June 2021 Newsletter
Posted: 6/3/2021
VA Peninsula Newsletter June 2021
Pres: Ben Francisco ‘73 (p: 757-784-0786) e: roger.benton.francisco@gmail.com
Vice Pres: Kathleen Jabs ‘88 (e: kjabs@aol.com)
BGO Area Coordinator: LCDR David Lannetti ’81 (Ret.) (p: 757-423-8602) e: dlannetti81@gmail.com
Website: VAPeninsula.usnachapters.net
In Support of STEM and SUMMER SEMINAR
The Virginia Peninsula Chapter is sponsoring two highly qualified high school students to participate in Academy Summer Programs. Chapter member Bob Lynch solicited applicants via his network of high school guidance counselors and our Chapter Board approved the funds.
Derek Boyle a freshman selected to take part in this year’s (virtual) STEM Program, is currently a student council representative for his class. He earns excellent grades in all classes with a real interest in science and math. Derek also plays Baseball for his high school and a local travel team.
Conner Pate is currently finishing his junior year in high school. His application to Summer Seminar serves as a preliminary application to the Naval Academy and the Class of 2026. Conner has consistently earned excellent grades throughout high school, participated in Boy Scouts, and is a two-sport athlete playing football and running track. Conner is interested in majoring in Mathematics.
Supporting local students who have a high potential to become Midshipmen is main purpose of our annual dues and fund raising.
Chapter Information and Dues
All chapter social functions are pay-as-we-go; admin overhead is minimized and new members buy their own nametags. Chapter dues are $20 a year and contributions go directly toward supporting the candidates for the Academy summer programs.
Send your checks to our new treasurer:
USNAAA VA Peninsula, c/o Gary Carlile, 3724 Mesa River, Williamsburg, VA 23188
Small Business Development Forum
The 2nd Wednesday each month we have been conducting a Joint Service Academy Small Business-Business Development Forum zoom meeting. In May we started meeting in person and guests were able to join via Zoom. Mike Ohlhaver’75 is the host of these meetings.
Contact chapter president, Ben Francisco, if you are interested in checking us out.
The chapter has been very active this year through monthly Zoom meetings.
January 20th We held a General Chapter meeting with Bob Lynch as the keynote speaker. Bob is the assistant manager of the large Blue and Gold network in all of Hampton Roads. He reviewed what happened in 2020, the current Candidate selection process and how 2021 is looking.
February 10th Ken Reightler ‘73, Retired Astronaut and Tig H. Krekel, Class of ’75 Distinguished Chair in Space Science at USNA presented “Getting some ‘Space’ at USNA: Naval reliance on space, NASA and commercial space activities. ” We have a copy of his excellent presentation; ask and Ben will send it to you.
March 10th Howard Hoege lll, USMA ‘94, President and CEO Mariners Museum and Park was our guest speaker. Howard shared how they survived 2020 and what is new at the Park.
April 14th John Maxwell, Commissioner Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) described the extensive organization our state has established to support Veterans. DVS is organized into seven service delivery sections: benefits; veteran and family support; veterans education; transition and employment; care centers; veterans cemeteries; and the Virginia War Memorial.
May 12th Captain Bryan Cochran ’93 discussed his Command tour at Joint Task Force-Civil Support (JTF-CS). It is a subordinate command of United States Northern Command headquartered at Fort Eustis and is responsible for coordinating joint military homeland recovery responses to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear events
June 5th Annual Picnic and Plebe Recognition Picnic at Spence Witten’s family estate, the “Beeches at Capitol Landing,” in Williamsburg. This was our 1st event after 18 months of being isolated during COVID restrictions and was a good occasion to renew acquaintances, meet new members and meet the class of 2025. Pictures are posted in our 2021 Photo Album.
Chapter future plans include:
July TBD open
August 5th at 5 pm Tour and beer tasting at AleWerks brewing company, Mooretown Road, Williamsburg
Sep 9th at TBD Meeting with Congresswoman Luria in Yorktown.
Sep 11th football Navy – AF game party at Revolutions Golf and Grille, Williamsburg, VA
Oct 18th at 11:00 Meeting with Congressman Wittman at Patriots Colony and follow-on luncheon.
Nov date TBD Meeting at the James River Country Club with a presentation by Tom Petters, President and CEO of Huntington Ingalls Industries.
December 11th Army – Navy party at Revolutions Golf and Grille, Williamsburg, VA.
If you live on the Virginia Peninsula and are interested in joining our chapter, please contact Ben Francisco, our chapter president, to be welcomed and put on our email list.
Roger.Benton.Francisco@gmail.com, 757-784-0786
