored to have a US Navy color guard, from the Shipyard Clinic, post the colors.
This year the duties of Bakemaster were excellently carried out jointly by LTC Gary Terhune, USA (Ret.) and COL “Chad” Chadwick, USA (Ret.) and once again the job of Drinksmaster was ably performed by CW5 Bernie Satterfield, USA (Ret.). We were joined by eight new chapter members: Candyce & Robert Cummings of Nashua, Michael Fournier of Tuftonboro, Norman Fry & Dale Williams of Manchester, Richard & Barbara Maslin of Laconia, and Fred Guldbrandsen of Sanbornville, who joined on the spot.
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. Thank you to all who contributed!!
In addition to the money raised for our Chapter's Scholarship Fund, Chapter members donated a substantial amount of can goods 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!!
![]() Check In Here |
![]() Senator Maggie Hassan |
![]() Congressman Cris Pappas |
![]() Posting the Colors |
![]() Cong Pappas Serving |
2022
Annual Meeting - Nashua Country Club
It was an historically warm day breaking many records
when the Chapter held its Annual Meeting and Luncheon at the Nashua Country
Club on November 5, 2022. The business meeting was attended by 23
Chapter members. While this was going on, the spouses caught up with
personal news. Prior to the luncheon, chapter member Warren Coulter
raised $90.00 to support veterans’ organizations in NH. 80
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 guest
of honor, CDR John Benda, USN, 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.
We were pleased to have as our guest speaker, CDR
John A. Benda, USN, the 76th Commanding Officer of the USS Constitution
(Old Ironsides). He gave a thoroughly entertaining talk about
the various preceding Commanding Officers of the USS Constitution as well
as what the ship and crew are doing these days. Click
here to listen to his talk. He was presented with a Chapter Certificate
of Appreciation, a Chapter Challenge Coin, a picture book of New Hampshire
and a free one year’s membership in the Chapter. We were joined by
three first time attendees: Ellen Bald of West Lebanon and Fred
& Sally Dinsmore of Newton.
![]() Business Meeting |
![]() Business Meeting |
![]() Spouses Get Together |
![]() Check In Here |
![]() Socializing |
![]() Socializing |
![]() Swearing In |
![]() Head Table |
![]() Speaker's Gift |
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State Warriors Award