On Tuesday November 11, 2019 the Washington, DC Chapter of the National Naval Officers Association (DCNNOA) conducted its Annual Veterans Day visit to the Washington, DC Veterans Hospital.  Sixteen (16) Chapter members and friends spent the morning meeting, greeting and thanking numerous veterans receiving medical care at the hospital for their service to the nation.  The Chapter members also provided the veterans with numerous gifts that included socks, knit caps, gloves and leggings for the female veterans.  The veterans were also presented with “Thank You Cards” from the NJROTC students at Suitland High School in Suitland, Maryland.  The Chapter also conducted its very popular Bingo Games with the residents in the Psychiatric Ward.  This year’s Bingo Games may have been the best as the competition was steep and intense (smile)!  Overall, it truly was a fantastic event and a wonderful time was had by all.  The Chapter was also blessed to have a number of key officials in attendance.  Key officials attending this year’s visit included current NNOA National President RADM (Ret) Sinclair Harris, USN, former NNOA National President CAPT (Ret) Dr. Bernard Jackson, USN and former Director of Veteran Affairs for the District of Columbia and Attorney CDR (Ret) Kerwin Miller, USN.

The Chapter also extends a personal “Thank You” to Ms. Lynette Brady of the Washington, DC Veterans Hospital staff for her exceptional support in coordinating the Chapter’s visit.

Finally we would like to thank the Chapter members and our supporters for providing the gifts that allow us to bring smiles of joy to the veterans at the Washington DC Veterans Hospital.  Your support over the many, many years have made our efforts worthwhile and we cannot “Thank You” enough for caring.  Note, over the last ten years the Washington, DC Chapter of the National Naval Officers Association and its supporters has spent approximately $10,000.00 providing over 3,000 pairs of socks, 2,000 knit caps and 1,000 gloves in support of veterans at the DC Veterans Hospital.

In closing, we extend a “Hearty Thank You” to all our veterans and their families for their service to the nation.

By: Jeffrey S. GraySenior Project Director, Chicago Navy Memorial Foundation

What an exciting and inspiring set of events we had on Thursday. 

If you missed the Hyman G. Rickover Naval Academy’s commissioning ceremony and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library’s panel discussion, attached are a couple of photo montages from those events. 

For all who attended, I want to personally thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to share the two events with our city’s, our state’s, and our nation’s past, current, and future leaders. 

Special thanks goes to our program speakers and out of state guests:  Admiral John Richardson (Ret.), Admiral Cecil Haney (Ret.), Rear Admiral Sinclair Harris (Ret.), Rear Admiral Samuel Cox (Ret.), Rear Admiral Michael Browne (Ret.), Rear Admiral Michael and Mrs. Alfultis, Navy Captain Earl and Mrs. Carter (Ret.), Navy Captain Patrick Burns (Ret.), and Navy Captain David Adams (Ret.). 

The turn out in support of both events was extra special. 

Now that Rickover Naval Academy has moved to its own campus and facility, it now has the capacity to grow and enhance the program in a way it could not if it was still co-located at Senn High School. 

Going forward, I guarantee that you will be hearing a lot more from this dynamic and diverse public school as we advance the program to the next level. 

Thank you for your enduring support.